Dissertations / Theses on the topic 'Use habits'

Antibiotics are commonly prescribed and requested for viral illnesses despite evidence-based research studies and societal guidelines that advise against this practice. Literature has indicated that antibiotic decision-making comes from a provider's experience or exposure to illness, uncertainty of illness, or from being pressured by the patient. Nurses and advanced practice nurses are important participants in the antibiotic stewardship initiative. The purpose of this project was to examine potential knowledge deficits responsible for inappropriate antibiotic prescribing at a rural urgent care clinic in the southeastern United States, which when addressed could promote an educational in-service to decrease the number of antibiotics prescribed during a high-volume cough, cold, and flu months. The health belief model was used as a foundational model and a knowledge, attitude, and practice survey to collect data. Antibiotic prescribing habits were evaluated in the preintervention group (n = 250) and a year later in the postintervention group (n = 265). Antibiotic prescribing decreased positively from 80% to 70% and watchful waiting also increased positively from 4% to 30%; X-² (1) = 12.302, p = .000. The increase in educational awareness from these results can support a decrease in inappropriate antibiotic prescriptions, which prevents the emergence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, contributing to positive social change.

I studied a small, enigmatic, and imperiled black bear population in south-central Florida from 2004 - 2006. Annual home ranges of males (96.0 km2) were larger than those of females (32.2 km2). Female home ranges were smaller in winter than in summer or fall. At the landscape scale, bears selected forests, scrub, and citrus, but avoided urban areas. At the home range scale, bears selected bay swamp and hardwood hammock, but avoided urban areas and grassland. Bears selected bay swamp in winter, forests and scrub in summer, and forests, scrub, and marsh in fall. The bear’s diverse diet included citrus fruit. Important foods were acorn, saw palmetto fruit, and Florida carpenter ant. The local landscape is dominated by agriculture on private lands, as opposed to large contiguous forests on public land elsewhere in Florida black bear range. Mean patch size of forests was smaller, while edge density, diversity, and evenness were higher in south-central Florida than elsewhere in the state. Diversity of forest habitat may partially account for the persistence of the black bear in this fragmented landscape. Managers should encourage private landowners to adopt practices that promote bear habitat, and focus on habitat diversity, road crossings, and statewide metapopulation structure.

The aim of this study is to investigate the prevalence of computer consumption among boys in ninth grade, and to see if there were any differences with regards to physical activity, sleeping habits, breakfast habits and BMI. The study has cross sectional design with a comparative and a quantitative structure and is based on a former study called “Food & Health 2007”.  The respondents were represented by 181 boys in ninth grade, recruited from ten different schools in the county of Uppsala, who were answering questions about media consumption, breakfast habits, physical activity and sleeping habits. Daily computer consumption was reported up to one hour for 12 % of the respondents, one to three hours for 65 % and over three hours for 42 %. The boys who had a high physical activity level were less frequent in computer consumption while those who had a low physical activity level spent more time by the computer. The boys who were high computer consumers showed either a high or low level of physical activity, while the boys who were low computer consumers were presented mainly by boys with a high activity level. BMI increased in relation to increasing computer consumption and in relation to less prevalence of physical activity. The boys with high computer consumption had a higher BMI than the low consumers and involve a risk of decreased general health. Further studies are required to confirm the results and to find out the causes for the differences, and to give a foundation for further work against overweight, obesity and decreasing level of physical activity among children and adolescents.

Abstract. Social media (or social networking sites, SNSs) has become a dominant part of the web and created new possibilities for people to share their thoughts and their lives with others. It’s also the primary choice for many for communication. Social media creates virtual social contexts which have enabled new forms of social lives and communication. Instagram is one of the most popular SNSs. Instagram focuses primarily on photo and video sharing in an online social networking environment. Though all aged people engage in utilizing social media services, teens form a large number of these users and are noted for being in the forefront with new SNSs and with new functions in SNSs. Teens are avid social media users and they are active in organizing their social media content to match their needs. This study focuses on teens’ Instagram habits and aims to find out why Finnish teens use Instagram, what they share in Instagram and what their privacy views are in Instagram. The present study was conducted as a qualitative research using a questionnaire and interviews. For both, the questionnaire and the interviews, ninth graders aged 15 and 16 from Oulun normaalikoulu -comprehensice school participated. For the questionnaire 21 students participated and for the interviews 5 students were interviewed. The study revealed that teens use Instagram mostly to kill time and to see what their friends are doing. They are not sharing content frequently but instead like to scroll through content and engage in ‘liking’ and commenting on others’ posts. When they do share content they mostly share pictures of themselves and occasionally e.g. scenery or travel photos. Most of these teens are not settled for using just one Instagram profile but instead they like to maintain multiple profiles. They have different purposes for these profiles and they share different types of content for these profiles. These teens are not concerned for their privacy in Instagram. They aren’t concerned who can see their content and what Instagram does with the content they share, concerning third parties etc. They do take actions with occurrences that they feel threaten their privacy, though these occurrences don’t happen often. Mostly these teens like to keep their profiles private and they aren’t keen on phishing for likes or followers. These teens find Instagram somewhat outdated with some of its functions and in many occasions they favour newer SNSs, usually Snapchat.

Thesis (M.A.)--West Virginia University, 1999.
Title from document title page. Document formatted into pages; contains viii, 77 p. : ill. (some col.). Vita. Includes abstract. Includes bibliographical references (p. 40-47).

Seabirds are often used as indicator species for changes in marine ecosystems due to the species visibility and sensitivity to changing conditions, such as changes in prey abundance. They often reside in habitats affected by anthropogenic impacts such as large-scale fisheries and pollution. Understanding the connection between seabirds and their surrounding environment can give us important insight about the ecology of the ocean and how anthropogenic pressures affects it. Studying feeding habits, and foraging behavior especially, is useful for understanding seabird´s responses to changing environments. Feeding studies are commonly used in seabird monitoring and requires a lot of time and resources. Monitoring of seabirds are also logistically challenging, and the risk of disturbing bird colonies must be considered. It can be especially complicated when studying cliff nesting seabirds such as the common murre, Uria aalge, the study species for this thesis. Photography as a method for monitoring seabirds may limit the need of people on site, hence minimize disturbance and save time and resources. This study provides insight in whether it is a viable option to use photography instead of on-site field studies when monitoring sea birds. This was accomplished by installing cameras and monitor a feeding study at Stora Karlsö, Sweden, parallel with performing the usual monitoring in the field. This thesis makes it clear that a camera study very well could replace the field study without any larger concerns, although, improvements need to be considered if the study is to maintain a high quality and for results to be reliable.

Tidigare forskning visar att kvinnor oftare reser kollektivt och att män kör mer bil till och från arbetet. Det framgår att vanor och miljömedvetenhet förklarar en del av människors resmönster. Studier visar också att kvinnor värderar bilens symbolvärde lägre än män. I samarbete med Eskilstuna kommun genomfördes en enkätundersökning med 2299 anställda vid Eskilstuna kommun, varav 491 män. Syftet med studien var att närmare undersöka motiv bakom bilanvändning och om dessa motiv skiljer sig åt mellan män och kvinnor i Eskilstuna kommun. Deltagarna besvarade frågor som berörde personliga resurser, vanor, bilens symbolvärde och inställning till miljön. Studien visar att de som använder bil till och från arbetet, har en större tendens att använda bil även i andra sammanhang. Det visade sig även att kvinnor reser med bil i större utsträckning till och från arbetet än män, vilket vidare bör undersökas då resultatet går emot tidigare forskning.

The size of the blogosphere has long been a contentious issue amongst people researching the social media as it cannot be accurately determined. Bodies (BlogPulse, BlogScope, Technorati, etc.) which used to track the growing phenomenon across the world were careful with their choice of words when reporting on its size, such as Sifry’s Technorati report which said, “On July 31, 2006, Technorati tracked its 50 millionth blog” (Sifry, 2006, August 6). However, as Rosenberg (2006, August 9) points out, “… it doesn’t really matter. There’s still a revolution going on.” This ‘revolution’ is dominated by young people and in Malaysia, it was found that 74% of the bloggers in Malaysia were below 25 years old (Windows Live Spaces, 2006) but there is limited study on the phenomenon of casual blogging amongst this age group in Malaysia and the use of English in the blogs. The current study contributes to this body of literature, drawing from works on blogging, linguistic analysis, identity, and varieties of English. It adopts the social-constructivist framework and postulates that blogging is a social action which causes the blogosphere to be in a state of constant revision where “individuals create their own subjective meanings of their experiences through interactions with each other and their surrounding environment” (Hartas, 2010:44). This study used mixed methods in order to answer the research questions using three instruments: survey, interview, and weblog analysis to yield the data needed to investigate the content and interactive blog communication of selected young Malaysian casual bloggers who blog in English. The survey data yielded information about their blogging habits and content; the interview data yielded information about their language learning endeavours which influenced their choice of language or varieties of language in their blogs; and the in-depth analysis of one blog yielded information on how language was used in the blog to achieve communicative intent. The findings reveal the blogging habits of young Malaysian bloggers, and how their attitude towards their identity as Malaysians using English and socio-cultural factors influence their choice of language and/or varieties of English in their blog communication. It discovers the unconventional manner of using an existing language to achieve communicative intent among those in the same blogospheric region. This study makes both the bloggers and their blog texts the focus of its research.

