José Alves Diniz

How Can Peer Group Influence the Behavior of Adolescents: Explanatory Model

The current work aims to study both the peer group and family influence on adolescent behaviour. In order to achieve the aforementioned objective, an explanatory model based on the Structural Equations Modelling (SEM)was proposed. The sample used was the group of adolescents that participated in the Portuguese survey of the European study Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC). The Portuguese survey included students from grades 6, 8 and 10 within the public education system, with an average age of 14 years old (SD=1.89). The total sample of the HBSC study carried out in 2006 was 4,877; however with the use of the SEM, 1,238 participants were lost out of the total sample. The results show that peers have a direct influence in adolescents’ risk behaviours. The relationship with parents did not demonstrate the expected mediation effect, with the exception of the following elements: relation between type of friends and risk behaviour; and communication with parent and lesser involvement in violence behaviours and increased well-being. The negative influence of the peer group is more connected to the involvement in risk behaviours, whilst the positive influence is more connected with protective behaviours.

Neighborhood and physical activities of Portuguese adolescents

BackgroundThis study examines associations between perceptions of neighbourhood environment and physical activity and sports within Portuguese adolescents.MethodsThe sample consisted of 4,877 individuals of both genders, with an average age of 14 years. The instrument used was the Health Behavior School-aged Children questionnaire.ResultsPerceptions of the neighbourhood being unsafe for children to play and having no place to spend leisure time were associated with lower levels of exercise among adolescents. The perceptions of the neighbourhood being unsafe for children to play (OR = 1.3, p < .005) and the fact of not having a place to spend leisure time (OR = 1.3, p < .005) p < .005) were associated with lower levels of exercise among adolescents. The perception of these variables is associated to a lower probability of exercising. The neighbourhood characteristics are more important to the practice of outdoor sports than of indoor sports.ConclusionThe perceptions of the neighbourhood may influence adolescents physical activity and sports, in different ways.

Towards an Intelligent Learning Management System Under Blended Learning

This book offers useful information that evokes initiatives towards rethinking of the value, efficiency, inclusiveness, effectiveness and personalization of the intelligent learning management systems-based blended-learning environment.

The correlates of meeting physical activity recommendations: A population-based cross-sectional study

Abstract The aim of this study was to identify correlated factors which explain the recommended level of leisure time physical activity (LTPA) among Portuguese adults. Subjects aged 31–60 years (972 males, 1195 females) were categorized, based on LTPA data obtained using a questionnaire, into two groups according to the PA recommendation for PA:≥10 or <10 MET·hr·wk−1. Chi-square and logistic regression analyses were applied to the results. For men, the perception of an active lifestyle [odds ratio (OR) = 4.61, 95% CI:3.13–6.81, p <0.001], having an excellent perception of health (OR = 3.14, 95% CI:1.28–7.71, p =0.013), perception of being sufficiently active (OR = 2.16, 95% CI:1.53–3.05, p <0.001), and having a high socio-economic status (SES) (OR = 1.86, 95% CI:1.22–2.81, p =0.004) were associated with attaining the recommended level of PA. For women, the perception of an active lifestyle (OR = 3.68, 95% CI:2.63–5.15, p <0.001), and middle SES (OR = 1.50, 95% CI:1.07–2.11, p =0.018) were positive and associated with meeting PA recommendations. Unlike men, women with body mass index (BMI) 25–29.9 kg/m2 were more likely to attain the recommended level of PA than those with BMI <25 kg/m2. The incidence of adults that met the recommended amount of PA is low. Men and women had different patterns of psychological and socio-demographic correlates. An intervention designed to improve the levels of PA among Portuguese adults may take these correlates into account.

Correlates of urban children's leisure-time physical activity and sedentary behaviors during school days

Understanding correlates of physical activity and sedentary behaviors may contribute to fostering active lifestyles. This study aimed to identify correlates of physical activity and sedentary behaviors in leisure‐time among Portuguese urban children, during school days.

Determinants Influencing Male Condom use Among University Students in Portugal

ABSTRACT. A self-administered questionnaire was carried out among university students in Portugal, with the aim to examine determinants influencing male condom use, according to the information–motivation–behavioral skills model (J. Fisher & Fisher, 1992). Students’ levels of information, motivation, and behavioral skills regarding preventive sexual behavior (male condom use) were ascertained and were used to determine their association with condom use among 880 male and 1,807 female students aged 18 to 35 years old. Although 86.9% of respondents indicated that they used a condom during their first sexual intercourse, only 32.8% used a condom always during sexual intercourse in the last 12 months. Most young people, especially women, had a good level of information regarding HIV/AIDS transmission/prevention. They also showed reasonable positive attitudes and had positive subjective norms and intentions toward HIV/AIDS preventive behaviors. Men presented a higher perceived difficulty and a lower perceived effectiveness of HIV/AIDS preventive behavior, therefore reporting higher risk acceptance. A path analysis revealed that preventive sexual behavior did not depend directly on information level but on motivation and behavioral skills (especially among men). Information about HIV prevention/transmission was not significantly associated with condom use. The finding that motivation and behavioral skills were the strongest determinants of condom use suggested that these may be important factors in effective sexually transmitted infection-prevention programs.

