bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Impact of individual social deprivation on environmental risk perception by French pregnant women
Authors: Sauvant-Rochat M P , Bernard L , Pelissier M , Marie C , Lémery D , Vendittelli F
Published: October 2020

Background

Individual social deprivation (ISD) can have significant impact on the life conditions. However, few studies explored the impact of ISD on the preventive behaviors adopted by pregnant women (PW) in relation to exposure of chemicals.

AIM

This study aims to describe the link between ISD and the perception of chemical and environmental risks.

Methods

A cross-sectional survey was performed among PW present in maternity hospitals in Auvergne (France). Face-to-face interviews with a standardized questionnaire were used to collect anonymously the data (socio-demographic characteristics, smoking behaviors, perception of environmental risks (PER Score based on Likert scale ranking from 0 to 10), individual social deprivation (by EPICES score)). Statistical analysis (univariate analysis - logistic regression) was performed with Modalisa® 8.0 (Kynos, Paris).

Results

300 PW (29±5 years old) were included. The majority of PW reported being aware of the risks associated with chemicals. The PER Score is estimated at 6.3±1.8. It was significantly associated with parity and trimester of pregnancy, and inversely linked to age of PW. The EPICES Score was 19.9 ±17.8 (rank: 0-85). With a precariousness threshold of 30, only a quarter of the PW were in a precarious situation. The EPICES Score was inversely related to age, smoking behaviors, and environmental risks perception. The criterion of choice of everyday products was linked to the EPICES score. 'Organic products' were mainly used by PW with EPICES Score < 30 (not precarious).

Conclusions

The weight of social determinisms on environmental sensitivity highlights the need for targeted prevention. The role of health professionals in prevention and environmental health promotion is essential, especially to detect women of low socioeconomic status who may not be sensitive to media messages and prevention campaigns disseminated by health authorities.

Key messages

Perinatal health professionals must have a major role in environmental health promotion, especially for pregnant women with individual social deprivation. Perception of chemicals and environmental risks was inversely linked to the individual social deprivation (EPICES score) in this French PW population.
Formaldehyde in hospitals can still represent a risk factor. Oxidative stress and GSTT1 polymorphism
Authors: Ghelli F , Buglisi M , Bellisario V , Santovito A , Bono R
Published: October 2020

Background

Nurses employed in operating theatres and pathologists are workers professionally exposed to some environmental xenobiotics, such as drugs and formaldehyde (FA). Through experimental and epidemiological studies, both acute and chronic inhalation of FA has been associated with various health effects, including toxicity in the respiratory tract and cancer. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationship between occupational exposure to FA and the intensity of oxidative stress (OS).

Methods

87 female hospital workers were enrolled in a Turin hospital in Italy. Each subject filled a questionnaire and provided biological samples to measure OS biomarkers: 15-F2t-Isoprostane, malondialdehyde (MDA) and total glutathione content (GSX) in urine and inflammatory mediators and receptors (sIL-6R, VEGF-R2, TNFR1, TNFa, FGF2, CD30, CD27) in blood. All individuals were genotyped for CYP1A1, GSTT1, GSTM1, TNFa, and IL-6 polymorphisms. A personal passive air sampler, worn for a working shift (8h), assessed personal FA exposure.

Results

Subjects exposed to FA (27%) resulted to have a significant higher amount of 15-F2t-Isop (p = 0.000), MDA (p = 0.000), GSX (p = 0.001) compared with non-exposed workers. FA concentration was positively correlated with prevalence of reported respiratory symptoms (p = 0.004), 15-F2t-Isop (p = 0.044), GSX (p = 0.000), MDA (p = 0.000), FGF2 (p = 0.000), CD27 (p = 0.000) and negatively with sIL-6R (p = 0.001), VEGF-R2 (p = 0.000). A significant reduction was found in GSTT1 positive subjects concerning MDA levels (p = 0.000). The same relationship was found in the control group (b=-2.25; C.I. 0.21 - 0.516; p = 0.06).

Conclusions

FA exposure is confirmed to be an OS inductor and to be correlated with inflammatory response, highlighting how daily occupational exposure to this air pollutant can result in measurable biological outcomes.

Key messages

Daily occupational exposure to FA results in a disruption of oxidative status and inflammatory profile. GSTT1 gene polymorphism is able to influence the MDA levels in the control group.
Adding value to the use of Health Impact Assessment and social return on investment technologies
Authors: Green L , Ashton K , Dyakova M , Parry-Williams L
Published: October 2020

Health Impact Assessment (HIA) and Social Return on Investment (SROI) are beneficial public health methodologies that assess potential effects on health including social, economic and environmental factors and have synergies in their approaches. This paper explores how HIA and SROI can complement each other to capture and account for the impact and social value of an assessed intervention or policy.

