scholarly journals Effectiveness of a pre-adolescent inter-generational intervention to address HIV and obesity in South Africa, using a pretest-posttest design

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Keshni Arthur ◽  
Nicola Christofides ◽  
Gill Nelson

Abstract Background Strengthening pre-adolescents knowledge and skills through an age- and culturally-appropriate intervention could prevent health issues later in life. Early interventions could influence the trajectory of future risky behaviour, and may influence health behaviour amongst their parents. The CIrCLE of Life Initiative was developed to address HIV and obesity. We evaluated whether the combined intervention increased knowledge, enhanced skills, and/or promoted healthy behaviour among students (9–12 years old) and their parents. Methods The study was conducted from May to December 2018. Trained educators delivered 30-min lessons over ten consecutive weeks with 537 Grade 6 students at five government-run schools, in a district, in South Africa. Schools were purposively selected based on socioeconomic status and urban-rural classification. Students communicated with parents through shared homework activities. A pretest-posttest study design was used, with a 3-month follow up. Both groups completed self-administered paper-based questionnaires. A score of subscales was used in analysis. The pretest and posttest scores were compared for students and parents using a dependent t-test. Differences in outcomes by school quintile were compared using one-way ANOVA. Results Response rates were high for both students (80.6%) and their parents (83.4%). Statistically significant differences were observed in HIV knowledge in students pretest (mean 8.04, SD 3.10) and posttest scores (mean 10.1, SD 2.70; p < 0.01), and their parents (mean 10.32, SD 2.80 vs 11.0, SD 2.50; p < 0.01). For both students and parents, pre- and post-test obesity awareness mean scores were similar, 1.93, SD 0.92 and 2.78, SD 0.57; p < 0.01, for students; and 2.47, SD 0.82 and 2.81, SD 0.54; p < 0.01, for parents. In the posttest, statistically significant changes were also observed in both groups, enhancing skills in measuring body mass index and pulse rate, and interpreting food labels. Students had a high intention to share gained knowledge with parents who had a high intention to receive it (89.4 and 89.5%, respectively). Conclusion The intervention increased knowledge about HIV and obesity-related awareness, and it enhanced skills in selected outcomes among pre-adolescents and parents. Accurate messages and enhanced communication skills could support inter-generational knowledge transfer. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04307966 retrospectively registered on 12 March 2020.

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 510-510
Author(s):  
Aimee Fox ◽  
Nathaniel Riggs ◽  
Loriena Yancura ◽  
Christine Fruhauf

Abstract Grandparents often protect against childhood trauma and promote resilience through their nurturance, love, and support when raising grandchildren. Despite the beneficial role grandparents have on their grandchildren, grandparents may experience challenges of their own, including physical, mental, and emotional health issues, lack of resources, and social isolation. Few interventions exist to help grandparents successfully adapt to the challenges they face as primary parenting figures. The purpose of this study was to test preliminary efficacy of a strengths-based intervention for grandparents raising grandchildren aimed at increasing self-care behaviors, managing emotions, and connecting to community resources. Grandparents (N = 137) providing primary care to grandchildren were recruited to participate in a single-group, pre- and post-test design, 6-week intervention. Self-efficacy was assessed at baseline, post-intervention, and at a 6-month follow-up. To evaluate who the intervention might be most beneficial for, grandparents’ service knowledge, perceived support from others, and length of care provided, measured at baseline, were analyzed for moderating effects. Results of paired-samples t-tests reveal significant increases in self-efficacy (p = .013) from baseline to post-test, which were maintained at the 6-month follow-up (p = .010). Hierarchical multiple regression showed interaction effects of the hypothesized moderators were not significant, indicating improvements in self-efficacy regardless of individual variability at baseline. As demonstrated, interventions can be effective at increasing self-efficacy in grandparents raising grandchildren and strengths-based approaches have the potential to provide universal benefits to grandparents, thus improving functioning in grandfamilies and promoting the health and well-being of grandparents and their grandchildren.


Curationis ◽  
2005 ◽  
Vol 28 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
E Sethosa ◽  
K Peltzer

The aim of this study was to evaluate HIV counselling and testing, self-disclosure, social support and sexual behavior change among HIV reactive patients among a rural sample of HIV reactive patients in South Africa. The sample consisted at the post-test counselling exit interview of 55 participants (41 women and 14 men) who tested HIV-positive conveniently selected from a rural hospital and at five months follow-up at their homes 47. Results indicated that most patients had an HIV test because of medical reasons. At follow-up only 36% had disclosed their HIV status and half of the participants had had sex without condoms in the past three weeks. Major reason for not disclosing of their HIV status were being afraid of negative reactions, fear of discrimination, fear of violence, concerns about confidentiality and not yet ready. Social support was found to be significantly related to disclosure of HIV status, while counselling context and content and counselling satisfaction were not related with HIV disclosure.


