bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Importance of pharmacists’ activity in the area of public health and barriers for expanding
Authors: Sevikyan A , Kazaryan I , Vardanyan L , Amirkhanyan A 
Published: October 2021

Abstract

In many countries pharmacists are actively involved in implementing public health services. The objective of this work was to study pharmacists' perspective on value of their services for improving population health and existing barriers to expand the scopes of these services in Armenia. Survey was conducted at community pharmacies in different regions of Armenia. Pharmacy staff was asked to complete pre-tested questionnaire that includes questions about their opinion on importance of developing public health services in community pharmacy, the current involvement and existing barriers. Data were analysed with SPSS statistical software, version 22.0. The great majority of 242 responders consider that providing public health services at community pharmacies is able to provide valuable input in preventing chronic noncommunicable diseases (NCD) in Armenia (73.6%) and in improving population health in general (82.6%). However, only a part of professionals is engaged (13.6%) or sometimes engaged (36.0%) in assessment of NCD risk factors. Only 17.8% of respondents participate in public health campaigns and only 30.6% are interested to be involved in vaccination. Respondents indicate following barriers for providing public health services: poor collaboration with other health care professionals (75.6%), lack of knowledge and clinical skills (74.0%), poor access to additional training (70.7%), lack of resources (70.2%), absence of financial stimuli (69.0%), lack of information about patients (68.2%), lack of patients' motivation (64.9%), lack of clinical tools (61.6%), lack of time (55.0%), lack of space (42.1%). 68.5% of respondents suppose that introducing financial stimulus can be effective. Most of pharmacy professionals believe that offering public health services at community pharmacies can lead to improving population health in the country. There are numerous barriers for engagement; however certain interventions can be helpful in overcoming barriers.

Key messages
Community pharmacy staff is an important resource for activity aimed to improve population health. There are numerous barriers for community pharmacists to provide public health services; appropriate strategies aimed to overcoming barriers can be developed and introduced.
Health promotion through collaborative health: a Tuscan model
Authors: Erba F , Moscatelli C , Agostinelli V , Iavazzo F , Ingeborg U , Trapè P , Bellucci S , D'Amato G , Dei S , Doretti V 
Published: October 2021

Abstract

Background
chronic diseases affect in Italy about 39.1% of the total population and 85.3% of the over 75 years. A new experimental approach has been studied that, through the communities, activate collaborative processes to improve the health and well-being of population. The ASL Toscana Sudest for the three years 2017-2020 has acquired from the Self-management Resource Center (SMRC, University of Stanford California) licenses for implementing self-management programs for chronically ill people. The training process is subject to quality control by SMRC with annual report.

Objectives
the goal is to train participants in the solution of problems, to make decisions, to set objectives and define priorities, to undertake actions for clinical-emotional management and its social role. The self-management education processes carried out have been addressed primarily to the diabetes program.

Results
57 conductors were trained through the administration of 30 hours of frontal lessons to nurses and lay people. Subsequently, the conductors implemented 77 programs in which a total of 750 people participated. Of these, 90% took part in at least four of the six seminars provided for in the program. In addition, a specific program has been launched for a group of 13 Bengali citizens resident in Italy with particular attention to the risk of development of dysmetabolic diseases and the possible correlation with Ramadan.

Conclusions
the engagement of the citizen in terms of Public Health manifests itself with a cumulative impact of small behavioral changes at the level of individuals, communities, and the population. Main message: the project aims to introduce the concept of ‘Collaborative Health' offering concrete examples of experiences already present in the Tuscan context, formulating possible recommendations for stakeholders for the innovation of the system and stimulating greater sustainability, appropriateness and equity of services and health models in Italy.

Key messages
Collaborative health is a winning strategy for health promotion. Chronic diseases are a main topic for health promotion.
A scoping review of systematic reviews on reducing lifestyle risk behaviours in disadvantaged groups
Authors: South E , Rodgers M , Wright K , Whitehead M , Sowden A 
Published: October 2021

Abstract

Background
Lifestyle risk behaviours are key risk factors for non-communicable diseases. Some disadvantaged groups face particularly poor health outcomes, which may be exacerbated by high prevalence of risk behaviours. The aim of this scoping review was to identify and bring together evidence from systematic reviews on reducing risk behaviours in these groups and highlight where there is insufficient evidence to inform policy.

Methods
MEDLINE and Embase were searched up to October 2020 for English language reviews, with supplementary searching in Epistemonikos and Health Systems Evidence. Systematic reviews reporting behavioural outcomes of interventions targeting smoking, alcohol use, diet or physical inactivity in nine disadvantaged groups were eligible. Reviews of population-level policies reporting differential effects for these groups and qualitative reviews of barriers or facilitators to change were included. Literature was mapped based on the group and behaviour targeted.

