bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
1.L. Workshop: Assessment of substance abuse in different populations
Authors:   Organised by: EUPHA-PMH,   Chair persons: Marija Jakubauskiene (EUPHA-PMH), Jutta Lindert (EUPHA-PMH)
Published: October 2021

Abstract

Substance abuse is a growing public mental health issue. Recent data from Global Burden of Disease study demonstrate that age standardized DALYs rate attributed to drug use disorders has increased by 25% in age group of 25-49 years during 1990-2019 (Lancet 2020; 396 1204-22). Standardized DALY rate due to alcohol use disorders reduced by 1/5 in this age group during the last 30 years, however it remains among the top 20 causes leading to greatest losses of DALYs in this age group. European countries persist to have high burden of diseases due to substance abuse. Social ecological model enables to structure individual, family, community and broader societal risk factors for substance abuse in specific groups within society. Some European countries (e.g. Germany) face increased migration especially from the war affected countries like Syria. Respective refugees and migrants may demonstrate higher substance abuse (alcohol and drug abuse) prevalence as an outcome of traumatic exposures and reflect the attempts to escape past and present experiences. In other countries (e.g. Lithuania), who still reflect transitional societies, substance abuse rates remain high due to psychosocial stress and structural barriers to implement effective prevention. Identification of risk factors may alleviate targeted and tailored prevention. The aim of the workshop is to systematize substance abuse risk factors in specific population groups based on socio-ecological framework applying different methodological approaches. There is a knowledge gap in culturally sensitive and translated into different languages instruments which assess substance use in refugee populations, especially from the Arabic countries. Therefore, a systematic review results on culturally sensitive substance abuse screening and assessment instruments among refugee populations will be presented. The qualitative study conducted in Germany will provide findings and insights on substance abuse perceptions among Syrian migrants and refugees. Understanding the explanatory model of Syrian refugees could inform future interventions to prevent substance abuse and design tailored interventions. Assessment of the behavioral risk factors related to injecting dug use in Lithuanian population using respondent driven sampling technique will be presented. Identifying individual and social risk factors may lead to targeted and effective prevention.

Key messages
Context specific knowledge of substance use is necessary for prevention including past and present factors. As refugee populations continue to grow, adequate screening instruments for substance abuse/dependence are needed.
Benchmarking physical activity and nutrition policies in Europe: lessons from the CO-CREATE project
Authors: Oldridge-Turner K , Vlad I , Kokkorou M , Fanian D , Klepp K-I , Helleve A , Fismen A-S , Harbron J , Hendricks G , Allen K 
Published: October 2021

Abstract

Background
Global research shows a strong link between physical activity, nutrition and the risk of developing non-communicable diseases. To increase physical activity and healthy eating, governments must design and implement a comprehensive set of policy actions across a range of areas. The MOVING and NOURISHING benchmarking tools were developed to identify gaps and assess the strength of actions taken by national governments in these complex policy areas.

Methods
The benchmarking tools value the strength of policy design based on policy attributes that are evidence-informed and aspirational. Both tools were applied to five countries participating in CO-CREATE, a European Commission-funded project: Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal and UK. Physical activity and nutrition policies in each of these countries were identified based on a comprehensive country scan, with a set methodology.

Results
The benchmarks assessed the strengths and weaknesses in the design of policies across the NOURISHING and MOVING policy areas. They identified where there was scope for improvement within a policy area. For example, the tools helped evaluate the design of health related-food taxes in Norway, Poland, Portugal, and UK and allowed a cross-country comparison of these policies. When comparing the overall policy environment across all countries, we found an overall lack of policies promoting access to open/green spaces and weaknesses in designing restrictions on marketing unhealthy foods to children.

Conclusions
The benchmarking tools can inform the development and implementation of policies which promote physical activity and healthy eating. They were developed for the European context but are also being tested on relevant policies in South Africa. They can be used by governments, policymakers, researchers and civil society to identify areas of physical activity and nutrition policy that are weak and require government action.

Key messages
Benchmarking nutrition and physical activity policy can identify gaps and assess the strength of actions taken by national governments in these complex policy areas. The NOURISHING and MOVING benchmarking tools can be used by governments, policymakers, researchers and civil society various to inform policy-making in nutrition and physical activity.
The role of mobile apps for pregnancy and postnatal care in promoting maternal and child health
Authors: Brunelli L , De Vita C , Cenedese F , Cinello M , Paris M , Samogizio F , Bava M , Dal Cin M , Zanchiello S , Stampalija T 
Published: October 2021

Abstract

Background
Within the growing availability of health apps worldwide, apps for pregnancy and postnatal care still raise critical issues. The content they provide might rise some concerns in terms of quality, completeness, as well as practical implications for effective prevention and health promotion. This study aims at evaluating free pregnancy and postnatal care apps available in Italian language, shedding light on the main shortcomings and future challenges in this public health field.

