bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Trend of body mass index and its impact on glycemic control in Finnish patients with type 2 diabetes
Authors: Wang Z , Lavikainen P , Wikström K , Laatikainen T 
Published: October 2024

Abstract

Background
Obesity prevalence has increased in Finland and is prevalent in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D). Understanding the trend in body mass index (BMI) and its impact on glycemic control helps in the assessment of treatment strategies for T2D. We aimed to investigate the current trend in BMI among Finnish patients with T2D and the glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) control across different BMI categories.

Methods
Regional data on electronic health records (EHRs) covering all public health care in North Karelia, Finland, were used. Patients with T2D (ICD-10 code E11) in 2012-2022 were identified from EHRs. In each study year, patients with ≥1 measurement of BMI and HbA1c were included in data analysis. Generalized estimating equations regression analyses were performed to evaluate the trends.

Results
The annual number of patients in the analyses ranged from 5149 to 10216 in 2012-2022. The unadjusted mean BMI remained stable. However, an increasing trend in BMI was observed in the age-adjusted model and remained unchanged with further adjustment for sex, duration of diabetes, and antidiabetic medication use, reflecting the aging of the patient population and lower BMI in aged patients. Patients with higher BMI had higher HbA1c levels in 2012-2022. The increasing trends in HbA1c over time were observed across different BMI categories (except for the obsess class III) accounting for age, sex, and duration of diabetes. However, a decreasing trend in HbA1c was found in the obese class III category with further adjustment for antidiabetic medication use, along with the highest usage rates of the new antidiabetic medications during the follow-up.

Conclusions
Our findings suggest that weight management requires increased attention in Finnish patients with T2D and is also important for better glycemic control. Multimodal treatment, including effective lifestyle counseling, self-care support, and medication management, is needed.

Key messages
• More attention and resources are needed to achieve optimal weight control.
• Weight management could aid in better glycemic control.
The higher education’s role in the multisectoral evolution of the diabetes mobile unit programme
Authors: Smith D 
Published: October 2024

Abstract

Background
The global prevalence of obesity and diabetes is increasing. Overweight and obesity during early childhood increase the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. The diabetes mobile unit (DMU) programme is a collaborative initiative between the Bahrain Diabetes Society, the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI) Medical University of Bahrain, the Ministry of Education, and other stakeholders.

Objectives
To develop a sustainable educational programme to empower nursing and medical students to educate schoolchildren on healthy lifestyle choices and potentially reduce the risk of obesity and type 2 diabetes.

Results
The DMU programme is incorporated into the undergraduate nursing and medical curricula. It fosters experiential learning in public health education and promotion, encourages trainee-trainer mentorship, and cultivates essential graduate skills, thus enhancing their career prospects. Since 2012, the programme inducted 300 staff and students and educated 7,000 children. In 2023, the programme was re-launched in alignment with RCSI’s three strategic pillars: learning and teaching, research, and community engagement. The programme expanded its stakeholders’ network and incorporated strategies to promote interprofessional learning among staff, students, and alumni. The outcome of these endeavours included publishing an interactive storybook, creating innovative educational tools, and ongoing research.

Conclusions
This novel programme highlights the role of higher education in promoting multisectoral collaboration for public health awareness initiatives. The key to the programme’s success is synchronizing education, research and community engagement in higher education curricula and various contexts.

Key messages
• Multisectoral collaboration is essential in developing evidence-based and culturally congruent programmes.
• Linking education, research, and community is vital to achieving sustainable development goals.
Professional health literacy of health professions in Austria - results of the HLS-PROF-AT study
Authors: Schuetze D , Strassmayr C , Link T , Griebler R 
Published: October 2024

Abstract

Background
Health professions play a crucial role in strengthening the health literacy (HL) of the population - provided that they themselves have the necessary professional HL. This encompasses competencies related to information and knowledge management, conveying information and knowledge, patient involvement and shared decision-making, and professional digital HL. In 2022 and 2023, data on professional HL were collected in Austria.

Methods
Nearly 4,400 healthcare professionals (doctors, nurses, physiotherapists, pharmacists, midwives, dieticians) were asked about their challenges across the four domains of professional HL. A score was calculated for each domain, with five additional subscores for the domain conveying information and knowledge. The relationship between socio-demographic, job-related and organisational characteristics and professional HL were investigated using T-tests, variance analyses and multivariate regression models.

