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This study examines the associations between frequency of personal prayer, frequency of worship attendance and spiritual wellbeing among 468 students attending fourth, fifth and sixth classes within 18 Church of Ireland schools located in one diocese in the Republic of Ireland. Spiritual wellbeing is measured by a modified form of the Fisher 16-item instrument "Feeling Good, Living Life" (assessing quality of relationships across four domains: self, family, nature, and God). The data demonstrate that frequency of personal prayer is a much stronger predictor than frequency of worship attendance in respect of spiritual wellbeing. This finding is consistent with the view that personal prayer is a key factor in the formation of individual spirituality.

"An overview of contemporary curriculum discourse shows a worrying drift to the technical; in current curriculum debates, technique is winning out over substance, procedure over principles" (Looney 2001, p.149). As a project worker in the School Completion Programme in Ireland I ask what and who education is for and look at to whom and to what end current policy and practice benefit and where School Completion Programme fits into the debate. To counter the current trend of curriculum debates drifting to the technical, the development of a curriculum conscience is explored as well as offering Freirean type "limit acts" in negating and overcoming, rather than passively accepting the given.

Purpose: Through examination of a case study this paper aims to describe a brand re-positioning exercise and explore how an emotionally driven approach to branding can help create meaningful connections with potential undergraduate students and can positively influence choice. Design/methodology/approach: The paper's approach is a case study description with quantitative analysis in support. Findings: The use of an emotionally driven branding concept has positively impacted business development and brand likeability within a UK university. Research limitations/implications: The paper is specific to one case study and evaluation of success remains relatively early. Initial implications relate to the potential use of emotion in higher education marketing communications and how the use of emotion acted as an enabler of more rational decision-making processes within the case university context. Originality/value: An exploration of issues related to the marketing of higher education services is of great importance at this time. The case study described offers value and learning for readers of the journal from both a theoretical and practical perspective. (Contains 1 figure and 1 note.)

Background: Efforts to identify core competencies within health promotion and health education have been on-going for a number of years. These efforts include work carried out by the International Union for Health Promotion and Education (IUHPE) in drawing up a draft list of 11 core competencies which were incorporated into the practice module on the Masters (MA) in Health Promotion at National University of Ireland (NUI), Galway for the academic year 2008-2009. A reflective portfolio was introduced to allow students to reflect on their learning while on the programme. The aim of this article is to explore the usefulness of this competency-based reflective portfolio for student learning on the course. Methods: A qualitative study design was utilized. Content analysis of 18 student portfolios was undertaken addressing the 11 competencies of: professionalism; values/ethics; needs assessment; planning; implementation; evaluation; communication; policy/strategy; organization/management; collaborative working and technology. Results: The use of the portfolio promoted high levels of reflection across the "entire" course rather than within the practice module only. It reinforced student learning across modules and identified further training needs for students. Aspects of the course which were of particular value to students were also identified and included the work placement component and "real life experiences" of practitioners in the field of health promotion. The importance of dedicated skills workshops, such as strategy development, was also identified. Conclusion: The competency-based reflective portfolio is a very useful tool which draws together theoretical and experiential learning. It provides students with an opportunity to bring together the course as a whole and to integrate material across modules and tasks.

This article discusses the authors' experience in working with young offenders who are leaving care in Ireland. It first presents a brief discussion around one agency called St. Xavier's which the authors have had connections with over the past decade. The main aim of St. Xavier's is to deliver individualized programs of care, education, and reintegration that are in the best interests of the young people. It offers a comprehensive service, in small group living situations (a maximum of ten boys in each of three houses), for male juvenile offenders in a rural setting in Ireland. Essential elements for effective programming are outlined. (Contains 12 notes.)

This paper critically examines the model of practical assessment discussed by Bennett and Kennedy (2001), and considers it in the light of recent changes in the assessment of science courses in the Republic of Ireland. The model is discussed in detail and the empirical results are re-evaluated. The discussion has wider relevance for the methodology, and reporting, of practical assessment in general.

