bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Public health risk factors at music festivals: “Be Safe Lab” initiative
Authors: Beržanskytė A 
Published: October 2020

Abstract

Background
At large public events such as music festivals there is an increased exposure to the risk factors as alcohol, tobacco and narcotics, unprotected sex, trauma and violence. Non-governmental organizations engage in prevention and support activities at such events. An initiative “Be Safe Lab” has developed in Lithuania to reduce the likelihood of adverse events due to harmful behavior at public festivals.

Study Aim
To investigate the experience of operating the “Be Safe Lab” initiative at Lithuanian music festivals.

Methods
In this qualitative study the data were collected from five “Be Safe Lab” volunteer staff using semi-structured interviews lasting in average of 50 minutes. The main guidelines were prepared and informants were asked to tell in general about the initiative, motives and reasons to develop the initiative, its goals and tasks, the questions that visitors apply to them, challenges and obstacles, personal experience in the initiative. Data were analysed using inductive thematic analysis according to Braun and Clarke (2013).

Results
The analysis revealed 6 main themes: principles of the initiative, variety of services, substance use harm reduction, changes of volunteers' perspectives, the role of teamwork, and initiative challenges.

Conclusions
The initiative has a number of strengths and challenges. Integrated services are provided not just to drug users, but also to other festival visitors who seek help or advice. The volunteer staff must have special skills, competencies and medical knowledge. The harm reduction measures for drugs and psychoactive substances used in the initiative are believed to be effective and attract music festival visitors. Initiative volunteers benefit both personally and professionally from providing services. However, further success of the initiative requires additional financial support, training, and collaboration with institutions providing emergency medical services at music festivals.

Key messages
Integrated services are provided to any festival visitor who seek help from “Be Safe Lab” specialists. The initiative volunteers benefit both personally and professionally from providing services.
Using population register data for health services research – the Finnish experience
Authors: Keskimäki I , Lumme S 
Published: October 2020

Abstract
The personal identification number was introduced in Finland in the mid-1960s. By 1970, it was universally used in administrative databases including population census, causes of death, cancer, hospital discharge, and health insurance registries. Early on data protection regulations recognised the use of registries and ID numbers for research and register linkages which allowed expanding the use of register data in population health and health services research. The possibility to analyse electronic health records (eHRs) linked to individual whole-population sociodemographic data has allowed the use of a wide range of study designs from cross-sectional to longitudinal studies and to various hierarchical designs. Some registers extend follow-up time up to over 50 years with detailed mapping of individual event histories. Data also allow detailed disentangling of individual and contextual factors, such as socioeconomics and comorbidities vs. provider characteristics. While some data items draw on administrative decisions or clinical discretion, such as granting insurance benefits or decisions on surgery, the research use of the data requires understanding of processes used to construct data items. The use of population registers in health services research is clearly cost-effective. However, the lack of a high-performance computing capacity and environment suitable for processing large sensitive data, as well as inadequate information on the use of primary health care and eHRs has limited efficient use of extensive and complex linkage schemes and the utilisation of machine learning. The Finnish register authorities have improved computing facilities for research use and the legislative reform on secondary use of health care data is opening eHRs for research use granting higher granularity in describing content and quality of care. These developments enable big-data methods to be an essential part of the future methodological toolbox for health service research.
The STOP project
Authors: Sassi F 
Published: October 2020

Abstract
The STOP project aims at expanding and consolidating the multi-disciplinary evidence base upon which effective and sustainable policies can be built to prevent and manage childhood obesity. STOP also aims at creating the conditions for evidence to translate into policy and for policy to translate into impacts on the ground. The primary focus of STOP is on the cumulative impacts of multiple and synergistic exposures in vulnerable and socially disadvantaged children and their families, which must be a priority target for the fight against childhood obesity in Europe to reach a tipping point and succeed. STOP will identify critical stages in childhood at which interventions can be most effective and efficient.
STOP is covering the whole umbrella of different research disciplines, to be able to understand and produce useful policy recommendations for complex issues such as childhood obesity. It is providing basic clinic research insights, comprehensive epidemiological data, study and overview of different public health-oriented measurements, understanding of stakeholders networking and effective communication. It builds on the observation that many interventions deployed by governments have failed to improve health-related behaviours in a sustained way over the life cycle. Little has been done to combine and triangulate different sources of biological, socio-economic and behavioural data to look at the overall, long-term consequences of an intervention on nutrition and metabolic health. Therefore, among other things, STOP focuses on the core idea that obesity has multiple and diverse characterisations, and therefore that one-size-fits-all policy approaches to childhood obesity are bound to fail, and the scientific component of the project is designed to recognise diversity and support the development of tailored solutions.
A first long-term evaluation of the Council of Coaches application: An observational cohort study
Authors: Op den Akker H , Hurmuz M , Jansen-Kosterink S M 
Published: October 2020

Abstract

Background
Due to the aging population, more and more older adults are living with chronic conditions. Adopting a healthy lifestyle can reduce the impact of these conditions. To address this issue, Council of Coaches (COUCH) has been developed within the Council of Coaches project (European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation program under grant agreement No. 769553). COUCH is a web application (TRL6), in which users can have virtual conversations with a group of embodied virtual coaches. These coaches give users information, feedback and tips on adopting a healthy lifestyle primarily in the areas of physical activity and nutrition. The aim of this evaluation is to assess the use, user experience, and potential health effects.

