bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Climate change and gastroenteritis projections in Albanian children
Authors: Ylli A , Tomini E , Qirjako G , Bukli M , Burazeri G 
Published: October 2024

Abstract

Background
Human health can be affected by climate in direct and indirect ways. Increasing temperatures may affect ecosystems, water safety, and exposure to waterborne diseases. This is the first work in Albania aiming to demonstrate the link between gastroenteritis rate and climate in the country. This research was supported by UNICEF Albania through the WASH Global Thematic Fund, but it doesn’t necessarily represent UNICEF’s position.

Methods
Epidemiological surveillance reports of the period 2006-2022 were used for the yearly incidence of gastroenteritis in children 0-14 years old. Years 2020 and 2021 were not included because of pandemic confounding potential. Historic data for calculating the average summer temperatures were retrieved from timeanddate.com repository. Pearson coefficient is calculated to quantify the associations and linear regression is applied to project the increased rate in the future.

Results
There was a statistical association between gastroenteritis rate and summer temperatures during the study period (Pearson coefficient=0.78, p = 0.001). There was a tendency that in years with hotter summers higher incidence of gastroenteritis was reported by the health system. For each degree (Celsius) increase in the average summer day temperatures, the risk of gastroenteritis in children is expected to increase by 644/100 000 (CI 95%: 317 - 972). An excess rate of 966/100 000 is expected in the case of Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change medium scenario projection of 1.5o C average temperature increase. That implies more than 4830 additional new cases every year in children 0-14 years old, attributed to climate change in the future in Albania.

Conclusions
The analysis demonstrated excess gastroenteritis risk may be related to higher summer temperatures observed in Albania. The expected gastroenteritis risk increase in a warmer future should be addressed by improvements in sanitation, education of parents and epidemiological intelligence.

Key messages
• A warmer climate is expected to affect the health by increasing the risk for diarrheic diseases.
• Children will be the most at-risk population category.
Association between number of hospitalizations of older adults and heatwaves in Slovenia 1999-2018
Authors: Percic S , Bitenc K , Pohar M , Cegnar T , Krosel M , Hrzenjak V V , Hojs A 
Published: October 2024

Abstract

Background
Heatwaves frequency, intensity, and duration increase with global climate change. The association between heat and mortality in older adults is well documented, but less is known about associations with hospitalizations. Knowing which diseases contribute to a higher number of hospitalizations during heatwaves is important for planning appropriate public health preventive measures.

Methods
We assessed short-term association between the number of hospitalizations for older adults (75+ years) and heatwaves in the years 1999 to 2018 in Slovenia. We estimated the relative risks (RR) with 95 % confidence interval for the number of hospitalizations for the observed diagnosis (all causes, circulatory, respiratory, endocrine and genitourinary diseases) and gender associated with heatwaves in Slovenia for each year, comparing the number of hospitalizations during heatwaves with reference days.

Results
We could not find an association between heatwaves and hospitalizations for all cause hospitalizations in all observed years. In some years the association was even negative. In cause specific analyses heatwaves were associated with increased hospitalizations for endocrine diseases in 2012 (32%; 95% CI: 1%, 73%), 2013 (23%; 95% CI: 5%, 33%), 2014 (48%; 95% CI: 4%, 110%) and 2015 (42%; 95% CI: 7%, 89%), but not for cardiovascular, respiratory and genitourinary diseases.

Conclusions
Older adults are most susceptible to the effects of extreme heat due to physiological changes that occur with aging, chronic diseases, certain medications, a sedentary lifestyle and social isolation. The results of our study will help in planning appropriate preventive public health measures to better protect older adults during the next heatwaves in Slovenia.

Key messages
• Heatwaves will become longer, more frequent and more intense in the near future.
• Endocrine diseases are the most important cause for hospitalization during heatwaves. Public health measures shoud adress these most vulnerable groups.
Ensuring sustainable impact of the national report on climate change and health in Germany 2023
Authors: Mlinarić M , Kelleher K , Niemann H , Taylor A , Ziese T 
Published: October 2024

Abstract

Issue/problem
The Robert Koch Institute recently coordinated a status report on climate change and health for Germany, detailing the current and future impact of climate change on health through 14 chapters.

Description of the problem
A central aim was to ensure the report’s long-term impact and public health value. Essential areas of focus have therefore been stakeholder-specific communication and establishing a network of experts for continued scientific exchange.

Results
The publication of the report as peer-reviewed articles has served to reach the scientific community. Another target group are public health practitioners and decision makers at subnational levels, who can contribute towards climate change mitigation and adaptation measures relevant to health, as recommended in the report. This latter group was reached through various methods and formats of science communication, including conferences aimed at the public health sector, through target-group oriented podcasts, social media engagement and digital town hall discussions. Following publication, the experts involved in writing, reviewing and using the report were invited to establish a network in order to support long-term scientific exchange and collaborations and in turn ensure the report’s sustainable impact and value.

