Current Search: Prevention (x)
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- Title
- TESTING AN INTERVENTION TO ADDRESS THE SOCIOCULTURAL INFLUENCE OF MASS MEDIA ON BODY IMAGE: CAN WE REVERSE THE CURSE?.
- Creator
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Murray, Janet, Tantleff Dunn, Stacey, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
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The adverse effects of exposure to unrealistic ideals in the media are well documented, however, this is the first study to explore the possibility that women may experience improvement in body image and affect via social comparison to women with realistic, non-ideal body shape and size. Using material from The Century Project©, the impact of exposure to nude, non-pornographic photographs of women of varied shape, size, age, and physical condition, and the photographed women's personal...
Show moreThe adverse effects of exposure to unrealistic ideals in the media are well documented, however, this is the first study to explore the possibility that women may experience improvement in body image and affect via social comparison to women with realistic, non-ideal body shape and size. Using material from The Century Project©, the impact of exposure to nude, non-pornographic photographs of women of varied shape, size, age, and physical condition, and the photographed women's personal commentaries about how they successfully cope with body image concerns was tested using an experimental design. It was hypothesized that exposure to the photographs and their associated commentaries would lead to an improvement in body image, mood, and self-esteem, and that this effect would be moderated by preexisting levels of internalization of the thin ideal and strong core beliefs about the importance of appearance (schematicity). Women exposed to the photos and comments condition experienced significantly less appearance-related anxiety than those exposed to photo-only and comments-only conditions, and internalization, but not schematicity, moderated this effect. Findings suggest women who have a greater tendency to internalize sociocultural body image standards may be more receptive to positive changes in these standards when presented with a persuasive visual and cognitive stimulus. However, without both aspects (visual and commentary) high internalizers appear to experience greater negative reactions to these stimuli.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2005
- Identifier
- CFE0000707, ucf:46599
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0000707
- Title
- Evaluating the effectiveness of culturally relevant substance abuse prevention in Ukraine.
- Creator
-
Gewin, Anne, Hoffman, Bobby, Allen, Kay, Hahs-Vaughn, Debbie, Cook, Ida, Corzine, Harold, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
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The International School Project (ISP) developed a culturally-relevant intervention entitled The Future Begins Today (FBT) to address the need for school-based substance abuse prevention in Ukraine. Using a quasi-experimental pretest-posttest with control group design, this study evaluated the effectiveness of this intervention in regards to impact on attitudes and refusal self-efficacy. The study hypothesized that exposure to the FBT intervention would significantly increase adolescents'...
Show moreThe International School Project (ISP) developed a culturally-relevant intervention entitled The Future Begins Today (FBT) to address the need for school-based substance abuse prevention in Ukraine. Using a quasi-experimental pretest-posttest with control group design, this study evaluated the effectiveness of this intervention in regards to impact on attitudes and refusal self-efficacy. The study hypothesized that exposure to the FBT intervention would significantly increase adolescents' perceived harm of substance use and perceived ability to refuse drug offers. Students from three schools in Drohobych (N = 173) participated in the study between September and December 2013, with seven classes (n = 124) enrolled in the FBT course and three classes (n = 49) in the control group. Both groups were tested in September and December. ANOVA results suggested that between September and December, students in the FBT program statistically significantly increased their perceived harm of occasional substance use and perceived ability to refuse drug offers. There was no significant change in students' perceived harm of frequent use. Moreover, the extent to which FBT supplementary materials were incorporated also related positively with program outcomes. Qualitative data from follow-up written interviews supported these findings. Regression analyses showed that older students were less likely to perceive substance use as harmful. There were no significant relationships between program outcomes and gender, positive family influence, or negative peer influence. Relevance to the existing literature and recommendations for future research are discussed.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2014
- Identifier
- CFE0005170, ucf:50659
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0005170
- Title
- EVALUATION OF THE EXPECTANCY CHALLENGE ALCOHOL LITERACY CURRICULUM (ECALC) FOR REDUCING ALCOHOL USE AMONG HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS.
- Creator
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Sivasithamparam, Janani, Dunn, Michael, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
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Alcohol use is the single most alarming behavior among youth in the United States. Adolescents especially are at risk for increases in heavy episodic drinking and drunkenness leading to alcohol-related problems such as academic failure, interpersonal violence, risky sexual behavior and death. In an effort to address this endemic issue, a number of alcohol use prevention programs have been developed and are currently implemented in the high school setting. Many of these programs, however, lack...