Methods
Use will be assessed by the log data of COUCH, and user experience and potential health effects will be assessed by questionnaires. The target population (older adults, 55 years or older) will participate in an observational cohort study with a pre-test/post-test design. Subjects will complete multiple questionnaires: before the baseline phase, after the implementation phase and, after the follow-up phase. Each participant will sign an informed consent form.

Results
The COUCH evaluation consists of two rounds. The first round started in February 2020, the second round will start in May 2020, with 25 subjects planned in each round. For the first round, 26 subjects are already recruited and included. For the second round, 12 subjects are already recruited. In August 2020, the results of the evaluation will be available. During this presentation, these results will be presented. This will consist of user demographics, use, user experience, and of the results on potential health effect.

Conclusions
This evaluation will give us a broad overview of the use, user experience and effectiveness of COUCH in a real-life setting, leading to further development of COUCH.
HESRi country impact and uptake in Wales
Authors: Dyakova M 
Published: October 2020

Abstract
Establishing a Welsh Health Equity Status Report Initiative (WHESRi) strengthens Wales' international influencer role and enables a healthier, more equal, prosperous and globally responsible Wales. WHESRi aims to inform and support policy solutions, innovation and sustainable investment towards healthy, prosperous lives for all, leaving no one behind. There are four objectives: Gather and analyse data and policies, providing a benchmark dynamic picture of health inequities, their determinants, economic burden and relevant existing policy interventions in Wales;Develop an interactive digital platform and information gateway to host the Welsh health equity dataset and related WHESRi products, tools and resources;To monitor, review, explore, assess, model and forecast the effect of policy changes and investment decisions on wellbeing and health equity; andTo facilitate cross-sector whole-of-government, whole-of-society policy dialogue, commitment and action, embedding and progressing health and equity, as part of the sustainable development agenda.
The WHESRi consists of two work streams: Developing WHESRi, including data, policy and economic analyses, aiming to inform solutions and investment to improve wellbeing and reduce health inequities; andDeveloping a digital Health Equity Solutions Platform for Wales, including an interactive dashboard and a suite of policy, investment and other tools and resources.
Health literacy and increasing level of health knowledge: Ethnographic analysis of the role of school children / young people in the development of health literacy in families
Authors: Wamba A , Soh G , Ngoumou R D , Matchika Megaptche M 
Published: October 2020

Abstract

Background
The contribution of school children and young people to the development of health literacy (HL) within families is little studied in Cameroon, where the majority of parents have low level of literacy skills. Also, they are the most exposed to the risks of poor health status (OMS 2019), because they experience enormous difficulties in terms of ability to seek and access health information, understand, interpret, evaluate it critically, and to use it in a way that promotes health. While it is known that school children and young people bring information into their families that can improve their parents' quality of life and health knowledge, they are rarely involved in actions of development and promotion of health literacy.

Methods
This study combines a quantitative approach apprehending the contribution of Cameroonians school children and young people to the promotion of HL within families, as regards the methods and means used, and a qualitative design research targeting the experience of this contribution. The study concerned 150 families with school children and young people attending primary and secondary school.

Results
The results show the specific actions, means and practical methods that school children and young people use to develop and promote HL in their families. Also, the results indicate that school children and youth help parents to increase their level of health knowledge, and to improve their level of HL skills, while reducing social inequalities in health.

Conclusions
The study suggests a recognition, at the level of health policies, of the importance of involving school children and young people in the development of HL in families exposed to literacy without schooling; the need to lay special emphasis in schools on knowledge related to HL, in order to better equip school children with useful skills beneficial to them and their families.
“Take care of yourself”: a psychoeducational tool for adolescents for the mental health promotion (MHP) in the pediatric primary care (PPC)
Authors: Passalacqua S , Crameri A , Zysset A , Wieber F , Wyl A 
Published: October 2020

Abstract

Background
Worldwide 10-20% of children and adolescents experience mental disorders (MD). Half of all mental illnesses begin by the age of 14 and three-quarters by mid-20s. As adolescents move from child to adult-centered care, they should be encouraged to implement a proactive mental health strategy. Pediatrician have the potential to be an important gateway to MHP. The healthcare coordination may be affected by contextual constraints such as lack of time and the reluctance of the adolescents to seek help for MD. Adopting a resilience framework, we aimed to develop a psychoeducational toolkit to optimize the contact between the adolescents and their pediatrician.

