bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
School and child participation rates in COSI-Ireland, pre- and post-COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Kilduff O , Lee C , Slattery J , Hunt E , Douglass A , O'Brien S , Murrin C M , Kelleher C C 
Published: October 2023

Abstract

Background
The Childhood Obesity Surveillance Initiative (COSI) is a World Health Organisation (WHO) project established in 2008 to routinely measure trends in overweight and obesity among primary school children in over 40 European countries. This study compares school and child participation rates for COSI-Ireland Round 6 (R6), conducted October 2022 - March 2023, to Round 5 (R5), conducted in 2018, pre-COVID-19.

Methods
Sentinel schools (n = 187) invited to partake in all previous Irish COSI rounds were again invited by letter and follow-up telephone calls to participate in R6. These schools remain a representative sample of all primary schools in Ireland, including DEIS (Delivering Equality of Opportunity in Schools) schools. Consent was obtained at three levels: school, parent, and child. Parents of children in one randomly selected class of 1st, 2nd, 5th, and 6th classes of each consenting school were invited to participate by letter. Verbal assent was obtained from each child with parental consent before being measured.

Results
School participation in R6 decreased slightly compared to R5; 65% (n = 121/187) and 73% (n = 135/185), respectively. In total, 79% (n = 33/42) of DEIS schools consented to partake in R6, substantially higher than non-DEIS school participation of 61% (n = 88/145). The R6 DEIS school response rate was also similar to R5 (81%; n = 21/26), despite an increase in the number of DEIS schools following reclassification in 2022. The examination rate of the total cohort in R6 was 55.5% (n = 5,180/9,337), in line with R5 (57.6%). The number of children examined was similar across classes, with slightly more girls (54%) than boys (46%).

Conclusions
Despite the challenges posed by COVID-19 in conducting this research, COSI-Ireland R6 school participation was well preserved, notably in DEIS schools, demonstrating their commitment to equity in obesity trends. Child examination rates were also remarkably well-maintained relative to the preceding pre-pandemic round.

Key messages
• COSI-Ireland R6 findings will allow for continued monitoring of obesity in primary school children and inter-European country comparison.
• COSI-Ireland R6 findings will inform programme planning and evaluation to address childhood overweight and obesity.
Wishes and obstacles to having children – Results from the nationwide Healthy Finland survey
Authors: Lehtoranta L , Klemetti R , Majlander S , Heino A , Gissler M , Lundqvist A 
Published: October 2023

Abstract

Background
Fertility rates have been declining globally since 2010, also in the Nordics. In Finland this decline has been steep and the country has now hit lowest fertility level ever. Changes in fertility rates often occur with economic status and life expectancy improvements in a population. In Finland, delaying childbearing is a major cause for declining fertility rates. The aim of this study was to examine how ethical, economic and societal factors affect having children.

Methods
In total 65,986 randomly selected adults living in Finland were invited to answer the Healthy Finland questionnaire-based survey in 2022-2023. Subjects (n = 28,480, participation rate 32.3 %, males 42.1 % and females 57.9 %) aged 20 to 54 years were asked questions on childlessness and infertility.

Results
17.6% of subjects reported not wanting more or any children while 9.3% wanted to have (more) children. 14.7% reported never wanting to having nor wanting to have children. 4.2% reported having had an experience of infertility and 3.1% reported receiving fertility treatments. Currently 0.5 % were expecting a baby and 1.5% actively trying for a baby. In the sample population, most common reasons for not having children were economic situation (6.2%), never wanting to have children (6.1%), relationship situation (5.9%), and work or studies (5.6%). Other reasons included capability issues (4.3%), ecological or environmental reasons (4.1%), other miscellaneous reasons (4.0%), and loneliness or lack of social network (3.9%), lack of societal support (3.2%), and own, spousal or family illnesses (2.9%).

Conclusions
While childlessness may be a temporary state in many people's lives, close to every seventh person chooses it permanently. Several external reasons affect voluntary childlessness ranging from ethical to practical. Further data is needed to evaluate the societal and economic obstacles to make childlessness a truly voluntary choice.

