ABSTRACT
PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of distraction through humor on anxiety among children having outpatient surgery, and their parents. DESIGN: Quasi-experimental design using a nonrandomized control group. METHODS: The study assessed preoperative anxiety in child-parent dyads. The control group received usual care. The intervention group received the "Wacky Wednesday" (WW) intervention in which they entered an environment where employees were dressed in "wacky" attire and children and parents were provided with gifts and costume items. Anxiety scores, heart rate, and blood pressure were collected from patients and parents in both groups on admission and just before transfer to surgery. FINDINGS: Children who arrived for surgery on WW had significantly lower anxiety scores on admission than children in the control group. In addition, children and parents who received the WW intervention had significantly lower anxiety scores just before surgery than those in the control group. CONCLUSIONS: Humor and distraction are effective with children and parents in relieving preoperative anxiety.
Subject(s)
Anxiety/psychology , Parents/psychology , Preoperative Period , Wit and Humor as Topic , Adolescent , Adult , Child , Child, Preschool , HumansABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: The goal of this research was to evaluate changes over time in the capacity of participants of the CDC/ASPH Institute for HIV Prevention Leadership (Institute), a capacity-building program for HIV prevention program managers in minority-based, community-based organizations. Capacity was defined as the application of new skills and knowledge to participants' jobs and confidence in using those new skills and knowledge to strategically manage and apply "best practices" to their HIV prevention activities. METHODS: This is a longitudinal study involving measuring scholar capacity at three points in time: pre-Institute, post-Institute, and 6 months' post-Institute. Only responses from participants who completed all three surveys are included in this final analysis of the data (N = 94). RESULTS: Results indicate that participants from 3 years of the Institute (2002-2004) increased their capacity in HIV prevention programming and strategic planning and management. Significant changes were seen in the frequency and self-efficacy with which participants conduct several HIV prevention programming activities. Participants also reported conducting strategic planning activities at more appropriate intervals and were significantly more confident in conducting these activities. CONCLUSION: The Institute has positively and significantly increased the capacity of participants to conduct more effective HIV prevention programs on a national level.
Subject(s)
Administrative Personnel/education , Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, U.S. , Community Health Planning/organization & administration , HIV Infections/prevention & control , Leadership , Preventive Health Services/methods , Public Health Administration/education , Cultural Diversity , Female , Humans , Longitudinal Studies , Male , Minority Groups , Program Evaluation , Staff Development , United StatesABSTRACT
Community-based organizations (CBOs), particularly minority-based CBOs, are instrumental in the delivery of HIV/AIDS prevention programs and services. Despite a tremendous need, many CBOs lack the capacity to plan, implement, and evaluate targeted prevention interventions to serve culturally diverse populations. This article describes a comprehensive, innovative curriculum for building capacity within CBOs providing HIV prevention programming. An overview of the process through which the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention/Association of Schools of Public Health Institute for HIV Prevention Leadership evolved is discussed. The development of the curriculum occurred in four phases: needs assessment, curricular design, implementation, and evaluation. A description of the Institute's evaluation strategies and procedures are described. Selected preliminary evaluation results from two cohorts of participants indicate significant knowledge gains and high levels of satisfaction with the Institute sessions, assignments, and faculty. The Institute's model shows promise for the provision of capacity building education at the individual and organizational level for community-based professionals implementing HIV prevention programs.