Methods
We first collected pediatricians needs in a focus group and systematically searched in the literature for components of interventions that are effective in the MHP. We selected a previously developed toolkit, that we aimed to optimize and adapt culturally. The adapted toolkit was then evaluated by adolescents in two focus groups. We took their feedback into account when finalizing the toolkit.

Results
The psychoeducational toolkit “Take care of yourself” is a resource for adolescents to recognize risks for MD. It comprises ten topics that are central to MHP: myths and facts about MD, dealing with stress, love and loss, unhealthy relationships, separation, grief, online addiction, drugs, helping others, confidentiality, rights and obligations and useful websites. Analyses of the focus groups showed that adolescents and pediatricians evaluated the toolkit as appealing and helpful.

Conclusions
This toolkit provides a resource for adolescents to address mental health problems. It aims to increase MHP in PPC and to contribute to the destigmatization of MD. In a next step, we plan to test the effectiveness of this psychoeducational tool.
Evaluating mobile conditional cash transfers for improving immunization coverage in Pakistan
Authors: Chandir S , Siddiqi D A , Khan A A , Abdullah S , Dharma V K , Shah M T , Khan A J 
Published: October 2020

Abstract

Background
Despite progress in increasing immunization coverage, poor uptake of vaccines remains a challenge, particularly in LMICs. In part, this is due to the poor socio-economic status of caregivers, lack of motivation, and parental procrastination. While there is evidence that large (≥100 USD) incentives can overcome these problems, research on small incentives that are more appropriate for an LMIC setting is sparse. Our study addresses this gap by evaluating the impact of small (≤12 USD) CCTs in increasing immunization coverage for children under the age of two.

Methods
A 2-year program utilizing two small incentive schemes of different amounts (high: USD9; low: USD5) was implemented in Shikarpur District, Pakistan. Caregivers (with children 0-24 months) visiting any of the 33 study immunization centers were given the opportunity to enroll. All consenting parent-child pairs were randomized in one of the two incentive schemes and incentives were disbursed following each immunization visit, using mobile money. A baseline and end-line survey was conducted to evaluate changes in pre-post coverage.

Results
A total of 63,336 participants were enrolled between March 2016 - April 2018, of which 41,483 were randomized in the high or low incentive schemes (remaining caregivers were enrolled in the no-incentive group). Results show a 13% and 28% increase in age-appropriate coverage for Measles-1 (M1) and fully immunized children (FIC) compared to the baseline (FIC:16%, M1: 38%). There was no difference in M1 coverage between the high and low incentive schemes.

Discussion
Small CCTs have induced positive behavioral change and are a powerful tool for improving immunization coverage and compliance within LMICs.

Key messages
Small mobile conditional cash transfers (USD&lt;12) can serve as nudges to parents and lead to behavioral shifts resulting in improved immunization outcomes for children. There was no significant difference in outcomes between high and low incentives, indicating that small mobile conditional cash transfers were equally effective in improving immunization coverage.
Geographical inequalities in breast cancer incidence, mortality and late stage at diagnosis in Cyprus
Authors: Demetriou C A , Quattrocchi A , Heraclides A , Constantinou C , Marcou Y , Demetriou A , Scoutellas V , Kolokotroni O 
Published: October 2020

Abstract

Background
A national breast cancer (BC) screening programme, targeting women 50-69 years old, was introduced in Cyprus in 2007. This study aims to assess rural/urban differences in BC incidence, tumour stage at diagnosis (TSD) and mortality, since 2004 and since the introduction of the screening programme.

Methods
Data were obtained for 6589 new cases of BC (diagnosis 2004-2016) from a national population-based cancer registry (1998-today) in Cyprus. TSD was recorded according to the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results categories. We defined late TSD as regional or distant stage. Unknown stages were excluded. We linked cases to the population census data and place of residence (rural/urban) and calculated incidence and mortality rate ratios (RR) by place of residence. We conducted logistic regression to measure the association between place of residence and TSD or mortality, adjusting for sex, age, ethnicity, smoking and marital status. Adjusted odds ratios (aOR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) are reported.

Results
Since 2004, 54.7% of BC cases were diagnosed at localised stage, 40.6% at regional stage and 4.7% at distant stage. Incidence, but not mortality, rate for all BC was higher in urban than in rural areas (RRincidece=1.22;95%CI=1.51-1.28 and RRmortality=1.10;95%CI=0.97-1.24). Rural place of residence was associated with higher odds of late TSD (aOR=1.34; 95%CI=1.15-1.58) and death (aOR=1.36; 95%CI=1.11-1.68). After the introduction of the screening programme, for the targeted age group, rural place of residence was still associated with higher odds of late TSD (aOR=1.31; 95%C= 1.03-1.67), but not with death (p &gt; 0.05).

