Showing papers in "Health Education Journal in 1989"
TL;DR: Key issues in participation as part of health promo tion are examined, examining why participation is important and the degree of participation that exists, the involve ment of black and ethnic minority groups, and exist ing expertise in the community health movement.
Abstract: THIS paper outlines some of the issues and imper atives in community participation, one of the WHO Health for All principles, with particular reference to the Healthy Cities Network in the UK. It f...
18 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, images of HIV/Aids portrayed in exemplars of campaign posters and advertise ments were examined in relation to self-perceptions of group membership, subjective assessments of risk, and likelihood of taking action to prevent tracting HIV.
Abstract: THIS study examines images of HIV/Aids portrayed in exemplars of campaign posters and advertise ments. The aims and potential efficacy of these cam paigns are examined in relation to self-perceptions of group membership, subjective assessments of risk, and likelihood of taking action to prevent con tracting HIV. The results indicate that material in general maps onto its target groups. Both our homo sexual and heterosexual groups recognised the tar get at which the material was aimed. However, only the homosexual subjects showed any match between the way they perceived their own behaviours and life-style and groups identified as 'at risk'. The implications of these results for the design and efficacy of future campaigns are discussed.
17 citations
TL;DR: Health edu cation programmes at school and after need to be apposite, unambiguous and accessible to augment and extend levels of knowledge and to encourage all young people to adopt sexual practices which carry the least risk of infection for all sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV.
Abstract: A QUESTIONNAIRE on health-related knowledge, attitudes and beliefs was returned by 766 nineteen- year-olds from Doncaster. The section on Aids showed that the majority of young adults were well informed about main transmission routes, and of how to avoid infection with HIV. Confusion remains about aspects of HIV infection, including transmis sion via blood and by saliva. Many do not show sym pathy for people with Aids who are homosexual or injecting drug users. Most believe that they are not at risk of catching HIV, including those whose sexual behaviour could be said to be promiscuous. One in five respondents say they have changed their be haviour as a result of the threat of Aids. Health edu cation programmes at school and after need to be apposite, unambiguous and accessible to augment and extend levels of knowledge and to encourage all young people to adopt sexual practices which carry the least risk of infection for all sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV.
16 citations
TL;DR: Older doctors generally appear less enthusiastic about health promotion, which may indicate their unwillingness to disturb long- established doctor-patient relationships or may be simply an indication of less evangeli cal beliefs and changes in both knowledge and medi cal teaching.
Abstract: SIX questions about general practitioners' views on prevention were incorporated into a questionnaire that was completed by 424 (81%) of Avon's general practitioners. The great majority of the doctors agreed that they had a role in health promotion, but there was evidence of some apprehension about patients' possible negative reactions to preventive advice. This concern about patient rejection may be behind the large number of opportunities for health promotion that are apparently being missed by gen eral practitioners. Older doctors generally appear less enthusiastic about health promotion, which may again indicate their unwillingness to disturb long- established doctor-patient relationships or may, more likely, be simply an indication of less evangeli cal beliefs and changes in both knowledge and medi cal teaching.
16 citations
15 citations
TL;DR: This paper explores the use of focused group discussions to explore undergraduates' knowledge of HIV/Aids and their attitudes towards it and argues that such open-ended settings allow the free exploration of doubts and concerns which might be obscured or not investigated by the more structured and quantified techniques.
Abstract: THIS paper explores the use of focused group dis cussions to explore undergraduates' knowledge of HIV/Aids and their attitudes towards it. It argues that such open-ended settings allow the free expres sion of doubts and concerns which might be obscured or not investigated by the more structured and quantified techniques commonly used to investi gate knowledge, beliefs and attitudes towards health issues.
15 citations
TL;DR: The profiles of the pro-smoking children were significantly different on every measure from the anti smoking group, and conformed to the portraits of children who smoke regularly reported elsewhere in the literature.
Abstract: IN a questionnaire survey of 658 10 to 14-year-old children from Lothian Region schools, the majority expressed strong disapproval of other people smok ing in their homes, on public transport and in public places. A minority of 42 children expressed tolerance or approval of other people smoking. The life-style profiles of the two groups of children were compared. The profiles of the pro-smoking children were sig nificantly different on every measure from the anti smoking group. They were more likely to come from smoking families, to have smoking friends, to choose unstructured, peer-oriented free-time activities, to be negative about school and to perceive themselves as low-achievers. With one important exception, the pro-smoking children conformed to the portraits of children who smoke regularly reported elsewhere in the literature. But only half were smokers them selves. The implications of the findings for anti smoking education programmes for the different groups of children are discussed.
