bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Eating behaviour of the Croatian working population during the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Miskulin M , Milas J , Miskulin I , Kovacevic J , Vukoja I , Pavlovic N , Nujic D 
Published: October 2023

Abstract

Background
Disruption in the defined daily work and life routine caused by the COVID-19 pandemic has led to changes in the eating habits of the population. Home confinement during pandemics could change eating patterns, reduce diet quality, and promote overconsumption. This study aimed to evaluate the eating habits of the Croatian working population during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods
This cross-sectional questionnaire study was conducted from February to June 2021 period. A validated, anonymous questionnaire that contained questions regarding demographic and anthropometric data, and data on eating habits, was self-administered to a convenient sample of Croatian working adults from central and northwestern Croatia.

Results
The study sample included 939 subjects with, a median age of 42 years (interquartile range 35-48), 35.4% males, and 64.6% females. Overweight and obesity were more frequent among males (p &lt; 0.001), subjects with a lower level of education (p &lt; 0.001), and subjects living in households with more household members (p &lt; 0.001). In comparison to subjects with normal weight, during pandemics, overweight subjects more frequently gained weight (p &lt; 0.001), more frequently consumed a larger amount of food than usual (p &lt; 0.001), consumed snacks more frequently (p = 0.001), and cooked more in their households (p = 0.042). Consumption of more snacks during the pandemic was more frequently detected among females (p = 0.007), and subjects with a higher level of education (p = 0.045), while latter subjects also cooked more in their households (p &lt; 0.001).

Conclusions
This study highlights that COVID-19 preventive measures have affected the eating behaviours and dietary habits of the Croatian working population. To avoid possible negative health effects of observed changes organized nutritional education and support should be implemented at the population level, particularly for the most vulnerable groups, including overweight and obese subjects.

Key messages
• The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the eating behaviour and dietary habits of the Croatian working population.
• To avoid an increase in chronic diseases connected with an imbalanced diet there is a need for the implementation of organized nutritional education and support at the population level.
Burden of heart failure in Kazakhstan: data from the unified national healthcare system 2014-2021
Authors: Zhakhina G , Gusmanov A , Sakko Y , Yerdessov S , Mussina K , Gaipov A 
Published: October 2023

Abstract

Background
Heart failure (HF) affected 64.3 million people worldwide and contributed to 9.9 million years lived with disability globally in 2017. Despite its global relevance, there is a lack of comprehensive statistics on the prevalence, incidence, and burden of HF in developing Central Asian countries. This study aims to fill the gap and present the data for Kazakhstan, the largest Central Asian country.

Methods
HF cases were identified through the Unified National Electronic Healthcare System records for 2014-2021 using the appropriate ICD-10 codes. Descriptive and survival analyses were used to present demographics, incidence, prevalence, and mortality rates. The calculation of DALYs is done according to the WHO methods. The information on comorbid conditions based on respective ICD-10 codes was collected by merging the databases using unique deidentifying patient numbers.

Results
During the observation period between 2014-2021 years, 501,663 patients with HF were identified, of them 52% were females, 86% were older than 50 years of age, and 58% were of Kazakh ethnicity. Hypertension, history of cerebrovascular diseases, and myocardial infarction were present in 40%, 34%, and 22% of the cohort, respectively. The age and sex-specific incidence show that women have higher incidence before 30 years of age compared to men. In addition, incidence rates for both sexes and all age categories decreased in 2021 compared to 2014. The prevalence dramatically increased from 4393 people per million population (PMP) to 22,088 PMP, while mortality rates changed from 367 to 721 PMP during the observation period. In 2021, 2,964,062 age and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) were lost due to HF in Kazakhstan. More than 2 million DALYs belong to years of life lost (YLLs).

Conclusions
The DALYs show high economic and social loss due to high mortality among patients. Healthcare policymakers should prioritize the enhancement of cardiac services and the mitigation of its risk factors.

Key messages
• This study highlights the high burden of heart failure in Kazakhstan, with over 2 million DALYs lost in 2021 alone. Healthcare policymakers must prioritize cardiac services and risk factor reduction.
• Lack of comprehensive data on HF in Central Asia made it difficult to tackle the burden. This study fills this gap, presenting valuable information for policymakers to reduce social and economic loss.
The indirect effects of socioeconomic position on lung function: a mediation analysis
Authors: Quispe-Haro C , Pikhart H , Bobak M 
Published: October 2023

Abstract

Background
There is a strong link between socioeconomic position and pulmonary health, but less is known about their connecting pathways. We analyzed the direct and indirect effects of education and deprivation on lung function using air pollutants in a mediation framework.

