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At least 631 records · Page 35Linked to original sources
PubMed1995

Changes in health behaviors made by pregnant substance users.

A descriptive survey was conducted with 31 pregnant women who were substance users enrolled in a perinatal treatment program. The purpose of the study was to determine the women's health behaviors by using open-ended questions. Most of the women were between 20 and 29 years of age, Hispanic, not married, unemployed, and had partial or completed high-school education. The women had multiple pregnancies with few living children. The majority of the women were 4 to 6 months pregnant and all had received prenatal care. The women made health behavior changes during pregnancy related to nutrition, substance use, self-care, exercise, lifestyle, and seeking counseling. Over 52% of the women reported they made these behavioral changes because they wanted a healthy baby.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2004

Medicaid behavioral health care plan satisfaction and children's service utilization.

This study examines associations between caregivers' satisfaction with children's Medicaid-funded behavioral health care plans and the likelihood that children with severe emotional disturbance receive mental health services. Data are from a multisite study of managed care versus fee-for-service (FFS) settings. In multivariate logistic regression analyses controlling for demographic, environmental, site, and clinical characteristics, plan satisfaction was associated with greater likelihood of subsequent service use regardless of managed care versus FFS setting. Children in managed care plans were less likely to use intensive residential and non-traditional outpatient services. Efforts to increase plan satisfaction may encourage service use, consequently, improving children's behavioral health outcomes.

Caregivers↗
PubMed2002

The integration of psychiatric rehabilitation services in behavioral health care structures: a state example.

This article describes a model for integrating psychiatric rehabilitation services in a managed behavioral health care structure. Psychiatric rehabilitation and managed care are two distinct developments in the provision of mental health services that have proceeded independently though they can have compatible methods and outcomes. Descriptive detail is provided about a state initiative in Iowa to provide psychiatric rehabilitation services to those with serious mental illness through the state-contracted managed behavioral health care corporation. The article describes factors leading to the program's implementation, service delivery structures, reimbursements, personnel requirements, and performance indicators. Evidence for supporting this innovation is provided through a case-controlled outcomes study of mental health service units used and their costs for participants and matched controls.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

Health behavior associated with influenza vaccination among healthcare workers in long-term-care facilities.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the health behavior associated with influenza vaccination among healthcare workers (HCWs) in long-term-care facilities. DESIGN: A cross-sectional, self-administered survey of HCWs, augmented with focus groups to further examine attitudes toward influenza vaccination. SETTING: Two long-term-care facilities participated in the survey. The focus groups were held at one of the two facilities. PARTICIPANTS: All HCWs were invited to participate in the survey and all nonmanagerial staff members were invited to participate in the focus groups. The response rate for the survey was 58% (231 of 401). RESULTS: Vaccinated HCWs had a more positive attitude toward influenza vaccination and a greater belief that the vaccine is effective. This was not accompanied by differences in vaccine knowledge or values of potential preventive outcomes. Nonvaccinated respondents were more likely to believe that other preventive measures, such as washing hands, taking vitamins and supplements, eating a nutritious diet, exercising, and taking homeopathic or naturopathic medications, were more effective than vaccination. Additional findings from the focus groups suggest that HCWs believe that the main purpose of influenza vaccination programs is to protect residents' health at the expense, potential harm, and burden of responsibility of the staff. CONCLUSIONS: This study identifies challenges to and opportunities for improving vaccination rates among HCWs. A message that emphasizes the health benefits of vaccination to staff members, such as including vaccination as part of a staff "wellness" program, may improve the credibility of influenza immunization programs and coverage rates.

Attitude of Health Personnel↗
PubMed1999

Development of a consumer survey for behavioral health services.

