Navigating a Pandemic: A Qualitative Study of Knowledge, Sources of Information, and COVID-19-Related Precautions Taken by HBCU Students

The objective of this study was to evaluate the views of first-time expectant mothers on breastfeeding. A qualitative study approach using focus group discussions was used to solicit the views of 25 expectant first-time mothers. The results indicated the intention to breastfeed, though some were willing to opt for formula feeding when the need arises. Knowledge on breastfeeding issues was minimal among this group. Common sources of information on breastfeeding issues were obtained from home (relatives), hospital, and television. The need to support and provide adequate education on breastfeeding issues is critical among this category of women.

Download Full-text

Learning about Climate: An Exploration of the Socialization of Climate Change

Weather Climate and Society ◽

10.1175/wcas-d-12-00055.1 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 5 (4) ◽

pp. 381-393 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Debbie Hopkins

Keyword(s):

Climate Change ◽

New Zealand ◽

Qualitative Study ◽

Lived Experiences ◽

Information Sources ◽

Relevant Information ◽

Social Phenomenon ◽

Sources Of Information ◽

Personal Experiences ◽

Ski Industry

Abstract While the term “climate change” is highly recognized by the nonscientific general public, understandings of its manifestations are varied, contrasting, and complex. It is argued that this is because climate change has become simultaneously a physical and a social phenomenon. Thus, climate change is becoming socialized through nonscientific interpretation. Research has considered the roles of independent sources of information used to inform these communities, ranging from media sources to personal experiences. However, little consideration has been made of the interplay between information sources and how these sources are perceived by nonscientific communities in terms of trust. This paper presents a qualitative study of 52 ski industry stakeholders in Queenstown, New Zealand. It explores the sources of information used by these communities to construct understandings about climate change, their perceptions of these sources, the dominant interpretive factors, and the interactions between the information sources. It finds that personal experiences of weather are used to interpret other sources of information and are drawn upon to corroborate and reject the existence of climate change and its relevance for their locality. This paper concludes that locally relevant information on climate change is required to ensure that it is applicable to nonscientific realities and lived experiences.

Download Full-text

Questions linked to Gould DJ, Drey NS, Millar M, Wilks M, Chamney M. Patients and the public: knowledge, sources of information and perceptions about healthcare-associated infection. J Hosp Infect 2009:72:1–8.

Journal of Hospital Infection ◽

10.1016/j.jhin.2009.02.008 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 72 (2) ◽

pp. 177

Keyword(s):

Public Knowledge ◽

Knowledge Sources ◽

Sources Of Information ◽

Healthcare Associated Infection ◽

The Public ◽

Hosp Infect ◽

Healthcare Associated

Download Full-text

Solidarity, Vulnerability and Mistrust: How Context, Information and Government Affect the Lives of Women in Times of Zika

10.21203/rs.2.18491/v1 ◽

2019 ◽

Author(s):

Ana Rosa Linde Arias ◽

Maria Roura ◽

Eduardo Siqueira

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

Qualitative Study ◽

Well Being ◽

The United States ◽

Epidemiological Surveillance ◽

Sources Of Information ◽

Snowball Sampling ◽

Structured Interviews ◽

Public Health Response ◽

Individual Level

Abstract Background and Objectives The public health response to Zika outbreak has mostly focused on epidemiological surveillance, vector control, and individual level preventative measures. This qualitative study employs a social-ecological framework to examine how macro (historical, legislative, political, socio-economic factors), meso (sources of information, social support, social mobilization) and micro level factors (individual actions, behavioral changes) interacted to influence the response and behavior of women with respect to Zika in different contexts. Methods A qualitative study was carried out. Women were recruited through the snowball sampling technique from various locations in Brazil, Puerto Rico, and the United States. They were of different nationalities and ethnicities. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews. The data transcripts were analyzed using thematic analysis. Results Women in this study deemed the information provided as insufficient, which led them to actively reach out and access a variety of media sources. Social networks played a vital role in sharing information but also resulted in the spread of hoaxes or rumors. Participants in our research perceived socio-economic inequities but focused on how to remedy their microenvironments. They did not engage in major social activities. Lack of trust in governments placed women in vulnerable situations by preventing them to follow the guidance of health authorities. These impacts were also a result of the response tactics of health and government administrations in their failed attempts to ensure the well-being of their countries’ populations. Conclusions Our findings call for a broad spectrum of public health interventions that go beyond individual level behavioral change campaigns, to more comprehensively address the broader meso and macro level factors that influence womens’ willingness and possibility to protect themselves.

