bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cardiometabolic profiles in adolescents in the Pollution and Asthma Risk: an Infant Study cohort
Authors: Lefebvre L , Roda C , Grunemwald T , Hamrene K , Momas I
Published: October 2023

Background

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is known as a risk factor for cardiovascular disease and diabetes but its definition is not yet consensual for teenagers. Thus, we aimed to identify cardiometabolic health profiles in adolescents from the PARIS birth cohort.

Methods

At 15/16 years old, PARIS participants underwent a health check-up including a blood test, handgrip strength measure, self-administered and parent-filled questionnaires. Cardiometabolic profiles, in the whole population and by gender, were identified by K-means partitioning. A MetS risk score was also calculated. Characteristics of cardiometabolic profiles were compared using Chi2/Fisher exact test or Student's t-test.

Results

This study included 529 adolescents (49% females) with a mean BMI of 20.2±3.2 kg/m2. MetS prevalence ranged from 0.2% to 1.3%. Two profiles were identified in the whole population and by gender: ‘healthy’ (67.1%) and ‘cardiometabolic risk’ (32.9%) profiles. The main predictive factors of profiles were weight and either waist-to-height ratio or waist circumference (R2>87%). Compared to “healthy” profiles, adolescents from ‘cardiometabolic risk’ lived more with obesity and pre-hypertension, had most frequently waist-to-height ratio over 0.5 and hypertriglyceridemia (unobserved in females). They also had higher cardiometabolic risk score and their parents were more often overweight. They had higher birth weight, earlier rebound age and puberty, and lower relative handgrip strength.

Conclusions

The identified cardiometabolic profiles were linked to early signals and handgrip strength, a marker of overall health, emphasizing the importance of early monitoring. The waist-to-height ratio appears to be easy to use and a useful clinical tool for screening adolescents at risk of cardiometabolic pathologies, and thus requiring a clinical follow-up.

Key messages

• We innovatively classified adolescents based on their cardiometabolic health into two groups, with one group potentially requiring monitoring to prevent adult health issues.

• The waist-to-height ratio is a simple clinical tool usable for screening adolescents at cardiometabolic risk.
Palliative care for children - problems and attitudes of nurses and midwives
Authors: Dilova P , Aleksandrova-Yankulovska S
Published: October 2023

Background

The palliative care model is focused on quality of life, and within this model, curative and comfort-enhancing interventions may exist. Advances in medical technology are saving the lives of very low birth weight newborns and critically ill babies in neonatal intensive care units. Babies born with life-limiting conditions or who develop life-limiting conditions during hospitalization may receive palliative care. Bulgaria still lacks an established medical standard for palliative care. Palliative care for children in a terminal condition is provided in a medical facility for hospital care, in a center for complex services for children with disabilities and chronic diseases, as well as in the child's home. The aim of this research project is to ascertain the attitudes and problems in providing palliative care for children.

Methods

A qualitative focus group study involving two focus groups: one of nurses (8) and one of midwives (4) were conducted in March 2023. Nurses are working in children's medical and social care unit, midwives are from neonatal intensive care unit. The data were transcribed and coded using data analysis programe NVivo 12.

Results

At this moment we have first preliminary results for problems and attitudes. Through qualitative analysis five common themes were identified: Parents find it difficult to accept the truth and often end the relationship with the child after his placement in a social or medical facility; staff is insufficient; lack of regulation; no specialized training in palliative care; need for specialized pediatric hospices.

Conclusions

Adaptation of the regulatory framework to European and world standards alone is not enough. Children in need of palliative care are of different ages and different illnesses. The lack of sufficiently qualified personnel limits the possibilities of providing quality care.

Key messages

• The implementation of quality palliative care for children with various problems can only be done by sufficient and well-prepared personnel.

• Nurses and midwives admit that their training in palliative care is insufficient.
Professional stress and educational training in nursing homes during Covid 19 pandemic in Zagreb
Authors: Puljak A , Kolarić B , Rusac S , Štajduhar D , Miloš M , Arnaut K , Sajko D , Marić Bajs M
Published: October 2023

Background

Nursing in nursing homes is considered to be one of the most stressful professions. Additional problems during the Covid 19 pandemic were working in long shifts with highly infectious patients, high mortality, insufficient education and shortage of stuff, work under epidemiological measures. Such situation can be extra stressful and affect nurses health.

Objectives

During 2020-2022 we did quantitative and qualitative study on sources of work stress and professional burnout. Also we did educational training for nurses. The aim of the research and interventions is acquiring skills to cope with stress, communication skills with different personalities through specific workshops and intervision/ supervision work with nurses implementing by experts: a public health specialist, an epidemiologist, a psychiatrist, a social worker and a nurse. The long-term goals are the protection of nurses health and improvement of care for users.

