RESUMEN

This study examines the relationships among health-related quality of life (HRQL), social support, sociodemographic factors and disease-related factors in persons infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) living in Venezuela. A sample of 118 HIV-infected persons living in Caracas, Venezuela, was surveyed using a written questionnaire that included a Spanish translation of the Interpersonal Support Evaluation List (ISEL) developed for this study, the Medical Outcomes Study Short Form-36 (SF-36) and a symptom inventory. All three instruments showed good internal consistency reliability. Multiple regression analyses were used to model SF-36 sub-scale scores as a function of symptoms, social support, HIV-status and use of antiretroviral drugs. The models explained between 16 and 39% of the variance in the different HRQL domains. Controlling for other variables in the model, level of symptomatology was significantly associated with all HRQL domains except social functioning and role-emotional scores. Social support was significantly associated with all HRQL domains except physical functioning and bodily pain. The use of antiretroviral drugs was significantly associated with social functioning. The study indicates the importance of social support to the quality of life of HIV-infected individuals in this culture.

Asunto(s)

Infecciones por VIH/psicología , Calidad de Vida , Apoyo Social , Adulto , Factores de Edad , Anciano , Análisis de Varianza , Estudios Transversales , Femenino , Infecciones por VIH/epidemiología , Humanos , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Análisis de Regresión , Reproducibilidad de los Resultados , Factores Socioeconómicos , Encuestas y Cuestionarios , Venezuela/epidemiología

RESUMEN

PIP: Explanations of the fertility transition in Costa Rica, as elsewhere in developing societies, have stressed the impacts of socioeconomic changes on the demand for children and of increased supply of family planning services. This paper goes beyond this demand-supply paradigm and examines the additional causal contribution of the "contagion" of birth control practices by social interaction. Aiming at conceptual precision, a simple dynamic model is used to simulate a fertility transition process with interaction diffusion effects. An inspection of the data about the Costa Rican transition shows several characteristics suggesting interaction diffusion effects, notably its pervasiveness toward all socioeconomic strata and the lack of evidence of a downward shift in fertility preferences. Maps of the timing of fertility transition indicate an ordered spatial pattern suggestive of contagion between neighboring areas. An areal regression analysis reveals inter- and within-area contagion effects on birth control adoption. Focus group discussions show real-life situations of interaction diffusion for birth control adoption. These discussions also give qualitative hints of the circumstances surrounding diffusion of birth control, as well as give hints of major value changes that paralleled fertility transition in Costa Rica. (author's)^ieng

Asunto(s)

Tasa de Natalidad , Comunicación , Servicios de Planificación Familiar , Modelos Teóricos , Dinámica Poblacional , Apoyo Social , Américas , América Central , Costa Rica , Demografía , Países en Desarrollo , Composición Familiar , Fertilidad , Relaciones Interpersonales , América Latina , América del Norte , Población , Investigación

RESUMEN

PIP: In Lima, Peru, a study was conducted that evaluated the influences on mothers' decisions regarding breastfeeding. Local views and health professional advice was ascertained. A follow-up study of a group of pregnant women was conducted to assess knowledge, attitude, and practice in regard to the early feeding of their children. The women were interviewed in their homes before delivery, as soon as possible after delivery, and twice a week until their babies were 1 month old. The experience of the mother was the key factor, but advice from relatives, neighbors, and health professionals was also important. A lack of information about exclusive breast feeding was common. Although the women knew breast feeding was good, they were unaware that exclusive breast feeding was best. Health workers knew to advise against other milks, but failed to advise mothers against the use of herbal teas and sweetened water as supplements. The women commonly believed they were unable to produce enough milk to feed their children because of their own undernourishment. Others believed exclusive breast feeding would worsen their own health, while some experienced difficulties breast feeding. This led to supplementation with other milks; herbal teas were given to cure colic and to quench infants' thirst. Based on these findings, the project focused educational efforts on providing better information to mothers. Messages stressed the thirst quenching property of breast milk and its similar benefits to herbal tea, which should be consumed by the mother, rather than the infant. Since breast feeding practices were closely linked to mothers' beliefs about their own needs, the project emphasized the value and needs of the mother and the benefits of breast feeding for her. Educational activities, which continued for 12 months, included videos shown to small groups of mothers, posters, distribution of pamphlets, and messages broadcast over loudspeakers. A significant increase in the number of children aged 0-4 months being exclusively breast fed was observed; however, the increase only occurred in the second, third, and fourth month. This seemed to be a direct result of the decrease in use of herbal teas and sweetened waters. The number of women using other milks as supplements did not decrease significantly.^ieng

