bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Do poor psychosocial resources mediate health inequalities in type 2 diabetes? The Maastricht Study
Authors: Sezer B , Albers J , Meisters R , Schram M T , Koehler S , Stehouwer C , Koster A , Bosma H 
Published: October 2024

Abstract

Low socioeconomic position (SEP) has been identified as a risk factor for type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). A potential pathway of this association is psychosocial resources. Disadvantageous environmental conditions result in low control beliefs through adverse resources and inferiority beliefs through social comparison for people with a low SEP. We examined two poor psychosocial resources, low control beliefs and inferiority beliefs, to explain socioeconomic inequalities in T2DM. We analysed mediating roles of low control beliefs and inferiority beliefs by using counterfactual mediation analysis. 8293 participants aged 40-75 living in Limburg, the Netherlands participated in The Maastricht Study starting from September 2010 to October 2020 and were followed up to 10 years with annual questionnaires with a median follow-up time of 7.18 years. SEP (education, income, occupation), control and inferiority beliefs, and (pre)diabetes by oral glucose tolerance test were measured at baseline. Incident T2DM was self-reported per annum. 3.2%(N = 203) of the participants without T2DM at baseline reported incident T2DM. People with low SEP had more often prevalent and incident T2DM (e.g., low education:HR=2.13, 95%CI:1.53-2.97). Lower control beliefs and higher inferiority beliefs were more common among people with low SEP than people with high SEP. Moreover, lower control beliefs and higher inferiority beliefs were risk factors for T2DM (e.g., low control beliefs: HR = 1.50, 95%CI:1.08-2.09). The relationship between SEP and T2DM was partially mediated by control beliefs (7.98-13.56%) and inferiority beliefs (2.16-4.53%). Poor psychosocial resources are important in socioeconomic inequalities in diabetes. Researchers and practitioners should consider the psychosocial profile of people with lower SEP might differ from those with higher SEP and this might interfere with the development, treatment, and prevention of T2DM. We should aim to work with such beliefs, instead of against it.

Key messages
• Socioeconomic health inequalities in diabetes has many underlying mechanism including psychosocial pathways.
• Interventions and research should consider the different environment of low SEP and psychosocial profiles of people. We should aim to work with it, instead of against it.
Sexual harassment among higher education students: a worldwide review
Authors: Telfils R , Ladner J , Tavolacci M P 
Published: October 2024

Abstract

Introduction
Sexual harassment is an uprising problem in higher education systems worldwide with major impacts on students. The aim of this study was to describe and meta-analyze quantitative data on sexual harassment prevalence among higher education students.

Methods
We searched in seven databases and included studies published in English and French from 2000 until 2023 if they measured sexual harassment prevalence on students attending higher education, and they were quantitative cross-sectional studies. Prevalence estimates disaggregated by gender identity, and world region were meta-analyzed using a random-effects model and reported following PRISMA guidance.

Results
We identified 53 articles, from 6 different regions of the world, with highly variable sample sizes, ranging from 164 to 779,170. 45% of the samples were from the United States. 32% of studies used convenience or purposive sampling and 39% random sampling. The meta-analyzed prevalence of sexual harassment was globally 36.9% (95% CI [30.6, 43.6], 43.7% for women, 16.8% for men, 33.4% for non-binary. In additional, variations in prevalence were observed across the different world regions. In particular, the Eastern Mediterranean region presented the highest prevalence estimates for sexual harassment among women, reaching 67.5%, while the Americas region presented the highest prevalence estimates for sexual harassment among men, at 18.8%.

Discussions
Higher education institutions, especially in low- and middle-income countries, should commit to the conduct of surveys to monitor the prevalence of sexual harassment, and policymakers should allocate specific funds and resources to support the implementation of sexual harassment prevention and intervention initiatives in higher education, prioritizing the safety and well-being of students.

