Search

Background: The health-related behaviours of people with intellectual disabilities may be determined by organisational influences. This innovative study aimed to explore managers' and staffs' perspectives on organisational influences on the promotion of healthy behaviours for this population., Method: A qualitative methodology was employed. Four focus groups with staff and eleven telephone interviews with managers were undertaken across three residential services in one region (Northern Ireland) of the UK. Transcripts were analysed thematically., Findings: The organisations involved in this study did not have the cultural ethos or capacity to sustain consistent support for staff involvement in health promotion. Organisational support and outcome-focused strategies are recommended for encouraging staff involvement in health promotion activities., Conclusion: These findings have implications for some organisations that support people with intellectual disabilities in improving the way they facilitate health promotion. They highlight the need for organisational cultures to facilitate knowledge translation and embrace evidence-based health promotion interventions., (© 2017 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Background: As people with intellectual disabilities (ID) are living longer, their chances of developing cancer also increases. However, recognising the early signs and symptoms of cancer in a population with cognitive impairment and communication difficulties poses difficulties for both family carers and professional care staff. Engagement in health promotion and cancer prevention activities is also a challenge; yet, people with ID have an equal right to these important public services as other members of the population., Aims: The aim of this study was to examine how care staff engaged in cancer prevention and health promotion activities on behalf of people with ID., Methods: This was an exploratory descriptive study using a postal survey design employing a questionnaire. Fifteen residential facilities for adults with ID were targeted within one geographic region of the UK. In total, 40 residential staff completed a questionnaire about their knowledge of the risk and protective factors of stomach, breast, cervical and testicular cancer. Staff then completed questionnaires regarding 90 adults with ID, recording details about body mass index (BMI), lifestyle choices (i.e. smoking, dietary intake), Helicobacter pylori testing, family history of cancer and staff's health promotion and cancer prevention activities with these individuals., Findings: The women with ID were reported to have significantly higher BMIs than the men with ID and only two people with ID had been tested for the H. pylori infection: potential risk factors for developing breast and stomach cancer, respectively. The majority of the staff reported that they did not receive training in cancer prevention. Likewise, the majority of the staff reported that they were unaware of the family histories of the people with ID in their care. Reports varied with how staff engaged with people with ID regarding stomach, breast, cervical and testicular cancer health promotion activities and cancer screening opportunities., Discussion: Findings of this study show that health promotion and cancer prevention activities for people with ID may be less than optimal. The importance of staff training in order to raise knowledge and awareness is highlighted. Educating both staff and people with ID about the early signs and symptoms of cancer and the importance of a healthy lifestyle as a protective factor may help lead to more informed healthier lifestyle choices and lower cancer risk and morbidity., (© 2010 The Authors. Journal of Intellectual Disability Research © 2010 Blackwell Publishing Ltd.)

Background: Women with an intellectual disability (ID) have a similar risk of developing breast cancer as women in the general population yet present with later stage breast cancers, which have poorer outcomes. Aim: To identify whether there is a need to develop a breast cancer awareness intervention for women with an ID. Methods: Interventions aimed at increasing cancer awareness and breast cancer awareness for people with an ID were identified and critically appraised. Results: Five interventions to increase cancer awareness or breast cancer awareness in people with an ID were identified. Conclusion: The review highlighted the paucity of theoretically underpinned breast cancer awareness interventions specifically aimed at women with an ID. Facilitating breast cancer awareness for women with an ID could potentially lead to earlier presentation of potential symptoms of breast cancer, earlier treatment, better prognosis and ultimately, improved survival. This article establishes that there is a need for an intervention underpinned by theory to increase breast cancer awareness in women with an ID.

Background: Women with intellectual disability (ID) are surviving to the age group at greatest risk of developing breast cancer (50-69 years). These women are more likely to experience a greater number of risk factors placing them at an advanced threat of developing breast cancer. However, as a result of cognitive deficits and communication difficulties these women are dependent upon staff to support them to attend the breast screening clinics. Aim: The aim of this paper was to examine how community nurses and residential staff support women with ID to access breast screening services. Methodology: Six focus groups were held with community nurses and residential staff who work in the field of ID in one region of the UK. The focus groups were tape recorded and the transcriptions were subjected to a thematic content analysis. Findings: Although many of the participants recognised the risk factors and signs/symptoms of breast cancer, there was still a deficit of knowledge. Both positive and negative experiences of women with ID attending for breast screening were reported; however, greater discussion focused on the latter. The participants identified "a lack of health educational material" and also negative "emotions, attitudes and physical barriers" as inhibiting factors for attendance. Discussion: This paper highlights the need for developing a health promotion programme for women with ID focusing on breast awareness and information on screening, and also healthier lifestyles. Breast awareness via visual checks was identified for women with ID who refused to attend the breast clinics; however, issues of informed "consent" and "vulnerability" were raised for staff and also family carers having to undertake these checks. Development of user-friendly health educational literature using "pictures, symbols, signs" and simplified words should be accessible to all ID staff, healthcare staff, and also women with ID. (Contains 2 boxes.)

Little has been published about mental health promotion literature for young people with learning disabilities. The aim of this study was to produce a mental health promotion booklet developed by young people with learning disabilities for young people with learning disabilities. A qualitative methodology using four focus groups with young people with learning disabilities was employed. The focus groups were repeated five-times over a six-month period. The young people identified the six key themes to be addressed in the booklet with accompanying colourful and energetic pictures. This lively booklet is a valued resource for practitioners in the field of learning disabilities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]