A scoping review of academic and grey literature was undertaken to identify case studies published between January 1996 and April 2019 where HIA and SROI methods have been used to complement each other. Semi-structured interviews were carried out with nine international experts from a range of regulatory/legislative contexts to gain a better understanding of past experiences and expertise of both HIA and SROI. A thematic analysis was undertaken on the data collected. The review identified two published reports which outline when HIA and SROI have both been used to assess the same intervention. Interview results suggest that both methods have strengths as standalone processes i.e. HIAs are well-structured in their approach, assessing health in its broadest context and SROI can add value by monetizing social value as well as capturing social/environmental impact. Similarities of the two methods were identified i.e. a strong emphasis on stakeholder engagement and common shared principles. When questioned how the two methods could complement each other in practice, the results indicate the benefits of using HIA to explore initial impact, and as a platform on which to build SROI to monetarize social value.

HIA and SROI methodologies have cross-over. The research suggests potential benefits when used in tandem or combining the methods to assess impact and account for health and social value. Innovative work is now being carried out in Wales to understand the implications of this in practice and to understand how the results of the two methods could be used by decision-makers.

Key messages

HIA and SROI methods can be used in tandem to capture both the health impact and social value of policies and proposed interventions. HIA and SROI when used together can provide valuable information to inform decision makers around the health impact and social value of proposed policies and interventions.
Condom negotiation self-efficacy and preparatory behaviors among Mozambican women at sexual risk
Authors: Patrão A L , McIntyre T
Published: October 2020

Background

Preparatory behaviors (intention to use and buy/get condoms) are extremely important for sexual protection among African women, because the intentions to use and get condoms are the best predictors of effective condom use in some African contexts. However, these preventive behaviors are not as successful as desired, because they are often associated with negative meanings in the context of the sexual relationship. This study aims to identify whether condom negotiation self-efficacy is associated with sexual preparatory behaviors among Mozambican women at risk for HIV/AIDS infection.

Methods

Women (173), patients at a public Hospital and at risk for HIV infection, completed measures of sociodemographic and marital characteristics, condom negotiation self-efficacy, and sexual preparatory behaviors.

Results

Socio-demographic variables (age and education) explained 16.1% of variance (ΔF(2, 170)=16.30, p <.001), and marital variables, “marital status” and “talking about AIDS with partner” explained 22.3% of additional variance (ΔF(2, 168)=30.36, p <.001) in preparatory behaviors. The final model with condom negotiation self-efficacy explained 11.7% of additional variance (ΔF(1, 167)= 39.14, p <.001), this being the most important correlate in the model (β = .48). We observed that higher condom negotiation self-efficacy is associated with higher levels of preparatory behaviors. The overall model explained 48.6% of variance in sexual preparatory behaviors.

Conclusions

These results seem to support an exploratory predictive model of sexual preparatory behaviors that can inform interventions directed at behavioral change among Mozambican women at sexual risk.

Key messages

Women who were younger, had a higher level of education, were single, and talked about AIDS, had higher levels of preparatory behaviors. Women who had a higher level of condom negotiation self-efficacy, had higher levels of preparatory behaviors.
The model of boosting the cross-sectoral cooperation for health and wellbeing in cities
Authors: Villerusa A , Gobina I , Vroblevska E , Bukova- Zideluna A , Linina I , Springe L , Liinamo A , Matinheikki-Kokko K
Published: October 2020

In health promotion practice, resources often are limited, and problems are complex. Cross-sectoral cooperation is a collaborative effort in which partners from different sectors pool their resources to provide joint solutions for better health promotion; however, the general framework on how to proceed the cooperation is often missing. The Interreg Baltic Sea Region project “Urban Labs for Better Health for All in the Baltic Sea Region” (Healthy Boost) aims to boost the cross-sectoral cooperation for health and wellbeing in cities and associated partners from nine countries in the Baltic Sea Region by developing and testing the Model for the cross-sectoral cooperation.

The Model was developed searching the published scientific literature and considering the results of a self-assessment of cross-sectoral cooperation for health promotion in the Healthy Boost partner cities. Discussions on the Model draft were organized by using face-to-face meetings and e-tools in order to develop the Model for piloting.

Theoretical frameworks of cross-sectoral collaboration, including organization theory, public administration theory, leadership and strategic management theory, were used to select the major components for the Model. The partners' self-assessment results identified the gaps in several strategic and operational domains of cooperation, such as (1) leadership, (2) communication, (3) coordination, (4) motivation, and (5) risk identification. In the first Model draft, the starting point for cross-sectoral cooperation was the stages (mapping, planning, implementation, assessment) of cooperation; however, municipalities preferred to focus on domains which were developed under the stages of cooperation process in the final Model. Both evidence-based knowledge and participation of municipalities are crucial when developing the Model cross-sectoral cooperation. The Model should guide all partners for better cooperation by using a systematic approach.

