bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Factors that influence the need for mental health services for older adults in Europe
Authors: Pasupathy R , Hossein R , Queen C 
Published: October 2024

Abstract

Background
Mental health is an integral component of health, and affects close to a 100 million Europeans. Little is known about the predictors of older adult’s mental health demand among health systems in European countries. This study is based on the Andersen’s Behavior Model, that predicts that predisposing characteristics, enabling factors, and behavioral factors, influence need or demand factors of healthcare services.

Aim
This study has two overall objectives: (i) to investigate the determinants of older adults’ mental health services demand; and (ii) examine the relationship between predisposing characteristics, and enabling resources, with services demand.

Methods
Data from Wave 9, of the of the cross-national panel dataset of the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe (SHARE) were examined using a sample of 47, 345 older adults.
Analysis: The Omnibus test was used to evaluate the fit model and Multinomial Logistics Regression were performed to test the null hypothesis that predisposing characteristics, enabling resources, and behavioral factors are not predictors of need or demand.

Findings
Predisposing characteristics such as gender (b=-.43, s.e.=.017, p&lt;.001) and age (b=-1.96, s.e.=2.2, p&lt;.001), and enabling factors such as homecare (b = 2.40, s.e.=0.1, p&lt;.001), social support (b=-.26, s.e.=0.012, p&lt;.001), financial support receiving (b=.51, s.e.=.086, p&lt;.001), income (b=.09, s.e.=.009, p&lt;.001), and behavioral factors such as use of technology are predictors of mental health services need or demand [Chi-Square= 3319.58, df = 15 and p &lt;.001].

Implications for Policy and Practice
Initiatives for the care of older adults should not only aim to increase access to care services for sub populations such as older adults with mental health but also consider enabling resources such as financial and social support and behavioral factors such as use of technology.

Key messages
• Demand for mental health services for older adults are influenced by predisposing, enabling and behavioral factors.
• Investing in financial services, social support and technology may reduce the demand for mental health services among older adults.
Social Infrastructure and Organizational Resilience - A Theoretical Model
Authors: Pfaff H 
Published: October 2024

Abstract

Background
Considering resilience as a necessity for health care organisations (HCOs), many researchers argue that fluidity is a must and that organisational structures (formal and informal) hinder the adaptability and resilience of health care organisations. Contrary to this statement, my thesis posits that fundamental adaptive processes leading to new equilibria depend on a stable core that persists amidst change, enabling and catalysing these transformations.

Methods
The phenomenon of resilience within healthcare organisations is examined through the lens of sociological systems theory. Rooted in Talcott Parsons’ assertion that social systems, including healthcare organisations, must perform four basic functions (Adaptation, Goal Achievement, Integration, Latency: AGIL) to survive and function, our research uses the deductive method to derive the necessary structural social components required to cope with external demands.

Results
The application of the methods yields four complex basic structures rooted in the social structure of healthcare organisations: adaptive structures (flexible structures & resource generating structures), goal achievement structures (governance enabling collective goal setting, decision making and persistence), integrative structures (social capital and social networks) and sustainability structures (socialisation structure, knowledge base, organisational culture).

Conclusions
As the core of stability, this ‘four-component social infrastructure’ is essential for facilitating higher-order forms of resilience, such as new equilibria. In its absence, healthcare organisations would flounder during change, posing risks to the resilience of these HCOs. Thus, structure is indeed inherent in the chaos of resilience activities. In other words, there is order in the chaos of resilience, and it is essential.

Key messages
• Fundamental adaptive processes leading to new equilibria depend on a stable core that persists amidst change, enabling and catalysing these transformations.
• There is order and structure in the chaos of resilience.
Living alone and care levels’ distribution in first-time recipients of long-term care in Germany
Authors: Haeger C , Schnitzer S , Baldenius T , Jürchott K , Kuhlmey A , Schwinger A , Blüher S 
Published: October 2024

Abstract

Background
As demographic shifts occur, along with longer life expectancies and advancements in medical care, there is a noticeable rise in the population requiring long-term care. In Germany, the Medical Service oversees the assessment for long-term care needs, which specifically evaluates the extent of limitations in maintaining independent living. These limitations are categorized into care levels ranging from 1 (indicating minor limitations) to 5 (denoting the most severe limitations).

Methods
Data from the long-term care assessment conducted nationwide in Germany are utilized for the analysis presented. The study focuses on individuals aged 60 and above with a first-time recognition of need of long-term care. Descriptive analysis is conducted on the distribution of care levels and living arrangements.

