bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A systematic review on the effect of identity-related interventions on physical activity and smoking
Authors: van Vliet MHM , Penfornis K M , Gebhardt W A , von Haeseler E F , Chavannes N H , Versluis A , Meijer E 
Published: October 2024

Abstract

Background
Identity (self-perceptions of ‘who I am’) is important for health behavior change. Hence, identity-related interventions, aiming to influence how people view themselves, show promise for health promotion. This systematic review describes the effect of identity-related interventions on physical activity (PA), a health-promoting behavior, and smoking, a health-compromising behavior, and PA- and smoking-related identities in adults.

Methods
A comprehensive search, updated in May 2023, identified 5801 publications across eleven databases. After screening, 19 quantitative and mixed-methods publications were selected, describing 20 different studies. Relevant data were systematically extracted and a quality assessment was conducted using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool.

Results
Identity-related interventions were more common for enhancing PA (n = 13) than for smoking cessation (n = 6). Only one study targeted PA- and smoking-related identities to change both behaviors simultaneously. Various identity-related interventions were used, e.g. possible (future) selves manipulations and avatar games. The target population was rarely involved in intervention development. The results are mixed; some studies showed (significant) positive effects of identity-related interventions on identities or behavior, and no significant negative effects were shown. Similar results were found for PA and smoking. The one study targeting both behaviors showed positive results.

Conclusions
Identity-related interventions hold promise in promoting PA and smoking cessation. Future research could investigate identity-related interventions targeting multiple health behaviors, e.g., PA-promotion and smoking cessation, leveraging the synergy between those identities and behaviors. Collaboratively developing these interventions with the target population (i.e., patient and public involvement) could optimize them for different populations, improving public health and reducing health disparities.

Key messages
• Identity-related interventions could improve public health.
• Collaboratively developing identity-related interventions with the target population could optimize them for different populations.
Increasing step count of employees through the Semmelweis Workplace Health Promotion Program
Authors: Árva D , Dósa N , Major D , Pártos K , Mózes N , Alliquander A , Terebessy A , Horváth F , Varga P , Fazekas-Pongor V 
Published: October 2024

Abstract

Background
Lifestyle greatly contributes to the development of age-related diseases. The goal of the Semmelweis University’s ‘Semmelweis Workplace Health Promotion Program’ is to develop interventions that facilitate healthy ageing. The aim of its first intervention was to increase the step count of participants by incorporating motivational elements offered through the university’s Center of Preventive Services.

Methods
A randomized controlled trial was conducted in spring 2024 with three study groups: those undergoing motivational interviews (MI, n = 49), those receiving motivational emails (ME, n = 51), and a control group (n = 53). Intervention groups (MI+ME) received weekly emails for 8 weeks emphasizing the benefits of increased step count and providing feedback on achievements. The MI group also took part in 4 biweekly consultations. Mean step counts of last week and energy expended while walking (MET) calculated from the International Physical Activity Questionnaire were recorded five and three times, respectively. Mixed model regressions were conducted for two pre-planned comparisons: MI+ME vs. controls, and MI vs. ME.

Results
Intervention groups exhibited a significant increase in average step count (1001 steps; 95% Confidence Interval [95% CI]: 349-1651) as a result of the program, while the control group experienced a non-significant decrease. This was accompanied by a significant increase in energy expenditure for walking (45 MET; 95% CI: 4-87) in intervention groups and a non-significant decrease for the control group. The study found no significant differences in step count and energy expenditure between the two intervention groups (MI vs. ME).

Conclusions
Our results suggest that workplace health promotion programs may effectively increase physical activity, and thus may be key in tackling the challenges posed by aging demographics. Preliminary findings did not indicate a superiority between email-based and motivational interview-based motivation.

Key messages
• Workplace health promotion is an essential tool in promoting healthy aging among the working-age population.
• Step-count programs based on motivational interviewing serve as an effective and simple tool in increasing physical activity.
What challenges exist within the child welfare system in meeting the health needs of children in care?
Authors: Forsman H 
Published: October 2024