Key messages

The Model to promote cross sectoral cooperation is being developed for testing in health promotion practice by the cities of the Baltic Sea Region. The developed Model of cross-sectoral cooperation provides relevant guiding questions for the key domains of cooperation that should boost the municipalities for better health promotion.
Patterns of alcohol consumption in university students: a European study
Authors: Ladner J , Brumboiu I , Ciobanu E , Lukács A , Croitoru C , Tavolacci M P
Published: October 2020

Background

In Europe, alcohol consumption (AC), especially binge drinking (BD) and behavioural risk factors among students in higher education remain to be investigated. The aim of the study was to assess the evolution of AC, and BD and the behavioural factors associated in university students in four European universities: Chisinau (Ch) in Republic of Moldova, Cluj-Napoca (Cl) in Romania, Miskolc (Ms) in Hungary and Rouen (Ro) in France.

Methods

In the four countries in 2018, students in higher education completed an anonymous standardized self-questionnaire. The questionnaire collected age, gender (M, W), housing, curricula, smoking, cannabis consumption. Alcohol abuse problems were assessed by ADOSPA test and by AUDIT test.. Frequent BD was determined as a consumption of five or most alcoholic drinks on one occasion at least twice a month. A risk profile of consumers was conducted according to the consumption of alcohol and frequency of BD.

Results

A total of 3076 students were included, 705 in Ch, 582 in Cl, 534 in Ms and 1255 in Ro. Globally, the sex-ratio was quite similar (M:F=0.45), the mean age was 21.2 (SD = 4.1). In Ro, 83.6% of students consumed alcohol at least 1 per week, 86.4% in Ch, 27.6% in Cl, 43.6% in Ms. The prevalence of frequent BD was 15.9% in Ms and 13.8% in Ro, 11.5% in Ch and 12.6% in Cl. Alcohol hazardous drinking and risk of addiction levels were found in 19.3% of students in Ro, 27.6%, in Ms, 7.4% in Cl and 13,6% in Ch. Regarding patterns of consumption significant difference by gender were found. After multivariate analysis, different risk behaviours were found.

Conclusions

BD patterns in students were quite similar in the four countries, especially in male students. BD appears as a frequent, whose consequences remain to be investigated. It might be necessary in the future to screen students for potential ED upon entry to the university and also to inform student about the risk of ED and advise them to consult a healthcare professional.

Key messages

The study showed that alcohol is a central part of students’ lives in France, Hungary, Republic of Moldova and Romania. Specific target populations for public health interventions were identified.
Boosting urban health and well-being through cross-sectoral cooperation
Authors: Liinamo A , Matinheikki-Kokko K , Gobina I , Villeruša A
Published: October 2020

In the future, health promotion would require developed strategies that lead to stronger cross-sectoral cooperation. Cross-sectoral cooperation enables the integration of fragmented resources and competencies, which benefit service solutions for urban health. Healthy Boost “Urban Labs for Better Health for All in the Baltic Sea Region”, funded by the EU Interreg Baltic Sea Region -program, aims to develop the Model for cross-sectoral cooperation, which will be tested in the cities of the Baltic Sea Region during 2020-21. The self-assessment tool for cross-sectoral cooperation was developed, and the self-assessment among the nine cities in seven countries from the Baltic Sea Region was conducted in 2019.

The results indicated to what extent the staff (n = 329) in the cities have recognized the cross-sectoral cooperation for health and wellbeing as strategically crucial in their policies, communication, and in the design of their organizational functions. The daily practices were evaluated in terms of how systematically cities have implemented cross-sector actions for health and wellbeing.

The biggest challenges for cooperating across sectors for the cities were coordination and systematic identification of the community needs for health promotion. The cooperative actions were less systematic than expected in the strategic approach. The variation among respondents' assessments was high within the cities that lead to a conclusion about existing gaps in coordination, communication, and leadership of cross-sectoral work within the cities. The Likert type self-assessment measurement was statistically reliable in both strategic and operational dimensions of cooperation.

Key messages

Evaluation and measurements are needed to identify cross-sectoral actions to health and well-being. The evidence-based Model developed in the Healthy Boost project will guide partners towards systematic cross-sectoral cooperation processes.
Asset-based approaches to promote health in place-based communities: when the context matters
Authors: Cassetti V , Powell K , Barnes A , Sanders T
Published: October 2020

Background

In recent years, asset-based approaches (ABAs) to promote health have increasingly been adopted as a strategy to reduce health inequalities between neighbourhoods. However, evidence of impact is still limited due to their complexity. This research aimed to explore what changes ABAs generate, studying two asset-based initiatives that train local lay people to become peer health promoters, implemented in two different settings (Spain and UK).