A consumer survey was designed to assess the quality of mental health and substance abuse services and evaluate insurance plans that provide such services. This paper describes the development of the Consumer Assessment of Behavioral Health Services instrument, which began with a review of existing consumer satisfaction surveys and input from several groups working toward development of nationally standardized satisfaction instruments. Consumer focus groups were used to ensure that all the important domains of quality were included, and group members were interviewed to ensure that all items on the instrument were understandable. Results of a pilot test conducted with 160 consumers, 82 enrolled in Medicaid plans and 78 in commercial plans, suggested that the survey was able to distinguish between the two groups in terms of evaluations of their care and insurance plans. Future efforts will focus on further testing of larger, more diverse samples and on developing scoring and reporting formats for the survey that will be useful to consumers and purchasers in choosing behavioral health services and plans.

Consumer Behavior↗
PubMed2002

Exclusions and limitations in children's behavioral health care coverage.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to identify benefit limits, diagnostic exclusions, and service exclusions of private behavioral health care plans that can influence the delivery of care to children. METHODS: A total of 128 commercial, employment-based behavioral health plans were examined for types of benefit limits, service exclusions, and diagnostic exclusions applicable to children. RESULTS: Almost half of the plans had restrictions on the number of outpatient visits, with limits ranging from 12 to 60 clinic visits a year. More than half of the plans had limitations on the number of inpatient days, ranging from 20 to 60 days a year. Diagnoses excluded from coverage included autism, mental retardation, problems related to child abuse, and impulse control disorders, such as kleptomania and pyromania. Half of the services excluded could be categorized as either social and human services or complementary medicine rather than as mental health care. CONCLUSIONS: Plans commonly had service and diagnostic exclusions that could disrupt children's health care. The results of the study emphasize a need to address the types of treatment covered by mental health insurance.

Child↗
PubMed2002

[Burnout, health and health behavior in teachers employed in correction institutions].

Psychosocial factors present in the workplace of people performing helping professions may cause burnout. Many studies have shown that burnout variables are related to demographic variables, as well as to health and health behavior measured in different ways. In this study the focus was put on the burnout in teachers employed in correctional institutions. Contrary to the results of many studies, burnout has not been related to gender or duration of employment. There were positive correlations between emotional exhaustion, frequency (r = 0.29) and intensity (r = 0.19) of somatic complaints. Negative health behaviors and psychosomatic diseases diagnosed by physicians were not related to burnout variables. The results imply that there is a need to incorporate new variables (e.g. personality and temperament) into the research on burnout.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2006

Binge drinking and health behavior in medical students.

OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to assess the prevalence of binge drinking and its relation to other health behaviors, drinking-related attitudes and perceived social norms among German medical students. METHODS: 271 first-year German medical students completed a cross-sectional, self-administered survey. A total of 252 (62% female and 38% male) students provided useable surveys. The mean age was 20.6years (S.D.=1.7). RESULTS: Most students reported heavy drinking with 24% having one episode in the past 2 weeks (Infrequent Bingers) and 28% having two or more episodes (Frequent Bingers). Men were more likely than women to have had a binge drinking episode. Frequent binge drinkers saw more pros of drinking and reported a higher temptation to drink than students in the other groups. Additionally, they were more likely to smoke, use cannabis, not exercise and not eat fruits and vegetables. All students overestimated their peers' alcohol intake and binge drinking frequency. CONCLUSIONS: Binge drinking was highly prevalent in this sample and clearly related to other health risk behaviors. Drinking rates were similar to college students in other Western countries. Future research needs to assess the consequences of this multiple risk behavior among medical students regarding academic and professional performance as well as personal health.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

[Health behavior of healthcare personnel: The European Presst-Next Study].