Download Full-text

Health literacy of commercial industry managers: an exploratory qualitative study in Germany

European Journal of Public Health ◽

10.1093/eurpub/ckz186.431 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 29 (Supplement_4) ◽

Author(s):

H Pfaff ◽

S Fiedler

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Health Literacy ◽

Qualitative Study ◽

Qualitative Interviews ◽

Self Regulation ◽

Self Control ◽

Knowledge Gap ◽

Sources Of Information ◽

Structured Interviews ◽

Ability To Act

Abstract Background Managers have been neglected in health literacy research. There still is little known about the health literacy status and needs of commercial industry managers. This study reduces the existing knowledge gap by presenting findings of an exploratory qualitative study. Methods We conducted 23 separate semi-structured interviews of managers from all management levels (low, middle and top) and experts in the field of health management and/or personnel management. The qualitative interviews were analysed according to Mayring’s content analytic approach using MAXQDA. Results The findings indicate that managers do have considerable information levels about existing health topics and relevant problems but have difficulties of discernment as to which sources of information can be activated or accessed in a timely fashion due to work and information overload. Even those who devise strategies often fail in implementing health-literate behavior. Experts and managers had fairly consistent views on the importance of health literacy among managers. Most agreed that mental health was neglected and that company conditions were important in influencing the ability to act in a way that promoted health literacy. The findings also show that strengthening of managerial self-perception, self-regulation and self-control, raising awareness and ability to take personal responsibility for one’s own health, developing skills in handling large amounts of information and fostering open and trusting communication are all essential. Conclusions The findings provide specific points which are important for promoting health literacy among managers. The study underscores the need to incorporate and integrate different perspectives in the implementation of health literacy interventions. To develop health-promoting companies, further research has to provide guides to action for managers and investigate ways in which health literacy can be promoted among managers on all hierarchical levels. Key messages Industry managers in this study agreed that their mental health has been neglected and company conditions were important in influencing the ability to act in a way that promoted health literacy. This study reduces the knowledge gap about the health literacy of managers. Further research should focus on promoting mental health and providing guides to action for managers and companies.

Download Full-text

Pre-conception Nutrition Care, Nutritional Knowledge, Nutritional Practices, and cultural Belief among pregnant women: A Qualitative Study in Aceh

Journal of Nutrition Science ◽

10.35308/jns.v1i2.2762 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 1 (2) ◽

pp. 13

Author(s):

Aripin Ahmad ◽

Silvia Wagustina ◽

Wiwit Estuti ◽

Syuja’ Rafiqi Arifin

Keyword(s):

Health Care ◽

Qualitative Study ◽

Pregnant Women ◽

Nutrition Knowledge ◽

Cultural Belief ◽

Sources Of Information ◽

Nutritional Knowledge ◽

Nutritional Information ◽

Nutrition Care ◽

Nutrition Practices

Health care during pre-conception and pregnancy is one of the important factors that can improve pregnancy outcomes. This study aims to explore how pre-conception care, nutrition knowledge and practices, and the factors that influence it in pregnant women. This study used a cross-sectional design with a qualitative study approach. The subject was 11 pregnant women who were selected as well as 5 health workers. The data pre-conception of care and nutrition practices before pregnant, nutrition knowledge and nutrition practices, food taboo and suggestion, cultural belief influence, and data sources of information and nutritional information needs was carried out using the Focus Group Discussion. The results showed that most of the pregnant women did not get and done pre-conception nutrition care, had insufficient nutritional knowledge and the practice of balanced nutrition was still low. There is still an influence of cultural belief in the form of food taboos and food suggestions, and the lack of sources of information and nutritional information towards nutrition practice. It is necessary to develop media and nutrition educational methods to improve nutrition and health care during pre-conception and pregnancy, and further studies are needed specifically on the role of family factors, especially grandmothers, mothers in-laws, and family members on nutrition practices in pregnant women.

