bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Engaging co-creators network in a public mental health intervention: MENTBEST
Authors: Qirjako G , Cerga Pashoja A , Dushaj A , Qirjako S 
Published: October 2024

Abstract

Background
MENTBEST, a 5-year EU-funded project, addresses mental health challenges among vulnerable groups using community-based interventions and innovative technologies. It aims to mitigate adverse impacts, focusing on migrants, older individuals, younger individuals, long-term unemployed individuals, and those with mental disorders in Albania, Germany, Spain, Denmark, Greece, Ireland and Estonia. MENTBEST seeks to provide tailored support to vulnerable populations, promoting mental well-being and resilience through two interventions (a) Mentina a mobile app and (b) a complex community intervention based upon the European Against Depression 4-level intervention.

Methods
A Participatory Action Approach has been employed through each research stage of MENTBEST where stakeholders across Europe have become part of the research team and provide input towards designing and evaluating the two interventions mentioned above. The PRODUCES framework was used to establish the Co-creators Network, ensuring inclusivity and relevance through: stakeholder mapping, prioritization, and engagement strategies. An online platform has been established for the network to collaborate as a community of practice, but also as means of upskilling co-creators through MOOCs and brief courses.

Results
The Co-creators Network comprises 24 diverse members strategically distributed among vulnerable groups through all participating Mentbest countries. Engagement activities include workshop participation on taking decisions on a range of research topics such as designing content, evaluation of the interventions, implementation of the interventions etc.

Conclusions
The Co-creators Network represents a milestone for MENTBEST, ensuring a collaborative approach to public mental health intervention. Innovative strategies highlight the project’s commitment to addressing the mental health needs of vulnerable populations.

Key messages
• Collaborative approach in MENTBEST fosters inclusive public mental health interventions.
• Co-creators Network drives innovative strategies to address mental health needs of vulnerable groups.
Involuntary commitment and medical education on mental health diseases across Europe
Authors: Serazzi F , Barbic F , Stranges S 
Published: October 2024

Abstract

Background
Psychiatric diseases are projected to become one of the greatest contributors to the global burden of disease by 2030, already presenting as one of the principal causes of DALYs lost in Europe. Given the particular nature of psychiatric disorders, national legislatures have been enacted by each European country regarding the possibility of involuntary psychiatric treatment. As practical implementations vary greatly from country to country, we wish to analyse how different attitudes to involuntary treatment affect health outcomes, so as to propose a uniform guideline for European medical practitioners. We also wish to analyse whether medical education targeted at communication with psychiatric patients has an effect on involuntary treatment rates and general mental well-being.

Methods
We conducted a systematic review on PubMed to identify studies pertaining to how legislature on involuntary commitment varies between European countries, as well as to what extent it is utilised. We also looked at the extent of medical education on psychiatric diseases.

Results
Preliminary results show that involuntary hospitalisation rates vary greatly within Europe, with certain countries being almost 20 times more likely to utilise such measures than others, notwithstanding similar mental illness prevalence. Results do not seem correlated to legislation types.

Conclusions
Given the vastly different use of involuntary commitment, a more standardised European approach should be implemented, especially in sight of the growing prevalence and burden of disease of psychiatric illnesses. Furthermore, an often-overlooked aspect of medical education is how to understand and communicate effectively with patients dealing with mental diseases: we advocate for continuous education, regardless of medical specialty.