2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S546-S546
Author(s):  
Alisse Hannaford ◽  
Anthony Moll ◽  
Thuthukani Madondo ◽  
Bulelani Khoza ◽  
Sheela Shenoi

Abstract Background Retention in care is critical to achieving and sustaining viral load suppression, and reducing HIV transmission, yet lost to follow-up (LTFU) in South Africa remains substantial. We sought to understand reasons for disengagement and return to care in neglected rural settings. Methods Using convenience sampling, surveys were completed by 102 PLWH who disengaged from ART (minimum 90 days) and subsequently resumed care. A subset (n=60) completed individual in-depth interviews. Questions assessed HIV knowledge, stigma, barriers to health care, and reasons for both disengaging and returning to care. Results Among 102 participants (53% female), median duration of ART discontinuation was 9 months (IQR 4-22). Participants had HIV knowledge gaps regarding HIV transmission and increased risk of tuberculosis. Two thirds were unaware that ART prevents transmission to other sexual partners. The major contributors to LTFU were mobility and structural barriers. PLWH traveled for an urgent family need or employment and were not able to collect ART while away. Structural barriers included inability to access care, due to lack of financial resources to reach distant clinics, HIV stigma, dissatisfaction with being treated at an HIV specific clinic, pill fatigue and lack of social support. Illness was the major precipitant of returning to care. Conclusion Among those returning to HIV care, patient motivation to continue ART was high, but mobility and structural barriers impede longitudinal HIV care in rural South Africa, threatening the gains made from expanded ART access. To achieve 90-90-90, future interventions to improve retention must address barriers relevant to rural settings including emphasis on patient-centered care such as multi-month ART prescriptions, expanding medication distribution sites, including community-based dispensing sites, integrating ART into primary care, and facilitating linkage to remote facilities when away from their home clinic. Healthcare workers should be capacitated to identify patients’ barriers to chronic care and intervene on those at high risk of LTFU. Disclosures All Authors: No reported disclosures


2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 406-413
Author(s):  
Thoko Ndaba ◽  
Myra Taylor ◽  
Musawenkosi Mabaso

Background: In South Africa, Community Health Workers (CHWs) are a key component of community outreach teams as part of Primary Health Care (PHC) re-engineering. Although the value of CHW programs has been increasingly recognized, published evaluations of CHWs’ training programs are rare. This study documents the training and evaluation of CHWs on maternal and neonatal care towards improved maternal-newborn survival in an impoverished urban setting in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Methods: Using a descriptive study design, CHWs were trained to do home visits, assess and support the mother to settle in well at home post-discharge, check on babies’ warmth, cord care, breastfeeding, basic hygiene, size of the baby if underweight and advise on Kangaroo mother care. They were also trained to check if the mothers were given the Road to Health card and to inquire about the immunization and subsequent follow-up visits to the PHC, and encourage mothers to adhere to their follow up dates at PHC clinics. Pre-and post-test scores, shadow visits, and spot checks were used to evaluate their performance. Results: Generally, CHWs (n=47) from all three PHC clinics performed well. Overall, the highest post-test score among the PHC CHWs was 72% and the lowest was 50%. On average during shadow visits 67% CHWs were rated as good, 2% were rated as poor, and most CHWs received the highest score at 92% during spot checks. Conclusion: CHWs demonstrated social commitment and purpose in the short term observed. The evaluation of the training of CHWs revealed that most demonstrated the necessary skills for referrals to prevent complications, caring for newborns and their mothers at home immediately after discharge from health care centers. CHW upskilling training on maternal-newborn services should be prioritized in the most affected areas.


2016 ◽  
Vol 30 (4) ◽  
pp. 213-225 ◽  
Author(s):  
Helvi Koch ◽  
Nadine Spörer
Keyword(s):  

Zusammenfassung. Ziel war es, die Effektivität zweier Interventionen zur Förderung der Lesekompetenz von Fünftklässlern zu untersuchen. Beide Treatments wurden von Regellehrkräften implementiert. Die eine Intervention war das reziproke Lehren, welches um Selbstregulationsprozeduren angereichert wurde (RT+SRL). Die zweite war eine von Lehrkräften konzipierte lesestrategiebasierte Unterrichtseinheit (Good Practice, GP). Zusätzlich gab es eine No-Treatment-Kontrollgruppe (KG0). Insgesamt nahmen an der Studie N = 244 Schüler teil. Im Rahmen eines Pre-, Post-, Follow-Up-Test-Untersuchungsplans kamen standardisierte Leseverständnisaufgaben, selbstkonstruierte Lesestrategieaufgaben und eine Selbstwirksamkeitsskala zum Einsatz. Kontrastierende Einzelvergleichsanalysen ergaben, dass sich die Schüler der Treatmentbedingung RT+SRL im Vergleich zu den Schülern der Kontrollgruppe zum Post-Test signifikant stärker im Leseverständnis, in der Lesestrategieanwendung und in der Selbstwirksamkeit verbesserten. Gleiches galt für die Lesestrategieanwendung zum Follow-Up-Test. Schüler der Bedingung GP konnten im Vergleich zu KG0-Schülern weder zum Post- noch zum Follow-Up-Test vorteilige Ergebnisse in den drei Kriteriumsmaßen erzielen.


