bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Alcohol consumption and risky sexual behaviours: consistent patterns in France and South Korea
Authors: Jeong J , Simmat-Durand L 
Published: October 2024

Abstract

Background
Despite the concurrent increase in harmful alcohol use and risky sexual behaviours associated with STIs and HIV/AIDS among young adults, their relationship remains inconsistent due to the inherent influence of sociodemographic and cultural factors on drinking and sexual practices. This study aims to examine the relationship between alcohol consumption and risky sexual behaviours and cross-validate this relationship in France and South Korea.

Methods
We conducted a cross-sectional survey among young adults aged 18 to 30 in France and in South Korea in 2023-2024 (n = 998; 489 in France, 509 in Korea). A spearman partial correlation and a z-test on Fisher-transformed correlation coefficients were used to determine the relationship between alcohol use and risky sexual behaviours, as well as the consistency of this relationship across both samples.

Results
After controlling for age, gender, occupation, education, and perceived socioeconomic status, a positive correlation was found between the age of alcohol initiation and the age at first sexual intercourse in both samples (r=.17 in France, r=.28 in Korea; p &lt; 0.001). Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test (AUDIT) score and the frequency of drunkenness showed positive correlations with the number of sexual partners (r=.19, r=.26 in France; r=.19, r=.23 in Korea; p &lt; 0.001). These two alcohol use indicators were also correlated with the frequency of inconsistent condom use (r=.15, r=.12 in France; r=.06, r=.14 in Korea; p &lt; 0.001). The Z test confirmed that there is no significant difference in all correlation coefficients between the French and Korean samples. (p &gt; 0.05, 95% CI).

Conclusions
An integrated health intervention aimed at simultaneously addressing harmful alcohol use and risky sexual behaviours is warranted to prevent high prevalence of sexually transmitted infections among young adults.

Key messages
• Recent data support that alcohol use is associated with risky sexual behaviours among young adults.
• This relationship is consistent regardless of different sociodemographic and cultural settings.
Integrated care in the Baltic states over a 5-year period: progress, challenges and future directions
Authors: Scarpetti G , Shuftan N , Polin K , Struckmann V 
Published: October 2024

Abstract

Person-centered, multidisciplinary care is key to addressing evolving complex health needs. In Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania, this pursuit of integrated care has gained momentum as an innovative approach to allocate resources more efficiently and improve patient outcomes. This study investigates the progress of integrating care in the Baltic countries from 2019 to 2024. It details key learnings, particularly for small European countries with limited resources. The Health Systems and Policy Monitor Network of the European Observatory on Health Systems and Policies undertook a cross-country study to better understand the progress in care integration in the Baltics. The Network’s Baltic country experts completed a 21-item questionnaire on the adoption of integrated care reforms. Responses were analyzed to capture reform characteristics and commonalities, countries’ political environments and their conduciveness to the uptake of integrated care. Country-specific experiences with the implementation of integrated care were further explored via case studies of pilot programs over the five years. The pace of implementing integrating care reforms varied in each country. Existing regulatory barriers, workforce challenges and payment schemes have impeded integration efforts across health and social care. Despite these obstacles, the political commitment to new and innovative service delivery and collaboration for chronic care management underscores an important prerequisite toward achieving more integrated and person-centered healthcare. The three case studies illustrate the hurdles that come with shifting care settings and expanding roles for some workers. Findings stress the role for integrated care to address organisational challenges in the Baltics. This study highlights innovative approaches and long-running efforts to provide multidisciplinary care for complex-needs patients and the implications of their results for broader health system adoption.

