bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Mental health knowledge and help-seeking intention in Irish farmers
Authors: Firnhaber J , O'Connor S , Malone S , O'Shaughnessy B , McNamara J , Breslin G 
Published: October 2023

Abstract

Background
Despite farmers’ vulnerability to poor mental health and high suicide rates internationally, they are often reluctant to seek help. Available mental health services are ineffective unless farmers reach out and engage with them. Barriers such as stigmatizing beliefs, masculine norms and skepticism towards professional help often prevent help-seeking. The current study examined mental health literacy, help-seeking intention and attitudes towards seeking help in Irish farmers.

Methods
Irish adult farmers (N = 351) completed a cross-sectional survey online or in-person at farming events. The Multicomponent Mental Health Literacy scale, Mental Help-Seeking Intention Scale and Attitudes Toward Seeking Professional Psychological Help Short Form were used. Prevalence assessments and descriptive analyses were completed and non-parametric tests were used to examine the differences between age, gender, education, income and health issues.

Results
Many did not know how to contact a local clinic (53.8%), obtain suicide prevention hotline number (24.2%), where to get services (24.8%) or useful information on mental illness (21.8%). Farmers had low literacy (M = 17.8) and intentions to seek help (M = 13.1), with women displaying higher literacy (p&lt;.001, r=.17) and more positive attitudes towards help-seeking (p=.005, r=.15). Third level education was associated with higher literacy (p=.007, r=-.18) and positive attitudes to help-seeking (p=.024, r= -.12). Past help-seeking was associated with higher literacy (p=.043, r=.11) positive attitudes (p=.022, r=.12) and greater help-seeking intention (p=.028, r=.12). Those with mental health (p=.036, r=-.11) or substance use issues (p=.023, r=-.12) had lower help-seeking intention.

Conclusions
Farmers had low literacy and perceived significant barriers to help-seeking. Interventions targeting literacy, knowledge of, and access to health services are important, particularly for men and less-educated farmers.

Key messages
• Low literacy and knowledge of services prevents farmers from seeking help.
• Farmers, particularly those who are men or less educated, require urgent intervention targeting literacy.
Health literacy profiling of parents in two disadvantaged inner-city areas in the United Kingdom
Authors: Belfrage S , Faulkner J , Husted M , Fraser S , Patel S 
Published: October 2023

Abstract

Background
Health literacy refers to the ability to understand, access and use health information and services. Limited parental health literacy is associated with ineffective preventive behaviours and worse child health outcomes. Limited financial and social resources are associated with low health literacy. Profiling the health literacy strengths and limitations of individuals allows the multidimensional nature of health literacy to be considered and highlight patterns of need. This study aims to identify the health literacy profiles of parents using family hubs in two disadvantaged UK regions using the Optimising Health Literacy and Access framework.

Methods
A mixed method study using the Health Literacy Questionnaire Parent (HLQ-Parent) and semi-structured focus groups was conducted among parents attending family hubs or libraries in two cities. Hierarchical cluster analysis was conducted to identify clusters with varying health literacy strengths and needs based on the HLQ-Parent domains. Clusters were translated into health literacy profiles using HLQ-Parent patterns and demographic data. Then, using an explanatory sequential approach, vignettes were created to represent the different health literacy profiles.

Results
Participants’ (n = 175, age range 18-59 yrs., mean age 33 yrs., 98% female) lowest mean HLQ-Parent score in city 1 was present in domain 4 “Social support for health” and domain 2 “Having sufficient information to manage my child's health” in city 2. Eight clusters were identified each with unique health literacy profiles. Both cities had one cluster (44% of participants) scoring highly on all domains and one cluster (20% of participants) reported difficulties across all domains.

Conclusions
Eight distinct health literacy profiles were identified among parents attending family hubs. These profiles in vignette format will facilitate the co-design and co-development of parental health literacy interventions.

Key messages
• This study emphasises the health literacy challenges faced by parents in disadvantaged areas, and the potential barriers they face in navigating and using health services for their children.
• The vignettes developed in this study provide an authentic description of the health literacy profiles of parents in this context proving a promising starting point for co-designing interventions.
Nutrition-related competences in Austria - data from an Austria-wide survey
Authors: Schuetze D , Griebler R , Link T , Benedics J , Schindler K 
Published: October 2023

Abstract

Background
A healthy diet is a key factor in people's long-term health. The nutritional health literacy and food literacy of the population play a crucial role in this. In 2021, comprehensive data on these competences were collected for the first time in Austria.

Methods
Almost 3,000 people were surveyed online. Nutrition health literacy was assessed with the newly developed Nutrition Health Literacy Scale (NHL) and food literacy with the Self-Perceived Food Literacy Scale (SPFL). Scores and subscores were calculated. Associations between socio-demographic and socio-economic factors and the competences surveyed were assessed using t-tests, variance analysis, correlations and multivariate regression models.