Key messages
• The Healthy Finland population survey provides information on the major causes of voluntary childlessness, including economic reasons and never wanting to have children.
• In this population, every seventh person did not have nor ever want to have children.
Exploring facilitators for breastfeeding among Irish mothers: a systematic literature review
Authors: Kasra L , Nazaruk D 
Published: October 2023

Abstract

Background
Irish women have one of the lowest rates of breastfeeding in Europe. This review aimed to identify the reported barriers, benefits, and opportunities to increase breastfeeding rates among Irish women.

Methods
The current study implemented a systematic search strategy by using PRISMA guidelines. The research databases PubMed, Mendeley, Web of Science, and Google Scholar were utilized. A deductive thematic analysis of the articles was performed.

Results
Of the 776 identified articles, 20 were included in this literature review. Some of the identified perceived barriers to breastfeeding were: i) Lack of support from healthcare professionals (ii) Negative cultural attitude/social stigma (iii) Embarrassment (iv) Lack of breastfeeding knowledge/advice (v) Lack of public spaces for breastfeeding vi) Low socioeconomic status (vii) Early return to work postpartum viii) Lack of public/work spaces to pump ix) Hospital environment and resources. The identified opportunities were: (i) Policy changes for breastfeeding (ii) Changing social norms for breastfeeding (iii) Breastfeeding education for adolescents and the general public (iv) Social Marketing Campaign. Discussion: This review reveals that efforts toward shifting cultural perceptions through social marketing strategies and public education campaigns might be needed to address the individual barriers to breastfeeding. In addition, many identified barriers could be eliminated by policy implementation that supports breastfeeding. Lastly, health professionals could use current results to guide their practice and provide care more effectively.

Conclusions
This review suggests that the problem of low breastfeeding rates in Ireland is caused by the interplay of multiple factors on various levels of the socioecological model. Therefore to increase breastfeeding rates among the target population, a multifactorial approach is needed. Future programs, interventions, and efforts should consider that.

Key messages
• The efforts toward shifting cultural perceptions through social marketing strategies, public education campaigns, and policy implementation might be needed to increase breastfeeding in Ireland.
• To increase breastfeeding rates among the target population, a multifactorial approach is needed.
Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on healthy of children and families in Italy. Qualitative EPaS-ISS study
Authors: Cattaneo C , Tambascia G , Palermo V , Di Nolfi A , Luzi I , Gentile A E , Zambri F , Ciardullo S , Giusti A ,   Project Research Group EPaS-ISS
Published: October 2023

Abstract

Background
This study is the qualitative component of a national research carried out in collaboration with the WHO/Europe Childhood Obesity Surveillance Initiative. The aim was to explore the COVID-19 pandemic effects on health behaviours, needs, and psychosocial resources of children and their family in Italy.

Methods
According to the convergent parallel mixed-method, this qualitative study was carried out simultaneously with the quantitative one. Purposeful sampling was used to recruit parents, teachers, key respondents and children. The data were collected by online focus groups (FG) except the FG with children. FGs transcriptions were analysed through a categorical approach using NVivo.

Results
Six FGs were conducted between April-May 2022 (65 adults; 14 children). Participants highlight how the pandemic had consequences at multiple levels: individual, family, community and social.
At the individual level, data showed how thinning out interpersonal relationships and emotional experiences affected children's psychosocial well-being and learning. As for nutrition, it was observed that food was used as both an emotional comfort (e.g. snack consumption) and an opportunity for family aggregation. The ban on going out and social distancing penalized movement and sport. The lack of physical activity and changes in daily routines also affected sleeping. The screen exposure increased due to distance learning and video calls; parents reported excessive use of video games and a difficulty in limiting screen time. The impact of the closures on foreign children and from deprived backgrounds, including school dropouts, was also an issue. Creative play, care of plants and animals, and activities with the family were some of the resources emerging.