Key messages
• Small countries like the Baltics face structural challenges in integrating care to improve outcomes and efficiency.
• Investment and innovative care approaches are key to further advancements.
HPV vaccination in Croatia (2016-2023): Increased vaccine uptake and declining sex disparities
Authors: Raic L , Pavic Simetin I , Bradasevic E , Jezidzic A , Nemeth Blazic T , Poljicanin T 
Published: October 2024

Abstract

Background
The Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a known cause of cervical cancer, and is associated with the development of vaginal, vulvar, anal, penile, and head and neck cancer. The availability of the HPV vaccine has enabled generations of young people to be protected from HPV-related cancers. In 2016, a national immunization program targeting 14-year-old girls and boys has been initiated in Croatia. To date, systematic data on HPV vaccination coverage (VC) in Croatia is lacking. This study aims to determine HPV VC, examine trends in HPV vaccination in Croatia from 2016 to 2023 in the context of the national vaccination program, and assess differences between sexes.

Methods
The study is designed as a retrospective analysis covering the data from 2016 to 2023, collected from primary healthcare providers. HPV VC within 2000-2008 birth cohorts (BC) are analyzed for all vaccinated with at least one dose and assessed by sex. The trend in HPV vaccination is shown using joinpoint regression. The chi-square for trend is used to compare the vaccination coverage of females (FVC) and males (MVC). The rate ratio between FVC and MVC is calculated.

Results
HPV VR increased significantly among observed BCs from 6,44 % in 2000 BC to 44,22 % in 2008 BC (FVC rose from 10,67 % to 52,78 %, and males MVC from 2,47 % to 36,05 %). Joinpoint analysis revealed a statistically significant increase in all birth cohorts, while the steeper increase is seen in 2000-2006 BCs (APC = 35,47, P &lt; 0,05) than in 2006-2008 BCs (APC = 13,93, P &lt; 0,05). FVC is significantly higher than MVC in all birth cohorts (Extended Mantel-Haenszel chi-square for linear trend = 809.23, P &lt; 0,001). The highest FVC/MVC rate ratio was observed in the initial 2000 BC (4,31), and the lowest in the last 2008 BC (1,46).

Conclusions
In Croatia, HPV VC continuously increases among observed BCs. The positive trend is present in both sexes, and the rate ratio between female and male cohorts is decreasing.

Key messages
• The study presents a systematical overview of HPV vaccination coverage in Croatia from the beginning of the national immunization program, which is crucial for monitoring progress.
• In the following years, if the revealed trends persist or advance, Croatia could be closer to reaching Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan concerning eliminating HPV-related diseases.
Occupational class difference in COVID-19 symptoms in France: contribution of work-related exposures
Authors: Ghoroubi N , Khlat M , Counil E 
Published: October 2024

Abstract

Background
The association between socio-occupational class and SARS-CoV-2 infection remains inconclusive and may depend on the setting and the pandemic stage. Our study aims to quantify self-reported COVID-19 symptoms by occupational class (OC) in spring 2020 in France and explain observed differences using work-related risk factors.

Methods
We analyzed data from the EpiCoV population-based cohort, comprising 46,849 active workers aged 18-64 in metropolitan France. COVID-19 symptoms were sudden loss of taste/smell, fever with cough, fever with shortness of breath, or fever with chest oppression. Separating regions highly affected by COVID-19 from other regions, we related OC with reporting of COVID-19 symptoms and assessed the mediation effect of work-related SARS-CoV-2 exposures (contact with the public, using public transportation, self-perceived exposure) using the Karlson-Holm-Breen mediation analysis method.

Results
During the study period, 7.1% of the workers reported COVID-19 symptoms. In both regions, work-related SARS-CoV-2 exposures were related to higher reporting of symptoms, and those exposures were more prevalent in the lowest than in the highest OCs. However, the association of OC with reporting symptoms was not the same in the two regions. In less affected regions, the lowest OC reported COVID-19 symptoms less often than the highest OC, whereas in highly affected regions, symptoms were more frequent in middle OCs, and this was partly explained by work-related SARS-CoV-2 exposures.

Conclusions
Different socio-occupational patterns of symptoms were observed in the two groups of regions. The situation in the less affected regions, with more reporting in the highest relative to the lowest classes, may be attributable to exposure factors playing a role opposite to that of work-related exposures. Further studies on OC disparities in COVID-19 severity are needed based on hospitalization and mortality.