Results
In terms of nutritional health literacy, respondents score an average of 60 out of 100 points, with judging (51 points) and applying (60 points) nutritional information being the most difficult. In the area of food literacy, respondents score an average of 62 out of 100 points. The most challenging areas are ‘choosing the healthier’ (44 points), ‘healthy snacking’ (52 points) and ‘healthy eating in exceptional circumstances’ (54 points). In both areas, men and people with less formal education score lower. In the case of nutritional health literacy, people aged 65 and over have greater difficulties. Conversely, this group performs better in the area of food literacy. Differences by income can only be seen for nutritional health literacy, to the detriment of low-income groups.

Conclusions
Possible options for action include the provision of quality-assured and target-group-specific information, the implementation of appropriate tools to facilitate the assessment of foods, and measures to strengthen assessment skills, digital health literacy, food and nutrition skills.

Key messages
• The survey showed that there is potential for improvement in both nutritional health literacy and food literacy.
• The biggest challenge is to evaluate and use nutritional information and to stick to a healthy diet without making exceptions.
PRALIMAP-CINECO Cohort: 10-year post-intervention weight trajectories of PRALIMAP-INES adolescents
Authors: Omorou A , Mannneville F , Langlois J , Böhme P , Beguinet M , Dosda A , Briançon S , Legrand K , Lecomte E , Spitz E 
Published: October 2023

Abstract

Background
Between 2012 and 2015, the PRALIMAP-INES trial was carried-out in the France including 1143 adolescents aged 13-18 years old and aimed at reducing weight social inequalities in adolescence. The main result showed that a proportionate universalism principle is an effective way to reduce weight social inequalities in adolescence. About 10 years later, the PRALIMAP-Cineco study aims to investigate the social, economic, educational and health trajectories among PRALIMAP-INES participants.

Methods
Young adults are contacted by clinical research team and invited to participate to the follow-up. If they agree, they are asked to complete a self-reported questionnaire (sociodemographic, diet, tobacco, alcohol, physical activity, sedentary behaviour, quality of life) and then invited to realise a medical visit for global check-up including weight measures.

Results
Inclusion is currently in progress and 248 participants are contacted (Male: 130, 52.4%). The mean BMI is 28.5±5.4 kg/m2, 40% of overweight and 30.7% obesity. Among overweight/obese adolescents, 80.1% remain overweight/obese (50.5% of overweight adolescents remain overweight while 67.6% of obese remain obese in adulthood) and 19.9% switch to normal weight in adulthood. No significant difference is observed between advantaged with standard intervention (81.3%) and less advantaged with strengthened intervention (80.7%) groups.

Conclusions
Post-intervention follow-up suggest that overweight/obesity in adolescence is strongly predictive of overweight/obesity in adulthood without differential trajectories according to socioeconomic status. It would be very interesting to investigate the profile of overweight adolescents who switch to normal to understand the determinants of this favourable trajectory.

Key messages
• Adolescents with overweight or obesity are more likely to be overweight or obese in adulthood confirming the need of early age public health prevention programmes.
• Lifelong prevention is also necessary to ensure more effective public policy.
University students’ skills and beliefs about the online learning during the quarantine in Greece
Authors: Andrie E , Kostaki E G , Sakellari E , Leontopoulou S , Lagiou A 
Published: October 2023

Abstract

Background
During the COVID-19 outbreak, all educational institutions worldwide, used online learning to support the public health response to this pandemic.

Objectives
To assess students’ beliefs and skills about online learning experience during COVID-19 pandemic of undergraduate students in Greece and to investigate which sociodemographic characteristics were associated with students’ beliefs and skills of online learning.

Methods
A 15-item questionnaire was administered to 1,103 undergraduate students at University of West Attica and University of Ioannina during 2021. The survey requested demographic and socioeconomic information and information related to online learning beliefs and skills during the COVID-19 pandemic. Factor analysis, estimation of factors’ reliability and validity and univariable and multivariable linear regression analysis were carried out using Stata 13.1 and SPSS 23.0 programs.

Results
A total of 1.103 valid questionnaires were retrieved. 73.6% of the students were females, 56.8% aged 18-21 years old and 95.9% had Greek nationality. Factor analysis identified 2 factors, interpreted as “general beliefs about online learning,” and “acquisition of skills”. The Cronbach alpha of the instrument was 0.934. Multivariable regression analysis showed that males, students aged &gt; 21 years old, those with Greek nationality and those who were very satisfied with their living conditions during quarantine reported having more confidence in prerequisite “skills”. Moreover, students aged &gt; 21 years old, those studying non-health sciences, those who were very satisfied with their living conditions and those whose decision concerning their place of residence was influenced by health reasons related to the pandemic and financial reasons, had more positive “beliefs” about online learning.

