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Indian experience of home based mothers card: ICMR task force study.

To improve the quality of MCH services, a Home Based Mothers Card (HBMC) prepared and recommended by World Health Organization was adapted to Indian situation, and introduced in 1.5 lakh population of rural area covered by 6 participating centres under the aegis of Indian Council of Medical Research. Two thousand four hundred and forty six mothers were given this card and were followed up for a period of 2 years. Only 89.2 percent retrieval of the cards was possible after a period of 18 months. Screening of the population for "at risk" women monitoring and referral could be undertaken with the help of this card. Improved antenatal, and referral services were observed during the study period. The card (HBMC) was acceptable to the mothers as well as to the health workers, as a tool for improving the quality and coverage of MCH services being rendered at the Primary Health Centre.

Feasibility Studies↗

Low-income women's perceptions of family planning service alternatives.

A sample of 665 low-income women from a predominantly rural area of north central Florida rated the value of 25 features of family planning providers and reported their perceptions of how characteristic each feature was of different types of providers. A well-trained, trustworthy and friendly staff, the presence of a doctor if you need one and a staff that is gentle with the examination were the most desirable features of family planning services. The respondents' perceptions of public health clinics suggest that the strongest qualities of such facilities are that they treat people from different backgrounds, accept Medicaid, are easy to find and teach you how to avoid pregnancy and how to take care of yourself and stay healthy. Features thought most characteristic of private physician services were a well-trained staff, privacy and the presence of a doctor if you need one. Voluntary organizations were seen as providing services for people of different backgrounds, having a friendly staff, serving as a referral agency and teaching about staying healthy and avoiding pregnancy. However, voluntary organizations were rated lower than public health clinics or private physicians on nearly all features. The total scores for public health clinics and private physicians were not significantly different from each other, but both were noticeably higher than the score for voluntary organizations. Ethnicity affected ratings dramatically, with black respondents clearly more favorable toward public health clinics and private physicians than white respondents; conversely, whites were more positive toward voluntary organizations than were blacks. For many of these low-income respondents, the high ratings of private physicians may have represented their expectations rather than their actual experience.

Adolescent↗

Acceptability of HIV vaccine trials in high-risk heterosexual cohorts in Mombasa, Kenya.

OBJECTIVES: To ascertain the level of acceptance of a prophylactic HIV vaccine trial in high-risk HIV-seronegative heterosexual cohorts of men and women in Mombasa, Kenya, and to assess the anticipated effects of participation on risk behavior. METHODS: Standardized questionnaire administered to a convenience sample of commercial sex workers and trucking company employees enrolled in prospective cohort studies. RESULTS: Ninety-six per cent of respondents believed that HIV was a major problem in Kenya and 86% of men and 94% of women perceived themselves at risk. One hundred per cent of women and 84% of men expressed interest in participation in an HIV vaccine trial, after explanation of the experimental nature of the vaccine, double-blind placebo-controlled design, prolonged follow-up and potential change in serostatus. Seventeen per cent of men and 9% of women anticipated an increase in risk behavior as a result of participation. CONCLUSION: The majority of individuals in two high-risk cohorts were interested in participating in Phase III efficacy trials of HIV vaccines. A significant minority anticipated an increase in risk behavior, which emphasizes the need for intensive counseling and education throughout a vaccine trial.

AIDS Vaccines↗

Harmonic Force Fields from Scaled SCF Calculations: Program ASYM40.

We report an extended version of our normal coordinate program ASYM40, which may be used to transform Cartesian force constants from ab initio calculations to a force field in nonredundant internal (symmetry) coordinates. When experimental data are available, scale factors for the theoretical force field may then be optimized by least-squares refinement. The alternative of refining an empirical force field to fit a wide variety of data, as with the previous version ASYM20, has been retained. We compare the results of least-squares refinement of the full harmonic force field with least-squares refinement of only the scale factors for an SCF calculated force field and conclude that the latter approach may be useful for large molecules where more sophisticated calculations are impractical. The refinement of scale factors for a theoretical force field is also useful when there are only limited spectroscopic data. The program will accept ab initio calculated force fields from any program that presents Cartesian force constants as output. The program is available through Quantum Chemistry Program Exchange. Copyright 2000 Academic Press.

Journal Article↗

Criteria for acceptance to preprofessional dietetics programs vs desired qualities of professionals: an analysis.