11 citations
TL;DR: The results indicate that the project materials are a good starting point for a more comprehensive smoking education programme, and future modifices to the materials might seek to make them more attractive to less able pupils.
Abstract: THE usefulness, acceptability and perceived effec tiveness of the Family Smoking Education Project were assessed from an analysis of 83 teachers' rec ords of the use of the project in mixed-sex com prehensive schools in Wales and England. The project was taught by a wide range of subject specialists, and through a variety of lesson formats. The great majority considered the project to be a useful teaching aid, and one which captured the interest of pupils. Many felt that the project would probably have an impact on pupil smoking, but few believed it would reduce parental smoking. The results indicate that the project materials are a good starting point for a more comprehensive smoking education programme. However, future modifica tions to the materials might seek to make them more attractive to less able pupils, by replacing some of the more difficult concepts such as cash crops with simpler topics, language and graphics, and more practical exercises.
11 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors present a review of criteria and techniques for measuring fitness and argue that, if correctly applied, fit ness-testing has an invaluable and integral part to play in public health and fitness promotion.
Abstract: EXERCISE participation is a powerful motivator towards achieving generally healthier life-styles among the general public. Fitness-testing, together with appropriate advice to individuals on how to take safe levels of exercise, can act as the trigger for positive personal action. This paper reviews the de velopment of criteria and techniques for measuring fitness and argues that, if it is correctly applied, fit ness-testing has an invaluable and integral part to play in public health and fitness promotion.
10 citations
TL;DR: The 'gap' in recruitment to Master's, Diploma and Certificate level courses frequently reflect structural, financial and logistic difficulties experienced by teachers, whilst shorter INSET Courses are unable to provide a coherent, structured and progressive form of professional development.
Abstract: TEACHERS of health education in schools come from a variety of different subject backgrounds and differ considerably in their teaching experience and approaches, the status they command within their schools and the degree of support they receive from their head teachers and colleagues. They often lack confidence in their own ability to respond to the demands of teaching health education, because of inadequate preparation during their initial training and problems of access to an appropriate structure of in-service provision. Low recruitment to Master's, Diploma and Certificate level courses frequently reflect structural, financial and logistic difficulties experienced by teachers, whilst shorter INSET Courses, although capable of reacting flexibly to teachers' immediate perceived needs, are unable to provide a coherent, structured and progressive pat tern of professional development. The 'gap' in provi sion points up the need for a pyramid of certificated courses that are tailored to meet teachers' in-ser...
TL;DR: In this paper, the evidence is reviewed, and gaps in research are identified, without such research, adequate controls and health promotion activities cannot be designed effectively, therefore, adequate guidelines and guidelines need to be designed.
Abstract: YOUNG people are influenced by cigarette advertis ing and promotion, although the tobacco industry denies this. The evidence is reviewed, and gaps in research are identified. Without such research, adequate controls and health promotion activities cannot be designed effectively.
TL;DR: The results of the first part of a two-phase study of smoking policies in middle and secondary schools in England and Wales are presented in this article, showing that the nature of the policies varied greatly and there appeared to be a lack of consistent reasoning behind them.
Abstract: THE results of the first part of a two-phase study of smoking policies in middle and secondary schools in England and Wales are presented. Information sup plied by the headteachers from a total of 961 schools indicated that 48% had an official policy regarding teachers' smoking, 88% had an official policy regard ing pupils' smoking, and 95% undertook some form of smoking education. The nature of the policies varied greatly and there appeared to be a lack of consistent reasoning behind them. It is hoped that the second phase of the project, involving a detailed study of several selected schools, will provide information on which coherent smoking policies could be based.
TL;DR: The main issue facing health education is changing attitudes, not increasing knowledge, and there is still a great deal of preju dice on Aids.