Methods
We used spirometry tests, demographic, and health information on 5703 Czechs, with a mean age of 58.3 ± 7.1 years from the Health, Alcohol, and Psychosocial Factors in Eastern Europe (HAPIEE) cohort study between 2002 to 2005. The annual means of particulate matter 10 (PM10), particulate matter 2.5 (PM2.5), and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) estimated by Shen et al. (2022) for the years 2000 to 2003 were matched to the geographic addresses of the participants. Multiple mediation analyses assessed the relationship between socioeconomic variables (education and deprivation) and the predicted percentage of Forced Expiratory Volume in the first second (FEV1) and the role of mediators: PM10 or PM2.5 or NO2, smoking behavior, and body mass index (BMI). The models were adjusted for sex, age.

Results
9.27% of individuals had &lt;70% of the predicted percentage of FEV1. We tested the first model using PM10, smoking, and BMI as mediators. We found significant indirect effects from education through PM10 (β = 0.17, CI95%: 0.10-0.25), BMI (β = 0.36, 0.25-0.47), and smoking (β = 0.17, 0.08-0.25) with indirect effects explaining 34% of the total effect of education. The indirect effect of deprivation was significant only through smoking (β=-0.11, -0.14 to -0.07), explaining 31% of the effect of deprivation. Similar results were observed when we tested a second model using PM2.5 instead of PM10, and a third model including NO2 instead of PM10.

Conclusions
Air pollutants seem to mediate the association between education and lung function, but not between deprivation and lung function, however, further research is needed to confirm our findings.

Key messages
• Higher education appears to be associated with better environmental factors that prevent loss of lung function.
• Most of the routes that connect socioeconomic factors and lung function remain unclear.
Prevalence of fatigue in the general population during the pandemic: cross-sectional study in Geneva
Authors: Graindorge C , Baysson H , Pullen N , Schrempft S , Zaballa M E , Stringhini S , Guessous I 
Published: October 2023

Abstract

Background
Fatigue is a frequent symptom, the determinants of which are numerous and poorly understood. Fatigue also predicts ischemic heart disease, cancer, physical decline, and mortality. While the COVID-19 pandemic constituted a major stressor, no previous studies have measured the prevalence of fatigue and its determinants since the beginning of the pandemic in a general population. This study aims (1) to assess the prevalence of fatigue among the general population of the canton of Geneva, Switzerland, two years into the pandemic and (2) to analyse its determinants.

Methods
A cross-sectional population-based study was conducted as part of the Specchio-COVID19 cohort study. Adult participants answered an online health survey between March and May 2022. The main outcome was self-reported fatigue measured by the Chalder Fatigue Questionnaire. Other variables included general and mental health status, quality of life, and sociodemographic data. Multivariable logistic regressions were used to evaluate the determinants of fatigue.

Results
4040 participants took part in the survey (participation rate 59%, respondents and non-respondents were comparable). The overall prevalence of fatigue was 31%. Significant determinants of fatigue were depression (aOR 10.49 [6.29-17.50], p &lt; 0.001), diagnosis of a chronic disease in the past year (aOR 1.37 [1.12-1.68], p = 0.002), and an acute health event in the past year (aOR 1.44 [1.08-1.93], p = 0.014). 18-45-year-old people with a chronic disease were more likely to report fatigue (aOR 1.70 [1.04-2.77], p = 0.033). Male gender (aOR 0.72 [0.57-0.92], p = 0.007) or retirement (aOR 0.60 [0.43 - 0.85], p = 0.003) were protective factors. Age, level of education, and income were not significantly associated with fatigue.

Conclusions
Fatigue was still highly prevalent in the general population two years into the COVID19 pandemic, comparing to regional prepandemic data. The cohort Specchio will monitor the evolution of fatigue after the pandemic.

Key messages
• Fatigue was still highly prevalent two years into the COVID19 pandemic among the general population in Geneva, comparing to regional prepandemic data.
• Longitudinal follow-up is crucial to assess how fatigue is evolving after the pandemic.
Effect of job guarantees on youth unemployment: its impact on socioeconomic and health inequalities
Authors: Molenberg FJM , Riumallo-Herl C J , Burdorf A , Schuring M 
Published: October 2023

Abstract

Background
The first aim is to investigate the effect of the Rotterdam job guarantee on enrolment into educational trajectories, graduation, and employment outcomes among vocational education students. Second, whether the Rotterdam job guarantee reduced inequalities in these outcomes for youth from lower SEP and youth with a mental health condition.