Alcohol use among male undergraduate students continues to be problematic. Most college drinkers started drinking in high school, but some begin even earlier; their college alcohol problem is just a continuation of earlier practices. The precise reasons that the college environment is particularly risky for alcohol use are not understood.The first and fourth year experience in college appear to be very different. This study has examined the drinking / non-drinking habits of first and fourth year Ball State male students who have or are presently living in the residence halls. There were five first-year and five fourth-year students who were asked questions in a qualitative interview format. Some of the issues which were covered included hangovers, tolerance, drinking games, and music.First and fourth year students act similarly in some areas, while there are significant differences in others. Drinking from the first to the fourth year seems to become progressively moderate. Drinking, and the consequences from drinking are most serious for freshmen and less serious for seniors and upperclass students.All of the respondents had a very high tolerance to alcohol. This was very puzzling considering that most students use their tolerance and the effect of hangovers to determine whether or not they are drinking responsibly. Therefore, because the respondents generally did not get hungover from a night of heavy drinking, they may think that their drinking is responsible, when it fact it may be causing unforeseen harm.Respondents drank for two specific positive reasons: (1) euphoria and (2) malebonding comradary experience. Many of the respondents stated they received some of their emotional and problem-solving support when they were drinking and talking with friends. Music also played an important role in the drinking experience. "Classic" rock and roll was popular among the respondents because of the rhythm and the pro-drug and pro-alcohol lyrics. Drinking games were looked upon as activities to make drinking even more convivial. They also contributed to the male-bonding experience whereby one would be surrounded by friends cheering them on to have another drink.In conclusion, alcohol is a significant problem on the college / university campus. The narrative suggests that although students experiences are individual, there are perceptions about alcohol which are common among many students. These commonalities can be used to provide effective educational programming to students in order to educate about responsible alcohol use.
Fisher Institute for Wellness

In recent years, sustainable thinking has been gradually recognized and accepted by more and more users, enterprises, and stakeholders. However, in daily life, there is often a gap between the value of users’ pursuit of sustainable lifestyles and their behavior habits. Also, the connection between different stakeholders is often ignored. The project started by the observation of unsustainable water usage habits of some tenants in the Växjö local housing company Växjöbostäder, and investigated the gaps in the water supply/toll system of Växjö municipality for some apartment tenants and the limitations of current solutions. Therefore, it is necessary to find a more effective solution. The author attempts to guide and change the user’s behavior through design interventions led by digital user experience design, connect the gap between the user and the system, and provide a more sustainable choice. At the same time, as a precedent, this project’s attempt to apply sustainable behavioral interventions to the field of digital user experience products at the system level can also provide some reference for similar projects or designs that may appear in the future. The aim of this project is trying to find solutions to bridge the existing gap between the water management system and the apartment users’ water consumption behavior. The project studies the relevant theories of behavior, analyzes the causes of motivations that lead to behavioral and habits changing, the methods of digital user experience design, and the theory of building sustainable systems. Action research has been used as a methodological guide to design processes, analysis, and reflection. The final design outcome “Drops” is an application based on mobile platforms that develop sustainable water-using habits. The application associates gamification motivation mechanisms, behavioral habit interventions, community social sharing, and the process of using the application with the user’s actual behavior, promotes the formation of user sustainable behavior and inspires users to a sustainable society thinking. From a hierarchical analysis of the system, “Drops” connects different stakeholders in the municipal water supply system, facilitating communications between tenants and communities to achieve positive interactions that promote sustainable behavior.  At the end of this article, the author analyzed the project outcome from the perspective of Växjöbostäder, one of the stakeholders and a possible product distributor, elaborated on the possible advantages of the design for the company’s ecological sustainability and the possibility of the company deploying this application in the market. Also, the author also analyzed and evaluated this project from the perspective of the product itself and different stakeholders, and explained the current limitations and the possibility of future development.

In most of the studies, face to face interviews are required with individuals for data collection and hence to apply questionnaires. There are two methods for applying the questionnaire
the paper-based and the electronic method. The paper-based method takes time and is of a high cost to the researchers. Because of writing/reading based errors, this method may cause inaccuracy in collected data. On the contrary, conducting questionnaires in electronic environment procures savings in cost and time, improves data accuracy, gives faster results, and increases efficiency. However, in this method some problems may arise in surveys conducted in urban areas, i.e. problems related to communication and network infrastructure. Nevertheless, advances in Information Technologies provide mobile data collection and computing, and hence they have become a significant place in every part of our life. Many researchers have begun to prefer using these developing technologies in their studies since using mobile devices in conducting health surveys is more useful and economical than the paper-based questionnaires. In this thesis, we have developed a mobile device-based questionnaire, which is an adaptation of the one used by the National Cancer Institute of USA in paper-based form. In other words, in this work the &ldquo
Health Habits and History Questionnaire&rdquo
has been adopted to the pocket PCs. It is planned to be used for an ongoing epidemiological study in Ç
ukurova region. We hope that this study will be an example for the similar studies in the future.

The following study surveyed 111 community college students to identify patterns in study habits and use of services to examine whether differences exist between ethnic backgrounds or grade point averages, in the utilization of skills or services.

Conditions related to tobacco use constitute the single most preventable cause of death in the United States. Approximately 443,000 U.S. adults die each year from smoking-related illnesses. During young adulthood, social and behavioral changes occur; experimentation with tobacco products such as cigarettes is common and may lead to a habit of smoking. A gap was identified in the literature on the perceived impact of family communication on young adults' decisions regarding smoking. The purpose of this descriptive phenomenological study was to address this gap by gathering information on the perspectives of young adults toward tobacco use. Fifteen young adults aged 18 to 26 from the northeastern region of New Jersey who were currently engaged in the use of tobacco products participated in open-ended interviews. Research questions were designed to investigate young adults' views and perceptions regarding cigarette use and to explore information regarding how smoking-related communication received from family members influenced young adults' decision to smoke. The theory of planned behavior and social learning theory provided the theoretical underpinnings and consistent themes by young adults from the study. Van Manen's data analysis strategy demonstrated thematic reports from young adults that behaviors, habits, attitudes, communications, including verbal and nonverbal cues and practices are learned from their parental figures in the home environment. Recommendations for future research include exploring young adults from other geographical locations regarding their perspectives toward tobacco use. This study may promote positive social change for the public and health practitioners by providing insight on family interactions regarding smoking behaviors for young adults..

The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of parental divorce, level of family conflict, and family history of alcoholism on the alcohol use patterns of college students. Gender differences were also explored. Multivariate Analysis of Variance revealed mixed results. Parental marital status was found to have no significant effect on college students' alcohol behavior. High family conflict had a significant impact on both level of current alcohol use and level of alcohol related problems. A positive family history of alcoholism was found to have effects on the level of alcohol related problems encountered by students. Gender played a significant role, with males reporting higher levels of alcohol-related problems. No significant interactions were found. Results, contributions and limitations of the study are discussed.

Food frequency questionnaires and twenty-four hour recalls were conducted with a random sample of 104 Ojibwe adults in Mille Lacs, Minnesota and Lac Courte Oreilles, Wisconsin to assess traditional and market food use. Sociocultural questionnaires were used to assess the cultural significance of traditional food. The importance of the traditional food system was evident, with at least 50% of people engaging in hunting and fishing practices. Traditional food was among the top ten food sources of protein, zinc, iron and folate. The cultural significance of traditional food was apparent. Obesity is prevalent, with almost 50% of the population studied over the 85$ rm sp{th}$ percentile for Body Mass Index (BMI). Nutrient densities were lower than those in the NHANES III sample, in particular for calcium, vitamin A, vitamin C, and folate. Mean intakes of fat, saturated fat, and sucrose exceeded American Heart Association and World Health Organization recommendations. Areas of focus for education and future research needs are suggested in order to reduce risks for nutrition-related chronic disease such as diabetes and heart disease.

Psychotropic drugs are mind affecting compounds. They range in type from illegal narcotic analgesics such as heroin, to prescribed major tranquillisers used for treatment of psychotic states, to prescribed minor tranquillisers such as the benzodiazepines, Valium and Mogadon, to the freely available, over the counter drugs, Aspirin and Panadol. Overseas and Australian data show the minor tranquilliser group, benzodiazepines, first introduced on the pharmaceutical scene in the early 1960s, to be the most commonly prescribed psychotropic drugs. Their popularity with medical practitioners as prescription drugs for conditions of anxiety, stress, insomnia and some forms of epilepsy, arises from the advertised inference by drug companies that they are free from any side effects in the patient such as dependence, tolerance and on termination of treatment, absence of withdrawal syndrome. Benzodiazepines were first introduced as a substitute for the well known dependence producing barbiturate based sedatives. Overseas and Australian data show women are prescribed psychotropic drugs, particularly benzodiazepines, twice as often as men and in many instances for conditions unrelated to those for which the drugs are recommended. Australian data comes from two sources, official statistics such as the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme and from surveys of drug use. Both sources of data are incomplete, inaccurate and in many cases misleading. The true picture of prescribed psychotropic drug use in Australia therefore lacks resolution and in all probability underestimates prevalence and patterns of use in the community. There is no data on the prevalence and patterns of use of prescribed psychotropic drugs in the Australian Capital Territory. It was therefore deemed appropriate to conduct a survey to determine their prevalence and patterns of use. The survey was confined to women for several reasons: Women are a target group in the Commonwealth and State Government 'Drug Offensive'; evidence from studies overseas and in Australia shows that women are prescribed psychotropic drugs, particularly benzodiazepines, twice as often as men; Australian data suggests that this trend is uniform and therefore the Australian Capital Territory should be no different. Data shows that doctors, particularly General Practitioners, are the main source of prescribed psychotropic drugs. The main psychotropic drugs prescribed by general practitioners are benzodiazepines. It was therefore deemed appropriate to conduct a survey of general practitioner's attitudes, knowledge and beliefs about the appropriate use of benzodiazepines as these factors carry weight in a doctor's prescribing habits. The survey of women was conducted using a standardised, structured, telephone survey on a random sample of 120 women in the Australian Capital Territory. The results of the survey show that 40% of the sample had used prescribed psychotropics at some stage in their lives. Most users were older women, married, well educated and working full time. Level of knowledge about the drug was low, compliance with respect to use was high. Most prescribed psychotropic drugs were obtained from a doctor. There appears to be little drug sharing or concurrent drug use. Half of the prescribed psychotropics were benzodiazepines the other half were mostly anti-depressants. Use of over the counter psychotropics was very high. The survey of general practitioners was conducted using a standardised, structured mailed questionnaire distributed to a random sample of 25 general practitioners in the Australian Capital Territory. The results show the majority of doctors prescribe the drugs for common indications (anxiety, stress, insomnia and some forms of epilepsy) in excess of one week. For specific anxiety states however, most prescribe the drugs along with some form of counselling. The majority of doctors (77%) think counselling is not as effective as drug treatment. All doctors surveyed think patients should be advised of the drugs effects on driving and machinery operation; the drugs should not be shared with others; that the drugs should not be terminated abruptly; the drugs should not be used concurrently with alcohol. The majority (92%) believe benzodiazepines are over prescribed and most doctors (77%) believe the drugs produce dependence in patients. The majority (58%) believe women of child bearing age are at risk using benzodiazepines while 50% think pregnant women are at risk. The majority of doctors did not believe that people older than 60 years of age are at risk but most believe children are at risk. The findings of both surveys have implications for health educators and others with a concern for drug education in the community. Recommendations arising from this study have been made. They are presented at the conclusion of this thesis.

