218 research outputs found
Different Methods of Early Identification of Risky Drinking: A Review of Clinical Signs
No full textAims: To review the literature on detection of risky drinking to compare early identification based on everyday clinical encounters with systematic screening. We also reviewed specific clinical signs that have been suggested to be used as indicators of risky drinking. Methods: A literature review was performed in PubMed and CINAHL of articles up to November 2010. Results: Systematic screening and semi-systematic methods in various forms detected more risky drinkers than non-systematic identification during clinical encounter, but there was a lack of studies comparing the various means of identifying risky drinking. It may be too early to completely rule out the possibility of using non-systematic methods as an effective strategy to identify risky drinking. The earliest signs of risky drinking suggested in the literature are psychological distress and social problems. Conclusion: From a public health perspective, there is a lack of evidence that non-systematic or semi-systematic methods can substitute systematic screening in terms of numbers of risky drinkers detected. If early signs are going to be used to identify risky drinkers, or those to be screened for risky drinking, more focus should be on psychological and social signs because they appear earlier than somatic signs.This is a pre-copy-editing, author-produced PDF of an article accepted for publication in ALCOHOL AND ALCOHOLISM following peer review. The definitive publisher-authenticated version Hanna K Reinholdz, Preben Bendtsen and Fredrik Spak, Different Methods of Early Identification of Risky Drinking: A Review of Clinical Signs, 2011, ALCOHOL AND ALCOHOLISM, (46), 3, 283-291. is available online at: http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/alcalc/agr021 Copyright: Oxford University Press http://www.oxfordjournals.org
Staff perspectives on the use of a computer-based concept for lifestyle intervention implemented in primary health care
No full textObjective: The aim of this study was to evaluate staff experiences of the use of a computer-based concept for lifestyle testing and tailored advice implemented in routine primary health care (PHC). Design: The design of the study was a cross-sectional, retrospective survey. Setting: The study population consisted of staff at nine PHC units in the county of Ostergotland, Sweden. Method: After a computer-based concept for lifestyle intervention had been in operation for 1 year, a questionnaire was distributed to all staff members. The questions concerned experiences of and attitudes to the concept, and comments on addressing lifestyle issues in PHC. Results: Of the 291 potential respondents, 59 per cent returned the questionnaire. Eighty-five per cent found it positive to refer to the computer-based test, and 93 per cent of those who had read the written advice generated by the computer agreed with the advice provided. Seventy-five per cent thought that the concept could have an effect on a patients lifestyle, and 78 per cent had confidence in the computer-based test. Staff at smaller PHC units had more positive attitudes (p = 0.003) and referred a higher proportion of their patients to the computer-based test than staff at larger units (p = 0.000). Follow-up rates showed no significant differences between the categories. Staff believed that inclusion of more lifestyle areas, e. g. smoking and dietary habits, would make the test more useful. More time, education and the establishment of lifestyle practices were issues suggested in order to enhance the focus on lifestyle factors. Conclusion: Staff members have confidence in the computerized test and consider it a valuable tool. A development towards more lifestyle areas will make it even more useful.Original Publication:Siw Carlfjord, Kjell Johansson, Preben Bendtsen, Per Nilsen and Agneta Andersson, Staff perspectives on the use of a computer-based concept for lifestyle intervention implemented in primary health care, 2010, HEALTH EDUCATION JOURNAL, (69), 3, 246-256.http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/0017896910364883Copyright: Health Education Authorityhttp://www.uk.sagepub.com
Computerized lifestyle intervention in routine primary health care : Evaluation of usage on provider and responder levels
No full textObjective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the use of a computerized concept for lifestyle intervention in routine primary health care (PHC). Methods: Nine PHC units were equipped with computers providing a lifestyle test and tailored printed advice regarding alcohol consumption and physical activity. Patients were referred by staff, and performed the test anonymously. Data were collected over a period of I year. Results: During the study period 3065 tests were completed, representing 5.7% of the individuals visiting the PHC units during the period. there were great differences between the units in the number of tests performed and in the proportion of patients referred. One-fifth of the respondents scored for hazardous alcohol consumption, and one-fourth reported low levels of physical activity. The majority of respondents found the test easy to perform, and a majority of those referred to the test found referral positive. Conclusion: The computerized test can be used for screening and intervention regarding lifestyle behaviours in PHC. Responders are positive to the test and to referral. Practice implications: A more widespread implementation of computerized lifestyle tests could be a beneficial complement to face-to-face interventions in PHC.Original Publication:Siw Carlfjord, Per Nilsen, A Andersson, Kjell Johansson and Preben Bendtsen, Computerized lifestyle intervention in routine primary health care: Evaluation of usage on provider and responder levels, 2009, PATIENT EDUCATION AND COUNSELING, (75), 2, 238-243.http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.pec.2008.10.004Copyright: Elsevier Science B.V., Amsterdam.http://www.elsevier.com
Alcohol assessment and feedback by email for university students: main findings from a randomised controlled trial.
