Biomedical subjects

K Dugbatey

Publications and source records attributed to K Dugbatey.

4 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2000

Lead abatement training for underserved populations: lessons learned.

An environmental-justice (equity) grant program was used to make accessible an existing lead-training program to minority persons and residents of low-income communities. The purpose of the program was to enhance the knowledge base within the communities concerning lead hazards and intervention strategies and expand possibilities for employment in the lead abatement industry. Barriers to attendance were anticipated and addressed, and included transportation, meals, license application fees, reminders of course date and location, and day care. The program was evaluated through measures of recruitment rates, pre- and post-testing scores, and change in perception of confidence at pre-test, post-test, and at four-month follow-up. Fee-paying registrants over the same time period were used as a comparison group. First day attendance rates for individuals recruited into the equity-grant was 59 percent, of these 94 percent completed all days. Equity and fee-paying groups had similar scores on the pre-test (p = .209), while mean scores on the final exam differed significantly (p < .001) between the groups and were 77 percent and 85 percent, respectively. After adjusting for demographic and course type attended, perceptions of self-efficacy (benefit) and outcome-effectiveness (confidence) increased significantly from pre- to post-tests for both groups and remained at post-course levels at four months follow-up. Lessons learned include: (1) Lead abatement and other related activities can be successfully taught through traditional training methods; (2) A necessary element for delivery of educational services to minority groups is forming workable ties with local community groups, but eligibility requirements must be maintained; (3) Once barriers to first-day attendance are overcome, the information necessary to perform specific work skills can be taught; (4) Positive changes in belief are not dependent on minority status, income, or education levels; (5) Training and education increased confidence in ability to perform learned skills, and belief that there will be a beneficial outcome when performed for themselves, their families, and communities; and, (6) A consensus regarding applicability of regulations must be achieved among federal, state, and local communities.

Adult↗

PubMed2000

Data uses, benefits, and barriers for the behavioral risk factor surveillance system: a qualitative study of users.

The purpose of this study was to describe data use, benefits, and barriers among BRFSS users. A trained facilitator conducted eight focus groups of eight to 12 state health department employees. NUD*IST qualitative software was used to code responses. Users viewed the BRFSS as an invaluable data set. Data were used most frequently for public education, trend analyses, planning, policy support, and program evaluation. Common barriers to data use included limited availability of regional and subgroup data, lack of data analysis skills, and inadequate staff resources. Users described the BRFSS as a beneficial data source, but some barriers impede its usefulness.

Attitude of Health Personnel↗

PubMed2000

Uses of Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System data, 1993-1997.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to document and describe Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) data use patterns, benefits, and barriers from 1993 to 1997. METHODS: Data use information was gathered via a Medline database search and a telephone survey of BRFSS program directors (n = 54). RESULTS: The database search uncovered 109 BRFSS-based reports. Program directors indicated that BRFSS data frequently were used to support health policies regarding diabetes, physical activity, and smoking. Frequent data use barriers included insufficient special population data, insufficient city- or county-specific data, and insufficient staff. CONCLUSIONS: Use of BRFSS data, which aid several state health activities, increased from 1993 to 1997.

Data Interpretation, Statistical↗

PubMed1999

National health policies: sub-Saharan African case studies (1980-1990).

Four countries, Botswana, Cote d'Ivoire, Ghana and Zimbabwe, were chosen as cases to study the impact of national health policies on national health status in sub-Saharan Africa. Through a conceptual framework that covers health problem identification, policy formulation and implementation procedures, the study examined national translations of Primary Health Care (PHC) and Health for All by the Year 2000 (HFA/2000) strategies. A series of government measures, taken between 1980-1986 for health policy development and implementation in these countries, were treated as policy determinants of national health outcomes for the period ending 1990. The impact of these determinants on national health status was then analyzed through a comparative description and documentation of observable patterns and trends in infant mortality rates (IMR), under-5 mortality rates (U5MR) and life expectancy. Policy guidelines from PHC and HFA/2000 were used in conjunction with the respective per capita Gross National Products to categorize the four cases. Based on these guidelines, Botswana was ranked high, both in terms of policy development and the level of economic development, while Zimbabwe ranked high in terms of policy development but relatively low in economic terms. Cote d'Ivoire ranked high on economic development but low with regard to its policy framework. Ghana was at the other end of the spectrum, ranking low both in terms of its policy development and its economic performance. The comparative analysis revealed that Botswana and Zimbabwe performed better than Cote d'Ivoire and Ghana on the three outcome indicators. Despite Cote d'Ivoire's superior level of economic development, its health status fell behind that of Zimbabwe and even Ghana. The study concluded that policies formulated and implemented in accordance with key PHC principles could account for improvements in national health status. Since the end of the study period (1990), there have been significant political changes in the sub-Saharan African region as a whole and in some of the case countries in particular. Political leadership has changed in Ghana and Cote d'Ivoire with some course corrections in Ghana's health plans. Health sector financing in the region has become more dependent on external donors. The World Bank leads the external donor community in promoting policy-based lending. The complexity of a number of health problems has changed while the problems themselves remain the same as before. Essentially, building viable public health infrastructures to address basic public health needs must still be high on the agenda of action for most governments in the region. Thus, notwithstanding some course corrections and reasonable shifts in priorities, all the PHC principles are still applicable, indeed, much needed in the sub-Saharan African region. This study's findings, underscoring the fact that significant improvements in health are possible even where financial resources are limited, still hold true.

Africa South of the Sahara↗