Abstract
From society’s perspective, the goal of societal care is to protect disadvantaged children and provide them with improved opportunities. In the realm of social care, the child welfare system takes the place of parental responsibilities to safeguard children’s well-being and developmental needs, including their health. However, while holding child welfare agencies responsible, national legislation often lacks specific methods for fulfilling this mandate. Over the years, evidence has shown that limited health care access and unmet health needs often endure in care. In Sweden, efforts to address the issue include mandatory health assessments upon entry into care and collaborative agreements between social services and health care sectors. However, recent studies reveal that only one-third of children undergo these assessment, and collaborative agreements remain lacking in many local authorities. This suggests that additional legal requirements do not offer a straightforward solution. Dr Forsman, with a background in social work, will discuss the child welfare system’s responsibilities and the traditional reliance on social workers and foster carers to address health needs and coordinate care. What are the underlying barriers to successful advocacy and comprehensive health care coordination within the child welfare system? How can the system better respond to the health needs of children in care?
How can health practitioners support children and young people in social care?
Authors: Saxena S 
Published: October 2024

Abstract
Health practitioners are responsible for safeguarding, delivering preventive and responsive care for children and young people in social care settings. However, drivers and determinants that place children in care settings lie outside of the doctor’s office. In fact, primary care health practitioners often deal with children and young people who face or are at risk of severe neglect, abuse or vulnerability outside the care system. Recent findings from the UK’s Millennium cohort study have repeatedly demonstrated that social disadvantage in the early years accounts for more than 2/3 of health inequalities in adolescence. Professor Saxena is a practising GP with 25 years of experience of inner-city primary care and global expert on primary care of children. She will present dilemmas posed in clinical settings for health practitioners and professionals working in a broad range of areas including public health, education settings and social care. What responsibility do health professionals have when they encounter children living in social care settings? What should they be especially alert to? How can they make a difference to reduce health inequality faced by young people growing up in the care system.
Associations between study conditions and students’ mental health: Results from the StudiBiFra study
Authors: Lehnchen J , Heinrichs K , Helmer S , Burian J , Deptolla Z , Heumann E , Stock C 
Published: October 2024

Abstract

Background
Study conditions are relevant for university students’ mental health and well-being. Previous research identified single factors associated with mental health, but it remains unclear, which study conditions at higher education institutions should be priority targets for institutional action. The aim of this study is to provide a comprehensive overview of students’ satisfaction with their study conditions and to analyse their associations with students’ mental health.

Methods
The cross-sectional StudiBiFra study encompasses data from 24,533 students across 13 higher education institutions in Germany. Data was collected between June 2021 and March 2023 using the Bielefeld Questionnaire on Study Conditions and (Mental) Health. Students rated study conditions in 22 domains and four scales of mental health outcomes. Mean scores for all scales were calculated and linear regressions were used to analyse bivariate associations.

Results
All domains of study conditions were associated with all domains of students’ men-tal health with regression coefficients ranging from r = 0.21 to r = 0.78. The more satisfied students were with their study conditions, the higher the reported well-being, and the lower the depressive symptoms, cognitive stress symptoms, and exhaustion. The highest associations were found for the domains of study conditions “examinations and academic achievements”, “time requirements”, and “fit of course content/competency development” with highest re-gression coefficients for the outcome of exhaustion.

Conclusions
The findings reveal significant moderate to high associations for all assessed study conditions with students’ mental health. Institutional action should focus on these study conditions by emphasising topics such as applying competencies during studies and good co-ordination of content and examinations. Thus, decreasing student burden and time pressure has the potential to promote mental well-being.

Key messages
• Study conditions are significantly associated with students’ mental health.
• Higher education institutions should focus on study conditions to promote students’ mental well-being.
Is being a physically active parent related to having a physically active son/daughter?
Authors: Licata F , Di Gennaro G , Basile E , Angelillo S , Bianco A 
Published: October 2024

Abstract

Background
Engaging in physical activity (PA) during childhood and adolescence can promote lifelong healthy habits and improve overall health. Physically active parents could play a key role in influencing the sons’ and daughters’ PA. The study aimed to evaluate the levels of PA among children and adolescents and to investigate the possible relationship with PA levels of parents.

Methods
This cross-sectional study involved a random sample of parents of a son/daughter aged 5 to 17 years in the Southern part of Italy. Data were collected through an anonymous self-administered questionnaire designed to retrieve i) sociodemographic characteristics and anthropometric data, ii) parent’s knowledge about the World Health Organization’s (WHO) guidelines (GL) about PA, iii) levels of PA of son/daughter and parent.