Methods
A register-based longitudinal cohort study among Dutch individuals who started secondary vocational education between 2011 and 2017 and lived in intervention (n = 20,865) or control neighborhoods (n = 17,157) in the city of Rotterdam. Educational tracks were categorized in Type A education, with a job guarantee for students living in intervention areas, and Type B education, without a job guarantee. The effect of a job guarantee on enrolment into educational trajectories, graduation and employment outcomes was analyzed with difference-in differences analyses. Stratified analyses were performed based on 1) migration background, 2) employment status of the parents, and 3) medication use for mental health problems.

Results
The job guarantee offered to vocational education students living in deprived neighborhoods did not have an impact on educational enrolment or employment. A small decrease in graduation was seen. Implementation of job guarantees increased enrolment into tracks with a job guarantee for students with a non-native Dutch background and for youth with a mental health condition.

Conclusions
This study did not find evidence that job guarantees offered to youth living in deprived neighborhoods had an impact on unemployment. The intervention was targeted at educational tracks where youth were about 90% of the time employed, leaving little opportunity for job guarantees to contribute to employment. Better promotional activities to inform students about the intervention, and expanding job guarantees to other employment sectors, is needed to maximize possible gains of job guarantees.

Key messages
• This study did not find evidence that job guarantees offered to youth living in deprived neighborhoods had an impact on unemployment.
• Better promotional activities to inform students about the intervention, and expanding job guarantees to other employment sectors, is needed to maximize possible gains of job guarantees.
A Comparative Study of Financial Support and Resilience of Self-Employed people in Sweden and Canada
Authors: Hansson J , MacEachen E , Landstad B J , Vinberg S , Tjulin Å 
Published: October 2023

Abstract

Background
Globally the COVID-19 pandemic presented major difficulties for self-employed people such as financial decline, restrictions and business closures. A plethora of financial support measures was rolled out worldwide to support them, but there is a lack of research looking at the effectiveness of the policy measures on small businesses. The aim of the study was to compare policies addressing government financial support in Sweden and Canada to get an understanding of how different governmental financial support measures enhanched self-employed people's resilience and improved their chances to manage the pandemic. In addition, individual interviews with Swedish and Canadian self-employed people were conducted to get an understanding of how they experienced the support measures and how these measures factored into their resilience during and after the restrictions had ended.

Methods
We conducted a mixed-method study encompassing document analysis and semi-structured interviews with self-employed people in Sweden and Canada. The constant comparative method guided the data analysis and documentary and interview data were analysed together. Three categories were formed: Welfare protection and effects, Self-employed well-being and Agility during COVID-19, based on their ability to represent the overall sense of the phenomena.

Results
Key results were that self-employed people in both countries unable to telework, were less resilient during the pandemic due to financial problems, restrictions and lockdowns, and that this negatively affected their well-being.

Conclusions
Potential future policy responses in Sweden and Canada to support self-employed people during crises or adversity should consider the diversity among small businesses and tailor programmes towards viable businesses in greatest need of support, such as those in businesses unable to telework.

Key messages
• Self-employed people in Sweden and Canada unable to telework, were less resilient during the pandemic due to financial problems, restrictions and lockdowns.
• Future policy responses to support self-employed people during adversity should tailor programmes towards viable businesses in greatest need of support.
Employment quality, past unemployment, mental health and wellbeing in the UK
Authors: Balogh R , De Moortel D , Gadeyne S , Vanderleyden J , Warhurst C , Vanroelen C 
Published: October 2023

Abstract

Background
Low employment quality (EQ) has been associated with adverse mental health. Past unemployment may also be linked to reduced mental health and wellbeing later on and may influence subsequent EQ. However, understanding of the role (past) unemployment history may play in the association of (present) EQ and mental health and well-being is limited. This paper aims to fill this gap.

Methods
We drew on a subsample of employees aged 25 to 60 from wave 4 of the UK Household Longitudinal Study. We applied Latent Class Analysis (LCA) to derive typologies of EQ within 6 dimensions. We fitted logistic regressions to assess the links between EQ, lifetime unemployment, and mental well-being and psychological distress (measured using the Short Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Wellbeing Scale and the 12-item General Health Questionnaire, respectively).

Results
The LCA yielded an optimal solution of 6 EQ clusters, with some similarities to previous typologies. Men and women in precarious employment forms characterised by unfavourable employment conditions including lower labour income and potential underemployment reported higher odds for low mental well-being (men OR:1.54, 95% CI:1.06-2.24; women OR:1.37, 95% CI:1.04-1.81), and so did women in precarious forms characterised by, amongst others, lower labour income and more prevalent long and irregular hours (OR:1.44, 95% CI:1.08-1.93), compared to those in the most standard and favourable arrangement. Some further well-being inequalities were observed across the EQ spectrum. Simultaneously, prior unemployment (of length) was also linked to reduced well-being among both genders, with no dose-response relationship. Precarious clusters were, however, not linked to increased odds of psychological distress.