Methods
Between July and November 2020, a multidisciplinary research group conducted a systematic review on iOS and Android stores. Data about information, functionalities and technical features of the apps were collected through a 71-items questionnaire including six domains: pregnancy and postnatal care and counselling, reminders and push notifications, notes and records, social support, and technical features.

Results
From 684 identified apps, 22 were deeply analyzed. Resulting apps did not include most desirable features, with just one achieving the 50% of them. The most lacking domain was postnatal care and counselling (17.3%), with particularly scarce information about immunizations that mothers or newborns need (9.1%). Information about free-of-charge and upon payment clinical exams during pregnancy is also absent in half of the apps. Moreover, most apps did not provide users social support with other mothers nor with the healthcare professionals (95.5%). Finally, just one app was CE marked as a medical device.

Conclusions
The identified gaps highlight large room for improvement in the use of pregnancy and postnatal care apps for prevention and health promotion. More efforts are needed to design and implement increasingly high-quality apps providing information related to preventive or diagnostic medical practices, as well as social and certified mechanism to interact with healthcare staff.

Key messages
Increase in use of pregnancy and postnatal care apps should be considered as an opportunity for public health in terms of prevention and health promotion. Providing appropriate information as well as social mechanism to interact with healthcare staff could help to direct mothers and mothers-to-be to the most suitable screening and therapeutic paths.
Vaccine hesitancy among healthcare providers during COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Algabbani F , Algabbani A 
Published: October 2021

Abstract

Public trust in vaccines is a major global health issue. This study aims to assess the vaccine acceptance among healthcare workers and their confidence and hesitancy of the COVID19 vaccine. This was a multicenter cross-sectional survey conducted among healthcare providers in Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia. Data collection was carried out between October and November of 2020 through a web-based survey. COVID19 vaccine hesitancy was assessed using eight structured items adapted from the 5Cs. About 34.6% (95% CI: 27.6%-42.4%) of participants were willing to vaccinate against COVID-19 and 44% (95% CI: 36.5%-51.9%) will recommend the vaccine to their patients. About 45% of participants were neutral regarding vaccine safety and 40% were neutral regarding vaccine effectiveness. Almost 70% believe that the duration of clinical studies of the COVID-19 vaccines affects their confidence in the efficacy and safety of the vaccine. Those who never hesitated or delayed taking any of the recommended vaccination were more likely to be willing to vaccinate COVID-19 (OR 5.46, 95% CI: 2.49-11.98). Assessing the level of vaccine confidence in the population and associated factors will help implement an effective national vaccine program to enhance vaccination uptake and control COVID19 spread during this pandemic.

Key messages
Vaccine hesitancy is challenging vaccination goals at the national and global level. Hesitancy from the population toward vaccine and concerns regarding its safety and efficacy was observed with the development of a novel vaccine for COVID19 a newly emerged infection.
Cost of hospitalization for ischaemic heart and cerebrovascular diseases in Belgium
Authors: Gorasso V , Vandevijvere S , Van der Heyden J , De Bacquer D , Devleesschauwer B , De Smedt D 
Published: October 2021

Abstract

Background
Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the leading cause of global mortality and a major contributor to disability. According to European Cardiovascular Disease Statistics, in 2017 there were 108.7 million people living with CVDs in Europe resulting in about 4,681 disability-adjusted life years per 100,000 inhabitants. Among these, ischaemic heart and cerebrovascular diseases (IH&CBD) represent the highest burden in terms of morbidity, mortality and health care costs. CVDs were estimated to cost the EU €210 billion a year, where 28% was attributable to IH. The aim of this study was to assess the financial burden at societal level of IH&CBD in Belgium based on hospital discharge data, considering that inpatient hospital care costs accounted for about 51% of the total healthcare costs in CVDs.

Methods
IH&CBD were identified based on ICD-10 codes following the definition provided in the Global Burden of Disease study in 2017. IH: angina pectoris (AP) I20 and I25, acute myocardial infarction (AMI) I21-I24; CBD I60-I68. Mean annual number of patients and direct hospitalization costs from 2016 to 2018 were retrieved from the Belgian hospital discharge dataset, considering both primary and secondary diagnoses.

Results
Within the observed diseases, AP was the most common reason for hospitalizations with an average of 41,439 hospitalized patients per year. Yearly, 27,630 patients were hospitalized for CBD and 14,928 patients were hospitalized for AMI. The yearly hospitalization cost for AP and AMI in Belgium was on average respectively €219,688,254 and €133,343,881. CBDs accounted for the largest direct hospitalization cost with €301,900,539 per year.

