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May 2017 DOI 10.14302/issn.2474-9273.jbtm-16-1180
Current psychological treatment approaches that rely on time-intensive, face-to-face psychotherapy are not capable of meeting the demand for mental health services. Mental health interventions that promote self-regulation and self-management of symptoms will play an increasingly important role in the well-being of millions of individuals. Self-monitoring is a core assessment and intervention component of many mental health interventions and an obligatory first step in the self-regulation process. The present paper reviews prominent theories of self-regulation and describes classic studies spanning clinical, social, cognitive, and personality psychology, which identify potential mechanisms underlying self-monitoring. At the empirical level, we describe the use of self-monitoring across a range of behavioral interventions directed at mental health and physical outcomes, identify factors that influence the effects of self-monitoring, and suggest ways in which technology can be incorporated into these interventions to improve the reach of psychological interventions.
Jul 2020 DOI 10.14302/issn.2379-7835.ijn-20-3458
Daily intake of fruits and vegetables provides the basis for healthy nutrition. Yet low consumption of fruits and vegetables (FV) persists among school-aged children. Framed by the Social Cognitive Theory, this study aimed to determine the effectiveness of nutrition lessons combined with an active choice intervention on children’s FV consumption. Using a quasi-experimental design, 89 second graders were assigned to groups. Students in the experimental group (n=46) received four nutrition lessons combined with nine active choice sessions, while those in the control group (n=43) received active choice sessions only. Responses to pre- and post-intervention surveys that inquired FV knowledge and consumption were compared within and between groups using independent and paired t-tests. Empowered by improved knowledge, self-efficacy and the positive environment created through nutrition lessons and active choice, the experimental group showed improvement in consumption behavior compared to the control group at post-intervention: bringing FV to school and finish eating (69.7 vs. 51.2, p=.05 for fruits; 43.5 vs. 39.5, p=.41 for vegetables); like choosing FV (84.8 vs. 65.1, p=.01); like to eat more FV (80.4 vs. 62.8, p=.16); FV are healthy (100 vs. 95.3, p=.14). The magnitude of improvement is small yet consistent in every aspect of outcome measures. Combining nutrition education with the active choice component showed potential for a larger impact on behavior change among study participants. Parental support and community involvement could enhance the effectiveness of nutrition education in schools.
Jun 2018
Background: Tungiasis is a parasitic tropical disease caused by female Tungapenetranswhich has remained an important public health problem and it affects resource-poor communities causing different health disabilities hence the need for behavior change. Main objective of the study was to determine factors influencing prevention and control of tungiasis infestation among school age children in Ugenya Sub County, Kenya. Methods: A descriptive cross sectional design and utilizing quantitative data collection method. Simple random sampling technique was applied to select the participants. Quantitative data was collected through a pretested structured questionnaire. The data was keyed-into excel and analyzed using SPSS version 23. Results: Study findings indicate that majority of the pupils infested with tungiasis were in classes 5 – 6 at 191(49%). Male participants were 200 (51%), while 185(49%) were female. Gender of pupils (χ2=4.383a, df=1, P<0.005) and household head occupation (χ2=44.729, df = 28, P<0.005) had a statistical significance with tungiasis infestation. Further significance was noted between participants who had ever heard of jiggers (χ2=6.361, df=1, P<0.005), Knowledge on important causes of jiggers (χ2=36.482, df = 9, P<0.005), mode of disease transmission (χ2=17.215, df = 5, P<0.005), signs and symptoms (χ2=4.088, df = 1, P<0.005), seriousness of jiggers in the area (χ2=13.175, df = 1, P<0.005) as well as pupil’s wearing of shoes (χ2=3.934, df = 1, P<0.005) and tungiasis infestation. Conclusions: Study concludes that tungiasis is still a big problem in rural settings and knowledge on tungiasis infestation does not translate to prevention and control in the areas. More emphasis should be given to improving practices touching on personal hygiene and health education to increase awareness both at school and in the households.
Jun 2015 DOI 10.14302/issn.2324-7339.jcrhap-15-648
HIV/AIDS has become a global scourge affecting mainly young people. Sexual behavior change remains the most effective way of preventing further spread. The aim of this study is to assess the knowledge, perception and practice of safe lifestyles towards prevention of HIV infection among students of a tertiary educational institution in Abakaliki, south eastern, Nigeria. A cross sectional descriptive study was carried out, and participants were selected using multistage sampling technique. Data was collected using a pretested, self administered questionnaire and analyzed using SPSS software, version 20. Three hundred and eighty seven participants were recruited for the study, including 199 (51.4%) males and 188 (48.6%) females. Mean age of participants was 23.6 ±2years. All (100%) of the participants were aware of the existence of HIV/AIDS, with the commonest source of information being electronic media (81.1%). Their knowledge of the routes of transmission and modes of prevention of HIV infection was high, though few of them have some misconceptions. Poor practice of safe lifestyles towards prevention of HIV infection as well as low perception of self-vulnerability to the risk of HIV infection was also found. There was poor practice of preventive lifestyles among the participants despite high knowledge of HIV transmission and preventive measures probably due to low perception of self-vulnerability to the risk of HIV infection. Health education should be intensified to impact sufficient comprehensive knowledge to change low perception of self-vulnerability among the students.
Feb 2014 DOI 10.14302/issn.2374-9431.jbd-13-312
Objective: This study assessed the baseline knowledge, perceptions, attitudes and behaviors of prediabetes patients in order to tailor a new technology-enhanced primary care-based lifestyle modification intervention. Methods: Patients with a diagnosis of prediabetes were enrolled in a randomized, controlled pilot study, Avoiding Diabetes Thru Action Plan Targeting (ADAPT), a technology-based intervention to promote action plan discussions around patient-selected behavior change goals. Results: A total of 54 adults (82% female) were enrolled in the pilot study. Most (89%) had comorbid conditions and mean BMI was 36. Participants exhibited significant levels of diabetes risk knowledge and diabetes risk perception, as well as high levels of willingness to make changes to decrease diabetes risk. Number of daily steps was inversely correlated with perceived physical activity (r=-0.35082, p<0.001). Poorer scores on diet quality were inversely correlated with BMI. Conclusion: Participants in this sample demonstrated requisite levels of knowledge, self-efficacy, motivation and risk perception for effective behavior change. These data suggest that primary care-based prediabetes interventions can move beyond educational goals and focus on enhancing patients’ ability to select, plan and enact action plans.