Results
Preliminary findings refer to a sample of 230 parents, of whom, 52.2% were women with a mean age of 38.6 (SD ± 6.8) years. The vast majority of the sample was employed (79.6%) and married (89.1%). Less than half (48.7%) were knowledgeable about WHO’s GLs for PA both in adults (52.6%) and children/adolescents (74.8%). Almost two-thirds (63%) of parents practised PA according to WHO’s GLs. Among sons/daughters, 44.4% practised PA according to WHO’s GLs. The results of the multivariate analysis showed that sons/daughters of physically active parents had higher odds of practising PA according to WHO’s GLs (OR:6.48, 95%CI:3.29-12.79). Similarly, those with parents knowledgeable about WHO’s GLs for PA (OR:3.19, 95%CI:1.75-5.83) were more likely to practise PA according to WHO’s GLs.

Conclusions
Preliminary results reveal a lack of compliance with WHO’s GL on PA, especially among children and adolescents. This is of concern since it is linked to negative health outcomes in the future. The figure that sons/daughters of active parents had a higher likelihood of being active highlights that public health organizations should prioritise family-based interventions for PA.

Key messages
• Almost one-third of adults and more than half of the children and adolescents in the sample did not comply with WHO’s recommendations for physical activity.
• Sons and daughters of physically active parents are more likely to be active, prompting the need for family-based public health intervention to promote physical activity.
Population-based physical activity promotion with a focus on health equity: evidence challenges
Authors: Kohler S , Dippon D , Weber P , Ruetten A , Pfeifer K , Semrau J 
Published: October 2024

Abstract

Issue
Physical activity (PA) approaches that target the entire population hold great promise for public health particularly in terms of health equity due to their broad reach. During the process of developing national recommendations for PA and PA promotion in Germany, followed by a partial update, it became evident that there is limited evidence regarding population-based PA interventions with a focus on health equity. Our objective was to present an overview of the underlying reasons for this scarcity of evidence.

Methods
The methodology used in the development of the German recommendations to identify evidence for population-based health equity interventions was applied. Five scientific databases were searched for reviews published between 2015-2021. References of the included reviews were checked for additional reviews. Publications without any focus on health equity were not considered. The identified evidence was summarized narratively, followed by a description of existing challenges in evaluating.

Results
Our search yielded 4,411 reviews, of which 79 met the inclusion criteria but 75 were excluded because approaches did not focus on the whole population, or did not address health equity. Two reviews were found in the search for gray literature. Thus, the result is a total of 6 articles. None of these reviews reported the application of a theory. The consideration of quality criteria used before, during and after the practical implementation of interventions is not common. The complexity of population-based approaches proved to be a challenge.

Conclusions
Overall, there is a need for more emphasis on health equity in the implementation and evaluation of population-based PA approaches. The consideration of a theoretical underpinning of such complex approaches in complex systems and the application of standardised quality criteria are an important prerequisite for the generation of evidence.

Key messages
• There is little evidence of population-based PA approaches aimed at health equity.
• A standardized and comprehensive evaluation assessment that is accepted by all public health stakeholders is needed.
Culture on organ and tissue donation in the community of Medical School, Veracruz Region
Authors: Viñas Dozal J , Roesch Dietlen F , Vázquez Hernández K , Ruiz García F , Duarte Cruz V , Villegas-Dominguez J E 
Published: October 2024

Abstract

Introduction
Organ donation is a life-saving activity, yet there is a disparity between the high number of recipients and the minimal number of donors.

Objetives
To determine the level of organ and tissue donation culture for transplant purposes among faculty members and undergraduate medical interns at a Medical School

Methods
A cross-sectional and prospective study was conducted from January 2023 to 2024, including faculty members and undergraduate medical interns from the Medical School at the University of Veracruz - Veracruz Region. The main study variable was the culture of organ and tissue donation for transplant purposes, quantified through three dimensions: knowledge, attitude, and training, assessed using a validated instrument (Cronbach’s alpha: 0.6). The entire described population was included, and they were approached in different areas to invite them to participate in this research.

Results
225 subjects (55 faculty members) agreed to participate. 97% of participants expressed support for organ donation. Among those not in favor of donation, 33% feared receiving poor medical care as donors, and 17% viewed donation as a business. Organ donation culture was deemed sufficient in 10.98% and outstanding in 71.76% of participants. The most common level of knowledge was outstanding (52%), 70% of the studied population showed a ‘very positive’ attitude towards organ and tissue donation. Training history was evaluated as an associated factor with knowledge about organ donation (OR/CI95%), identifying an association between lack of training and levels of sufficient knowledge (2.5/1.2-4.9) and outstanding knowledge (0.3/0.1-0.7), as well as with sufficient culture (9.6/1.2-73.0) and outstanding culture (0.1/0.04-0.4) (p &lt; 0.05)

Conclusions
It is imperative to strengthen training programs for faculty and undergraduate personnel, as quality training enhances knowledge and culture within this essential area of healthcare personnel formation.

