Adolescents’ Perceptions of Sexual and Reproductive Health: Does the Adolescent School Health Club Intervention Matter?

Background: The aim of this study was to examine variations in perceptions of sexual and reproductive health of adolescents in Junior High Schools that implement the Adolescent health club intervention and those that do not. Methods: A cross-sectional quasi-experimental study design was used consisting of 424 adolescents (255 females) between 11years and 19 years old in schools that implement (private) and schools that do not implement (private and public) the intervention. Data was collected using a standardised questionnaire eliciting information about participants’ knowledge, attitude and behaviour towards their sexual and reproductive health. Chi squares, multiple regression analysis and one-way analysis of variance statistical techniques were used to analyse the data.Results: There were significant variations in knowledge about reproductive physiology and knowledge about condom use. Private schools with the health club intervention reported higher scores on both knowledge about reproductive physiology and knowledge about condom. Adolescents in private schools with the intervention had a more positive attitude towards abstinence. Adolescents in schools with the intervention were less likely to have had sex, use condoms, or have friends who have had sex compared to adolescents in schools that do to implement the intervention. Conclusion: The Adolescent health club intervention has a significant influence on Ghanaian adolescents’ sexual and reproductive health particularly knowledge about reproductive physiology and knowledge about condoms. It is recommended that the intervention be scaled up and intensified in Junior High Schools in Ghana.

O papel do divertimento e das determinantes motivacionais na persistência da prática de exercício físico

Resumo Como objetivo deste trabalho, definiu-se analisar os efeitos indiretos de determinantes motivacionais no divertimento e na persistência em praticantes de exercício físico regular. Participaram ao todo 967 praticantes de exercício em ginásio e health clubs, com idades compreendidas entre 18 e 65 anos (M=45,08; DP=13,76). Todos os participantes tinham mais de 6 meses de experiência regular em exercício físico. Os participantes preencheram ao todo questionários traduzidos e validados para a língua portuguesa no contexto do exercício físico, que examinavam a perceção dos comportamentos interpessoais, as necessidades psicológicas básicas, a regulação da motivação e o divertimento. A persistência foi medida através de registos eletrónicos, considerando um praticante persistente aquele que tivesse uma frequência semanal similar aquela auto-reportada no momento inicial. A maioria das regressões são significativas, confirmado os pressupostos da literatura existente. Os efeitos indiretos mostram que o divertimento desempenha um papel crucial na persistência, tanto por via motivação autónoma, como por via motivação controlada. Em suma, atividades promotoras do prazer que os praticantes de ginásio e health club experienciam durante a prática de exercício físico poderão ser a variável chave na persistência a longo prazo.

Reducing Hygiene-Related Disease and Malnutrition in Rwanda

Water sanitation and hygiene-related disease and malnutrition are a high priority in developing countries, including Rwanda. Interventions that can trigger and sustain household-level behavioral change and practice are needed. A case-control study was conducted to assess the potential of the Community Health Club (CHC) intervention, which consisted of village-based health education on water sanitation, hygiene, nutrition, and monitoring of households’ practices to reduce water sanitation and hygiene-related disease and malnutrition. The study targeted one village which had been exposed to the CHC. As a control, one village was picked from among villages that had not been exposed to CHC intervention. The two villages were in the catchment area of the Nyabitimbo Health Center and shared the same water sources for domestic use in the Rusizi district in Rwanda. The study examined the prevalence of intestinal worms, diarrhea, and malnutrition among children under 5 years old as recorded in the registries of Nyabitimbo Health Center for the period of the study, 2013–2015. The study results revealed that the CHC intervention was associated with a reduction of intestinal worms, diarrhea, and malnutrition, but the results were only statistically significant for intestinal worms and malnutrition. The present study, being exploratory, can serve for planning and practice purposes at the specific study area.

