Effects of a psychosocial intervention on the quality of life or primary caregivers of women with breast cancer in Abuja, Nigeria

Studies have shown that limited attention has been paid to the psychosocial wellbeing of caregivers of patients undergoing care and treatment for breast cancer in Nigeria. There are no interventions in place to cater for their needs despite, the psychological problems faced by this group of people. This study investigated the effectiveness of a psychosocial intervention in term of impact on the quality of life (QOL) of primary caregivers of women with breast cancer in Abuja, Nigeria. Using a quasiexperimental design, sample of 108 participants assigned to the intervention and control groups, the study made use of the Zarit Burden Interview (ZBI) and Caregiver Quality of Life Index-Cancer (CQOLC) to measure caregiver burden and QOL respectively. The hypothesis for the study was that the primary caregivers of women with breast cancer who receive a psychosocial intervention programme will report improved QOL compared with caregivers who do not attend a psychosocial intervention programme. The study established that there were a negative linear relationship between caregiver burden and QOL (R = -0.45, p < 0.001) as a basis for intervention, and also that 29% variance of QOL could be explained by caregiver burden. The intervention results showed that at baseline 51.9% participants reported moderate to severe burden and 48.1% reported severe burden. These figures reduced to 22.3% and 12.6% for moderate to severe and severe burden respectively at 6 weeks after intervention, and further reduced to 18.6% and 4.9% respectively at 12 weeks after intervention. Comparing the QOL of the intervention and control groups, the results showed a significant difference on the score at baseline, 6 and 12 weeks. However, looking at performance of the intervention group, there was no significant different at baseline and 6 weeks (t=0.83, p < 0.05), and baseline and 12 weeks (t=1.65, p < 0.05). With reference to the caregiver burden of the intervention and control groups, it was found that a significant difference existed at baseline (t=9.33, p < 0.001). In respect of the impact of the intervention on caregiver burden of the intervention group, results showed a significant difference between baseline and 6 weeks (t=30.34, p < 0.001) and between baseline and 12 weeks (t = 36.80, p < 0.001) after intervention. The study concluded that the psycho-education intervention significantly affected caregiver burden but did not affect caregivers' QOL. Therefore, there is a need for a psycho-education intervention for caregivers of patients with breast cancer, in order to reduce the burden and help them cope with the work of caregiving. Appropriate supportive interventions should be made available to support the close family members of patients with breast cancer in order to reduce caregiver burden. Relevant stakeholders in the healthcare sector especially in palliative care should promote awareness of carer needs. The provision of intervention programmes for caregivers requires further research to develop contextually specific programmes and services which will improve the QOL of caregivers

Sources of Stress and Its Impact on Health Behaviors and Academic Performance of International Students at a Comprehensive Midwestern University

The purpose of this study was to investigate the sources of stress, its impact on health behaviors and academic performance of 220 international students studying at a comprehensive Midwestern university, and coping strategies used by international students to manage stress. The study was a cross-sectional descriptive design, using a quantitative method. Two hundred twenty international students enrolled at the university during the summer and fall of 2003 participated in this study. Data were collected using Sources of Stress, Health Behaviors and Academic Performance Scale for international students. Statistical procedure for data analysis included t-test, ANOVA, chi-square and bivariate correlation. Results indicated that stress experienced by international students emanated from alienation/discrimination, communication/language difficulties, homesickness/ loneliness, financial hardships and academic pressure. Forming friendships, dating U.S. students and religion practicing were most commonly reported as the best stress coping strategies. Significant gender differences existed regarding the level of stress experience, where male students reported less stress than female students overall. Academically, overall international students performed well with a mean GPA of 3.4 and the overall health behavior was good among international students. Stress was reported by international students as playing a motivational role in regard to academic performance and health behaviors. It was recommended that thorough orientation programs and cultural competency training for faculty, staff and students would help increase interaction and understanding among the university community hence smoothening the acculturation process for international students

Visitors from beyond the Grave: Ghosts in World Literature

The monograph deal with the topic of ghosts in universal literature from a polyhedral perspective, making use of different perspectives, all of which highlight the resilience of these figures from the very beginning of literature up to the present day. Therefore, the aim of this volume is to focus on how ghosts have been translated and transformed over the years within literature written in the following languages: Classical Greek and Latin, Spanish, Italian, and English

The burden of congenital Chagas disease and implementation of molecular diagnostic tools in Latin America