Key messages
• University professors should have accurate information on organ donation and sensitize future physicians on the subject, as this could be a crucial step for future interactions in favor of donation.
• It is necessary to eradicate misinformation about organ donation in teachers and students of medical schools, since they are the basis for education and awareness on this issue in the population.
Hindering factors of pneumococcal vaccination: a survey among an Italian university hospital staff
Authors: Congedo G , Pattavina F , Mancini R , Cadeddu C , Bruno S , Pascucci D , Moscato U , Laurenti P 
Published: October 2024

Abstract

Background
The pneumococcal vaccination targets individuals aged over 65 and people with chronic conditions. Data on vaccination coverage among healthcare workers are generally lacking. Our goal is to assess the knowledge and behaviors of a sample of Italian healthcare workers and administrative staff to understand barriers to pneumococcal vaccination like vaccine hesitancy.

Methods
From February to May 2024, an anonymous online validated questionnaire was administered to a sample of Italian healthcare workers and administrative staff at the Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli in Rome. Descriptive and inferential statistical analyses are performed using the STATA 16 software.

Results
1042 participants completed the questionnaire. Preliminary descriptive analysis shows that the majority are women (69.4%). 20.5% of respondents are medical doctors, 23.3% administrative staff, 39.6% nurses or obstetricians, 1.6% rehabilitative healthcare professionals, 5.7% technical healthcare professionals and 4.1% preventive healthcare professionals. 27.8% among healthcare workers and 28.11% among administrative staff suffer from chronic illnesses. 27.6% of respondents are unaware of the health effects caused by acquiring pneumococcal infection. Although initial inferential analyses seem to show a generally positive trend regarding vaccine awareness, some categories appear to demonstrate a potential underestimation of the importance of vaccination against the spread of infectious diseases. It even appears that some of the interviewees consider the complications of the disease less serious than the risk of severe adverse effects of vaccines.

Conclusions
Although further analysis is needed, preliminary results seem to highlight some knowledge gap that could lead to a certain degree of vaccine hesitancy among partecipants. In this case, it would be crucial to promote educational activities that increase hospital staff’s vaccine adhesion in order to improve their health and the patients’one.

Key messages
• A pneumococcal vaccine hesitancy rate may exists among an Italian university hospital staff.
• It is crucial to boost healthcare workers’ awareness and knowledge about pneumococcal vaccination benefits.
Sexual health communication targeting adolescents in public service Media: the case of Finland
Authors: Abrams R , Nordmyr J , Gunnarsson K , Forsman A K 
Published: October 2024

Abstract

Background
Given the substantial time adolescents spend online, sexual health promotion and education through online media constitute a promising public health action. However, monitoring of sexual health-related online media content is warranted, and considering the scope and aims of public service media, this forum can be regarded as being of particular interest. This study aimed to analyze how and to what extent sexuality and sexual health-related content targeting adolescents is communicated and portrayed in public service media in Finland, with a particular interest in health promotion perspectives and participatory practices.

Methods
Based on predetermined inclusion criteria and guidance from professionals at the Finnish public service company Yle, podcasts were specified as the media format of interest. Three Finnish podcasts (a total of 66 episodes) produced during the years 2021-2023, targeting young people and focusing on sexual health, were included in this study and subject to critical content analysis.

Results
Most podcast episodes focused equally on the sexual health resource and risk perspectives, while a third emphasized a resource perspective. Concerning participatory practices, adolescents participate in only five episodes in total, and most often, the podcast hosts’ own experiences are at the center of the episodes.

Conclusions
The findings highlight how sexuality and sexual health content is communicated in public service media podcasts targeting adolescents in Finland, as well as how the communication aligns with health education and promotion guidelines. The study sheds light on participatory practices, emphasizing a lack of stakeholder involvement, i.e., dialogue between podcast hosts and listeners. Results carry implications for developing sexual health promotion through public service media targeting young people in Finland and other European countries alike.

Key messages
• The findings highlight how sexuality and sexual health content is portrayed in public service media podcasts in Finland and how the communication aligns with health promotion values and principles.
• The findings show a lack of participatory practices in Finnish public service media podcasts targeting adolescent sexual health - a health promotion concern also pertinent to other countries.