2016 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 44-57
Author(s):  
Anke Buschmann ◽  
Bettina Multhauf

Zusammenfassung. Das Ziel vorliegender Studie bestand in einer Überprüfung der Akzeptanz und Teilnehmerzufriedenheit eines Gruppentrainings für Eltern von Kindern mit Lese- und/oder Rechtschreibschwierigkeiten. Zudem sollten erste Indikatoren bezüglich der Wirksamkeit des Programmes untersucht werden. Dazu wurden Daten von 25 Müttern zu 2 Messzeitpunkten (Post-Test, 3-Monats-Follow-up) analysiert. Die Probandinnen nahmen über einen Zeitraum von 3 Monaten an 5 Sitzungen des Programms «Mein Kind mit Lese- und Rechtschreibschwierigkeiten verstehen, stärken und unterstützen: Heidelberger Elterntraining zum Umgang mit LRS» teil. Ein Paper-Pencil-Fragebogen diente zum Post-Test der Erhebung von Teilnahmeparametern, der Zufriedenheit mit dem Training, der Relevanz einzelner Themen und der wahrgenommenen Veränderungen in wichtigen Zielbereichen. Zusätzlich kam eine für das Gruppensetting adaptierte Form des Goal Attainment Scaling zum Einsatz, um das Erreichen persönlich relevanter Ziele unmittelbar nach dem Training sowie 3 Monate später zu erfassen. Die Analyse des Fragebogens zeigte eine hohe Partizipationsbereitschaft der Mütter. Die Rahmenbedingungen des Trainings (Gruppengröße, Dauer des Trainings und der Sitzungen) sowie die didaktischen Methoden wurden als ideal und die Themen als relevant eingeschätzt. Die Mütter sahen sich in der Lage, die Inhalte im Alltag anzuwenden und nahmen positive Veränderungen hinsichtlich Einfühlungsvermögen, Unterstützung des Kindes, Hausaufgabensituation und Beziehung zum Kind wahr. Das Ausmaß des Erreichens individueller Ziele zum Post-Test variierte je nach Zielbereich: Einfühlen und Verstehen (75 %), Optimierung der Hausaufgabensituation (76 %), Unterstützung psychosozialer Entwicklung (86 %), Lese-Rechtschreibförderung (60 %) und war auch 3 Monate später noch vergleichbar hoch. Die Überprüfung der Wirksamkeit hinsichtlich einer Belastungsreduktion und Kompetenzstärkung seitens der Eltern erfolgt aktuell im Vergleich zu einer unbehandelten Kontrollgruppe.


Crisis ◽  
2010 ◽  
Vol 31 (2) ◽  
pp. 109-112 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hui Chen ◽  
Brian L. Mishara ◽  
Xiao Xian Liu

Background: In China, where follow-up with hospitalized attempters is generally lacking, there is a great need for inexpensive and effective means of maintaining contact and decreasing recidivism. Aims: Our objective was to test whether mobile telephone message contacts after discharge would be feasible and acceptable to suicide attempters in China. Methods: Fifteen participants were recruited from suicide attempters seen in the Emergency Department in Wuhan, China, to participate in a pilot study to receive mobile telephone messages after discharge. All participants have access to a mobile telephone, and there is no charge for the user to receive text messages. Results: Most participants (12) considered the text message contacts an acceptable and useful form of help and would like to continue to receive them for a longer period of time. Conclusions: This suggests that, as a low-cost and quick method of intervention in areas where more intensive follow-up is not practical or available, telephone messages contacts are accessible, feasible, and acceptable to suicide attempters. We hope that this will inspire future research on regular and long-term message interventions to prevent recidivism in suicide attempters.


PEDIATRICS ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 137 (Supplement 3) ◽  
pp. 393A-393A
Author(s):  
KaWing Cho ◽  
Jean P Milambo ◽  
Leonidas Ndayisaba ◽  
Charles Okwundu ◽  
Abiola Olowoyeye ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  

2018 ◽  
Vol 9 (01) ◽  
Author(s):  
Marzieh . Shamkhani ◽  
Ali . Khalafi

The purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness of positive learning on happiness, Aggression and hope for adolescents with leukemia in Ahvaz. The sample consisted of 30 people who were selected by available sampling method. 15 subjects in the experimental group and 15 in the control group were randomly assigned. The experimental design was a pre-test-post-test type with control group and follow-up period. Measurement tools included Oxford Happiness Inventory (Argyle, 1989); Ahwaz's Aggression Questionnaire (Zahedifar, Najarian, and Shokrkon, 2000); Hope Scale (Schneider, 1991). To run, at first, the pre-test was taken from both groups. Then, the experimental group was trained in 14 sessions of 90 minutes, and after each group, they were subjected to post-test. And one month later, the follow-up process was completed. Data analysis was performed using multivariate covariance analysis (MANCOVA) and one-way analysis of covariance (ANCOVA). The results showed that positive attitudes toward happiness, aggressiveness and hopefulness of adolescents with leukemia in Ahvaz were effective.


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