bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
How might a Universal Basic Income influence UK mental health? A microsimulation modelling study
Authors: Thomson R M , Kopasker D , Bronka P , Richiardi M , Khodygo V , Baxter A J , Igelström E , Pearce A , Leyland A H , Katikireddi S V 
Published: October 2023

Abstract

Background
Universal Basic Income (UBI) may improve mental health (MH), but no studies have trialled or modelled UBI in whole populations. We simulated the MH effects of UBI on UK working-age adults.

Methods
Adults aged 25-64 were simulated from 2022-26 with the SimPaths microsimulation model, using data from the UK Household Longitudinal Study. SimPaths models short-term MH effects of UK tax/benefit policies via income, poverty and employment transitions. Three counterfactual UBI scenarios were modelled from 2023: ‘Partial’ (value equivalent to existing benefits), ‘Full’ (equivalent to the UK Minimum Income Standard) and ‘Full+’ (retained some means-tested benefits). Likely common mental disorder (CMD) was measured using the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12, score ≥4) and stratified by gender, education, and household structure. Simulations were run 1,000 times to generate 95% uncertainty intervals. Sensitivity analyses relaxed SimPaths assumptions about reduced employment resulting from Full/Full+ UBI.

Results
Partial UBI had little impact on poverty, employment or MH. Full UBI scenarios practically eradicated poverty, but decreased employment. Full+ UBI increased CMD prevalence by 0.38% points (0.13-0.69), equivalent to 157,951 additional CMD cases (54,036-286,805); effects were largest for men (0.63% [0.31-1.01]) and those with children (0.64% [0.18-1.14]). In our sensitivity analysis assuming minimal UBI-related employment impacts, CMD prevalence instead fell by 0.27% (-0.49, -0.05), a reduction of 112,228 cases (20,783-203,673); effects were largest for women (-0.32% [-0.65, 0.00]), those without children (-0.40 [-0.68, -0.15]) and those with least education (-0.42% [-0.97, 0.15]). MH effects waned by 2026 in all modelled scenarios.

Conclusions
UBI has potential to improve short-term population MH by reducing poverty, but impacts may be highly contingent on whether individuals choose to remain in employment following its introduction.

Key messages
• A UBI meeting living costs may slightly improve population mental health if people continue working after receiving the benefit, especially for women, the least educated, and those without children.
• In a ‘worst-case scenario’, where the increased income led to maximal reductions in employment, UBI might instead worsen short-term mental health, especially for men and those with children.
Individual-level exposures and risk of COVID-19: an umbrella review
Authors: Savoia C , Pezzullo A M , Farina S , Di Pumpo M , Tona D M , Porcelli M , Boccia S 
Published: October 2023

Abstract

As of April 2023, over 650 million people have been confirmed to have contracted COVID-19. The risk of transmission of COVID-19 might be influenced by various factors, including immunity from vaccination or previous infection, the use of personal protective equipment (PPE), indoors vs. outdoors environments, the degree of ventilation in indoor environments, and distance from the source of the infection. This review aims to assess the credibility of research conducted on individual risk factor epidemiology and prevention of COVID-19. A search was conducted on PubMed to identify systematic reviews and meta-analyses of studies examining the association between individual-level exposures and COVID-19. The study estimated the summary effect size and its 95% CI using both fixed-effect and random-effects models, and the 95% prediction interval was used to evaluate uncertainty. The study also examined heterogeneity among the studies and the presence of biases. We identified 141 meta-analyses examining 84 types of exposures or treatments. These were categorized into eight macro-groups: demographic factors, behavioural factors, dietary nutrient intake, comorbidities, drugs, PPE, contact types, and vaccination. Interventional studies comprised 5.7% of the total, contact tracing studies were 9.8%, and the remaining studies (84.5%) were other types of observational comparative studies. In these preliminary findings, the heterogeneity index (I2) ranged from large to very large, and there was evidence of small study effect and excess significance bias in many meta-analyses. Preliminary findings suggest that, apart from vaccines, for which abundant randomized evidence exists, the evidence base for COVID-19 prevention consists largely of studies of low or uncertain epidemiological credibility.