OBJECTIVES: The objective of the NEXT (Nurses' Early Exit) study was to identify the organizational and health factors in the 10 participating countries associated with job satisfaction of nurses and nurses' aides or with their desire to change occupation or stop working prematurely. METHODS: Questions about health were somewhat more detailed in the French version of the questionnaire and allowed us to determine health behaviors of this representative sample of French caregivers (PRESST: Promotion of Health and Job Satisfaction of European Healthcare Workers [www.next-study.net; www.presst-next.fr]). RESULTS: Of the 6980 (796 men and 6184 women) nurses and nurses' aides studied in late 2002 and early 2003, 32.6% reported that they smoked at least occasionally and 24.3% regularly. Only 24.4% of the staff in our sample exercised at least weekly. Overweight was observed in 27,6% of the sample, mostly women (42% of men and 24.7% of women), and obesity affected 6,4% of men and 7% of women. Overweight was slightly less frequent than among the general adult population of France, 39.8% according to the CREDES SPS survey in 2002, but these healthcare workers were younger. On the whole, burnout was higher among French caregivers than among those from other European nations in the Next study. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates the need to conduct and assess interventions for the dual purpose of (1) reducing the morbidity and mortality associated with the conditions most sensitive to these risk factors in healthcare personnel and (2) improving their knowledge, motivations and credibility in providing health education to patients.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Dental caries and dental health behavior of patients with primary Sjögren syndrome.

This comprehensive study was carried out to describe and analyze the oral health status, perceived oral health problems, patients' costs, and oral health behavior in a group of patients with primary Sjögren syndrome (PSS). In particular, the objective of this report was to assess whether Sjögren syndrome patients had more dental caries experience than a control group. Data were collected by means of interviews and clinical oral examinations. The study comprised 53 patients with PSS and a control group of 53 persons matched by age. Among the younger patients the number of decayed, missing, or filled teeth (DMFT) was 22.3, compared with 18.8 among controls (P< 0.05). In parallel, the DMFT in the old-age PSS patients was 26.2, against a DMFT of 22.1 for controls (P< 0.001). On average, the young patients had seven teeth missing, whereas two missing teeth were found among controls (P < 0.01). PSS patients had more frequent dental visits--every 3-4 months (40%)--than controls (19%). In parallel, 78% of the PSS patients brushed their teeth more than twice daily, compared with 28% of the control group. The PSS patient group reported having had more teeth extracted, more trouble with their teeth during lifetime, and higher expenses for dental treatment than controls. In spite of the more regular oral health care practices than the general population, PSS patients had experienced more dental caries and more radical dental treatment. It is suggested that the National Health Insurance should give emphasis to preventive care to patients with PSS.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

Self-efficacy, reasoned action, and oral health behavior reports: a social cognitive approach to compliance.

The usefulness of a social cognitive approach to compliance with brushing and flossing behavior recommendations was tested with 39 patients recruited from the State University of New York at Buffalo Periodontal Disease Clinical Research Center. Participants completed mailed study instruments assessing Fishbein and Ajzen's theory of reasoned action variables, Bandura's self-efficacy variables, and frequency of brushing and flossing behavior. Results indicated positive attitudes, beliefs, and norms for brushing and flossing and positive intentions to brush but less intention to floss. Hierarchical regression analyses supported the basic usefulness of the theory of reasoned action for oral health behavior reports. Addition of self-efficacy variables to theory of reasoned action variables significantly increased the explained variance of brushing and flossing behavior reports. These results establish a strong basis for future clinical studies investigating social cognitions and the prediction of oral health behavior.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Job strain and health behaviors: results of a prospective study.

PURPOSE: To assess the association between job demands, job decision latitude, and job strain (defined by Karasek as a combination of high demands and low decision latitude) and cardiovascular disease-related health behaviors such as cigarette smoking, alcohol use, lack of exercise, and overweight. DESIGN: Cross-sectional and prospective. SETTING: Nine New York City public and private sector worksites. SUBJECTS: Two hundred eighty-five male employees, aged 30 to 60, in a wide variety of white-collar and blue-collar job titles. MEASURES: Medical examinations and surveys, which included demographic, health behavior, and job characteristics data. RESULTS: Prospectively, among 189 men, increase in job decision latitude over 3 years was associated with decrease in cigarette smoking, by analysis of covariance, controlling for age, race, education, marital status, and number of children at home (F (8, 180) = 4.37, p = .005). The largest increase in latitude occurred among the 13 men who quit smoking. However, change in job characteristics was not associated with change in overweight or alcohol use. Cross-sectional analyses did not produce consistent associations. CONCLUSIONS: The effectiveness of smoking cessation may be aided by modification of structural features of the work environment, such as job decision latitude. This study is limited by the small number of subjects who were engaged in high risk behaviors.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

Computer-assisted detection and intervention in adolescent high-risk health behaviors.

