854 research outputs found
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Getting every kid outdoors: Notes from the field
The evolution of programs to encourage grade-schoolers to get out into parks
"I think maybe 10 years seems a bit long." Beliefs and attitudes of women who had never used intrauterine contraception
Aim
To explore, in a general practice setting, the concerns, beliefs and attitudes about intrauterine contraception (IUC) reported by women, who had never used the methods.
Methods
We used a sequential mixed-method (QUAL/quant) approach. A pragmatic, self-selecting sample of 30 women, aged 18–46 years, who had never used IUC), was recruited through seven general practices in South East England. Themes arising from qualitative interviews were used to construct a quantitative survey, completed by a pragmatic sample of 1195 women, aged 18–49 years, attending 32 general practices in the same region, between February and August 2015.
Results
Qualitative themes were concerns about the long-acting nature of IUC, concerns about body boundaries, and informal knowledge of IUC, especially ‘friend of a friend’ stories. Women were not sure if the devices can be removed before their full 5- or 10-year duration of use, and felt that these timeframes did not fit with their reproductive intentions. Quantitative survey data showed that the most commonly endorsed concerns among never-users were painful fitting (55.8%), unpleasant removal of the device (60.1%), and concern about having a device ’inside me' (60.2%).
Conclusions
To facilitate fully informed contraceptive choice, information provided to women considering IUC should be tailored to more fully address the concerns expressed by never-users, particularly around the details of insertion and removal, and concerns about the adverse, long-term effects of the device. Women need to be reassured that IUC can be removed and fertility restored at any time following insertion
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Barriers to intrauterine contraceptive uptake in General Practice: patient and practitioner perspectives - Findings from a mixed-method UK study
Hydraulics are a first order control on CO2 efflux from fluvial systems
Evasion of carbon dioxide (CO2) from fluvial systems is now recognized as a significant component of the global carbon cycle. However the magnitude of, and controls on, this flux remain uncertain and improved understanding of both are required to refine global estimates of fluvial CO2 efflux. CO2 efflux data show no pattern with latitude suggesting that catchment biological productivity is not a primary control and that an alternative explanation for inter-site variability is required. It has been suggested that increased flow velocity and turbulence enhance CO2 efflux, but this is not confirmed. Here, using contemporaneous measurements of efflux (range: 0.07 – 107 µmol CO2 m-2 s-1), flow hydraulics (mean velocity range: 0.03 – 1.39 m s-1) and pCO2 (range: 174 – 10712 µatm) at six sites, we find that flow intensity is a primary control on efflux across two climatically different locations (where pH is not a limiting factor) and that the relationship is refined by incorporating the partial pressure of CO2 (pCO2) of the water. A remaining challenge is how to upscale from point to reach or river basin level. Remote imaging or river surface may be worth exploring if subjectivity in interpreting surface state can be overcome
In-groups, Out-groups and the Challenge of Increasing Diversity through Intentional Inclusion and Equity Practices: Exploring the Roles of Urban Land Managers, Affinity Groups, and Alaska Residents
Public lands belong to all of us. Yet, data indicate that some Americans are participating more than others in the decision-making processes that guide use, access, and availability of our public lands and resources. Three researchers investigated three ways public participation intersects with the decision-making process, with a focus on illuminating barriers to full public participation as well as potential bridges to increasing equitable inclusion. Researchers interviewed urban land managers and affinity group leaders, surveyed a sample of residents in Alaska, and examined public testimony from a city council discussion about an inclusion resolution in Homer, Alaska. Qualitative and quantitative analyses across these studies revealed that participation barriers can be grouped into intra-barriers or inter-barriers. Intra-barriers are seen within individuals, groups, or organizations. Inter-barriers emerge between groups across society. Intra-barriers include difficulties such as lack of trust, deficient group representation, low familiarity with public lands, and shortage of resources. Inter-barriers involve lack of understanding of other cultures, groups, and agencies, and inconsistent priorities, policies, and mandates that drive efforts to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion in public lands and access to decision making. Our research identified five categories of bridges, or solutions, to these barriers: building and maintaining strong partnerships, increasing participant representation, strengthening ally capabilities, improving staff representation and cultural competency, and improving engagement strategies. The researchers conclude that the most direct path to increasing access to public decision making is to increase equity and inclusion in tandem. Increasing both the intentionality of inclusion and the practices of equity ultimately lead to more diverse participants who are actively engaged
