Global Health Promotion current issue

Knowledge transfer and the university system's functioning: need for change

Ridde, V. — 2009-09-22

Work life and mental well-being: single and coupled employed mothers in Southern Europe and Scandinavia

Bull, T. — 2009-09-22

Many European mothers, single and coupled, combine work outside the home and family life. The effects of this on their mental well-being may vary depending on the level of support available from the State’s welfare system, since welfare may buffer working mothers from some of the stress that can arise from trying to manage significant responsibilities on the job and at home. Welfare may be especially important for single working mothers, for whom the burden of multiple roles may be even heavier. The present study assessed levels and predictors of well-being of single and coupled employed mothers in Greece, Portugal and Spain, where welfare support is relatively limited. Results were compared to a parallel study with data from Denmark, Norway and Sweden, where welfare support is relatively comprehensive. Coupled mothers in Scandinavia had significantly lower financial hardship, longer education, higher life satisfaction, more enriching jobs, practical support, financial support and social participation than coupled mothers in the Southern European sample. On the other hand, the Scandinavian coupled mothers had higher levels of work family conflict than coupled mothers in Southern Europe. Single mothers in Scandinavia, compared to single mothers in Southern Europe, had significantly longer education, higher life satisfaction and positive affect, more enriching jobs, confidant support, practical support, financial support and social participation. Level of job stress was the same for all mother groups. All groups differed significantly from each other in level of financial hardship, with Scandinavian coupled mothers being best off, followed by Scandinavian single mothers, Southern European coupled mothers, and Southern European single mothers. The regional differences suggest that single motherhood per se need not be a risk factor for poorer well-being, and that welfare policies may have a protective effect for the mental well-being of single mothers. (Global Health Promotion, 2009; 16(3): pp. 06—16)

The impact of an international health study abroad program on university students from the United States

Fennell, R. — 2009-09-22

Objective: International experience is paramount in society today. However, many US citizens have little understanding of the world beyond US borders. The purpose of this qualitative study was to (i) assess the impact of a study abroad program on students and (ii) the impact on the career goals of students who completed the program. Participants and Methods: Fall 2005 alumni (N = 68) of an international health study abroad program were sent a mail survey. Results: Twenty-seven of the students who responded to the survey (61%) were currently in medical school, nursing school, or a master’s program. Conclusions: All students indicated the program influenced their global view of the world. Participants indicated the experience continues to have an impact on how they critically think about the world, including US politics. (Global Health Promotion, 2009; 16(3): pp. 17—23)

Pedagogical competence and value clarification among health educators

Wistoft, K. — 2009-09-22

Individual and social values are increasingly important in health education. This article examines how health educators in Greenland and Denmark engage in value clarification as part of their educational practices. It presents the results of a study of health professionals in a variety of settings, focusing in particular on how development work and experimentation can strengthen their pedagogical competences. The study focuses on belief, reasoning, interpretation and reflection, rather than routines, skills, or ethical rules, and takes a participatory approach that oscillates between dialogical and qualitative empirical methodologies. It observes pedagogical practice in selected settings in Greenland and the municipality of Copenhagen. Within the framework provided by four discourses that appear to organize communication about health, it shows how values became important to the progress of two research-based development projects. On this basis, the article argues that health education can be effectively grounde d in the values, perceptions, and experiences of a given population, while being guided by the health educators’ biomedical knowledge and educational values. (Global Health Promotion, 2009; 16(3): pp. 24—34)

Development of a student health questionnaire: the necessity of a symbiosis of science and practice

Boot, C. R. L., Donders, N. C. G. M., Vonk, P., Meijman, F. J. — 2009-09-22

Rationale, aims and objectives: University students report more health complaints than their working peers, but do not appear to seek help for these problems. This stresses the importance of early detection. The aim of this study was to obtain information on indicators of health associated with academic functioning to develop a preliminary health surveillance questionnaire. In addition, we aimed to gain insight in the additional value of adding experience-based information from the priority population, and individuals in their direct environment, to the knowledge gained from the scientific literature. Method: First, a review of literature on indicators of health associated with academic functioning was conducted. Next, interviews were held with students (n = 11) and two groups of significant others with professional experience in student health care: general practitioners (n = 9) and practice assistants (n = 8). Results and conclusions: A health surveillance questionnaire to detect students with health problems associated with academic functioning should consist of questions on social support, general health, physical health, psychological health, study-related issues and health, help-seeking behaviour and life events in the past. Experiences from practice should be integrated when developing a questionnaire. (Global Health Promotion, 2009; 16(3): pp. 35-44)

Exploring the effects of government funding on community-based organizations: 'top-down' or 'bottom-up' approaches to health promotion?

