Decreasing Stigma/Increasing Resilience
Exploration of the Downstream Health Effects of Adolescent Rites of Passage Experiences
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session Kelly McDermott, Michaela George
This exploratory study examines adolescent health behaviors, the health behaviors of family members, the role of cultural heritage, and participation in coming-of-age rites of passage programs or activities during adolescence as determinants of young adult health behaviors. In traditional cultures, a coming-of-age rite of passage is a ritualized event where community members help guide adolescents into adulthood. The event becomes a threshold that defines the adolescent’s new place in the community as an adult. This study investigates these potential connections of adolescent experiences and later health behaviors in two ways. First, by surveying young adults from two local university populations. Young adults will be asked about their adolescent experiences, including programs, activities or events that focused on a transition into adulthood and their current health behaviors. Second, with in-depth interviews with young adults who participated in a coming-of-age rites of passage program during their adolescence. Through these investigations, we hope to elucidate how adolescent experiences, and particularly those of coming-of-age rites of passage programs and activities, affect health behaviors and possibly chronic diseases later in life.
Social Stigma and Resilience as Perceived by People Living with HIV
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session Agnes Crisostomo
In this study, forty (40) people living with HIV (PLHIV) were selected from two different HIV Support groups. Participants were all males, age ranges from 31 to 40, living with their families, finished Bachelor’s degree, and were all unemployed. Two instruments were used; Resilience Scale (Legan & Seward, 2016)and Stigma Scale (Steward, 2008) Descriptive method and Pearson correlation analysis was used as the primary statistical treatment to determine if such correlation and significance exist with both variables. Pearson Correlation analysis showed that Social Stigma was significantly associated with resilience. On the other hand, Social Stigma and Resilience sub-scales and domains were negatively correlated to each other. The researchers recommended that people living with HIV (PLHIV) to be a part of a support group to lessen the stigma and elevate their resiliency.
Patients’ Satisfaction in Chronic Kidney Diseases Clinics under the Policy of Ministry of Public Health
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session Supang Wattanasoei, Sasitorn Taptagaporn, Sirima Mongkolsomlit, Nitchamon Rakkapao, Teeraphun Kaewdok
Currently, chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a global health problem. In Thailand, the ministry of public health has implemented the policy to provide the care for CKD patients in the public hospitals by a multidisciplinary health professional team as the chronic kidney disease clinics (CKD clinic). This study aims to assess patients’ satisfaction in the CKD clinic under the policy of the ministry of public health as an indicator of the quality of healthcare and for understanding the satisfaction level and the potential to improve healthcare services and outcomes. This descriptive study was conducted among 272 CKD patients within their visit to the CKD clinic from 140 public hospitals in 12 regional service providers in Thailand. The measurement tool was the questionnaires regarding the satisfaction and being described into four aspects: services, place, health professional staff, and medical equipment and supplies. Descriptive statistics were used to identify patients’ satisfaction with CKD clinics. Results: The mean age of 272 CKD patients was 64.19±13.39 (54.4% female). The average year of being CKD patients was 4.01±4.12 years. The participants rated their overall satisfaction as high (62.9%) and average (37.1%) level. Aspects with a high level of satisfaction included: health professional staff (60.3%) and medical equipment and supplies (52.2%). The average level referred to service (58.8%) and place (53.7%) aspects. This study has demonstrated levels of satisfaction with the CKD clinic that could tailor for the significant implications and challenges in improving healthcare service policy further.