Download Full-text

Solidarity, Vulnerability and Mistrust: How Context, Information and Government Affect the Lives of Women in Times of Zika

10.21203/rs.2.18491/v2 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Ana Rosa Linde Linde Arias ◽

Maria Roura ◽

Eduardo Siqueira

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

Qualitative Study ◽

Well Being ◽

The United States ◽

Epidemiological Surveillance ◽

Sources Of Information ◽

Snowball Sampling ◽

Structured Interviews ◽

Public Health Response ◽

Individual Level

Abstract Background The public health response to Zika outbreak has mostly focused on epidemiological surveillance, vector control, and individual level preventative measures. This qualitative study employs a social-ecological framework to examine how macro (historical, legislative, political, socio-economic factors), meso (sources of information, social support, social mobilization) and micro level factors ( i ndividual actions, behavioral changes) interacted to influence the response and behavior of women with respect to Zika in different contexts. Methods A qualitative study was carried out. Women were recruited through the snowball sampling technique from various locations in Brazil, Puerto Rico, and the United States. They were of different nationalities and ethnicities. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews. The data transcripts were analyzed using thematic analysis. Results Women in this study deemed the information provided as insufficient, which led them to actively reach out and access a variety of media sources. Social networks played a vital role in sharing information but also resulted in the spread of hoaxes or rumors. Participants in our research perceived socio-economic inequities but focused on how to remedy their microenvironments. They did not engage in major social activities. Lack of trust in governments placed women in vulnerable situations by preventing them to follow the guidance of health authorities. These impacts were also a result of the response tactics of health and government administrations in their failed attempts to ensure the well-being of their countries’ populations. Conclusions Our findings call for a broad spectrum of public health interventions that go beyond individual level behavioral change campaigns, to more comprehensively address the broader meso and macro level factors that influence womens’ willingness and possibility to protect themselves. Key words : Zika, women, social determinants, information, public health, maternal and child health

Download Full-text

Sources of Information and Behavioral Patterns in Online Health Forums: Qualitative Study

Journal of Medical Internet Research ◽

10.2196/jmir.2875 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 16 (1) ◽

pp. e10 ◽

Cited By ~ 47

Author(s):

Fabian Sudau ◽

Tim Friede ◽

Jens Grabowski ◽

Janka Koschack ◽

Philip Makedonski ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Qualitative Study ◽

Behavioral Patterns ◽

Sources Of Information

Download Full-text

Socioeconomic differences in experiences with treatment of coronary heart disease: a qualitative study from the perspective of elderly patients

BMJ Open ◽

10.1136/bmjopen-2018-024151 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 8 (11) ◽

pp. e024151 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Sara Lena Schröder ◽

Astrid Fink ◽

Matthias Richter

Keyword(s):

Coronary Heart Disease ◽

Heart Disease ◽

Qualitative Study ◽

Elderly Patients ◽

Qualitative Content Analysis ◽

Illness Perception ◽

University Hospital ◽

Socioeconomic Differences ◽

Sources Of Information ◽

Pathway Of Care

ObjectivesThis qualitative study aims to analyse socioeconomic differences in patients’ experiences along the treatment pathway for coronary heart disease (CHD).DesignA longitudinal qualitative study using in-depth semistructured interviews to explore patients’ experiences with treatment was conducted. We analysed the transcripts of the records according to qualitative content analysis and identified differences between patients with lower and higher socioeconomic status (SES) by comparing and contrasting the narratives.SettingThe University Hospital in Halle (Saale), Germany.Participants41 elderly patients (aged 59–80 years) who suffered from CHD.ResultsFrom various patient’s experiences along the pathway of care which were found to differ according to SES we derived three major themes: (1) information: patients with higher SES had greater knowledge about treatment and could use medical records as sources of information; (2) illness perception: patients with lower SES focused on improving symptoms and survival, while patients with higher SES focused on physical performance and disease management; and (3) perceived role in healthcare: patients with lower SES tended to delegate responsibility to healthcare professionals.ConclusionsDifferences in the patient’s knowledge about treatment, their perceived role in healthcare and illness perception can be the factors and mechanisms that contribute to explain socioeconomic inequalities in the treatment of CHD. These factors should be considered in quantitative studies to better understand the disparities in treatment and mortality. We suggest that improving patient–physician communication and patient knowledge can change the patient’s understanding of CHD and their perceived role in healthcare and reduce inequalities in CHD treatment.Trial registration numberDRKS00007839.

Download Full-text