Key messages
• High prevalence of sexual harassment in higher education underscores urgent need for proactive measures to ensure student safety and well-being.
• Policymakers should allocate specific funds and resources to support the implementation of SH prevention and intervention initiatives in higher education.
Leishmaniasis in Tuscany: investigation of hidden human cases and comparison with canine incidence
Authors: Cosma C , Del Riccio M , Loretti E , Infantino M , Manfredi M , Veneziani F , Innocenti F , Casprini P , Voller F , Bonaccorsi G 
Published: October 2024

Abstract

The Mediterranean basin hosts endemic areas for leishmaniasis, mainly attributable to the presence of sand flies. Leishmaniasis has gained importance in Europe due to climate change, globalisation and migration. For at least the last 10 years in Tuscany, Italy, there has been an important discrepancy between official notifications of visceral and cutaneous leishmaniasis cases in humans and the number of hospital admissions, highlighting an important underestimation, despite mandatory notification. Moreover, official reports have increased alarmingly in the last three years. Human leishmaniasis does not always require hospitalisation: it often presents cutaneous manifestations, whereas in the immunocompetent individual it may not occur at all. For this reason, it is reasonable to assume that the number of cases is higher than the number of hospitalisations. The project aims to investigate the underreporting of human leishmaniasis cases from 2014 to 2023 by analysing laboratory diagnoses (considering any laboratory test that, according to the Italian Ministry of Health guidelines, is useful to identify a ‘confirmed case’, thus serological tests; parasitological tests; culture tests; PCR). To estimate the extent of underreporting, the capture-recapture method will be used, taking into account laboratory data, official reports and hospital data. Subsequently, a comparison will be made with the incidence, in the same territory, of veterinary cases, particularly in dogs, using data obtained from the Lazio-Tuscany Zooprophylactic Institute, to compare the trend of human and canine cases over time. Analyses are in progress and the results will be presented at the conference. Poor surveillance leads to ineffective prevention policies. The impact of the project is to strengthen the leishmaniasis surveillance system in Tuscany in order to reinforce prevention systems and face emergencies.

Key messages
• Due to climate change, globalization, and migration, there has been an increase in diagnoses of vector-borne diseases, including Leishmaniasis.
• Leishmaniasis surveillance need to be strengthened in order to enhance prevention systems and address emergencies.
Asbestos is still paid for dearly
Authors: Guerreschi E M , Dragoni L , Sisinni A G , Fabrizi S , Miceli G B , Nante N 
Published: October 2024

Abstract

Background
In Italy, asbestos is a current and important problem in terms of health effects due to the long latency of diseases related to its exposure. The aim of the study is to analyze the case history of malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) in the University Hospital of Siena in the period 2019-2023, comparing the type of exposure (occupational/non-occupational), the mean conventional latencies (MCL) of diagnosis, the histotype and the most exposed categories.

Methods
The study was conducted from January to April 2024, on 69 patients (79.7% male and 20.3% female) with a diagnosis of pleural mesothelioma between 2019 and 2023. 48 patients lived in Tuscany and 21 outside the region. The data were collected by consulting the medical surveillance records and radiological images through the VuePacs platform, then organized in a filtered database.

Results
Of 69 patients, exposure was occupational in 54 cases and non-occupational in the remaining 15. In patients with occupational exposure, the MCL was 55.9 years and the mean age at diagnosis was 73.66 years; in the other group, the MCL was 47.3 years and the mean age at diagnosis was 66.8. The study revealed the prevalence of epithelioid histotype in 76.81% of cases, biphasic in 15.94% of cases and sarcomatoid in 7.25%. The most at-risk categories were: metalworking (10 cases), construction (8), electricity/gas production (6) and shipyards (4). The study also identified two cases of atypical occupational exposure.

Conclusions
The shorter average latency in cases with non-occupational exposure is in accordance with the current scientific literature, as well as the prevalence of epithelioid histotype. Are hereby confirmed the primary role of health surveillance in the in-depth investigation of occupational anamnesis and of the environmental sites’ survey as prevention tool, especially in those cases of MPM whose evaluation, deviating from the exposure standards, could lead to the assignment of a misdiagnosed exposure.