This dissertation attempts to expand our understanding of the deficient self-regulation (DSR) of Internet use and media habit development. Drawing from a social cognitive perspective, DSR is described as lapses in effective self-control that are self-corrected over time. A shortcoming in this area of research is that factors relevant to the technology that may encourage the development of DSR or media habits are rarely, if ever, discussed. A large focus of existing research is instead narrowly placed on individual factors that motivate DSR and media habits. An extension is proposed to theory on DSR in this dissertation by examining the role played by novelty perceptions of technology. In the initial stages of technology use, when perceptions of novelty generally grow, perceived novelty is hypothesized to elicit a state of flow, which in turn diminishes the subfunctions of self-regulation and provokes DSR. The relationship between perceived novelty and flow is moderated by psychosocial problems, boredom proneness, and self-reactive outcome expectation. As perceived novelty of a technology decreases, it is presumed that self-control is restored given that flow no longer inhibits self-regulation. However, DSR and media habits are hypothesized to persist in later technology use if individuals experience psychosocial problems, boredom proneness, or high self-reactive outcome expectations. The manifestation of DSR in later stages of technology use increases the likelihood of forming media habits. The influence of novelty perceptions was evaluated on flow, DSR, and media habits at initial and later stages of technology use. The pretest demonstrated that a novelty frame successfully manipulated novelty perceptions of Second Life, the technology used in this experiment, in anticipated directions. In the main study, perceived novelty resulted in flow, which in turn predicted growth of DSR during initial stages of Second Life use. In the familiar stages of use, DSR led to the development of media habits over time; however, the relationship between novelty perceptions and DSR was not moderated by psychosocial problems, boredom proneness, or self-reactive outcome expectation. The findings of this investigation are discussed aside their implications for research, theory, and practice.

Magister Philosophiae - MPhil
The Arabic language is a means by which the culture, beliefs and myths of Arabic speaking communities in the world can be understood. The ability to communicate, read and write in the Arabic language, can be used to research, read and write about the customs, traditions, folklore, habits, poetry, music, history and literature of the people where Arabic is considered the mother tongue The Constitution of the Republic of South Africa (act 200 of 1993) states that 11 every person shall have the right to use the language and to participate in the cultural life of his or her choice" (p 16 (31)). The Constitution further states that " no person shall be unfairly discriminated against, directly or indirectly, and, without derogating from the The existence, respect and promotion of the Arabic language has been enshrined in the South African Constitution. Arabic is recognised as a language used by communities in South Africa even though it is mainly used for religious and ceremonial functions at this point in time. In 1993 I started teaching at Cravenby Secondary School, (Sub. A to Std. 10). During that year I did not teach the Arabic language. I, however, enquired from teachers regarding their teaching approach of the Arabic language. I also questioned the pupils about their opinion towards the language and the approach used by teachers. The overwhelming response by the pupils was that they had to learn the meaning of words in isolation and out of context.

Le cannabis est la substance psychoactive la plus couramment utilisée par les étudiants en Europe et aux États-Unis. Associée à divers troubles psychopathologiques, la nature et l'intensité de ces interactions restent toutefois discutées. Dans un contexte où de nombreux pays se positionnent en faveur de sa légalisation, nous devons disposer d’outils et de connaissances adéquates pour mieux appréhender ses effets psychologiques. La littérature actuelle reste pourtant souvent limitée à la fréquence de consommation ou au trouble d'usage problématique du cannabis (UPC), défini selon ses critères diagnostiques. Nous avons donc étudié un plus large éventail de variables pour mieux saisir le lien entre l’usage et les psychopathologies. Une attention a aussi été portée à la méthodologie, en s'interrogeant sur les manières d’obtenir des données les plus fiables possibles. Chacune de nos trois études visait ainsi à répondre à une question ou combler un manque identifié lors de nos recherches préliminaires. Pour définir de nouvelles variables d’intérêt, la première étude a examiné l'influence du contexte de consommation sur la prévalence des symptômes d’UPC et dépressifs, et la seconde l’influence des formes, méthodes et moments d’ingestion sur la prévalence des symptômes d’UPC, dépressifs et anxieux. Sur le plan méthodologique, la troisième étude a exploré le lien entre les biais d'auto-duperie (inconscients, pour protéger l'estime de soi) et les biais d’hétéro-duperie (délibérés, pour donner une impression favorable) par rapport à la consommation de cannabis auto-déclarée. Au travers de ce travail, nous cherchons à éclairer la complexité du rapport entre la consommation de cannabis et différentes psychopathologies, en mettant en évidence des nuances et des biais souvent négligés. L'objectif est de fournir des perspectives méthodologiques plus exhaustives et fiables, afin de contribuer à l’amélioration et la spécification des programmes de prévention et de prise en charge
Cannabis is the most commonly used psychoactive substance among students in Europe and the United States. While associated with various psychopathological disorders, the nature and intensity of these interactions remain debated. While many countries are leaning towards its legalization (for either medical or recreational purposes), it's crucial to have the proper tools and knowledge to understand its psychological effects. However, current literature often focuses narrowly on consumption frequency or cannabis use disorders (CUD), as defined by its diagnostic criteria, underscoring the need for broader exploration. Therefore, we studied a wider range of variables to better understand the relationship between cannabis use and psychopathologies. Emphasis was also placed on methodology, considering ways to obtain the most reliable data. Each of our three studies aimed to address a question or fill a gap identified in our preliminary research. To identify new relevant variables, the first study examined how consumption context, primarily smoking mostly alone, affects the prevalence of CUD and depressive symptoms. The second looked into the influence of consumption forms, methods and timings of use on the prevalence of CUD, depressive, and anxiety symptoms. Concerning the method, the third study investigated the link between self-deception biases (unconscious response distortion to protect self-esteem) and other-deception biases (deliberate response distortion to present oneself favorably) in relation to self-reported cannabis consumption. Through this work, we seek to shed light on the intricate relationship between cannabis use and various psychopathologies, highlighting often overlooked nuances and biases. Our goal is to provide more exhaustive and reliable methodological perspectives, in order to contribute to the improvement and specification of prevention and intervention programs

The aim of this study was to examine sexual behavior, contraceptive use, self-rated health, lifestyle factors and the prevalence of HPV vaccination among last year high school students. The study was a quantitative cross-sectional study which was a substudy of the longitudinal study " Pornography, Youth and Health". Results showed that the majority of students had had sexual intercourse (75 %, n=524) and both performed (67 %, n=479) and received oralsex (70 %, n=498). Forty percent (n=282) of the students had had one night stand, a quarter (n=159) anal sex and 29 (n=202) percent sex with a friend. The contraceptive use increased from the first to the last intercourse while the use of condoms decreased. Five percent (n=38) of the students reported a sexually transmitted disease, more women than men. Significant difference in sexual experience was shown between students in vocational versus theoretical study programs, between students with low and high self-rated health as well as between students with low versus high risk behavior regarding lifestyle factors. Two thirds of the female students were vaccinated against HPV. No significant difference regarding condom use was shown between the female students who were vaccinated against HPV compared with non-vaccinated. The knowledge of existing differences between gender, between students at different high school programs and attention to risk factors can improve sex education and contraceptive counseling in which the midwife has an important role.
Syftet med föreliggande studie var att undersöka sexualvanor, preventivmedelsanvändning, egen upplevd hälsa, livsstilsfaktorer och förekomsten av HPV-vaccination bland elever som gick sista året på gymnasiet. Studien var en kvantitativ tvärsnittsstudie som var en del av den longitudinella studien "Pornografi, ungdomar och hälsa". Resultat visade att majoriteten av eleverna hade haft samlag (75 %, n=524) samt både givit (67 %, n=479) och fått oralsex (70 %, n=498). Fyrtio procent (n=282) av eleverna hade haft one night stand, en fjärdedel (n=159) analsex och 29 procent (n=202) sex med en kompis. Preventivmedelsanvändningen ökade från första samlaget till det senaste medan kondomanvändningen minskade. Fem procent (n=38) av eleverna hade haft en könssjukdom, fler kvinnor än män. Signifikanta skillnader avseende sexuella erfarenheter fanns mellan elever på yrkesförberedande- respektive studieförberedande gymnasieprogram, mellan elever med låg- och hög självskattad hälsa samt mellan elever med lågt- och högt riskbeteende beträffande livsstilsfaktorer. Två tredjedelar av de kvinnliga eleverna var vaccinerade mot HPV. Ingen signifikant skillnad med avseende på kondomanvändning fanns mellan de kvinnliga eleverna som var vaccinerade respektive ej vaccinerade mot HPV. Kunskap om dessa skillnader mellan kön och mellan elever på olika studieprogram samt att riskfaktorer uppmärksammas kan förbättra sexualundervisning och preventivmedelsrådgivning i vilka barnmorskan har en viktig roll.