Show moreAlcohol use is the single most alarming behavior among youth in the United States. Adolescents especially are at risk for increases in heavy episodic drinking and drunkenness leading to alcohol-related problems such as academic failure, interpersonal violence, risky sexual behavior and death. In an effort to address this endemic issue, a number of alcohol use prevention programs have been developed and are currently implemented in the high school setting. Many of these programs, however, lack an empirical basis and have been unable to demonstrate significant reductions in alcohol use over time. The need for the development and dissemination of effective strategies to address adolescent drinking is evident. Recommendations for newly developing approaches encourage an emphasis on empirically-based content and easily implemented protocols. Expectancy challenge-based interventions have been identified by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism as having strong evidence supporting their effectiveness in reducing alcohol use among college students. Recent efforts to translate such programs into forms effective with high school adolescents have been met with mixed results. The focus of the present study was to modify, implement and evaluate the Expectancy Challenge Alcohol Literacy Curriculum (ECALC), a program currently validated for use with college populations, for high school adolescents. The single session, high school version of the ECALC was infused into the existing Health Education high school curriculum and implemented with those in the 9th through 12th grades. Measures of alcohol expectancies and alcohol use were completed anonymously by each participant before delivery of the program and for 30 days thereafter. Impact of the ECALC was compared to classes randomly assigned to an attention-matched control condition. Findings revealed significant changes in alcohol expectancies and alcohol use reported by participants in the 11th and 12th grades following delivery of the ECALC. Changes were found across factor analytic and multidimensional scaling (MDS) statistical methods applied to the expectancy measure, as well as across measures of estimated intoxication and drinking quantity/frequency. Findings were consistent among both male and female participants. Reductions in alcohol use were not found among 9th and 10th grade participants, and expectancy changes were inconsistent. The assessment periods for baseline and follow-up were thirty days, which may reflect a limitation in that a longer follow-up may be more likely to capture significant behavioral changes over time. This study was the first to apply both factor analytic and MDS methods to analysis of the Comprehensive Effects of Alcohol questionnaire, with clear implications for expectancy measurement techniques likely to be most appropriate for capturing changes in expectancy activation patterns over time. Overall, this study represents an important advance in the development of an empirically-based and validated alcohol use prevention program effective for use with adolescents. In addition, the ECALC serves as a prevention program that is easily implemented in the high school setting, requiring only 50 minutes of class time, a classroom, and a motivated educator.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2011
- Identifier
- CFE0003617, ucf:48846
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0003617
- Title
- THE LIFE EXPERIENCES OF WOMEN WITH AN INTELLECTUAL DISABILITY WHO WERE SEXUALLY ASSAULTED.
- Creator
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Schreffler, Jillian, Dieker, Lisa, Hines, Rebecca, Vasquez, Trey, Wolfe, Pamela, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
The views of those with an intellectual disability (ID) on sexuality is not a topic many are willing to broach. Many challenges exist for those identified with ID when it comes to sexual education, including a lack of appropriate curricula; a lack of trained school personnel; the inability of school, state, and national stakeholders to agree on policy or curriculum content; and the generalizability of the content. These challenges are heightened by an increase in sexual assault of women with...
Show moreThe views of those with an intellectual disability (ID) on sexuality is not a topic many are willing to broach. Many challenges exist for those identified with ID when it comes to sexual education, including a lack of appropriate curricula; a lack of trained school personnel; the inability of school, state, and national stakeholders to agree on policy or curriculum content; and the generalizability of the content. These challenges are heightened by an increase in sexual assault of women with ID. To improve sexual assault prevention skills, the researcher conducted a phenomenological study to identify the current status of sexual assault and sexual education, specifically for women with ID. Semi-structured interviews occurred with seven women with ID who were sexually assaulted. The outcome of this dissertation research provides information, derived from these women, as ways to better educate females with ID in relation to sexual education and sexual assault prevention.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2019
- Identifier
- CFE0007724, ucf:52445
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0007724
- Title
- Perceptions Influencing School Nurse Practices to Prevent Childhood Obesity.
- Creator
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Quelly, Susan, Covelli, Maureen, Bushy, Angeline, Norris, Anne, Lieberman, Leslie, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
Approximately one-third of children in the United States are overweight or obese with increased risks for numerous physical and psychosocial comorbidities. Schools are ideal environments to address this serious health crisis and school nurses are uniquely positioned qualified healthcare providers to actively participate in childhood obesity prevention (COP). A review of the literature provided findings to identify a gap in the knowledge regarding the association between school nurse COP...
Show moreApproximately one-third of children in the United States are overweight or obese with increased risks for numerous physical and psychosocial comorbidities. Schools are ideal environments to address this serious health crisis and school nurses are uniquely positioned qualified healthcare providers to actively participate in childhood obesity prevention (COP). A review of the literature provided findings to identify a gap in the knowledge regarding the association between school nurse COP perceptions and practices. A modified theoretical framework based on Bandura's health promotion by social cognitive theory guided this study. The purpose of this study was to identify the key perceptions (self-efficacy, perceived benefits and perceived barriers) influencing school nurse participation in COP practices and determine associations between school nurse characteristics and COP perceptions and practices. Preliminary research was conducted to determine content validity for modified perception scales, clarity of instructions and questions, data collection and retrieval procedures, and refinement of recruitment strategies. Adequate reliability and validity was determined for modified scales measuring school nurse self-efficacy, perceived benefits, perceived barriers, and COP practices targeting individual children (child-level) and the entire school population (school-level). Florida RN school nurses (n = 171) completed self-administered anonymous questionnaires from an emailed weblink or a paper version offered at two Florida Association of School Nurses conferences. School nurses with characteristics reflecting more education engaged in more COP practices (p (<) .05) than those without education-related characteristics. School nurses with (>) 8 hours of COP education reported higher COP self-efficacy than those with none (p (<) .01). Linear regressions showed that a model comprised of self-efficacy, perceived benefits, and perceived barriers significantly explained 12.0% of the variance in child-level practices (p (<) .001) and 9.1% of school-level practices (p (<) .001). Self-efficacy explained the most variance of school nurse child-level and school-level practices (p (<) .001), and perceived barriers were inversely associated with child-level practices (p (<) .05). Four series of regressions showed that only perceived barriers partially mediated the influence of self-efficacy on child-level practices. Data analyses indicated self-efficacy and perceived barriers were key determinants of school nurse COP practices. Therefore, policy changes and educational interventions to increase self-efficacy and reduce perceived barriers may be effective in mobilizing school nurses to actively engage in COP practices.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2012
- Identifier
- CFE0004585, ucf:49188
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0004585
- Title
- Classroom Based Substance Use Prevention Programs: A Meta-Analysis.
- Creator
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Boucher, Alyssa, ,, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
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This paper reports on a meta-analysis performed on forty one studies evaluating classroom-based substance abuse primary prevention programs. Studies included were delivered in a classroom to the general student body, had a primary focus of substance abuse prevention, measured behavior change, and were published in peer-reviewed outlets between 2000 and 2011. Comprehensive Meta-Analysis was used to calculate a random effects Cohen's d and moderator analyses were conducted. Results indicated a...