Conclusions
Men and women in low EQ or with prior unemployment experience had higher odds of low mental well-being in the UK. Our analysis shows the need to consider employment trajectories regarding mental health outcomes.

Key messages
• Low multidimensional EQ and past unemployment experience of length are both related to reduced mental well-being in the UK.
• No links were observed with regards to low employment quality and elevated psychological distress.
Life course patterns after parental leave: a 10-year Swedish cohort study with sequence analysis
Authors: Virtanen M , Gémes K , Farrants K , Mittendorfer-Rutz E , Alexanderson K 
Published: October 2023

Abstract

Background
Knowledge on long-term life course patterns after parental leave is limited. We examined future work-, family-, and sickness absence (SA) and disability pension (DP) life courses after parental leave in Sweden and the baseline factors associated with them.

Methods
A prospective cohort study using nationwide register microdata, including all women (n = 43,959) and men (n = 43,514) with their first parental leave benefit in 2010. We used sequence analysis to examine their work-, family-, and SA/DP-related life-course patterns for the 10-year follow-up. Multinomial regression analysis was used to analyse the associations of baseline sociodemographics and morbidity with specific cluster membership.

Results
Four life-course sequences were identified for both women and men. ‘Employment/studies’ (47% of women, 88% of men); ‘Employment/studies & parental leave’ (37% of women); ‘Rapid return to employment/studies’ (6% of men); ‘Slow return to employment/studies’ (9% of women); ‘Low level of employment/studies’ (6% of women, 5% of men); and ‘Increasing sickness absence & disability pension (SA/DP)’ (1% of men). In women, low education (OR range 4.31-58.02), immigrant background (OR range 1.37-3.95), and morbidity (OR range 1.08-1.91) were associated with being in the ‘Employment/studies & parental leave', ‘Slow return to employment/studies', or ‘Low level of employment/studies’ life courses compared with the ‘Employment/studies’ life course. In men, the associations with low education (OR range 4.30-12.98), immigrant background (OR range 2.64-5.71) and morbidity (OR range 1.54-8.01) were found for ‘Rapid return to employment/studies', ‘Low level of employment/studies’ and ‘Increasing SA/DP'.

Conclusions
After the first parental leave, women have more often than men life course patterns of slow return to work or alternating periods of employment and parental leave. Education, birth country, and morbidity are associated with future life course patterns in women and men.

Key messages
• After the first parental leave, women have more variable working life courses than men, with more women with patterns of slow return to work or alternating periods of employment and parental leave.
• Prior low education, immigrant background, and morbidity are associated with more variable life course patterns among both women and men.
The effect of mental disorders in youth on NEET and the mediating role of high school dropout
Authors: Hijdra R , Oude Groeniger J , Burdorf A , Schuring M 
Published: October 2023

Abstract

Introduction
In the EU, over 13% of 15-29 years olds are not participating in Education, Employment or Training (NEET), which increases their risk of health problems and lower well-being later in life. This study investigates whether mental disorders in childhood impacts i) high school drop-out during adolescence, and ii) NEET in their early twenties. Secondly, it assesses to what extent the effect of mental disorders on NEET is mediated by high school drop-out.

Methods
Longitudinal nationwide register data from Statistics Netherlands were used for persons born in 1994. These included medication prescription for mental disorders (ages 12-15 years), high school dropout (ages 16-19 years) and participation in education or employment (age 21-26 years). NEET was defined as the proportion of time a person was not in employment or education between the ages of 21 and 26. Linear regression analyses were performed on the association between mental disorders and NEET and logistic regression analyses on the association between mental disorders and having a high school dropout period. Causal mediation analysis was used to assess to what extent the effect of mental disorders on NEET could be reduced by eliminating high school dropout.

Results
Taking medication for mental disorders was strongly associated with a longer NEET period and also increased the risk of having a high school dropout period. Having a high school dropout period significantly contributed to having a longer NEET period among persons with mental disorders. Further results of this study will follow later.

Conclusions
Mental disorders in childhood are strongly associated with a longer NEET period in early adulthood, which can be reduced by preventing high school dropout. It is of paramount importance to prevent, detect and treat mental disorders from a young age and prevent persons from dropping out of high school, as it can affect outcomes later in life.

Key messages
• Mental disorders in childhood are strongly associated with a longer NEET period in early adulthood, which can be reduced by preventing high school dropout.
• It is of paramount importance to prevent, detect and treat mental disorders from a young age and prevent persons from dropping out of high school, as it can affect outcomes later in life.