O Transtorno Afetivo Bipolar (TAB) é uma condição crônica, caracterizada pela existência de episódios agudos e recorrentes de alteração patológica do humor, que ocasiona grande impacto na vida do paciente, reduzindo seu funcionamento e sua qualidade de vida. O uso de medicamentos consiste em uma realidade necessária ao cotidiano da pessoa com TAB. Este estudo teve como objetivo compreender o significado da terapêutica medicamentosa para a pessoa com TAB, em sua perspectiva e na de seu familiar. Dada a natureza do problema, esta investigação utilizou uma abordagem qualitativa, tendo como referencial metodológico a Teoria Fundamentada nos Dados, à luz do Interacionismo Simbólico. Participaram do estudo 14 pessoas com TAB que estavam em acompanhamento em uma Unidade Ambulatorial de Transtornos do Humor de um hospital universitário e 14 familiares indicados pelas mesmas. A entrevista e observação foram utilizadas como principais estratégias de obtenção de dados. As entrevistas gravadas, após serem transcritas, foram codificadas em três etapas: codificação aberta, codificação axial e codificação seletiva. A análise comparativa dos dados resultou no fenômeno central: ?ESTANDO ENTRE A CRUZ E A ESPADA? em relação à terapêutica medicamentosa. Tal processo foi constituído pela integração entre categorias no modelo de paradigma de Strauss e Corbin, envolvendo a causa desencadeadora do fenômeno, o contexto em que o mesmo está inserido, as condições intervenientes, a estratégia de ação sobre o fenômeno e suas conseqüências. O fenômeno ESTANDO ENTRE A CRUZ E A ESPADA permitiu compreender que, para pessoas com TAB, existe uma situação de ambivalência em relação à terapêutica medicamentosa: no início, não reconhecendo o transtorno e, paralelamente, tomando muitos medicamentos. Como não se percebem doentes, geralmente não identificam motivos para utilizar medicamentos que lhes impõem como realidade conviver com o preconceito e com as perdas e limitações impostas tanto pelos seus efeitos colaterais quanto pelos sintomas do transtorno, sendo freqüente o abandono da terapia medicamentosa. Ao identificar a real necessidade do medicamento, evidenciada pela vivência de crises na ausência do mesmo, as pessoas com TAB percebem-se frente a um dilema entre as duas alternativas de vida em que se constituem a saúde e a doença. Nesse sentido, ao mesmo tempo em que depositam no medicamento o símbolo de sanidade, esse passa a ser a prova concreta e cotidiana de que possuem um transtorno mental e crônico. Este estudo permitiu, assim, compreender os fatores associados e determinantes da realidade vivenciada pelas pessoas com TAB em relação à terapêutica medicamentosa, possibilitando um salto na implementação de estratégias de intervenção nos serviços de saúde direcionadas à qualidade da assistência a esses pacientes
Bipolar Affective Disorder (BAD) is a chronic condition, characterized by the existence of acute and recurring episodes of pathological mood change, which causes a great impact on patients? lives, reduces their functioning and quality of life. Taking medication is a necessary reality in the daily lives of BAD patients. This study aimed to understand the meaning of medication therapy for these patients, according to their perspectives and those of family members. Given the nature of the problem, this research used a qualitative approach, based on Grounded Theory, in the light of Symbolic Interactionism. Study participants were 14 BAD patients who were followed at a Clinical Unit for Mood Disorders of a university hospital and 14 relatives they indicated. Interviews and observation were the main strategies for data collection. The recorded interviews were first transcribed and then coded in three phases: open coding, axial coding and selective coding. Comparative data analysis resulted in the central phenomenon: BEING BETWEEN THE DEVIL AND THE DEEP BLUE SEA with respect to medication therapy. This process was constituted by integrating categories in Strauss and Corbin?s paradigm model, involving the cause that triggered the phenomenon, the context in which it is inserted, intervening conditions, the strategy to act on the phenomenon and its consequences. The phenomenon of BEING BETWEEN THE DEVIL AND THE DEEP BLUE SEA allowed us to understand that, for patients with BAD, there is an ambivalent situation related to medication therapy. This is perceived, at first, by not acknowledging the disorder and, in parallel, by taking many drugs. As patients do not perceive themselves as ill, they generally do not identify, at this moment in the history of the disorder, motives to take drugs that impose the reality of living with prejudice and with the losses and limitations imposed by their collateral effects as well as by the symptoms of the disorders, with frequent abandonment of medication therapy. By identifying the real need for the drug, evidenced by the experience of crises when it is absent, patients with BAD find themselves faced with a dilemma between the two alternatives of life, which are health and disease. In this sense, patients place the symbol of sanity in the medication but, at the same time, it becomes the concrete and daily proof that they have a mental and chronic disorder. This study allowed us to understand associated and determinant factors of the reality BAD patients experience in relation to medication therapy, permitting a leap in the implementation of intervention strategies in health service directed at the quality of care for these patients

Kunskap om ungdomars alkohol- och drogvanor är en viktig aspekt i förhållande till socialt arbete. Kunskaperna kan bidra till verktyg för att kunna göra rätt bedömningar och insatser. Med detta som utgångspunkt har denna studie utförts med syftet att undersöka uppfattningar om alkohol och droger hos ungdomar mellan 13-15 år. Studien är utförd med en kvantitativ ansats. Ett utskick av 164 enkäter gick ut till högstadieelever på en skola i Mellansverige. Studien bygger bland annat på faktorer som könskillnader, debutålder, hur och var eleverna får tag på alkohol och droger samt om det finns samband mellan dessa. De signifikanta resultaten från studien har visat att ungdomar med högre konsumtion av alkohol eller en allt lägre debutålder för alkoholdrickande löper en högre risk för att testa droger än de ungdomarna med en högre ålder för alkohol debut och en lägre konsumtion av alkohol. Studien visade också att ungdomar som får alkohol utköpt av någon i hemmet löper en högre risk för att ha en intensivkonsumtion av alkohol jämfört med ungdomar som ej fick alkoholen utköpt av någon i hemmet. Resultaten har sedan jämförts med tidigare nationell- och internationell forskning. Gällande könskillnader visade resultaten visade bland annat att pojkarna i studien hade en lägre debutålder för alkohol än flickorna.
Knowledge of youth alcohol and drug habits is an important aspect in relation to social work. Knowledge can contribute to the tools to make the right judgments and actions. With this in mind, this study has been performed with the intent to investigate the perceptions of alcohol and drugs among young people aged 13-15 years. The study was conducted with a quantitative approach and was distributed to 164 to students at a school in the middle of Sweden. The study is based on factors such as gender differences, onset/debut age, how and where students get hands on alcohol and drugs, and if there were a correlation between them. The significant findings of the study has shown the link between young people with higher consumption of alcohol or a lower onset age of alcohol drinking are at higher risk for testing drugs and showed that young people who get alcohol out bought by someone in the home are at higher risk of having a binge of alcohol. The results were then compared with previous national and international research. Concerning gender differences the results showed that the attending boys in the study had a lower debut age of alcohol drinking compared to the girls.

ability classroom, is not only that pleasure reading is somewhat marginalized, but, most importantly the significance of reading attitudes and subsequent reading habits, generally, are not factored. This study reports on an investigation of 9 Greek, dyslexic and typically developed, EFL learners' (L2) reading attitudes and habits within a mixed ability EFL classroom, aiming at identifying the perceived effect(s) that the use and reading of comic books had on them. A case study method was employed whereby multiple tools of data collection were used across 6 weeks during Spring 2014. Tools included: McKenna and Kear's (1990) Elementary Reading Attitude Survey (ERAS), Semi-Structured, Focused Interviews, Targeted Questionnaires, Field Notes derived from Participant Observations, and Focus Group-like Literature Circle Discussion Groups. The data were analyzed descriptively using SPSS (quantitative data) and content analysis (qualitative data). Findings suggest that participants, dyslexic and typical, held mostly positive, yet, utilitarian views of English reading and learning, and did not generally engage in English pleasure reading, despite mostly liking reading and learning English. Moreover, by the end of the study, extensive comic reading was shown to be an effective means by which to engage learners in reading and reading-related practices, such as active participation in Literature Circle Discussion Groups and a comic book borrowing library. Additional findings indicate that most participants were gradually more interested, enthusiastic, willing and dynamic in their participation, providing longer, more accurate responses as the study progressed. Upon completion of the study, practically all students, as well as their parents and EFL teacher supported witnessing some beneficial effect on the students' reading attitudes and habits. The data lends itself to the conclusion that extensive comic reading and comic-related reading practices may be of benefit to developing positive reading attitudes and habits to English reading, as well as numerous other skills, indirectly and/or directly, effected and enhanced via the procedures (reading speeds, comprehension, oral and vocabulary skills and positive group dynamics). This study emphasizes the significance of considering learners', dyslexic or otherwise, reading attitudes as well as interest, during the curriculum design and teaching practices of (EFL) educators.