Insights from the Implementation and Adoption of Community-Based Health Interventions

Effective implementation of health interventions is critical for maximum adoption and optimal health outcomes. This qualitative study assessed the differences in Community Health Club (CHC) implementation in villages using qualitative research methods. Villages in Rusizi district in Rwanda were purposively selected with high, medium, and low adoption rates. The results revealed that the traits and skills of intervention facilitators (providers or implementers) at the village level, the involvement of the head of the village in the CHC intervention activities, and the support supervision by the Community Environmental Health Officer from the health center may have contributed to high rates of adoption of the intervention. Poor community organization, mistrust, lack of equal consideration among intervention beneficiaries, and lack of skills and capacity for intervention facilitators may have contributed to the low rates of intervention adoption. The results of this study suggest the need for capacity building of implementers, local leaders, and supervisors for improved (1) skills to adapt to local contexts and maximize the intervention adoption, (2) involvement and participation of local leadership, and (3) support supervision, guidance, and close monitoring, respectively. for effective implementation and maximum adoption of CHC intervention.

A Review of the Community Health Club Literature Describing Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene Outcomes

The Community Health Club (CHC) model is a community-based health promotion program that utilizes water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) education as the first stage of a longitudinal development process. Although the CHC model has been implemented in fourteen countries over 20 years, this is the first review of the literature describing the model’s outcomes and impact. We conducted a review of the literature that provided quantitative or qualitative evidence of CHC interventions focused on WASH in low- and middle-income countries. We identified 25 articles that met our inclusion criteria. We found six major outcomes: WASH behaviors and knowledge, social capital, collective action, health, and cost or cost-effectiveness. The most consistent evidence was associated with WASH behaviors and knowledge, with significant effects on defecation practices, hand washing behaviors, and WASH knowledge. We also found qualitative evidence of impact on social capital and collective action. CHCs catalyze favorable changes in WASH behaviors and knowledge, yielding outcomes commensurate with other WASH promotion strategies. This review provides insights into the model’s theory of change, helping identify areas for further investigation. The CHC model’s holistic focus and emphasis on individual and collective change offer promising potential to address multiple health and development determinants.

The Doctor Will See You After Your Workout

Novel approaches to deliver lifestyle medicine that are convenient and accessible to patients are needed. Patients generally seek medical care when they are not well, reinforcing the notion of a “sick” care health system. Conversely, health clubs represent beacons of wellness amid the mire of chronic disease. Many individuals visit health clubs with the goal of becoming or remaining healthy. Expanding health care access to these health club populations creates opportunities to engage those who do not typically seek medical care, and may also attract those who are highly motivated to make lifestyle changes to prevent, treat, and reverse chronic disease. Health club clinics could be expanded with in-person or virtual offerings that go beyond traditional models. Such offerings would stand to improve health and be mutually beneficial for the provider and health club. By decreasing the barrier to access such care and meeting highly motivated patients where they are, providers may be more successful in their efforts to deliver lifestyle medicine to patients who are ready, willing, and able to make lifestyle behaviors changes.

Analisis Deskriptif Kepuasan Konsumen Atas Kualitas Pelayanan Delta SPA & Health Club Palembang

Perkembangan dan peningkatan pelayanan Delta Spa & Health Club Palembang dari tahun ke tahun semakin menjadi perhatian masyarakat. Hal ini dapat dilihat dari ketatnya persaingan kualitas pelayanan di berbagai tempat-tempat Spa yang berada di Palembang. Memberikan layanan yang baik terhadap semua orang adalah tugas yang mulia, terlebih bagi mereka yang bekerja di sektor pelayanan. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui analisis kualitas pelayanan terhadap kepuasan konsumen di Delta Spa & Health Club Palembang. Metode yang digunakan dalam penelitian ini adalah metode survei, pengumpulan data diperoleh dengan menggunakan angket berupa pernyataan tertulis yang diberikan kepada responden untuk diisi dengan keadaan sebenarnya. Populasi dalam penelitian ini yaitu Konsumen Di Delta Spa & Health Club Palembang. Teknik pengambilan sampel dalam penelitian ini menggunakan teknik insidental sampling sejumlah 65 orang responden..Analisis Citra digunakan untuk menganalisis data. Hasil penelitian ini menunjukkan bahwa kualitas pelayanan terhadap kepuasan konsumen di Delta Spa & Health Club Palembang sebagian besar mempunyai sikap Puas sebesar 43,08 %, sikap tidak puas sebesar 26,15 %, Sangat Tidak Puas 20,0 % dan Sangat Puas 10,77 %, dapat disimpulkan kualitas pelayanan terhadap kepuasan konsumen di Delta Spa & Health Club Palembang adalah Puas.