Results

Quantitative research was conducted on 135 nurses by validated questionnaires in 12 nursing homes in Zagreb. It was found examined sources of stress are directly related to burnout and also a high degree of emotional exhaustion (62,3%). Basic groups of stress sources were lack of superiors suport, communications problems, excessive work load, unrealistic expectations. High degree of professional burnout was 6%. Also basic topics of a qualitative research were defined. Workshops on coping with stress and communication skills, intervision methodology and supervision interventions were held for representatives of nurses from all nursing homes. Interested nurses attended an 8-week mindfulness course.

Conclusions

Through research and implementation of the intervention it has been shown that there is a great need for interventions in protecting health of staff in nursing homes in crisis situations.

Key messages

• Employees who provide health and social care need continuous support in the protection of their mental health, as well as additional support interventions in crisis situations.

• Preserving the health of health and social workers improves the quality of care within the health and social system.
Does mindfulness-based wellbeing training increase self-reported and perceived health among teachers?
Authors: Keijonen E , Volanen S-M , Vahlberg T
Published: October 2023

Background

Teachers are reporting increased stress, burnout, and workload at schools. Previous studies have shown that mindfulness-based (MF-based) programs are potential interventions to decrease stress and improve wellbeing among teachers. The aim of this Healthy Learning Mind -teacher study was to investigate the effects of a MF-based wellbeing training on several dimensions of wellbeing among teachers in Finnish comprehensive schools.

Methods

We developed a MF-based wellbeing training tailored for teachers (8 weeks) and organized the training by three teaching methods: 1) contact teaching; 2) online teaching and 3) combination of both contact and online teaching. Outcome variables are: wellbeing (The Short Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well-Being Scale), work ability (Work Ability Index) and perceived stress (Single Item Measure of Stress). A total of 50 teachers answered to both baseline and follow-up questionnaires. Additionally perceived health benefits were reported.

Results

MF-based wellbeing training showed beneficial effects on teachers’ perceived health: better ability to calm down, relax, regulate emotions and to manage difficult situations as well as better tools for stress management in classrooms. Additionally teachers reported that their own mindfulness practice had a beneficial effect on students’ calmness, attention and kindness as well as on interaction with students. Analysed results on outcome variables will be presented at the conference.

Conclusions

First results suggest that MF-based wellbeing training has several perceived health benefits among teachers in strengthening teachers’ ability to regulate emotions and decrease stress and to adopt tools for solving challenging situations with students. Furthermore, teachers reported that their own mindfulness practice had a favorable effect on students’ wellbeing and social-emotional competence. Enhancing teachers’ wellbeing is beneficial for both teachers themselves and for students.

Key messages

• MF-based wellbeing training can be seen as a potential intervention to decrease perceived stress and increase perceived health benefits among teachers and to support teachers in their profession.

• More research is needed to understand how teachers’ own mindfulness practice affects wellbeing among students and interaction in classrooms.
Suicide prevention-a public health priority in the Republic of Croatia
Authors: Stimac Grbic D , Pavic Simetin I , Muslic L , Music Milanovic S
Published: October 2023

Issue/Problem

Croatia records higher death rates from suicides than the average rate for EU member states. In 2019, the suicide rate in Croatia was 11.3/100,000 inhabitants, while in 2021 it was 15.1/100,000 inhabitants, with increase among 15-19 age group. The ratio of male to female suicides ranged from 2.2 to 3.85:1.

Description of the problem

To reduce the suicide rate, the Croatian Institute of Public Health implements a program to increase mental health literacy and education about interventions in crisis situations among educational staff of primary and secondary schools in Croatia. As part of regular systematic examinations of school children, it is carried out from 2022/2023. academic year screening program for mental health risks.

Results

As part of the program to increase education for early recognition of mental health risks, 2,350 educational workers have completed the basic level of education so far, and 478 educational workers have completed advanced education. It is estimated that 70,000 students have benefited from the program so far, of which those who have a mental health problem (estimated at 14,000) have a greater chance of being recognized within the school. The YP-CORE questionnaire is used to assess mental health risks in the Screening for Mental Health Risks program as part of systematic examinations in school medicine. So far 18,498 students have filled out the questionnaire. A total of 9.52% were positive, of which 6.10% were boys and 13% were girls. All students at risk received adequate care in the school medical clinics, or were referred for psychological or psychiatric treatment, depending on the degree of risk.

Lessons

Early detection of the risk for the development of depression and other mental disorders, along with timely therapy, is crucial in the prevention of suicide, along with the empowerment and strengthening of social-emotional skills.

Key messages

• Early detection of the risk for the development of depression and other mental disorders, along with timely therapy, is crucial in the prevention of suicide.