Abstract: A MARKET research survey in Croydon produced 510 completed questionnaires. Fifty three per cent of respondents were female. Just over a third of respondents wanted more information on Aids, although 85 per cent claimed to know enough to protect themselves against the disease. Only six per cent of the sample answered the knowledge question incorrectly, and 60 per cent spontaneously identified homosexuals as a risk group. The sample was div ided in half by the statement "It's a person's own fault if they get Aids", with more men and more old people agreeing with the statement. There was fairly general agreement that society is prejudiced against people with Aids (82%), with young people and women tending to perceive more prejudice. Of the 15 per cent who do not know enough to protect them selves against Aids, half say they do not want more information, suggesting a small group that is resistant to health education. The main conclusions were that although respondents were very knowl edgable on Aids, there is...
TL;DR: The findings indicate that general practitioners within the Severn Faculty hold strongly positive attitudes to prevention, and it is suggested that the role of general practitioners as health educators should be further supported.
Abstract: GENERAL practitioners in the Severn Faculty of the Royal College of General Practitioners were asked about their attitudes to primary prevention and their ability to provide advice on various aspects of patients' life-styles and behaviour. The results show that, for eight out of nine areas of patients' behaviour, the doctors generally thought it was highly appropri ate for them to provide advice. Doubts were expressed about appropriateness and their com petence in providing advice to patients concerning coping with poverty. There were some small dif ferences in the responses which were related to the ages and personal life-styles of the doctors, and between those working in inner city and rural prac tices. The categories of patients which were rated as most important to be recipients of health education were the high-risk groups of smokers, drug injectors and pregnant women. Compared to the male doctors, female general practitioners considered it more important to give health education advice to eight out...
TL;DR: A pilot study of one computer program to monitor some key dietary habits of children found that the children were more honest in their replies to the computer than to a paper questionnaire which asked similar questions.
Abstract: THE behaviour of children (for example diet, exer cise, smoking and substance abuse) influences their health as adults Indeed, a substantial amount of health promotion is already aimed at reducing such risks amongst children Almost nothing, however, is known about the results of these efforts We are developing, computer programs to enable the preva lence of many aspects of the health-related behaviour of children to be assessed routinely This report is of a pilot study of one program to monitor some key dietary habits of children The program was an acceptable and efficient means of collecting data and of carrying out initial analyses which may facilitate feedback to the schools There was evi dence that the children were more honest in their replies to the computer than to a paper questionnaire which asked similar questions The need for careful sampling of the study population may be particu larly important when using computers
TL;DR: The presence of a family member who smoked proved a powerful indicator of the children's own smoking behaviour and their attitudes to other people smoking, but further correlations and log- linear modelling revealed differential effects of mother's and father's smoking behaviour.
Abstract: THIS is a first descriptive account of UK children's reports of their experiences as passive smokers in their own homes. The subjects were 658 children aged 10 to 14 years from three contrasting school catchment areas. The children completed a multiple- choice questionnaire exploring the smoking behaviour of their families, their own smoking behaviour, and their attitudes to other people smok ing in their homes and in public places. It included an open question "How do you feel about other people smoking?". Results revealed that the majority of chil dren were exposed to at least one person smoking in their homes, that exposure to passive smoking varied enormously with school catchement area, and that in general children objected strongly to other people smoking. The presence of a family member who smoked proved a powerful indicator of the children's own smoking behaviour and their attitudes to other people smoking, but further correlations and log- linear modelling revealed differential effects of mother'...
TL;DR: This paper uses Green's fac tors as a framework to examine how the breast screening service was set up in Manchester and the findings of a pilot consumer satisfaction survey are reported to illuminate the issues involved.
Abstract: BREAST cancer is the most common form of cancer among women in the UK resulting in 15,000 deaths annually. The recommendations of the Forrest Report 1 inaugurated the development of the first national breast screening service in the world. How ever, a minimum uptake of seventy per cent is required if the scheme is to achieve its objective of significantly reducing mortality from breast cancer by detecting the disease at an earlier stage. Green 2 identifies three sets of factors — predisposing, en abling and reinforcing — which combine to influence health behaviour. In this paper, we use Green's fac tors as a framework to examine how the breast screening service was set up in Manchester and we report the findings of a pilot consumer satisfaction survey to illuminate the issues involved.
TL;DR: This paper addresses issues concerning the motives, responsibilities and professional competence of the tester, and examines which aspects of fitness are actually being measured.
