Health promotion and education among refugee women: a literature review

The aims of this literature review were to (1) identify a comprehensive range of issues surrounding female refugee physical health and (2) identify strategies addressing most of the critical physical health issues surrounding female refugee heath through dynamic and community-based approaches. Articles published from 1996 through 2011 were located online using United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, World Health Organization, EBSCOhost, PubMed, CINAHL, and OVID MEDLINE. Keywords used for searching included “refugee health,” “refugees’ health promotion,” and “refugees.” Inclusion criteria were female refugees and studies involving extensive exploration of refugee population. Exclusion criteria were studies that involve mental psychological issues of refugees and men and children refugees. Forty two articles were identified and evaluated; 21 articles were included in the final review. The physical health issues that affect refugee women identified were reproductive health, sexually transmitted infections, HIV/AIDS, nutrition, condom use, family planning, antenatal care, referrals, and contraceptives. Health promotion and education activities occur through interpersonal communication, peer education, group activities, drama, music, and traditional dances. Applying these findings could contribute to positive social change because public health practitioners have an opportunity to address issues surrounding female refugee health through dynamic and community-based approaches. Implications for healthcare include better strategies to educating and promoting health among female refugees

Effective Smoking Cessation Methods among Smokers with Diabetes in NV

Smoking and diabetes could both be prevented if individuals would abstain from smoking, eat healthy, and exercise regularly. Smokers with diabetes have an increased risk of serious health outcomes, hence effective smoking cessation interventions are critical. The transtheoretical model was used in this quantitative study analyzing secondary data from the state of Nevada Quitline to examine the relationships between smoking cessation method (counseling versus counseling and medication) and quitting smoking for 720 smokers with/without diabetes. Participants were Nevada residents, ages 18+, men and women, English or Spanish speakers. Descriptive statistics, logistic regression, and a test of two proportions were conducted. The majority of the participants had not quit (67.5%). Quit rates did not differ between smokers with/without diabetes, however, individuals who received counseling and medication were 1.94 times as likely to quit compared to those who received counseling alone. Among diabetes smokers, age was significantly related to quit status; for every 1 year, the likelihood of quitting increased by 1.03 times; and Hispanics were 7.50 times more likely to quit smoking compared to Caucasians. Findings from this study could help healthcare providers, public health practitioners, and scholars develop effective smoking cessation programs to meet the needs of smokers with diabetes

Mother-to-Child HIV Transmission, Literacy, Ethnicity, Education, and Wealth in Kenya

This study examined the relationship of literacy, ethnicity, education, and wealth to the receipt of care for mother-to-child HIV transmission (MTCT) in Kenya. The researchers analyzed secondary cross-sectional data from the 2008-2009 Kenya Demographic and Health Surveys (KDHS). The sample consisted of 167 postpartum Kenyan women ages 15 to 49 with an HIV/AIDS diagnosis. Literacy, ethnicity, education, and wealth were all contributing factors in the receipt of care for MTCT in Kenya. Additionally, low levels of education, knowledge, and literacy were related to less HIV/AIDS prevention efforts especially among persons living in low-income and/or poor communities

Mother-to-Child HIV Transmission, Literacy, Ethnicity, Education, and Wealth in Kenya

This study examined the relationship of literacy, ethnicity, education, and wealth to the receipt of care for mother-to-child HIV transmission (MTCT) in Kenya. The researchers analyzed secondary cross-sectional data from the 2008-2009 Kenya Demographic and Health Surveys (KDHS). The sample consisted of 167 postpartum Kenyan women ages 15 to 49 with an HIV/AIDS diagnosis. Literacy, ethnicity, education, and wealth were all contributing factors in the receipt of care for MTCT in Kenya. Additionally, low levels of education, knowledge, and literacy were related to less HIV/AIDS prevention efforts especially among persons living in low-income and/or poor communities

Relationship Between Demographics and Breastfeeding Behavior Among HIV Positive Women in Kenya

This study addresses motherto-child HIV transmission in Kenya. Data from the 2008 and 2009 Kenya Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS) were used to test the relationships between maternal demographics and breastfeeding behavior among HIV positive women in Kenya. Data from 167 HIV positive women aged 15 to 49 were tested. The researcher found (1) a significant relationship between age and breastfeeding, and (2) a significant relationship between ethnicity and duration of breastfeeding. Applying these results could help organizations develop culturally appropriate HIV/AIDS education and prevention efforts among various ethnic groups in Kenya

Health insurance is important in improving maternal health service utilization in Tanzania—analysis of the 2011/2012 Tanzania HIV/AIDS and malaria indicator survey

Abstract Background Maternal mortality rates vary significantly from region to region. Interventions such as early and planned antenatal care attendance and facility delivery with skilled health workers can potentially reduce maternal mortality rates. Several factors can be attributed to antenatal care attendance, or lack thereof, including the cost of health care services. The aim of this study was to examine the role of health insurance coverage in utilization of maternal health services in Tanzania. Methods Secondary data analysis was conducted on the nationally representative sample of men and women aged 15–49 years using the 2011/12 Tanzania HIV and Malaria Indicator Survey. It included 4513 women who had one or more live births within three years before the survey. The independent variable was health insurance coverage. Outcome variables included proper timing of the first antenatal care visit, completing the recommended number of antenatal care (ANC) visits, and giving birth under skilled worker. Data were analyzed both descriptively and using regression analyses to examine independent association of health insurance and maternal health services. Results Of 4513 women, only 281 (6.2%) had health insurance. Among all participants, only 16.9%, 7.1%, and 56.5%, respectively, made their first ANC visit as per recommendation, completed the recommended number of ANC visits, and had skilled birth assistance at delivery. A higher proportion of women with health insurance had a proper timing of 1st ANC attendance compared to their counterparts (27.0% vs. 16.0%, p < 0.001). Similar trend was for skilled birth attendance (77.6% vs. 55.1%, p < 0.001). After adjusting for other confounders and covariates, having health insurance was associated with proper timing of 1st ANC attendance (AOR = 1.89, p < 0.001) and skilled birth attendance (AOR = 2.01, p < 0.01). Conclusions Health insurance coverage and maternal health services were low in this nationally representative sample in Tanzania. Women covered by health insurance were more likely to have proper timing of the first antenatal visit and receive skilled birth assistance at delivery. To improve maternal health, health insurance alone is however not enough. It is important to improve other pillars of health system to attain and sustain better maternal health in Tanzania and areas with similar contexts

Relationship Between Demographics and Breastfeeding Behavior Among HIV Positive Women in Kenya

This study addresses motherto-child HIV transmission in Kenya. Data from the 2008 and 2009 Kenya Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS) were used to test the relationships between maternal demographics and breastfeeding behavior among HIV positive women in Kenya. Data from 167 HIV positive women aged 15 to 49 were tested. The researcher found (1) a significant relationship between age and breastfeeding, and (2) a significant relationship between ethnicity and duration of breastfeeding. Applying these results could help organizations develop culturally appropriate HIV/AIDS education and prevention efforts among various ethnic groups in Kenya