Adaptation to Cesarean Birth: Implementation of an International Multisite Study
The purpose of this column is to describe the implementation of an international multisite Roy adaptation model-based study of women’s perceptions of and responses to cesarean birth. The need for the study arose from the concern that women’s childbearing needs may not be met to their full satisfaction, especially if the infant is born by cesarean. Serendipity and networking played a part in the selection of four study sites in the United States (Boston, Milwaukee, Norfolk, Oklahoma City) and two in other countries (Finland, Australia). Data were collected by nursing students and staff nurses. Post-hoc consideration of the diversity of study sites revealed opportunities for examination of the influence of the contextual stimuli of culture and geographic region on the women’s adaptation to cesarean birth. Strategies used to foster integration of teaching, practice, and research are discussed
Predictors of Non-use of Intrauterine Contraception among women aged 18-49 years in a General practice setting in the UK
Objectives:
Our research examined the barriers to the uptake of Intrauterine Contraception (IUC) by women in a general practice setting in the UK. This paper reports predictors of non-use of IUC in this context.
Design:
We used a mixed method QUAL/Quant approach in which initial qualitative research provides a framework for subsequent larger quantitative surveys. Utilising findings derived from 30 qualitative interviews, a quantitative survey was developed and distributed to a pragmatic sample of 1195 women, aged 18-49 years, who were recruited through 32 participating GP practices in an area of England, UK. Outcome measures were percentage of attributes or responses in the sample and use or non-use of IUC. Results were analysed using descriptive statistical analysis and binary logistic regression, using Use/Non-Use as a binary response variable.
Results:
Attitudinal variables which were the strongest predictors of non-use of IUC were; an adverse opinion on long acting aspect of IUC (OR=8.34), disliking the thought of IUC inside the body (OR=3.138), concerns about IUC causing difficulties becoming pregnant in the future (OR=2.587), concerns about womb damage (OR=2.224), having heard adverse opinions about levonorgestrel - releasing IUS (Mirena®) (OR= 2.551), having an adverse opinion of having light, irregular periods (OR=2.382) and having an adverse opinion of having no periods (OR=2.018).
Conclusions:
Concerns about the long-acting nature of IUC and persisting concerns about the safety of IUC may act as barriers to its use. Information for women, tailored to specifically address these concerns, is needed
The Perceived Effectiveness of Community Programs in Reducing and Deterring Juvenile Delinquency
Indianapolis, the capital of the U.S. state of Indiana, continues to experience a high rate of offenses committed by juvenile offenders. Community programs are in place to assist in the deterrence and/or reduction of juvenile crimes, yet the city’s crime rate continues to increase with youth being the perpetrator of many of these crimes. The purpose of this study was to determine the perceived effectiveness of these programs, which has not been adequately studied. The research questions focused on identifying which of the city’s current programs are perceived as being effective or ineffective in reducing juvenile delinquency and why so. The participants were 15 adults between the ages of 21 years old through 35 years old who were a part of the juvenile justice system as youth. Phenomenological research was used with Agnew’s strain theory as the theoretical framework. Data were collected through guided interviews and analyzed using NVivo, which allowed for coding and categorizing of the collected data. The key findings were that most of the programs were perceived as effective by 80% (n = 12) of the study participants. Three (20%) of the study participants perceived the programs as being ineffective. The study data can assist stakeholders in gauging the effectiveness of community programs and in making the community more aware of programs in place for youth, which may improve program participation and decrease recidivism. Policy makers in other communities may also be able to use the data to assist with their community programs.The data from the study supports the need for social change. Social change can occur through the evaluation, revamping, or elimination of programs considered ineffective, staff professional development, and more parental involvement. Through these changes, positive reinforcement can be instilled in youth
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