Abstract: THE last few years have seen an increase in popu larity in fitness testing among health educators. This paper addresses issues concerning the motives, responsibilities and professional competence of the tester, and examines which aspects of fitness are actually being measured. Guidelines are presented regarding the required knowledge and skills of all personnel involved in fitness testing.
TL;DR: The pattern of childhood home accidents in one district health authority is considered, and the identification of needs and constraints experienced by health visitors in trying to promote home safety are described.
Abstract: THIS paper considers the pattern of childhood home accidents in one district health authority, and describes the identification of needs and constraints experienced by health visitors in trying to promote home safety. The result has been additional in-ser vice training, greater input from the health promo tion unit and improved liaison with other professionals. Regular, local information on accident injuries is the key to any preventative strategy.
TL;DR: In a bid to separate fact from myth, the Institute for the Study of Drug Dependence is asking a range of publications to publish this background paper breaking its usual practice of exclusive publication.
Abstract: In a bid to separate fact from myth, the Institute for the Study of Drug Dependence is asking a range of publications to publish this background paper Breaking its usual practice of exclusive publication, the Journal is pleased to co-operate.
TL;DR: Levels of alcohol use, aspects of diet and drug use, and use of nitrites and high levels of alcohol consumption in relation to risky sex consti tute specific problems of health behaviour which may not be reached by conventional health edu cation interventions.
Abstract: IN the recent past, health education has understand ably focused on sexual behaviour, particularly unprotected anal sex, that is most risky in terms of HIV in relation to gay and homosexual behaviour. Other aspects of the health-related life-styles of gay men have been neglected. Three hundred and fifty six gay and homosexual men were interviewed about health behaviour. Levels of alcohol use, aspects of diet and drug use were found to be very similar to other young adult males. Forty per cent of men were currently smokers. Use of nitrites and high levels of alcohol consumption in relation to risky sex consti tute specific problems of health behaviour which may not be reached by conventional health edu cation interventions.
TL;DR: A small pilot study indicates a high prevalence of smoking among students training for various community-care pro fessions and shows their dissatisfaction with smoking and with being smokers; their wish to stop smoking; their general lack of success in quitting and their need for help.
Abstract: WHEN discussion of the exemplar role of health pro fessionals arises, attention is immediately focused on nurses and doctors. But many other professions and occupations are seen by the public as being health-related and provide examples for health behaviour. The small pilot study described in this paper indicates a high prevalence of smoking among students training for various community-care pro fessions. It also shows their dissatisfaction with smoking and with being smokers; their wish to stop smoking; their general lack of success in quitting and their need for help.
TL;DR: Sexual behaviour and the use of condoms among heterosexuals having multiple partners (15 males, 9 females) did not change significantly and there was confusion about HIV transmission routes.
Abstract: TO assess the impact of the Government 'Don't die of ignorance' Aids campaign, which began in Decem ber 1986, a retrospective questionnaire was admin istered to medical students at Birmingham University in October 1987. Three hundred and fifty two students replied (a 58 per cent response rate) about their sexual behaviour during the nine months prior to and nine months following the campaign. There were two homosexuals, three bisexual males and no lesbians or bisexual females. The results show that sexual behaviour and the use of condoms among heterosexuals having multiple partners (15 males, 9 females) did not change significantly. Never theless, there was confusion about HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) transmission routes: 15.7 per cent considered that blood donation, and two per cent that masturbation, have some risk of HIV trans mission, while 12.5 per cent considered that blood transfusion, and 23.3 per cent that oral sex, carried a high risk of HIV transmission.
TL;DR: Analysis of self-completion questionnaires revealed that the vast majority of people knew the minimum pub drinking age, the seriousness of alcohol cirrhosis and how to delay the absorption of alcohol, but there were many other facets of alcohol about which people were less knowledgeable.
Abstract: AS part of a larger alcohol education campaign, a project has been up to work with industry to intro duce alcohol policies in the workplace. In one work- force, self-completion questionnaires regarding factual knowledge of alcohol and its effects were dis tributed prior to any education or training about alcohol. Analysis of these questionnaires revealed that the vast majority of people knew the minimum pub drinking age, the seriousness of alcohol cirrhosis and how to delay the absorption of alcohol. However, there were many other facets of alcohol about which people were less knowledgeable.