It is estimated that between 8000 and 15 000 Trypanosoma cruzi infected babies are born every year to infected mothers in Chagas disease endemic countries. Currently, poor access to and performance of the current diagnostic algorithm, based on microscopy at birth and serology at 8-12 months after delivery, is one of the barriers to congenital Chagas disease (CCD) control. Detection of parasite DNA using molecular diagnostic tools could be an alternative or complement to current diagnostic methods, but its implementation in endemic regions remains limited. Prompt diagnosis and treatment of CCD cases would have a positive clinical and epidemiological impact. In this paper, we analysed the burden of CCD in Latin America, and the potential use of molecular tests to improve access to early diagnosis and treatment of T. cruzi infected newborns.Fil: Picado, Albert. Foundation for Innovative New Diagnostics; SuizaFil: Cruz, Israel. Foundation for Innovative New Diagnostics; SuizaFil: Redard Jacot, Maël. Foundation for Innovative New Diagnostics; SuizaFil: Schijman, Alejandro Gabriel. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Investigaciones en Ingeniería Genética y Biología Molecular "Dr. Héctor N. Torres"; ArgentinaFil: Torrico, Faustino. Universidad Mayor de San Simón; Bolivia. Fundación CEADES; BoliviaFil: Sosa-Estani, Sergio Alejandro. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Parque Centenario. Centro de Investigaciones en Epidemiología y Salud Pública. Instituto de Efectividad Clínica y Sanitaria. Centro de Investigaciones en Epidemiología y Salud Pública; Argentina. Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative; BrasilFil: Katz, Zachary. Foundation for Innovative New Diagnostics; SuizaFil: Ndung'u, Joseph Mathu. Foundation for Innovative New Diagnostics; Suiz

Trabajo de titulación previo a la obtención del título de Arquitecto Urbanista

El presente trabajo de titulación tiene como propósito determinar la situación actual de los niños, niñas y adolescentes que presentan discapacidad visual de la ciudad de Ambato, mediante diagnósticos, análisis y conclusiones para finalmente, llegar a una propuesta arquitectónica acorde a la realidad encontrada. Este grupo vulnerable de individuos, objeto de la presente investigación, presentan edades de entre 4 y 17 años. De ellos, unos cuantos están asistiendo al único centro especializado que existe en la ciudad denominado Julius Doepher, que se halla funcionando en una antigua edificación destinada para la educación regular, se han realizado adaptaciones muy básicas, que no cubren las necesidades y condiciones para acoger a personas con discapacidad visual. El levantamiento de la información se realizó en el sitio mismo de esta escuela especial, por lo que se trata de una investigación de campo. Concluyendo, este grupo vulnerables de niños, niñas y adolescentes con discapacidad visual, al no contar con un Centro Especializado que los acoja se hallan al margen de una educación inclusiva a la que tienen derecho. Por lo cual se recomienda la implantación de la unidad educativa para niños y jóvenes con discapacidad visual, partiendo de un contexto urbano y con una conexión directa con la ciudad, con un diseño arquitectónico específico para niños, niñas y jóvenes con discapacidad visual que aprovecha el resto de los sentidos y que toma muy en cuenta sus limitaciones y necesidades

LOS BENEFICIOS MOTIVACIONALES DEL PROCESO DE INDUCCIÓN EN LAS COMPAÑIAS SERVICUEROS S.A E INTERNEGOS S.A DE LA CIUDAD DE AMBATO

El presente estudio de caso tiene como finalidad medir los beneficios de la motivación mediante el proceso de inducción empresarial de los nuevos colaboradores de las Compañías Servicueros e Internegos S.A. Como parte de este estudio se realizó la aplicación del Cuestionario MbM para medir los niveles de motivación de los colaboradores, en donde se aplicó por primera vez al inicio del proceso de inducción y una posterior al finalizar las técnicas psicológicas. Es aquí donde se midió las variables de estudio y su interacción con la inducción. Se pudo decidir entre las hipótesis planteadas gracias al estadístico T de student, que se determinó que no existe beneficios motivacionales mediante el proceso de inducción, con un nivel no significativo de una pre evaluación de 0.289 y una pos evaluación de 0.344. A lo largo de la investigación se desarrollara la base científica de dicho proceso, para sustentar las variables de estudio. Como resultado de esta investigación se realizó un protocolo de intervención para aumentar los niveles de motivación en los colaboradores y así poder crear en el personal una fuerza intrínseca, que brinde estabilidad laboral, física y mental