Show moreThis paper reports on a meta-analysis performed on forty one studies evaluating classroom-based substance abuse primary prevention programs. Studies included were delivered in a classroom to the general student body, had a primary focus of substance abuse prevention, measured behavior change, and were published in peer-reviewed outlets between 2000 and 2011. Comprehensive Meta-Analysis was used to calculate a random effects Cohen's d and moderator analyses were conducted. Results indicated a significant effect for alcohol (d=0.10) and tobacco (d=0.09) in multi-target interventions. Specific program components and characteristics associated with more effective prevention programs are discussed. Despite the best efforts of those who develop and deliver intervention programs, as a whole, the impact is smaller than (")small.(") New or evolved programs should seek to incorporate the best predictors of effectiveness thereby improving efficacy.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2012
- Identifier
- CFE0004360, ucf:49443
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0004360
- Title
- Promoting Courage: An Evaluation of Harbor House of Central Florida's Domestic Violence Primary Prevention Initiative Project Courage.
- Creator
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Navarro, Jordana, Jasinski, Jana, Wright, James, Reckdenwald, Amy, Abel, Eileen, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
While the old adage of "it takes a village" is often stated in reference to raising children, this statement is also extremely applicable in combating social problems such as intimate partner abuse (IPA). All too often society members turn a "blind eye" to abuse occurring within our homes between intimate partners. Although recent research has shown improvement in attitudes condemning IPA, other research has identified that many individuals continue to perceive IPA as largely a private...
Show moreWhile the old adage of "it takes a village" is often stated in reference to raising children, this statement is also extremely applicable in combating social problems such as intimate partner abuse (IPA). All too often society members turn a "blind eye" to abuse occurring within our homes between intimate partners. Although recent research has shown improvement in attitudes condemning IPA, other research has identified that many individuals continue to perceive IPA as largely a private problem (Bethke and DeJoy, 1993; Straus, Kaufman Kantor, and Moore, 1997). This commonplace belief stands in stark contrast to the vast amount of research that shows IPA is anything but a private problem. In order to halt these occurrences, various intervention programs have been implemented (i.e. batterer intervention programs, mandatory arrest policies, etc.). However, less effort has gone into creating programs to prevent abuse in the first place (Harvey, GarciaMoreno, and Butchart, 2007). In order to fulfill this need, Harbor House of Central Florida (Orlando, FL) created one notable primary prevention initiative referred to as Project Courage. Launched in 2010, Project Courage staff flooded an Orlando neighborhood (Pine Castle, FL) with IPA services. The following evaluation details Project Courage's successes, challenges, and provides recommendations for the future. The data used in this evaluation were made available by Harbor House of Central Florida, and have been used with permission from the agency and from the University of Central Florida's Institutional Review Board. Data from Project Courage were originally collected by the agency's Prevention Department. Firstyear funding for the project was provided by the 100 Women Strong giving circle located in Orlando, Florida. The collector(s) of the original data, the funder(s), and their agents or employees bear no responsibility for the analyses or interpretations presented here.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2013
- Identifier
- CFE0004898, ucf:49649
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0004898
- Title
- DECREASING ALCOHOL USE AMONG HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS BY CHALLENGING ALCOHOL EXPECTANCIES.
- Creator
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Cruz, Iris, Dunn, Michael, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
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Altering alcohol expectancies has reduced alcohol use among college students and may lead to successful prevention of alcohol use among high school students. We randomly assigned 379 12th-grade students to an expectancy challenge, traditional alcohol information, or control condition, and used Individual Differences Scaling to map expectancies into memory network format with Preference Mapping to model likely paths of association. After expectancy and traditional alcohol interventions, higher...
Show moreAltering alcohol expectancies has reduced alcohol use among college students and may lead to successful prevention of alcohol use among high school students. We randomly assigned 379 12th-grade students to an expectancy challenge, traditional alcohol information, or control condition, and used Individual Differences Scaling to map expectancies into memory network format with Preference Mapping to model likely paths of association. After expectancy and traditional alcohol interventions, higher drinking male participants exhibited a greater likelihood to associate alcohol use with negative and sedating consequences and a decreased likelihood to associate alcohol with positive and arousing consequences. Drinking decreases paralleled the magnitude of changes in their likely path of expectancy activation. Children and adults who emphasize negative and sedating effects have been found to be less likely to use alcohol. Therefore, expectancy challenge interventions that have been successful at modifying expectancies and subsequently decreasing alcohol consumption among heavy drinking college students may be useful in the development of prevention curricula for high school students.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2006
- Identifier
- CFE0001232, ucf:46887
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0001232
- Title
- HIGH SCHOOL DROPOUT: A STUDY OF PARENTAL PERCEPTIONS OF DROPOUT AND PREVENTION STRATEGIES.
- Creator
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Garcia, Daniel, Mann, Mary, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
Dropping out from high school is becoming a growing trend that necessitates new and more powerful intervention strategies to be utilized. Large numbers of adolescents between the ages of 16- 24 have been shown to receive no high school diploma or equivalent. The effects of dropping out are far reaching, with many students who dropout facing depression and alienation that may lead to other negative consequences. This research focuses on the need for preventative action against the issue of...