Methods

A five months ethnography was conducted in each setting between March 2018 and March 2019. Data were collected through 127 hours of observations and interviews with 44 participants (learners, community workers and health professionals). Thematic analysis was performed to explore the impacts of the interventions and their interactions with local contexts.

Results

Preliminary findings indicate that learners' self-confidence, knowledge and skills for addressing local health determinants increased in both settings. However, contextual factors played an important role in supporting or hindering wider impacts in the communities where the initiatives were implemented. Opportunities for working together across sectors and being supported by local institutions were key elements supporting learners to transfer the acquired confidence, skills and knowledge to other settings beyond the time and space of the initiatives. These learners reported volunteering more in their communities, developing new activities, or transferring skills in their workplace to change practice and attitudes.

Conclusions

This study found that ABAs initiatives implemented in communities have the potential to support reduction of inequalities through increasing people's skills, knowledge and self-confidence. However, it is key to work intersectorally to create enabling environments where these acquired capacities can be mobilised, as the context can support or hinder wider changes to occur.

Key messages

Asset-based interventions to promote health increase people knowledge, skills and self-confidence, but it is key to consider how contextual factors can favour or hinder the potential for wider impacts. Community structures and institutional support for joint working influence mobilisation of learners’ acquired confidence, skills and knowledge beyond the formal spaces of asset-based interventions.
Study of factors related to social and emotional skills in early childhood in Japan
Authors: Kobayashi M , Takakura M , Kakazu K , Gredzuk S , Masuzawa T , Kyan A , Ganaha Y , Endoh H
Published: October 2020

Background

There are numerous reports that social and emotional skills in early childhood have profound influence on lifelong health. The aim of this research is to determine the relation between the lifestyle and the social and emotional skills among children in present day Japan.

Methods

The object of analysis was a total of 110 parents of kindergarten students (56 boys, 48 girls,6 gender unknown) from 3 kindergartens in central Okinawa Island. The survey was conducted in mid-December 2019. Regarding the content of the survey, parents were asked to answer on a five-point scale, based on their subjective opinion, how good is their child, as compared to other children, in each of the 9 sub-scales of the social and emotional skills proposed in the 2015 OECD report, namely “perseverance,” “self-control,” “passion for goals,” “sociability,” “respect,” “caring,” “self-esteem,” “optimism,” “confidence.” Additionally, other question items were set, mainly to ask about the child's own lifestyle.

Results

The results of multivariate logistic regression analysis are following. As for “achieving goals:” 3 items for perseverance - “there are few likes and dislikes about food (OR:2.67, 95％CI:1.03～6.94, p=.043),” “Time for playing games on smartphone is determined (OR:3.21, 95％CI:1.19～8.68, p=.021),” “Eat more fruits (OR:3.03, 95％CI:1.24～8.26, p=.016),” are statistically significant. [Other results are omitted in this abstract]

Conclusions

It became clear that the acquisition of social and emotional skills during early childhood generally involves regular lifestyle and “discipline” at home as a whole. Besides, it is important for parent and child to do various activities together, including those aiming to increase cognitive skills. This study is considered to be a powerful evidence for the development of future intervention programme, aimed at acquiring social and emotional skills in early childhood.

Key messages

In early childhood family and kindergarten have to cooperate to foster social and emotional skills, important for lifelong health. This study is considered to be a powerful evidence for the development of future intervention programme, aimed at acquiring social and emotional skills in early childhood.
Features of intersectoral collaboration in the field of public health at the local level
Authors: Manshina A , Popovich M V , Zinovieva V A
Published: October 2020

Background

Studying the characteristics of intersectoral collaboration (IC) of representatives of various sectors in the development and implementation of programs for the prevention of noncommunicable diseases and the formation of a healthy lifestyle in the constituent entities of the Russian Federation (RF).

Methods

Studying the opinions of representatives of various sectors on IC in the development and implementation of programs for the prevention of NCDs and the formation of a healthy lifestyle in four regions of the RF by interview. Identification of factors contributing to and hindering intersectoral interaction at the local level.

Results

In total, 43 interviews were conducted with representatives: municipal administrations, the public chamber, trade unions, non-profit organizations, departments of health, sports, culture, education, social protection, Labor and Employment, Federal Service for Oversight of Consumer Protection and Welfare. Factors contributing to IC: the presence of a coordination council; Support from the management of the entity; joint solution of tasks, the presence of horizontal links between departments and organizations involved in political decisions. Factors hindering IC: lack of a coordinating council; lack of a clear understanding of the tasks for which each agency is responsible and what results need to achieve in the end. Inadequate involvement of public non-profit organizations.