• Increasing of mental health literacy is important for early recognition of mental health risks.
Digital media exposure and impulsivity in European adolescents – the I.Family study
Authors: Sina E , Buck C , Ahrens W , Coumans J , Eiben G , Formisano A , Lissner L , Mazur A , Michels N , Molnar D
Published: October 2023

Background

Emotion-driven impulsiveness (i.e., impulsivity) is associated with obesity in adolescents. Yet, how exposure to digital media (DM) is related to impulsivity in free-living European youth remains unknown.

Methods

This study included ADHD-free adolescents aged 12-18 years, who participated in the third examination wave of the IDEFICS/I.Family cohort (2013-2014), and who provided information on their impulsivity. Participants self-reported their DM exposure (hours/day), for smartphone, internet, television viewing, and computer/game console (PC). Media multitasking (i.e., simultaneous use of PC with other media) was also reported. Latent class analyses were applied to identify underlying patterns of DM exposure. Generalized linear mixed regressions, adjusted for confounders (e.g., weight status) were used to estimate regression coefficients (β) and 99.9% confidence intervals (CI).

Results

The analyses included 3222 adolescents (mean age/SD=13.6/1.1; half girls), 26% of whom were with overweight/obesity. The results showed that one additional hour of exposure to smartphones (β, 0.73; 99.9%CI, 0.41-1.06), internet (β, 0.57; 99.9%CI, 0.28-0.86), and higher media multitasking (β, 0.72; 99.9%CI, 0.33-1.11) were positively associated with impulsivity in all participants. The latent class analyses identified four patterns of DM exposure. Adolescents with prolonged smartphone/internet exposure but low PC/medium TV exposure (β, 1.61, 99.9%CI, 0.41, 2.82) showed higher impulsivity score, compared to those with low exposure to all media, especially girls and participants living in two-parent families.

Conclusions

Prolonged DM exposure is related to being more impulsive in the context of negative emotions in European adolescents. Although future longitudinal research should confirm these findings, they hint at a further underlying mechanism by which DM exposure may lead to obesity and subsequent metabolic disorders.

Key messages

• Excessive DM exposure is positively related with the emotion-driven impulsiveness of European adolescents.

• These findings call for actions to increase adolescents’s psycho-emotional resilience against the digital environment.
Evolution of medication consumption during the covid-19: healthcare and social panel survey
Authors: Cabrera-Léon A , Díaz-Romero S , Sánchez-Cantalejo C , Saez M , Robles B
Published: October 2023

Background

The COVID-19 pandemic has had an impact on physical and mental health at all levels, modifying life habits and putting at risk the emergence of ailments or the lack of management of previous comorbidities in the population.

Objectives

To analyze the evolution of drug consumption during the first year of the Pandemic in the general adult population residing in Andalusia according to the main axes of health inequalities.

Methods

Probabilistic overlapping panel survey with 11,463 valid telephone interviews distributed in four measurements during 2020 and 2021. Survey participants included individuals aged 16 years or older residing in Andalusia, Spain. The outcomes were drug consumption, type of drug consumed, modification of drug consumption and drugs related to mental health. Descriptive and stratified analysis by the health inequalities axes of sex, age and territory (degree of urbanization) were carried out to examine temporal changes in those outcomes. The sample design established were considered to obtain the estimations and 95% confidence intervals.

Results

In May 2020, 53.2% of the adult Andalusian population consumed medication in the previous two weeks, while in April 2021 this consumption increased to 58.6%. On the other hand, no differences were observed in the consumption of mental health-related medication in the previous two weeks between different time points, although a relevant difference was observed in the consumption of medication between women and men, being higher in women for all measurements. Regarding the change in medication consumption in the month prior to each measurement, there was an increase between April 2020 and April 2021 of 82.37%.

Conclusions

Drug consumption increased during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic, with differences observed between men and women, and no differences between the different territories. Younger age groups of population had a greater increase in drug consumption compared to older age groups.

Key messages

• Drug consumption increased during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic, with differences observed between men and women, and no differences between the different territories.

• Younger age groups of population had a greater increase in drug consumption.
Physical activity, sedentary behaviour and mental health in Norwegian youths; a longitudinal study
Authors: Vedøy I B , Skulberg K R , Thurston M N
Published: October 2023

Background

Research suggests that the mental health of adolescents is less than optimal. Physical activity (PA) has been positively associated with mental health, while the relationships with sedentary behaviour (SED) has shown negative associations. Previous studies have methodological limitations related to study design and instruments used to measure both PA/SED and mental health.

Purpose

Explore whether changes in objectively assessed PA [Total PA and moderate to vigorous PA (MVPA)] and SED are associated with mental health problems (MHP) and mental well-being (MWB) among adolescents.

Methods

Longitudinal data was collected from 11 lower secondary schools in three waves between 2016-2018. Baseline participation rate was 60% (599 participants, 54.4% girls, 13.3 years). PA and SED were measured by ActiGraph GT3X+/BT. MHP were measured by the Strengths and difficulties questionnaire, while MWB was measured by the Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well-being Scale.

