Search

BackgroundThe increasing prevalence of diabetes and costly long-term complications associated with poor glycemic control are issues facing health services worldwide. Diabetes self-management, with the support of health care providers, is critical for successful outcomes, however, frequent clinical contact is costly. Text messages via short message service (SMS) have the advantage of instant transmission at low cost and, given the ubiquity of mobile phones, may be the ideal platform for the delivery of diabetes self-management support. A tailored text message-based diabetes support intervention called Self-Management Support for Blood Glucose (SMS4BG) was developed. The intervention incorporates prompts around diabetes education, management, and lifestyle factors (healthy eating, exercise, and stress management), as well as blood glucose monitoring reminders, and is tailored to patient preferences and clinical characteristics. ObjectiveTo determine the usability and acceptability of SMS4BG among adults with poorly controlled diabetes. MethodsAdults (aged 17 to 69 years) with type 1 (n=12) or type 2 diabetes (n=30), a hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) over 70 mmol/mol (8.6%), and who owned a mobile phone (n=42) were recruited to take part in a 3-month pilot study of SMS4BG. At registration, participants selected the modules they would like to receive and, where appropriate, the frequency and timing of blood glucose monitoring reminders. Patient satisfaction and perceptions of the usability of the program were obtained via semistructured phone interviews conducted at completion of the pilot study. HbA1c was obtained from patient records at baseline and completion of the pilot study. ResultsParticipants received on average 109 messages during the 3-month program with 2 participants withdrawing early from the study. Follow-up interviews were completed with 93% of participants with all reporting SMS4BG to be useful and appropriate to their age and culture. Participants reported a range of perceived positive impacts of SMS4BG on their diabetes and health behaviors. HbA1c results indicated a positive impact of the program on glycemic control with a significant decrease in HbA1c from baseline to follow-up. ConclusionsA tailored text message-based intervention is both acceptable and useful in supporting self-management in people with poorly controlled diabetes. A randomized controlled trial of longer duration is needed to assess the efficacy and sustainability of SMS4BG.

Anne Bonzon's book, "La paix au village: Clergé paroissial et règlement des conflits dans la France d'Ancien Régime," examines the role of parish clergy in resolving conflicts and promoting reconciliation in rural France during the early modern period. Through her research, Bonzon reveals that curés often acted as peacemakers and arbitrators in their communities, using Christian charity to settle disputes and prevent them from going to court. The book draws on a range of sources, including visitation records, curés' journals, and prescriptive texts, to provide a comprehensive understanding of the curés' role in maintaining peace in their parishes. Bonzon's work highlights the diverse approaches taken by curés and emphasizes the importance of reconciliation in both the church and the state during this time. The H-France Forum is a scholarly publication that offers valuable insights and perspectives for library patrons conducting research. [Extracted from the article]

Background: While dietary sources of calcium are important for bone health, the intake of milk and milk products decreases as children get older. A free milk in schools program may mitigate this decrease in milk consumption. We evaluated the Fonterra Milk for schools program (a free milk initiative) by determining changes in children's milk consumption and anthropometric measures over a 2-year period. Methods: The evaluation was conducted in children aged 7-9 years in a representative sample of primary schools participating in the free milk program, in Auckland, New Zealand. The primary outcome was the proportion of children meeting the New Zealand guidelines for dairy and milk product consumption over 7 days (=2 servings per day). Changes in anthropometric measures were also assessed as secondary outcomes. Results: Nine schools (N = 511 children) participated in the evaluation. The proportion of children meeting the New Zealand guidelines for milk and milk product consumption over 7 days increased significantly from baseline to 2 years' follow-up (72% vs 94%; p < 0.001). Body mass index z scores did not change significantly between baseline and 2 years' follow-up. Conclusions: The Fonterra Milk for Schools initiative appears to be an effective way of increasing milk/milk product consumption behaviors in school-aged children.

The Financial Crisis of 2008 has forced countries around the globe to reevaluate their monetary and fiscal strategies for stimulating growth within their respective economies. The economic connectivity among countries has been magnified by the recent financial crisis. However, with nations at different stages in their development, the economic impact from the crisis has varied throughout the world. After a brief statement on economic development, this article will examine the current economic positions of industrialized and emerging or developing countries around the world. Focus will then be directed toward the job skills needed for success in the 21st Century and the part that technology and engineering education must play in addressing the skill sets needed for creating an educated consumer and workforce.