Conclusions
In Belgium, on average almost 84,000 people are hospitalized yearly due to IH&CBD; On average, Belgium spends around €655 million a year for these hospitalizations.

Key messages
IH&CBD represent a high health and financial burden in Belgium. Since IH&CBD can be linked to several behavioral risk factors, this burden could be reduced with target health interventions.
Mental health inequalities in disruptions across multiple domains during COVID -19: an investigation in 12 population-based longitudinal studies
Authors: McElroy E , Di Gessa G , Maddock J , Green MJ , Thompson EJ , Davies HL , Mundy J , Stevenson AJ , Kwong ASF , Patalay P 
Published: October 2021

Abstract
Disruptions related to the COVID-19 pandemic and its associated virus suppression measures have affected many worldwide but those already suffering from psychological distress may have been especially vulnerable. We investigated associations between pre-pandemic psychological distress and disruptions to healthcare, economic activity, housing, and cumulative disruptions. Data were from 59,482 participants in 12 UK longitudinal adult population surveys with both pre-pandemic and COVID-19 surveys. Participants self-reported disruptions since the start of the pandemic to: healthcare (medication access, procedures, or appointments); economic activity (negative changes in employment, income or working hours); and housing (change of address or household composition). Logistic regression models were used to estimate associations between pre-pandemic standardised psychological distress scores and disruption outcomes. Findings were synthesised using a random effects meta-analysis with restricted maximum likelihood. Approximately one to two thirds of study participants experienced some form of disruption during the pandemic. One standard deviation higher pre-pandemic psychological distress was associated with: increased odds of any healthcare disruption (odds ratio: 1.30 [95% CI: 1.20-1.40]; I2: 65%); increased odds of experiencing any economic disruption (1.11 [1.03-1.16]; I2: 61%); no associations with housing disruptions; and increased likelihood of experiencing a disruption in at least two domains (1.25 [1.18-1.32]; I2: 38%) or one domain (1.11 [1.07-1.16]; I2: 32%) compared to no disruptions. Associations did not differ by sex, ethnicity, education, or age. Individuals suffering from psychological distress pre-pandemic may need additional support to manage stressful life disruptions. Considering mental ill-health was already unequally distributed in the UK population, this may exacerbate existing inequalities related to sex, ethnicity, education and age.
HIA on lockdown and social distancing to contain the COVID-19 pandemic in Austria – results and lessons learned
Authors: Antony G , Antosik J , Weigl M , Marbler C , Laschkolnig A 
Published: October 2021

Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic and the measures taken created opportunities in various areas of life, but also created new challenges or increased existing ones, which can also have a (direct or indirect) impact on health and well-being of the population or certain population groups. This health impact assessment (HIA) was commissioned to provide an overview of these effects. The foundation of gathering information for the impact assessment was a national literature research and analysis combined with an online survey. In addition, a search of international literature was conducted by the European Observatory on Health Systems and Policies. The impact assessment and an initial collection of recommendations for action were carried out together with relevant stakeholders in the context of several thematically merged online assessment workshops. Positive and negative - direct as well as indirect - impacts on health in different areas of life could be identified, with the negative impacts predominating in proportion. In addition to identifying the impacts, the HIA also identified groups that were particularly affected by the pandemic. In the course of this HIA, it became clear that the direct in indirect health impacts in many areas of life are interrelated (e. g., job loss, family climate, social inclusion, and psychological well-being) and that a separate discussion often fell short. This HIA provides an overview of various impacts and allows first impressions on actions for future measures in regard to the pandemic in various areas of life, according to the HiAP approach.
Assessing the health impact of staying at home, social distancing and lockdown measures during the Covid-19 epidemic
Authors: Chiesa V , Antony G , Wismar M , Rechel B 
Published: October 2021

Abstract

Objectives
To systematically review the evidence published in systematic reviews on the health impact of staying at home, social distancing and lockdown measures.

Study design
We followed a systematic review approach, in line with PRISMA guidelines.

Methods
In October 2020, we searched the databases Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Ovid Medline, Ovid Embase, and Web of Science, using a pre-defined search strategy.

Results
The literature search yielded an initial list of 2172 records. After screening of titles and abstracts, followed by full-text screening, 51 articles were retained and included in the analysis. All of them referred to the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. The direct health impact that was covered in the greatest number (25) of systematic reviews related to mental health, followed by 13 systematic reviews on healthcare delivery(1-13)(1-13)(1-13), and 12 on infection control. The predominant areas of indirect health impacts covered by the included studies relate to the economic and social impacts (15 and 7 articles respectively. Only 3 articles mentioned the negative impact on education.