Results

No associations between PA (Total PA and MVPA) and MHP were found neither for girls nor boys. However, for boys the results showed a positive relationship between change in SED and MWB (p = 0.02) implying that a daily increase in SED of 60 minutes would be equivalent to a 3.2 points higher score in MWB. For girls, there was a modest relationship between change in Total PA and MWB (p = 0.04)

Conclusions

Our data suggest that there may be a gendered pattern in the relationship between PA, SED and mental health among adolescents. Changes in Total PA and MVPA was largely unrelated to MHP in a healthy sample of adolescents. Among boys, an increase in SED was associated with improved MWB. For girls, the relationship with MWB was only apparent through an increase in Total PA.

Key messages

• The relationships between PA, SED and mental health among adolescents are complex.

• SED may provide an arena for supporting MWB depending on the activities undertaken and requires further research.
Patterns of sexual risk behaviour among young adults
Authors: Jepsen D , Healy K V , Bernard M , Markert J , Brzank P J
Published: October 2023

Background

Sexual risk behaviour (SRB), including the subtypes sex without contraception, sexualized substance use, sex work, and intimate partner violence, leads to health-related consequences for one-self or intimate partners. Especially young adults comprise a vulnerable group for SRB as they tend to use risk behaviour as maladaptive coping strategies to face developmental challenges. We aim to identify SRB patterns by analysing the relation between SRB-subtypes and to previous found risk factors, and to derive adequate treatment and prevention strategies.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted via an online-questionnaire. SRB was measured via nine items. Latent class analysis was used to identify patterns of SRB, multinomial logistic regression to capture related risk factors. Included risk factors were gender, sexual orientation, younger age of first intercourse, higher number of sexual partners, and hypersexual behaviour (HB; measured via HB-inventory).

Results

Within the sample (n = 609) three classes of SRB patterns were identified: unremarkable (67%; low values in all SRB facets), and the therapeutic-relevant classes shame-ridden (17%; esp. high values in sexual feelings of shame/ guilt), and risky (16%; high values in all SRB facets, esp. sexualized use of illegal drugs, inadequate contraception use, and impairments in important relationships). Both pathological patterns are strongly associated to higher HB-values. Male and queer participants tend to demonstrate pathological SRB-patterns more often than females and heterosexuals.

Conclusions

To implement adequate gender- and diversity sensitive prevention and treatment addressing SRB it is necessary to understand the complexity of its expression. Based on the results, shame-ridden clients could be addressed by focusing on their feelings of shame/ guilt, while it seems helpful to address substance use and compulsive sexual behaviour of clients belonging to the risky group primarily.

Key messages

• Three patterns of sexual risk behaviour could be identified, two of them are theraptuic-relevant.

• To implement adequate SRB prevention and treatment it is necessary to understand its complexity, thus respective differentiated strategies should address specific needs of young adults.
Factors Affecting Health and Tourism Students’ Perceptions of Brain Drain: A Serial Mediation Model
Authors: Gözüm S , Yurcu G , Ilgaz A , Aybar D H
Published: October 2023

Background

To provide the optimum level of health and tourism goals of Turkey, it is important that the supply of well-trained health and tourism professionals meets the demand. Our study aimed to evaluate the sequential mediating role of self-efficacy and financial anxiety levels in the impact of health and tourism students’ life satisfaction on their migration attitudes.

Methods

In the descriptive study, sequential and regulatory mediation model was used in medical, nursing, dentist and tourism students sample in Akdeniz University. The data were collected using a descriptive form and four scales; Attitude for Brain Drain, Life Satisfaction, Self-Efficacy, and Financial Anxiety. Data were analysed with the serial mediation model, logistic and multiple regression.

Results

A total of 403 students responded (32.9% response rate), of whom 307 were classified as health group and 96 tourism students. Of these, 83.3% tourism, 74.8% nursing, 56.5% dentistry, 55.7% medical school students indicated they were contemplating migrating following graduation. Participants’ 50.6% expressed an intention of returning to Turkey. The factors most influencing their intent to migrate were attitude towards brain drain (odds ratio [OR], 3.62; 95% Confidence Interval [CI], 2.54-5.18; p = <.001), and faculties (OR, 3.14; 95% CI, 1.55-6.34; p = .001). Financial anxiety, self-efficacy and intention to go abroad are variables that affect the attitude score towards brain drain (F(5,39)=27.01, p <.001). Students’ perceptions of life satisfaction are an important antecedent of brain drain intention, and self-efficacy perception and financial anxiety have mediating effects in this effect.

Conclusions

The potential future emigration of health and tourism students of Turkey poses an immediate and severe threat to the sustainability of the Turk healthcare and tourism service. The fact that about half of those who intend to migrate plan to return indicates that migration will not be permanent.

Key messages

• Urgent interventions are needed at an undergraduate decreasing of financial anxiety and improving life satisfaction for healthcare and tourism students in Turkey.