The objectives of this analysis were to examine the literature and compare and contrast (a) qualities preferred in preprofessional dietetics students by directors of internships and approved preprofessional practice programs (AP4s), (b) characteristics needed to succeed in a scientific field, (c) traits emphasized by dietetics training programs compared with those most valued by employers, (d) skills needed by high-level managerial dietitians and those in business and communications, and (e) qualities dietitians have aspired to develop for increased competitiveness in the marketplace. Even though the revised Standards of Education have been in place since 1988, recent evaluation of criteria for internship and AP4 admission has shown traditional emphasis on academic performance and the importance of work experience. Success in scientific pursuits has been linked with more than innate intelligence; a drive for success and enthusiasm for learning are also involved. Internships foster mostly technical learning, so development of skills in human and conceptual areas are somewhat lacking. These skills, which have been identified as valuable to employers, need greater development or more consistent identification in the selection and training process. Perhaps serious consideration should be given to applicants for preprofessional programs who have shown leadership qualities through extracurricular activities or who have given themselves the opportunity to develop and improve these skills. Such students might hasten the metamorphosis of dietetics practitioners toward improved levels of compensation and professional fulfillment.

Dietetics↗

Evaluation of the impact and acceptance of a nutrition program in an HIV community clinic.

The present paper describes the evaluation of a nutrition service and research model for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-positive clients within a community based HIV acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) medical clinic. This program was designed to develop an effective, practical, replicable model for the delivery of nutrition services in the ambulatory HIV care setting. The objectives of evaluating the model were to define the ways that nutrition services in HIV/AIDS impacted clients, the clinic, and referral sources, and to continually refine the model by determining what services provide greatest benefit to clients, especially in view of the changing landscape of HIV therapy. Four evaluation activities completed during the study period of 5 years are described. These included a focus group and semistructured interview with clients, a semistructured interview with workers from the local network of service referral agencies and a client satisfaction survey at study "close-out." These evaluation processes confirmed or prompted programmatic modifications that improved access, confidentiality, and the relevance of specific components for clients. Providers/stakeholder's concerns were addressed through more frequent communication about clients' specific nutrition issues, clearer and easier referral and cooperation in recruiting patients. Also, the evaluation activities provided a platform for the communication of general and specific information about the program and for outreach. Although clients' and workers' priorities differed in some details of program implementation, there was strong agreement on the value of addressing nutrition concerns in HIV. Favorable feedback about the program gave impetus to continue nutrition services in the clinic after the project period ended and supports its application in other sites and settings.

Adult↗

[Psychological and social evaluation].

The purpose of psychological and social assessment of health programs is the measurement of psychological well-being and lifestyle in targeted populations (i.e. pregnant women, mothers, children or teenagers) and interactive effects on other family members. A psychological and social evaluation should contain the following elements: social and/or cultural factors that facilitate participation in a health program, the opinion of and satisfaction with the program, the psychological and social consequences of the program. Three types of tools can be utilized to measure psychological and social indicators: standardized questionnaires, questionnaires designed specifically for the study in question, and interviews. Study protocols, data collection and analyses must be done using the same methods as those used in any other type of medical evaluation. The investigator must be particularly sensitive to the quality of the measurement tools, the size of the sample and the effects of confounding factors. Social and psychological aspects are essential in the evaluation of a health program. On the one hand, they allow for an understanding of how a health program is accepted and applied within a population. On the other hand, they enable the verification of whether or not there has been any change in the quality of life among individuals and their families.

Adult↗

Comparing participants' and managers' perception of services in a congregate meals program.

Managers and participants in a Title III C meals program were surveyed to explore how differences in perception of program and service quality affect participant acceptance and evaluation of the program. A nutrition monitoring instrument was designed for managers at 14 meal sites to assess major components of the foodservice operation. A survey addressing participant perception of meal quality, meal acceptance, program administration and management, and foodservice personnel was designed and administered to 264 participants. The two surveys contained 17 identical or similar questions to determine any perceptual differences. The influence of social variables on participant response was examined. A significant positive correlation was found for age vs. food temperature, age vs. frequency of participation, and education level vs. evaluation of foodservice workers. Significant negative correlations were found for sex vs. special diets, sex vs. food aversion, education level vs. food temperature, and education level vs. evaluation of the nutrition education component. Manager vs. participant response significantly differed for food temperature, special diets, nutrition education, transportation, and accuracy of posted menus. Assessment of participant vs. manager perception of meal and service quality is recommended to management for more effective program planning, evaluation, and continuous quality assurance.

Administrative Personnel↗

The program archive on sexuality, health & adolescence: promising "prevention programs in a box".