Key messages
• Involuntary hospitalisation rates vary greatly across Europe, but the effects of this phenomenon have been poorly studied. We propose a more unified approach to maximise the efficacy of such a law.
• We advocate for a more thorough education of health professionals on mental illnesses, regardless of medical specialty, in sight of the growing prevalence of such diseases.
Out of hospital cardiac arrest outcomes’ determinants: an Italian retrospective cohort study
Authors: Sgueglia A C , Gentile L , Bertuccio P , Gaeta M , Primi R , Currao A , Barbati C , Marconi G , Savastano S , Odone A 
Published: October 2024

Abstract

Out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) is the most time-critical and time-dependent medical emergency and is associated with low survival rates and poor neurological outcomes at the global level. This study aims at evaluating post-OHCA intra-hospital mortality risk according to patient’s characteristics and emergency health service management (EMS), including level of care of first-admission hospital. We conducted a retrospective cohort study based on data from the Lombardia Cardiac Arrest Registry (Lombardia CARe), the most complete nationwide out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) registry in Italy. Out of 12,581 patients registered from 2015 to 2022, we considered 1,382 OHCA patients admitted alive to hospital and survived more than 24 hours. We estimated risk ratios (RRs) and corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CI) of post-OHCA intra-hospital mortality through log-binomial regression models adjusted by patients’ and EMS characteristics. The study population consisted mainly of males (66.6%), most aged 60-69 years (24.7%) and 70-79 years (23.7%). Presenting rhythm was non-shockable in 49.9% of patients, EMS intervention time was less than 10 minutes for 30.3% of patients, and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) was performed for less than 15 minutes in 29.9%. Moreover, 61.6% of subjects (n = 852) died during hospital admission. Post-OHCA intra-hospital mortality risk is 27% higher for non-shockable presenting rhythm (RR 1.27, 95% CI 1.19-1.35 vs. shockable rhythm) and 39% higher for longer CPR time (RR 1.39, 95% CI 1.28-1.52 for 45 minutes or more vs. &lt;15 minutes, p-value for trend &lt;0.01). Patients who accessed a secondary vs. tertiary care hospital were more frequently older, with a non-shockable presenting rhythm and longer EMS intervention time. Our findings showed that patients’ outcomes are associated with intrinsic OHCA characteristics and Health System’s resources are utilised as efficiently as possible.

Key messages
• Intra-hospital mortality risk was 27% higher among OHCA patients with non-shockable presenting rhythm, net of the hospital level of care.
• Early defibrillation of shockable rhythms is associated with improved survival, so ensure timely access to defibrillators and implement education and training programs to the first CPR is pivotal.
Recovery of Executive Functions in Alcohol Use Disorder: role of Neuropsychological Rehabilitation
Authors: Ferreira S , Ribeiro C , Pombo S , Bacelar-Nicolau L 
Published: October 2024

Abstract

Background
Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) is a growing public health concern with high incidence of executive functions (EFs) changes, affecting disease progression and treatment effectiveness. Inconsistencies persist in studies on the role of neuropsychological rehabilitation (NR) in EF recovery within AUD interventions. Our aim is to analyse the effect of NR on EFs in AUD interventions.

Methods
A prospective cohort study included 65 participants of both sexes, diagnosed with AUD, free of psychiatric comorbidities or severe neurological conditions. They underwent alcohol detoxification in hospital/home from 2021 to 2023, completing three evaluation moments (M1-Baseline, M2-3 months, M3-6 months). Patients receiving usual treatment (WTG-weekly therapeutic groups) - were compared to those with additional Neuropsychological Rehabilitation (NRG) regarding Sociodemographic and Severity of Alcohol Dependence Questionnaires, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, Frontal Assessment Battery (FAB), Number and Letters Subscale of Weschler Adult Intelligence Scale (WAIS). Our main outcome was FAB-general executive functioning, and secondary outcome was WAIS-working memory. Friedman test compared assessments across the three points (alpha 5%).

Results
Statistically significant differences were found for FAB in both groups, (p &lt; 0.001) between M1 and both M2 and M3, indicating improved executive functioning, particularly in NRG. Working memory also improved in both groups (WTG: p = 0.036; NRG: p &lt; 0.001), with NRG showing better M2 performance.