Results
The analysis encompassed 339,486 individuals, with an average age of 79.6 years (standard deviation: 8.4), of whom 59.0% were female. Approximately half of the sample were categorized under care level 2, while 32.4% fell into care level 1. Higher care levels (3-5) were less frequent (16.2%, 4.8%, 1.7% respectively). Individuals living alone were predominantly found in the lower care levels, whereas those not living alone were more commonly represented in care levels 3-5. Additionally, older individuals were more frequently assigned higher care levels.

Conclusions
Over 75% of initial applicants are classified within the lowest care levels (1 and 2) with a higher proportion of those living alone. One possible explanation is that within partnerships, the presence of a partner may serve as a form of support during the early phases of long-term care, with external assistance becoming necessary only as care needs escalate to higher levels. Further research should focus on examining the role of living alone in the need for long-term care.

Key messages
• Initial applicants of long-term care in Germany living alone are more often classified in lower care levels (indicating minor limitations) than in higher care levels (indicating severe limitation).
• Partnerships may delay higher long-term care needs; research should explore living alone’s impact on long-term care.
Optimizing vaccination to reduce waste and boost coverage in Primary Health Care Units
Authors: Ribeiro D , Schimdt D , Rangel M 
Published: October 2024

Abstract

Background
In immunization, vaccine consumption typically exceeds the number of recipients. The number of doses per vial influences wastage and vaccination coverage goals. In Brazil, 48% of the National Immunization Program’s vaccines are multidose, with 4 having limited shelf-life post-opening. Strategies to reduce wastage aim to optimize dose utilization, enhance process quality, and broaden coverage effectiveness. The objective was to outline strategies for reducing wastage and expanding coverage for children under 5 in 14 São Paulo city Primary Health Care Units (PHCUs).

Methods
The Lean Six Sigma approach guided the stages. A group conducted contextual analysis to identify PHCU barriers. Data on wasted doses and vaccination were gathered. Weekly meetings for data analysis began in May 2023, following DMAIC phases: Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve, Control. An action plan stemmed from these phases for PHCU implementation.

Results
Data analysis, from January 2022 to June 2023, revealed a significant vaccine wastage trend, reaching 59% from January to December 2022 and increasing to 63% from January to June 2023. This wastage incurs an average annual cost of R$614,416.26, due to lost doses from expiration after vial opening and expiration of shelf life. The vaccines analyzed were BCG, Oral Polio Vaccine (OPV), Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR), and Yellow Fever. At the project start in May 2023, vaccination coverage was 90%, increasing to 93% afterward. This rise resulted from actions taken and improved data monitoring. Post-project, vaccine wastage reduced by 7 percentage points (from 62% to 56%).

Conclusions
Addressing vaccine wastage and expanding vaccination coverage for children under 5 are critical in healthcare. Utilizing Lean Six Sigma, key issues in PHCUs were identified, leading to an action plan that reduced wastage, increased coverage, and standardized processes.

Key messages
• Vaccines are valuable resources and wasting them means reducing financial resources in health.
• Vaccination coverage is crucial to protect the population’s health, prevent disease outbreaks, and maintain the country’s economic health, reducing costs for treating preventable diseases.
Systematic review of reviews: occupational exposures and work disability
Authors: Salonen L , Hartikainen E , Undem K , Solovieva S 
Published: October 2024

Abstract

Background
Occupational exposures significantly impact workers’ health and may lead to temporary or permanent work absence. Although the effect of occupational exposures on work participation has been studied extensively, research remains fragmented in covering different exposures and outcomes. This review investigates the evidence on the associations between occupational exposures and work disability.

Methods
Following PRISMA guidelines, a systematic review of reviews was conducted using PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science. Reviews and meta-analyses of observational studies examining associations between occupational exposures and self- or physician-assessed sickness absence or disability retirement, published until 2023, were included. The review findings were supplemented with an additional search for original studies published after 2012 focusing on exposures less covered by the reviews. Quality assessment was performed using AMSTAR and the NH quality assessment tools.

Results
A total of 21 reviews and meta-analyses and 35 complementing original studies were included. While 10 reviews covered psychosocial exposures and 19 reviews focused on temporary work disability, fewer examined other exposures like chemicals (3 reviews, 7 original studies) or permanent work disability (8 reviews, 17 original studies). Next, we’ll further synthesize these studies to evaluate the levels of the evidence.

Conclusions
Our review found that published studies primarily focused on work-related psychosocial exposures and temporary work disability, revealing gaps in research on other occupational exposures like chemicals and permanent work disability.