Results
Ninety-two systematic reviews were included. The majority (n = 68) focused on low income or socio-economic status. Fewer reviews were identified that included prisoners (n = 14), deprived areas (n = 12), homeless people (n = 10), people with learning disabilities (n = 9), unemployed people (n = 3) and refugees or asylum seekers (n = 2). We identified no reviews on care leavers or Gypsies, Travellers or Roma. In total only 11 reviews targeted alcohol use. There were some gaps for specific group and behaviour combinations and no intervention reviews on refugees.

Conclusions
A number of gaps were identified, highlighting where new syntheses or primary studies could add value. For example, reviews on interventions in refugees, Gypsies, Travellers and Roma, and care leavers could be useful for policy-making. Other useful contributions might include an overview of the perceptions of disadvantaged groups allowing common barriers to behaviour change to be identified as well as factors unique to specific groups.

Key messages
Nearly 100 systematic reviews focused on reducing risk behaviours in disadvantaged groups; they addressed different combinations of behaviours and groups. Gaps in the literature were identified where new syntheses could make a useful contribution to developing programmes and policies.
Building and sustaining a healthy alliance and network facilitated by participatory action research
Authors: de Jong M , Wagemakers A 
Published: October 2021

Abstract

Background
In health promotion programmes (HPP), it is crucial to have intersectoral collaboration within coalitions and to build networks between health and other societal sectors. However, collaboration in coalitions and networks does not develop just because it is needed. Several factors that affect intersectoral collaboration are identified and defined as prerequisites for success in coordinated action for health in the Healthy Alliances (HALL) framework. A health broker role is recognised as being helpful in connecting the coalition with the broader network, and participatory action research is deemed supportive because it facilitates evaluation, reflection, learning, and action. Because insight into how processes that affect collaboration develop over time lack, this study aimed to provide insights into the processes that facilitate building and maintaining a coalition and its network within a HPP programme.

Methods
As part of participatory action research, the coordinated action checklist (CAC) and a composed network analysis (CNA) were used in 2018 and repeated in 2019. Respondents were coalition members (n = 6). The CAC and CNA results were linked back into the coalition in five group sessions and used for reflection on progress and future planning.

Results
Coalition governance, interaction with the context, network building and brokerage, and generating visibility emerged as the most prominent processes. Important insights concerned the health broker's role and positioning, the programme coordinator's leadership, and the importance of visibility and trust leading to investment in continuation.

Conclusions
The combined research instruments and group sessions supported discussion and reflection, sharing visions, and adjusting working strategies, thereby strengthening the coalition's capacity. Thus, participatory action research was useful for evaluating and simultaneously facilitating the processes that affect collaboration.

Key messages
Participatory action research is useful for evaluating and simultaneously facilitating the processes that affect collaboration. Besides insights into the processes that facilitate building and sustaining a coalition and its network, the yields of the collaboration became visible through participatory action research.
Adherence to 24-hour movement guidelines among Japanese elementary and junior high school students
Authors: Kyan A , Takakura M , Miyagi M , Kobayashi M 
Published: October 2021

Abstract

Background
For optimal health benefits, the Canadian 24-Hour Movement Guidelines for Children and Youth (aged 5-17 years) recommend an achievement of ≥ 60 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA), &lt;2 h of recreational screen time (ST), and 9-11 h for 5-13 years or 8-10 h for 14-17 years of sleep time (SLT) each day. There is little evidence showing the proportion of the recommendation in Japan, so we need to investigate. The aim of this study thus was to reveal the compliance to the recommendation with a large sample of Japanese elementary and junior high school children.

Methods
This study included 2408 students enrolled in fifth grade (aged 10-11 years) in 31 elementary schools, and 4360 students enrolled in eighth grade (aged 13-14 years) in 30 junior high schools. Each behaviour was assessed by a self-reported questionnaire. To analyze the differences in adherence to the recommendation between the school-aged group, we conducted a chi-analysis.

Results
Overall, only 4% of participants complied with all three recommendations, and 20% of the students did not comply with any of the recommendations (χ2=1390.87;p&lt;.001). Compared with MVPA and ST, SLT had a trend to be likely to achieve the recommendation in each school-age group. Elementary school students had a higher percentage of non-adherence to all recommendations (39%) than junior high school students (10.3%). The adherence to the recommendation of the ST & SLT simultaneously had no differences in each age group (11.5% for elementary schoolers and 12.7% for junior high schoolers). However, adherence to the recommendation of MVPA only, ST only, and MVPA & ST were higher in elementary schoolers, and the adherence to the recommendation of SLT only and MVPA & SLT were higher in junior high schoolers.

Conclusions
The proportion of adherence to at least one of the three recommendations is better in junior high school students than elementary school students in Okinawa, Japan.