Key messages
• Overall epidemiological credibility of COVID-19 association studies might be low.
• Rigorous methodological practices are recommended when conducting epidemiological studies.
Assessing adverse childhood experiences in young refugees – development of the BRACE questionnaire
Authors: Abdelhamid S , Fischer J , Steinisch M 
Published: October 2023

Abstract

Background
With the persistence of ongoing crises and subsequent displacement of individuals, including children, knowledge about adversities experienced in this context is crucial, given the harmful effects of adverse childhood experiences (ACE) on mental and physical health. With the tools currently available, a comprehensive assessment of adversity exposure faced by refugee children is not possible. The BRACE (beyond refugee ACE) project set out to develop a core set of screening items that are refugee children specific and measure exposure and severity at all stages of migration. Here, the development of the Arabic (one of the majority languages of asylum seekers in Europe) parent report version is described.

Methods
The BRACE questionnaire was developed based on results of 1) a qualitative study involving semi-structured interviews with 47 refugee parents and 11 children (Germany, 2018-2020), and 2) a systematic review of relevant measures. Categories and associated adverse/protective experiences derived in 1) built the foundation of the BRACE. Whenever possible, items of validated ACE tools identified in 2) were used to assess exposure. The item set was finalized after translation into Arabic and cognitive pre-testing with 12 participants from the target population.

Results
The developed BRACE consisted of 52 items for 48 categories covering 8 adverse (e.g. disruption, violence) and 2 protective themes (e.g., connections). 19 items were developed by the study team (e.g., police brutality), 33 items were adopted from existing ACE tools (e.g. family member arrest). A binary response format expanding into a 4-point Likert scale was employed. Minor difficulties regarding respondent interpretation and answering ability could be resolved resulting in a final 50 item set.

Conclusions
This item set provides a starting point for field trials of a measure needed to facilitate the identification of at-risk individuals for targeted interventions.

Key messages
• Adverse childhood experiences (ACE) can harm mental/physical health. Adequate tools assessing ACE exposure in flight contexts are needed in order to develop mitigation strategies for those at risk.
• The BRACE project has developed a core set of screening items specific to refugee children's experiences to measure adversity exposure and severity at all stages of migration.
Socioeconomic characteristics and COVID-19 infection in Belgium: the mediating role of vaccination
Authors: Ghattas J , Cavillot L , Van den Borre L , de Pauw R , Hubin P , van Loenhout J , Devleesschauwer B 
Published: October 2023

Abstract

Background
Evidence suggests that people from lower socioeconomic status are at higher risk of infectious disease impact, owed to virus exposure, susceptibility and incomplete or delayed vaccination. However, It is unknown whether COVID-19 incidence disparities is due to social inequalities or social vaccination inequalities. The aim of this research is to determine whether socioeconomic characteristics are associated with COVID-19 infections in Belgium by measuring its direct effect, and to quantify the indirect role of socioeconomic determinants on COVID-19 infections by examining the role of vaccination as a mediator in this association.

Methods
In this retrospective cohort, all patients tested for COVID-19, at least once, in Belgium between 1 September 2021 and 1 September 2022 will be included in our analysis. A survival analysis will be conducted to compare time to the endpoint defined as COVID-19 infection according to socioeconomic characteristics. Mediation analysis for vaccination status will be conducted to assess the role of vaccination in the association between socioeconomic factors and COVID-19 infection.

Results
Expected results would give us an understanding of the impact of socioeconomic characteristics on COVID-19 infections in Belgium using on a population-based approach and considering the mediating effect of vaccination.

Conclusions
Mediation analysis is a novel approach for better understanding virus exposure and susceptibility in a context marked by socioeconomic inequalities. Understanding these patterns will allow better health-system preparedness for future pandemics.