The Program Archive on Sexuality, Health & Adolescence (PASHA) identifies programs aimed at preventing pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases among teenagers, and makes materials from interventions with demonstrated effectiveness available to practitioners around the country. With the assistance of a panel of experts, PASHA has identified an initial group of 15 pregnancy prevention and 15 sexually transmitted disease prevention programs for inclusion in its collection; to date, 24 programs have accepted PASHA's invitation to participate. Once a program agrees to participate, PASHA packages all materials required to replicate or adapt the intervention, along with a user's guide, two evaluation instruments and a directory guiding users to sources of assistance. As additional effective programs are identified and agree to submit their materials for archiving and distribution, they will be added to the collection.

Adolescent↗

Behavior modification in the treatment of obesity: acceptability profiles.

Seventy obese subjects, after receiving an 8-week group therapy program of behavior modification, showed that they had lost weight from fat tissue. There were significant decreases of per cent body fat, biceps, subscapular and iliac skinfold thickness while maintaining arm muscle area. There were significant decreases of both systolic and diastolic blood pressure during the program. The acceptability profiles of heart rate, liver and renal function test, fasting blood sugar, uric acid, serum iron, total iron binding capacity, minerals, electrolytes, hematological and lipid profiles were within normal limits before and after the treatment. The obese subjects rated the behavior modification program as more effective and indicated helpfulness of concepts, information and techniques of the program.

Adolescent↗

Revisiting the role of physical activity and exercise in the treatment of type 2 diabetes.

There is tremendous potential for improving glycemic control, insulin sensitivity, and cardiovascular risk factors through increased physical activity in individuals with Type 2 diabetes. The demonstrated effects of structured endurance exercise on select outcomes compare favorably with those of typical pharmacological treatment modalities. Adherence to these types of program is problematic, however. We know less about the expected effects of lifestyle-based physical activity. Preliminary results require further investigation, given the apparent acceptability of these programs in this population, however. The effects of resistance training on cardiovascular risk factors to date likely limit its application as an adjunctive therapy for individuals with Type 2 diabetes. The question is no longer "can exercise/physical activity benefit the individual with Type 2 diabetes?" The answer is yes. Future research needs to refine questions regarding type, dose, and magnitude of effects of physical activity (and its subcategory exercise) on glycemic control, insulin sensitivity, and on risk factors for cardiovascular disease within the context of program acceptability and feasibility.

Blood Glucose↗

Women's acceptance of a preterm birth prevention program.

A major modification in French national perinatal policy was proposed in 1970. Its primary aim was to reduce preterm births, and a specific program has been progressively applied to all pregnant women in France since 1971. Because the policy was introduced at a national level, it was possible to use a district hospital in Haguenau (northeastern France) as an observation site for measuring the effects of the change. A longitudinal study was begun in 1971 and continued for 12 years, during which time a total of 16,004 singleton pregnancies were followed. This article focuses on acceptance by the pregnant women in Haguenau in response to the new prenatal care proposals. A major reduction in preterm births is demonstrated, and the relationship between acceptance and observed changes in preterm birth is discussed. Certain time-related patterns were observed: it took time for the policy modification to be measurable; while the outcomes showed general improvement, results were closely related to the patient's social status; there were significant time-lag differences between social class groups with regard to acceptance of specific interventions.

Birth Weight↗

Developing educational leaders: the teaching scholars program at the University of California, San Francisco, School of Medicine.

A Teaching Scholars Program (TSP) was established in 1998 in the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), School of Medicine with the mission of building knowledgeable and skilled educational leaders, teachers, and scholars. Conducted through the Office of Medical Education (OME), the TSP is a 10-month program that accepts 12 scholars per year. Financial support for the program, including salary support for co-directors and staff, is provided by the OME. Scholars' departments are required to provide release time for one afternoon per week for 10 months. The TSP provides participants with an intensive weekly seminar series, collaborative learning experiences, mentored projects, and a network of educational colleagues. The weekly seminars use an interactive format to address topics within seven targeted areas: (1) learning theory; (2) teaching methods; (3) curriculum development/evaluation; (4) assessment of learning; (5) leadership and organizational change; (6) career development; and (7) educational research. Since its inception, 76 scholars have graduated from or are currently enrolled in the TSP. The majority are clinicians at assistant professor rank, although four basic scientists, two medical students, and three OME staff members have also participated in the program. The TSP is highly valued by participants, and preliminary evaluation data suggest that the program has resulted in an increase in educational research, scholarly activities, and the number of skilled and knowledgeable faculty with major leadership roles in medical education at UCSF. Challenges facing the TSP include scholar release time, mentoring time, and follow-up contact to encourage TSP graduates' postgraduation productivity, continuing educational development, and support.

Adult↗