Conclusions

Intersectoral work is underway in the regions, in all the subjects surveyed, horizontal ties have been established between departments and organizations involved in making political decisions or influencing them. All participants recognize the importance and necessity of intersectoral work in the form of a council (commission). For effective intersectoral work, it is necessary to determine priorities in joint work, delimit areas of responsibility between participants, establish tasks that need to be achieved and performance determine criteria.

Key messages

Studying the characteristics of intersectoral collaboration (IC) of representatives of various sectors in the development and implementation of programs for the prevention of noncommunicable diseases. To ensure intersectoral work, it is necessary to determine priorities in joint work, delimit areas of responsibility, establish tasks and determine performance criteria.
Physical activity and gut microbiota: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Gallè F , Valeriani F , Antinozzi M , Liguori R , Gianfranceschi G , Romano Spica V , Liguori G , Cattaruzza MS
Published: October 2020

Background

The composition of gut microbiota, and in particular the intestinal abundance of the two main bacterial phyla of Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes, are associated with human health and diseases and may be conditioned by host and environmental factors such as age, gender and diet. The role of Physical Activity (PA) in determining gut microbiota composition has not been yet completely clarified. A cross-sectional study involving undergraduates from two Italian cities is ongoing to explore this relationship.

Methods

Students were invited to provide a fecal sample and to complete the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) in order to define their habitual PA level (inactive, minimally active, health enhancing physical activity -HEPA- active). Demographic and anthropometric information were also collected. DNA from fecal samples was analyzed through the 16S amplicon sequencing. Microbial composition and variability of the samples were evaluated on the light of participants' PA levels.

Results

A total of 153 students (47.7% males, mean age 22.4±2.9, mean BMI 22.3±2.7) participated to the study so far. Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes were the main represented phyla. An increase in Firmicutes (58.3±16 to 61.4±13.3, p = 0.68) and a reduction in Bacteroidetes (32.6±14.8 to 30.3±11.4, p = 0.51) have been registered with the increase of PA level. A higher variability (expressed as Shannon α-index) has been detected in minimally active (3.39±0.03) and HEPA-active (3.41±0) individuals respect to inactive subjects (3.35±0.07) (p = 0.05).

Conclusions

Even if they are not significant, these preliminary results suggest a relationship between PA levels and gut microbiota composition. An active lifestyle seems to be associated with a greater microbial diversity in the gut. Further researches are needed to explain these findings.

Key messages

Physical activity seems to be associated with gut microbiota composition. A greater variability in gut microbiota was found in active people.
Health impact of an intervention sport-competition-based in elderly: the “In-Common sport” project
Authors: Dallolio L , Colaci S , Masini A , Marini S , Cancela-Carral J M , Bezerra P
Published: October 2020

Background

The health benefits of a regular physical activity (PA) in older people are well known but the majority of older people in Europe do not meet the recommended levels to maintain health. How to promote a regular PA in elderly is a responsibility and a challenge for Local Authorities. “IN COMMON SPORTS-Intergenerational Competition As Motivation For Sport And Healthy Lifestyle Of Senior Citizens” is a three year Erasmus+ Sport project which promotes active lifestyle in senior citizens bringing them closer to sport activities. The project involved five countries: Portugal, Italy, Spain, Bulgaria and Hungary. The aim of the study is to present one-year follow-up data of the Italian sample.

Methods

Quasi-experimental study with 121 participants over 60-aged recruited in Cesena (Italy) through newspaper advertising. The experimental group (EG) attended twice a week structured training sessions for two years. Sessions included aerobic activity of moderate intensity and muscle-strengthening activities interspersed with aerobic activity of vigorous intensity. The training was the basis for the preparation in a competition that took place in each country. The control group (CG) received the advice to practice regular PA. Upper limb muscle strength (Handgrip Test) was measured as primary outcome.

Results

One year follow-up analysis were conducted on 76 participants, 52 in EG and 24 in CG (mean age: 71±6.7) using ANOVA and ANCOVA to test the effects of the intervention. The EG significantly improved upper limb muscle strength (1.9±2.8) vs CG significantly worsened (-1.9±3.5). After adjusted for unbalanced variables, the comparison between groups showed a significant effect of intervention on handgrip test (p value=0,012).

Conclusions

”IN COMMON SPORTS” project has significantly improved handgrip strength in Italian participants. This test has shown to be a proxy of decline in cognition, mobility, functional status and mortality in older community-dwelling populations.

Key messages

IN COMMON SPORTS promotes active lifestyle in senior citizens bringing them closer to sport activities. The project has proven to be effective in improving handgrip strength.
How to make smoking prevention work for vulnerable populations: insights from French project DCAP
Authors: Georgelin B , Laurent A , Le Grand E , Soudier B , Gaspard S , Steering Committee DCAP , Berdougo F , Josserand L , Lombrail P
Published: October 2020

Issue

Smoking prevention interventions tend to reach with difficulty young people and disadvantaged groups in France. Yet, limited research provides practical evidence detailing tobacco prevention interventions (TPI) aimed at them. Documenting the practical experience of health promotion, social and education workers tackling this issue is therefore crucial. To that end, the French Society for Public Health designed and carries out a project to CAPitalize experiential Data on TPI: DCAP.