Carey, G. E., Braunack-Mayer, A. J. — 2009-09-22

Community-based organizations hold an increasingly central role in the representation and advocacy of marginalized groups and individuals. In these capacities, such organizations make significant contributions to the areas of health and health services. In particular, they are considered well-positioned to operationalize ‘bottom-up’ approaches to health promotion. In this article we use a case study to illuminate unforeseen consequences of government funding of community-based organizations involved in health promotion and health service work. Previous research has found that many health promotion practitioners are engaged in a shift towards ‘bottom-up’ approaches to health promotion (1). In contrast, our findings suggest that due to government funding, those best positioned to promote community participation and empowerment may be experiencing a converse shift away from ‘bottom-up’ approaches. (Global Health Promotion, 2009; 16(3): pp. 45—52)

Reports from the field: Engaging learners as interpreters for developing health messages -- designing the 'Familias Sin Plomo' English as a Second Language curriculum project

Handley, M. A., Santos, M. G., McClelland, J. — 2009-09-22

California has a recently documented problem of trans-national environmental lead exposures in imported foods from Mexico but there is limited health information available in immigrant communities about this problem. This report highlights collaborative work with English as a Second Language (ESL) learners to critically review research data on lead exposures and reframe prevention messages about lead contamination of imported foods. These messages are now integrated into ESL curricula for dissemination to Spanish-speaking populations that are disproportionately affected by lead poisoning. This ‘learners as interpreters’ approach is a participatory method that can be applied across a wide range of public health activities. ESL learners emerged as ideal partners in developing curriculum for lead poisoning prevention for several reasons: the parents expressed strong interest in lead poisoning prevention, several have children under age 6 when lead screenings are recommended, and many have emigrated from regions in Mexico where lead hazards were identified. (Global Health Promotion, 2009; 16(3): pp. 53—58)

The contribution of social work in promoting rural health: a case from the grassroots

Nanjunda, D.C. — 2009-09-22

Promotion of rural health has become a high priority of policy makers in many third world countries. Numerous NGOs are working to improve health quality in rural India. By describing a rural health promotion project in which a social worker played a key role, this article illustrates how social work practitioners can bring their many skills to bear in efforts to promote health. This commentary seeks to share the experience of an NGO in specific health promotion project in Rural Karnataka State (India). (Global Health Promotion, 2009; 16(3): pp. 59—62)

Flow and sense of coherence: two aspects of the same dynamic?

Lutz, J. — 2009-09-22

Antonovsky’s sense of coherence (SOC) and Csikszentmihalyi’s concept of flow appeared approximately 20 years ago and have received widespread recognition as resource-oriented approaches within the fields of health and psychology, respectively. Both focus on the dynamics of engagement with life, flow on one’s level of engagement in the present and SOC on one’s global orientation — one’s self-perceived capacity for engagement over time. While the two constructs are very similar, even collinear, no attempt seems to have been made to integrate them. This article proposes that flow and sense of coherence are not only complementary but actually two aspects of the same dynamic: flow is sense of coherence made visible in the present, while sense of coherence is a product of flow over time. It is suggested that this hypothesis could be tested using existing or new empirical methods. If evidence is found to support the hypothesis, this could lead to a more useful, integrated model of the dynamics of engagement.