Around the year 2007, several news segments appeared in the Swedish media with focus on the social website Facebook. At the time, an increasing number of people in Sweden started to join the social platform and accepted the terms of contract to get access of the website, without further consideration of what they were agreeing to. This resulted in some private individuals felt violated when it turned out that major points of the contract entail that user’s private information, photos, videos and other publications that was shared on the website, were considered property of Facebook cooperation. Even though this incident made users more aware of what they should, and should not publish on the website, the episode did not result in users closing there accounts on Facebook. On the contrary, today the social platform has more users opening private accounts then before, and it is even attracting older age groups. It seems as if the general public are aware of the importance of being online and a part of the culture surrounding the Internet. It appears as if most people are ready to accept and sign different electronic contracts without considering the possible consequences that may follow, as long as it means that they can be part of today’s digital and information society. Very few read the contract before signing it, and we want to know why that is. Is it really that simple that the public is being too lazy to read through longer texts? We do not believe it is that straightforward. We therefore wish to find out why people tend to not read the contracts on Facebook, and research if there may be a sociological reason behind it. We would also like to see if there is a difference in how younger and older Facebook-users are handling the contract. To find out the answers to our question formulation we used a qualitative method where we carried out two focus groups and six personal interviews to obtain field data that we later compared with Anthony Gidden’s theories on the modern society. Four thematical questions were the basis of the analysis. The four thematical questions that were used are the following; Habits and behaviour patterns, inclusion and exclusion, the self and trust, and age differences. Our final results showed us that the reason of why people tend to not read the terms of use can be explained through the modern society that has changed the normative global communication, to the extent that the private individual no longer reflexes over the short comings of not reading electronic agreements. In conclusion, our research has shown that the general public does not read the Facebook agreement since they simply do not care about it. The risks of modern society have convinced us that terms of agreements and contracts in general should not be bothered with. The excessive need of swapping and gaining information and belonging to a group is more important than critically handling agreements.
Runt år 2007 rapporterade flera nyhetsreportage inom den svenska median om den sociala medieplattformen Facebook. Vid tillfället, började ett stigande antal personer i Sverige bli medlem inom den sociala plattformen och accepterade hemsidans användarvillkor utan större övervägande om vad de gav sitt medtycke till. Detta resulterade i att några privatpersoner kände sig kränkta när det visade sig att några av de främsta villkoren inom kontraktet innebar att privat information, foton, videos och andra publiceringar som delades på hemsidan ansågs tillhöra företaget Facebook. Trots att denna händelse gjorde användare mer uppmärksamma kring vad det borde, och inte borde, dela med sig på hemsidan, resulterade inte episoden i att användare stängde ned sina konton. Tvärtom fick den sociala plattformen fler användare som öppnade privata konton nu än tidigare. Det verkar som om allmänheten är medvetna om vikten att vara online och en del av Internetkulturen. Av denna anledning verkar det som om många är villiga att acceptera och skriva på olika elektroniska kontrakt utan att överväga de potentiella konsekvenserna de kan medföra att vara en del av dagens digitala och informativa samhälle. Väldigt få läser kontrakten innan de skriver under det, och vi vill veta varför det är så. Är det verkligen så enkelt att allt handlar om att allmänheten är för lata för att läsa igenom långa texter. Vi tror inte att det är så entydigt. Vi önskar därför att förstå varför folk tenderar att inte läsa kontrakten på Facebook, och undersöka om det finns en sociologisk anledning bakom det hela. Vi skulle också vilja se om det finns skillnader i hur unga och äldre Facebook-användare behandlar kontraktet. För att få fram svar till vår frågeställning använder vi en kvalitativ metod där vi har utfört två fokusgrupper och sex forskningsintervjuer för att erhålla fältdata som vi senare kan jämföra med Anthony Giddens teorier om det moderna samhället. Fyra tematiska frågor var basen till vår analys. De fyra tematiska frågorna som användes var följande; vanor och beteendemönster, inkludering och exkludering, självet & tillit, och åldersskillnader. Att vi inte läser avtal, förklaras således genom att moderniteten helt enkelt har förändrat den normativa globala kommunikationen i den mån att den enskilda individen inte ens längre reflekterar över bristerna kring att inte utläsa ett enskilt avtal som ett påtagligt problem. Resultatet från denna undersökning är att vi inte läser avtal, för att vi inte bryr oss om det. Modernitetens riskpaket har övertygat oss, om att avtalshanteringen inte är något som vi bör engagera energi och kritiska tankegångar åt. Och behovet utav informationsutbyte och grupptillhörighet blir viktigare frågor än kritisk avtalshantering.

The aim of this thesis is to investigate the use of weather information from an information science perspective. By using Everyday Life Information Seeking theories and a qualitative method this thesis takes a novel approach on how weather information is used and viewed by the everyday users and meteorologists. Thus the material, based on seven interviews with everyday users and two focus group interviews with meteorologists, manages to convey new aspects on how weather information is used in an everyday setting and how meteorologists view their role as information providers. The analysis show that for everyday users there is a difference in how weather information is used depending on age. While apps on mobile phones are used by both younger and older informants, other media types, such as TV and webpages, tend to be used by either older or younger age groups. The results also show that there are non-traditional sources used for weather information among everyday users, such as non-weather web cameras and social media. The results also show that there is a difference in how meteorological forecasters and researchers view different aspects of weather information. Both groups have an understanding of information as being dependent on how it is presented, though forecast meteorologists express a more nuanced view. The results from this study show that information science can be a vital tool for studying weather information habits. It is the firm belief of the author that using information science could gain new insights for the meteorological community in the future. This is a two-year master thesis in Archive, Library and Museum studies.
Syftet med denna uppsats är att undersöka väderinformation från ett informationsvetenskapligt perspektiv. Genom att använda Everyday Life Information Seeking teorier och en kvalitativ metod ger denna uppsats ett nydanande angreppsätt på hur väderinformation används och ses av vardagsanvändare och meteorologer. Således kan materialet, som baseras på sju intervjuer med vardagsanvändare och två fokusgruppsintervjuer med meteorologer, frambära nya aspekter på hur väderinformation används i vardagen och hur meteorologer ser på sin roll som informationsförmedlare. Analysen visar att det för vardagsanvändare finns en skillnad i hur väderinformation används beroende på åldersgrupp. Medan appar på mobiltelefoner används av både yngre och äldre informanter, så tenderar övriga media typer, som TV och hemsidor, att användas främst av endast en ålderskategori. Vidare visar resultaten på att icketraditionella källor för väderprognoser används av vardaganvändare, så som webkameror och sociala medier. Resultaten visar även på att det finns en skillnad i hur prognosmeteorologer och meteorologiska forskare ser på olika aspekter av väderinformation. Båda grupperna visar på en förståelse för att information är beroende på hur den presenteras, så ger prognosmeteorologer uttryck för en mer nyanserad bild. Resultaten från studien visa på att informationsvetenskap kan vara ett viktigt verktyg för att studera väderinformationsvanor. Författaren menar på att informationsvetenskap skulle kunna ge nya insikter inom det meteorologiska området i framtiden. Detta är en tvåårig masteruppsats inom Arkiv-, Bibliotek- och Museumstudier.