No full textBACKGROUND: Brief interventions can be efficacious in changing alcohol consumption and increasingly take advantage of the internet to reach high-risk populations such as students. AIMS: To evaluate the effectiveness of a brief online intervention, controlling for the possible effects of the research process. METHOD: A three-arm parallel groups design was used to explore the magnitude of the feedback and assessment component effects. The three groups were: alcohol assessment and feedback (group 1); alcohol assessment only without feedback (group 2); and no contact, and thus neither assessment nor feedback (group 3). Outcomes were evaluated after 3 months via an invitation to participate in a brief cross-sectional lifestyle survey. The study was undertaken in two universities randomising the email addresses of all 14 910 students (the AMADEUS-1 study, trial registration: ISRCTN28328154). RESULTS: Overall, 52% (n = 7809) of students completed follow-up, with small differences in attrition between the three groups. For each of the two primary outcomes, there was one statistically significant difference between groups, with group 1 having 3.7% fewer risky drinkers at follow-up than group 3 (P = 0.006) and group 2 scoring 0.16 points lower than group 3 on the three alcohol consumption questions from the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT-C) (P = 0.039). CONCLUSIONS: This study provides some evidence of population-level benefit attained through intervening with individual students
Identification and Brief Treatment of Alcohol Problems with Medical Patients: An International Perspective
No full textThis article summarizes the proceedings of a symposium at the 2002 RSA meeting in San Francisco, California. The chair was Peter Monti and co-chair was Nancy Barnett. The aim of the symposium was to bring together researchers from the United States, Sweden, and Mexico to present current findings on the development and implementation of screening and intervention research in Emergency Departments (ED). Cheryl Cherpitel presented findings on the performance of the Rapid Alcohol Problems Screen (RAPS4), a 4-item instrument used for screening for alcohol dependence and harmful drinking in the ED. Dr. Cherpitel also presented for her collaborator, Guilherme Borges, their research on the performance of a number of screening measures including the RAPS among Mexicans and Mexican-Americans with alcohol-related disorders in the ED. Preben Bendtsen described the implementation of an alcohol screening and intervention procedure delivered by ordinary ED staff in Sweden. Nancy Barnett presented data on characteristics related to readiness to change alcohol use in a sample of young adults who were treated in an ED for injury or intoxication.</p
The use of deception in public health behavioral intervention trials: a case study of three online alcohol trials.
