36,762 research outputs found
Baseline Assessment: Alaska's Capacity and Infrastructure for Prescription Opioid Misuse Prevention
The State of Alaska Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS), Division of Behavioral Health (DBH)
was awarded the Partnerships for Success (PFS) grant by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health
Services Administration (SAHMSA) in 2015. DBH contracted with the Center for Behavioral Health
Research and Services (CBHRS) at the University of Alaska Anchorage (UAA) to conduct a comprehensive
project evaluation. As part of the evaluation, CBHRS performed a baseline assessment of the stateâs
capacity and infrastructure related to prescription opioid misuse prevention.
Researchers conducted interviews with key stakeholders representing state government, healthcare
agencies, law enforcement, substance abuse research, and service agencies. Interviews were semistructured,
with questions addressing five domains of interest: (1) state climate and prevention efforts;
(2) partnerships and coordinated efforts; (3) policies, practices, and laws; (4) data and data monitoring;
and (5) knowledge and readiness. Thirteen interviews were conducted and analyzed using a qualitative
template analysis technique combined with a SWOT analysis (i.e. strengths, weaknesses, opportunities,
and threats). Emergent themes are displayed in Table 1 below.
Table 1. Emergent themes from SWOT analysis
Strengths Weaknesses Opportunities Threats
(1) New and revised
policies and
guidelines
(2) Activities and
partnerships
between state
agencies and
communities
(3) Knowledge and
awareness of state
leadership
(1) State policy
limitations
(2) Insufficient detox,
treatment, and
recovery support
resources
(3) Lack of full
coordination within
state agencies and
with communities
(1) Education enrichment
(2) Policy improvements
(3) Expansion of
treatment, recovery,
and mental health
support
(1) State fiscal crisis
(2) Prescribing practices
(3) Complexity and
stigma of addiction
(4) Legislative support
Despite limitations in sample representativeness and interview timing, participants agreed that
agencies, communities, and organizations across Alaska have demonstrated great concern about the
opioid epidemic and that this concern has translated into considerable efforts to address and prevent
opioid misuse. Participants also noted a variety of opportunities as targets for future work, many of
which would address some of the current weaknesses that exist. Results yielded clear recommendations
for increasing awareness and providing education to a variety of groups, further improving relevant
policies to promote prevention, and expanding services for prevention and treatment.State of Alaska, Division of Behavioral Health
Grant #SP020783Executive Summary / Introduction / Methodology / Results / Discussion / Reference
The Design, Implementation, and Assessment of a New Capstone Course Aimed at Science Education Majors
This paper rationalizes the selection of the concept of energy as the central theme of a new capstone course aimed at science education majors. It describes the goals of the course and the activities that preceded the course design and led to the selection of the topics, of the educational materials, and of the teaching methodologies. It presents a sequential description of the manner in which the conceptual knowledge of energy was to be developed. The speciïŹc experiments, interactive demonstrations and other educational materials utilized for the conceptual development of the concept of energy in context are described and referenced. The course objectives are described, as well as the instruments utilized to assess student learning. It also presents the activities utilized to assess the course, in addition to the modiïŹcations made to the course syllabus based on this assessment
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HIV Education and Empowerment A program for the Women of Kiryabicooli, Uganda
Abstract
Background: HIV continues to be a serious health, social and economic burden in Uganda. Early in the epidemic, the governmentâs rapid response brought the HIV infection rates from 30% in the 1990s to 4% by 2000, however rates are rising with some districtâs reporting the HIV rate rising up to 7.8%. Myths surrounding transmission, disease progression and treatment compound the countryâs vulnerability. The goal of this Quality Improvement project is to educate women with children under 13 years old about the facts of HIV, in the hopes that with that knowledge they can take action to decrease their own infection rates as well as their childrenâs.
Methods: An HIV education curriculum was used for women who have children under the age of 13. The women who chose to participate received a pre-training test with questions related to HIV transmission, testing, and treatment.
Results: Thirty women from the three villages with close proximity to the Health Clinic in Uganda were the participants. Each woman completed all three class sections as well as completing the pre and post-tests. The pre and post-test scores were rated and found to have discrepancies in the individual identifiers. Because of this, it was impossible to determine score changes for individual participants. Instead, the trends were noted to determine value of the classes themselves.
Conclusion: Women were empowered through education about the HIV facts to help them to protect themselves. Secondly, the mothers will become health educators to their children. The relationship of trust and love between mother and child can empower the next generation to be armed with the truth, effectively protecting themselves from the virus and in doing so, decrease the rates of HIV infection in this area
Fear-avoidance model of chronic pain the next generation
Objective: The fear-avoidance (FA) model of chronic pain describes how individuals experiencing acute pain may become trapped into a vicious circle of chronic disability and suffering. We propose to extend the FA model by adopting a motivational perspective on chronic pain and disability. Methods: A narrative review. Results: There is ample evidence to support the validity of the FA model as originally formulated. There are, however, some key challenges that call for a next generation of the FA model. First, the FA model has its roots in psychopathology, and investigators will have to find a way to account for findings that do not easily fit within such framework. Second, the FA model needs to address the dynamics and complexities of disability and functional recovery. Third, the FA model should incorporate the idea that pain-related fear and avoidance occurs in a context of multiple and often competing personal goals. Discussion: To address these 3 key challenges, we argue that the next generation of the FA model needs to more explicitly adopt a motivational perspective, one that is built around the organizing powers of goals and self-regulatory processes. Using this framework, the FA model is recast as capturing the persistent but futile attempts to solve pain-related problems to protect and restore life goals
Adult and young women communication on sexuality : a pilot intervention in Maputo-Mozambique
Background: Communication on sexuality within the family has been considered a determinant factor for the sexual behaviour of young women, contributing to delaying sexual initiation. Taking into account that young women are increasingly exposed to sexualized messages, they need clear, trustful and open communication on sexuality more than ever. However, in Mozambique, communication about sexuality is hampered by strict social norms. This paper evaluates the case of an intervention aimed at reducing the generational barrier for talking about sexuality and to contribute to better communication within the family context.