Alongside the destruction of habitat, the impact of invasive alien species (IAS) is considered as one of the most important threats to global biodiversity. Therefore, international directives as well as national legislation call for measures to prevent the further spread of already established IAS as well as to limit their negative effects on native flora and fauna. This study deals with one of these non-native species – the American mink (Neovison vison). In order to get information about ecology and behaviour of this semiaquatic carnivore, a small population in a north German fishpond area, where mink has been spreading since the 1970s, was investigated. During the years 2003 to 2006 data about annual and circadian activity patterns, space use, territorial system as well as feeding habits and their variations during different seasons were collected. For this purpose, altogether 14 individuals (nine males, five females) were monitored using radio-telemetry. Based on the results, the potential impact of American mink on indigenous species was discussed and implications for mink control and management were deduced. American mink are difficult to radio tag. The small difference between their head and neck circumferences mean that the radio collars must be worn tightly to prevent loss. A methodological evaluation of conventional collar transmitters revealed that in six out of eight cases serious skin injuries on the necks were the consequences. Therefore, all radio collars were removed and radio transmitters were surgically implanted in the peritoneal cavity of mink by veterinarians. One male bit open the sutures and died after emergency surgery, but in 13 cases implantation did not affect survival or reproduction of the mink. With reference to animal welfare, intraperitoneal implantation of radio transmitters (in combination with observation and quarantine for several days after operation) instead of external radio collars were recommended for long term telemetry studies of American mink. Analyses of annual activity patterns revealed significant differences in seasonal activity rates. Both sexes reduced their average activity rates in cold winter months (October to February) to about 23 %. This energy-saving strategy is possible because of sufficient food availability, especially of fish, at this time. In March, male as well as female mink considerably increased their activity to almost 40 % due to the mating season. In summer months, during the pup-raising period (May to August), female activity continued to be high (between 40 and 50 %). However, male mink which are not involved in rearing the young, were less active (about 30 %) until July. But in August and September, the time of juvenile dispersal followed by changes in the territorial system and intraspecific aggression, activity rates of males increased again up to 43 %. Circadian activity rhythms differed markedly between sexes. All investigated females exhibited a perennial diurnal pattern. Three of five investigated male mink showed typical nocturnal activity throughout the year. Two males displayed arrhythmic behaviour; they did not prefer any time of the day for activity. On the one hand, gender differences in annual as well as circadian activity patterns of American mink reflect the diversity in ecological constraints, primarily the investment into reproduction. On the other hand, the different temporal strategies of sexes may have the potential to reduce intraspecific, especially intersexual competition. Investigating territorial systems and space use of mink, in comparison to other European studies, relatively large home ranges combined with a quite low population density were observed. In summer months male mink used on average 15.4 km length of waterway and female mink used on average 9.3 km length of waterway. In accordance with the trend of activity rates, male and female mink reduced their large summer home ranges by more than half during the cold winter period. But all-season male mink used significantly larger areas than female mink. High intersexual overlapping rates of home ranges and low levels of intrasexual overlapping of neighbouring home ranges confirm intrasexual territoriality of American mink. Probably, the low population density (0.6-0.7 individuals/km2) allows such high variations in seasonal and sexual home range size. During the mating season males considerably enlarged their home ranges and roamed nearly through the entire study area in search of receptive females. The shifting of stable temporary home ranges observed within one season or between the same seasons of consecutive years demonstrates the highly dynamic nature of spatial behaviour among American mink. The recorded characteristic features of spatial and temporal behaviour should be considered when planning monitoring- and management measures of this invasive carnivore. For instance, the reduced home ranges and activity rates during winter months should be taken into account in mink trapping projects. Analyses of more than 2500 scatsamples of radio tracked mink show that investigated animals principally prey on fish, small mammals and birds (eggs inclusive). There were significant seasonal variations of diet composition. In spring, the three categories of prey - fish, mammals and birds (eggs inclusive) - were hunted in similar amounts. During summer, birds and their eggs made up the main part of the diet followed by mammals. In autumn, the proportion of birds in the mink diet decreased, whereas fish gained in importance. This trend continued during the winter period, when mink preyed almost exclusively on fish. Throughout the entire year amphibians, crustaceans, insects, molluscs and reptiles were found only occasionally in scatsamples. Among birds, the mink preyed mainly on the Eurasian Coot (Fulica atra) followed by the Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos). Mammalian prey was clearly dominated by the water vole (Arvicola terrestris) and among fish, mink hunted especially perch (Perca fluviatilis), roach (Rutilus rutilus) and carp (Cyprinus carpio). Results clearly demonstrate that mink is an opportunistic predator, which hunts its prey according to availability and vulnerability, respectively. Despite the high portions of fish in the autumn and winter diet, the economic damage to fishery caused by mink seems to be low. Perch and roach were preyed on in higher frequencies than the carp which is economically relevant. However, high predation on birds and their eggs during the breeding season indicates a potential negative impact of mink on waterfowl. To summarise, it can be noted that characteristic features of the anthropogenically influenced study area affect feeding habits, activity patterns, space use and density of local mink population. In this regard the management of fishponds, which influences seasonal availability of habitat- and food resources for mink, plays an important role. American mink is regarded as “invasive”, because a negative impact on native species has been proved by several European studies. Consequently, this study recommends management with a focus on effective monitoring and, if necessary, control or exclusion measures adapted to the specific local requirements. Furthermore, to prevent additional introductions into the wild, the still existing farms have to be protected against outbreaks and liberations. In the long term, a general ban on the trade and keeping of American mink would be desirable
Der Einfluss invasiver, gebietsfremder Arten wird neben der Habitatzerstörung als eine der größten Gefährdungen der Biodiversität weltweit angesehen. Sowohl internationale Umweltvereinbarungen als auch die nationale Gesetzgebung fordern daher Maßnahmen, die eine weitere Ausbreitung bereits etablierter invasiver Neozoen verhindern und deren negative Einflüsse minimieren. Die vorliegende Studie befasst sich mit einer dieser Neozoen - dem Amerikanischen Nerz bzw. Mink (Neovison vison). Um Erkenntnisse zu Ökologie und Verhalten des semiaquatischen Musteliden in Deutschland zu gewinnen, wurden Daten zu tages- und jahreszeitlichen Aktivitätsmustern, zu Raumnutzung und Territorialsystem sowie zur Nahrungswahl und den jahreszeitlichen Unterschieden im Beutespektrum der Art erhoben. Dafür konnten in den Jahren 2003 bis 2006 in einem Fischteich-Gebiet in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, wo sich Minke bereits seit den 1970er Jahren etabliert haben, insgesamt 14 Individuen (neun Männchen, fünf Weibchen) radiotelemetrisch überwacht werden. Anhand der Ergebnisse wird einerseits der potentielle Einfluss des gebietsfremden Raubsäugers auf einheimische Arten abgeschätzt und diskutiert. Andererseits werden die Ergebnisse herangezogen, um effektive Monitoring- und Managementmaßnahmen abzuleiten. Eine methodische Evaluation von Halsbandsendern zeigte, dass in sechs von acht Fällen die getesteten Halsbänder, die aufgrund des sehr ähnlichen Hals-Kopf-Umfanges der Individuen relativ eng angelegt werden müssen, Hautverletzungen verursachten. Infolgedessen wurden die Halsbandsender gegen durch Tierärzte operativ in die Bauchhöhle eingesetzte Implantationssender ausgetauscht. Auch bei allen nachfolgend gefangenen Tieren wurden die Sender implantiert. Bei insgesamt 14 durchgeführten Erstimplantationen beeinflussten mit Ausnahme eines Falles (Tod durch Aufbeißen der Naht) die Implantate weder das Überleben, noch die Reproduktion der Minke. Daher ist v.a. in Hinblick auf Tierschutzaspekte die Senderimplantation (in Kombination mit einer Mehrtages-Quarantäne) anstatt der Verwendung von externen Halsbandsendern zu empfehlen. Die Analyse der circannuellen Aktivitätsmuster ergab signifikante Unterschiede der saisonalen Aktivitätsraten. Während der kalten Wintermonate (Oktober bis Februar) zeigten beide Geschlechter mit durchschnittlich etwa 23 % eine vergleichsweise geringe Aktivität. Diese energiesparende Verhaltensweise war möglich, da auch im Winter ein ausreichend hohes Nahrungsangebot, vor allem an Fisch, vorhanden war. Im März kam es sowohl bei den Männchen als auch bei den Weibchen zu einem durch die Paarungszeit verursachten, beträchtlichen Anstieg der mittleren Aktivitätsraten auf fast 40 %. In den Sommermonaten (Mai bis August) waren die weiblichen Tiere, durch die Anforderungen der Jungenaufzucht bedingt, anhaltend häufig aktiv (zwischen 40 und 50 %). Die Aktivitätsraten der nicht an der Jungenaufzucht beteiligten Männchen dagegen nahmen im April wieder ab, um bis zum Juli auf einem vergleichsweise geringen Niveau von etwa 30 % zu bleiben. Sie stiegen jedoch während der Monate August und September erneut auf etwa 43 % an. Zu dieser Zeit wandern gewöhnlich die Jungtiere ab und suchen sich ein eigenes Streifgebiet (= Aktionsraum), dadurch kommt es zu Änderungen im Territorialsystem und damit einhergehenden innerartlichen Auseinandersetzungen. Beide Geschlechter unterscheiden sich stark in ihren tageszeitlichen Aktivitätsrhythmen. Alle Weibchen waren ganzjährig tagaktiv. Von den fünf untersuchten Männchen zeigten drei typische Nachtaktivität im gesamten Jahresverlauf. Die beiden anderen männlichen Tiere verhielten sich in ihren Aktivitätsrhythmen indifferent, sie zeigten das ganze Jahr über keine Präferenzen für eine bestimmte Tageszeit. Die geschlechtsspezifischen Unterschiede sowohl in den circannuellen als auch in den circadianen Aktivitätsmustern spiegeln zum einen die verschiedenen Anforderungen an die Geschlechter wieder, vor allem die Investitionen in die Fortpflanzung. Zum anderen können die geschlechtsspezifisch unterschiedlichen Zeitnutzungs-Strategien zu einer Minimierung der innerartlichen, vorzugsweise der intersexuellen Konkurrenz führen. Die Analyse der Telemetriedaten hinsichtlich Raumnutzung und Territorialsystem ergab im Vergleich zu anderen europäischen Studien relativ große individuelle Aktionsräume verbunden mit einer geringen Populationsdichte im Untersuchungsgebiet. So erstreckten sich die durchschnittlich genutzten Sommerstreifgebiete der Männchen auf 15,4 km und die der Weibchen auf 9,3 km Flusslauf bzw. Teichufer. Entsprechend dem Trend der saisonalen Aktivitätsmuster, reduzierten beide Geschlechter ihre großen Sommerstreifgebiete während der Winterhalbjahre um mehr als die Hälfte der Fläche. Allerdings nutzten die Männchen zu allen Jahreszeiten wesentlich größere Aktionsräume als die weiblichen Minke. Große Streifgebietsüberlappungen zwischen den Geschlechtern sowie verhältnismäßig niedrige Überlappungsraten der benachbarten Streifgebiete von Tieren des gleichen Geschlechts bestätigen die intrasexuelle Territorialität der Art. Die erheblichen Unterschiede der saisonalen und geschlechtsspezifischen Aktionsraumgrößen werden vermutlich durch die ermittelte, vergleichsweise geringe Populationsdichte (0,6-0,7 Individuen/km2) ermöglicht. Die ausgedehnte und sich fast über das gesamte Untersuchungsgebiet erstreckende Raumnutzung der Männchen während der Paarungszeit ist durch die Suche nach fortpflanzungsbereiten Weibchen bedingt. Die Raumnutzung der untersuchten Minke unterliegt einer hohen Dynamik, dies wird durch die häufige räumliche Verschiebung temporär stabiler Streifgebiete innerhalb einer Jahreszeit oder auch zwischen den gleichen Jahreszeiten aufeinanderfolgender Jahre verdeutlicht. All diese ermittelten charakteristischen Besonderheiten im Raum-Zeit-Verhalten der Art sollten bei der Entwicklung von Monitoring- und Managementkonzepten berücksichtigt werden. So müssen beispielsweise bei der Fallenjagd im Winter die zu dieser Zeit stark verkleinerten Streifgebiete und die reduzierten Aktivitätsraten Beachtung finden. Die Analyse der über 2500 Losungsproben telemetrierter Minke zeigte, dass sich die untersuchten Tiere hauptsächlich von Fisch, Kleinsäugern und Vögeln (inklusive deren Eiern) ernährten. Dabei traten allerdings signifikante saisonale Unterschiede in der Nahrungs-zusammensetzung auf. So wurden im Frühjahr die drei Beutekategorien Fisch, Kleinsäuger sowie Vögel und deren Eier in ähnlichen Anteilen erbeutet. Während des Sommers bildeten Vögel und Vogeleier die Hauptbeute, gefolgt von Kleinsäugern. Im Herbst verringerte sich der Vogel- und Kleinsäugeranteil im Beutespektrum zugunsten von Fisch. Dieser Trend setzte sich bis in den Winter fort; in dieser Jahreszeit ernährten sich die Minke fast ausschließlich von Fisch. Amphibien, Reptilien, Krebstiere, Insekten und Mollusken wurden im gesamten Jahresverlauf nur gelegentlich gefressen. Innerhalb der Gruppe der Vögel prädierten die Minke vor allem Blässhühner (Fulica atra), gefolgt von Stockenten (Anas platyrhynchos). Das Kleinsäuger-Beutespektrum wurde eindeutig von der Schermaus (Arvicola terrestris) dominiert und unter den Fischen erbeuteten die Minke vorzugsweise Flussbarsche (Perca fluviatilis), Plötzen (Rutilus rutilus) und Karpfen (Cyprinus carpio). Die Ergebnisse der Nahrungsanalyse bestätigen den Mink als einen opportunistischen Prädator, der seine Beutetiere je nach Verfügbarkeit bzw. dem erforderlichen Jagdaufwand nutzt. Trotz des hohen Fischanteils in der Herbst- und Winternahrung ist der durch den Mink verursachte ökonomische Schaden schätzungsweise relativ gering. Flussbarsch und Plötze wurden in höheren Frequenzanteilen erbeutet als der wirtschaftlich relevante Karpfen. Die starke Prädation von Wasservögeln und deren Eiern besonders in den Frühjahrs- und Sommermonaten weist allerdings auf einen potentiell negativen Einfluss des invasiven Raubsäugers auf diese Tiergruppe hin. Zusammenfassend lässt sich festhalten, dass die spezifischen Charakteristika des anthropogen geprägten Untersuchungsgebietes sowohl Nahrungsökologie und Aktivitätsmuster als auch Raumnutzung und Populationsdichte der lokalen Minkpopulation beeinflussen. Eine besondere Rolle hierbei spielt die Bewirtschaftung der Fischteiche, denn vor allem daraus resultiert für die Minke eine saisonal unterschiedliche Verfügbarkeit an Lebensraum und Nahrung. Negative Auswirkungen des Amerikanischen Nerzes auf die einheimische Tierwelt wurden in anderen europäischen Ländern belegt und rechtfertigen die Einstufung dieser Art als „invasiv“. Demzufolge wird in der vorliegenden Arbeit ein Management empfohlen, bei dem der Focus auf einem effektiven Monitoring und gegebenenfalls auf zweckmäßigen, an die lokalen Bedingungen angepassten Fang- oder Abwehrmaßnahmen liegt. Zudem sollten, um einer weiteren Ausbringung in das Freiland vorzubeugen, die wenigen noch existierenden Minkfarmen besser gegen Ausbrüche bzw. Freilassungsaktionen gesichert werden. Langfristig ist ein generelles Besitz- und Vermarktungsverbot für die Art wünschenswert