Key messages
• The effects of asbestos exposure are a current and important problem in our country, even after its disposal, due to the long latency of disease onset.
• In-Department investigation of occupational anamnesis and survey of environmental sites as prevention tool play an essential role in MPM evaluation, especially in those cases of atypical exposure.
Risk Scores for Five Early Life Domains and Odds of Obesity and Hypertension Comorbidity
Authors: Stannard S , Berrington A , Ziauddeen N , Owen R K , Fraser SDS , Paranjothy S , Hoyle R B , Alwan N A 
Published: October 2024

Abstract

Background
For outcomes such as obesity and hypertension, determinants are likely to be complex and multidimensional. Therefore, to design realistic interventions, epidemiological research should incorporate information from multiple risk exposure domains to assess the effect on health. In this paper we explore risk scores for five early life domains and odds of obesity and hypertension comorbidity.

Methods
We used data from 17,196 participants in the 1970 British Cohort Study. The outcome was obesity (BMI of ≥ 30) and hypertension (blood pressure&gt;140/90mm Hg or self-reported doctor’s diagnosis) comorbidity at age 46. Early life domains included: ‘prenatal, antenatal, neonatal and birth’, ‘developmental attributes and behaviour’, ‘child education and academic ability’, ‘socioeconomic factors’ and ‘parental and family environment’. Stepwise backward elimination selected variables for inclusion for each domain. Predicted risk scores of obesity and hypertension for each cohort member within each domain were calculated. Logistic regression investigated the association between domain-specific risk scores and odds of obesity-hypertension, controlling for demographic factors and other domains.

Results
In unadjusted models, higher domain-specific risk scores were associated with increased odds of obesity-hypertension comorbidity. In adjusted analyses, higher domain-specific risk scores remained associated with increased odds of obesity-hypertension comorbidity, with the strongest associations to the parental and family environment domain (OR1.11 95%CI 1.05-1.18) and the socioeconomic factors domain (OR1.11 95%CI 1.05-1.17).

Conclusions
Appropriate modelling choices of combined effects of early-life risk factors need to be explored and tested. Targeted prevention interventions aimed at population groups with shared early-life characteristics could have an impact on cardiovascular risk in adulthood.

Key messages
• Targeted prevention interventions aimed at population groups with shared early-life characteristics could have an impact on obesity-hypertension prevalence.
• Appropriate modelling choices of combined effects of early-life risk factors need to be explored and tested.
Are answers affected by data collection on paper or online? The case of Belgian adolescents
Authors: Castetbon K , Momo Damo A , Mertens C , Holmberg E , Assakali W , Eggen M 
Published: October 2024

Abstract

Background
In the early 2000s, the prevalence estimations were compared in relation with the mode of data collection, i.e. paper or online. Following the widely spread routine use of connected devices, especially in adolescents, such a monitoring is of interest. Within the 2022 “Health Behaviour in school-aged children” survey in French-speaking primary and secondary schools of Belgium, those participating could choose between paper and online collection. Our objective was to compare a large set of indicators between the two modes after adjusting for the students’ characteristics.

Methods
After a two-stage random selection of schools and classes, 11,751 10-to-20-year-old adolescents completed the questionnaire either on paper or online. Descriptive analysis and comparisons were conducted using chi2 and multiple logistic regressions adjusted for the students’ sociodemographic characteristics that may vary according to the questionnaire mode.

Results
Overall, 54.9% of the questionnaires were completed online. The choice of the collection mode provided to the schools’ headteachers was associated with the adolescents’ characteristics. Those who completed the questionnaire online were more likely to be in secondary schools, in Wallonia, and of a more favourable socioeconomic profile. After adjustments, no difference in the indicators regarding health, well-being, substance use, or sleep duration was observed. Conversely, a difference was observed for screen time (internet ≥2h/weekday: 70.4% on paper vs. 72.3% online; adjusted P-value: 0.02), some food groups (daily vegetables: 51.2% vs. 58.0%; P-value&lt;0.001) and body weight status (overweight including obesity: 16.7% vs. 14.0%; P-value&lt;0.001).

Conclusions
In some circumstances such as data collection in the school setting, mixed modes are still necessary due to operational issues. While most indicators did not show a difference between online and paper collection, potential implications for others need to be further understood.