Show moreDropping out from high school is becoming a growing trend that necessitates new and more powerful intervention strategies to be utilized. Large numbers of adolescents between the ages of 16- 24 have been shown to receive no high school diploma or equivalent. The effects of dropping out are far reaching, with many students who dropout facing depression and alienation that may lead to other negative consequences. This research focuses on the need for preventative action against the issue of dropout. One hypothesis to be tested is whether or not current dropout prevention techniques can be applied to students who are not at risk for dropping out. The researcher theorizes that if all students are exposed to these strategies then perhaps the overall school environment will yield less students who are at risk to begin with.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2013
- Identifier
- CFH0004481, ucf:45071
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFH0004481
- Title
- PSYCHOSOCIAL STATUS AND HEALTH OUTCOMES IN OLDER ADULTS LIVING WITH HUMAN IMMUNODEFICIENCY VIRUS.
- Creator
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Fernandez, Amanda, D'Amato-Kubiet, Leslee, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
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Purpose: To recognize and raise awareness about the psychosocial status and health outcomes in older adults living with HIV. Method: A literature search was conducted from the disciplines of nursing and medicine using the CINAHL, PubMed, and Medline databases. Inclusion criteria: articles exploring older adults who are HIV positive and factors related to depression, suicide and available healthcare resources. Exclusion criteria: articles including individuals under the age of 50 infected with...
Show morePurpose: To recognize and raise awareness about the psychosocial status and health outcomes in older adults living with HIV. Method: A literature search was conducted from the disciplines of nursing and medicine using the CINAHL, PubMed, and Medline databases. Inclusion criteria: articles exploring older adults who are HIV positive and factors related to depression, suicide and available healthcare resources. Exclusion criteria: articles including individuals under the age of 50 infected with HIV/AIDS and articles focused entirely on physiologic principles of HIV/AIDS. Results: In older adults living with HIV/AIDS, the literature review disclosed a comprehensive gap between identifying this age group as 'at risk', lack of communication between health care providers and older adults concerning sexual activity and/or status, and recurring psychosocial components related to lack of resources and standards of care among older adults living with HIV/AIDS. An unbalanced amount of research has focused on the care and prevention of HIV/AIDS among young adult populations, while a limited amount of research is geared toward detection, prevention and interventions for HIV/AIDS in older adults. Findings suggest that HIV/AIDS is a syndrome of bias based on age and/or gender by health care providers. Solutions to this epidemic must begin with an all inclusive plan that investigates the prevention, identification and intervention across the lifespan. Discussion: As the country ages and the population of older adults increase, nurses will encounter an increasing number of older adults living with HIV/AIDS. In order to competently provide quality care to older adults with a positive HIV/AIDS status, further research is needed to bridge the gap of literature connecting psychosocial aspects of care and accompanying health outcomes.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2012
- Identifier
- CFH0004253, ucf:44932
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFH0004253
- Title
- INCREASING PARENTAL AWARENESS AND MONITORING: THE DEVELOPMENT AND EVALUATION OF A WEB-BASED PROGRAM TO EMPOWER PARENTS TO REDUCE UNDERAGE ALCOHOL USE.
- Creator
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Brown, Pamela, Dunn, Michael, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
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Parent attitudes about underage alcohol use and parent monitoring of the activities of their adolescent children have been found to be directly related to the likelihood of underage alcohol use. Unfortunately, there are relatively few programs or resources available to parents to assist them to reduce their childrenÃÂ's potential for early and problematic alcohol involvement. In an effort to address this need, the present project entailed the development and evaluation...
Show moreParent attitudes about underage alcohol use and parent monitoring of the activities of their adolescent children have been found to be directly related to the likelihood of underage alcohol use. Unfortunately, there are relatively few programs or resources available to parents to assist them to reduce their childrenÃÂ's potential for early and problematic alcohol involvement. In an effort to address this need, the present project entailed the development and evaluation of a web-based psychoeducational program entitled, Increasing Parental Awareness and Monitoring (iPAM). This online program begins to fill the gap in effective and convenient programming focused on development of parent skills and awareness. The content of the program is based on parenting factors that have been consistently found to correspond to underage alcohol use. The format includes engaging and interactive components that function to promote increased parent knowledge of the problem of underage drinking. In addition, the program is designed to alter permissive or ambivalent attitudes regarding underage alcohol use, and increase parental behaviors that have shown to be effective in reducing youth alcohol involvement. A randomized controlled trial was conducted (n = 34 control; n = 33 experimental) with parents of adolescents in Central Florida who were asked to complete measures before exposure to the program and again approximately one month later. Findings revealed significant differences between the iPAM group and the control group. Specifically, an increase in parent knowledge about underage alcohol use and increased parental monitoring of their adolescent children was revealed. There was also a main effect for time with regard to increased parent-child communication about alcohol. Additionally, while both groups revealed increased communication, the experimental group revealed greater frequency of communication about alcohol although not significantly.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2010
- Identifier
- CFE0003389, ucf:48454
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0003389
- Title
- Evaluation of a Digitally-Automated Alcohol Curriculum Designed to Alter Expectancies and Alcohol Use in First Year College Students.
- Creator
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Schreiner, Amy, Dunn, Michael, Cassisi, Jeffrey, Bowers, Clint, Linkovich Kyle, Tiffany, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
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High-risk alcohol consumption remains a primary public health concern for students on college campuses. In response to this concern the National Advisory Council of the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism created a task force to identify and recommend strategies to aid college administrators in implementing effective alcohol programming at their institutions. While most administrators report being aware of these recommendations, many have not successfully implemented...