Key messages
• During the early pandemic, in regions less affected by COVID-19, the upper occupational class reported more COVID-19 symptoms, whereas the middle class did so in highly affected regions.
• Work-related exposure to SARS-CoV-2 mediates the association between occupational class and reporting COVID-19 symptoms to some extent, even when the occupational gradient is reversed.
Do shift-working nurses’ work-life quality relate to their physical health and diet quality?
Authors: Yilmaz A , Esin M N 
Published: October 2024

Abstract

Background
Shift work negatively affects work-related quality of life and this situation causes significant labour force losses and decreased productivity in the society, especially health problems in nurses. This study was conducted to determine the relationship between work-related quality of life, physical health level and nutritional behaviours of nurses working in shifts.

Methods
This descriptive and relationship-seeking study was conducted with 312 nurses selected by quota sampling in Istanbul. Data were collected between December 2022 to July 2023 using the The Professional Quality of Life Scale (ProQOL), Physical Health Questionnaire and Food Consumption Frequency Questionnaire. Descriptive statistics and Pearson correlation tests were conducted on IBM SPSS 25.0. BeBIS 7.1 software were used for calculation diet index.

Results
Compassion Satisfaction (CS), Burnout (B) and Compassion Fatigue (CF) scores of nurses was examined, a relationship was found between CS score and B score (r=-0.39 p &lt; 0.05) and between B score and CF score (r = 0.58 p &lt; 0.05). CS score correlated with Cardiovascular Risk Level score (r=-0.15 p &lt; 0.05) and diet index score (r = 0.15 p &lt; 0.05). B score correlated with Gastrointestinal Risk Level score (r = 0.27 p &lt; 0.05) and Cardiovascular Risk Level score (r = 0.38 p &lt; 0.05). There was a correlation between the score of CF and Gastrointestinal Risk Level score (r = 0.25 p &lt; 0.05) and Cardiovascular Risk Level score (r = 0.31 p &lt; 0.05). Daily energy, fibre, vitamin B1 and C, folate, calcium and magnesium intakes of nurses were lower than the recommended.

Conclusions
Research results support that the gastrointestinal and cardiovascular systems have a direct relationship with stress and emotional states. In the policies to be developed within the scope of occupational health nursing practices, it is recommended to carry out studies to improve the physical health and nutritional behaviours of nurses in order to improve their work-related quality of life.

Key messages
• Nurses are a risky occupational group in terms of burnout. Protection studies should be prioritised to prevent burnout.
• Gastrointestinal and cardiovascular system complaints of nurses should be paid special attention during recruitment and periodic examinations.
Psychiatric comorbidity and hospitalization outcomes for AMI in portuguese public hospitals
Authors: Fonseca A , Perelman J , Roxo L 
Published: October 2024

Abstract

Background
Severe mental health disorders directly affect quality of life but may also indirectly relate to physical diseases and their prognosis. We test this hypothesis for the specific case of acute myocardial infarction (AMI), postulating a longer in-patient stay and an excess in-hospital mortality among patients suffering psychiatric comorbidities (PC).

Methods
A retrospective observational study was conducted using secondary data from public Portuguese hospitals, for all patients with a primary diagnosis of AMI (12,213 patients aged 18-80, for the years 2017-18). We used linear and logistic regression to model length of stay (LoS) and in-hospital mortality, respectively. Having at least one psychiatric comorbidity was the explanatory variable, and models were adjusted for age, sex, and the Charlson Comorbidity Index.

Results
The prevalence of PC was 12.95%. The in-hospital mortality rate was significantly higher in the group with PC (4.43%, OR = 1.372, 95%CI=1.041-1.784), than in the group without PC (3,38%). Stays were significantly longer among those with PC (mean=7.69 days), compared to those without PC (mean=6.87 days; adjusted β-coefficient=0.098, 95%CI=0.056-0.141).