Asunto(s)

Lactancia Materna , Recolección de Datos , Atención a la Salud , Estudios de Evaluación como Asunto , Estudios de Seguimiento , Procesos de Grupo , Educación en Salud , Conocimientos, Actitudes y Práctica en Salud , Personal de Salud , Planificación en Salud , Relaciones Interpersonales , Entrevistas como Asunto , Medios de Comunicación de Masas , Madres , Enseñanza , Grabación de Cinta de Video , Américas , Comunicación , Países en Desarrollo , Educación , Composición Familiar , Relaciones Familiares , Salud , Fenómenos Fisiológicos Nutricionales del Lactante , América Latina , Fenómenos Fisiológicos de la Nutrición , Organización y Administración , Padres , Perú , Investigación , Muestreo , América del Sur , Grabación en Cinta

RESUMEN

This study investigates "why and how Salvadorian migrants came to the United States, and the implications of their migration....First, it presents evidence that the dichotomy used to distinguish economic and political migrations may not be adequate for examining current migration trends....Second, it illustrates the importance of social networks in international migrations from politically conflictive regions....Third, it points out that assumptions regarding the viability of social networks as sources of support among immigrants may also need revision." (SUMMARY IN FRE AND SPA)

Asunto(s)

Economía , Emigración e Inmigración , Estudios de Evaluación como Asunto , Motivación , Política , Investigación , Apoyo Social , Migrantes , Américas , Conducta , América Central , Demografía , Países Desarrollados , Países en Desarrollo , El Salvador , Composición Familiar , Relaciones Interpersonales , América Latina , América del Norte , Población , Dinámica Poblacional , Psicología , Estados Unidos

RESUMEN

PIP: In 1989, Pro-Pater, a private, nonprofit family planning organization in Brazil, used attractive ads with the message Vasectomy, An Act of Love to promote vasectomy. The number of vasectomies performed/day at Pro-Pater clinics increased from 11 to 20 during the publicity campaign and fell after the ads stopped but continued at higher levels. Word of mouth communication among friends, neighbors, and relatives who had vasectomies maintained these high levels. This type of communication reduced the fear that often involves vasectomies because men hear from men they know and trust that vasectomies are harmless and do not deprive them of potency. In Sao Paulo, the percentage of men familiar with vasectomies and how they are performed increased after the campaign, but in Salvador, knowledge did not increase even though the number of vasectomies in Pro-Pater clinics increased. Organizations in Colombia and Guatemala have also been effective in educating men about vasectomies. These successes were especially relevant in Latin American where machismo has been an obstacle of family planning programs. The no-scalpel technique 1st introduced in China in 1974 reduces the fear of vasectomy and has fewer complications than the conventional technique. Further trained physicians can perform the no-scalpel technique in about 10 minutes compared with 15 minutes for the conventional technique. In 1987 during a 1-day festival in Thailand, physicians averaged 57 no-scalpel vasectomies/day compared with only 33 for conventional vasectomies. This technique has not spread to Guatemala, Brazil, Colombia, the US, and some countries in Asia and Africa. Extensive research does not indicate that vasectomy has an increased risk of testicular cancer, prostate cancer, and myocardial infarction. Physicians are working on ways to improve vasectomy.^ieng

Asunto(s)

Publicidad , Actitud , Estudios de Evaluación como Asunto , Miedo , Relaciones Interpersonales , Conocimiento , Medios de Comunicación de Masas , Siliconas , Reversión de la Esterilización , Televisión , Vasectomía , Américas , Asia , Asia Sudoriental , Conducta , Brasil , Fenómenos Químicos , Química , China , Comunicación , Países en Desarrollo , Economía , Emociones , Composición Familiar , Servicios de Planificación Familiar , Asia Oriental , Compuestos Inorgánicos , América Latina , Comercialización de los Servicios de Salud , Psicología , Silicio , América del Sur , Esterilización Reproductiva , Tailandia