The HEIghten Critical Thinking Test (HCTT), developed by the Educational Testing Service (ETS), has gained traction both in the United States (US) and elsewhere. This study presents preliminary validity evidence for the use of the HCTT in Ireland. We provide evidence of the HCTT's overall structure, reliability, and relationships with student-level variables. While some item discrimination and reliability indices are not optimal, results of other analyses support the low stakes use of the HCTT in an Irish context. The procedures and outcomes of the study will be of interest to those planning to validate an existing high quality measure of critical thinking in local contexts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: To describe the patterns of dental attendance and attitudes towards tooth loss of general dental practice patients in Galway. Objectives: I. To determine the pattern of adult dental attendance in general practices in Galway; and, 2. To examine the oral health attitudes of these patients. Method: Questionnaires were distributed to 311 consecutive adult patients in the waiting rooms of ten general dental practices in Galway, which were randomly selected from the telephone directory. Results: A total of 254 of the 311 questionnaires distributed were fully completed, returned and included in the results, giving a response rate of 81.7%. A total of 59% of dentate participants attended their dentist for annual or biannual examinations compared to 23% of edentate patients. Some 10.5% of medical card holders and 0.5% of non-medical card holders were edentulous. Conclusions: The data from the survey indicated that medical card holders in Galway were more likely to be edentulous than nonmedical card holders. Edentate patients were less likely to be regular dental attenders than dentate patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: In Ireland there is no national shoreline management policy. Instead, management involves a series of actions at the local authority (County) level that respond to local demands, politics and economics within only a broad legal framework. Through the COREPOINT project, University of Ulster scientists have been working with local authority officials in Donegal to bring a scientific understanding of coastal processes to bear on practical management. Experience at several sites has shown significant changes in practice as a result of this interaction, compared to the previous situation when rock armouring was the favoured response to coastal erosion. We argue that achieving sustainable approaches to coastal management in a policy vacuum relies on a combination of (i) commitment to these approaches by local officials, (ii) low levels of public pressure for action, and (iii) limited financial resources. A change in any one of these is likely to lead to unsustainable actions. While close co-operation with scientists can help management in the absence of a coherent policy, only a formal regulatory instrument can deliver sustainable shoreline management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Sustainability Science invokes a co-produced approach to research between researchers and managers, involving a shared participatory, policy-centred process. The COREPOINT project which was developed with the principles of Sustainability Science in mind, provides evidence of the effectiveness and challenges involved in the knowledge transfer process between research centres and local government officials involved in coastal research and management. The Expert Couplet Nodes (ECN) embedded within the project aimed to ensure that a paradigm shift in attitude and behaviour towards traditional science and management practices took place. A comparison of the ECN process in two study sites in Ireland provided an opportunity to review the process and outcomes of the collaborative enquiry arrangements by referring to a suite of Sustainability Science principles developed during the project. In doing so, this paper demonstrates how the ECN approach built capacity for improved coastal management and how Sustainability Science has a key role to play in Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM). However, weaknesses in the ECN approach also showed that greater innovation from the ICZM community of researchers, policy makers and practitioners is of critical importance to the roll out of Sustainability Science as a societal solution in the transition towards sustainability. This requires capacity building to deal with the complexity of coastal socio-ecological systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction Irish dental graduates are eligible to enter general dental practice immediately after qualification. Unlike their United Kingdom counterparts, there is no requirement to undertake vocational training (VT) or any pre-registration training. VT is a mandatory 12-month period for all UK dental graduates who wish to work within the National Health Service. It provides structured, supervised experience in training practices and through organised study days. Aims This study aimed to profile the career choices made by recent dental graduates from UCC. It aimed to record the uptake of VT and associate posts, and where the graduates gained employment. Methodology A self completion questionnaire was developed and circulated electronically to recent graduates from UCC. An existing database of email addresses was used and responses were returned by post or by email. A copy of the questionnaire used is included as Appendix 1. Results Questionnaires were distributed over an eight-week period and 142 were returned, giving a response rate of 68.9%. Responses were gathered from those who graduated between 2001 and 2007; however, the majority came from more recent classes. Overall, the majority of graduates took up associate positions after qualification (71.8%) with smaller numbers undertaking VT (28.2%). Increasing numbers have entered VT in recent years, including 54.3 from the class of 2007. Overall, the majority of graduates initially took up positions in England (43%); however, in recent times more have been employed in Scotland. Subsequent work profiles of the graduates illustrate that the majority are now working as associates in general practice (51,4%) and in Ireland (54.2%). Conclusions * There has been an increase in the proportion of UCC graduates undertaking VT. * Graduates tended to move away from Ireland initially to gain employment. * There has been a shift away from employment in England towards Scotland where the majority of new UCC graduates are now initially employed. * The majority of graduates returned to Ireland for employment after the initial move away. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article explores a report from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) which analyzed the Irish civil and public service in line with the views of four commentators about the changes take place in the nature of the state of Ireland, as well as its democratic system and civil service. The report assessed the status of the civil and public service modernization programme of Ireland. It has found that the findings of the report reflect the concerns raised by the commentators regarding public service capacity.

