Browsing by Subject "opinion leaders"
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Item College students?rceptions of the national animal identification system(2009-05-15) Long, Jeanie MarieThe purpose of this study was to determine awareness, knowledge, and perceptions of the National Animal Identification System (NAIS) among college students in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Texas A&M University. Since the issue of a governmentsponsored electronic national identification system for livestock is relatively new, many pros and cons exist regarding increased biosecurity and increased surveillance by the government. While many adult producer groups have expressed their concerns over the implications of the proposed identification system, little attention has been focused on future producers?youth and college students. This study investigated how college students gathered information about livestock industry issues from mass media or other resources, and how the students? awareness and knowledge of the identification system influenced their perceptions of the NAIS. The sample population consisted of students enrolled in courses related to animal agriculture and production during the spring 2007 semester at Texas A&M University. Stratified random sampling was used to determine participants, and a total of 92 students responded to the survey. The strata were animal science majors and non-animal science majors, and upperclassmen and lowerclassmen. An online, self-administered survey was used to collect data from the participants. The survey consisted of close-ended and open-ended questions; a pilot study of students with similar majors and classification as the sample established face validity of the instrument. Descriptive statistics, correlations, and one-way ANOVA were used to examine the data. Major findings were that as a group, students were somewhat aware of the NAIS, and were knowledgeable of general NAIS concepts. Students disagreed with the statement that they are well-informed about the NAIS. Students? perceptions of the NAIS were positively associated with their awareness of the NAIS. Livestock leadership experiences (4-H or FFA membership, livestock show team member, exhibitor experience, and youth livestock organization member) had positive moderate correlations with NAIS awareness. Livestock exhibitor experience had a moderate correlation with perception of the NAIS. University professors, Internet, and family members were preferred information sources. Opinion leaders? influence as information sources affected students? awareness and perceptions of the NAIS. Cooperative Extension, private organizations, and university professors were all moderately correlated with students? awareness of the NAIS. University professors had a positive, yet low correlation with students? perceptions of the NAIS.Item Needs Assessment of Agricultural, Environmental, and Social Systems of Small Farmers in Chimaltenango, Guatemala(2011-02-22) Oleas, CarolinaProviding support for the agricultural development of small farmers is the main goal of the project Agriculture in Guatemala: Technology, Education and Commercialization (AGTEC). To accomplish this, it is necessary, to identify the characteristics and needs of participants, as well as their environmental, social, and farming conditions. Through this study, two case studies were conducted to identify and analyze the context of small farmers of the region. This research study used qualitative and participative methods, such as interviews, focus groups, and observation, to gather data about the participants' thoughts and opinions concerning their situations. The case study systemically gathered information about the conditions and needs of small farmers to provide a better understanding of the people and their interactions within the farm systems. This needs assessment showed how the farmers' decisions about adoption are related to their interactions on their farms. Therefore, this study analyzed the system, as a whole, to identify priorities among different critical components that will provide optimum results for beneficiaries. These priorities will allow the identification of appropriate technologies that will satisfy the needs of small farmers according to their local, cultural, and economic conditions. The appropriate technologies need to be diffused among the farmers for adoption. Rogers observed that technologies that are diffused by opinion leaders are adopted by their peers. Thus, the second case study analyzed the social networks and their leaders to observe their potential to support the diffusion process of technologies. The study revealed the presence of diverse social networks, one provided by the political structure, others based on organized groups of farmers and other informal networks formed by independent farmers. Data also showed that opinion leaders have desired roles and characteristics among their networks. Therefore diffusion of innovations through formal and non-formal leaders represents a promising strategy as they are recognized and respected by peers. The diffusion of innovations through opinion leaders promotes the active participation of local members, validates the innovations, and sustains adoption over time. Therefore, the analysis of the social networks and selection of opinion leaders supports the diffusion process of the AGTEC project in Chimaltenango, Guatemala.Item School Nurses' Role as Opinion Leaders Regarding the HPV Vaccine for Youth(2013-06-17) Rosen, Brittany LeighThe most common sexually transmitted infection for both males and females is the human papillomavirus (HPV). HPV is responsible for nearly all cervical cancers. Currently, an HPV vaccine is available; however, HPV vaccination rates for US adolescents are dismal. School nurses serve as the person connecting medical and school communities, and are a critical component in assisting families traverse the medical and educational systems. Thus, there is reason to assume school nurses can be key opinion leaders regarding the HPV vaccine. The purpose of this study was to: (1) explain how the Diffusion of Innovations (DOI) theory explains school nurses' roles as opinion leaders regarding the HPV vaccine; (2) document current literature regarding healthcare providers' perspectives and practice regarding the HPV vaccine; and (3) evaluate school nurses' knowledge, attitudes, perceptions of being an opinion leader and professional practice regarding the HPV vaccine for youth. DOI states opinion leaders influence the rate of an innovation (e.g., the HPV vaccine). We argue school nurses are opinion leaders for the HPV vaccine because of their unique leadership position through their cross-disciplinary understanding of the educational and health systems. The systematic literature review included 28 studies of healthcare providers. The main barrier, vaccine cost, was identified in 12 reports. Additionally, females and older adolescents were more frequently vaccinated than males and younger adolescents. To examine school nurses' knowledge, attitudes, perceptions and professional practice regarding the HPV vaccine, the study included a sample of 413 school nurses. Structural equation modeling revealed knowledge influenced attitudes, attitudes affected perceptions and professional practices, and perceptions predicted professional practice. Furthermore, the perceptions variable was found to be a partial mediator in the model. Practitioners designing programs to engage school nurses in disseminating HPV vaccine education may benefit from questioning whether their programs might be emphasizing non-crucial elements for influencing vaccine dissemination practice (e.g., knowledge) and de-emphasizing influential elements such as attitudes and perceptions.