Show moreHigh-risk alcohol consumption remains a primary public health concern for students on college campuses. In response to this concern the National Advisory Council of the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism created a task force to identify and recommend strategies to aid college administrators in implementing effective alcohol programming at their institutions. While most administrators report being aware of these recommendations, many have not successfully implemented empirically supported interventions on their campuses. One significant barrier is the cost and difficulty of training and hiring skilled staff to implement these interventions. Of the strategies identified as effective, challenging alcohol expectancies is the only strategy validated for group administration with college students and has significant potential to address this remaining barrier. However, current expectancy-based interventions still require highly trained expert facilitators for implementation. The present study aimed to convert the previously validated Expectancy Challenge Alcohol Literacy Curriculum (ECALC) into a digital format amenable to non-expert facilitation. The resulting digital ECALC was implemented in 48 class sections of a first year student course in a group randomized trial. It was hypothesized that receiving the digital ECALC would result in significant changes in alcohol expectancies and subsequent changes in alcohol use and related harms. Analyses revealed significant changes in both positive and negative expectancies following the digital ECALC, however no significant changes in alcohol consumption or alcohol-related harms were observed at a 30 day follow-up. Exploratory subgroup analyses revealed significant differences between experimental and control groups on average and peak drinks per sitting for classes receiving the digital ECALC during the fall semester only. Semester specific variables, environmental context, and social influence variables may have contributed to the lack of behavioral changes in the overall sample following observed expectancy changes. This study represents an important development in expectancy-based interventions for college students as the digital format removed the need for an expert facilitator and maintained significant changes in expectancies. Future studies should focus on replication of these expectancy changes and on demonstrating subsequent changes in alcohol use and related harms. The present study also represents the first evaluation of a group-administered expectancy intervention to report on intra-class correlations which will aid future researchers in designing sufficiently powered studies going forward.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2014
- Identifier
- CFE0005412, ucf:50425
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0005412
- Title
- A Faith-Based Primary Diabetes Prevention Intervention for At-Risk Puerto Rican Adults: A Feasibility Study.
- Creator
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Torres-Thomas, Sylvia, Chase, Susan, Covelli, Maureen, Gonzalez, Laura, Yan, Xin, Miller, Ann, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
Diabetes is a serious health threat that disproportionately affects Hispanics of Puerto Rican heritage. Current evidence supports diabetes prevention programs to change health behaviors in people who are at risk and thus prevent the development of type 2 diabetes. However, few interventions exist for Hispanics, and even fewer have been designed for Puerto Rican adults. A literature review of community-based diabetes prevention programs involving at-risk Hispanics was conducted using a...
Show moreDiabetes is a serious health threat that disproportionately affects Hispanics of Puerto Rican heritage. Current evidence supports diabetes prevention programs to change health behaviors in people who are at risk and thus prevent the development of type 2 diabetes. However, few interventions exist for Hispanics, and even fewer have been designed for Puerto Rican adults. A literature review of community-based diabetes prevention programs involving at-risk Hispanics was conducted using a cultural sensitivity framework to determine the state of the science and identify gaps in knowledge regarding diabetes prevention for Puerto Ricans. An integrated theoretical framework was developed using constructs from the extended parallel process model (perceived severity and susceptibility) and social cognitive theory (self-efficacy) to design program components aimed to educate and motivate positive dietary behavior change in Puerto Rican adults. The two key components were a diabetes health threat message and dietary skill building exercises that incorporated spirituality and relevant faith practices, and were culturally-tailored for Puerto Ricans. A pretest-posttest, concurrent mixed methods design was used to test the impact and evaluate feasibility of a diabetes health threat message and skill-building exercises in a sample of Puerto Rican adults. A total of 24 participants enrolled in the study and attended six-weekly meetings that included baseline data collection, a health threat message, dietary skill building exercises, focus group interviews, posttest data collection, and an end-of-study potluck gathering. All of the study participants were Puerto Rican and a majority were female (70.8%), with a mean age of 55.5 years (SD 13.71). Most had a family history of diabetes (n = 21, 87.5%) and believed they were at-risk for the disease (n = 16, 66.7%). Using Wilcoxon matched-pairs signed rank test, significant increases or improvements were found in perceptions of diabetes severity (p (<) .01), dietary self-efficacy (p = .002), and dietary patterns (p = .02) at posttest in comparison to baseline. Spearman's rank correlations found moderate to strong relationships between the following variables: perceived severity and weight (rs = -.44, p = .03), dietary self-efficacy and dietary patterns (rs = .43, p = .04), dietary self-efficacy and fasting blood glucose levels (rs = - .45, p = .03), and American acculturation and weight (rs = .51, p = .02). The qualitative themes that emerged contributed to our understanding of participants' perspective relative to the health threat message, dietary skill building exercises, and the importance of cultural relevance and spirituality. The data support feasibility of this faith-based intervention that had an attendance rate of 58% and no loss of sample due to attrition. Diabetes prevention interventions for at-risk Puerto Ricans adults that incorporate a faith-based, culturally-tailored health threat message and dietary skill building exercises may help educate those who are at-risk and motivate lifestyle behavior change to prevent the development of diabetes. Further faith-based, culturally-tailored diabetes prevention research is indicated for Puerto Rican adults.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2015
- Identifier
- CFE0005725, ucf:50124
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0005725
- Title
- THE EFFECTIVENESS OF INTERVENTIONS AND BUNDLES FOR CENTRAL LINE-ASSOCIATED BLOODSTREAM INFECTIONS IN THE NEONATAL INTENSIVE CARE UNIT.
- Creator
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Alhamwi, Mohamad, Ramirez, Bernardo, Sole, Mary Lou, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
Introduction: Central Line-Associated Bloodstream Infections (CLABSIs) are a major cause of increased mortality, morbidity and healthcare costs in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) patients. Despite CDC's efforts to reduce infection rates, patients often suffer consequences. The objective of this study is to perform a systematic review of strategies utilized in the neonatal population and evaluate them with the current CDC's guidelines to assess the effectiveness of bundles in preventing...