Key messages
• Understanding social inequalities is essential for better health-system preparedness and response.
• Mediation analysis allows to understand the direct effect of socioeconomic inequalities on COVID-19 infections and the indirect effect mediated through vaccination.
Inequalities in health outcomes of SARS-CoV-2 infection by migration status in Barcelona, Spain
Authors: Pérez-Muto V , Barón L , Bertran M J , Vilella A , Torà I 
Published: October 2023

Abstract

Background
Migrants are a vulnerable population at risk of worse health outcomes due to legal status, language barriers, and socioeconomic and cultural factors. Considering the conflicting literature on the subject, it is important to further explore the extent and nature of these inequalities.

Aim
To compare health outcomes associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection between migrant population and Spanish natives living in Barcelona.

Methods
Observational retrospective cohort study including all adult cases of SARS-CoV-2 infection who visited a tertiary hospital in Barcelona between the 1st March 2020 and the 31st March 2022. We established five health outcomes: the presence of symptomatology, hospitalisation, intensive care unit (ICU) admission, use of mechanical ventilation (MV), and in-hospital 30-day mortality (IHM). Using Spanish natives as a reference, Odds Ratios (OR) with 95% CI were calculated for migrants by multivariate logistic regression and adjusted by sociodemographic and clinical factors.

Results
Of 11,589 patients (46.8% females), 3,914 were born outside of Spain, although 34.8% of them had legal citizenship. Most migrants were born in the Americas Region (20.3%), followed by other countries in Europe (17.2%). Migrants were younger than natives (median 43 [IQR 33-55] years vs 65 [49-78] years) and had a higher socioeconomic privation index, less comorbidities, and fewer vaccine doses. Adjusted models showed migrants were more likely to report SARS-CoV-2 symptomatology with an adjusted OR of 1.36 (95%CI 1.20-1.54), and more likely to be hospitalised (OR 1.11 [IC95% 1.00-1.23], p = 0.043), but less likely to experience IHM (OR 0.67 [IC95% 0.47-0.93], p = 0.02).

Conclusions
Native population had higher odds of IHM, but migrants were more likely to be hospitalised. Although migrants tend to be younger and healthier, more of them presented to the hospital symptomatic. These results could suggest disparities in healthcare access for migrant population.

Key messages
• Characteristics of immigrant and native population differ greatly, which could be translated into different needs and health priorities.
• More research on health disparities beyond COVID-19 in migrant populations is necessary to identify gaps in healthcare access and health literacy.
Complementary and alternative therapies for PTSD in refugees and asylum seekers: a systematic review
Authors: Paudyal P , Less E , Cooper M 
Published: October 2023

Abstract

Background
Over 100 million people worldwide are displaced every year, including 26.3 million refugees and 4.5 million asylum seekers. Previous research has identified that up to 46% of asylum seekers and refugees (ASRs) use complementary and alternative therapies (CAT) in their lifetime. This study aimed to systematically review and summarise the findings from existing studies evaluating the effectiveness of practitioner-based complementary therapies in PTSD in ASR populations.

Methods
The study protocol was registered in PROSPERO [ID: CRD42022311069]. Electronic searches were conducted in MEDLINE, Embase, Google Scholar, PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science. Studies published in English that considered practitioner-based CAT in PTSD in adult ASRs were eligible. Results from quantitative studies were summarised using effect size and, for qualitative/mixed methods studies, narrative synthesis was conducted using thematic analysis. Quality assessment of the studies were conducted using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool (MMAT).

Results
Of the total 605 studies identified in the search, 15 were included: quantitative (n = 11), qualitative (n = 2), and mixed methods (n = 3). Music therapy was identified as the most widely used intervention (five studies), followed by art therapy, body awareness therapy, meditation, yoga and spiritual therapy. Meditation, yoga and spiritual therapy were significantly associated with reduction in PTSD symptoms whereas the findings varied across the studies in relation to other therapies. Qualitative findings suggested that CAT interventions are acceptable to ASR populations.

Conclusions
This study suggests that spiritual therapy, yoga, and meditation have a beneficial role in PTSD in ASR populations. However, the findings should be interpreted cautiously as the studies were small with considerable inter-study heterogeneity.

