1.Effects of Adolescent Peer Education on the Health Consciousness of Rural Area Residents in the United Mexican States
Shingo Esumi ; Kazutaka Yoshida ; Ritei Uehara ; Sanae Haruyama ; Hisako Takamura ; Eiko Asou
Journal of International Health 2014;29(4):267-275
Objective
The authors were engaged in an adolescent peer leader project. While the main target of this peer education was adolescent students, evaluation of a ripple effect on local residents is a necessary step for the development of peer education activities. Accordingly, the object of this study was to assess whether adolescent peer education had improved the health consciousness and knowledge of the local residents of a rural area of Mexico.
Method
The subjects were residents aged between 12 and 69 years living in the districts covered by 3 public health centers in the Poza Rica district, Veracruz State. A list of residents in this age group was prepared, and 50% of all the households in each area were randomly selected. From March to April 2010, before the start of the activities, an interview survey was conducted.
Results
Regarding the question on self-esteem, the percentage of respondents who reported being as capable as most other people significantly increased (p < 0.001). On lifestyle, the percentage of people who reported consuming vegetables and fruits daily or once in 23 days significantly increased (p < 0.001). Regarding knowledge about STDs and contraception, the rate of correct answers about STDs decreased in the second measurement, while the percentage of correct answers about contraception significantly increased. On peer education, the percentage of people who had heard of the term “peer educator” significantly increased (p < 0.001).
Conclusion
The current adolescent peer education activity undertaken in a rural area of Mexico improved self-esteem and health consciousness in other residents of the community. The ripple effect on the entire community was limited for knowledge of STDs and contraception. However it was suggested that the increase of motivation for attendance to health education in the community could be a stepping stone to the spread of knowledge.
2.Unmet needs for education and training among palliative care physicians in training: a qualitative study
Tomohiro Nishi ; Masanori Mori ; Sadahisa Matsumoto ; Kyoko Satou ; Junko Uemoto ; Shingo Miyamoto ; Tomofumi Miura ; Meiko Kuriya ; Kimiko Nakano ; Kazuki Satou ; Tatsunori Shimoi ; Keita Tagami ; Yuuta Esumi ; Daisuke Sakai ; Takahiro Kogawa ; Tatsuya Morita
Palliative Care Research 2013;8(2):184-191
Background: The demand for palliative care in Japan has risen over recent years, and training of palliative care physicians is an important problem. However, little is known about unmet needs for education and training systems as well as career development among young physicians who wish to specialize in palliative care. Purpose: To explore unmet needs among palliative care physicians in training. Method: We held group discussions in a forum for physicians of postgraduate year≦15, and analyzed their opinion on topics such as "what are unmet needs?" using theme analysis. Results: Forty physicians participated. Theme analysis revealed the following unmet needs among young physicians; "securing of manpower", "securing of quality of training programs/education", "improvement of network", "removal of many barriers to keeping on a palliative care physician", and "establishment of career models for a specialist". Conclusions: We should discuss solutions for the unmet needs to secure more palliative care physicians.