Current Search:  health knowledge (x)

View All Items

  • CSV Spreadsheet
(1 - 2 of 2)
Knowledge and Attitudes Regarding the Recent Zika Outbreak Among a Sample of South Florida Residents
Title
Knowledge and Attitudes Regarding the Recent Zika Outbreak Among a Sample of South Florida Residents.
Creator
Elakkari, Mohamed, Naser, Saleh, Parks, Griffith, Samsam, Mohtashem, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description
South Florida has had the largest number of U.S. Zika infection cases during the recent outbreak. This study aimed at assessing South Floridians' basic knowledge, perceptions of the seriousness and susceptibility to Zika infection, their information sources and needs, as well as their attitudes towards the protective measures proposed by the CDC. We also wanted to assess whether any of those factors have affected the frequency of participants' undertaking of the protective behaviors. To this...
Show moreSouth Florida has had the largest number of U.S. Zika infection cases during the recent outbreak. This study aimed at assessing South Floridians' basic knowledge, perceptions of the seriousness and susceptibility to Zika infection, their information sources and needs, as well as their attitudes towards the protective measures proposed by the CDC. We also wanted to assess whether any of those factors have affected the frequency of participants' undertaking of the protective behaviors. To this end, we designed an online questionnaire and surveyed the responses of five hundred South Floridians (Age=18-78 years). We found significant gaps in participants' knowledge about the risk groups, routes of transmission, treatment, and complications of Zika infection. Older age and college education were associated with significantly higher knowledge scores, while the presence of pregnant women in the household was associated with lower scores. About half of the participants perceived Zika to be a profoundly severe health problem, but less than one-third believed that their susceptibility to the infection is high.Most participants agreed that undertaking the measures that limit exposure to mosquito bites would be effective in preventing infections and that they would be able to carry-out these measures if recommended by the CDC, but a significantly lower proportion had similar responses to the items regarding protection against sexual transmission.There was a significant association between the frequency of protective behavior undertaking and respondents' beliefs about the seriousness and personal susceptibility to the infection, as well as their beliefs regarding the efficacy of the protective behaviors.Finally, most participants reported media platforms as their sources of information about Zika, while a minority of them received their information directly from healthcare professionals.These findings suggest that more targeted risk communication efforts are needed to increase South Floridians' awareness about Zika's public health threat.
Show less
Date Issued
2018
Identifier
CFE0006998, ucf:51622
Format
Document (PDF)
PURL
http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0006998
PERCEPTION OF MENTAL ILLNESS BASED UPON ITS PORTRAYAL IN FILM
Title
PERCEPTION OF MENTAL ILLNESS BASED UPON ITS PORTRAYAL IN FILM.
Creator
Hanley, Erika, Donley, Amy, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description
Perceptions can be influenced by the media concerning different groups of people. As a result of the importance of the media in how individuals obtain information and formulate opinions, how different groups are presented whether negatively or positively is important. This research examines the portrayal of mental illness in films and the impact that such portrayals have on the perceptions of mental illness of the viewers. Mental illness representations can be found quite prevalently among...
Show morePerceptions can be influenced by the media concerning different groups of people. As a result of the importance of the media in how individuals obtain information and formulate opinions, how different groups are presented whether negatively or positively is important. This research examines the portrayal of mental illness in films and the impact that such portrayals have on the perceptions of mental illness of the viewers. Mental illness representations can be found quite prevalently among film and the way in which it is represented can be important as to how populations perceive those with mental disorders. This thesis looks to explore perceptions of mental illness and beliefs from those who have viewed films that portray characters with mental disorders. Through the use of an online survey, one hundred and ninety five participants provided data for this study. Based on previous research, it was hypothesized that individuals who had seen more films portraying mental illness would have more knowledge and sympathy regarding mental illness compared those who had seen less films portraying mental illness. It was also hypothesized that social stereotypes surrounding mental disorders would be present in the knowledge that individuals had more so than factual data about mental disorders. Women were predicted to express more sympathy than men. A statistical analysis program was used to analyze the resulting data including the use of correlations and t-tests. Evidence indicated that the amount of films viewed portraying mental illness did not have an impact on knowledge or sympathy regarding mental illness. Perceptions of mental illness are still a relevant topic and the awareness of facts surrounding mental disorders should continue to be spread.
Show less
Date Issued
2015
Identifier
CFH0004848, ucf:45441
Format
Document (PDF)
PURL
http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFH0004848