Effect of psychoeducation on self-esteem and self-efficacy among college students

Authors suggest efforts are needed to further explore the usefulness and utilization of psychoeducation at the community and professional levels as applied to various settings and populations. In addition, if developed and implemented carefully, psychoeducational interventions have promising application on other life challenges across levels of the public health, social, and educational systems. This quasiexperimental three group pre-test post-test study aims to investigate the effect of psychoeducation on the self-esteem and self-efficacy of college students. A total of 105 college students (35 subjects per group) who were enrolled at Saint Louis University, Baguio City, Philippines were included as sample. Sampling technique was purposive. The Rosenberg's Self-esteem Scale and Schwarzer's General Selfefficacy Scale were used as data gathering tools. A self-made psychoeducational module that was validated by experts in mental health and psychiatric nursing was utilized as intervention. SPSS version 20 was used for the statistical analysis. The results on the post-test scores of both treatment arms (informational and comprehensive model) were significantly higher compared to control group after eight sessions of psychoeducation. The researchers therefore conclude that both psychoeducation models (informational and comprehensive) showed evidence of effectiveness in increasing the self-esteem and self-efficacy levels of college students. 

Erratum: Child health promotion program in South Korea in collaboration with US National Aeronautics and Space Administration: Improvement in dietary and nutrition knowledge of young children

The paper was printed with an error in the order of the authors.

Child health promotion program in South Korea in collaboration with US National Aeronautics and Space Administration: Improvement in dietary and nutrition knowledge of young children

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Childhood obesity has become a global epidemic. Development of effective and sustainable programs to promote healthy behaviors from a young age is important. This study developed and tested an intervention program designed to promote healthy eating and physical activity among young children in South Korea by adaptation of the US National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Mission X (MX) Program. SUBJECTS/METHODS: The intervention program consisted of 4 weeks of fitness and 2 weeks of nutrition education. A sample of 104 subjects completed pre- and post-surveys on the Children's Nutrition Acknowledgement Test (NAT). Parents were asked for their children's characteristics and two 24-hour dietary records, the Nutrition Quotient (NQ) at baseline and a 6-week follow-up. Child weight status was assessed using Korean body mass index (BMI) percentiles. RESULTS: At baseline, 16.4% (boy: 15.4%; girl: 19.2%) of subjects were overweight or obese (based on BMI≥85%tile). Fat consumption significantly decreased in normal BMI children (48.6 ± 16.8 g at baseline to 41.9 ± 18.1 g after intervention, P < 0.05); total NQ score significantly increased from 66.4 to 67.9 (P < 0.05); total NAT score significantly improved in normal BMI children (74.3 at baseline to 81.9 after the program), children being underweight (from 71.0 to 77.0), and overweight children (77.1 at baseline vs. 88.2 after intervention, P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The 6-week South Korean NASA MX project is feasible and shows favorable changes in eating behaviors and nutritional knowledge among young children.

Conocimientos sobre VIH/sida en un grupo de embarazadas VIH(+)

OBJETIVO: Determinar el grado de conocimiento sobre VIH/SIDA en mujeres embarazadas VIH(+). MATERIALES Y MÉTODOS: El universo estuvo constituido por 58 embarazadas VIH(+) que acudieron a diferentes servicios de obstetricia de hospitales en Caracas durante los años 2003-2005. Se le aplicó una encuesta anónima individual, previo consentimiento asistido de las evaluadas. RESULTADOS: Fundamentalmente no existe un adecuado conocimiento sobre las vías de transmisión de la enfermedad, así como percepción del riesgo ante el VIH. CONCLUSIÓN: La promoción y planificación de la información sobre el VIH/SIDA podría contribuir en la prevención de la infección en la embarazada VIH(+).

OBJECTIVE: To describe the grade of knowledge that HIV pregnant women have about HIV/AIDS and their perception of risk of HIV infection. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Transversal descriptive study in risk women in the Gran Caracas’ hospitals during 2003-2005. They answered an individual, anonym survey with their previous assisted consent. RESULTS: There is not an adequate knowledge about the disease transmission ways. CONCLUSION: The promotion and planning of appropriate information is the key to prevent in HIV pregnant women.