• The decrease in life satisfaction increases financial anxiety and attitude towards brain drain. Policies that make return migration attractive in the field of health and tourism should be developed.
Quality of life and resilience among Muslim minority in Israel: Implications for global health
Authors: Shibli H , Deeb W , Napso D , Abu Shriki N , Abu Khait S , Aharonson-Daniel L
Published: October 2023

Background

Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQoL) indicators can reveal unmet health needs and disparities in various population subgroups. Minority communities often experience lower HRQoL and community resilience (CR) levels compared to majority populations. In Israel, Muslims constitute approximately 18% (1.669 million) of the total population, confronting challenges related to healthcare access, social determinants of health, and CR. This study aims to investigate the HRQoL in different Muslim subgroups in Israel and its association with CR, providing insights of broader global implications for public health policies addressing minority communities.

Methods

A survey was conducted among three Muslim subgroups in Israel, including Arab-Muslims, Bedouin-Muslims, and Circassians Muslims. The survey assessed demographics; HRQoL measured by the World Health Organization Quality of Life (WHOQOL) tool; personal resilience; and CR measured by the Conjoint Community Resiliency Assessment Measure (CCRAM). Data analysis included descriptive and analytic statistics. Pearson's correlation coefficient determined the association between WHOQOL levels and CCRAM scores.

Results

Of 461 participants, Circassian Muslims reported the highest levels of quality of life (M = 3.74±0.34), while the Bedouin sub-group reported the lowest (M = 3.37±0.46). CR was significantly higher among Circassians Muslims (M = 3.81±0.64) compared to Arab-Muslim (M = 2.58±0.74) and Bedouin-Muslim (M = 2.48±0.74) subgroups. HRQoL was positively associated (p < 0.001) with CR for the entire Muslim population.

Conclusions

This study highlights the relationship between social determinants of health, lifestyle, and unique characteristics of sub-groups within the Muslim minority in Israel. The findings demonstrate the diversity among Muslim minority populations and suggests that there is a need for tailored and customized interventions focused on the variable needs of vulnerable subgroups, like the Bedouin Muslims.

Key messages

• Minority health study in Israel emphasizes diverse HRQoL & CR, urging tailored public health policies.

• Focused on minority health, Bedouin Muslims need customized interventions to improve HRQoL & CR.
Mental health resilience among refugees and asylum seekers: a systematic review
Authors: Paudyal P , Purkait N , Fey J
Published: October 2023

Background

>100 million people worldwide have been forced to flee their homes because of torture, conflict, violence, and human rights violations. Asylum Seekers and Refugees (ASRs) make up a third of this group. ASRs are more likely to experience poor mental health compared to the general population. This study systematically reviewed the studies of mental health resilience and potential factors promoting resilience in this population.

Methods

A comprehensive and systematic literature search was conducted using PubMed, MEDLINE, Cochrane library, Google scholar, ScienceDirect, Sage Journals, and Taylor & Francis online. Electronic search was carried out using terms related to resilience, mental health, and ASRs. Qualitative studies published in English until March 2022 and exploring the role of resilience in mental health and wellbeing of ASRs were eligible for inclusion. The studies were analyzed using a thematic analysis approach using Braun and Clarke's 6 step process. Quality assessment was conducted using Joanna Briggs Institute critical appraisal Tool.

Results

Of the 9,708 studies identified in the electronic search, 10 were eligible for inclusion. Three key themes were identified as promoting resilience: social support from peers and family, religion and spirituality, and individual factors. The studies emphasized the value of family and peer support in keeping the sprits alive and finding strengths to keep going. Spirituality and religion were reported as crucial factors in staying grounded and hopeful against all odds. Individual factors such as reflection, reframing and positive thinking were described as coping strategies during adversities.

Conclusions

The review highlighted the important role of resilience related factors in the mental health and wellbeing of ASR populations. More studies in this area are required to inform the development of interventions to promote resilience and improve the mental health and wellbeing of ASRs.

Key messages

• Peer and family support, religion and spirituality, reframing and positive thinking play keel role in the mental health and wellbeing of asylum seekers and refugees.

• There is a dearth of research exploring the factors promoting mental health resilience in asylum seekers and refugees.
Burden Estimation of SAR-CoV-2 (COVID-19) in Ireland over the First Full two years of the pandemic
Authors: Igboanugo T , Kabir Z
Published: October 2023

Background

Disability-Adjusted Life Years (DALYs) is a standardized metric for quantifying the direct impact of a disease on a population for easy comparability. Most studies investigated the health impact of COVID-19 at the early stage of the pandemic. Several studies in Europe reported an estimated burden of COVID-19 for 1-full year at a time the post-acute consequences of the disease were very much a grey area. We set out to estimate a 2-year DALYs of COVID-19 in Ireland.