Abstracts

2009-09-22

Le transfert de connaissances et les regles de fonctionnement du systeme universitaire: besoin de changementsi

Ridde, V. — 2009-09-22

Equite et determinants sociaux de la sante: de l'urgence d'agir

Begin, M. — 2009-09-22

Accompagner les familles pour promouvoir leur participation dans la trajectoire medicale de leur enfant

Gisquet, E. — 2009-09-22

Le sujet traité est celui de la participation des familles dans les services hospitaliers. A travers l’exemple de deux services de réanimation néonatale, il apparaît que les modalités d’accueil et d’encadrement influencent le mode de participation des parents à la trajectoire médicale de leur enfant. Ces résultats mettent en évidence qu’une forte intégration des parents dans l’univers médical leur procure une plus grande marge de manœuvre, favorise une relation égalitaire entre usagers et professionnels et diminue les différences de départ liées à la catégorie socioprofessionnelle. Il est ainsi souligné la nécessité d’une première phase d’initiation et de formation des familles pour l’installation d’une certaine parité de participation dans la décision. (Global Health Promotion, 2009; 16(3): pp. 76—84)

Rencontre francophone internationale sur les inegalites sociales de sante: Etat de situation, moyens entrevus et referentiels pour l'action en sante publique visant a reduire les inegalites sociales de sante

De Koninck, M., Hebert, C. — 2009-09-22

Les 17 et 18 novembre 2008, se tenait à Québec la Rencontre francophone internationale sur les inégalités sociales de santé . Nous présentons ici un bref état de la situation élaboré sur la base de constats dégagés des différentes activités de la Rencontre. Après un détour par l’histoire des luttes sociales, l’accent a été mis sur l’urgence d’agir pour réduire les inégalités sociales de santé. Plusieurs illustrations de l’existence de ces inégalités qui s’observent selon un gradient plus ou moins prononcé entre groupes sociaux étaient présentées. Le caractère multifactoriel des inégalités sociales de santé est apparu comme un défi, mais un défi qui n’est pas insurmontable. Des moyens et repères d’action proposés par les experts invités à Québec sont ici rapportés, soit des approches adaptées en recherche et des moyens qui font appel aux communautés et à l’engagement citoyen sans négliger la mobilisation des acteurs de santé publique pour l’équité en santé. (Global Health Promotion, 2009; 16(3): pp. 85—88)

Resumes

2009-09-22

La transferencia de conocimientos y las normas de funcionamiento del sistema universitario: necesidad de cambiosi

Ridde, V. — 2009-09-22

Evaluacion de las Escuelas Promotoras de Salud en Asturias (Espana)

2009-09-22

n: Objetivo: Evaluar la situación de las escuelas en relación a la Promoción de la Salud, sus fortalezas y debilidades, a través de la incorporación de los principios de la Red Europea de Escuelas Promotoras de Salud y de las opiniones de alumnado y profesorado. Metodología: La población de estudio fueron 29 centros educativos. Se realizó una visita a cada centro y se recogió información por observación directa y entrevistas a equipo directivo, persona coordinadora del proyecto de salud y alumnado. Los criterios evaluados fueron: experiencia, compromiso, implicación del profesorado, metodología con alumnado, participación comunitaria, mejora del entorno, democracia y equidad, y otras acciones promotoras de salud. Cada criterio se valoró con una o varias variables. A cada criterio, se le dio 1 punto, de manera que cada centro podía obtener un total de 8 puntos. Juntos con éstas se recogieron otras variables cualitativas en relación a las fortalezas y debilidades de los centros en Promoción de la Salud. Resultados: La puntuación media de los centros fue 5,19 (DE: 1,16). Mayoritariamente, los centros tenían experiencia previa, incluía la Promoción en la Programación General Anual y en el Proyecto Educativo, y contaban con profesorado implicado, organizado y formado. Aproximadamente la mitad tenía una estética agradable y realizaba incorporación curricular, acciones de coeducación, de mejora del entorno, de alimentación saludable y actividades con comunidad. La participación del alumnado, de las familias y el uso organizado de espacios se dio en un porcentaje minoritario de centros. Conclusiones: Se constató un esfuerzo importante por incorporar la Promoción de la Salud, pero numerosas dificultades para ello. La principal limitación tiene que ver con la voluntariedad de estas acciones y la ausencia de políticas públicas para transformar los centros educativos. Destacar la aportación novedosa de esta investigación, en relación a la creación de un indicador global que permite evaluar la incorporación de la Promoción de la Salud en las escuelas utilizando los criterios de la Red Europea de Escuelas Promotoras de Salud. (Global Health Promotion, 2009; 16(3): pp. 96—106)

Resumenes

2009-09-22