Key messages
• There’s a need to explore a wider range of occupational exposures and their impact on work disability beyond psychosocial exposures.
• The focus of prior reviews on occupational exposures and temporary work disability underscores the importance of studying the impact of these exposures on permanent work disability in future research.
Mental health literacy in German teachers – What do they know? What do they need?
Authors: Piloth J , Edelmann A , Eppelmann L , Wessa M 
Published: October 2024

Abstract

Background
Preventing mental health problems and promoting mental wellbeing is the aim of school-based mental health literacy (MHL) programs. Previous research suggests that good MHL (knowledge and skills regarding mental health, resilience, and help-seeking) helps people to take good care of their own and others’ mental health and use support-services. In this context the MHL of teachers is highly relevant, as they act as role models and interact with affected pupils on a regular basis, for which certain knowledge and skills are necessary. In this study, we therefore seek to investigate the level of MHL in German high-school teachers as well as their exposure to impaired students and their desire for further education on pupils’ mental health.

Methods
The data are collected as part of an effectiveness study of a school-based intervention to strengthen MHL (BEWARE), which was developed by our working group. We collect data from teachers who are involved in BEWARE as coaches as well as from those not directly involved (n ≈ 300). Data collection takes place online at three measurement timepoints (6 months apart each). For the analysis presented here, data of the first measurement timepoint with respect to MHL, skills in handling affected students and wishes for additional education on pupils’ mental health are included.

Results
As the data collection is still ongoing, statistical analyses are not yet completed. We will present data on the current state of knowledge on MHL in German teachers as well as their abilities to deal with affected pupils and their wish for further education. In addition, we will relate the number of affected pupils they teach to depict the relevance in their daily life at school to the above-mentioned measures.

Conclusions
The acquired data and respective analyses will give us important insights about the objective and subjective need of MHL training in schoolteachers (based on assessed knowledge and their reported wish of additional education).

Key messages
• Our study will give us important insights about the objective need of MHL training in high-school teachers based on assessed knowledge.
• Our results will depict which formats of training teachers would prefer for additional education on pupils’ mental health, which will be a valuable basis for the development of future programs.
Public Health Literacy: a concept to develop – Qualitative study among public health professionals
Authors: Noureddine R , Arsandaux J , Hardouin J B 
Published: October 2024

Abstract

Background
Health literacy can be defined as individuals’ motivation and skills to access, understand, evaluate, and utilize information to make decisions about their health. Despite Sorensen’s widely used definition encompassing both individual and population levels, also known as Public Health Literacy, it remains poorly detailed and is rarely taken into account by measurement tools. As evidenced by the Covid-19 health crisis, limited public health literacy impacts reluctance to accept government recommendations, vaccine hesitancy, and fosters mistrust of science and conspiracy theories in the health field. The main objective of this study was to derive specific public health knowledge and skills from public health professionals for the general population constituted the first step of the development of a public health literacy measurement tools.

Methods
A qualitative study, based on ten semi-structured interviews with public health professionals from various settings (academic, hospital, health prevention, and promotion), working across various public health fields (nutrition, sexual health, mental health), has been conducted since March 2024.

Results
Preliminary analysis identified three main themes: (1) fundamental concepts including identification of health determinants, epidemiology and the purpose of public health interventions, (2) critical skills including the assessment of the level of evidence and reliability of public health information, and (3) civic orientation including environmental impact on health and community approach to interventions.

Conclusions
These detailed insights will guide the creation of a valid measurement tool for public health literacy. This will facilitate the investigation of specific impacts on people’s adherence to public health interventions or messages and the development of actions targeting literacy in a more holistic manner.

Key messages
• Specific public health dimensions have been identified to enrich the existed definition of health literacy.
• Public health concepts, reliability of public health information and community approach constitute the core of public health literacy.
Mental Health Arts Festival as a tool for mental health promotion
Authors: Zakarauskaite K , Jakubauskiene M 
Published: October 2024

Abstract

Background of the problem
1 in 4 people experience mental health problems each year, and that number is only growing. Stigma and discrimination of mental health are widespread and affect the quality of life at the individual and societal level. The WHO identifies mental health arts festivals as an effective way to reduce stigma and improve mental health.

Description of the problem
We are not comfortable talking about mental health difficulties and the care we need. Consequently, individuals often withhold personal experiences to shield themselves from potential bias and harsh judgement.