Because adolescents avoid bringing sensitive issues, such as substance abuse, suicide, and sexual activity, to pediatricians, and may fail to realize that they need health education or services, a computer program was designed to facilitate reporting of high-risk psychosocial and health behaviors and to provide specific health advice and referral for timely professional intervention. Computer printouts done anonymously by a random sample of 265 adolescents after a physical examination were compared with those of a matched group of 294 who were predirected to share the printout with the clinician at their examinations. The former elicited more positive responses to sensitive health problems, but both computer groups responded significantly more often about most high-risk issues than a matched written questionnaire group of 251. Almost all adolescents said that they reported true information to the computer and read all the information it printed. Experience with 3327 teenagers demonstrated that 89% preferred the computer over a questionnaire or personal interview, but nearly all were willing to share the printout with the pediatrician, which should facilitate clinical evaluation. The nonjudgmental computer can identify problem areas and deliver automated medical advice and referral. Automated health assessment and education may become a useful adjunct for addressing adolescent health issues.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2001

Dental caries patterns and oral health behaviors in Arizona infants and toddlers.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to use tooth eruption sequence, and a tooth- and surface-specific caries analysis method to determine: (1) the temporal relationship between tooth eruption and caries onset; (2) the validity of pre-existing concepts of caries progression; and (3) the relationship of certain putative health behaviors with caries prevalence. METHODS: A total of 2,428 Arizona children aged 6-36-months, who were recruited from WIC programs (a federal program for low-income children at nutritional risk), health fairs and private day care centers, received visual dental caries examinations. Additionally, an oral health behavior survey was administered to the parents of the 1,529 children recruited from the WIC programs. RESULTS: Dental caries was detected soon after tooth eruption, and by 34-36 months of age 25% of this population had caries. Maxillary anterior caries developed as early as 10-12 months of age. Fissure caries of the molars, either by itself or with maxillary anterior caries, was seen as early as 13-15 months of age. Posterior proximal caries was seen as early at 19-21 months, and only was present in conjunction with the other patterns. Over 40% of the 13-36-month-old children whose parents completed the survey still used a bottle. Night-time bottle use was associated with maxillary anterior caries in 24-36-month-old children, but no association was found in younger children or with posterior caries patterns. Survey responses also showed that fewer than 15% of these children reported having had a dental visit. CONCLUSIONS: Dental caries was a significant health issue for these children under 3 years of age, and factors other than bottle feeding may play an important role in its etiology. Prevention of dental caries in children under age three will depend on a better understanding of the etiology as well as improved access to care.

Age Factors↗
PubMed2004

Behavioral health benefits: key to a healthy workforce.

Mental disorders exact a heavier toll on workplace productivity than do physical illnesses, but a complete behavioral health program is often looked upon as just one more driver of rate increases. Properly understood, promoted and utilized, however, behavioral health benefits can contribute to decreased absenteeism and increased productivity, and even help offset the treatment costs of medical disorders.

Efficiency↗
PubMed2003

Loneliness in everyday life: cardiovascular activity, psychosocial context, and health behaviors.

Prior lab research revealed higher basal total peripheral resistance (TPR) and lower cardiac output (CO) in lonely than in nonlonely young adults. In this study, experience sampling was used to obtain ambulatory blood pressure; impedance cardiography: and reports of activities, appraisals, interactions, and health behaviors. Results confirmed that loneliness predicted higher TPR and lower CO during a normal day. Loneliness did not predict differences in time spent alone, daily activities, or health behaviors but did predict higher stress appraisals and poorer social interactions. Independent of loneliness, interaction quality contributed to TPR. Loneliness differences were not mediated by depressed affect or neuroticism. Social support mediated loneliness differences in stress and threat. Concomitants of loneliness were comparable for men and women.

Adult↗