Conclusions
Patients with AMI and comorbid mental disorders have poorer hospitalization outcomes than those without PC. This emphasizes the importance of promoting effective management strategies for comorbid psychiatric disorder, for instance, by improving the integration of mental health care in general hospitals, and empowering healthcare professionals to recognize and manage patients with PC.

Key messages
• Psychiatric comorbidity is related to longer inpatient stays and higher mortality risk among patients with AMI.
• Efforts to integrate mental health care in general hospitals should be maintained.
Epidemiological profile of patients consulting for smoking cessation in Tunisia from 2020 to 2023
Authors: Bebses K , Ayedi Y , Fitouri S , Skhiri A , Ben Aissa M , Fourati A , Nsiri Z , Hamdi R , Harizi C , Fakhfakh R 
Published: October 2024

Abstract

Background
Tobacco addiction poses a significant global health challenge, contributing to various diseases and premature mortality. The main objective of our work was to describe the epidemiological profile of smokers seeking assistance at the smoking cessation departement of the ‘Abderrahmane Mami’ hospital.

Methods
We conducted a retrospective study involving smokers who attended the smoking cessation department between January 2020 and December 2023. Data were collected from the consultants’ records. The descriptive study was conducted using IBM SPSS 25 software.

Results
The number of consultants was 440 during the years of the study. The study population was predominantly male (75.2%). The average age of the consultants was 45.41 ± 13.9 years [14-89 years]. The education level of the patients was predominantly university-level (42.4%), followed by secondary education (33.6%). Cardiovascular history was the most common (22.42%). More than half of the consultants (n = 279; 63.4%) had tried to quit smoking at least once. More than half of the smokers followed (57.9%) were highly dependent on nicotine (Fagestrom score ≥ 7). The mean score of the hospital anxiety and depression scale was 8.03 ± 5.398 for anxiety and 5.44 ± 5.185 for depression.

Conclusions
Our study provides informations about the epidemiological profile of individuals seeking tobacco cessation support during the study period. The findings underscore the diverse demographic and clinical characteristics of this population. Understanding these profiles can provide information for the development of effective anti-tobacco programs.

Key messages
• Tailored interventions are essential to meet the diverse needs of people seeking smoking cessation, optimizing the impact on public health.
• Understanding cessation seeker profiles crucial for effective strategies.
Loneliness in Baltic-Nordic Older Adults Amid COVID-19
Authors: Reine I , Miķelsone M , Tomsone S , Guðmundsson H , Ivanovs A , Guðmundsson H S , Koroļeva I 
Published: October 2024

Abstract

Background
The study investigates loneliness among older adults in the Baltic-Nordic region, particularly in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. It aims to understand how loneliness varies across cultural and socio-economic contexts in these areas, which is critical for developing public health strategies tailored to the specific needs of older populations.

Methods
We employed a comprehensive comparative analysis, leveraging data from the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe (SHARE) and the HL20 study from Iceland, focusing on individuals aged 67 and above. The study encompassed a diverse sample from Sweden, Denmark, Estonia, Lithuania, Finland, Latvia, and Iceland, totaling 5,313 participants. This research is part of a bilateral EEA FM2021/23 initiative to enhance methodological approaches to analyzing older populations by coding and standardizing variables for comparability across different countries.

Results
Significant regional differences in loneliness were observed. The Baltic regions reported a higher prevalence of loneliness compared to the Nordic countries, which displayed lower levels, attributed to strong social welfare systems and community engagement. Factors such as employment, marital status, and educational attainment varied across regions, affecting loneliness levels.

Conclusions
The findings highlight the importance of considering regional cultural and social contexts in public health interventions aimed at reducing loneliness among older adults. The study underscores the need for targeted strategies that address the unique social dynamics of the Baltic and Nordic regions. Innovative public health actions, such as community engagement programs and policy development, are recommended to alleviate loneliness in these populations.