Conclusions
The outcomes of our study will help decision-makers understand students’ attitudes and motivation toward online learning and improve ongoing online courses.

Key messages
• Our study provides important new information in respect of the university students’ skills and beliefs towards online education during the quarantine in Greece.
• Students’ perceptions of online courses could be a crucial predictor of the ultimate effectiveness of online learning and could thus have implications on improving ongoing online courses.
Evaluation of the impact of the complex intervention ‘10,000 Steps Duesseldorf’: Replication study
Authors: Schmitz E , Matos Fialho P M , Vomhof M , Icks A , Lang A , Kuss O , Weyers S , Pischke C 
Published: October 2023

Abstract

Background
The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends 150-300 minutes of moderate physical activity (PA) per week (approximately 7,000-10,000 steps/day). In Germany, fewer than half of all adults achieve this goal. This highlights the need for population-based intervention approaches to promote regular daily PA. The aims of this replication study are to adapt, implement and evaluate a community-based complex PA intervention originally developed and successfully implemented in Belgium. The following research questions are investigated:
1. Is the intervention ‘10,000 Steps Ghent’ adaptable and transferrable to the German context?
2. Is the intervention ‘10,000 Steps Duesseldorf’ effective for the promotion of PA among residents of city districts selected for the study compared to city districts of a control city?

Methods
The intervention includes components at different intervention levels (i.e., individual level: website; organizational level: promotion of PA e.g., in companies, senior citizens’ associations; community level: media campaign, environmental changes, e.g., signage in parks). To investigate the effects of the intervention, PA-levels were assessed via telephone interviews and pedometers in two representative samples of adults aged 25-75 years in the cities of Duesseldorf (intervention) and Wuppertal (control) at baseline (April 2021 - March 2022). The one-year follow-up will start in May 2023.

Results
376 participants in the intervention and 253 in the control city districts completed baseline (60% female, 32% wore accelerometers in addition to the pedometers). First study results will be presented at the annual European Public Health Conference after the trial is completed.

Conclusions
To our knowledge, this study is the first research project aiming to replicate the effects of a complex PA intervention successfully implemented in another European country.

Key messages
• Results regarding the adaptation and transferability of a complex PA intervention originally developed and implemented in Belgium will be presented.
• Results regarding the impact of the community-based complex intervention ‘10,000 Steps Duesseldorf’ on residents’ PA levels will be shown.
Using Machine Learning to Improve Physical Activity: A Systematic Review
Authors: Kozan Çıkırıkçı E H 
Published: October 2023

Abstract

Background
Many diseases that threaten public health can be prevented with policies to improve physical activity. To improve physical activity, the implementation of individual interventions at the societal level remains limited. At this point, technological devices as mobile phones, which provide access to all individuals, enable widespread implementation of public health interventions and the cost-effective use of resources. In recent years, Machine Learning has been used in various areas of health promotion, including improving physical activity. This systematic review was conducted to examine the effect of machine learning on health outcomes related to physical activity.

Methods
Studies on this topic from 2013 to 2023 have been accessed by five database searches. The methodological quality of the studies was assessed using the Critical Appraisal Checklists for experimental and quasi-experimental studies, developed by the Joanna Briggs Institute. This study was conducted by following the Preferred Reporting System for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses.

Results
This systematic review included thirteen studies with a total sample size of 2945 individual. In the study, it was found that using machine learning algorithms can help to detect physical actvivity level and intensity, increase the daily step count, predict adherence to the physical activity goal, develop physical activity skills, increase the duration of daily cycling time, accessing accurate and real-time data on physical activity, personalize physical activity recommendations and identify the types of gaits.

Conclusions
Machine learning can be used to improve physical activity by providing more personalized and effective recommendations, using real-time feedback, and gamifying physical activity to increase motivation and adherence. Machine learning holds promise in the field of health promotion and has the potential to improve physical activity for individuals and communities.

Key messages
• Machine learning approaches are effective methods in determining and improving the level of physical activity on a public scale.
• In terms of public health initiatives, using machine learning to improve physical activity is a cost-effective and efficient approach.
Master program in Lifestyle Medicine: new approach in healthcare in Lithuania
Authors: Kalediene R , Vaiciunas T 
Published: October 2023

Abstract

Background
Many studies have proven that lifestyle medicine approach is more effective in preventing, arresting, and reversing chronic diseases than the traditional curative approach.

Objectives
The first European Union Master degree in Public Health of Lifestyle medicine was established at Lithuanian University of Health Sciences (LUHS) in 2016. The program aims at preparing mediators in unifying classical community-focused public health with person-oriented health services. These health specialists are able to manage risk factors, change individual behaviors related to chronic noncommunicable diseases (NCD's), and work as members in medical teams, especially in primary health care services, public health settings and private sector.

