Loma Linda University
Health Promotion and Education
Objective. To assess Peruvian mothers’ knowledge and recognition of pneumonia in chil- dren under 5 years of age, the mothers’ attitude toward seeking medical help if they had a child with signs of pneumonia, and their perception of a... more
Objective. To assess Peruvian mothers’ knowledge and recognition of pneumonia in chil-
dren under 5 years of age, the mothers’ attitude toward seeking medical help if they had a child
with signs of pneumonia, and their perception of a Government of Peru pneumonia campaign.
Methods. In this cross-sectional study, 501 mothers were selected randomly from 20 low-
income communities of the metropolitan area of Lima, Peru, and were interviewed between
June and August 2000. Using SPSS software, descriptive statistics were applied to summa-
rize the demographic data and the data regarding the mothers’ knowledge of pneumonia and
recognition of signs of the disease. Cross-tabulations and chi-squares were done to assess rela-
tionships between variables and to make comparisons.
Results. About 84% of the mothers said that they knew what pneumonia is. Most believed
that pneumonia is dangerous. A majority (58.7%) indicated that pneumonia is caused by lack
of parental care. Only 28.9% believed that a virus causes the disease. More than 80% correctly
picked rapid breathing and/or chest retraction from a list of possible signs and symptoms of
pneumonia, and 94.6% said they were ready to take their child to the closest health center if
they thought their child had pneumonia. Although 57.1% said they had heard about the Gov-
ernment of Peru pneumonia campaign, 69.3% of these mothers said they could not recall the
motto of the campaign. Mothers who reported having heard of the campaign through TV were
more likely than other mothers to correctly recognize the two major signs of pneumonia pre-
sented in the campaign.
Conclusions. Although the percentage of mothers believing they can recognize pneumonia
through rapid breathing and chest retraction seems to have increased in recent years, there is
still a sizable percentage of mothers who remain uninformed about pneumonia and its possi-
ble fatal consequences. Efforts need to continue to educate Peruvian mothers about the causes,
recognition of the signs, and treatment of pneumonia. The results suggest that the Govern-
ment of Peru pneumonia campaign should use television much more, as well as the health cen-
ters, where most of the mothers receive medical attention and health information.
dren under 5 years of age, the mothers’ attitude toward seeking medical help if they had a child
with signs of pneumonia, and their perception of a Government of Peru pneumonia campaign.
Methods. In this cross-sectional study, 501 mothers were selected randomly from 20 low-
income communities of the metropolitan area of Lima, Peru, and were interviewed between
June and August 2000. Using SPSS software, descriptive statistics were applied to summa-
rize the demographic data and the data regarding the mothers’ knowledge of pneumonia and
recognition of signs of the disease. Cross-tabulations and chi-squares were done to assess rela-
tionships between variables and to make comparisons.
Results. About 84% of the mothers said that they knew what pneumonia is. Most believed
that pneumonia is dangerous. A majority (58.7%) indicated that pneumonia is caused by lack
of parental care. Only 28.9% believed that a virus causes the disease. More than 80% correctly
picked rapid breathing and/or chest retraction from a list of possible signs and symptoms of
pneumonia, and 94.6% said they were ready to take their child to the closest health center if
they thought their child had pneumonia. Although 57.1% said they had heard about the Gov-
ernment of Peru pneumonia campaign, 69.3% of these mothers said they could not recall the
motto of the campaign. Mothers who reported having heard of the campaign through TV were
more likely than other mothers to correctly recognize the two major signs of pneumonia pre-
sented in the campaign.
Conclusions. Although the percentage of mothers believing they can recognize pneumonia
through rapid breathing and chest retraction seems to have increased in recent years, there is
still a sizable percentage of mothers who remain uninformed about pneumonia and its possi-
ble fatal consequences. Efforts need to continue to educate Peruvian mothers about the causes,
recognition of the signs, and treatment of pneumonia. The results suggest that the Govern-
ment of Peru pneumonia campaign should use television much more, as well as the health cen-
ters, where most of the mothers receive medical attention and health information.
- by Cesar A Galvez and +1
- •
- Health Education, Peru, Adolescent, Humans
The Theory of Planned Behavior was used to assess predictors of Peruvian mothers seeking medical help when they believed their child had signs of pneumonia. Open-ended interviews to identify beliefs were followed by a questionnaire... more
The Theory of Planned Behavior was used to assess predictors of Peruvian mothers seeking medical help when they believed their child had signs of pneumonia. Open-ended interviews to identify beliefs were followed by a questionnaire administered to 500 mothers from low-income settlements in Lima in June and July 2000. Subjective norm (what important referents want) was the best predictor of intention, followed by mothers' feelings about how easy it would be to take the child to the clinic. Attitude toward taking the child to a clinic was not a significant predictor of intention. This study indicates a stronger role for subjective norm than attitudes and perceived control in similar studies done with this model in other settings. It, of course, only predicts intention to act and not behavior, important here given social-economic barriers, e.g., cost, to access to care among this study group.