Methods

Data on national mortality, hospital and community-managed cases reported by the Health Protection and Surveillance Centre, Ireland, were used to estimate the DALYs based on the Global Burden of Diseases study modelling framework. DALYs were estimated by age and gender from March 2020 - February 2022. DALY is a summary metric of YLL (Years of Life Lost) and YLD (Years Lived with Disability).

Results

An estimated 1.2 million symptomatic SAR-CoV-2 infections with 6,211 deaths were reported in Ireland between March 2020 and February 2022. Overall, the estimated DALYs due to COVID-19 were 83,619 two years post-pandemic (1st year, 55,797; 2nd year, 27,826). DALYs for males [42,745 (1st year, 28,558; 2nd year, 14,191)] were higher than females [40,874 (1st year, 27,238; 2nd year, 13,635)]. YLDs contributed 8.9% of the total DALYs (2.9% in year one and 21% in year two)]. Males aged 45-64 years had the largest burden (9,531 DALYs). Post-acute consequences of COVID-19 contributed to 81.2% (95% UI 61.4% - 90.2%) of the total mortality burden [1st year, 83.9% (67.1% - 91.3%); 2nd year, 80.4% (60.4% - 89.8%)].

Conclusions

The 2-year burden estimation showed a substantial impact on the population health of Ireland. Post-acute consequences of COVID-19 are the major contributor to the morbidity burden. Further insight into the empirical estimate of at-risk individuals with the establishment of targeted interventions will help to mitigate the long-term impact of COVID-19 on the Irish healthcare system.

Key messages

• Post-acute consequences of COVID-19 are the major contributor to the morbidity burden.

• Insight into the empirical estimate of at-risk individuals with the establishment of targeted interventions.
Is it the same to invest in health care or social care? A health production function study
Authors: Feldens T , Vasco Santos J , Costa E
Published: October 2023

Background

This study aims to explore the relationship between health expenditure and social expenditure in their role in affecting health outcomes, such as death rates and disability-adjusted life years. Both types of spending may behave as complementary or supplementary goods, besides, they may interact with each other over time.

Methods

We used a translog production function using both health and social expenditures as inputs, for a panel of 27 years and EU countries, in order to estimate their respective output elasticities and the elasticity of substitution between them. Instrumental variables and ridge regressions were used to estimate unbiased elasticities.

Results

Our results point out that the elasticity of substitution between social and health expenditures is positive and less than one, which means that these spending variables may be classified as weak substitutes. Still, the substitutability pattern is heterogeneous according to each country, year and health outcome, being most sensitive to mortality rates in comparison with disability-adjusted life years.

Conclusions

Our Results support the hypothesis of a weak substitution relation between health and social expenditure. This implies that investments in the health sector should not be independent of social sector investments. Thus, policymakers need to consider the joint effect of these two spending categories when considering investment decisions aiming at achieving specific health gains.

This presentation was supported by National Funds through FCT - Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia,I.P., within CINTESIS, R&D Unit (reference UIDB/4255/2020)

Key messages

• As health and social expenditures behave as weak substitutes, they have a complex relationship that depends on time, technology and the type of health benefit.

• Both types of spending may affect health outcomes, still, their effect is heterogenous and may be cummulative with time.
Does the update of the Nutri-Score improve its complementarity with French dietary guidelines?
Authors: Sarda B , Kesse-Guyot E , Deschamps V , Hercberg S , Ducrot P , Galan P , Srour B , Touvier M , Julia C
Published: October 2023

To help consumers to make healthier food choices, seven European countries have implemented the front-of-pack nutrition label Nutri-Score Six years after its implementation in France, the algorithm was updated in 2023 by the Nutri-Score European scientific committee, based on the current scientific knowledge. The present work aimed to study the complementarity of the newly-developed algorithm and the 2019 French food-based dietary guidelines (FBDG) and compare the respective performances of the new and initial algorithms. Three French food composition databases were used to have access to the food composition of the entire food supply in France: the OQALI, Open Food Facts, and Ciqual databases. Based on the FBDG, a list of 40 criteria was identified for 26 food groups and used to assess the complementarity between FBDG and the Nutri-Score. Out of the 40 criteria, 45% (18/40) were position criteria (i.e. criteria which require to have products rated favourably (A or B) (resp. unfavourably (D or E))), 35% (14/40) were discrimination between groups criteria (i.e. criteria which require a group to be discriminated over another group), and 20% (8/40) were nutrient discrimination criteria (i.e. criteria which require products in a group to be discriminated on a nutrient of interest). For the position and group discrimination criteria (32 in total), the initial algorithm met 63% (20/32) of them while the revised algorithm met 84% (27/32) of them. For the nutrient discrimination criteria, the revised algorithm was more discriminatory than the initial one against critical nutrients for 63% (5/8) of the criteria, while the initial algorithm was for no criteria more discriminatory. Compared to the previous version, the revised algorithm of the Nutri-Score appeared to better rank foods in regard to the French dietary guidelines and improved the currently existing system. The present work constitutes the first step in the process of validation of the newly-developed algorithm.