Conclusions
The focus of systematic reviews so far has been uneven, with mental health receiving the most attention. The impact of measures to contain the spread of the virus can be direct and indirect, having both intended and unintended consequences.
After Action Reviews to assess COVID-19 hospital responses
Authors: Sorbello S , Bossi E , Zandalasini C , Carioli G , Pleet A , Signorelli C , Ciceri F , Ambrosio A , Odone A 
Published: October 2021

Abstract

Introduction
After-Action Reviews (AARs) are healthcare management tools applied to evaluate responses to public health emergencies, identifying best practices and challenges. They are included in the International Health Regulations (IHR) and recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO). The aim of this study was to adapt the WHO AAR guidelines to assess the response during the COVID-19 first epidemic wave (February 22nd-May 3rd, 2020) at San Raffaele Scientific Institute, a large university hospital in Milan, Italy. The hospital treated 951 patients and underwent massive re-organization.

Methods
We developed a hospital-oriented AAR based on the key-informant interview format. After establishing an AAR planning and analysis team, an ad-hoc questionnaire was designed to explore four areas: i)Staff management; ii)Logistics and supplies; iii)Diagnosis and clinical management; iv)Communication. The questionnaire was used to support 36 semi-structured interviews of professionals with executive, clinical, technical and administrative roles within the hospital.

Results
The hospital response was rated as overall effective and sufficiently prompt. Participants stressed the key roles played by: i)strong governance and coordination; ii)readiness and availability of healthcare personnel; iii)multidisciplinary model of care based on levels of intensity. Major challenges concerned communication strategies and staff training. In addition, participants highlighted the need for greater collaboration among hospitals and primary care services.

Conclusions
This study represents one of the first applications of an AAR to the COVID-19 emergency and to the hospital setting. The tool provided San Raffaele's hospital management with a multi-layered analysis of the emergency response that informed the critical planning for next phases of the pandemic response. The tool can be adapted to other settings to pursue continuous operational improvement.

Key messages
After-action reviews are healthcare managements tools used to to evaluate a country or government’s response to infectious disease outbreaks, environmental or natural disasters and societal crises. After Action Reviews can be adapted or scaled for other settings to pursue continuous operational improvement and support preparedness strategies for future public health emergencies.
Impact of COVID-19 on healthcare waste generation: correlations and trends from a tertiary hospital
Authors: Garlasco J , Canepari A , Giacobone G , Funicelli G , Cotroneo A , Zotti CM 
Published: October 2021

Abstract

Background
COVID-19 has represented an emergency not only for the sanitary issues, but also from the environmental and operative perspective, with largely increased waste disposal due to non-reusable personal protective equipment and packaging. This study aimed at estimating the increase in healthcare waste (HW) generation during the outbreak, based on data from a tertiary hospital.

Methods
From the purveying office statements of “SS Antonio e Biagio e Cesare Arrigo” Hospital of Alessandria (Italy), monthly data on HW generation from January 2015 to March 2021 were retrospectively retrieved. Trend analyses were performed through linear regression and the impact of COVID was evaluated following the Interrupted-Time Series regression model. Moreover, HW generation data were compared to the proportion of patient-days and admissions due to COVID (out of respective totals) through Pearson's correlation test.

Results
HW generation rose from a baseline of 35.9 ± 3.8 tons/month (2.4 ± 0.2 kg per patient-day, kg/PD) in 2015-2019, to 46.3 ± 6.0 tons/month (3.3 ± 0.6 kg/PD) during the outbreak (2020-2021), with a peak in March-April 2020. Segmented regression showed that the already increasing trend was not appreciably modified as for its slope, whereas a significant level change could be detected between baseline and outbreak period (+0.6 kg/PD, corresponding to a 28.6% increase compared to baseline intercept, p &lt; 0.001). HW generation was significantly correlated to the proportion of admissions (p = 0.005, R2=0.70) and patient-days (p = 0.006, R2=0.69) related to COVID-19.

Conclusions
The study showed a significant rise in HW generation in 2020-2021, reasonably due to the COVID-19 outbreak. Moreover, this happened without affecting the generally increasing trend. These results underline the effect of the pandemic on the amounts of waste generated by healthcare facilities, with noticeable impact on the environment and higher costs associated with HW management and disposal.

Key messages
Due to extensive use of disposable equipment and packaging, COVID-19 strongly impacted on healthcare waste generation, with an average 28.6% increase compared to baseline levels (+0.6 kg/patient-day). The generally increasing trend in healthcare waste generation, along with the remarkable increase due to COVID-19, results in high environmental impact and management costs for healthcare facilities.