Conclusions
There is evidence that neuropsychological rehabilitation facilitates the recovery of executive functions and may play a pivotal role in relapse prevention. It is crucial that the treatment of these situations incorporates public health, preventive and damage minimization measures.
KeyWords: Executive Function; Neuropsychological Rehabilitation; Alcohol Use Disorder.

Key messages
• Recovery of executive functions is crucial from a Public Heath perspective in AUD populations, minimizing morbidity, permanent disabilities and contributing to more effective healthcare services.
• Integrating Neuropsychological Rehabilitation into standard Alcohol Use Disorder treatments can enhance treatment effectiveness, reducing disease burden.
Approaches to Dementia Control in a Community in Japan
Authors: Kamei M , Nishina M , Motohashi C , Ohta A , Koizumi S , Miyazaki T , Uemura M , Takeda M 
Published: October 2024

Abstract

Background
In order to consider future dementia countermeasures in the community, we conducted a survey to understand the characteristics of the elderly living in the community.

Methods
A self-administered questionnaire survey was conducted in collaboration with Hanno-city, Saitama Prefecture, targeting all persons aged 65 years or older (excluding institutionalized residents) living in Hanno-city (aging rate: 32.0%). The questionnaire items included basic attributes, lifestyle, daily living conditions, and willingness to participate in activities. The survey was sent to 7,133 people, and 3,623 valid responses were received (valid response rate: 50.8%).

Results
Respondents were 1,135 males (51.2%) and 1,080 females (48.8%); 1,979 (54.6%) were aged 65-74 and 1,644 (45.4%) were aged 75 and over. The proportion of single-person households was 12.1%. 56.1% of the respondents had been living in the community for 30 years or more, and the overall membership rate of the residents’ association was high at 91.0%. A total of 691 (19.1%) of the respondents had seen someone suspected of having dementia. 1,178 (32.5%) answered ‘yes,’ 1,452 (40.1%) answered ‘no,’ and 881 (24.3%) answered ‘don’t know. There were 472 (8.1%) dementia supporters.

Conclusions
The membership rate of local residents’ associations was high at 91.0%, indicating that the community maintains relatively close relationships with its residents. Based on the National Dementia plan, further consideration will be given to long-term goals such as human resource development for each region and policies to support these goals. Main messages: In a mountainous district with an aging population similar to that of Japan as a whole, only about one-third of the respondents knew of a contact point for dementia-related issues. Based on the National Dementia Plan, the government will consider dementia policies, including long-term goals and policies to support these goals in the community.

Key messages
• In a mountainous district with an aging population similar to that of Japan as a whole, only about one-third of the respondents knew of a contact point for dementia-related issues.
• Based on the National Dementia Plan, the government will consider dementia policies, including long-term goals and policies to support these goals in the community.
Anxiety, depression, and poor sleep quality in COVID-19 survivors of the first year of the pandemic
Authors: Araujo N , Silva I , Campos P , Correia R , Costa A , Lopes C , Freitas P , Sampaio J , Tedim-Cruz V 
Published: October 2024

Abstract

Background
Psychological outcomes after SARS-CoV-2 infection have been reported primarily among patients with post-COVID-19 condition followed at COVID-specific clinics who may not represent the population of COVID-19 survivors. This study compares the frequency, 2 years after infection, of symptoms of anxiety and depression and poor sleep quality between COVID-19 survivors from the first year of the pandemic and comparison groups matched for sex, age, and level of care.

Methods
Participants are users of the Local Health Unit of Matosinhos (comprising almost all citizens of this municipality) classified according to hospitalization and SARS-CoV-2 infection between March, 2020 and February, 2021 in 4 groups: group#1, hospitalized due to COVID-19 (n = 101); group#2, hospitalized, uninfected (n = 87); group#3, infected, non-hospitalized (n = 252); group#4, uninfected, non-hospitalized (n = 258). They were evaluated between July, 2022 and October, 2023, with the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS-A, anxiety, and HADS-D, depression) and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). Logistic regression was used to compute OR and 95%CI adjusted for sex, age, education, marital status, employment, smoking, and level of care of the associations between the study group and clinically significant symptoms of anxiety (HADS-A scores&gt;10), depression (HADS-D scores&gt;10) and poor sleep (PSQI scores&gt;5).