Results
This program started a new tradition of studies in public health area with advanced competencies in non-pharmaceutical interventions, addressing the roots of NCD's, rather than management of the outcomes. Up to recently, nearly 100 graduates completed the program. It became one of the most popular Master programs at LUHS. The major challenge faced, was introduction of this new approach into Lithuanian healthcare system, demonstrating the need and the effectiveness of the newly trained specialists in the process of health management both for politicians, health care professionals and society. In 2019, lifestyle medicine professionals were officially integrated into primary healthcare sector as team members of physicians. The major success was achieved at the structural level in 2023, when minister of health of Lithuania signed the order that each team of family physicians is obliged to employ lifestyle medicine professional and allocate specific tasks and resources to this new member of the primary health care team.

Conclusions
Lithuanian healthcare system is now ready to employ lifestyle medicine professionals. It is expected that they will contribute to health improvement of Lithuanian population.

Key messages
• Lifestyle medicine program trains highly needed professionals for Lithuanian healthcare system.
• Healthcare system is now ready to employ lifestyle medicine professionals.
Training Maltese inspectors in using hospital standards: a Maltese and Dutch public collaboration
Authors: Delnoij D , Farrugia J , Cachia J , Gauci C 
Published: October 2023

Abstract

Background
The Maltese Department for Health Regulation sought the support of the Dutch National Health Care Institute in drafting acute hospital standards and in training respective inspectors in applying those standards. The aim was to create SMART standards for public and private hospitals thereby diminishing preventable suffering and waste.

Objectives
The project started in 2018 with a situational analysis of Maltese hospital care and of training needs, followed by interactive workshops with key stakeholders, and the subsequent development of draft standards. Due to COVID-19, the work was curtailed during 2020-2021. Over the course of 2022 draft standards have been finalized, a three-day training was delivered including mock inspections of Dutch hospitals, followed by a final session in January 2023 in which the inspectors received feedback from the Dutch faculty on their use of the draft standards in the Maltese setting.

Results
The licensing standards describe tasks and responsibilities of hospital leadership with respect to quality and safety, as well as reporting structures such as key performance indicators, and incidents that affect patient care. The training focused on the importance of Safety-II regulation. Interviews took place to explore inspectors’ experiences. Inspectors reported that using these standards facilitates open communication. They are in a better position to enter into a more meaningful and constructive dialogue with hospital management and professionals on how they can safeguard quality of care.

Conclusions
During the development of the hospital standards and the training, inspection team members have gained a clear vision on their role and position towards healthcare providers, and of their responsibilities in stimulating proactive quality and safety management and a learning culture in Maltese hospital care. The standards outline will support the licensing authority to protect patient safety through a collaborative regulatory approach.

Key messages
• The interactive work done by Maltese experts and Dutch policy advisors resulted in explicit quality standards for public and private hospitals.
• The training has empowered inspectors to foster a governance structure in acute hospitals, to encourage an accountable and learning culture and to enter into an open dialogue on quality and safety.
Immersive simulations to teach infodemic management: WHO global infodemic manager trainings
Authors: Purnat T , Wilhelm E , Bertrand-Ferrandis C , Briand S , Nguyen T 
Published: October 2023

Abstract

Background
When teaching infodemic management (IM) to health professionals and emergency response staff, teaching only technical skills is not sufficient because infodemics affect health workers both professionally and personally. Infodemic response also requires lateral thinking to problem-solve and thus requires experiential learning to teach IM competencies. WHO has developed, delivered and continuously improved a simulation-based training approach to teach IM to health workers and public health practitioners.

Objectives
To deliver an effective immersive IM simulation the following components must be considered: Designing the simulation world; Designing the tasks in the simulation world; Introducing humor and causing infodemic experience; Teaching cultural humility and ensuring psychological safety; Providing support to trainees; Considerations for virtual vs in-person delivery; Preparing and assembling the delivery team; Delivering the performance and simulation experience.

Results
WHO has designed delivered and evaluated teaching immersive simulations in in-person, online and hybrid formats, in English and French, with over 1400 trainees in 4 online and 4 offline trainings. Building and delivering an immersive world requires a team of people with different skills but a common vision and training philosophy. The facilitator team must build rapport between trainees quickly and offer multiple ways how trainees can ask for help, and encourage experience sharing and encourage further diffusion of materials, concepts and training approaches within the trainee community.

Conclusions
WHO immersive teaching simulations for infodemic management competence building have used human-centered design and flipped classroom approaches in design and delivery of the learning and teaching programmes. Simulations have been adapted to other languages, topics, and adapted to regional cultural contexts.

Key messages
• Simulation teaches trainees how information overload and infodemics impact both health workers and communities they serve.
• Immersive teaching simulations providing a wrap-around experience that is fun and safe for experimenting and learning by participants.