RESUMEN

PIP: This paper postulates that there is a continuous exchange of information and knowledge between those who share the common bond of having migrated to the US. The individual components of this information exchange constitute social networks. The 2 hypotheses tested are 1) immediate social networks and people known in the US facilitate the flow of information both to new migrants and between established migrants, thus promoting upward social mobility; and 2) access to broader network ties, organization membership, extra-ethnic friendships, and familiarity with established institutions smooths the transition process, resulting in increased social position. The data used comes from a study conducted in 1982-1983 in 4 Mexican sending communities (2 rural, 2 urban), for a total of 440 migrants. Results show that migrants in every socioeconomic bracket reported access to some or all social network characteristics. There was contact with either a family member or acquaintances from the migrants' town of origin. Over 50% of migrants reported knowing many fellow townspeople. Twice as many migrants belong to a sports club as to a social or religious organization. Very few rural migrants report knowing no townspeople, while 32% of urban migrants claim no knowledge of fellow migrants from their town of origin. Urban origin migrants report more contacts with those of other ethnicity than rural migrants. Those employed in agriculture are least acquainted with social information and contacts, while those in skilled and service sectors are well acquainted with them. The results of fact and analysis show that 1) access to personal US networks results in an average 4.4 point advantage in occupational prestige scores over no access, and 2) utilizing institutional US networks combined with any cumulative US experience gives a migrant a 5 point advantage over a fellow migrant with identical experience level but no institutional network contacts. This is also true for institutional Mexican networks. Thus success or failure in migrating is partly due to migrants' societal infrastructure and the fact that available information and social networks are accessed and utilized differently by different migrants.^ieng

Asunto(s)

Emigración e Inmigración , Empleo , Servicios de Información , Relaciones Interpersonales , Clase Social , Migrantes , Américas , Comunicación , Demografía , Países Desarrollados , Países en Desarrollo , Economía , Composición Familiar , América Latina , México , América del Norte , Población , Dinámica Poblacional , Factores Socioeconómicos , Estados Unidos

RESUMEN

PIP: The author discusses progress made in measuring international migration and proposes a method based on the use of information from censuses of countries of origin, with emphasis on the geographic location of relatives' residence. This method is evaluated using data for migration from Barbados and Colombia to Venezuela and the United States. (SUMMARY IN ENG)^ieng

Asunto(s)

Recolección de Datos , Emigración e Inmigración , Geografía , Relaciones Interpersonales , Métodos , Proyectos de Investigación , Américas , Barbados , Región del Caribe , Colombia , Demografía , Países Desarrollados , Países en Desarrollo , Composición Familiar , América Latina , América del Norte , Población , Dinámica Poblacional , Investigación , América del Sur , Estados Unidos , Venezuela

RESUMEN

PIP: The author first discusses past studies of Italian migration chains by researchers Price and MacDonald in the United States and Australia in order to better explain the findings of the numerous and more recent surveys of Italian migrants living in Argentina. These studies constitute a further enrichment of the theories about the mechanisms of migration chain, including mediation and exploitation of the migrant flow. The Italian migration chain, even though it plays a fundamental role in the Argentinian case, offers some remarkable differences such as 1) The lack of entry restrictions for migrants, 2) an easier process of adaptation and integration into Argentinian society, 3) a strong community organization in the Plata region, and 4) a wider inner diversification of the Italian community. All these elements lead to the conclusion that a less powerful "padrone" system and a stronger and more autonomous kinship chain are present in Argentina than in some other receiving countries. The author also ponders whether chain migrations are more propitious than other types and recognizes the value of this type of investigation in planning courses of action.^ieng

Asunto(s)

Emigración e Inmigración , Migrantes , Aculturación , Américas , Argentina , Conducta , Demografía , Países Desarrollados , Países en Desarrollo , Europa (Continente) , Relaciones Interpersonales , Italia , América Latina , Población , Dinámica Poblacional , Características de la Residencia , Cambio Social , América del Sur

RESUMEN

PIP: This study sought to determine the beliefs of nursing students on human sexuality, their information sources, and persons influencing their opinion. A survey conducted December 1983 to January 1985 targeted female graduating students in Nursing and Obstetrics at the University of Sao Paulo (USP) School of Nursing; its findings were then compared to similar studies conducted among the general population. The findings show that the target population and general population opinions differ little, reflecting fear and prejudice about sexual practices. Also, the professional training of Brazil's nurses failed to include a fundamental understanding of human sexuality. The 42 respondents are characterized as follows: age 21 to 36 years; 95.2% single; 88% childless; 59.5% born in the city of Sao Paulo; 88% born in the state of Sao Paulo; 85.7% with long term residence in urban areas and state capitals; and 92.5% attended 4 years of nursing school at USP. Results showed: 47.6% favored premarital sex; 26.2% espoused premarital virginity for men and 19% for women; roughly 60% disapproved of extramarital relations for both sexes. 75% considered masturbation normal for both sexes; about 90% approved of contraceptive practices for men and women; 90.5% favored family planning; 26% were strictly against abortion; nearly 60% found prostitution unacceptable for both sexes; and homosexuality in both sexes was considered taboo by 42.8%, and acceptable by 14%. The vast majority favored sexual education at all levels. Regarding sources of sexual infomation: books, magazines and encyclopedias comprised 25%; male friends, 10%; girlfriends, 9.4%; boyfriends 8%; and, the University of Sao Paulo School of Nursing, a mere 6.5%. The persons who influenced their opinions were: first, boyfriend (23.7%) followed by mother, girlfriends and male friends; second, girlfriend (28.5%) followed by boyfriend and male friend; third, girlfriend, boyfriend, male friend, and teachers (7.1% each); fourth, brother (7.1%) followed by nursing instructor with a mere 2.4%; and fifth, divided among parents, schoolmates, father, and family (10% each).^ieng