Results
No significant differences (p &lt; 0.05) were observed for the prevalence of clinically significant symptoms of depression (overall 9.2%) and poor sleep quality (overall 59.8%) between SARS-COV-2 infected participants and comparison groups, but HADS-A scores&gt;10 were more frequent in infected individuals (19.3% vs. 13.6%; OR = 1.92; 95%CI:1.21,3.05).

Conclusions
Healthcare services should pay special attention to COVID-19 survivors from the first year of the pandemic to identify and treat anxiety symptoms. Funding: FCT UIDB/ 04750/2020 LA/P/0064/2020 PTDC/SAU-EPI/6275/2020

Key messages
• COVID-19 survivors from the 1st year of the pandemic present more frequently high levels of anxiety than the general population 2 years after COVID-19.
• Specific care for anxiety symptoms are needed for COVID-19 survivors from the 1st year of the pandemic
Integrated models for concurrent disorders from a Public Mental Health lens: a Systematic Review
Authors: Beccia F , Grassi F , Marziali E , Rossi M F , Amantea C , Patania F , Navari S , Gualano M R , Ricciardi W , Parente P 
Published: October 2024

Abstract

Concurrent disorders (COD), historically defined by the World Health Organization as the simultaneous presence of a psychoactive substance use disorder and another psychiatric disorder within the same individual, pose a significant challenge to public mental health. In today’s global landscape of mental health services, the prevalence of COD is on the rise, underscoring the need for an integrated approach to management. This review aims to provide an overview of existing global models and the evaluation approaches. This systematic review examined research evidence in PubMed, Scopus and Web of Science up to 2023 regarding integrated management systems for COD. Following PRISMA guidelines, we included articles describing specific models and evaluating the effectiveness of integrated versus non-integrated approaches. Quality assessment was conducted using the appropriate scales. Out of 7700 screened articles, 18 were included, all of fair or good quality. A diverse array of patient care models, programs, and interventions addressing comorbidities between mental health and substance use disorders emerged. The majority of studies focused on clinical outcomes, particularly alcohol and drug dependence, with global mental health consequences also under examination. Psychodiagnostics and social outcomes were also considered in a significant portion of the research, shedding light on health services utilization patterns. The integrated model for concurrent disorders in psychiatry stands as an effective approach, yet its implementation encounters challenges. This study showcases successful integration examples, providing valuable insights for policymakers and healthcare professionals to enhance existing models or develop new ones, particularly within European healthcare reforms like Italy’s restructuring of primary care, where they could serve as a criterion for the setting and organization of community houses.

Key messages
• COD, involving both substance use and psychiatric disorders, present a significant challenge to public mental health. Rising prevalence underscores the need for integrated management approaches.
• Insights from successful integration examples offer valuable guidance for healthcare professionals and policymakers, particularly within healthcare reforms like Italy’s restructuring of primary care.
The Relationship Between Mental Health Status and Daily Step Count in Adults: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Özdemir G , Erol S 
Published: October 2024

Abstract

Aim
This study was conducted to determine the relationship between the mental health status and daily step count of adult individuals.