Key messages
• Practitioner based complementary and alternative therapies are acceptable to asylum seekers and refugees.
• Spiritual therapy, yoga and meditation may have beneficial role in PTSD.
Attitudes towards the childhood immunisation programme among Polish immigrants in Norway
Authors: Gleditsch R N , Hynek K , Ofitserova T S , Hansen B T , Skogheim T S 
Published: October 2023

Abstract

Background
Norwegian-born children by Polish-born parents have lower coverage of some childhood vaccines than the general population in the nationwide Childhood Immunisation Programme. However, we know little about why this group have lower coverage. This study explored attitudes towards the Childhood Immunisation Programme among Polish immigrants in Norway. This knowledge can enhance vaccine information and further improve the prevention of infectious diseases in Norway.

Methods
We conducted semi-structured interviews with 15 Polish immigrants in Norway in the fall of 2022. The project explored vaccination in general, while the focus herein is on child vaccination. To better understand how the experiences and knowledge shape the participants’ attitudes towards vaccines and vaccination, the data was inductively analysed using a reflexive thematic analysis. The analysis is ongoing, and results are thus preliminary.

Results
Most of the participants had lived more than 10 years in Norway, while three had lived here for less than five years. All the participants had children. Based on the thematic analysis, we focused on three sub themes: 1) view of the child immunisation programme; 2) vaccine hesitancy; and 3) differences in childhood vaccination between Poland and Norway. Most of the participants’ children followed the immunisation programme. Some reported hesitancy towards the pneumococcal vaccine and the human papilloma virus vaccine. The majority of the participants expressed feeling less vaccine pressure in Norway than Poland and emphasized a high level of trust in the Norwegian health authorities.

Conclusions
The knowledge related to vaccine attitudes and differences between the Polish and the Norwegian programmes identified in the study, can help adapt better vaccine information and further improve the prevention of infectious diseases in Norway in general and for under-vaccinated groups in particular.

Key messages
• This knowledge can be used to adapt better vaccine information.
• This knowledge can help to improve the prevention of infectious diseases in Norway and for under-vaccinated groups in particular.
Improving the governance of a regional research network: from needs’ assessment to policy making
Authors: Maltoni S , Negro A , Alberghini L , Lavezzini E , Camerlingo M D , Moro M L , Tedesco D , Rolli M 
Published: October 2023

Abstract

Clinical research is a pivotal element for the Emilia-Romagna (Italy) healthcare system. Since 2009, several regional legislative acts established that clinical research was one of healthcare workers’ institutional activity as well as healthcare assistance and recommended each public Hospitals and Local Health Trusts (LHTs) to set up a research infrastructure (RI) to support clinical researchers. The goal of this intervention was both to assess the regional RI organization and to design a policy fostering the development of a RIs’ regional network. Our work, that took place in one year, consists of three-steps conducting: (I) a survey on all 15 RIs to assess their organizational model; (II) an interview to the key informants of each RIs to assess their strengths and weaknesses; (III) a three-round Delphi survey to evaluate the stratification of the activities in terms of complexity. The survey showed a high level of heterogeneity among RIs in terms of organizational structure, activities, human and instrumental resources and strengths and weaknesses. For example technological, economic, and human resources were considered opportunities, although difficulty at hiring data managers emerged as a potential threat. The Delphi panel assigned 3 levels of complexity (low, medium, high) to each activity carried out by RIs: 14 (47%) were considered low (mandatory for all RIs); 11 (37%) were considered medium (needed in RIs with medium volume/complexity of research activities) and, lastly, only 1 (3%) was considered high (needed in RIs with high complexity of research activities); for 4 (13%) activities no consensus was reached. The survey showed high level of heterogeneity and fragmentation among regional RIs in terms of organization, activities, resources and support offered to researchers. It also identified which level of complexity each RI should have and proposed possible solutions fostering a regional network of RIs to improve research activities in our Region.