Results
The greatest challenge for all healthcare professions is supporting patients in dealing with digital information, followed by conveying information and knowledge. Apart from pharmacists, the least difficulties were found in the domain patient involvement and shared decision-making. Furthermore, the results demonstrate that a high level of professional HL is associated with more favourable organisational conditions for HL-promoting patient communication and (very) good preparation in training for the tasks of professional HL. There is no systematic correlation between professional HL and years of professional experience.

Conclusions
Overall, healthcare professionals rated their professional HL positively. However, the results also highlight areas for improvement. Alongside promoting professional HL in the context of (further) training, it is important to enhance organisational framework conditions for promoting patients’ HL - ideally supported by initiatives to promote the organisational HL in healthcare organisations.

Key messages
• The greatest challenge for the health professions surveyed is to support patients in dealing with digital information and to convey information and knowledge to their patients.
• Good preparation in training for the tasks of professional HL and favourable organisational conditions for HL-promoting patient communication are associated with a higher professional HL.
Low health literacy is associated with health-related institutional mistrust beyond education
Authors: Heraclides A , Hadjikou A , Kouvari K , Karanika Ε , Heraclidou I 
Published: October 2024

Abstract

Background
Institutional mistrust, the lack of confidence and overall suspicion towards authorities or systems, usually governmental, but also extending to the health sector, poses a major obstacle towards public health policies and actions. Lower educational attainment has been linked to higher mistrust, but the role of health literacy in particular remains unclear.

Methods
Cross-sectional study in the general adult population of Greece and Cyprus following proportional quota sampling (January 2022 to May 2023). The current analysis is based on a sub-sample of 292 participants, with complete information on health literacy (main exposure, assessed via the validated HLS-EU-Q16) and health-related institutional mistrust (main outcome, assessed via a new culturally adopted questionnaire comprising 11 items). Multiple linear regression was used to determine associations between the aforementioned factors, adjusting for educational attainment and other potential confounders.

Results
Exploratory factor analysis revealed 3 health-related institutional mistrust dimensions, towards: (a) governmental authorities and the media (i.e., the system), (b) doctors and other health professionals, and (c) the scientific community. Health literacy was negatively associated with all mistrust dimensions, with associations being particularly strong with mistrust towards the system (B, 95% CI per unit increase in the HL scale: -0.87, -1.58; -0.15) and the scientific community (-0.71, -1.11; -0.32). These association remained robust to adjustment for educational attainment and other sociodemographic factors.

Conclusions
Mistrust towards a perceived system, comprising the government and media, as well as towards the scientific community on health-related matters, is higher among individuals with low health literacy, irrespective of educational attainment. Enhancing health literacy could act as a novel target for public health approaches aiming to tackle health-related institutional mistrust.

Key messages
• Health-related institutional mistrust is a complex phenomenon, which appears to have different dimensions, relevant to the perceived system, health professionals, and the scientific community.
• Low health literacy is an independent predictor of health-related institutional mistrust, rendering it a novel target for attempts towards reversing this phenomenon and its adverse health consequences.
Youth voices: A participatory approach to promoting mental health literacy through digital means
Authors: Wright M , Reitegger F , Gasteiger-Klicpera B , Vidmar M , Veldin M , Borzucka-Sitkiewicz K 
Published: October 2024

Abstract

A concerning number of young people worldwide experience mental health challenges, often compounded by limited mental health literacy, such as a lack of knowledge about how to recognize mental disorders and strategies for seeking help (Cairns & Rossetto, 2019). Therefore, it is crucial to promote mental health literacy among youth. Due to the scarcity and often high cost of readily available mental health services, as well as concerns about anonymity, digital programs have become an alternative means of reaching youth. To this end, a digital prevention program was developed. The pivotal question now is how to effectively promote young people’s mental health literacy through digital means, more specifically: How to develop (1) evidence-based and (2) target group-specific content? To investigate these questions, two systematic reviews were conducted that analyzed a total of 65 digital evidence-based mental health programs. Since the active use of programs also depends on how suitable and appealing the content is for the target group, a participatory approach was chosen to actively involve the target group in the process of developing the program’s design and content. Therefore, four participatory workshops were conducted in Slovenia, Poland, and Austria, with 12-15-year-old students (N = 182). Selected results from the systematic reviews and cross-national results from the workshops will be presented. It was found that psychoeducation is an important and effective method for promoting mental health literacy among youth and that young people prefer this content to be delivered as briefly and concisely as possible, and in a multimodal format. The discussion will highlight key takeaways regarding the benefits and challenges of this approach, emphasizing the necessity of including student voices in the creation of psychoeducational content for a digital mental health program in order to highlight and recognize young people’s right to participate.