Key messages
Health behaviour required improvement may differ by age group. It is necessary for particularly elementary school children in Okinawa to take proper countermeasures to improve the movement behaviours.
Prevention of metabolic diseases through measures at the workplace
Authors: Schätzer J , Schätzer M , Putzhammer C , Moser N , Bhardwaj J , Hoppichler F 
Published: October 2021

Abstract

Background
Metabolic diseases such as type 2 diabetes pose a risk for both individuals and companies. According to the current Austrian health report, only 13.5% of adults participate in preventive medical examinations. As a result, there is a lack of information on important health parameters. To counteract this, a modular system with health checks that take place directly at the workplace was developed.

Methods
In 2018 and 2019, a health check was carried out on 877 people (male: 70.7%; female: 29.3%) at their workplace. In addition to checking the abdominal girth and calculating the BMI, parameters such as blood pressure, blood sugar, LDL, and total cholesterol levels were measured.

Results
62.5% of all participants were overweight or obese (male: 66.3%; female: 53.5%). The proportion of people with obesity was 11.5% (male: 11.4%; female: 11.7%). The abdominal girth was too high in 50.2% of the participants (male: 47.6%; female: 56.5%). 36.5% of the examined persons had elevated blood pressure readings (male: 42.3%; female: 22.5%). Total cholesterol was too high in 37.6% of the persons (m: 38.8%; w: 34.9%), LDL cholesterol was too high in 22.5% (m: 24.2%; 20.4%). The blood sugar levels were too high in 9.9% of the participants (male: 9.4%; female: 12.6%), regardless of whether they fasted or not. 81% of the participants stated that they had received new information about their state of health in the course of the examinations.

Conclusions
Measures to monitor the central metabolic parameters directly at the workplace represent an important component in prevention, which is essential for both the individual and the company.

Key messages
Metabolic diseases and obesity, as well as their consequences, pose a risk for both individuals and the companies they work for. Health checks directly at the workplace represent an important component in prevention and support companies in keeping their employees healthy.
What is important to you? Socioeconomic inequalities in the relative importance of health
Authors: Verra SE , Poelman MP , Mudd ALM , de Vet E , van Rongen S , de Wit J , Kamphuis CBM 
Published: October 2021

Abstract

Pressing issues, like financial concerns, may outweigh the importance people attach to health. This study tested the hypothesis that health is considered more important by people in high than low socioeconomic positions, with future focus and financial strain as potential explanatory factors. A cross-sectional survey was conducted in 2019 among N = 1,334 Dutch adults aged 25-60. Participants rated the importance of two health-related domains (not being ill, living a long life) and six other life domains (e.g. work, family) on a five-point Likert scale. A latent class analysis grouped participants in classes with similar patterns of importance ratings. Differences in class membership according to socioeconomic position (indicated by income and education) were examined using structural equation modelling, with future focus and financial strain as mediators. Three classes were identified: neutralists found all domains neutral or unimportant (3.5% of the sample); hedonists found most domains important except living a long life, work, and religion (36.2%); and maximalists found nearly all domains important, including both health domains (60.3%). Low income predicted belonging to the neutralists, and high education and unemployment predicted belonging to the hedonists (both compared to belonging to maximalists). No mediation pathways via future focus nor financial strain were found. People with lower incomes were less likely to consider health important. Neither future focus nor financial strain explained these inequalities. Future research should further investigate socioeconomic differences in conceptualisations of health, and if and how inequalities in the importance of health are associated with inequalities in health.

Key messages
This study identified small socioeconomic inequalities in the perceived importance of health. Neither future focus nor financial strain contributed to these inequalities.
An Intervention Study to Increase the Medication Compliance of 60 Years and Older Individuals
Authors: Yüksel Güner M , Kara M , Kavukcu N , Çevik M , Gören Y , Kocaarslan D , Şengezer T , Aslan D 
Published: October 2021

Abstract

Background
In older age, taking medication at the desired level contributes to the health and well-being, and therefore, constitutes an essential part of the effectiveness of treatment and ultimately desired public health impact and reduced healthcare budgets. However, it is known that medication compliance among older persons is frequently not at a desired level. Therefore, in this study, it was aimed to increase medication compliance through an educational intervention for patients aged 60 and over, who applied to two healthcare facilities in Ankara, Turkey.

Methods
This intervention study was implemented in two public health hospitals between March and June 2019. 315 people aged 60 and over participated in the study. The intervention tool was the “teach-back” method. SPSS program was used for data entry and analysis. P value less than 0.05 was indicated for statistical significance.

