Exploratory study: breastfeeding knowledge, attitudes towards sexuality and breastfeeding, and disposition towards supporting breastfeeding in future Puerto Rican male parents

Identify the breastfeeding knowledge, the attitudes towards sexuality and breastfeeding and the disposition towards supporting breastfeeding in future fathers were the aims of this study. A non-probabilistic sample (n = 100) of future Puerto Rican male parents was used in this study. A self-administered questionnaire was used consisting of four sections. Descriptive statistics were used for data analysis and t-test to the inferential analysis. 88.8of the participants presented a low level of knowledge. However, 81.6had a positive attitude toward sexuality and breastfeeding. Also, 92.0of the participants indicated much/enough willingness to support their partners in exclusively breastfeeding. Disposition to support the breastfeeding was associated with knowledge towards breastfeeding (p = 0.04) and attitudes toward sexuality and breastfeeding (p = 0.00). The knowledge and the attitudes, in this study, are strongly related with the disposition of the father to supporting the breastfeeding in the future.

Factores asociados al uso del cigarrillo en estudiantes del Recinto de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad de Puerto Rico / Factors associated with the use of tobacco among students of the Medical Sciences School, University of Puerto Rico

The objective of this study is to evaluate associated factors related to cigarette smoking in students of the Medical Sciences Campus, University of Puerto Rico. One hundred eighty-nine students, registered in the summer session, participated in the study. A self-administered questionnaire was used to collect the information. For the data analysis descriptive statistics were used, as well as Pearson Chi Square and Mann-Whitney test. The results showed that 12.2 per cent of the participants are smokers at the moment of the study. Most of the smokers stated that the main reason they smoke was for stress reduction and psychological addiction. A statistical association was encountered between the cigarette use and exposure of information (X2Fisher (1) = 4.65, p = 0.02). We conclude that the participants smoke as an adaptative response to the daily stressors that impact the academic setting.

[Aspects related to drug adherence in a group of caregivers of children and adolescents with epilepsy]. / Aspectos relacionados al cumplimiento de medicamentos en un grupo de encargados(as) de niños y adolescentes con epilepsia.

The purpose of this study was to describe the aspects related with the adherence of medicine in patients with epilepsy diagnosis. The non probabilistic sample was composed by fifty-four parents or legal guardians of children/adolescents with epilepsy. A self-report instrument was utilized in this study and the design was based on Health Belief Model. Descriptive statistics were utilized (mean, median, frequencies and percents) to describe the results and crosstabs tables to describe specific relations between variables. It was found that the parents/legal guardians reported that they administered their children's medications as prescribed. However, the two aspects that most affect the adherence with the treatment were that the participant forgot the medicine administration and the time between each medical appointment. We conclude that the adherence problem is complex and involved a lot of individual, social, psychological, structural, attitudes, beliefs, type of medical services factors, among others. These factors will be studied more emphatically in futures studies.

[Knowledge about sexuality and sex behavior in university students with visual impairment: need of educational materials]. / Conocimiento en sexualidad y prácticas sexuales en estudiantes universitarios con impedimentos visuales: necesidad de materiales educativos.

The objective of this study was to identify the knowledge about sexuality (including STD/HIV/AIDS), the sexual practices more frequents and sexuality education sources in a group of students with visual impairments. A self administered questionnaire was utilized in 50 students with visual impairment. Descriptive statistics were utilized. Seventy six percent (76.0%) of the participants presented a high knowledge about sexuality and 22.0% presented moderated knowledge. The no penetrative sexual practice more frequent was corporal caress (82.0%) and the penetrative was penis-vagina (74.0%). The source of sexuality education most common was the conferences (83.9%). Although, in general, the knowledge about sexuality was high, there are "gaps" in them. There is the need to develop educational materials adapted to the needs of the studied population.

[Kidney patients: aspects related to compliance with renal treatment]. / Pacientes Renales: aspectos relacionados con el Cumplimiento del Tratamiento Renal.

The Objective of this study was identify the aspects related with the adherence of medical treatment recommended to the patients that received hemodialysis in the tertiary public hospital. A non experimental transectional correlation design was utilized in this study. Fifty-three patients constituted the population study. A structure interview was utilized to gathered the data. Descriptive statistics and Chi-square tests were utilized to analysis. The response rate was 91.0%. The 75.0% of patients not compliance with the medical treatment. Significant association between compliance variable and educational level was encountered (p < or = 0.05). This study provides important findings to will develops educative intervention in the Renal Unit, directed to improve the adherence of the patient with medical treatment.

[Factors associated with the level of anxiety of nursing personnel taking care of HIV positive patients]. / Factores Asociados al Nivel de Ansiedad del Personal de Enfermería al Ofrecer Cuidado al Paciente VIH Positivo.

The objective of the study was to measure the level of HIV/AIDS related anxiety among hospital nursing staff and identify its determinants. Data were obtained through anonymous self administered questionnaire distributed to 222 nurses. The rasge anxiety and the HIV/AIDS attitudes were the most determinants of the anxiety level in the participants. Specifically, negative HIV/AIDS attitudes was associated with raise in state anxiety level, as well as high level of rasge anxiety was associated with high level of state anxiety. In conclusion, it is necessary to provide to the participants update trainings that included different aspects of HIV infection, as well as, anxiety management when caring for persons with HIV/AIDS.

Reliability and validity of a breastfeeding attitudes instrument for nursing staff.