Key messages
• Research is a key element of any innovative healthcare system. Public research needs a strong coordination.
• This work enabled policymakers to draft a policy based on evidence coming from stakeholders.
Irish consumers attitudes and behaviors to transitioning to more sustainable dietary
Authors: Harrington J M , Kenny T , O'Mahony L , McCarthy S , McCarthy M , Woodside J V 
Published: October 2023

Abstract

Background
The evidence on the environmental, socio-cultural and economic impacts of current diets highlights the need for countries to develop food based dietary guidelines incorporating sustainability. This study assessed consumers current beliefs, attitudes, and behaviours to transitioning to more sustainable dietary practices.

Methods
An online quantitative survey was developed. An all-Island sample in Ireland, representative of national age and gender distribution was recruited by Qualtrics XM market research company. Ethical approval for the study was granted by the Social Research Ethics Committee of UCC and reaffirmed by Queens University Belfast. Data were analysed using STATA SE Version 17.0.

Results
Affordability, accessibility, nutrition, and health were the most important characteristics of sustainable diets reported by participants that influence food purchases. Almost half of respondents were not interested in eating less animal-based food (45%) and more plant-based foods (51%). However, 22% reported to have started reducing red and processed meat consumption ‘some of the time'. The most popular sustainable dietary behaviours that people were already engaged with are: eating more home-cooked meals (59%), reducing food waste through prevention (41%), and eating less discretionary foods (55%).

Conclusions
Facilitating dietary change is a critical component of the transition towards more sustainable diets. A multi-pronged strategy is needed to transition to food environments that empower people to choose healthier and more sustainable options. This includes downstream actions at the individual level, including awareness and education campaigns, but more importantly upstream where strong leadership through public policies taking a whole of population approach is imperative.

Key messages
• Much work has to be done to reconnect human and ecological health, building awareness and knowledge of sustainable diets, and to make the more sustainable choice the easier, and acceptable choice.
• Affordability, accessibility and nutrition and health are important characteristics of sustainable diets influencing food purchases. These need to be considered in the development of key messages.
An interdisciplinary approach evidenced the influence of human activities on honey in Northern Italy
Authors: Consonni M , Moroni G , Tovagliari B , Gianelle V , Tesauro M 
Published: October 2023

Abstract

Background
Bees are important environmental indicators, revealing pollution through mortality or residues in honey and other hive products. We compared honey quality in a rural (Western Milan) and an industrial area (Northern Milan-Rho) in Lombardy (Italy).

Methods
In collaboration with the local Health and Environmental Protection Agencies, we collect and evaluate data regarding organic and inorganic residues in the honey samples from 2011 to 2022. Furthermore, we investigate the possible sources of air emissions through INEMAR database (INventario EMissioni ARia).

Results
Tetracyclines were detected in one case in the rural area, while Pb concentration was found above legal limits in several samples in the industrial area. INEMAR evidenced combustion in industry and road transport as the main sources of Pb emission in that area. It was also noticed Hg emissions in the rural area, clearly higher than in other territories.

Conclusions
The fraudulent use of antibiotics to eliminate pathogens, such as Paenibacillus larvae, responsible for American foulbrood, can be at the origin of their presence in the honey. Continuous monitoring of these compounds is critical since their environmental persistence can be very long lasting and a risk for human health. Heavy metals are harmful for human health and can have natural and mostly anthropic origins. The main sources are motor traffic, exhaust gases and fumes, as well as pesticides and synthetic fertilizers. Pb contamination can derive from the location of the apiaries near roads with high vehicular traffic, but in some cases, from the paints used to waterproof hives. The unexpected high Hg emissions better address next monitoring on honey in the rural area where no in-depth Hg analysis has been carried out until now. This interdisciplinarity is a new approach and an essential tool to better understand the influence of anthropic activities and of air pollution on honey quality.

Key messages
• Comparison of chemical quality (organic and inorganic residues) in honey produced in rural and industrial areas in Lombardy (Northern Italy).
• An interdisciplinary approach in honey quality assessment, considering estimated emission loads from anthropic activities in both areas.