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Biomedical subjects

J P Kevany

Publications and source records attributed to J P Kevany.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1996

An investigation of the role of fathers in immunization uptake.

BACKGROUND: Mothers, but not fathers, are the usual focus of strategies to maximize immunization coverage in low income countries. METHODS: A study of the immunization determinants of children aged 12-18 months was conducted in 1991 in the Eastern Region of Ghana using structured interviews of a population sample of 294 mothers and 170 (67%) of the children's fathers. RESULTS: Fathers were more likely than mothers to perceive that the fathers had participated in the decision to send children for immunizations. Where both parents reported that the father had participated in the decision, and he could speak English, the child was more likely to have completed the immunization schedule by 12 months (OR = 5.7, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.5-21.7), independently of other factors. Neither the father's participation, nor his ability to speak English, was independently associated with the child's immunization status. CONCLUSIONS: The results of the study suggest that, where fathers have a higher level of education, programmes which are designed to involve them in decisions about their children's use of preventive health services have the potential to increase timely immunization coverage levels.

Child, Preschool↗
PubMed1996

Maximizing immunization coverage through home visits: a controlled trial in an urban area of Ghana.

A strategy of home visits to maximize children's immunization coverage was implemented in three towns in Ghana. The strategy was tested in town 1 in a controlled trial where clusters of children were allocated to the intervention and control groups. A total of 200 mothers in the intervention group were visited at home by non-health workers and their children were referred to a routine under-fives' clinic. Subsequent home visits targeted at those who failed to complete immunization schedules were made by nurses. After 6 months, coverage had risen from 60% to 85%, which was 20% higher than in the town 1 control group of 219 age-matched children (P < 0.005). A similar home-visiting strategy in a neighbouring town resulted in a rise in coverage from 38% to 91% (n = 55), mainly through home immunizations. Children were more likely to complete the schedule if their fathers were interviewed and participated in the decision to send them to the clinic. Countries with national service programmes can use a home-visiting strategy to supplement and strengthen their routine immunization programmes. A wide range of other community-based primary health care interventions could also be tested and implemented using this methodology.

Adult↗
PubMed1986

A case-control study of dietary intake of renal stone patients. I. Preliminary analysis.

The average daily dietary intake of 88 idiopathic renal stone cases and 88 age and sex matched controls was assessed by history using a standardised questionnaire. Statistical analysis was undertaken on the whole group and on male and female subgroups, to establish if there were any significant differences between cases and controls. There were statistically significant differences in dietary intake between the whole group, the female cases and the control group. Male cases showed only a significantly lower intake of thiamine compared to controls. There was little difference between cases and controls intake of iron or multivitamin supplements but vitamin C supplements (greater than 1 g/day) were taken more than twice as frequently by cases than controls. These results suggest that control dietary studies of renal stone patients without regard to their sex may conceal many differences in dietary intake between cases and controls.

Adult↗
PubMed1986

A case-control study of dietary intake of renal stone patients. II. Urine biochemistry and stone analysis.

The dietary intakes of 88 renal stone cases and 88 age and sex matched controls were assessed by dietary history using a standardised questionnaire. The stone cases were divided into six subgroups established on the basis of urine biochemistry (calcium, oxalate and uric acid) and stone composition. The average intake of each group was then compared with that of their controls using standard statistical procedures. Cases with idiopathic calcium oxalate stones had significantly lower intakes of dietary fibre, non-cellulose polysaccharide, phytate, magnesium, phosphate and thiamine than controls. No significant difference in dietary intake was found between cases with high urinary calcium and uric acid and their respective controls. All cases with a high urinary oxalate had a significantly higher intake of vitamin C than controls. Our results support the belief that dietary intake is an important pre-urinary risk factor of idiopathic renal stone disease.

Calcium↗
PubMed1981

A control study of dietary factors in renal stone formation.

Fifty-one first admission renal stone patients and an equal number of controls were interviewed and a dietary history of the average weekly intake was collected from each participant. A comparison of the dietary intake per kilogram body weight in each group was made using standard statistical procedures. None of the nutrient intakes showed a significant difference, but dietary fibre intake and the percentage of energy provided by carbohydrate were consistently higher in the control group, whereas the percentage of energy provided by fat was consistently higher in the renal stone group.

Diet↗
PubMed1981

[Operational evaluation of a project of food-nutrition surveillance].

The Project "Food and Nutrition Surveillance System (SVAN)" of Honduras, functions in a pilot area of the Department of El Paraíso, Honduras, with the participation of several national institutions involved in the food and nutrition problem. In accordance with the plan established in the Project, an evaluation of SVAN was carried out with the following purposes: a) determine the efficiency of the System in relation to the established objectives and goals; determine the obstacles and problems that have risen and the necessary methods and resources to solve them, and c) arrive to conclusions in regard to the Project until the moment of its evaluation, an express recommendations for its future development and extension. The formal aspects evaluated were: objectives, goals, strategies, organization and functioning of the SVAN, advisory services and supervision, personal training, equipment and materials, indicators, actions generated by the SVAN and resources used. To establish the effective value of the Project, informal aspects such as integration of multisectoral surveillance groups were included, as well as communication among the participating sectors in the System, as a result of the functioning of SVAN. Finally, conclusions derived from the evaluation process are presented in regard to: efficacy of the SVAN, costs in terms of invested resources, and feasibility of the System concerning its future extension, both in time and geographic coverage terms.

Costs and Cost Analysis↗
PubMed1978

Planning a food and nutrition surveillance system: the example of Honduras.

A description of the preliminary steps in establishing a food and nutrition surveillance system in a country of Central America is presented in outline. The system will provide the basis for policy formulation, program planning, and evaluation. It is organized on the basis of the participation and resources of seven national agencies and will operate at the local, regional, and central level.

Food Services↗