Lessons
Through follow-up evaluations, the reception of the report and the further communication needs of this target group were analysed. A major lesson was to include the insights of public health practitioners more systematically and at an earlier stage in any future reports. As for the establishment of a network, a survey amongst the authors and other experts showed what this group considers the goals of this network: creating synergies and connections with existing initiatives and providing a platform for further exchange, especially amongst researchers addressing similar questions, such as the efficacy of mitigation and adaptation measures, from different angles.

Key messages
• Local public health practitioners are important stakeholders for climate change and health for ensuring public health impact.
• The expertise in the network will support continued scientific exchange on climate change and health and thus ensure the national report’s sustainability.
Urban transformation interventions for the promotion of active home-school mobility: overview
Authors: Saulle R , Perilli A , Biscaglia L , Kalem T , Masini A , Mitrova Z , Faggiano F 
Published: October 2024

Abstract

Background
Active home-school mobility can contribute to a series of benefits, both for the health of children and adolescents (higher levels of physical activity, better cardio-metabolic profile, better school performance), and for the health of the general population and of environment (reduction of air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions). An overview of systematic reviews (RS) was conducted in order to evaluate mainly the effectiveness of interventions promoting active home-school mobility on physical activity, overweight/obesity, well-being and reduction of road accidents in children and adolescents.

Methods
The bibliographic search was carried out on the following databases: Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, MEDLINE, Embase and CINAHL, without any limits. Endnote software was used for the systematic reviews (SRs) selection. Data relating to the main characteristics and results of the SRs were extracted. The assessment of the methodological quality of the SRs was carried out using the “Health Evidence™ Quality Assessment Tool”.

Results
On the basis of the relevance and adherence to the research PICO, n. 12 systematic literature reviews evaluating effects of interventions of interest in the study population.
The strategies took multiple levels into consideration, i.e. they aimed at organizing the home-school journey to encourage active mobility, as well as training and information aimed at the population under study for the promotion of physical activity.

Conclusions
Combined interventions appear more effective in promoting active home-school mobility with a better impact on increasing physical activity levels. Further high quality studies are necessary to investigate the impact of these interventions also on the reduction of incidence of overweight/obesity and in terms of school performance.

Key messages
• Policy makers should promote programs to increase active home-school transport.
• Further high quality studies are necessary to investigate the impact of these interventions also on the reduction of incidence of overweight/obesity and in terms of school performance.
Proportions and types of different sweeteners in the Hungarian packaged food supply
Authors: Sarkadi-Nagy E , Guba G , Zámbó L , Susovits K , Bakacs M , Bica M , Harrington R , Rippin H , Wickramasinghe K , Zentai A 
Published: October 2024

Abstract

Branded food databases facilitate the analysis of sweetener use in commercial packaged food products. The purpose of this study was to map the use of sweeteners in relevant packaged food categories and to assess and compare the nutrient profile of non-sugar (including sugar alcohol) vs. added sugar sweetened food products in Hungary. The foodDB software, developed by University of Oxford, enables automated online data collection, and was used to compile data of all foods and drinks available from four major Hungarian supermarket websites, selected by market share in March 2021. Only products containing either added sugar and/or non-sugar sweeteners were included in the study. These were categorized into 12 food groups using specific search terms. After data cleaning the final product number was 2016. 72% of the products was sweetened with added sugars only, 15% of them with non-sugar sweeteners only and 13% contained both sugars and non-sugar sweeteners. Chewing gums (92%), soft drinks (60%), energy drinks (50%) and pickles (35%) contained non-sugar sweeteners in the largest proportion. More than 90% of flavoured alcoholic beers, chocolate bars, breakfast cereals and yogurts were sweetened with added sugar only. Nine categories included food items containing multiple non-sugar sweeteners per product. The most common non-sugar sweeteners were acesulfame-potassium, sucralose, aspartame present in 15%, 10%, 9% of the total products respectively. Muesli bars with non-sugar sweeteners contained less energy but also less fibre than muesli bars with added sugars only; whereas pickles with non-sugar sweeteners contained less energy but were significantly higher in salt than those products with added sugars only. The presence of non-sugar sweeteners is widespread in the Hungarian food supply; however, their use does not guarantee a more beneficial nutrient profile. Branded food databases are useful tools to analyse the nutrient composition of packaged foods.

Key messages
• Branded food databases are useful tools to monitor the composition of the packaged food supply.
• The nutrition profile of foods with non-sugar sweeteners can be less favourable than foods with added sugars.
The negative health assessment and the different consumption of dietary supplements
Authors: Arlauskas R , Austys D , Stukas R 
Published: October 2024

Abstract

Background
There is an insufficient level of research carried on the consumption of dietary supplements among diverse social and demographic groups, especially among those with a negative assessment of personal health. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess the consumption of dietary supplements among working-age residents of Lithuania in the period from 2021 to 2023 with respect to social and demographic factors and the assessment of personal health.