Conclusions
Qualitative perspective enriches research on changes in children and families’ habits during the pandemic, showing needs and difficulties and suggesting some necessary actions for the health and education systems.

Key messages
• The COVID-19 pandemic had an impact on children that might persist beyond the pandemic period.
• Health and education policies must offer a compensatory response to the children and families’ needs.
Strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats of a community-based egg program in rural Honduras
Authors: Kasra L , Nazaruk D , Ramos G , Manship L , Palacios A M 
Published: October 2023

Abstract

Background
Young children living in poor rural areas in Honduras are susceptible to suffering from undernutrition. About 1 in every 4 children under age 5 have stunting. Stunting during early childhood has negative consequences on an individual's life that can have short-term and lasting effects. This study's purpose was to explore the perceptions of the mothers of children that participate in a community-based nutrition-agriculture program that offers 1 egg daily to all children ages 6 to 24 months in 13 communities.

Methods
Using community-engaged methods, we implemented a SWOT analysis to identify strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats using a semi-structured guide to conduct in-depth interviews in n = 14 participating mothers in the Hens Hatching Hope project (ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04721197). Interviews were performed by a local community health worker in Spanish, translated to English, and analyzed via content analysis by a researcher. Main themes were identified and synthesized.

Results
Some of the identified strengths were the “improved community access to eggs” and “financial assistance that offset burdening household expenses”. For weaknesses “expansion of program age eligibility to accommodate multi-child households” and “no control over parent's use of eggs”. For opportunities “Implementation of external community resources” and “improve water and sanitation initiatives”, for threats “changes in political climate” and “frail farm infrastructure”.

Conclusions
Perception of the program is positive among all mother participants. This analysis identified multiple strengths and opportunities to 1) improve the program locally, and 2) expand the program's scope and reach. Further, this analysis identified weaknesses and potential threats that will serve to modify and improve the delivery and uptake of the intervention.

Key messages
• Explore program strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats perceived by particpating mothers of a community-based nutrition agriculture program that provides 1 egg a day to their child's diet.
• The swot analysis of participating mothers’ interviews serves in the developing contingency plans to continue the Hens Hatching Hope program.
Evaluation of the Relationship between School Age Children's Refractive Errors and Outdoor Activity
Authors: Arslan Torba T , Oznur Muz F N , Bal M , Sert S , Muz O E , Metintas S , Onsuz M F 
Published: October 2023

Abstract

Background
Uncorrected refractive errors, one of the most common health problems of the pediatric age group. It is known that outdoor activities are effective in the prevention of refractive errors in childhood. The aim of the study was to evaluate the frequency of refractive errors in primary school children and their relationship with outdoor activity.

Methods
This croos-sectional study conducted with 4th grade primary school students in Eskisehir in 2023. Schools in the city center were divided into clusters according to their socio-economic status. Then, 1009 students from seven schools selected according to their randomization weights were included in the study. A questionnaire including sociodemographic characteristics, The Physical Activity Questionnaire for Older Children (PAQ-C) and questions about outdoor activities was administered to the students. They were examined for visual impairments. Outdoor activities were taken on weekdays and weekends and the daily average value was calculated.

Results
The mean age of the students was 9.8±0.5 years and 52.3% of them were female. Of 16.4% students had refractive errors, 5.85% had strabismus and 1.20% had depth perception deficits. Students with refractive error had lower scores on the PAQ-C scale and lower mean daily outdoor activity duration (p &lt; 0.001 for each). In multivariate analysis, the risk of refractive error was found to be higher 4.61 times in those with good income (OR; 95%CI; 1.975; 10.75), 4.55 times in students who have visual impairment other than refractive error (OR; 95%CI; 3.01; 6.83), and 2.63 times (OR; 95%CI; 1.75; 3.95) in those who did outdoor activities for two hours or less a day.

Conclusions
Physical activity and outdoor activity duration were shorter in students with refractive errors. The risk of refractive error was found to be higher in those with good income, who have visual impairment other than refractive error, and those who did outdoor activities for two hours or less a day.