Key messages
• The value of youth participation - Involving young people in the development of content for a digital mental health literacy program is a means to increase its relevance and appeal to them.
• The intricacies of youth participation - Involving young people in the development of a digital mental health literacy program presents challenges that require careful consideration.
Efficacy of digital interventions for smoking prevention among children: a systematic review
Authors: Gianfredi V , Traverso L , Sgueglia A C , Barbati C , Bertuccio P , Odone A 
Published: October 2024

Abstract

Background
Smoking remains a leading preventable cause of morbidity and mortality globally, with initiation often occurring in childhood. Early smoking onset is linked to increased difficulty in quitting and higher risk of long-term health complications. Traditional prevention strategies have not fully succeeded in curbing youth smoking rates, highlighting the need for innovative approaches. Digital interventions (DI), such as gamified education, social media campaigns, and virtual reality, offer a novel avenue for engagement and education. This systematic review aims to assess the efficacy of DI in preventing smoking, and improving knowledge and awareness about smoking damages, among children. This review is part of the PRIN project, whose goal is to evaluate the effectiveness of a DI aimed at school-aged children, intended to increase knowledge about the negative effects of smoking and prevent its use.

Methods
On the 18th of March 2024, PubMed, Scopus, and PsycINFO were surfed for trials and observational studies evaluating DI for smoking prevention among children aged 6-12 years. Study quality will be evaluated using the Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool and New Castle-Ottawa scale. The protocol has been registered in PROSPERO.

Results
From 3,081 initially identified articles, 328 papers were removed because duplicate. The screening process is ongoing.

Conclusions
DI are a promising tool for engaging young populations through platforms they are familiar with and receptive to. By leveraging the high penetration of digital technology in the daily lives of children, these interventions have the potential to deliver smoking prevention messages in a compelling and interactive manner. Understanding the effectiveness of DI in smoking prevention can significantly contribute to public health by providing viable alternatives to traditional methods and potentially reducing future smoking-related health burdens.

Key messages
• Evaluating digital strategies for smoking prevention among children could offer vital alternatives to traditional methods, potentially reducing long-term health risks.
• Digital interventions (DI) offer promising new ways to engage young audiences on smoking prevention using familiar platforms, potentially reshaping public health approaches.
Educational and communication strategies to promote HPV vaccination: A Systematic Review
Authors: D’Ambrosio F , Sezzatini R , Nisticò A , Maida A , Bucciardini R , Calabrò G E 
Published: October 2024

Abstract

Background
Despite the evidence supporting the value of vaccination, Cervical Cancer (CC) and HPV-related diseases still represents a public health challenge, requiring international efforts to address all barriers that can reduce vaccine acceptance and equitable uptake. In this context, implementing interventions aimed at enhancing knowledge levels within target populations emerges as a crucial approach to improve vaccination coverage. Thus, this study conducted within the PERCH project (PartnERship to Contrast HPV), aimed to explore all educational interventions/communication strategies adopted at the international level to improve HPV vaccine uptake.

Methods
A systematic literature review was conducted by querying three databases from July 1, 2006 (the time of the first HPV vaccine licensure) to January 30, 2024. It included studies focused on educational interventions/communication strategies adopted by healthcare providers (HCPs) targeting the World Health Organization (WHO)-recommended population for HPV vaccination, as well as parents, caregivers, teachers, and other influential individuals involved in vaccination decision-making.

Results
Overall, 16 studies were considered, with 68.7% (11/16) focusing on educational initiatives and 50% (8/16) on communication strategies. Regarding the target population, 19% (3/16) involved parents/caregivers, 25% (4/16) included both parents and adolescents, and the remaining 56% (9/16) targeted adolescents/young adults. Videos were the most commonly used channel for both types of interventions (54%), followed by informative materials (31%), person-to-person solicitation (17%), social media (15%) and slide presentations (23%).

