Background:Alcohol and opiates are among the most addictive substances posing significant public health problems due to the biopsychosocial impact that they have on individuals. Research shows that majority of abstinent alcohol and/or opioid dependence subjects relapse within 1 year. It has also been estimated that 26–36 million people worldwide abuse opiates, with exceptionally high-relapse rates. The purpose of this study was to compare the sociodemographic factors and correlates relapse in alcohol dependence and opioid dependence.Methodology:This research uses a cross-sectional comparative study design with a sample size of 60 drawn from a population of clinically diagnosed patients of alcohol dependence (n = 30) or opioid dependence (n = 30) and seeking treatment for relapse. In addition to collecting sociodemographic data, other factors such as craving, affect, self-efficacy, and expressed emotions were measured using standardized instruments including brief substance craving scale, Bradburn affect balance scale, drug avoidance and self-efficacy scale and family emotional involvement, and conflict scale. The data were statistically analyzed.Results:Disparity in sociodemographic factors was seen in both the groups with opioid group being more likely to be single, unemployed, belonging to lower socioeconomic status, and having a criminal record (P = 0.025). Among factors associated with relapse, the opioid group scored significantly higher on craving, perceived criticism (P = 0.0001), and lower on self-efficacy (P = 0.016). Most common reason cited for relapse in both the groups was desire for positive mood.Conclusion:This study highlights the role of social determinants in drug dependence and relapse. Relapse was found to be a complex multifactorial phenomenon. Despite differences in presentation, somewhat similar relapse mechanisms were seen in both groups.

Objectives: Advances in electronics, the Internet and telecommunication have pushed the field of health care to embrace information technology (IT). However, the purposeful use of technology is relatively new to the field of health promotion. The primary objective of this paper is to review various applications of health IT, with a focus on its use in health promotion and its evolving impact on the healthcare system in the USA. It also emphasises on the potential benefits of introducing different applications of health IT in health care and health education. Methods: A detailed review and synthesis of recent literature in the area of health IT was conducted to reflect and describe the recent trends related to health promotion influenced by IT in the USA. Results: This review reveals that despite initial reluctance, health providers and patients are accepting and even crediting health IT for providing patients with resources to educate themselves on their health status and actively participate in their health care by enabling them easy access to health information. Conclusion: Health-related IT can facilitate a paradigm shift from a system-centred disease prevention model of care to a more patient-centred health promotion approach. Furthermore, like most other changes in health care, health IT is facing its share of challenges, yet evolving to be one of the fastest growing trends in the US healthcare system.

No abstract

The certification course can improve knowledge and facilitate perceptual change on dementia. Implementing this program as a novel regional initiative has robust potential in ensuring continuing workforce development in health care settings challenged with ever-changing people living with dementia needs and high staff turnover.

Background: Stigma is a major hurdle in overcoming the HIV epidemic and affects almost all people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA). In India, though majority of PLWHA are men, gender gap is narrowing with rates of infection increasing in women, most commonly due to transmission from their partners. Gender inequality in social and economic context leads women to vulnerability. The purpose of this study was to assess gender differences in the perceived stigma and hope in PLWHA, and to study the correlation of perceived stigma with hope and age in this population.Methods: The sample was 68 HIV patients attending HAART clinic of a tertiary government hospital. Patients were assessed using Barbara Berger stigma scale and Herth hope index, and their scores were subjected to inferential statistical methods such as t-tests and correlation analysis.Results: Although there are no gender differences in perceived stigma, there is an inverse relationship of many components of perceived stigma with hope in women. It was also found that women members of PLWHA group feel significantly less hopeful than men. Age was noted to have an inverse relationship with perceived stigma in men.Conclusions: Greater attention is warranted to this growing proportion of HIV positive women in health policies and to alleviate their suffering which is multiplied as being socially disadvantaged due to their gender. This study highlights the need of special attention to women with HIV in health settings. Further research is needed to understand the relation of social support and depression with perceived social support.

No abstract

Background:Smoking in adolescents is related to multiple factors like genetics, family variables and peer preference and influence. The aim of the following study was to study the prevalence of smoking and age of initiation college students while comparing peer preferences in smoker and non-smoker college students. Methods: 100 college students were divided on the basis of current smoking status into two groups. These two groups were administered the Evers-Pasquale peer preference test and the Global Youth Tobacco Survey (GYTS). Sociodemographic variables were assessed using a semi-structured proforma. The data was then statistically analysed. Results: The prevalence of current smoking was 54%. Almost 44% of college students had initiated smoking at or after 16 years of age, whereas only 4% of the entire sample had initiated smoking before 10 years of age. Close to one fifth (18.52%) of current smokers smoked daily and smoked cigarettes first in morning suggesting dependence. Students who currently smoked were most likely to engage in any activity in the company of best friends, followed by cool friends (p = 0.0001). Conclusion: Smoking and peer pressure are linked and there is a need for tobacco intervention programmes to be directed at adolescent specific factors. Further research is needed to understand other factors promoting smoking like personality factors, social influence, genetic factors etc.

Background: The literature regarding the increased risk of violence toward registered nurses and health care workers is plentiful; yet, data on prelicensure nursing student exposure to violent patient behaviors are limited and did not exist for the university's nursing program. Purpose: The purpose of this exploratory study was to examine nursing student exposure to patient aggression or violent behavior in a prelicensure nursing program in the Midwestern United States. Methods: The research design was an exploratory study using surveys completed by nursing students in their junior and senior years. Results: Almost 74% of male students and 85% of female students experienced some form of verbal aggression from their patients, with a statistically significant difference between male and female nursing students on their exposure to sexual harassment. Students also experienced extreme emotions and feelings. Conclusions: The survey results reveal nursing students are exposed to patient aggression or violent behavior, do not feel prepared to manage these situations, and desire faculty mentoring.