No full textSome public health behavioral intervention research studies involve deception. A methodological imperative to minimize bias can be in conflict with the ethical principle of informed consent. As a case study, we examine the specific forms of deception used in three online randomized controlled trials evaluating brief alcohol interventions. We elaborate our own decision making about the use of deception in these trials, and present our ongoing findings and uncertainties. We discuss the value of the approach of pragmatism for examining these kinds of ethical issues that can arise in research on public health interventions
Feasibility and user perception of a fully automated push-based multiple-session alcohol intervention for university students : randomized controlled trial
No full textBACKGROUND: In recent years, many electronic health behavior interventions have been developed in order to reach individuals with unhealthy behaviors, such as risky drinking. This is especially relevant for university students, many of whom are risky drinkers.OBJECTIVE: This study explored the acceptability and feasibility in a nontreatment-seeking group of university students (including both risk and nonrisk drinkers), of a fully automated, push-based, multiple-session, alcohol intervention, comparing two modes of delivery by randomizing participants to receive the intervention either by SMS text messaging (short message service, SMS) or by email.METHODS: A total of 5499 students at Luleå University in northern Sweden were invited to participate in a single-session alcohol assessment and feedback intervention; 28.04% (1542/5499) students completed this part of the study. In total, 29.44% (454/1542) of those participating in the single-session intervention accepted to participate further in the extended multiple-session intervention lasting for 4 weeks. The students were randomized to receive the intervention messages via SMS or email. A follow-up questionnaire was sent immediately after the intervention and 52.9% (240/454) responded.RESULTS: No difference was seen regarding satisfaction with the length and frequency of the intervention, regardless of the mode of delivery. Approximately 15% in both the SMS (19/136) and email groups (15/104) would have preferred the other mode of delivery. On the other hand, more students in the SMS group (46/229, 20.1%) stopped participating in the intervention during the 4-week period compared with the email group (10/193, 5.2%). Most students in both groups expressed satisfaction with the content of the messages and would recommend the intervention to a fellow student in need of reducing drinking. A striking difference was seen regarding when a message was read; 88.2% (120/136) of the SMS group read the messages within 1 hour in contrast to 45.2% (47/104) in the email group. In addition, 83.1% (113/136) in the SMS group stated that they read all or almost all the messages, compared with only 63.5% (66/104) in the email group.CONCLUSIONS: Based on the feedback from the students, an extended, multiple-session, push-based intervention seems to be a feasible option for students interested in additional support after a single-session alcohol intervention. SMS as a mode of delivery seems to have some advantages over email regarding when a message is read and the proportion of messages read. However, more students in the SMS group stopped the intervention than in the email group. Based on these promising findings, further studies comparing the effectiveness of single-session interventions with extended multiple-session interventions delivered separately or in combination are warranted.</p
Feasibility of a Fully Automated Multiple Session Alcohol Intervention to University Students, Using Different Modes of Electronic Delivery [Elektronisk resurs] : The TOPHAT 1 Study
No full textBackground: In recent years more and more electronic health behaviour interventions have been developed in order to reach individuals with an unhealthy behaviour such as risky drinking. This is especially relevant in university students who are among those who most frequently are risky drinkers. This study explored the acceptability and feasibility, in an unselected group of university students, of a fully automated multiple session alcohol intervention offering different modes of delivery such as email, SMS and Android.Material and Methods: A total of 11,283 students at Linköping University in Sweden were invited to perform a single session alcohol intervention and among those accepting this (4916 students) a total of 24.7% accepted