Show moreIntroduction: Central Line-Associated Bloodstream Infections (CLABSIs) are a major cause of increased mortality, morbidity and healthcare costs in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) patients. Despite CDC's efforts to reduce infection rates, patients often suffer consequences. The objective of this study is to perform a systematic review of strategies utilized in the neonatal population and evaluate them with the current CDC's guidelines to assess the effectiveness of bundles in preventing CLABSI in NICUs. Methods: A systematic literature search was conducted using CINAHL Plus with Text, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews and MEDLINE from January 2008 up to 2018. There were multiple search terms used and these included "neonate OR newborn OR infant", "CLABSI OR central line-associated bloodstream infection", "intervention OR prevention" and "bundle". The search solely focused on the outcome of infant patients. Therefore studies were excluded for the following criteria: being non-peer reviewed, being published before 2008, and being a case in which CLABSI was assessed in patients outside the NICU. See Table 4 and 5 for further information. Results: Eight articles were eligible for inclusion all of which CDC's guidelines were implemented in their strategy of intervention. The systematic review showed that adherence to care bundles decreases infection rates drastically. All eight articles reported a significant decrease in CLABSI rates following the implementation of the bundle set by CDC with two studies achieving a CLABSI rate of zero. Author's Conclusion: Implementation of care bundles showed a success in reducing CLABSI rates in the NICUs; however none of the studies endorsed a specific bundle application utilized to achieve its intended goal. Some practices adopted CDC's guidelines more than others and those showed a greater decrease in infection rate. In addition, it is evident that nurses deliver the best care when preventing an infection. Further research is needed to assess the effectiveness of a specific bundle element.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2018
- Identifier
- CFH2000407, ucf:45736
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFH2000407
- Title
- AN INVESTIGATION TO DETERMINE THE LEVEL OF KNOWLEDGE OF FACILITY MAINTENANCE BY PUBLIC SCHOOL-BUILDING LEVEL ADMINISTRATORS.
- Creator
-
Paradise, Richard, Murray, Kenneth, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
This investigation studied the level of knowledge that principals have concerning the maintenance of their schools. A questionnaire was developed to address three research questions. These research questions were: (1) what is the extent that facilities maintenance is an important issue for school principals? (2) in what specific areas of facilities maintenance do principals lack knowledge? and (3) in what specific areas does the lack of facilities maintenance knowledge by principals exceed 30...
Show moreThis investigation studied the level of knowledge that principals have concerning the maintenance of their schools. A questionnaire was developed to address three research questions. These research questions were: (1) what is the extent that facilities maintenance is an important issue for school principals? (2) in what specific areas of facilities maintenance do principals lack knowledge? and (3) in what specific areas does the lack of facilities maintenance knowledge by principals exceed 30%? A questionnaire was developed to gather data to analyze comparative relationships to the research questions. Data indicated that principals do believe facilities maintenance is an important issue. Reponses to the questionnaire indicated most principals have a general understanding of facilities maintenance in its broadest sense. However, the data supported that most principals lack knowledge concerning the specific facilities maintenance information and issues. Recommendations were made to address the lack of knowledge principals have concerning facilities maintenance. Recommendations were also made for additional research in the area of the principal's knowledge concerning facilities maintenance.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2006
- Identifier
- CFE0001200, ucf:46943
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0001200
- Title
- EFFECTIVENESS OF CARDIAC REHABILITATION: SECONDARY PREVENTION INCREASES FUNCTIONAL CAPACITY IN POST-MYOCARDIAL INFARCTION PATIENTS.
- Creator
-
Badillo, Kristin, Fisher, Thomas, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
The purpose of this study was to discern the effectiveness of Cardiac Rehabilitation/ Secondary Prevention Programs (CR/ SPPs) by evaluating increased functional capacity in the form of MET (metabolic equivalent) scores post-myocardial infarction (MI) or heart attack. The Duke Activity Status Index (DASI) survey is administered as part of the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for participation in the Secondary Prevention Program. Criterion for the research included patients 65 and older,...
Show moreThe purpose of this study was to discern the effectiveness of Cardiac Rehabilitation/ Secondary Prevention Programs (CR/ SPPs) by evaluating increased functional capacity in the form of MET (metabolic equivalent) scores post-myocardial infarction (MI) or heart attack. The Duke Activity Status Index (DASI) survey is administered as part of the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for participation in the Secondary Prevention Program. Criterion for the research included patients 65 and older, with a history of one myocardial infarction, and had completed all 36 sessions of CR. The scores from 11 SPP surveys were analyzed and compared in three time increments from sessions 1-18 (initial, or"pre"), sessions 19-36 ("pan"), and sessions 1-36 ("post"). A total of 11 (n=11) surveys were collected and analyzed at The Computing and Statistical Technology Laboratory in Education (CASTLE) in the Teaching Academy on UCF Main Campus. Results from the data showed mean MET scores of 6.21 at session 1, 7.59 at session 18, and 8.15 at session 36. The mean changes over time represented in METs were 1.38 (1), .56 (18), and 1.93 (36). Percent changes over time were 27% (1), 8% (18), and 36% (36). This study showed increased functional capacity over time and will improve program design in terms of frequency and duration.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2015
- Identifier
- CFH0004770, ucf:45339
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFH0004770
- Title
- IMPLEMENTATION AND EVALUATION OF A CLASSROOM-BASED APPROACH TO EXPECTANCY CHALLENGE FOR REDUCING ALCOHOL USE AMONG FIRST-YEAR COLLEGE STUDENTS.
- Creator
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Sivasithamparam, Janani, Dunn, Michael, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
There is a pervasive belief in the United States that the college experience typically includes frequent social activities characterized by widespread alcohol use. Unfortunately, awareness of the hundreds of deaths and wide variety of other harms experienced by college students as a result of alcohol use is much less pervasive. In an effort to increase awareness of the negative impact of alcohol use on college campuses, the NIAAA commissioned a panel composed of scientists and college...