Conclusions
Understanding the strengths and weaknesses in HPV knowledge and communication is crucial for developing effective, tailored strategies to disseminate reliable information and promote evidence-based knowledge, thereby implementing high-value healthcare.

Key messages
• Effective communication of vaccination’s value to stakeholders is essential for informing health policies, guiding best practices, and countering misinformation.
• Further research is needed to develop interventions that effectively increase HPV vaccine acceptance, aligning with the WHO’s goals to eliminate CC and HPV-related diseases.
Asking to thrive: structures supporting young men’s behavioural health in Belfast, Northern Ireland
Authors: Morse A , Higgins K 
Published: October 2024

Abstract

Background
Men in Northern Ireland are three times more likely to die by suicide and psychiatric morbidity is significantly higher than for the United Kingdom overall, in part due to the Troubles, a 30-year conflict during which there were 34,000 shootings, 14,000 bombings, and 3,500 deaths. Prior studies suggest strong friendships and high collective efficacy in communities are protective against suicide and self-harm in adolescents and that inquiring about supportive people and structures directly-rather than through parental intermediaries-yields more accurate responses.

Methods
Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 30 adolescent males aged 16-19 from working-class communities across Belfast. Participants were recruited via trusted community partners and often had experiences with sectarianism and restorative justice. A deductive thematic analysis was conducted of interview transcripts, supplemented by responses to the Self-Harm Inventory and a modified Collective Efficacy Scale. Analyses were completed in NVivo and RStudio.

Results
In addition to male peer friendships in which they could share confidences, participants strongly endorsed the value of youth work organisations as keystones in supporting not only their own behavioural health through positive modelling but also the reduction of antisocial and sectarian behaviours in their communities. Participants named specific aspects of these structures they found most useful, including demonstrating “masculine success” though community engagement and family life, providing a safe venue for socialising, and delivering restorative justice programming.

Conclusions
Findings from this study suggest that youth work programming is an important component of both adolescent behavioural health promotion and community safety through the reduction of sectarian and other antisocial behaviours. Participants expressed dismay at the reduction of these services and endorsed both their personal and wider community importance.

Key messages
• Youth workers may provide valuable positive modelling and behavioural health support to the young men.
• Youth work programmes may function both for behavioural health promotion and community violence reduction in Belfast, Northern Ireland.
Improving health workers’ well-being in Cittadella Hospital (Province of Padua)
Authors: Tikvina S , Zilli E , Bonaldo D , Varotto M , Bevilacqua S , Calzavara A , Madia A , Ruffatto A 
Published: October 2024

Abstract

Issue
A healthy workplace increases productivity, creativity and decreases absenteeism and turn-over. It also contributes to creating a more secure work environment with fewer risks of violence. In the past 3 years, the healthcare system has suffered the psychological, economic and social consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic. On the other hand, the healthcare staff reductions determine high levels of work related stress that are often unsustainable.

Description
In an effort to improve staff well-being, in the Hospital of Cittadella, which counts nearly 1,250 employees, a wide range of activities have been initiated. A questionnaire was submitted to the hospital’s staff and the results showed that nearly 10% of workers had experienced physical symptomatology related to work. The most commonly experienced symptoms included: anxiety, nervousness, headache, stomach ache, excessive fatigue and insomnia. Participants also indicated feeling excessive mental fatigue and emotional overload at the end of their work shift.

Results
Psychomotor practice, held according to the Aucouturier method, is one of the projects intended especially for the staff operating in Intensive Care, Emergency and Pneumology Units. This method brings focus to controlled breathing, posture, muscle work and movement that help manage stress and fatigue. A Qigong course, which is an ancient Chinese practice designed to optimize the energy within the body reducing the stress levels and increasing general wellbeing, was held every two weeks for 5 months. And finally, Tibetan singing crystal bowls sessions consisted of monthly guided meditation sessions using the sounds of the crystal bowls.

Lessons
In conclusion, well-being and organizational performance are closely related to each other. It is crucial for any organization to encourage and maintain better physical and mental health of the healthcare staff as it directly affects productivity and consequently user’s satisfaction of the services provided.

Key messages
• Stress management is important amongst healthcare professionals as they are continuously exposed to different job stressors.
• Promoting self awareness and self care can help create a healthier work environment.