Key messages
• Significant regional differences in loneliness in the Baltic-Nordic region underscore the need for tailored public health interventions.
• Employment and social welfare are key factors in mitigating loneliness among older adults, highlighting the importance of socio-economic support systems.
A Qualitative Study Evaluating the Challenges of Orthopedists and Internists in the Earthquake Zone
Authors: Gemici E , Kaş D , Tosun F , Ertürk İ , Dural S , Ay P 
Published: October 2024

Abstract

Background
The earthquake centered in Kahramanmaras province, Turkey, on February 6, 2023, with a magnitude of 7.7, resulted in the loss of 53,537 lives and the injury of 107,213 people. This study was conducted to evaluate the challenges and experiences of physicians who provided post-disaster medical care.

Methods
We conducted a qualitative study with orthopedists and internists who had worked in the earthquake zone using in-depth interviews. Participants were selected through snowball sampling. Interviews explored challenges in the disaster zone, obstacles related to healthcare services, and disaster management. Thematic analysis was used.

Results
A total of 13 physicians participated in the study. Data revealed four main themes: disaster management, organizational deficiencies, challenges faced, and logistical issues. Participants indicated that the Ministry of Health didn’t have a priori operational emergency action plan, which led to problems in healthcare service delivery. Some physicians complained that they had to serve just as emergency consultants and were not able to carry out tasks compatible with their expertise. Some indicated that they organized the services rather than providing medical care. Almost all encountered a variety of interesting cases and evaluated their experience as significant. Logistical needs were met mostly with the support of non-governmental organizations.

Conclusions
We need to have a priori operational emergency action plan to ensure the effective delivery of healthcare services in the aftermath of a disaster. The Ministry of Health needs to allocate and coordinate healthcare personnel in line with their areas of expertise and prevent service disruptions.

Key messages
• There is a need to make an operational emergency action plan beforehand to deliver healthcare services effectively following a disaster.
• Physicians should be allocated in line with their specialty of expertise to efficiently address the healthcare needs.
Agricultural activities reduce the risk of requiring long-term care among older Japanese
Authors: Takase H , Arita M , Miyai N , Kashiba M , Yamasaki M , Shiwaku K 
Published: October 2024

Abstract

Introduction
Controlling the risks that lead to requiring long-term care for the older adults is a crucial medical and socio-economic issue. This study investigated the impact of agricultural activities (AAs) on the risk of requiring long-term care.

Methods
A 5-year follow-up was conducted on 1,009 healthy individuals aged 65-80 years (mean age 72 years; 44% men) living in a rural area (Wakayama, Japan). Requiring long-term care was assessed as requiring support or nursing care (RSNC) according to the Japanese criteria. Health status including frailty and metabolic syndrome were also assessed using Japanese criteria. Work status and lifestyle habits were assessed using self-administered questionnaires. The main outcome was the probability of RSNC. COX proportional hazards regressions were performed, stratified by occupation (agricultural worker or other) or frequency of AAs (none, less than or &gt;150 days/year), adjusted for sex, age, frailty, metabolic syndrome and household as possible confounding factors.

Results
Approximately 35% of the participants were in agriculture, forestry, and fisheries as occupation, and 78% engaged in AAs. A total of 85 participants RSNC and 39 deaths were observed during the follow-up. The cumulative survival probability did not differ according to occupation or frequency of AAs, whereas the probability of RSNC was significantly lower in participants engaged in AAs (hazard ratio 0.37 [95% CI 0.22, 0.62]; &lt;150 days/year, 0.29 [95% CI 0.17, 0.50]; &gt;150 days/year). Participants engaged in AAs were significantly more likely to engage in low- and vigorous-intensity physical activity, and to participate in industry and community organizations and relating events.

Conclusions
These findings suggest that AAs may promote a physically and socially active lifestyle, independent of frailty or metabolic syndrome, and reduce the risk of RSNC.

Key messages
• Prevention of long-term care is important in the older population.
• A lifestyle associated with agricultural activities may contribute to healthy aging.