Key messages
• It is important to include regular screening programs on visual impairments and physical activity within school health studies.
• In order to prevent the development or progression of refractive errors, children should be encouraged to engage in outdoor activities during the day.
Investigating the Transition to Parenting within a Digital Health Context
Authors: Donelle L , Hall J , Hiebert B , Jackson K , Stoyanovich E , LaChance J 
Published: October 2023

Abstract

Background
The ubiquity of digital technology use created the need to understand parents’ digital technology use in pre-conception, pregnancy and the postpartum period (the transition to parenting). This research investigated the role of digital technology in the lives of individuals in the transition to parenting.

Methods
A qualitative descriptive study used purposive sampling. Participants were eligible if they were new parents, up to 2 years postpartum, were 16-35 years old, and English speaking. Focus groups were recorded and transcribed; thematic data analysis was used.

Results
26 participants identified as heterosexual females reported prolific use of digital technologies to direct fertility (e.g., ovulation timing), for information seeking regarding foetal growth and development, to prepare for labour and delivery, and in searching for a sense of community during postpartum. Smartphone technologies, social media, and prenatal apps were predominantly used. Participants expressed concerns related to their personal patterns of use, and the potential negative impacts. Themes included: “Is this normal; is this happening to you?!”, “Am I having a heart attack; what is this?”, “Anyone can put anything on Wikipedia”: Managing the Negative Impacts of Digital Information.

Conclusions
Digitally informed parenting practices include enhanced access to information regarding normal infant growth and development. Immediacy of information access was valued over integrity. Important implications of this work relate to the need for effective digital health literacy skills. Future research on the gendered use of digital technologies among parents is needed.

Key messages
• Digital technology use creates important health implications for pre and post-natal care among parents.
• Digital technology use is requisite for prenatal public health education.
How common are sleep issues and burnout in Irish farmers?
Authors: Firnhaber J , O'Connor S , Malone S , O'Shaughnessy B , McNamara J 
Published: October 2023

Abstract

Background
Farming is often a stressful, isolating and unpredictable career with notable occupational and health hazards. Therefore, farmers may be more vulnerable to experiencing sleep issues and burnout than other workers. However, pressures and stressors may differ between countries. There is little research on sleep issues and burnout in Irish farmers.

Methods
A cross- sectional survey was distributed to Irish adult farmers (N = 351) both online and in-person at farming events. The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, a subscale of the Maslach Burnout Inventory and the Short Form Health Survey-12 examined their sleep and burnout, along with how sleep and burnout were associated with farmers’ mental and physical health and examined individual differences such as income, age, and gender. Prevalence assessments, descriptive analyses and non-parametric tests were used.

Results
Burnout (23.6%) and sleep issues (50.1%) are widespread in Irish farmers. Burnt-out farmers reported poorer sleep (p&lt;.001, r=.42) and worse mental (p&lt;.001, φ=.31) and physical health (p=.003, φ=.17). Farmers with poor sleep also reported worse mental (p&lt;.001, r= .31) and physical health (p=.003, r=.16). Low-income was a risk-factor for sleep issues such as sleep disturbances (r=-.13, p=.032) and daytime dysfunction (r=-.15, p=.008) while age (p=.036, r=.11) and parenthood (p=.022, φ=.13) were risk-factors for burnout. There were no gender differences apart from females taking longer to fall asleep (p=.022, r=.12).

Conclusions
The high prevalence of sleep issues and burnout has serious health implications as both burnt-out farmers and farmers with poor sleep reported greater physical and mental health issues. Our cross-sectional analysis identified three at-risk groups that interventions can target to maximise impact: sleep issues are highest in lower-income farmers and burnout is highest in older farmers and farmers with children.