Methods
The research was conducted between November 2023 and April 2024 with a descriptive cross-sectional design. The research population consisted of 386 individuals over the age of 18 who voluntarily filled out public electronic forums on online platforms. Data were collected with the socio-demographic characteristics diagnostic form consisting of 21 questions, the average number of steps in the last week, and the General Health Survey-28 (GHQ-28). Data were evaluated using descriptive statistics, normality statistics, analysis of variance (ANOVA), t test, Kruskal Wallis variance analysis, Mann-Whitney U test. Statistical significance level was accepted as p &lt; 0.05

Results
GHQ-28 total score average was found to be 5.59 ± 6.52. 42.0% of the participants received a score of 5 or above on the GHQ-28 and were considered at risk for mental health. The individuals’ average weekly step count was mean=5269±3065 steps and 43% were basal-limited active. According to GHQ-28, the average weekly step count of individuals in the mental health risk group (4528.62 ±2892.31) was lower than those who were not at risk (5804.63 ±3081.67) (p &lt; 0.05). According to step count categories, individuals who were basal-limited active (51.2%) and low active (39.4%) were found to be at higher risk for mental health than those who were slightly active (36.0%) and active-highly active (18.4%) (p &lt; 0.05). A weak negative correlation was found between the average number of steps and the scores obtained from the GHQ-28 (r = -.187; p = 0.000).

Conclusions
It was determined that more than half (51.2%) of the individuals (42.0%) in the risk group in terms of mental health were sedentary, that is, basal-limited active (less than 2500-4999 steps).

Key messages
• Increasing awareness about the positive effects of individuals’ daily step counts on mental health can contribute positively to the promotion of health.
• As part of policies aimed at enhancing mental health within society, implementations directed towards increasing daily step counts can contribute positively to the improvement of public health.
Healthcare accessibility of individuals at increased risk of STIs: a cross-sectional survey in Italy
Authors: Ferrari A , Orsi A , Sticchi L , Ogliastro M , Brucci G , Labate L , Pontali E , Notore G , Icardi G ,   Study Group PrE(P)VENZIONE 2023
Published: October 2024

Abstract

Access to STI prevention and sexual health services in Italy, especially among vulnerable and marginalized groups, is inadequately documented. With the support of community organizations, a cross-sectional survey was conducted between September 2023 and March 2024 to assess health services accessibility among individuals at increased risk of STIs. A total of 1456 responses were analyzed. The respondents comprised 1327 (91.14%) cisgender men, 58 (3.98%) cisgender women, 11 (0.76%) transgender men, 10 (0.69%) transgender women, and 47 (3.23%) non-binary individuals. Overall, 93.8% were men who have sex with men, and 2.8% were women who have sex with women. Mean age was 38 (SD 12). Among respondents, 1284 (88.2%) had undergone HIV testing at least once [102 (7%) living with HIV; 45.1% diagnosed during prior year]. Overall, 563 (38.7%) had been diagnosed with at least one STI in the prior year. Chemsex was reported by 106 (7.3%), with 4.7%, 75.5%, and 35.5% using injective, inhaled or oral substances. Despite a high risk for STIs, 728 (50%) and 410 (28.2%) individuals, respectively, did not visit a specialist in infectious diseases or their primary care provider in the prior year. PrEP awareness was high: 1286 (88.2%) respondents were knowledgeable about it, but only 342 (23.5%) attended PrEP centers and 297 (20.4%) used it. Among PrEP users, 27 (7.9%) encountered difficulties obtaining the drug and 174 (50.9%) considered the cost prohibitive (before it became free). Additionally, 27 (7.9%) of those attending PrEP centers felt judged or disrespected. Overall, 1179 (80.9%) had heard of Mpox, and 1012 (69.5%) were aware of the vaccine, with 301 (20.6%) being vaccinated. Among those vaccinated, 18 (5.2%) felt judged or disrespected. Out of 55 (3.8%) individuals tested for Mpox, 13 (23.6%) tested positive, among which one reported feeling disrespected. The survey highlights critical gaps in healthcare access and awareness among individuals at increased risk of STIs in Italy.

Key messages
• In a final open-ended question, responders commented on various issues including high costs of services, insufficient provider training and the necessity for improved inclusion of LGBTQ+ individuals.
• The robust response from typically hard-to-reach groups underscores the pivotal role of community involvement in enhancing awareness and accessibility of sexual health services, fostering inclusivity.