to further participate in the extended multiple intervention lasting 3 - 6 weeks. The students could choose mode of delivery, total length of the intervention (between 3 - 6 weeks) and number of messages per week (3, 5, or 7 per week). A follow-up questionnaire was applied after the intervention to which 82.7% responded.Results: most students wanted to receive the messages by email with the shortest intervention length (3 weeks) and as few messages as possible per week (3 messages). However, no major difference was seen regarding satisfaction with the length and frequency of the intervention despite chosen length and frequency. Most students also expressed satisfaction with the content of the messages and would recommend the intervention to a fellow student in need of reducing drinking.Discussion and Conclusion: Based upon feedback from the students, a multiple push-based intervention appears to be feasible to offer additional help for those who have interest after a single session alcohol intervention. In a forthcoming study we will further explore the optimal mode of delivery and length of intervention and number of messages per week.</p
2014-8-20 Feasibility and User Perception of a Fully Automated Push-Based Multiple-Session Alcohol Intervention for Feasibility and User Perception of a Fully Automated Push-Based Multiple- Session Alcohol Intervention for University Students: Randomized
No full textThis is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/), w hich permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original w ork, first published in JMIR mhealth and uhealth, is properly cited. The complete bibliographic information, a link to the original publication on http://mhealth.jmir.org/, as w ell as this copyright and license information must be included. Abstract Backgroun
AIDS i Afrika
No full textINNEHÅLL: FÖRETAL / Johan Wallin -- FÖRORD -- 1. INTRODUKTION -- 2. AIDS I VÄRLDEN -- Aids, ett globalt problem / Preben Bendtsen -- När pesten slog till mot London -- ”Svårt att vara optimistisk” / Lars Olof Kallings, WHOs världsprogram mot aids -- Att skylla på andra / Mai Palmberg -- 3. AIDSSPRIDNINGEN I AFRIKA -- ”Krisbilden” / Christer Krokfors -- Aids, ett problem för alla / dr Tom Mboya, Kenyas aidskontrollprogram -- Aids ojämna utveckling / David Wilson, Harare -- Alkohol och aids, ett glömt samband -- 4. KULTUR OCH SEXUELLT BETEENDE -- Kulturmönster och hiv-spridning / Monica Udvardy -- Det behövs mer forskning, inte fantasier om sex / Beth Maina Ahlberg -- Ensam och rädd / Pia Bergman -- ”Kvinnor och män måste tala om sex” / dr Sunanda Ray, Zimbabwe -- Winston Zulu, positiv hiv-positiv / Mai Palmberg -- 5. AFRIKA MÖTER AIDS -- Aidsbekämpning i Afrika / Preben Bendtsen -- Testning av blod ger omedelbar effekt / dr Nkandu Luo, Lusaka -- Två aidsprogram i Mocambique / Mirjam Dahlgren och Ricardo Trindade -- Aids i rasismens Sydafrika -- 6. AIDS DRABBAR BARNEN -- Aids hos barnen -- Föräldralösa barn -- Aids som barnsjukdom / professor Chifunde Chintu, Lusaka -- 7. AIDS FÖRÄNDRAR SJUKVÅRDEN -- En aidspatient åker hem -- Storfamiljen tar hand om de aidssjuka -- Hemsjukvård, inte dumpning av aidspatienter -- Monze och chikantaka, två vårdmodeller -- Chikankata, från spetälska till aids -- Medicinmän, hinder eller vägvisare? / dr Ben Chirwa, hälsoministeriet i Zambia -- ”Vi finner botemedlet mot aids” / Rodwell Vongo, generalsekreterare för medicinmännen i Zambia -- ”Alla vill veta sanningen till sist” / Patricia Ndele, Zambia -- 8. STÖD ÅT DE SMITTADE -- En bro mellan sjukhuset och hemmet / Violet Kunda, Lusaka -- Rädslan och fördomarna är många / Helen Ardelius -- Smittade kvinnor vill ha flera barn -- Från aids i familjen till TASOs stödverksamhet / Noerine Kaleeba, Uganda -- 9. AIDSUPPLYSNING -- Torgmöte på Citymarket -- Zulu på brandkåren i Lusaka -- Att göra radioprogram mot aids / Raphael Tugu, Kenya -- Att bekämpa aids med affischer -- 10. TEATER MOT AIDS -- Teater i Mocambique / Mirjam Dahlgren och Ricardo Trindade -- Öl, teater och aids -- ”Aidsteatern ger en dålig bild av kvinnan” -- Dagbok / Pia Bergman -- Karnevaler mot aids / Pia Bergman -- 11. KONDOMER -- En allvarlig lek med kondomer -- ”Är dom till för män också?” -- Kondomen Salama i Tanzania / Helen Ardelius -- 12. AIDS DRABBAR HELA SAMHÄLLET -- Aidsepidemins tredje fas / Preben Bendtsen / Hur mycket kostar aids? / Mai Palmberg -- Pest och ekonomi / David Sanders, Zimbabwes universitet -- 13. KVINNORNA-OFFER OCH NYCKEL TILL FÖRÄNDRING -- Kvinnor och aids, den tredubbla risken -- ”Vi kan bara ge henne ord” -- Women and Aids Support Network</p
- …