Key messages
• Sleep issues and burnout endanger the health and safety of farmers, their families and the Irish agricultural industry.
• Farmers require urgent intervention targeting sleep issues and burnout.
Associations between lifestyle change during the COVID-19 pandemic and mental health in adolescents
Authors: Manneville F , Omorou A Y , Bitar S , Lalloué B , Epstein J , O'Loughlin J , Agrinier N , Minary L 
Published: October 2023

Abstract

Background
It is unclear whether changes in physical activity or sugar consumption during the COronaVIrus Disease (COVID)-19 pandemic relate to later mental health among adolescents. This study identified profiles of change in physical activity and sugar consumption during the COVID-19 pandemic, and estimated associations between these profiles and later anxiety, depression and wellbeing among adolescents.

Methods
Data were from the EXIST cross-sectional pilot study conducted in schools in northeastern France, one year after the end of the first lockdown (May-June 2021). Adolescents provided data on lifestyle behavior changes during lockdown and mental health using self-report questionnaires. We used latent class analysis to identify profiles of change in physical activity and sugar consumption, and conducted multinomial logistic regression to estimate associations between these profiles, and mental health.

Results
Among 380 adolescents (52.5% male; 13.5±0.6 years), we identified four change profiles: 1) “increased physical activity and decreased sugar consumption” (21.8%), 2) “physical activity and sugar consumption stable over time” (36.1%), 3) “decreased physical activity and increased sugar consumption” (28.4%), and 4) “consistently low physical activity and stable sugar consumption over time” (13.7%). Compared to adolescents in profile 1, odds of depression one year after the end of the first lockdown were higher among adolescents in profile 3 (OR [95%CI]= 2.42[1.17; 4.99]) and profile 4 (OR = 3.16; [1.39; 7.19]). Associations were similar for wellbeing, but profiles were unrelated to anxiety.

Conclusions
Unhealthy changes in physical activity and sugar consumption during the COVID-19 pandemic may have contributed to deteriorating later mental health of adolescents. Future studies should assess long-term effects of the pandemic on physical activity and sugar consumption, and whether any long-term changes are associated with adolescent mental health.

Key messages
• A total of 42% of adolescents experienced unhealthy changes in physical activity and sugar consumption during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Unhealthy changes in physical activity and sugar consumption during the COVID-19 pandemic may have contributed to deteriorating later mental health of adolescents.
Seeking professional help for mental health issues in Slovenia: Prevalence and associated factors
Authors: Ropret N , Roškar S , Mikolič P , Vinko M 
Published: October 2023

Abstract

Background
The aim of the study was to examine the prevalence of seeking professional help for mental health issues and explore its association with sociodemographic factors, various aspects of mental health literacy, and symptom severity.

Methods
A cross-sectional survey was conducted from November 2021 to January 2022 using a probability sample of Slovenians aged 18-64 (prepared by The Statistical Office of the Republic of Slovenia). Of the 9000 participants invited, 2677 (52.2% males) completed the survey (30% response rate) either online (78.9%) or in paper format (21.1%). The prevalence of mental health issues and professional help-seeking was assessed using self-developed questions. Logistic regression was used to test the probability of seeking professional help, with predictor variables including sociodemographic, Depression literacy questionnaire (D-lit), Anxiety literacy questionnaire (A-lit), Inventory of Attitudes Toward Seeking Mental Health Services (IASMHS), General Help-Seeking Questionnaire (GHSQ), Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9), Generalised Anxiety Disorder Assessment (GAD-7), General mental health (self-developed question).

Results
Among those who reported having mental health issues currently or in the past (44% of the sample), 46.6 % had never sought professional help. The logistic regression model was statistically significant (p &lt; 0.001, χ2 (df)= 214,637(16)), revealing that women, older participants, those with higher score on A-lit, GHSQ, and those participants which reported worse general mental health were more likely to seek professional help. The variable D-lit, as well as PHQ-8, GAD-7, and subjective social status, were not significant predictors. For education and the variable IASMHS, only some of the predictors were statistically significant.

Conclusions
The study highlights the need for systematic approaches and targeted interventions at the national level to promote and enhance seeking professional help for mental health issues.

Key messages
• The study found a large help-seeking gap for mental health issues, with only specific aspects of mental health literacy (eg anxiety literacy) being significant predictors of seeking professional help.