Key messages
• Collecting data through online or paper questionnaires does not lead to major differences in prevalence estimates.
• With the rise of online surveys, further assessment is required to understand the potential declaration biases.
A novel developed DGS can be used to identify gene loci that may be associated with osteoporosis
Authors: Su S-L 
Published: October 2024

Abstract

Purpose
Previous meta-analyses only examined the association between single gene polymorphisms and osteoporosis; there is no compilation of all gene loci that correlate with osteoporosis in the literature. In this study, we develop a new literature-based approach, a decisive gene strategy (DGS), to examine the sufficiency of the cumulative sample size for each gene locus and to assess whether a definite conclusion of the association between the gene locus and osteoporosis can be drawn.

Methods
The DGS was used to search PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane databases for all meta-analyses that correlated gene polymorphisms with osteoporosis. Trial sequential analysis was employed to examine the sufficiency of the cumulative sample size. Finally, we assessed the importance of gene loci in osteoporosis based on whether there were enough sample sizes and the heterogeneity of the literature with the I2 value.

Results
After excluding 169 irrelevant publications, 39 meta-analysis papers were obtained. Among Caucasians, in 17 gene loci, there were eight gene loci (e.g., vitamin D Receptor ApaI rs7975232) with sufficient cumulative sample size to confirm that they were unrelated to the disease. Among Asians, in 15 gene loci, four gene loci that had sufficient sample sizes were risk factors: VDR FokI rs2228570 (odds ratio (OR) = 1.44, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.22-1.70), TGF β1 rs1800470 (OR = 1.35, 95% CI = 1.10-1.65), IGF1 rs2288377 (OR = 1.44, 95% CI = 1.28-1.62), and IGF1 rs35767 (OR = 1.20, 95% CI = 1.06-1.36), respectively, whereas one gene locus, ESR2 RsaI rs1256049 (OR = 0.69, 95% CI = 0.59-0.81), was a protective factor.

Conclusions
The DGS successfully identified five gene loci in osteoporosis that will apply to other diseases to find causal genes, which may apply disease-related genes in clinical practice, and to provide appropriate disease prevention policies.

Key messages
• The DGS that will apply to other diseases to find causal genes.
• The DGS, which may apply disease-related genes in clinical practice, and to provide appropriate disease prevention policies.
Socioeconomic deprivation and tuberculosis in Germany: a longitudinal spatial analysis (2001–2022)
Authors: Oppenberg J , Rohleder S , Sauzet O , Bozorgmehr K 
Published: October 2024

Abstract

Background
Socioeconomic conditions may affect tuberculosis (TB) dynamics. We analyzed the relation between area-level socioeconomic deprivation and TB incidence in Germany between 2001-2022.

Methods
Using nationally representative data at the level of 400 German districts, we fitted generalized linear mixed models to assess the effect of socioeconomic deprivation on TB incidence controlling for age, sex, share of non-nationals population, share of refugees, geographic effects, location and time. We estimated crude and adjusted risk ratios (RR) and corresponding 95% Confidence Intervals (95%-CI) for socioeconomic deprivation quintiles (Q1-Q5), ranging from least (Q1) to most deprived (Q5) districts.

Results
Preliminary findings show that crude TB incidence risk was 7% higher (RR = 1.07, 95%-CI=1.04-1.09) in least (Q1) compared to most deprived areas (Q5). Districts with medium-low (Q2), medium (Q3), and medium-high (Q4) socioeconomic deprivation showed 1% higher (1.01, 0.98-1.03), 4% lower (0.96, 0.94-0.99) and 3% lower (0.97 0.94-1.00) risk, respectively, compared to the most deprived districts (Q5). Fully adjusted incidence risk was 6% lower for Q1 compared to Q5 (0.94, 0.86-1.02), while districts classified in quintiles Q2-Q4 showed 8% (0.92, 0.86-0.99), 6% (0.94, 0.88-1.01) and 3% (0.97, 0.92-1.02) lower risk compared to Q5, respectively.

Conclusions
The adjusted effect of area-level socioeconomic deprivation on the risk of TB incidence has been low in Germany. Not considering the assumed confounders leads to over-estimation of the association between area-level SES and TB. Future studies should explore further area-level or individual factors in order to better understand the spatial variation of TB incidence in Germany.

