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Explores the role of perceived risk of HIV infection by donating blood in the change of blood donation practice of the public in Scotland. Persistence of belief of the risk of infection in blood donation in the general population; Difference in perception of risk in non-donors, ex-donors, current and new donors.

This article presents information on findings of three independent qualitative research projects related to health and health promotion in the middle years, the health beliefs of men aged 30-40 and people with physical disability. The study was conducted in Scotland. The authors conducted in-depth interviews with analysis based on the grounded theory method. The first study related to a multi-method project on health, health promotion and the middle years aimed to explore in-depth health relevant concepts, behaviors and experiences amongst men and women aged 45-59, and the salience of health and illness in their everyday lives. The study also aimed to examine attitudes towards, and experience and current use of, preventive health services within primary care.

Sir Dugald Baird sketches the history of abortion legislation in Great Britain from the beginning of the century. In his views the 1967 Abortion Act has been one of the most important and beneficial pieces of social legislation enacted in Britain in the last 100 years. It has, however, brought problems both of administration in the hospitals and to individual doctors and nurses, particularly when the patients are young single women and even schoolgirls. One of the consequences of the Abortion Act has been a fall in maternal mortality and perinatal mortality rates. Abortion does not seem to be followed by serious emotional sequelae. Nevertheless recent changes in sexual mores have introduced new and serious social problems which are discussed in relation to the role of the doctor in his relationship with patients seeking abortion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A sample of the population of Aberdeen City was interviewed, and attitudes towards alcoholism determined. While they were generally in agreement with the experts on eight of the nine factors there were inconsistencies in their attitudes. They held opposite opinions to the experts in regarding alcoholism as a sign of moral weakness. These findings have been discussed in the context of the Scottish culture. Recommendations have been made concerning future programmes of alcoholism education and their evaluation in Scotland. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Relocation of the elderly has stimulated research into its effect on this vulnerable group. This study, by contrast, focuses attention on the staff response to relocation. Nursing staff on an Elderly and Severely Mentally Infirm Unit (ESMI) who were caring for the 50-60 inpatients completed a questionnaire, measuring job satisfaction and work-related attitudes, immediately and after the relocation to a newly refurbished unit. A follow-up was conducted 8 months after the change of environment. Only after the 8-month follow-up had overall levels of job satisfaction improved significantly. No changes over time were found in attitude to caring for ESMI patients or views about providing more facilitative activities as opposed to traditional nursing care. On all occasions there was a great sense of co-operation amongst staff, but they were unsatisfied with the pressure of work. Morale and feeling part of a team effort dropped after relocation but regained original levels on follow-up. Staff turnover was high for the duration of the study. Opinions concerning work were not associated with staff leaving immediately on relocation but low satisfaction levels did predict a future exodus of staff from the unit after the relocation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses Scottish nationalism from the 1920s through the 1960s. The role that nationalism plays within political parties in Scotland, including in the Scottish Nationalist Party (S.N.P), the Conservative Party and the Scottish Labour Party, is discussed. The relationship between elections in Scotland and the decentralization of Great Britain's government is also discussed. An overview of the political attitudes of Scottish legislators, including their putative similar perspectives to those of African nationalists, is provided.

Aims: The aims of this study were to determine the pattern of use and re-use of matrix bands in general practice in Scotland, to demonstrate which type of matrix band is most commonly used and to examine infection control measures of relevance to the safe use and re-use of matrix bands.Materials and Methods: Subjects: 621 of Scotland's 1,849 general dental practitioners were randomly selected.Data Collection: A 19-item self-reported questionnaire was mailed in June 1999 with a follow-up mailing sent in August 1999.Analysis: Data analysis involved descriptive statistics and cross-tabulation. Where appropriate, differences between categories were tested for significance by a Chi-square test.Results: A total of 479 questionnaires were returned, representing a response rate of 77%. Reported compliance with routine glove wearing was high (91%). Most dentists (92%) provided training on instrument cleaning and sterilisation for their dental nurses. Ultrasonic baths were used by 59% of practitioners; the remainder soaked or manually scrubbed instruments to remove debris before autoclaving. The Siqveland matrix was the matrix of choice for 96% of respondents. 7% provided a new matrix band for each patient. Most (64%) changed bands only when they were bent or damaged; 29% changed them daily or weekly. Deterrents to use of a new band for each patient were cost (39%) and time (52%). A total of 54% of respondents considered matrix band replacement unnecessary between patients.Conclusions: The Siqveland matrix band is the most popular among the study group of dental practitioners. Re-use of matrix bands is common. Guidelines for the safe re-use of matrix bands are required. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents information on the study "Public Attitudes and Environmental Justice in Scotland: Research Findings 25/2005," from the Scottish Executive. An overview of the study's findings is provided. The association between incidence of incivilities and absence of environmental goods is explained in the study. The importance of the study is emphasized.