- by Cesar A Galvez and +1
- •
Purpose: This study aimed to determine gender and race variations in regards to the influence of religious involvement (RI) as moderator of the effects of early traumatic stress (ETS) on health related quality of life among adult... more
Purpose: This study aimed to determine gender and race variations in regards to the influence of religious involvement (RI) as moderator of the effects of early traumatic stress (ETS) on health related quality of life among adult survivors of child abuse. Design: A cross-sectional predictive design was used to study Seventh-day Adventist (SDA) adults in North America (N=10,283). Methods: A secondary analysis of data collected via questionnaires was done using multiple regression.
Results: Data revealed that women had a significantly higher prevalence of any or all ETS subtypes, except for physical abuse prevalence, which was the same for both genders. Blacks reported significantly higher prevalence of at least one ETS subtype than Whites, except for neglect where Whites had higher prevalence. Exposure to at least one ETS subtype was associated with worse negative effect on mental health (B=-2.08, p<.0001 versus B=-1.54, p=<.0001) and physical health (B=-2.01, p<.0001 versus B=-1.11, p<.0001) for women compared to men. Among those exposed to all ETS subtypes (N = 447), Whites had significant worse physical health, with White women having almost two times the negative effect on physical health (B=-4.50, p<.0001) than White men (B=-2.87, p<.05). As for RI moderation, based on tests of 3-way interactions of race-RI-ETS there were no associated differences. However, test of 3-way interactions of gender-RI-ETS showed a significant buffering effect. Among those with high levels of negative religious coping (RC), females exposed to ETS had significantly worse physical health (B=-1.28) than males.
Conclusion: Results give evidence of gender and racial differences on the magnitude of the ETS-health effect, as well as gender differences in the ETS-health buffering by RC. Clinical Relevance: Findings suggest gender and racial differences must be considered when devising holistic nursing interventions for improving health outcomes of early trauma survivors.
Results: Data revealed that women had a significantly higher prevalence of any or all ETS subtypes, except for physical abuse prevalence, which was the same for both genders. Blacks reported significantly higher prevalence of at least one ETS subtype than Whites, except for neglect where Whites had higher prevalence. Exposure to at least one ETS subtype was associated with worse negative effect on mental health (B=-2.08, p<.0001 versus B=-1.54, p=<.0001) and physical health (B=-2.01, p<.0001 versus B=-1.11, p<.0001) for women compared to men. Among those exposed to all ETS subtypes (N = 447), Whites had significant worse physical health, with White women having almost two times the negative effect on physical health (B=-4.50, p<.0001) than White men (B=-2.87, p<.05). As for RI moderation, based on tests of 3-way interactions of race-RI-ETS there were no associated differences. However, test of 3-way interactions of gender-RI-ETS showed a significant buffering effect. Among those with high levels of negative religious coping (RC), females exposed to ETS had significantly worse physical health (B=-1.28) than males.
Conclusion: Results give evidence of gender and racial differences on the magnitude of the ETS-health effect, as well as gender differences in the ETS-health buffering by RC. Clinical Relevance: Findings suggest gender and racial differences must be considered when devising holistic nursing interventions for improving health outcomes of early trauma survivors.
Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine the role of religious involvement and related indicators - religious coping, intrinsic religiosity, forgiveness and gratitude - in reducing the negative impact of early traumatic stress... more
Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine the role of religious involvement and related indicators - religious coping, intrinsic religiosity, forgiveness and gratitude - in reducing the negative impact of early traumatic stress on the mental and physical health of adult survivors.
Design and Methods: Multiple linear regressions were used to analyze self-reported data of 10,283 Seventh-day Adventist men and women across North America. The study also included an original analysis on a subsample (n=496) of the larger group, examining diabetes risk factors in conjunction with Adverse Childhood Events (ACE) data.
Results: Higher early trauma scores were associated with decreased mental health (B= -1.93 p<.0001) and physical health (B= -1.53, p<.0001). The negative effect of early trauma on mental health was reduced by intrinsic religiosity (B=.52, p=.011), positive religious coping (B=.61, p=.025), forgiveness (B=.32 p=.025) and gratitude (B=.87 p=.001).
Conclusion: Adult survivors of early trauma experienced worse mental and physical health; however, forgiveness, gratitude, positive religious coping, and intrinsic religiosity were protective against poor mental health. The findings support a holistic perspective in the care of childhood trauma survivors.
Keywords: Abuse, religious coping, child abuse, forgiveness, gratitude, family violence
Design and Methods: Multiple linear regressions were used to analyze self-reported data of 10,283 Seventh-day Adventist men and women across North America. The study also included an original analysis on a subsample (n=496) of the larger group, examining diabetes risk factors in conjunction with Adverse Childhood Events (ACE) data.
Results: Higher early trauma scores were associated with decreased mental health (B= -1.93 p<.0001) and physical health (B= -1.53, p<.0001). The negative effect of early trauma on mental health was reduced by intrinsic religiosity (B=.52, p=.011), positive religious coping (B=.61, p=.025), forgiveness (B=.32 p=.025) and gratitude (B=.87 p=.001).
Conclusion: Adult survivors of early trauma experienced worse mental and physical health; however, forgiveness, gratitude, positive religious coping, and intrinsic religiosity were protective against poor mental health. The findings support a holistic perspective in the care of childhood trauma survivors.
Keywords: Abuse, religious coping, child abuse, forgiveness, gratitude, family violence