Show moreThere is a pervasive belief in the United States that the college experience typically includes frequent social activities characterized by widespread alcohol use. Unfortunately, awareness of the hundreds of deaths and wide variety of other harms experienced by college students as a result of alcohol use is much less pervasive. In an effort to increase awareness of the negative impact of alcohol use on college campuses, the NIAAA commissioned a panel composed of scientists and college presidents to document alcohol-related harms and identify strategies that have been found to be effective in reducing risky alcohol use based on empirical evidence. The final report of this expert panel was released as a "Call to Action" for institutions nationwide in an effort to increase understanding of the severity and prevalence of risky alcohol use, and to provide descriptions of programs that were considered effective based on empirical evidence. Unfortunately, there were very few strategies found to be effective, and one of the effective approaches could only be implemented in specialized laboratories operated by scientists with expertise in expectancy challenge. Due to the severity and pervasiveness of the college alcohol problem and the limited number of strategies deemed effective, there is clearly a pressing need to develop and validate an expectancy challenge method that could be implemented by any institution without being limited by the need for a specialized laboratory and highly trained personnel. Achievement of these goals was the focus of the present project. To this end, an expectancy challenge curriculum designed for delivery in a college classroom was developed based on a laboratory delivered protocol previously found to be effective in reducing alcohol use among college students, and a classroom delivered curriculum previously found to be effective with high school students. The newly developed college classroom curriculum was implemented in a single session with groups of students during their regular class time in their usual classroom. Measures of alcohol use and associated harms were completed anonymously by each participant before completing the curriculum and for the month following completion of the curriculum. Analyses indicated significant reductions in alcohol consumption among males and females in comparison to students who were randomly assigned to a wait-list control condition. Unfortunately, significant reductions in alcohol-related harms were not found. The time periods for baseline and follow-up were only one month each, and that limitation in the number of opportunities to experience harms limits the likelihood of demonstrating a significant reduction in harms as well. Overall, this project represents an important advance in the development of alcohol use reduction strategies that are theory-based and effective in reducing alcohol use based on empirical evidence. In addition, the curriculum that was developed and validated in this project represents the first expectancy challenge method that can be readily implemented at any institution willing to devote one hour to reducing their students' risk for a long list of negative consequences associated with alcohol use on college campuses. Motivation and a typical classroom are all that is needed.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2008
- Identifier
- CFE0002307, ucf:47854
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0002307
- Title
- THE RESPONSE OF ADMINISTRATORS AND INSTRUCTORS IN THE ORANGE COUNTY, FLORIDA PUBLIC HIGH SCHOOL SYSTEM TO DATING VIOLENCE PREVENTION PROGRAMS: RECOMMENDATIONS FOR PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT AND IMPLEMENTATION.
- Creator
-
Crisafi, Denise, Jasinski, Jana, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
Adolescent dating violence occurs in high schools at an alarming rate. To educate adolescents about dating violence, some public high schools have incorporated prevention programs into their curriculum. These programs, which are predicated upon empiricism and behavioral theories, tend to produce limited results. In order to improve prevention programs, it has been suggested that schools should play a larger role in their development and implementation. However, dating violence studies have...
Show moreAdolescent dating violence occurs in high schools at an alarming rate. To educate adolescents about dating violence, some public high schools have incorporated prevention programs into their curriculum. These programs, which are predicated upon empiricism and behavioral theories, tend to produce limited results. In order to improve prevention programs, it has been suggested that schools should play a larger role in their development and implementation. However, dating violence studies have yet to examine how much school personnel know about adolescent dating violence and prevention strategies. The current study surveyed administrators and instructors at six public high schools in Orange County, Florida about their perceptions of dating violence and attitudes toward dating violence prevention programs. The results indicate that administrators and instructors are fairly knowledgeable about adolescent dating violence, approve of school-based dating violence prevention programs, and are willing to participate in prevention efforts. The results also indicate that administratorsÃÂ' and instructorsÃÂ' sociodemographics have the potential to affect how they feel about dating violence and prevention strategies. Implications of these findings for prevention program development and implementation as well as future research are discussed.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2010
- Identifier
- CFE0003107, ucf:48626
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0003107
- Title
- An Examination of the Florida Linking Individuals Needing Care Coordination Program for Racial and Ethnic Minority Females.
- Creator
-
Vance, Michelle, Gryglewicz, Kimberley, Chapple, Reshawna, Lawrence, Shawn, Fisher, Kristina Childs, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
Suicide accounts for close to 800,000 deaths each year, making it one of the leading causes of death in the United States. In the state of Florida, suicide is the 10th leading cause of death. Currently, it is the 2nd leading cause of death among young people ages 15-29, claiming more lives than homicide. Among Black and Hispanic youth (10 to 24), it is the 2nd and 3rd leading causes of death. This study aimed to examine the extent to which depression and suicidality outcomes change among...
Show moreSuicide accounts for close to 800,000 deaths each year, making it one of the leading causes of death in the United States. In the state of Florida, suicide is the 10th leading cause of death. Currently, it is the 2nd leading cause of death among young people ages 15-29, claiming more lives than homicide. Among Black and Hispanic youth (10 to 24), it is the 2nd and 3rd leading causes of death. This study aimed to examine the extent to which depression and suicidality outcomes change among racial and ethnic minority females (i.e., Black and African American, Hispanic) who participated in a care coordination intervention. These subpopulations were chosen due to limited suicide prevention research on at-risk racial and ethnic minority females and to address health disparities. To examine these outcomes, the study employed a one-group pretest-posttest design utilizing secondary data from 76 youth participants enrolled in the care coordination program from three crisis stabilization units (CSU) in Florida. Key findings included significant decreases in depression symptomology (54%) and suicidality (82%). Among participants enrolled in the program, 84% did not have a readmission to the CSU. Length of stay was a predictor or readmission in that a one unit (one day) increase lead to a 3% increase in odds of readmission to the CSU. Results of this study can help guide social work and mental health practitioners in designing and implementing community-based suicide prevention programs for racial and ethnic minority females.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2019
- Identifier
- CFE0007548, ucf:52594
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0007548
- Title
- Prehabilitation (Prehab): Prevention in Motion.