DCAP

Initiated in 2019, DCAP consists in capitalizing, i.e. collecting, documenting and circulating, experiential knowledge from practitioners who implement TPI at the local level for young people and vulnerable people. Goals include building up original knowledge from field actions, documenting how TPI unfold in various contexts and take into account health inequalities, and supporting professional practices. DCAP follows 3 main steps: 1/identifying promising TPI, 2/ documenting selected TPI and the key mechanisms impacting how TPI unfold (context, partnerships, barriers and levers, ethics), 3/ sharing knowledge built up on TPI, via an online portal.

Results

DCAP will document 40 interventions total. Preliminary results, based on TPI documented in 2019, highlight experiential knowledge built up to face 3 types of

Issues

1/building and sustaining partnerships for long-term TPI programs, between health professionals, schools and parents for example, 2/building support for TPI in difficult contexts: prisons, emergency housing, etc. 3/innovating and inventing collective TPI adjusted for disadvantaged groups. Insights also emerge on current trends. For example, programs for young people tend nowadays to favor global approaches to addiction prevention over smoking prevention alone.

Lessons

Most TPI remain confidential yet form a rich corpus of original and practical evidence other stakeholders can benefit from. Future research projects can also benefit from the data collected through DCAP.

Key messages

Documenting the practical experience health promotion, social and education workers hold is crucial to share knowledge and implement tobacco prevention interventions that work for vulnerable people. DCAP details key mechanisms in smoking prevention interventions aimed at vulnerable groups in France, including long-lasting partnerships building and innovative collective formats design.
Promoting health in Italian Schools. Qualitative approach to evaluate community-based interventions
Authors: Scardetta P , Palermo V , Luzi I , Nardone P , Buoncristiano M , Sipone S , Dittami A , De Mei B
Published: October 2020

“Genitori peer” Working Group
Attitudes of university students towards classroom physical activity breaks in the Netherlands
Authors: De Bot C , Brands M , Kremers E , van Ewijk E , Dierx J
Published: October 2020

Background

Regular physical activity has multiple benefits for physical, mental, and psychosocial, however many students do not meet the national physical activity guidelines. Classroom physical activity can help students be more physically active. This study investigated the attitude of university students towards classroom physical activity breaks in a university of applied science setting

Methods

Within this research a mixed methods design have been applied. A online survey was completed by 2016 students an semi-structured interviews were conducted among 19 students.

Results

A total of 2016 students successfully completed the questionnaire with a mean of 18-21 year (67%) and 52 % female. No classroom physical activity breaks were used during the lessons. In addition, almost half of the students are not able to concentrate well during the classes. Students (39%) noticed that physical activity during classes had a positive influence on their concentration. The majority of the students are open to activating forms of teaching at universities of applied sciences (69%). Students have a clear preference for active breaks, curriculum-focused active breaks. Physical activities such as climbing stairs, sports exercises are not students preferred activities.

Conclusions

Implementing classroom physical activity breaks can improve student physical activity and concentration during school and behavior in the classroom. Activities such as climbing stairs, intense aerobic exercise were perceived as inconvenient. Active breaks, curriculum-focused active breaks were acknowledged by students.

Key messages

Keep physical activity breaks short and manageable. Physical activity breaks can help in stress reduction and improving psychological well-being.
Basic life support training with high schools’ teachers in Bahia, Brazil: an experimental study
Authors: Vivas T , Duarte M , Puschel V , Oliveira H , Sales P , Rocha G , Oliveira I
Published: October 2020

Background

Early performing of cardiopulmonary resuscitation is the cornerstone of survival in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest, doubling the odds of survival when correctly performed. The American Heart Association and the European Resuscitation Council advocate for training the entire population in order to enable a quick and effective response to out-of-hospital cardiac arrests, improving its outcomes. In primary healthcare settings the health workers can act as trainers, using the family and territorial approach to deliver basic life support (BLS) basis to general population, assuring that key social actors are skilled enough to aid community when needed. This study aims to compare the knowledge and practice skill of high school teachers before and after a BLS training delivered by health workers and students in a primary healthcare setting.

Methods

Teachers of three public high schools in Bahia, Brazil were assessed by a test for theoretical and practical skill in BLS and then trained by a group of primary care workers and students. Training included a 20min lecture and 40min practice session in a simulated scenario. After the training the teachers were assessed with the same test for theoretical and practical skill. A paired-samples T test was used to detect the difference in the mean total score before and after the training, with a significance level of 0.05 (two-sided test) and 95% confidence interval.