Results
Mean age of the participants was found to be 70.16±7.9 for the control group and 70.27±7.4 for the intervention group. In the intervention group, a statistically significant increase was found in the capacity of learning the long-term benefits of drugs, their side effects and storage conditions, and knowing when the drugs shouldn't be taken, and repeating information about the drugs used (p = 0.000).

Conclusions
This study has revealed that medication compliance among older individuals can be increased with an appropriate communication and training method in healthcare settings. Time allocated by health workers in this regard has a potential to respond to the compliance-related needs. With the “Teach-back” method utilized in the interactions between older patients and health workers, it is possible to attain meaningful, large-scale and cost-effective public health outcomes that contribute to the clinical benefits of treatments and the effectiveness of health systems.

Key messages
Older people are open to receive information on the actual health needs. A well-structured interaction between healthcare workers and patients involving “teach-back” method contributes to medication compliance among the elderly.
Online-Training to strengthen Health Literacy in Austrian Companies
Authors: Movia M , Tuttner S , Hofer-Fischanger K 
Published: October 2021

Abstract

Background
The HL-Survey-EU-2011 showed limited health literacy [HL] among the European population especially within Austria. In fact, every second Austrian is affected by limited health literacy [51,6%]. Approaches to strengthen HL in organisations are lacking in Austria.

Objectives
A Massive-Open-Online-Coors (MOOC) was developed in a four-step-approach to strengthen HL in Austrian companies: step 1) Literature review; step 2) Development workshops [n = 3]; step 3) National and international expert feedbacks [n = 8]; step 4) In-person pilot testing [n = 10 companies]. The MOOC took place in autumn 2020.

Results
In total, n = 81 people within service and production sectors were registered for the training. The final training concept covered six modules and was carried out in a four-week online training. Modules were: M1) Concepts of health; M2) Individual HL and HL in organisations M3) Health information search and critical assessment; M4) HL Communication [and how to make information available for workforce & costumers]; M5) Project management for practical implementation; M6) Development of HL initiatives for each company (mutual exchange of ideas). The four-week MOOC was free of charge. Participants spent 3-4 hours per week. Each week had a focus and was led by an expert. Contents were provided through learning videos, literature and exercise materials. Participants were encouraged to discuss the given forum and upload completed tasks based on provided templates. Participants graduated with a certificate.

Conclusions
This is the first virtual HL training programme for companies in Austria. HL is a new and complex topic for service and production sectors. Trainers need comprehensive competences in order to transform the topic into operational practice. Mutual exchange among participants and course instructors seem crucial for HL online trainings. It is important to advertise HL-MOOCs intensively right before the start. The online course provides reusable content.

Key messages
Mutual exchange and interactive discussions between participants and course instructors (e.g. in discussion forums) strengthen the online learning success. Trainers and course instructors need comprehensive competences in order to transform the topic into operational practice.
Study of the quality of educational, scientific, clinical processes in medical colleges of Kazakhstan
Authors: Koikov VV , Derbissalina GA , Akanov AB , Baigozhina ZA , Kabdullina GB , Mergentai A 
Published: October 2021

Abstract

Background
One of the key challenges facing the healthcare system of Kazakhstan is the need to take measures to improve the quality of practical training of nurses at the level of medical colleges (MC). To develop further steps to improve the training of nurses at the level of MCs, it is required an assessment of the key components of their activities for the organization and quality assurance of educational processes (EP), clinical processes (CP) and scientific processes (SP).

Methods
The study of the quality of EP, CP, SP was carried out on the basis of a survey of 13110 students, 825 teachers and 199 administrators of 78 MCs. We have developed 3 types of questionnaires for each category of respondents. The survey was conducted on the SurveyMonkey platform in May-June 2020.

Results
Teachers with little pedagogical experience and administrators with no/short duration of pedagogical experience tend to overestimate EP, CP, SP. Teachers and administrators give a much higher assessment of the effectiveness of teaching methods, the objectivity of assessment methods, ensuring the rights of students, key components of SP and CP than the students themselves, which, in fact, indicates insufficient contact between teachers and administrators with students in terms of assessing their needs. Administrators tends to give a higher assessment of the quality of the SP and CP than teachers and students.

Conclusions
The discrepancy in the assessments of certain categories of respondents indicates the need for regular feedback from students, conducting a survey of teachers and administrators. It is necessary: to strengthen the selection of personnel for administrators' positions in MCs with the introduction of a mandatory requirement for the presence of teaching experience and academic degree; to encourage the practice of combining positions of teacher and administrator; to introduce mandatory attestation of MCs' teachers and administrators every 3-5 years according to clear KPI criteria.

Key messages
The discrepancy in the assessments of certain categories of respondents indicates the need for regular feedback from students, conducting a questionnaire survey of teachers. It is necessary to require the presence of pedagogical experience and academic degrees in the selection of personnel for the positions of administrators in medical colleges.