Key messages

• The revised Nutri-Score algorithm improved the alignment between Nutri-Score and the French dietary guidelines compared to the previous version of the Nutri-Score.

• The present work constitutes the first step in the process of validation of the newly-developed algorithm.
From advocacy to dissemination: lessons from a French initiative to promote experiential knowledge
Authors: Georgelin B , Delescluse T , Ferron C ,   Committee to promote EKHP, Porcherie M , Vuillemin A , Berdougo F
Published: October 2023

Issue

Health Promotion (HP) practitioners hold experiential knowledge (EK) relevant to tackle core issues (implementation design, innovation, context-specific dissemination) and improve professional practices. Promoting ways to build up and share EK has been the mission of a multidisciplinary French coalition of HP specialists, policymakers, practitioners and researchers. After drafting an advocacy plan and designing a method for capitalizing, collecting and circulating EK on HP interventions (2016-2020), the Committee to promote EKHP (CEKHP) focused on disseminating capitalization skills in the workforce (2020-2023).

Second phase

To mobilize for EKHP, we followed a 3-part strategy. 1/ Members of CEKPH tested out capitalization projects, to make proof of concept and identify necessary levers to put the method into practice (project design, financing, etc.). 2/ We created in 2021 a training program to gain skills to design EKHP projects. 3/ We built spaces to increase recognition and access to EKHP works.

Results

We launched in May 2022 a website: the national EKHP resource center (www.capitalisationsante.fr). More than 100 works are now published, including works from the starter projects which helped refine the method, attracting 15 000+ visitors in the first year. 150+ practitioners have been trained so far, through a program offered at the National School for Public Health in adult learning sessions and in a master's degree, also available to organizations wishing to adopt EKHP practices. To keep amplify the initiative, new members joined the initial coalition. We debuted in 2023 a community of practice to support a network of trained practitioners.

Next steps

Both building up and accessing EKHP meet a high level of interest. We launched a survey to track the uses of EKHP publications (transfer, innovation, etc.). Advocacy for EKHP continues: we must rally more support from local health authorities, to sustain wide range EKHP adoption and secure necessary funding.

Key messages

• Experiential knowledge contributes to improve practices in health promotion by sharing knowledge on how HP interventions work and by developing new skills (EK build up capacities) in the workforce.

• A multilevel strategy combining advocacy, tools-building and training can be effective at promoting experiential knowledge. We identified levers that create favorable environments for dissemination.
Women’s health in Germany at a glance – a brochure derived from the Women’s Health Report
Authors: Prütz F , Schaarschmidt J , Hintzpeter B , Krause L , Saß A-C
Published: October 2023

Issue

In 2020, Federal Health Reporting published a 400-page report on women's health in Germany. Since dissemination is a general issue in health reporting, our aim was, after first addressing the scientific community, to convey the contents of this report to a broader audience and thus increase the public and policy impact of health reporting.

Description of the problem

After researching national and international models, the concept of an online brochure was developed with 50% text and 50% photos, illustrations and data visualisations. In the working process, which took about a year, the text of the comprehensive report was reduced to its core statements, the language simplified, examples and explanations added for better understanding. Content was rearranged forming double pages, e.g., the topics cancer, screening examinations, and HPV infection were combined. Data was updated, the topic of women during the Corona pandemic was added. To draw attention to the comprehensive report, links were inserted on each page.

Results

A 76-page brochure with the most important facts on women's health in Germany was published for International Women's Day 2023. It is illustrated by icons and photos, which are also used for an accompanying social media campaign. In addition to the online version, some printed brochures were produced and well requested. An English version is available at www.rki.de/womenshealthreport.

Lessons

The brochure is a data-based and scientifically reliable source of information for everyone interested in women's health. It gives visibility to the topic and supports those who advocate to strengthen women's health in Germany and elsewhere. We cannot yet assess its impact, but saw a great response to the social media campaign. One experience is the difficulty of reducing content and combining scientific accuracy and easy-to-understand language. An exchange with other countries on this could be useful, as could the development of good practice guidelines.

Key messages

• As an extract from the comprehensive report on women’s health in Germany, an illustrated brochure with the most important facts was published in March 2023 by Federal Health Reporting.

• The aim of the brochure and the accompanying social media campaign was to convey the topic of women’s health to a broader audience, thus increasing the public and policy impact of health reporting.
Irish population knowledge, attitudes, and perception of air pollution
Authors: Quintyne K , Kelly C
Published: October 2023

Aim

Air pollution remains a major global public health challenge; and Ireland is no exception to the human health implications of exposure ambient air pollutants. Accurate and timely information can be critical to mitigate the harmful effects of air pollution. This study aimed to assess the knowledge, perceptions, and attitudes to poor air quality in Ireland to assist stakeholders in developing and implementing effective communication pieces and policies about the management of air pollution.