Two designs were developed to model and compare the effects of scale on resource utilization by moose in a managed lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta) forest. Statistical models, based on population and individual design levels (using microsite and moderate polygon habitat scales, respectively), were used to 1) test the hypotheses that moose track presence was increased i) in openings of increasing shrub cover, ii) in forests adjacent to openings of increasing shrub cover, 2) model moose utilization of forest cover, based on distance-from-nearest-opening, to determine appropriate leave strip widths adjacent to openings used by moose, 3) further understanding of how different opening and forest cover types influence moose presence and utilization and 4) compare these results from the different designs. Moose track occurrence and habitat attributes were recorded on 55 snow track transects to model moose presence as a function of distance-from- opening-edge and variation in vegetation cover. Over 15,000 UTM relocations were obtained from 15 GPS collared cow moose over two winters, in the same area. Based on track transect data, the model containing bog birch (Betula glandulosa), Salix species and mean shrub height was the best predictor of moose presence. Resource utilization functions indicated natural and forest management openings, up to 40 years old, were utilised more than older forest habitats. Modeling at both scales confirmed the use of early seral openings (natural or harvested) and indicated that forested distance-from-an-opening-edge does not influence resource utilization or presence of moose. Track presence was greater in wetlands with average shrub cover between 6 - 20% and > 20% than within adjacent forest cover but there was no difference between wetlands with shrub cover < 6% and adjacent forest cover. Tracks were more numerous in forest cover adjacent to wetlands with shrub cover > 20% than in forest cover adjacent to wetlands with shrub cover < 6% and 6 - 20%. The study implies that leave strips may have little immediate effect on the use of early seral openings by moose in winter although, this does not rule out that climate, predation or hunting pressure will influence habitat selection in the future.
Forestry, Faculty of
Graduate

Riparian systems are important for breeding bird communities and are highly used as migratory corridors; however, their importance for wintering birds has not been assessed systematically. In order to assess the value of riparian areas for birds wintering in Sonora, data from 1,816 standard point counts were collected from 87 locations during January and February 2004-2006. A total of 253 species were detected across 14 vegetation types, including nine categories of riparian vegetation. The mean number of species and individuals detected per count was significantly higher in riparian vegetation than in non-riparian vegetation for migratory species, but not for residents. Riparian bird communities are different from those in non-riparian habitats, and contribute 22% of the regional avifauna's species.
Anthropogenic disturbance has imposed significant changes in riparian habitats, and is known to have negative effects on biological communities. To assess the effects of human induced disturbance on wintering bird communities, I recorded community composition, relative abundance of species, and three indicators of bird condition in relatively undisturbed and highly disturbed sites at three river systems in Sonora. There is, in general, little effect of disturbance on the composition of wintering communities, with less than 20% of the most common species having significant differences in their abundances between relatively undisturbed and highly disturbed sites. Condition indicators were similar in the two disturbance levels, but the mean heterophil/lymphocyte ratio in the blood of sampled birds showed increased levels of physiological stress in disturbed sites. A more experimental approach is needed to determine the specific cause of the stress expression in leucocytes.
Modification of natural flooding regimes has modified riparian areas, as has been the case in the Colorado River Delta. I present a summary of the changes experienced by riparian systems and some of the measures implemented for riparian restoration in the southwestern United States, and then I compare the scenario with that in central Sonora, where some of the same stressors exist on riparian systems, but where traditional management practices have also mitigated some of the negative consequences of flow control along mid-sized river systems.

Rotas por veículos foram realizadas para que a riqueza, a abundância e o uso do habitat por rapinantes diurnos no Parque Estadual Veredas do Peruaçu (30.702 ha), Minas Gerais, fosse estudada. Onze rotas foram selecionadas e distribuídas em dois habitats: cerrado (n=6) e uma associação entre vereda e cerrado (n=5). O estudo foi realizado entre setembro de 2010 e julho de 2011 por três observadores na carroceria de um veículo 4x4 dirigido a uma velocidade média de 20km/h, totalizando 2772 km percorridos. Ao longo das transecções foram obtidos 681 registros (0,24 rapinantes/km), referentes à 20 espécies, contudo, Falco peregrinus foi registrado ao longo das amostragens ad libitum e elevou a riqueza. As cinco espécies mais comuns foram Heterospizias meridionalis, Caracara plancus, Milvago chimachima, Rupornis magnirostris e Falco femoralis, as quais totalizaram aproximadamente 20% da riqueza local e 80% de todos os registros. As cinco espécies mais raras (Leptodon cayanensis, Elanus leucurus, Accipiter bicolor, Micrastur semitorquatus e Falco sparverius), juntas, representaram menos de 1% das detecções. As aves de rapina foram mais abundantes ao longo da estação chuvosa (n=438), se comparada à seca (n=243). As veredas apresentaram maior riqueza (19 contra 10 taxa) e quase três vezes mais registros (n=466; 0,36 rapinantes/km) que o cerrado (n=215; 0,14 rapinantes/km). O número de detecções computadas para as manhãs foi maior do que as anotadas para as tardes. Baseado no ΔAICc, os modelos que melhor explicaram a riqueza e abundância dos rapinantes continham todas as três variáveis independentes (habitat, estação e período do dia). Rotas por veículos aparentaram ser indicadas para estudos com rapinantes em habitats similares a savanas. O cerrado local apresentou menor riqueza e abundância se comparado às veredas, entretanto, o habitat ocupa grandes proporções e deve possuir importante papel na conservação dos rapinantes. A vereda delimita o parque ao norte e nela foram registradas espécies restritas ao ambiente, como a águia-cinzenta (Urubitinga coronata), taxon mundialmente ameaçado de extinção. Tal fato eleva a importância do habitat para o grupo e, consequentemente, para toda a comunidade. Sugere-se que o parque tenha sua área aumentada em sua porção norte, considerando que, adicionalmente, grande parte da água corrente provém desta porção.
Raptors were surveyed by road transects in order to assess local species richness, abundance and habitat use in Parque Estadual Veredas do Peruaçu (30,702 ha), a reserve that lies in the Cerrado Region of southeastern Brazil. Eleven road transects of 7km each were delimited in two different habitats: cerrado (n=6) and an associated vereda-cerrado (n=5). Transects were sampled between September 2010 and July 2011 by three observers on the back of a 4WD pickup truck, driven at an average speed of 20km/h - total of 2772 km. There were computed 681 records along road transects (0.24 raptors/km), belonging to 20 species. One other species (Falco peregrinus) was recorded exclusively along ad libitum sampling. The five most common raptors were Heterospizias meridionalis, Caracara plancus, Milvago chimachima, Rupornis magnirostris and Falco femoralis, which totalized approximately 20% of local richness and 80% of all records. The five rarest raptors in the study area (Leptodon cayanensis, Elanus leucurus, Accipiter bicolor, Micrastur semitorquatus and Falco sparverius), together, represented less than 1% of all records. Raptors were more abundant during rainy season (n=438) than during dry season (n=243). The veredas presented higher species richness (19 against 10 taxa) and almost three times more records (n=466; 0.36 raptors/km) than the cerrado (n=215; 0.14 raptors/km). Mornings held higher number of records when compared to afternoons. Based on ΔAICc the models that better explained species richness and raptors\' abundance had all three explanatory variables (habitat, season and day period) considered. Road transects seemed to be recommended for surveys in savannah like habitats. The local cerrado presented lower raptor richness and abundance when compared to the vereda, however it occupies most of the region and it should have an important role on raptors\' conservation. The vereda delimit the reserve northern boundaries and it holds some locally restricted taxa, like the Crowned Eagle (Urubitinga coronata) a species globally threatened of extinction. This makes the habitat even more important for these species and, consequently, to local ecological community. The fact that the vereda is protected only by one margin is a worrying issue and it is suggested that the reserve boundaries augment northwards, once important water supply also comes from there.