Conclusions
Even though BC incidence is higher in urban than in rural areas, women residing in rural areas had higher odds of late TSD and death. The introduction of the national BC screening programme only slightly reduced geographical inequalities in TSD. Further studies are needed to understand and reduce the role of inequalities in TSD.

Key messages
Rural/Urban inequalities in TSD are evident among BC cases in Cyprus, diagnosed between 2004 and 2016. The introduction of the national BC screening programme reduced but did not overcome geographical inequalities in TSD.
Cancer care for the homeless population: a literature review
Authors: Gil-Salmerón A , Gutiérrez-Schiavon C 
Published: October 2020

Abstract

Background
The last global survey in 2005 of the United Nations estimated that 100 million people were homeless. Cancer is becoming one of the most important public health problems worldwide, but specifically, the prevalence of cancer-related mortality for the homeless population has been reported to be double compared to the average adult population. To date, health research pays insufficient attention to studying cancer and improving the delivery of cancer care for the homeless population.

Methods
A systematic literature review of relevant databases was employed to identify all the quantitative studies addressing cancer care for the homeless population in English, Spanish, French and Portuguese. A total of 11,740 publications were identified.

Results
A total of 17 studies were included in this literature review. The majority of the studies were based on the United States (n = 13; 76.5%). Nearly half of the studies targeted the general homeless population (n = 9; 52.9%), and most studies specifically targeted homeless women (n = 6; 35.3%). The majority of studies examined specific types of cancer (n = 13; 76,5%). By type of cancer explored, breast cancer (n = 4; 23.5%) and cervical cancer (n = 4; 23.5%) were the most researched. Screening is the most prevalent topic investigated (n = 14; 82.4%). Studies report unequal access and utilization of cancer screening services as well as advanced stages of cancer when diagnosed. Additionally, longer delays to treatment have been reported. On the other hand, community-based screening strategies have proven to be effective in increasing screening rates.

Conclusions
Currently, American researchers appear to be leading exponents of cancer research on the homeless population and most of the research is focused on cancer screening. In this regard, community-based screening strategies have proven to be effective in reducing health inequalities for this vulnerable group but less is known when a positive case is diagnosed for this population.

Key messages
Cancer is a major disease burden worldwide and evidence shows higher mortality rates among the homeless population but unequal access and utilization of cancer screening and treatment services. Community cancer screening programmes for the homeless population should be internationally adopted and specific cancer care pathways meeting their needs after cancer diagnose should be provided.
When is a cancer patient cured? (Results from the EUROCARE-5 study)
Authors: Dal Maso L , Panato C , Tavilla A , Guzzinati S , Serraino D , De Angelis R , Francisci S 
Published: October 2020

Abstract

Background
Although heterogenous risks of recurrence or late effects according to cancer type and host factors exist, increasing evidence of cure has emerged for some cancers. This leads, among other important topics, to the so-called “right to be forgotten” law, adopted in France and Belgium to help cancer survivors access loans and insurance. The aim of the study was to estimate population-based indicators of cancer cure in Europe by type, sex, age, and period.

Methods
Data from 7.2 million cancer patients, aged 15-74 years, from 42 population-based cancer registries in 17 countries were extracted from the EUROCARE-5 dataset. Mixture-cure models were used to estimate: a) median life expectancy of fatal cases (LEF); b) cure fraction (CF) as a proportion of patients with death rates similar to the general population; and c) time to cure (TTC) as the time to reach five-year conditional relative survival (CRS)&gt;95%.

Results
LEF ranged from 10 years for patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia to &lt; 6 months for those with liver, pancreas, brain, gallbladder, and lung cancers. The CF was 94% for testis, 87% for thyroid cancer in women (70% in men), 86% for skin melanoma in women (76% in men), 66% for breast, 63% for prostate, and &lt;10% for liver, lung, and pancreatic cancers. TTC was &lt;5 years for testis and thyroid cancer patients diagnosed below age 55 years, and &lt;10 years for stomach, colorectal, corpus uteri, and melanoma patients of all ages. For breast and prostate cancers, a small excess remained for at least 15 years.

Conclusions
In a context of increasing number of people living after a cancer diagnosis, these results may help to reduce unneeded medicalization (e.g., follow-up) and resources needed for their care, and they further document that there is already a cure for some cancers.

Fundings
This work was supported by the Italian Association of Cancer Research (AIRC) and the European Commission (IPAAC).

Key messages
Cancer cure indicators are provided for European patients and 32 cancer type. Recognizing cancer patients as cured has relevant clinical and social implications.