Methods: The intervention consisted of three weekly one-hour coached sessions in which female adults and young interacted about sexuality. Realist evaluation was used as a framework to assess context, mechanisms, and outcomes of the intervention. Interviews were conducted among 13 participants of the sessions.
Result: The interaction sessions were positively appreciated by the participants and contributed to change norms and attitudes towards communication on sexuality within families. Recognition of similarities and awareness of differences were key in the mechanisms leading to these outcomes. This was reinforced by the use of visual materials and the atmosphere of respect and freedom of speech that characterized the interactions. Limiting factors were related to the long-standing taboo on sexuality and existing misconceptions on sexuality education and talks about sex.
Conclusion: By elucidating mechanisms and contextual factors our study adds knowledge on strategies to improve transgenerational communication about sexuality
Education responses to climate change and quality : two parts of the same agenda?
Increasing attention to climate change and the current global economic crisis has underscored the need for approaches to education that equip and empower people of all ages to deal with uncertain environmental, economic and political futures. A range of educational and research initiatives already exist which could support this aim, however, policy and discussion continue to focus on technical solutions or 'knowledge transfer' without seriously engaging with the content of education. This paper suggests that education responses are needed which attend to provision of both appropriate educational infrastructure and relevant knowledge and skills. It also explores the connections between education for sustainable development (ESD) and education quality, and argues that these frameworks already support potentially effective education responses to climate change. © 2009 Elsevier Ltd
Identification of misconceptions in the teaching of biology
peer-reviewedTo date research into how young people acquire
accurate higher-order scientific knowledge, and gain
an understanding of abstract and challenging concepts
in science, has occupied much of the science education
literature across countries and across continents. In
previous studies, we identified that biology teaching
that involves the diagnosis, reduction and elimination of
misconceptions can be one effective pedagogic approach,
particularly if positioned within a âgood enoughâ model
of pedagogic practice1
. In this study, we investigate the
use of one diagnostic testing approach to the identification
of misconceptions in the teaching of respiration and
photosynthesis in a small sample of secondary school
students (n=139) and pre-service teachers (n=43) in the
Republic of Ireland. Photosynthesis and respiration were
chosen as they are prevalent biology topics that students
find conceptually challenging. The study used test items to
elicit the extent of misconceptions among this cohort â a
paper-and-pencil test for students and a survey instrument
for pre-service teachers. The findings show unacceptably
high level of misconceptions among all pre-service
teachers and students and suggest that diagnostic tests
of this type can be a useful entry point to a pedagogical cycle for the recognition, reduction and removal of
misconceptions. The findings have wider implications
than this small scale study and are primarily directed
toward new understandings in relation to more effective
models of biology teaching and teacher education.PUBLISHEDpeer-reviewe
Decreasing HIV Stigmatization for Care of Young Men of Color Who Have Sex with Men
HIV-related stigma from healthcare provider attitudes, beliefs, perceptions, or misconceptions has been a barrier to healthcare delivery. This project was conducted to examine whether an HIV-related stigma education provided to healthcare clinic staff with a focus on advance practice registered nurses can improve knowledge and empathy toward young men of color who have sex with men (MSM), which can lead to improved overall quality of healthcare through increased health behaviors and retention in care. An educational intervention was conducted utilizing a blended-learning environment focused on social cognitive theory to influence social behavior change among healthcare professionals, increasing their exposure, knowledge, and awareness of HIV-related stigma. A self-administered pretest and posttest, online videos, and PowerPoint presentations were utilized to measure drivers of HIV-related stigma and assess knowledge growth post-intervention of clinic staff. A total of 7 of 15 clinic staff voluntarily participated in the full educational intervention. The greatest growth was in dressing wounds and drawing blood, with pre-intervention results indicating that 14.2% were worried, 28.5% were a little worried, and 42.8% were not worried and post-intervention results showing that 0% were worried, 14.2 were a little worried, and 71.4% were not worried. Addressing healthcare provider HIV-related stigma provides social change by increasing access and care for at-risk young MSM of color supporting national HIV prevention strategies and goals
STATES/PROVINCES DIALOGUE ON AGRICULTURAL TRADE AND POLICY ISSUES
Agricultural and Food Policy, International Relations/Trade,
Royal Commission into Family Violence: issues paper
The purpose of this issues paper is to provide general guidance to individuals and organisations in making written submissions to the Royal Commission into Family Violence.
Introduction
The Royal Commission into Family Violence (âthe Royal Commissionâ) is seeking submissions from anyone directly affected by family violence, from individuals and organisations who have come into contact with people affected by family violence (whether directly working in the family violence sector or not), and from any others whose experiences and ideas may assist the work of the Royal Commission. Examples of individuals who do not work directly in the family violence sector but may wish to make a submission include general practitioners and other health professionals, social workers, disability workers and advocates, teachers and community or religious leaders.
The purpose of this issues paper is to provide general guidance to individuals and organisations in making their written submissions. The Royal Commission is also accepting submissions that address its Terms of Reference1 without responding to the particular questions in this issues paper.
Written submissions are just one of the ways in which the Royal Commission will gather views and information. It will also be examining more detailed questions through its research, community engagement and public hearing activities. Updates about the Royal Commissionâs activities will appear on our website: www.rcfv.com.a
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