Materials and methods
The data for this study were collected after conducting three independent cross-sectional surveys in 2021, in 2022, and in 2023. Each of the samples included 1600 working-age adult residents of Lithuania. Distribution of the respondents by the assessment of personal health and gender, age, marital status, education level, place of residence, employment, income, and COVID-19 cases among the respondents and members of their families was assessed.

Results
The consumption of dietary supplements differed each year and accounted for 78.1%, 71.6%, and 72.7% of the respondents, respectively (p &lt; 0.05). In 2022, the prevalence of the consumption of dietary supplements was lower in the majority of social and demographic groups (p &lt; 0.05). In 2023, it was higher among females, younger residents, and those from larger families, who suffered from COVID-19 (p &lt; 0.05). Despite similar changes found in the consumption of dietary supplements among those who negatively assessed their health, this group showed more prevalent consumption of dietary supplements among residents with non-university education, unemployed respondents, and those with lower income (p &lt; 0.05).

Conclusions
Despite a significantly lower prevalence in the consumption of dietary supplements in 2022, it was higher again in 2023. A negative assessment of personal health is associated with opposite tendencies in the prevalence of the consumption of dietary supplements in the general population.

Key messages
• Despite a significantly lower prevalence in the consumption of dietary supplements in 2022, it was higher again in 2023.
• The negative assessment of personal health should be taken into account when planning nutritional interventions due to its association with different consumption of dietary supplements.
Frailty and quality of life in italian older adults: implications for public health interventions
Authors: Donnoli C , De Luca V , Formosa V , Picardo G , Aprile A , Carnevale E , Bisogno M , Chimienti M , Liotta G , Illario M 
Published: October 2024

Abstract

Background
The increasing focus on frailty in older adults underscores the significance of a timely multidimensional assessments and early detection to avert adverse outcomes. The primary aim is to integrate digital technologies, specifically online assessment tools, for the identification of frailty and the assessment of Quality of Life (QoL) in elderly individuals.

Methods
A nationwide multicentric study was conducted. Seven Italian centers and regions evaluated frailty in older adults residing in the community, through a prospective observational cohort study. The chosen questionnaires, Sunfrail+ and SF-12, were implemented through an easily accessible online tool, swiftly generating final scores for each test. The cross-sectional analysis included 503 older adults. The cut off to define a person “frail” is 3 positive alerts in Sunfrail baseline items, according to the literature.

Results
In this sample an average of 2.31 positive alerts were generated. Significant associations were established between the number of positive warnings and SF-12 physical and mental indexes, indicated by X2=53.1 (p &lt; 0.001) and X2=25.1 (p &lt; 0.001), respectively. The difference between two groups (frail and not frail) in relation to QoL is statistical significantly (U di Mann Whithney p &lt; 0.001). Mean QoL mental and physical indexes are 46.3 and 39.3 in frailty group, versus 51.7 and 46.5 in non frailty group, respectively. The correlation is conceptually consistent: as frailty increases, QoL decreases.

Conclusions
The frailty assessment associated with the QoL assessment provides relevant information to monitor the impact of prevention interventions at community level. The assessment of frailty leads the prevention intervention whose impact could be assessed also through QoL tools. This study underlines a meaningful association between assessment tools, substantiated by conceptual correlations.

Key messages
• Sunfrail and SF-12 are easily accessible online tool useful for identification of frailty and the assessment of Quality of Life (QoL) in elderly individuals.
• The older population in Europe is increasing a timely assessment of frailty must be a public health priority.
A Personal Health Record for patients with multiple sclerosis: A 2-year evaluation study
Authors: Aardoom J , Van den Berg L N , Kiveron L E , van den Akker M E , Hoitsma E , Chavannes N H 
Published: October 2024

Abstract

Background
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic disease impacting the central nervous system, affecting 2.8 million people worldwide. Effective self-management is crucial for treating chronic diseases, including MS. Personal health records (PHRs) show promise in supporting self-management, potentially empowering patients and enhancing their engagement in treatment and health. However, implementation challenges persist.

Objectives
This study aimed to) assess the feasibility and usability of the PHR according to patients and healthcare professionals (HCPs), and 2) evaluate implementation determinants, and exploring preliminary effects on a range of outcomes related to the quality, efficiency, and costs of care, as well as health-related outcomes.

Methods
A mixed-methods study was conducted in a Dutch hospital. Quantitative data from 80 patients and 12 HCPs were collected via questionnaires at baseline (T0), after one (T1) and 2 years (T2). Focus group interview were conducted at T2 with 7 patients and 4 HCPs.