An instrument was designed and validated with the purpose of identifying attitudes towards breastfeeding among nursing professionals. The preliminary instrument contained 19 items which were submitted to experts in the field of human lactation and breastfeeding for content validity. The construct validity was measured through factor analysis and matrix correlation. Four factors were identified in the analysis. Overall internal consistency of the instrument was 0.83, with a subscale's range fluctuating from 0.64 to 0.73. The instrument is valid and reliable, and it is the first of its nature in Puerto Rico.

[Introspection into the condition of the group of puertorican patients with mental disorders]. / Introspección hacia su condición de un grupo de pacientes Puertorriqueños con trastornos mentales.

The purpose of this study was to explore the degree of insight towards their condition of a group of Puerto Rican mental patients. A non-probabilistic (n = 51) sample was used for convenience and availability from the total patient population with mental conditions who received treatment, during June 1997, in a Diagnostic and Treatment Center (DTC) of the Puerto Rico Department of Health. Descriptive statistics were used, as well as the Cramer chi-square and the Mann Whitney t-test. Fifty two percent of the participants had a high level of insight and the participant's gender (t = 1.92, p = 0.05). Males obtained a higher average grading in the insight scale than females. It was expected that the studied population would be stable in their conditions since they were being treated at the outpatient level. Even so, almost half of the patients had a low level of insight towards their conditions. Implications of these results are very important for health education efforts, since almost half of the patients do not understand that they suffer a serious mental disturbance.

Perceptions assessment of a group of Puerto Rican pregnant adolescents regarding the susceptibility, severity, benefits and barriers of teenage pregnancy.

OBJECTIVE: This assessment was aimed at describing the perceptions of a group of Puerto Rican pregnant adolescents regarding the susceptibility, severity, benefits and barriers of adolescents pregnancy. METHOD: A non probabilistic sample of 71 adolescents that receive prenatal services at a hospital in the greater metropolitan area of San Juan, Puerto Rico. Descriptive statistics were utilized to describe the population. RESULTS: A 50.7% of the participants had a moderated high susceptibility perception and 53.5% had a high severity perception. In general, 70.4% of the participants perceived that the prenatal care during the adolescent pregnancy is highly beneficial and 60.0% had a low barriers perceptions. CONCLUSION: The assessment specifically demonstrated the need to create permanent educational programs in hospitals and schools. It is important that the health professionals develop basic educational strategies to procure effective behavior modification in adolescents.

[Knowledge about breast feeding and attitude to breast feeding in public of a group of high school students in the Caguas Educational Region]. / Creencias hacia la lactancia materna y la actitud hacia apoyar la lactancia en público de un grupo de estudiantes de salud de una escuela superior de la Región Educativa de Caguas.

The objective of this study was to identify the knowledge and attitudes towards breastfeeding and towards breastfeeding in public of a group of high school students in the Caguas Educational Region. The study design was a descriptive survey. The sample consisted of 101 students registered in the Health Course. A self administered questionnaire was used to gather the information. Descriptive and inferential statistics (chi square and t test) were used for data analysis. We found that the majority of the participants have the intention of breastfeeding or supporting breastfeeding for their children. We found, nevertheless, that there were misconceptions regarding breastfeeding which could develop into barriers for effective breastfeeding. It was also observed that support for breastfeeding varied depending on the location where it took place. Support was greater if it was done in non-public places. In conclusion, it became evident that there is a need for educational programs with correct information on breastfeeding and the importance of breastfeeding in public.

[Gynecologists-obstetricians and pediatricians: knowledge and experience concerning breast feeding]. / Ginecólogos-obstetras y pediatras: conocimientos y experiencia hacia la lactancia materna.

The objective of this study was to identify the level of knowledge and the experience towards breastfeeding of medical personnel (obstetricians and pediatricians) in two private hospitals in Metropolitan San Juan, Puerto Rico. An exploratory research design was used for the study. The studied population consisted of obstetricians and pediatricians practicing in those hospitals. The sample was non-probabilistic and was selected according to availability for participation among the physicians who visited those hospitals in June 1997. The sample was made up of 55 physicians (29 pediatricians and 26 obstetricians). Descriptive statistics, crosstab tables, chi square and Fisher Exact tests were used to establish association between the physician's specialty and his/her knowledge and experience on breastfeeding. It was found that both the pediatricians and the obstetricians studied had lack of knowledge in areas related to breastfeeding and little practical experience in the management of breastfeeding.

[Obstetricians and pediatricians: experience with breastfeeding in their residency programs]. / Obstetras y pediatras: experiencia con la lactancia materna en sus programas de residencia.

A prior study had the objective of identifying knowledge and experience on breastfeeding of obstetricians and pediatricians in two private hospitals of the Metropolitan Area of San Juan, Puerto Rico. This study presents the experience of those physicians regarding breastfeeding education during their residency training. An exploratory research design was used, the sample was non-probabilistic and was selected according to availability for participation among the physicians who visited those hospitals during June, 1997. The studied sample included 29 pediatricians and 26 obstetricians. Descriptive statistics and crosstab tables were used to describe the results. It was found that participating physicians had little or no exposition to breastfeeding related topics during their respective residency programs. They are aware of the importance of their role in the achievement of successful breastfeeding. They perceive themselves as effective in stimulating breastfeeding although they recognize that they should have received better training on the subject. This attitude is worrisome in face of the fact that this same group presented significant deficiencies in a previous study with regards to knowledge in the management of breastfeeding.