Posted by James
The findings in this article suggest that many adults are not well-informed about the benefits or potential side-effects of influenza and pneumococcal vaccinations and that their physicians are not routinely recommending these vaccinations, even though all study participants were either age-appropriate or had clinical indications to receive a strong recommendation for influenza and pneumococcal immunizations. Participants largely agreed that they want more information regarding the influenza and pneumococcal vaccines and that adult vaccination delivery needs to be conveniently available in more community-based sites, such as churches. Attitudinal factors regarding convenience of vaccination location confirm a previously reported study, which demonstrated that convenience was a major factor in adult vaccination decisions.
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Posted by James
We interviewed a convenience sample of 22 men and women, mean age 62 years (range 46-80 years), who self-identified as white (n=3), Latino (n=9), and African-American (n=10). Sociodemographic and other health-related characteristics are depicted. The Latino participants were all foreign-born and came from Mexico, Central America, and Puerto Rico. In general, most of the participants were women (77%) and had health insurance. Each focus group had an average of 5.5 participants (range 3-10).
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Posted by James
We used a qualitative study design to better understand racial and ethnic differences in knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions regarding adult vaccinations and to assess the practicality of delivering adult vaccinations in community churches. Content analysis was performed to analyze the narrative data obtained through four focus groups completed in Catholic community churches in San Francisco between April and June 2003. The focus groups were conducted in the language of preference (English or Spanish). Participants were presented with a basic definition of the three primary adult vaccinations (e.g., flu, pneumonia, and tetanus) at the beginning of the focus group. Then, several open-ended questions were posed, such as, “Please tell us in your own words what you have heard about adult immunizations,” “Have you heard of the flu or tetanus vaccine?,” or “What do you know about the pneumonia vaccine?” Each focus group was professionally taped, transcribed verbatim, translated (Spanish to English), and submitted for thematic analysis by four of the investigators. Phrases and sentences were the unit of analysis.
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Posted by James
INTRODUCTION
Vaccinations have dramatically improved the health of Americans, but many, including racial and ethnic minorities, still do not have adequate immunization. Compelling evidence supports annual influenza vaccination in patients age >50 years and one pneumococcal vaccination in all persons age >65 years. It is poorly understood why racial and ethnic minorities are less likely to utilize adult immunizations. Some data suggest that educational, logistical, and psychological factors may affect a patient’s utilization of preventive medicine, particularly adult vaccinations. Even among those with access to healthcare, and among recipients of Medicare and Medicaid health insurance programs—which pay for influenza and pneumococcal vaccines—rates of adult vaccinations remain lower among minorities than among their white counterparts.
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Posted by James
This study presents baseline data of college-aged populations on body weight by gender, ethnicity and gender-ethnicity subgroups. It addresses the question whether there are ethnic differences in anthropometric measurements and body composition (body fat, lean and water), and their association with CHD risk factors. We observed statistically significant differences between males and females with males being heavier and taller, which was expected. Black non-Hispanic females were taller and heavier than white non-Hispanic and Hispanic females. Males had higher BMIs than females. More females were classified in the underweight category than males. Black non-Hispanic females were significantly (p<0.017) more likely than white non-Hispanic females to be overweight. Our data are consistent with observations from the National College Health Risk Behavior Survey (NCHRBS), indicating that black non-Hispanic students (33.5%) are significantly more likely than white non-Hispanic (19.5%) and Hispanic (20.8%) students to be overweight. Black non-Hispanic female students (35.8%) are significantly more likely than white non-Hispanic (18.5%) and Hispanic (16.8%) female students to be overweight. Black non-Hispanic male students (30.3%) were significantly more likely than white non-Hispanic male (19.5%) students to be overweight.
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Posted by James
The 300 subjects—50% males and 50% females—were recruited among the targeted three ethnic groups. One-third were white non-Hispanic, one-third were Hispanic, and one-third were black non-Hispanic. The mean age was 20.8 ± 3.9 (mean ± SD). The mean weight was 150.6 ± 30.2 lbs (Table 1). Significant differences were found in height (p<0.001) and weight (p<0.002), with black non-Hispanic females being taller (66.1 ± 2.7 inches) than white non-Hispanic females and Hispanic females (64.6 ± 2.8 inches and 64.0 ± 2.5 inches, respectively), and black non-Hispanic females being heavier (141.1 ± 28.7 lbs) than white non-Hispanic females and Hispanic females (126.6 ± 14.6 lbs and 129.8 ± 18.3 lbs, respectively). The mean BMI was 23.2 ± 3.5 kg/m2. Males had significantly (p<0.001) higher BMIs (24.3 ± 3.5 kg/m2) than females (22.0 ± 3.2 kg/m2) (Table 1). Significant differences were found (p<0.043) in the underweight category, with 8.9% of females being underweight compared to 1.1% of males. Significant differences (p<0.017) were found in the overweight category, with 30% of black non-Hispanic females being overweight compared to 6.7% of white non-Hispanic females (Table 2).
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Posted by James
Subject Recruitment and Selection
Three-hundred college students at Florida International University (FIU) were recruited to participate in an American Heart Association-sponsored study. Subjects were recruited using flyers distributed in classrooms and areas where they socialize on campus. Subjects who were students at FIU during 1999-2000, of age <40 years, males and females, any major except nutrition (to eliminate bias, nutrition students have better knowledge of CHD prevention and treatment) and originated from one of the three targeted ethnic groups—that is, Hispanics, black non-Hispanics and white non-Hispanics. Sub jects were asked to report to the investigator’s laboratory on campus to take part in the study. Only one visit was necessary to collect all of the required data, and the entire process took approximately one hour. Subjects signed an informed-consent form approved by the FIU Institutional Review Board prior to participation in the study.
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