Results
Most patients never logged in during the first year and logged in a couple of times during the second year, with 15 minutes per log-in session. The HCPs mainly logged in a couple of times per year, averaging six minutes per session. Patients’ and HCPs’ usability and satisfaction scores were below average and moderate respectively. Various facilitators and barriers were identified, including knowledge gaps, staff capacity issues, and ICT obstacles. No significant differences were found in preliminary effects. Qualitative data highlighted benefits in terms of gaining insight into health data but revealed challenges with log-in issues and information retrieval.

Conclusions
Implementation challenges hindered PHR adoption. The evolving nature of PHRs requires ongoing evaluation and adaptation to optimize their potential benefits. Utilizing a participatory design approach and a dedicated implementation team could enhance adoption and maximize benefits.

Key messages
• A personal health record (PHR) for patients with MS was evaluated within the care setting of a Dutch hospital, demonstrating limited usability and moderate satisfaction.
• Diverse obstacles impeded the adoption and uptake of the PHR, but potential solutions lie in continuous development with a participatory design approach and dedicated implementation team.
Overcoming non-usage of e-mental health: A qualitative study in a Dutch general practice
Authors: Van Der Heijde C M , Van Winkoop J D , Vonk P 
Published: October 2024

Abstract

Background
Worldwide percentages of people with mental health problems are substantial and increased during the COVID pandemic (to about 25 % in the general population). E-mental health has potential to help with waiting lists, rising health care costs and work pressure. To reach the desired effects, participants need to use the technology as intended. Non-usage though is a common problem. Research question is: what elements obstruct the intention to use e-mental Health interventions, plus what are barriers to bridging the intention-behaviour gap?

Methods
In a qualitative study, semi-structured interviews were conducted (interview guide). We recruited patients who were invited for an e-mental health intervention in a Dutch general practice but did not start the intervention. Data saturation occurred with 11 patients. Open, axial and selective coding was done on the transcribed interviews using the software ATLAS.ti.

Results
Five main themes were associated with non-use: 1) ‘Expectations about the eHealth in general’ were neutral to positive. 2) ‘thresholds to start e-mental health’ were: negative expectations about the content, lacking mental capacity due to mental problems, missing personal contact, the therapy with the mental health professional in general did not fit their needs or aversion towards more screen time. 3) ‘lack of planning’. 4) lacking encouragement from mental health professional 5) ‘Expectations from therapy in general’. (a.o. face-to-face contact and tailoring)

Conclusions
Embedding the e-mental health more into regular therapy has potential to overcome non-usage. The mental health care professional has social influence to increase usage, by a clear and convincing introduction plus joint review of the exercises during consultations. This study needs to be repeated in other clinical settings. Future research should also include age (computer use) and disease prognosis to define when e-mental health is a suitable solution for patients.

Key messages
• E-mental health interventions have potential to help with waiting lists, rising health care costs and workload, but non usage is a problem.
• Embedding the e-mental health more into regular therapy has potential to overcome non-usage.
Changes in TB contact tracing during the COVID-19 pandemic. An Irish single centre experience
Authors: Casey K , Fennessy S , Wallace C , Lyng P , O’Beirne S 
Published: October 2024

Abstract

Contact tracing following the diagnosis of tuberculosis (TB) is a crucial process in the identification and treatment of both secondary TB cases and also infected contacts who may require treatment for latent TB infection. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Public Health and Respiratory teams in the St Vincent’s University Hospital (SVUH) TB clinic in Dublin, Ireland, noted anecdotally that there appeared to be fewer contacts screened by public health services per index active TB case identified. To investigate this, we performed a retrospective review of the TB contact tracing service in SVUH, examining and comparing contact tracing of active TB cases in the 3 years prior to the pandemic (2017-2019) and four years thereafter (2020-2023). Results from 2017-2019 calendar years, prior to the COVID-19 pandemic noted an average of 4.77 contacts per index TB case (total 107 index cases and 510 contacts). In comparison, our data from 2020-2022 noted an average of 3.03 contacts per index TB case (total 59 index cases and 179 contacts). As pandemic restrictions were lifted again, we found our 2023 data to be more comparable to that of pre-pandemic times, noting 4.54 contacts per index case (total 22 index cases and 100 contacts). The reduction in TB contacts per index cases noted during the COVID-19 pandemic may reflect work and lifestyle changes over that time, particularly an increase in remote work but also social distancing. It is interesting that as the population emerged from the isolation measures of the pandemic, contact numbers returned quickly to pre-pandemic levels. In line with global concerns, our data highlights the ongoing workload of TB contact tracing locally and the importance of resource allocation for these services.

Key messages
• Our Irish centre experienced a notable but temporary reduction in contacts requiring screening by public health services, per index active TB case, during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• In line with global concerns, our data highlights the ongoing workload of TB contact tracing locally and the importance of resource allocation for these services.