Background: Pregnant patients with cardiac disease have significantly higher predicted maternal morbidity and mortality compared to the general obstetric population. Published guidelines on optimal management of these patients recommend multidisciplinary care provision. There are few published data on the incidence of haematological complications in pregnant women with cardiac disease, although the data that does exist suggests a relatively high rate of bleeding and thrombotic events., Aims: To determine the outcomes in terms of haematological morbidity occurring within a cohort of pregnant women with cardiac disease in the setting of multidisciplinary care provision., Methods: Patients were identified from a database compiled by the obstetric cardiology service listing all cardiac patients managed in the Rotunda maternity hospital during the period from 2004 to 2011. Data were obtained from the medical and obstetric case notes relating to details of perinatal care and the occurrence of antenatal and postnatal complications., Results: During the 8-year review period, 451 women with cardiac disease were assessed. Fifty-nine were determined to have moderate to high-risk disease. Each received consultant-delivered multidisciplinary care, where written management strategies were agreed by collaborating senior colleagues either preconceptually or in early pregnancy. No venous thromboembolic events occurred and a modest rate of post-partum haemorrhage (approximately 5%) was recorded. There were no maternal deaths., Conclusion: The relatively favourable outcomes observed within our institution highlight the importance of a multidisciplinary approach to the management of pregnant women with cardiac disease, particularly in scenarios where limited published evidence exists to guide management.

We investigated the trend in birth-weights in the Rotunda hospital in primiparous women over the 20th century. There was a significant increase in birth-weight particularly in the latter third of the century. In light of these findings we believe that new approaches to the management of labour in primiparous mothers be developed.

A comparison was made of deaths from intrapartum hypoxia of normally formed babies > 2.5 kg born at home (N = 346) and those born in hospitals (N = 61,215). If the intended place of birth is home the chance of dying due to intrapartum hypoxia is 1:70 (5 in 346). If the intended place of birth is hospital the chance of dying is 1:3600 (17 in 61,215). Although the sample size of home births is smaller, the difference is significant (< 0.01 level of significance). In view of the small number of home births, the need for ongoing monitoring of home births over a longer period is essential.

A retrospective case-review of 52 mothers who had a peripartum hysterectomy over the past 27 years was conducted at the Rotunda hospital, Dublin, Ireland. The chief indications were uncontrollable haemorrhage due to rupture of the uterus, placenta praevia and uterine atony. Obstetric hysterectomy is a formidable operation, usually performed as a life-saving measure and requires expert surgical dexterity in order to minimise the significant morbidity. The benefits of the subtotal operation appear to be superior to those of total hysterectomy. Counselling patients having a caesarean section regarding the possibility of hysterectomy is advisable in those who have had previous uterine surgery, multiple caesarean sections or placenta praevia.