Study design

Cross-sectional population-based cohort.

Methods

Quantitative data on knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions (KAP) were collected from respondents living across Ireland, and the results were analysed with SPSS (Version 28.0).

Results

Among the 1,005 respondents included in this study, the mean [SD] age was 46.1 [15.3] years; 53% were female (n = 530); and 66% and 35% of respondents were aware of air pollution and its adverse effects on health at a national and local level respectively (n = 668 and n = 353 respectively). In addition, there were significant relationships between socio-demographic and air pollution awareness. There were correlation between respondent's age, gender, socio-economic group, and locality in Ireland.

Conclusions

This study demonstrates that environmental health literacy around air pollution in critically lacking among respondents. Given that air pollution is an increasingly important global priority, opportunities need to created to improve reach and impact of communication of air quality health risk and mitigation measures.

Key messages

• Most respondents acknowledge that air pollution is a national problem.

• Females were more aware of air pollution among the respondents.
‘We just had to try it’ - Virtual mentoring experiences of students and their lecturers- Namibia
Authors: Ndlovu S , Niranjan V
Published: October 2023

Background

Mentoring is the backbone of nursing in the classroom and clinical practice. Online learning became the teaching mode of choice during the Covid-19 pandemic. Nurse training institutions were caught off guard with the sudden changes as they were not prepared for the imposed restrictions. Reliance on face-to-face mentoring (FFM) was greatly disrupted because of restrictions on public gatherings and closure of schools. Students needed to continue learning, lectures needed to keep their jobs and nurse training institutions needed to be viable in the midst of the Covid-19 crisis. This study explored virtual mentoring (VM) experiences among third-and-fourth nursing students and their lecturers.

Methods

An exploratory qualitative design was used. Purposive sampling was used for students and convenient sampling on lecturers. Data collection instrument was designed and pilot tested. Six focus groups from students (n = 46) were conducted. Telephone interviews were conducted with lecturers (n = 18). Data were analysed using NVivo 12.

Results

Five key themes were identified on both groups; (i) Preparation of adequate teaching content is crucial, (ii) problem-solving scenarios to promote student expertise, (iii) group work and use of social media platforms promote socialisation, (iv) personalized feedback important for psychological support and (v) use of videos during lectures was paramount for nonverbal communication. Institutional support and learning of IT skills to navigate through the Learning Management System were recommended as ways of strengthening VM experiences.

Conclusions

Although both FFM and VM produced positive mentoring experiences, mentoring activities such as modelling, scaffolding, coaching, articulation, reflection and exploration were not clearly understood as mentoring activities. Future research should explore teaching pedagogies to strengthen VM.

Key messages

• Innovative techniques for nonverbal communication are important during online learning as they mentor students on communication skills and boost self-esteem.

• Knowledge on navigation of the LMS and its various features that support virtual mentoring is paramount both for students and lecturers to meet learning outcomes.
Access to health care for people with intellectual disability in Belgium: challenges and solutions
Authors: Ricour C , Desomer A , Dauvrin M , Devos C
Published: October 2023

Background

people with intellectual disability (PWID), such as those living with Down syndrome, experience poorer health outcomes, are more at-risk of comorbidities and have a lower life expectancy than the general population. Moreover, they are more likely to experience discrimination and refusal of care than other citizens. To support the implementation of the rights of PWID as promoted by the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, the Belgian Health Care Knowledge Centre measured the health disparities between PWID and without ID in Belgium, collected the barriers faced by PWID and suggested solutions.

Methods

a mixed method study was conducted in 2020-2022. Quantitative data were obtained from linking the social security data related to PWID to the health expenditures data. A representative population sample was obtained to allow for compare PWID with the general population. Experiences and needs of PWID and of professionals were collected through semi-directive interviews and nominal groups. Stakeholders from handicap and health sectors joined an online survey to gather possible options for solutions.

Results

data of 17 155 PWID were analysed and compared to a sample of the Belgian population. PWID have, i.e., a lower access to dental care (49.8% for PWID vs 65.8% in 2019) or breast cancer screening (42.6% for PWID vs 59.7%). We found no difference for contact with a GP and diabetes follow-up. Five categories of barriers emerged: stereotypes and prejudices; lack of knowledge and competences; poor communication; organisational gaps; lack of sociopolitical support. We identified 25 actions, aiming at 8 objectives, with 3 preliminary conditions: more time, universal design and reasonable adjustment.

Conclusions

focusing on universal design, that is tailoring health services to the needs of the most vulnerable patients that are PWID, can increase access to health care to all patients and not only the PWID.

Key messages

• People with intellectual disability lack of access to preventive health care.

• Focusing on universal design increases access to health care for all.