A study of muskrat population variables in southern Quebec did not allow differentiation between the quality of ditches bordered by corn fields and those bordered by hay fields. Annual turnover of adults and juveniles was very high in both ditch types. The average maximum density of muskrats was the second highest recorded in the literature. Muskrat activity was not predictive of activity of other co-occurring vertebrates. The direct relationship between the logarithm of the number of burrows and the number of muskrats showed the usefulness of this sign of presence as an indicator of population size. Within given ditches, we failed to detect different genetic proximity between adults from successive years between corn and hay ditches. We failed to show that adult genetic proximity within ditches and within years difference between hay and corn ditches. Analyses of adult genetic proximity within and among ditches within a year confirmed the limited dispersal of female muskrat. Muskrat DNA fingerprinting analyses supported the general usefulness of spatiotemporal associations to determine kinship. Habitat use models based on muskrat signs of presence in southern Quebec high clay bank farm ditches showed that muskrat presence was positively associated with water depth, water velocity, and pulpy plant cover (excluding cattail), but was negatively associated with dredging. The type of crop was not important in explaining muskrat presence. In various habitats of the James Bay area, the habitat use models identified a positive relationship with percentages of submerged and floating plant cover, width of the shore herbaceous belt, bank slope and dominance of clay-loam soil on banks. Such models could be used to assess the potential of boreal wetlands to harbour burrow-dwelling muskrats.

Background: Lifestyle habits like tobacco use, hazardous use of alcohol, unhealthy eating habits and insufficient physical activity are risk factors for developing non-communicable diseases, which are the leading, global causes of death. Furthermore, ill health and chronic diseases are costly and put an increased burden on societies and health systems.  In order to address this situation, governmental bodies and organizations’ have encouraged healthcare providers to reorient the focus of healthcare and undertake effective interventions that support patients to engage in healthy lifestyle habits. In Sweden, national clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) on lifestyle interventions were released in 2011. However, the challenges of changing clinical practice and introducing guidelines are well documented, and health interventions face particular difficulties. The overall purpose of this thesis is to contribute towards a better understanding of the complexities of shifting primary health care to become more health oriented, and to explore the implementation environment and its effect on lifestyle intervention CPGs. The specific aims are to investigate how implementation challenges were addressed during the guideline development process (Study I), to investigate several dimensions of readiness for implementing lifestyle intervention guidelines, including aspects of the intervention and the intervention context (Study II), to explore the extent to which health care professionals are working with lifestyle interventions in primary health care, and to describe and develop a baseline measure of professional knowledge, attitudes and perceived organizational support for lifestyle interventions (Study III), and to assess the progress of implementing lifestyle interventions in primary care settings, as  well as investigate the uptake and usage of the CPGs in clinical practice (Study IV).   Methods and results: Interviews were conducted with national guideline-developers (n=7). They were aware of numerous implementation challenges, and applied strategies and ways to address them during the guideline development process. The strategies adhered to four themes: (a) broad agreements and consensus about scope and purpose, (b) systematic and active involvement of stakeholders, (c) formalized and structured development procedures, and (d) openness and transparent development procedures. At the same time, the CPGs for lifestyle interventions challenged the development-model at the National Board of Health and Welfare (NBHW) because of their preventive and non-disease specific focus (I). A multiple case study was also conducted, using a mixed methods approach to gather data from key organizational individuals that were accountable for planning the implementation of CPGs (n=10), as well as health professionals and managers (n=340). Analysis of this data revealed that conditions for change were favorable in the two organizations that served as case studies, especially concerning change focus (health orientation) and the specific intervention (national guidelines on lifestyle interventions). Somewhat limited support was found for change and learning, and change format (national guidelines in general). Furthermore, factors in the outer context were found to influence the priority and timing of the intervention, as well as considerable inconsistencies across the professional groups (II). A cross-sectional study among physicians and nurses (n=315) in Swedish primary healthcare showed that healthcare professionals have a largely positive attitude and thorough overall knowledge of lifestyle intervention methods. However, both the level of knowledge and the involvement in patients’ lifestyle change, differed between professional groups. Organizational support like CPGs and the development of primary health care (PHC) collaborations with other stakeholders were identified as potential strategies for enhancing the implementation of lifestyle interventions in PHC (III). In addition to interviews and case studies, a longitudinal survey among health professionals (n=150; n=73) demonstrated that their use of methods to encourage patients to reduce or eliminate tobacco or alcohol use, had increased. The survey also indicated that nurses had increased the extent to which they addressed all four lifestyle habits. The progress of the implementation of CPGs on lifestyle interventions in PHC was somewhat limited, and important differences in physicians and nurses’ attitudes, as well as their use of the guidelines, were found (IV). Conclusions: Health orientation differs in many ways from more traditional fields in medicine. To strengthen the implementation of this very important (but not “urgent”) field in health care, it needs, first of all, to be prioritized at all levels! The results of the studies demonstrate relatively slow adoption of lifestyle intervention CPGs in clinical practice, and indicate room for improvement. The findings of this thesis can inform healthcare policy and research on further development of the health orientation perspective, as well as on the challenges of implementing CPGs on lifestyle interventions in primary care. In summary, this thesis presents important lessons learned regarding health orientation - from the development of CPGs in the field, via assessing healthcare organizations’ readiness to change and health professionals’ attitudes to methods to support patients with lifestyle changes.
Bakgrund: Levnadsvanor som tobaksbruk, riskbruk av alkohol, ohälsosamma matvanor och otillräcklig fysisk aktivitet är riskfaktorer för att utveckla kroniska sjukdomar, vilka orsakar de flesta dödsfallen i världen. Ohälsa och dess följdsjukdomar utmanar också samhällen och hälsosystem världen över p.g.a. de höga kostnader som de medför. För att förbättra situationen så försöker regeringar och organisationer förändra hälso- och sjukvårdens perspektiv till att fokusera mer på hälsa och att arbeta med effektiva interventioner för att förebygga och att förändra människors ohälsosamma vanor. År 2011 i Sverige, publicerades nationella kliniska riktlinjer för vårdens arbete med att förebygga sjukdom genom att stödja förändring av patienters ohälsosamma levnadsvanor. Det är dock välkänt hur svårt det är att förändra klinisk praxis och att introducera riktlinjer, och interventioner på området hälsa i sjukvården brottas med specifika utmaningar. Det övergripande syftet med den här avhandlingen har varit att bidra till en bättre förståelse av komplexiteten i att hälsoorientera primärvården, och att utforska förutsättningarna till att implementera kliniska riktlinjer för att stödja förändring av patienters levnadsvanor. De mer specifika syftena var: att (I) utforska hur implementeringsutmaningarna behandlades i utvecklingsprocessen av riktlinjerna ; att (II) undersöka dimensioner av beredskapen för förändring i primärvården för att implementera riktlinjerna om levnadsvanor inkluderande aspekter av interventionen själv samt kontexten ; att (III) utforska i vilken utsträckning hälsoprofessionerna arbetar med levnadsvanor i primärvården, och att beskriva deras kunskap, attityder och uppfattat organisatoriskt stöd för livsstilsinterventioner ; att (IV) i en två-årig uppföljning utvärdera utvecklingen av arbetet med levnadsvanor i primärvården, och användningen av de specifika nationella riktlinjerna för levnadsvanor. Metod och resultat: En intervjustudie med riktlinjeutvecklare på nationell nivå (n = 7) visade att många utmaningar för implementeringen av riktlinjerna identifierades och bemöttes under utvecklingsprocessen i fyra teman av strategier: breda överenskommelser och konsensus om inriktning och syfte, systematiskt och aktivt inkluderande av stakeholders, formaliserad och strukturerad utvecklingsprocess, öppenhet och insyn utvecklingsprocess. Samtidigt utmanade dock riktlinjerna om livsstilsinterventioner Socialstyrelsens utvecklingmodell p.g.a. deras förebyggande och icke sjukdomsspecifika fokus (I). En multipel fallstudie med nyckelpersoner ansvariga för implementeringen av riktlinjerna i sjukvårdsorganisationerna (n = 10) samt vårdpersonal och chefer (n = 340), visade på gynnsamma villkor för förändring i båda organisationerna rörande förändringsfokus (d.v.s. hälsoorientering) och den specifika interventionen (d.v.s. riktlinjer om metoder för att stödja förändring av ohälsosamma levnadsvanor). Stödet för förändring och lärande visade på något svagare resultat, likaså formen för förändringen d.v.s. nationella riktlinjer i allmänhet. Faktorer i den yttre kontexten visade sig kunna påverka prioritering av och optimalt val av tidpunkt för interventionen, likaså betydande skillnader i uppfattningar mellan yrkesgrupperna (II). En tvärsnittsstudie bland läkare och sjuksköterskor (n = 315) i primärvården visade att de har en positiv attityd och en god kunskapsnivå om metoder för livsstilsförändring. Både kunskapsnivå och i vilken utsträckning man arbetar med patienters livsstil skiljer sig mellan yrkesgrupper. Organisatoriskt stöd som nationella riktlinjer och utvecklandet av primärvårdens samarbete med intressenter i närområdet identifierades som viktigt för att förbättra arbetet med livsstil interventioner (III). En longitudinell undersökning bland vårdpersonal visade att användning av metoder för att förändra patientens vanor beträffande tobaksbruk och riskbruk av alkohol har ökat över tid, och att sjuksköterskorna arbetar i högre utsträckning med alla fyra levnadsvanorna än i tidigare. Implementeringen av de nationella riktlinjerna för levnadsvanor hade inte kommit så långt vid det andra mättillfället, och stora skillnader visade sig i hur läkare och sköterskor ser på riktlinjer och i vilken utsträckning de använder dem (IV). Slutsats: Hälsofrämjande och prevention skiljer sig på många sätt från mer traditionella fält inom medicinen. För att stärka implementeringen av det här viktiga (men ej akuta) fältet i hälso- och sjukvården, så måste det först av allt prioriteras på alla nivåer! Resultatet visar på ett svagt upptag av riktlinjerna för livsstilsinterventioner i klinisk praxis, och lämnar utrymme till förbättring. Aspekter av resultatet som presenteras i avhandlingen kan vägleda fortsatt utveckling och implementering av hälsoorientering och riktlinjer för livsstilsinterventioner inom primärvården, samt användas för att påverka policy, praxis och framtida forskning. Det gäller framför allt aspekter av utveckling av nationella riktlinjer på området; hälso- och sjukvårdsorganisationernas beredskap till förändring; hälsoprofessionernas attityder, kunskap och i vilken utsträckning de arbetar med livsstilsinterventioner och riktlinjer.