The aims of this study were to identify risk factors for scar dehiscence in labour, to illustrate the clinical presentations of patients with scar dehiscence and to quantify the risk posed by the use of oxytocin in labour. This was a case controlled, 5 year retrospective study. Patients with scar dehiscence were identified from labour ward records with matched controls and chart review of case and control patients were performed. Our results showed that the vaginal delivery rate for trial of scar was 76.9%. The incidence of scar dehiscence was 0.043%. Oxytocic labour augmentation was a risk factor (OR 4.5, 95% CI 0.9313-42.8, p=0.065) but induction of labour using oxytocin was not (p=0.222). The commonest symptom of scar dehiscence was fetal distress (OR 12.3, 95% CI 1.9-81). There was no maternal or fetal mortality. We concluded that trial of labour after one caesarean section is acceptable practice with a good success rate and a low incidence of serious morbidity. The use of oxytocin to augment labour is associated with scar dehiscence.

Routine antenatal testing for hepatitis B carriage with maternal consent was introduced at the Rotunda in January 1998. The uptake of testing has been excellent; 99.98% of women presenting for antenatal care accepted hepatitis B (HBV) screening in the 30-months from January 1998 through June 2000. The prevalence of HBV carriage was 0.35% (58 pregnancies of 16,222 tested) increasing from 0.25% in 1998 (16 of 6227) to 0.45% in the first six months of 2000 (16 of 3484). Fifty-five women had 58 pregnancies (three women had two pregnancies). Two of these were e-antigen positive. HBV carrier status was previously unknown in 48 (87%). Two additional women had acute HBV infection in pregnancy. Forty-five infants have been born to mothers included in this screening programme. Audit of infant outcome reveals excellent compliance with immunisation and follow-up: 29 (64%) have completed the 3 dose HBV vaccination schedule to date. Thirteen infants (31%) are still attending; three are lost to follow-up including one whose family has emigrated. Routine antenatal screening for hepatitis B carriage is cost-effective and should be considered a standard of care in maternity practice.

Infant mortality rates in developed countries have shown significant decreases in recent years. Two-thirds of infant mortality still occurs in the neonatal period and our aim in this study was to review the causes of these neonatal deaths and see where further improvements may be possible. A 6-yr review of all neonatal deaths of live-born infants over 500 g birthweight from 1991 to 1996 was made. The 1989 amended Wigglesworth classification was used to categorize cause of death and other perinatal variables were also recorded. Results show there were 34,375 births and 153 neonatal deaths. Classification of these deaths by Wigglesworth found 78 (51 per cent) due to congenital malformations, 58 (38 per cent) due to prematurity, 6 (4 per cent) due to asphyxia and 11 (7 per cent) due to specific other causes. The corrected neonatal mortality was 2.18. Neural tube defects alone accounted for 10 per cent of the total neonatal mortality. Fifty-five out of 58 infants who died due to prematurity had birthweight < 1000 g and survival rates in this group compared well to international standards. We conclude that a reduction in neonatal mortality is possible but is most likely to result from community focused measures such as increased use of pre- and peri-conceptional folate.

Awareness of and compliance with periconceptual folate was measured by questionnaire in our antenatal and infertility populations. Awareness was somewhat better in the private antenatal and infertility patients, but compliance was universally very poor. A substantial proportion of pregnancies were planned, and therefore there is potential for a much higher level of compliance.

Over a 12 month period, 32 teenage girls attended the sexually transmitted disease clinic in the Mater Misericordiae Hospital, Dublin for the first time, accounting for 17.8% of all first visits. Their mean age was 18.2 years (range 15-19 years). Twenty-four (75%) were from social class V. Five (15.6%) were abusing drugs. The mean age of first coitus was 16.1 years (range 13-19 years). The mean number of sexual partners was 1.8 (range 1-5). Four (12.5%) had been sexually abused in the past. Fourteen (43.8%) had never used contraception. Twenty-three (71.9%) were nulligravidae: 2 were diagnosed as being pregnant in the clinic. Twelve (37.5%) were unaware of cervical cytology screening. Of 29 having intercourse without condoms, none considered themselves to be at risk of contracting HIV from their present partner. A total of 26 diagnoses were made in 23 patients (71.9%). The most common diagnosis was ano-genital condylomata acuminata (6, 18.8%); Chlamydia trachomatis was located in 2 patients and Neisseria gonorrhoea in one. Mild to moderate dyskaryosis was reported in 4 cervical smears (12.5%). This data highlights the need for priority targeting of this high risk group.