- Creator
-
Russell, Billie, Sole, Mary Lou, Chase, Susan, Damato-Kubiet, Leslee, Gammonley, Denise, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
ABSTRACTCardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death for U.S. adults. It adds greater than $100 billion to U.S. health care costs annually. Rates of morbidity, mortality, and economic burden of the disease could be dramatically reduced with improvements in sedentary behaviors among adults with coronary artery disease (CAD). A regular commitment to moderate physical activity can reduce ischemic heart events up to 50%. Although the benefits of physical activity are well-known for...
Show moreABSTRACTCardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death for U.S. adults. It adds greater than $100 billion to U.S. health care costs annually. Rates of morbidity, mortality, and economic burden of the disease could be dramatically reduced with improvements in sedentary behaviors among adults with coronary artery disease (CAD). A regular commitment to moderate physical activity can reduce ischemic heart events up to 50%. Although the benefits of physical activity are well-known for individuals with coronary artery disease, an estimated 70% of this population remains relatively sedentary. Hospital-based cardiac rehabilitation programs are the single secondary prevention option offered to improve physical activity habits in persons with CAD. Although effective, cardiac rehabilitation is inaccessible for the majority of CAD sufferers and is offered only after an acute cardiac event. Different from rehabilitation, prehabilitation (prehab) programs use physical activity as a means to deter a worsening condition or prevent injury before an acute event occurs. These programs have proved successful in other areas of medicine but there are currently no such secondary prevention programs available for stable persons with CAD in the U.S. A home-based prehab program could help adults with CAD establish improved physical activity habits and circumvent many of the barriers associated with admission and attendance of a hospital-based cardiac rehabilitation program. Researchers have indicated that self-efficacy is key to initiation and sustentation of a regular physical activity habit, regardless of the physical activity program that one attends. These habits are more likely to last when participants receive self-efficacy based support for an average of 66 days. The purpose of this study was to determine if a nurse-practitioner-led, home-based, prehab program could assist adults with CAD to improve and maintain increased physical activity habits and levels of self-efficacy for physical activity. The five primary facilitators of self-efficacy were used to devise a 10-week prehab program. A convenience sample of 54 adults with diagnosed CAD was recruited from cardiology practices in St. Johns County, Florida. The research population was 68.5% (n=37) male, 88.9% (n=48) Caucasian, and 74% (n=40) married with a mean age of 68.57 years. Participants attended a 90-minute prehab class which offered health education and group discussion of barriers and goals for regular physical activity. Following the class, participants were contacted weekly for 10-weeks to discuss goal progress, assist in circumventing barriers, and revise physical activity goals as needed. After the 10-week call period, participants were contacted 30-days later to assess for physical activity habit maintenance and any sustained benefit in self-efficacy for physical activity. Self-efficacy for exercise was measured before the prehab class, after the prehab class, and after the 10-week intervention period using the Short Self-Efficacy Expectations scale (SSEE), Multidimensional Outcomes Expectations for Exercise Scale (MOEES), and the Barriers Self-Efficacy Scale (BARSE). All baseline measures of self-efficacy (MOEES, BARSE, SSEE) improved significantly immediately following the prehab class. Baseline physical outcome expectations of the MOEES (m=21.87, sd=4.67), self-evaluative outcome expectations of the MOEES (m=16.70, sd=4.15) and SSEE (m=12.75, sd=4.02) remained significantly improved after the 10-week intervention period (p(<).05). At the 10-week assessment, mean significant self-efficacy scores were 24.39 (sd=1.26, p(<).01) for physical outcome expectations, 18.39 (sd=2.27, p(<).02) for self-evaluative outcome expectations, and 15.06, (sd=3.25, p(<).001) for SSEE. The SSEE was reassessed 30-days after the study and remained significantly improved compared to baseline (m=15.65, sd=3.42, p(<).01). Qualitative data collection coincided with the quantitative self-efficacy findings. Participants reported satisfaction with physical activity goal attainment and increased confidence to continue with a regular physical activity plan. The Godin Leisure-Time Exercise Questionnaire (GLTEQ) was used to assess activity levels at baseline, during each weekly phone call, at the end of 10-weeks, and 30-days after the study. Repeated-measures ANOVA (F (2,90) = 21.86, p(<).001) revealed that participant's baseline physical activity volume measured by GLTEQ (m=18.39, sd= 16.93) improved significantly after 10 weeks in the prehab study (m=41.10, sd=24.11, p(<).001) and remained significantly improved when re-measured 30-days after the study (m=39.02, sd=21.87, p(<).001). Qualitative data concurred with quantitative data with participants reporting physical activity habit formation and maintenance of self-regulatory skills. Qualitative data also demonstrated that participants in prehab experienced very similar facilitators and barriers compared to other adults with CAD attempting an exercise program. In summary, the prehab study findings coincided with other research findings in this area. Self-efficacy based support can assist individuals with CAD to improve and maintain physical activity habits. The ease of the intervention likely contributed to lower cost and attrition rates (7%) compared to hospital-based cardiac rehabilitation programs. Although more research is needed, study findings suggest that a nurse-practitioner-led, home-based program could be a viable secondary prevention strategy for stable adults with CAD. This should be considered for the future given that even modest improvements in physical activity can substantially reduce all-cause mortality in this population.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2016
- Identifier
- CFE0006384, ucf:51530
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0006384