Results

The mean total score after the BLS training (8.2 ± 1.5) was significantly higher (p < 0.000) from before training (4.5 ± 1.7).

Conclusions

The high school teachers were unable to deliver proper cardiopulmonary resuscitation before the intervention. Following a BLS training a significant immediate improvement in the knowledge and practical skill was detected. Health workers were able to achieve these results in a primary healthcare setting. Further studies should assess this outcome with larger samples, evaluating the retention of knowledge and skills provided.

Key messages

Basic life support training can be delivered to general population by health workers in primary healthcare settings in order to improve the outcomes to out-of-hospital cardiac arrests. Teachers and health workers can act as key actors in intersetorial health-education initiatives, promoting the health of their communities.
Teachers involvement in a co-design process of creation of a health education tool
Authors: Tessier N , Jourdan D , O'Callaghan N , Fernandes Da Rocha C
Published: October 2020

Background

This communication aims to study the impact of a co-design process involving teachers in the creation of a health education tool for elementary school (a << continuous design in use >> device). Indeed, the simple dissemination of a tool is not enough to make practices evolve and become more effective. Teachers find it difficult to integrate a tool into their daily practices. It therefore appears necessary for teachers to be involved throughout the process of designing the tool and trained so that they feel competent and effective in its use in the classroom.

Methods

Within the framework of the public health plan of New Caledonia, a pedagogical tool for all elementary schools in the archipelago has been developed in 2018 and 2019. The tool has been made with the teachers and not only for the teachers. This research focused on the impact of the program. 40 schools with 102 teachers and 15 school principals were involved. Qualitative and quantitative approaches made possible the analysis of the teaching practices (classroom activities, usability, usefulness and acceptability of resources).

Results

60% of the teachers were involved in the co-creation process. 272 feedbacks were collected providing 817 comments on the implementation of the proposed activities. The majority of the teachers found it relevant, of high quality and adapted to the context of the exercise.

Conclusions

It emerges from our analysis that the involvement of teachers in a program of << continuous design in use >> favours the appropriation and use of a health education tool in teachers' practices. This has made it possible to shed light on the realities in the field according to the means and places of practice but also to enrich the tool in terms of shared resources and pedagogical practices.

Key messages

A co-design process of creation of a health education tool is a relevant mean to generate a deep involvement of primary school teachers. Such a design led to the creation of tool recognized by education professionals as being usable, useful and acceptable.
Educational approach for hypertensive people with low educational level
Authors: Pereira de Sousa L , Prado Campos A P , Maia Araújo C , Gomes da Silva Moreira I , Santos G , Leal S , Alves Caldeira de Vasconcellos J , Moutinho Costa J , de Souza A C , Pinho Ribeiro A L
Published: October 2020

Introduction

The educational process in the treatment of patients with arterial hypertension is common but, generally exclude from the sample illiterate individuals or those with a low level of schooling.

Objective

evaluate the effect of an educational program based on group interventions on the health of hypertensive individuals with low level of schooling in a Basic Health Unit in Brazil.

Methods

This is a educational quasi-experimental study, adapted to the level of schooling of the participants, carried out during a period of 23 weeks. It was evaluated 35 hypertensive individuals submitted to blood pressure (BP) measurement, quality of life (Minichal), adherence to treatment (Martín-Bayarre-Grau), level of knowledge of the disease, physical activity (IPAQ) and anthropometric study evaluation. In addition, for analysis of the data, the sample was divided into two subgroups, according to the participation in the activities: adhered (n = 11) or not adhered (n = 24). Descriptive statistics were used to present the study variables. The WILCOXON test was used to compare before and after and MANN-WHITNEY to compare the two groups, p = 0.05 was considered significant.

Results

a significant reduction was observed in relation to the systolic BP values: 9.8 mmHg in the adherent subgroup, after the intervention. On the other hand, there was increased 0.7 mmHg among non-adherents. The other evaluations did not change. It should be emphasized that the studied population demonstrated a satisfactory level of knowledge of the pathology since the initial evaluation in both groups.

Conclusions

the findings suggest that an adapted educational approach could help to control blood pressure levels of hypertensive patients with low educational level. In addition, it was observed that knowledge does not seem to be associated with action, and it is necessary to develop strategies that can increase adherence to therapeutic interventions.

Key messages

Educational intervention. Low educational level.
Health promotion and disease prevention of people aged 60 year or older
Authors: Jackytė J
Published: October 2020

The number of people aged 60 years or older is increasing over the world. According to the World Health Organization, keeping the health and functional independence of older people is one of the major challenges facing the European region. Older people in Lithuania are not linked to take care of their health. As a result, most of the people aged 65 years or older have a poor health. In 2018, 51.6 % of people aged 65 or older had limited knowledge of health literacy in health promotion. In order to change health-related behavior, Kaunas city municipality Public health bureau started to run a healthy ageing project.