Key messages
• Area-level socioeconomic deprivation has a low effect on the risk of TB incidence across German districts.
• Further research is needed in order to better understand the spatial variation of TB incidence in Germany.
Collaborative efforts of the Joint Action PreventNCD and the WHO Europe to protect children from harmful marketing
Authors: Gregorio M J , Gabrijelcic M 
Published: October 2024

Abstract
Control and counter the effects of advertisements and online marketing is one of the policy actions that will be explored within the JA Prevent NCD that has the overall aim to “reduce the burden of cancer and other NCDs and common risk factors, both at a personal and societal level, and support member states by taking a holistic approach for the prevention of cancer and other NCDs, through coordinated action”. The work that will be building on the JA Best-ReMaP sustainability framework recommendations to improve the effective implementation of policies to reduce harmful marketing of unhealthy food, would at the same time comprehensively address also tobacco and alcohol maketing. Thirteen different countries are involved in the work package on regulation and taxation that has the overall objective to “improve compliance, coherence, wider implementation and enforcement of fiscal and regulative measures targeting major NCD-risks factors.” This includes a broad range of tasks from mapping existing policies and frameworks, accumulating knowledge on health taxes and fiscal policies, promoting the use of joint nutrient profile models, assessing the impact of labelling on products to create healthier behaviors, supporting the implementation of policies to reduce the impact of harmful marketing, strengthening regulations towards hazardous substances and developing monitoring indicators for policies for prevention of NCD. An overview of the concrete collaborative actions to support the implementation of the marketing regulation will be given: (1) on JA work with the MSs and especially presidency countries, to allow for the discussions on the development of the EU regulation for reduction of the harmful marketing; (2) on the EU stakeholders positions regarding marketing regulation; (3) on the collaborative actions in scaling up the KidAd app. (5) the development of an algorithm to detect alcohol, tobacco and nicotine-containing products will be jointly developed and piloted.
Inequalities in local funding cuts to environmental and regulatory service expenditure in England
Authors: Murrell L , Fahy K , Clough H E , Gibb R , Zhang X , Chattaway M , Green M A , Buchan I , Barr B , Hungerford D 
Published: October 2024

Abstract

Background
The financial crisis in 2008 has led to governments across Europe introducing austerity measures. England has experienced significant financial cuts to local authority (LA) services. Environmental and regulatory (ER) services provide key functions in public protection such as, Food Safety (FS) and Animal and Public Health Infectious Disease Control (APH), services which are key infectious disease resilience. Here we investigate inequalities in local funding cuts to ER services by socioeconomic deprivation, LA type, and urbanicity, and impact on key ER service indicators.

Methods
This ecological study uses longitudinal modelling techniques to analyse trends in ER expenditure since the introduction of austerity and the inequalities present. We use Generalised Estimating Equations to estimate the annual percent change of ER service expenditure, and FS and APH expenditure between 2009/10 and 2020/21 in relation to deprivation, LA type and population density. Quasi-Poisson regression is used to assess impact of cuts on ER service indicators.

Results
Areas of higher deprivation had the largest reduction in expenditure, with ER and FS and APH cuts of 2% and of 23% respectively, compared to a 1% and 8% reduction in the least deprived areas. The share of ER expenditure spent on FS and APH decreased by 13% in the most deprived authorities compared to 6% in the least deprived areas. London boroughs had the greatest reductions in FS and APH expenditure, decreasing by 10%. Both ER and FS and APH expenditure decreased with increasing population density. Preliminary analysis shows inequalities in food business hygiene ratings in addition to other key ER service indicators since the introduction of these cuts.

Conclusions
The unequal distribution of cuts shows the need for increased and equitable investment into these services to enable resilience to infectious disease threats, and to prevent widening of health inequalities.

Key messages
• This work provides strong evidence of inequalities in local funding cuts to ER services and highlights where investment should be focused, in order to protect environmental and public health.
• This work introduces the impact of local funding cuts on a vital public health service and lays the foundation for future work into the unequal impact of cuts to these services on health outcomes.