Ageism and sexism amongst young computer scientists

A study was undertaken with 189 young computer science students to assess whether as future developers of technologies for older people, they have ageist and sexist attitudes about people as users of technology. They were shown a picture of either a young or old woman or man and asked to assess the likelihood that this person would use a desktop computer, laptop computer and a smartphone, and their level of expertise in each of these technologies. The results showed that the students did have negative perceptions of the older people in comparison to young people. They although thought that women were less expert with the technologies than men, although there was not difference in the likelihood of them using the technology. However, there was no evidence of a “double standard” of older women being perceived particularly negatively

Psychometric properties of the Multidimensional Health Locus of Control Scale Form C in a non-Western culture

Form C of the Multidimensional Health Locus of Control Scales (MHLC-C) was designed to investigate health-related control beliefs of persons with an existing medical condition. The aim of the present study was to examine the psychometric properties of this instrument in a culture characterized by external control beliefs and learned helplessness—contrary to the societal context of original test development. Altogether, 374 Hungarian patients with cancer, irritable bowel syndrome, diabetes, and cardiovascular and musculoskeletal disorders were enrolled in the study. Besides the MHLC-C, instruments measuring general control beliefs, anxiety, depression, self-efficacy, and health behaviors were also administered to evaluate the validity of the scale. Both exploratory and confirmatory factor analytic techniques were used to investigate the factor structure of the scale. Our results showed that the Hungarian adaptation of the instrument had a slightly different structure than the one originally hypothesized: in the present sample, a three-factor structure emerged where the items of the Doctors and the Others subscales loaded onto a single common component. Internal reliability of all three subscales was adequate (alphas between .71 and .79). Data concerning the instrument's validity were comparable with previous results from Western countries. These findings may suggest that health locus of control can be construed very similarly to Western countries even in a post-communist society—regardless of the potential differences in general control beliefs

Evidence-based Kernels: Fundamental Units of Behavioral Influence

This paper describes evidence-based kernels, fundamental units of behavioral influence that appear to underlie effective prevention and treatment for children, adults, and families. A kernel is a behavior–influence procedure shown through experimental analysis to affect a specific behavior and that is indivisible in the sense that removing any of its components would render it inert. Existing evidence shows that a variety of kernels can influence behavior in context, and some evidence suggests that frequent use or sufficient use of some kernels may produce longer lasting behavioral shifts. The analysis of kernels could contribute to an empirically based theory of behavioral influence, augment existing prevention or treatment efforts, facilitate the dissemination of effective prevention and treatment practices, clarify the active ingredients in existing interventions, and contribute to efficiently developing interventions that are more effective. Kernels involve one or more of the following mechanisms of behavior influence: reinforcement, altering antecedents, changing verbal relational responding, or changing physiological states directly. The paper describes 52 of these kernels, and details practical, theoretical, and research implications, including calling for a national database of kernels that influence human behavior

Reminder systems and late patient tracers in the diagnosis and management of tuberculosis

Background Reminder systems and late patient tracers as strategies to improve patients' adherence to tuberculosis screening, diagnosis, and treatment are used in some countries, but their effectiveness has not previously been systematically reviewed. Objectives To assess the effects of reminder systems and late patient tracers on completion of diagnostics, commencement of treatment in people referred for curative or prophylactic treatment of tuberculosis, completion of treatment in people starting curative or prophylactic treatment for tuberculosis, and cure in people being treated for active tuberculosis. Search strategy We searched the Cochrane Infectious Diseases Group Specialized Register ( June 2008), Cochrane Effective Practice and Organization of Care Group Specialized Register ( April 2007), CENTRAL ( The Cochrane Library 2008, Issue 2), MEDLINE ( 1966 to June 2008), EMBASE ( 1974 to June 2008), LILACS ( 1982 to June 2008), CINAHL ( 1982 to June 2008), SCI-EXPANDED ( 1945 to June 2008), SSCI ( 1956 to June 2008), mRCT ( June 2008), Indian Journal of Tuberculosis ( 1983 to June 2008), and reference lists. We also contacted researchers working in the field. Selection criteria Randomized controlled trials (RCTs), including cluster RCTs and quasi-RCTs, and controlled before-and-after studies comparing any reminders or late patient tracers with no or other kinds of reminders or late patient tracers. We included people in any setting who require treatment for tuberculosis or require prophylaxis against tuberculosis and are referred to tuberculosis diagnostic or screening services. Data collection and analysis Two authors independently assessed trial risk of bias and extracted data. Nometa-analysis could be undertaken due to the heterogeneity of interventions across trials. Main results Nine trials involving 5257 participants met the inclusion criteria. Three assessed the use of late patient tracers, and six assessed reminder systems. Late patient tracers ( home visit and letter) were shown to be beneficial in increasing adherence to tuberculosis treatment compared with no late patient tracer. The results from almost all the reminder trials, except one, show benefits of different types of reminders compared to no reminder on adherence to tuberculosis clinic appointments. Authors' conclusions The included trials show significantly better outcomes among those tuberculosis patients for which late patient tracers and reminders are used. Studies of good quality ( large and with rigorous study design) are needed to decide the most effective late patient tracer actions and reminders in different settings. Future studies of reminders in chemoprophylaxis and treatment settings would be useful