Methodology
The Mental Health Arts Festival (MHAF) Bonds https://www.rysiaifest.lt/, https://www.facebook.com/Rysiaifest) seeks to contribute to the human rights based mental health knowledge creation across the partner organisations, involved communities and audiences, as well as contribute to local creation of artworks on the topic of mental health in open, accessible, safe space where every voice matters. The biannual MHAF brings together recognised artists, arts institutions, scientists, policy makers and communities of people with mental health issues (over 80 events, attracting about 4,500 spectators) for group exhibition, films, contemporary dance and live performances, literary readings, open microphones, followed by discussions and workshops. Qualitative study methodology is applied to assess the potential impacts of the MHAF.

Lessons
• Visual identity that seeks to challenge existing stigmatising views.
• The festival has become the production or premier place of new artworks on the topics of mental health, spanning addiction, war-related trauma, transgenerational trauma, neurodiversity.

Key messages
• Mental health arts festivals promote mental health literacy and reduce negative attitudes towards health-seeking behaviour.
• Art festivals should be an integral part of national programs to address stigma and promote mental health and well-being.
Leveraging Social Marketing to Increase Vaccination Rates: A Systematic Review
Authors: Chong CZY , Chong RJR , Chng JJH 
Published: October 2024

Abstract

Introduction
Vaccinations are crucial for protecting individuals from preventable diseases, serving as a cornerstone of public health, safeguarding entire populations. Low vaccination rates can have devastating consequences, leading to outbreaks of preventable diseases. Social marketing has had an increasing role to play in public health. This systematic review seeks to investigate social marketing effectiveness in boosting vaccination adherence.

Methods
A literature search was conducted in PubMed, Scopus and Cochrane Library, using keywords “social marketing”, ‘campaigns”, “vaccination”, “vaccination uptake”. The search was limited to English-language studies, including studies discussing social marketing campaigns and its impact on vaccination uptake. Prior to inclusion, the studies were evaluated for relevance and applicability to the research question. Included studies were analysed for methodology, sample size, data collection methods, and key findings.

Results
Of 198 articles identified, 26 studies met inclusion criteria. All studies reported demonstrable improvement in vaccination adherence and hence higher vaccination rates with the use of social marketing campaigns. Targeted messaging on social media allows communication to be tailored to specific demographics and address their unique concerns. Community engagement combats vaccine hesitancy by dismantling misinformation and rebuilding trust. Additionally, these campaigns leverage social influence and mobilise communities to cultivate pro-vaccine attitudes. By addressing personal choice, knowledge gaps, and hesitancy, social marketing paves the way for greater vaccination uptake.

Conclusions
Social marketing has been proven to be an effective tool in promoting vaccination adherence in public health. As vaccination remains a critical aspect of public health, the continued use of social marketing interventions is essential for improving vaccination rates and ultimately enhancing overall population health.

Key messages
• Social marketing campaigns lead to higher vaccination rates across various populations.
• By addressing vaccine hesitancy, social marketing paves the way for increased vaccination uptake.
Characteristics of users of oral nicotine products according to smoking status in Denmark
Authors: Toxvaerd C , Pisinger C , Bergman Rasmussen S , Juel Lau C , Helene Jacobsen M , Gøtzche N , Holm Eliasen M 
Published: October 2024

Abstract

Background
Oral nicotine products e.g., snus, chewing tobacco, and tobacco-free nicotine pouches gain increasing popularity. The aim of the study was to estimate the prevalence of use of oral nicotine products in the Capital Region of Denmark in 2021, to describe associations with socio-demographic characteristics and to explore if smoking status moderated these associations.

Methods
The study was based on the Danish Capital Region Health Survey 2021 including 56,245 persons aged ≥16 years old (response rate 54.9%) which included self-reported information on use of oral nicotine products and smoking status. Information on socio-demographic characteristics were assessed in national registries. Descriptive analyses and multivariate logistic regression models including interaction terms with smoking status and weighted for survey-sampling and non-response were performed.

Results
In total, 3.5% used oral nicotine products. Men showed higher odds of using oral nicotine products compared with woman (OR = 3.70) while there were no associations with education and occupational affiliation when adjusted for sex and age. The associations with age and place of residence were moderated by smoking status. Among smoking participants, young persons aged 16-19 years showed the strongest association with use of oral nicotine products (sex-adjusted OR = 21.71) while persons aged 20-24 years showed the strongest association in non-smoking participants (OR = 11.08).

Conclusions
Especially men and young age were strongly associated with use of oral nicotine products. For age, the association was moderated by smoking status. Interventions should address these high-risk groups and pay attention to smoking status.

Key messages
• Sex and age play a siginificant role in use of oral nicotine products.
• Interventions and public health campagins should adress high-risk groups