The project started in September 2018 and finished in December 2020. The aim of the project was to improve the health literacy level of Kaunas city citizens aged 60 years or older and to form positive changes in their health behaviour by implementing public health promotion program in Kaunas city.

Different evidence-based physical activities were organized during the project: taichi, line dancing, aquatic exercise, functional training, and physiotherapy exercise. 888 residents aged over 60 years participated in 816 project activities. Healthy cooking classes with professional chefs were also organized for older people. As a result, 120 elderly people gained knowledge and skills in property nutrition during 40 healthy cooking classes. To improve older people's mental health, psycho-emotional activities such as mindfulness-awareness and brainstorming sessions were organized. A total of 314 older people participated in the 37 trainings of improving the psycho-emotional state.

Women were more likely to participate in health promotion activities. In order to attract more men, collaboration and involvement of local communities was outgoing.

Key messages

Empowering older people to make healthy choices can help to prolong the autonomy of older people and thus bring significant economic and social benefits. Collaboration and involvement of local communities can bring relevant effect for public health in building complex strategy of healthy aging.
Potential of recruiting high school student volunteers for stroke promotion campaigns
Authors: Maršálková H , Svobodová V
Published: October 2020

Issue

Stroke is the leading cause of death and permanent disability worldwide. Even though an effective treatment exists, the main issue in the Czech Republic and other countries remains low stroke symptoms awareness and correct response. The later a patient arrives to hospital the lower treatment effect is. Thus, continuous education of the population is needed.

Description of the Problem

Holding educational events demands capacities, but there are no health promoters in the Czech Republic and health professionals are overloaded. Therefore, our goal was to establish a voluntary group of young people for conducting stroke awareness campaigns. The question is, if the group of young volunteers is be able to conduct health promotion events. The key recruitment was done in 2015 among high school students, who previously passed our stroke educational program. Once the group was formed the Stroke Awareness Coordinator provided periodical training in health literacy and soft skills so the group is to provide the lay public with accurate information in the most effective way.

Results

The Stroke Ambassadors voluntary group has been formed in 2015 in St. Anne's University Hospital Brno and has 25 members nowadays. Over 5200 people were educated directly through 48 events organized or supported by the group between 2015-2019 (e.g. World Stroke Day, public lectures, children contests, school project days). Thanks to the events, new partnerships with municipalities and public health supporters were initiated.

Lessons

Volunteers are readily available to provide health promotion support. There is only a small additional cost related to education of volunteers. Students have easier access to schools to organize health events for their age group than adult health professionals.

Key messages

High school student volunteers are readily available to provide health promotion support. There is only a small additional cost related to education and motivation of volunteers.
Long-term effect of participation in one-month alcohol abstinence campaign on individual consumption
Authors: Terebessy A , Pongor V , Horváth Z s , Ivers J-H , Pénzes M , Dávid F , Horváth F , Demetrovics Z s , Urbán R , Rácz J
Published: October 2020

Objective

There is limited amount of evidence concerning the effect of population-based interventions. Dry November campaign asks people to go booze-free for a month. The goal of our study was to assess whether success rate of participation in the 2017 Dry November campaign leads to long-term change in alcohol consumption of participants.

Methods

A longitudinal study was conducted in 2017-2018 in the form of an online survey. Alcohol consumption characteristics of respondents (N = 125) were measured by the short-form AUDIT test. Participants filled out the first survey at the end of October 2017 with a one-year follow-up questionnaire. We used the reliable change index to identify participants whose c-AUDIT scores changed significantly over time. We collated participants who exhibited no change or significant decrease in c-AUDIT scores into one group, which was used as reference in our logistic regression analyses. We first conducted a series of univariate regression analyses to identify significant confounders, which were then included in the subsequent multivariate regression analysis.

Results

Based on our results, success rates did not differ significantly between those who exhibited a significant increase in c-AUDIT scores and those whose c-AUDIT scores did not change or decreased significantly over a one-year time period. In our multivariate regression analysis, the occurrence of alcohol consumption in the same household (OR = 3.29, 95% CI: 1.17-10.01) was the only variable significantly associated to an increase in c-AUDIT scores.

Conclusions

Even though success rate of participation in the 2017 Dry November campaign did not influence c-AUDIT scores significantly at follow-up, we were able to identify the occurrence of alcohol consumption in household as a significant risk factor for those who exhibited a significant increase in c-AUDIT score.

Key messages

A one-month alcohol-free challenge might be an effective tool for reducing alcohol consumption but further analysis is needed. The inclusion of individuals in the same household in interventions aiming to decrease alcohol intake may lead to higher success rate.