Asunto(s)

Actitud , Conducta Sexual , Estudiantes de Enfermería/psicología , Conducta Anticonceptiva , Femenino , Encuestas Epidemiológicas , Humanos , Masculino

RESUMEN

PIP: The influence of acculturation among Mexican American adolescents was examined in reference to attitudes toward pregnancy and motherhood, contraceptive and reproductive knowledge, and the role of family and peers both as behavioral models and as support networks. Data were collected by administering questionnaires to 122 adolescent participants of the Los Angeles County Supplementary Food Program for Women, Infants, and Children. The adolescents were either pregnant or had given birth to a child during the previous 12 month, 2 age cohorts were analyzed. 61 teenagers werein the 13-17 year cohort, and 61 were in the 18-20 year cohort. Each cohort was further subdivided into the 3 categories of less accultured Mexican Americans more acculturated Mexican Americans, and white non-Hispanics. Respondent's predominant use of either Spanish or English was usedto categorize by acculturation level. The 6 subgroups resulting from the age and cultural classifications were compared with reference to demographic characteristics, social networks, contraceptive knowledge and usage, and fertility knowledge. Most of the adolescents in each subgroup lived inhouseholds with annual incomes of less than US $5500, but the proportion of less acculturated Mexican Americans, aged 13-17, living in low income households was higher (82.4%) than for the other subgroups. The less acculturated Mexican Americans in both age groups were more likely to follow the Mexican tradition of marrying if a pregnancy occurred. The percentage among the less acculturated group was 47.4% for those aged 13-17 and 85.0% for those aged 18-20. Respective proportions were 22.7% and 61.9% for the more acculturated group and 0.0% and 45.0% for the non-)hispanic group. Less acculturated Mexican Americans were more likely to discontinue their schooling when they became pregnant than other adolescents. Adolescents in all subgroups tended to come from families which exerted little parental control over adolescent dating behavior. Most of the adolescents in each subgroup relied most heavily on their mothers for emotional support; however, the less acculturated adolescents relied less heavily on their mothers because their mothers frequently resided in Mexico. The less acculturated teenagers relied much less on peers for support than the other subgroups and were somewhat isolated from peer contact. The more acculturated Mexican Americans exhibited a number of traits indicative of adolescents in conflict. They were more knowledgeable about reproduction than other subgroups, but they were less likely to use contraceptives than the other groups. They were also more likely to reject parental guidelines and to have a higher proportion of unplanned pregnancies than the other groups. Findings indicate that acculturation levels should be taken into account in counseling Mexican American adolescents. For less acculturated teenagers, efforts should be made to create a support network of peers and family substitutes. More acculturated teenagers need greater access to contraceptives, and social workers should encourage the members of the adolescent's social network to provide additional support and understanding.^ieng

Asunto(s)

Hispánicos o Latinos/psicología , Embarazo en Adolescencia , Medio Social , Apoyo Social , Aculturación , Adolescente , Adulto , Familia , Femenino , Conocimientos, Actitudes y Práctica en Salud , Humanos , Estilo de Vida , México/etnología , Grupo Paritario , Embarazo , Estados Unidos

Asunto(s)

Aculturación , Emigración e Inmigración , Hispánicos o Latinos , Relaciones Interpersonales , Clase Social , Migrantes , Américas , Cultura , Demografía , Países Desarrollados , Economía , Empleo , Etnicidad , Composición Familiar , Renta , América del Norte , Población , Características de la Población , Dinámica Poblacional , Cambio Social , Factores Socioeconómicos , Estados Unidos