Nationwide survey of contraceptive and sexually transmitted infection knowledge, attitudes and skills of university students in Portugal

Abstract Sexually transmitted infections and (STIs) unintended pregnancies are contemporary public health concerns. Understanding factors ( e.g . knowledge, attitudes and skills) influencing sexual behaviours of university students are critical to develop targeted and tailored risk-reduction interventions for this vulnerable population. Thus, the goals of this study were to describe sexual behaviours and analyze differences between genders for sexual behaviours; to identify whether differences exist between genders and age groups regarding knowledge, attitudes and skills concerning contraceptive methods and STIs, and to evaluate the association of knowledge with attitudes and skills with sexual behaviour among university students in Portugal. The sample included 3278 students. Results show that the majority were sexually active and use condoms and oral contraceptives. In general, university students have high knowledge, positive attitudes and skills about contraception and STIs. Gender analyses indicated that women had greater knowledge, and more favourable attitudes, and higher skills toward contraceptive and STI preventive behaviour College students, in particular, face new challenges in sexual health and would benefit from more comprehensive education aimed at promoting healthy decision-making about family planning and STI prevention.

Psychosocial Factors of Different Health Behaviour Patterns in Adolescents: Association with Overweight and Weight Control Behaviours

Physical activity, nutrition, and sedentary behaviour combine to influence the risk of overweight among adolescents. This paper aims to identify psychosocial factors of different health behaviour patterns in adolescents and its association with overweight and weight control behaviours. The 3069 adolescents of both genders (average of 14.8 years old) from the 2010 Portuguese survey of Health Behaviour School-Aged Children (HBSC) answered the 2010 HBSC self-reported questionnaire. It used the cluster k-means (nonhierarchy method), qui-square, one-way ANOVA, and logistic regression. Three clusters with different behavioural patterns (physical activity, sedentary, and eating) composed the results obtained. The sedentary group (34%) had lower self-regulation, body satisfaction, health and wellness, family and classmates relationships, communication with the father than the other two groups. The active gamers (25%) had a smaller BMI but used more unhealthy weight control strategies than the other two groups. The healthy group (41%) was more motivated and more satisfied with school but was not different than the active gamers in most psychosocial variables. Differences were found between clusters for weight control behaviours and psychosocial variables. Different strategies for different patterns were necessary in order to promote obesity prevention and, simultaneously, target healthy lifestyle and wellbeing in adolescents.

Blended Learning in Higher Education: Different Needs, Different Profiles

Abstract The use of technology can be seen as an innovative challenge to restructure the teaching-learning process and integrate ICT in independent, collaborative and interactive work. The thoughts of 32 teachers and 36 students vis-a-vis a Course Management System from five undergraduate courses were analysed. A systematic content analysis was merged with a multivariate analysis. The results seem to reveal 4 profiles of teachers (i.e., activities-oriented, interaction-oriented, assessment-oriented, and collaboration-oriented) and 3 profiles of students (i.e., interactive learning environment-oriented, teachers beliefs-oriented, training-oriented). A proficient LMS seems to require human resilience and versatile to the needs of all users.

Educação sexual, conhecimentos, crenças, atitudes e comportamentos nos adolescentes

Resumo Introducao O aumento das ISTs, da gravidez nao planeada e de outros tantos riscos ligados a actividade sexual fazem com que os jovens sejam considerados um grupo de intervencao prioritario em termos de saude sexual e reprodutiva. Para se promover atitudes e comportamentos sexuais saudaveis e essencial a concretizacao de uma educacao sexual que tenha como objectivo desenvolver atitudes e competencias nos jovens, permitindo que estes se sintam informados e seguros nas suas escolhas. Material e metodos Este estudo (HBSC/OMS) avaliou o papel que 3331 adolescentes portugueses (1579 rapazes e 1752 raparigas), com uma media de idades de 15 anos, atribuem a educacao sexual, os seus conhecimentos e atitudes face ao VIH/SIDA. Usou-se um questionario de auto-relato que foi aplicado as turmas em sala de aula. Resultados Analisados os resultados do estudo, verificou-se que quer os factores de risco quer os de proteccao em relacao aos comportamentos sexuais de risco dos adolescentes sao inumeros. Conclusoes Sendo assim, e crucial que a educacao sexual abranja intervencoes do tipo preventivo de caracter universal, abrangendo toda a populacao escolar e respectivos contextos de vida: escola, familia e grupo de pares, mas tambem intervencoes mais especificas, em pequenos subgrupos identificados como prioritarios.