RESUMO
Iodine consumption is unlikely promoted in urban communities. This survey research aimed to explore knowledge, belief, practice, and needs about iodine deficiency disorders (IDD) prevention among students, faculty members, supporting personnel, and shop-owners in the faculty of nursing, Chiang Mai University prior to the launch of a campaign program. This study was conducted in the population available at the time of data collection. The number of subjects who volunteered to participate in was 218. Data were collected using the tests in June, 2008. Percentage, means, and Sperman’s test were employed analyzing the obtained data. The results indicated that, the scores of knowledge and belief were at the moderate level based on the 4 levels of very low, low, moderate, and high. Misunderstandings included the following: iodine makes food salty, IDD preventable by vaccine and mineral water, salty seasonings approved by the food and drug administration contain adequate iodine content, and the belief that respondents, their families, and people in urban communities are at low risk to IDD. The scores of consuming iodized salt, iodized fish sauce, and seafood were at the moderate, the low, and the very low levels, respectively. Knowledge was significantly associated with belief in the positive direction (p \< 0.01). Belief was significantly associated with consuming behavior of iodized salt (p \< 0.05), iodized fish sauce (p \< 0.01), and seafood (p \< 0.05). Approximately 15% of the subjects reported more self-cooking than buying; 69% consumed iodized salt, 28% selected fish sauce indicating iodine content on the label; 21% consumed seafood 2-3 times a week; 3% obtained salt-testing. The most wanted campaign activity to participate in was salt-testing. It is suggested that the campaigns promoting iodized salt and iodized fish sauce consumption are needed and through correcting misunderstandings and cultivating the belief in susceptibility to IDD.
RESUMO
Childhood obesity, a serious public health concern, has a high prevalence with long-term negative physical and mental health consequences. Prevention and treatment of obesity are considered a priority among pediatric health care providers. This participatory action research, using empowerment strategies with 110 school stakeholders, aimed to develop a family and school collaborative program for promoting healthy eating and physical activity for school-age children. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, while qualitative data were subjected to content analysis. The study findings revealed the program had five core components including: situational analysis, family and school collaboration, exploration of effective interventions, implementation of planned activities, and monitoring and evaluation. Methods of program implementation included: group discussions; brainstorming and mind mapping; group meetings; and, participatory workshops. The impact of program implementation was evident, with family and school collaboration, in: initiating school policy, developing practical guidelines and implementing obesity prevention activities. Activities created a supportive environment by disallowing sale of sodas and unhealthy snacks; developing a curriculum for enhancing the capacity of student leaders; promoting physical activity; providing a healthy school lunch and snack menu; providing obesity prevention education; conducting child nutrition status surveillance; and, developing a database for tracking children’s status over time. The program could be used as a guideline for nurses and health care personnel to enhance partnerships, between families and schools, in order to promote healthy eating and physical activity in school-age children.