bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
2.P. Workshop: Mental health in old age
Authors:   Organised by: EUPHA-PMH, EUPHA-CHR,   Chair persons: Jutta Lindert (EUPHA-PMH), Julian Mamo (EUPHA-CHR)
Published: October 2023

Abstract

Mental health conditions affect people throughout the world, at all ages. Additionally, mental health conditions are associated with social health and with physical health. Applying a body - mind concept of health framework to mental health conditions can add to existing knowledge on mental health conditions in old age. We organized this workshop based on the understanding that mental health and mental health conditions differ according to individual and community factors. The data presented propose that mental health plays a critical role in old age, and as such, deserves greater attention to further understand how who might be at risk for mental health conditions in old age. More specifically, we focus attention on physical health, socio-economic and environmental factors that affecting mental health in old age. First, based on the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe (SHARE), the author examines a reciprocal relationship between functional disability and depression over time and further proposes the potential role of social participation in alleviating depression in old age. Second, mental health of older persons with migrant children will be analyzed across different European regions. Third, based on data from the SHARE study, retirement as a major life event with long term consequences on depression risk is identified. Fourth, the study examines how financial adversity in old age is associated with mental health among older adults who are living in a rural area in Germany. Finally, the associations between loneliness and mental health among Spanish older adults during the COVID-19 pandemic are presented. Based on the presentations, research gaps and promising areas of research, practice, and policy focused on promoting mental health in old age and across the lifespan will be discussed with participants.

Key messages
• Migration of children, functional disability and financial adversity are related to old age depression.
• Loneliness in old age is associated with mental health conditions.
Perceived and functional health literacy and antibiotic use in children among Cypriot parents
Authors: Menikou J , Middleton N , Papastavrou E , Nicolaou C 
Published: October 2023

Abstract

Background
Several factors have been associated with antibiotic misuse leading to antibiotic resistance, an increasing public health problem. Health literacy (HL) may influence parents’ knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) towards antibiotic use in their children.

Methods
A cross-sectional study was conducted with a convenience sample of parents of children, aged 6 months to 15 years, presenting in pediatric primary care centers across 3 Cypriot cities. Participants completed a KAP tool on antibiotic use. They also rated their HL competences using HLS-EU-Q47 and completed the NVS (Newest Vital Sign), a performance-based HL tool. Associations between parental KAP towards antibiotic use with both perceived health literacy (PHL) and functional health literacy (FHL) were explored.

Results
Among 203 parents (84.2% female, 84.3% tertiary education), preferred information source was associated with HL in different ways with higher FHL among those reporting using the internet for information regarding antibiotics in children (p = 0.04), whereas higher PHL was recorded among those reporting the doctor as information source (p = 0.01). An increase in the FHL score was associated with an increase in the knowledge (p = 0.01), attitudes (p = 0.01), and practices (p &lt; 0.005) towards antibiotics. In contrast, no significant associations were observed between PHL and either knowledge or practices towards antibiotic use. However, antibiotic misuse, based on the number of recognized antibiotics from a list, was associated with lower PHL (p = &lt;0.005). Parents with sub-optimal attitudes towards antibiotics had lower PHL scores on average (32.74, SD = 6.58 versus 36.30, SD = 7.77).

Conclusions
Better performance in a FHL measure among parents was with an increase in KAP towards antibiotic use in their children. Although this association did not appear consistent with PHL, a high number of parents with limited HL, either PHL or FHL, faced challenges in KAP towards antibiotic use in children.

Key messages
• Unnecessary use of antibiotics in children, problematic attitudes, and limited knowledge towards antibiotics among parents are associated with lower HL, either perceived or functional.
• Assessing the association of parental KAP towards antibiotics and HL is important in gaining a comprehensive understanding of their HL and in developing targeted Public Health interventions.
Relationship between functional disability, depression, and social and civic engagement among older European adults: A three wave longitudinal study using SHARE
Authors: Lee S 
Published: October 2023

Abstract

Background
Studies show that depression has a long-term effect on physical health and functional capabilities. Vice versa, onset of functional disability has a detrimental role in the decline in emotional and mental well-being of older adults. The current study was sought to explore the direction of the association between functional disability and depression, and further examined if social-civic engagement, as a means of coping, moderated the association.

Methods
Study employed a secondary analysis using data derived from waves 5 (2013), 6 (2015) and 7 (2017) of the Survey of Health, Aging and Retirement in Europe (SHARE). In total, 36 323 older adults aged 65+ at baseline (mean age 74.41 ± 7.09 years; 54.8% women; 83.2% retired) were followed up over a 4-year period. Analysis included GALI (The Global Activity Limitation Indicator), ADLs (Activities of Daily Living), IADLs (Instrumental Activities of Daily Living), EURO-D depression scale, and different types of social/civic activities (voluntary/charity work; educational or training course; sport, social or other kind of club; and political or community-related organization). Covariates included socio-demographic variables.

Results
Controlling for the effects of covariates, the association between functional disability and depression is reciprocal over time, but depression had a greater impact on functional disability than the reverse at both follow-up points. Different types of social-civic participation appeared to moderate the association between depression and functional disability, but in varied ways.

Conclusions
Finding suggests that depression is associated with higher odds of functional disability, and impede recovery from the disability. Early behavioural and psychological interventions and social prescribing including social/civic activities can help develop positive resources, coping strategies, and resilience, and thereby, alleviating the vicious cycle linking functional disability and depression.
The fear of loss of autonomy as lever for vaccination of the elderly: a qualitative study
Authors: Addario A , Pardo M , Dorier S , Barth N , Gavazzi G , Botelho-Nevers E 
Published: October 2023

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the challenges of vaccination and the infectious risks among the elderly. According to available data, vaccination rates for recommended vaccines in this population are insufficient in France. The aim is to identify the levers and obstacles to vaccination among seniors, and then to shed light on the possible arguments that could lead to a commitment to new vaccination behaviours. A qualitative survey based on 14 semi-structured interviews was conducted with people aged 65 and over, living at home in the Auvergne Rhône-Alpes region (France) from March to May 2022. The interviews were recorded, transcribed in their entirety and then subjected to a thematic content analysis by two independent persons. The participants declared themselves to be in good health and to be concerned about maintaining their health by keeping their physical and cognitive capacities and their autonomy. To this end, they mentioned carrying out preventive behaviours, such as regular physical activity and a balanced diet. However, vaccination, which is associated with infectious disease prevention, was not mentioned as a factor in the prevention of good ageing during the interviews. Participants’ experiences of the polio epidemic and the COVID-19 pandemic highlighted older people's fears of infections. While infections are not a source of fear, their after-effects, more specifically, physical and cognitive alterations leading to a loss of autonomy, are a source of apprehension. These elements could be a good lever to bring hesitant elderly people to think about their own vaccination. In the light of these elements, given the protection against cardiovascular events provided by vaccinations for the elderly (influenza, shingles, pneumococcus), this argument could be the starting point for a prevention campaign aimed at the elderly. This avenue will be tested more precisely and with a larger number of subjects in a quantitative study based on a questionnaire.

Key messages
• the protection against cardiovascular events provided by vaccinations for the elderly (influenza, shingles, pneumococcus) seems to be argument could be change vaccination behavior.
• Older people are not afraid of infections but of the consequences they can have, such as loss of autonomy.
Prevalence, risk, and protective factors of health among Irish university students
Authors: Noonan A , Norton C , Tierney A , Kennedy S , Woods C B 
Published: October 2023

Abstract

Background
Young adulthood (18-25 y) is associated with increased engagement with risky health behaviours, with those in transitionary phases most vulnerable. The transition to higher education (HE) make such settings important in health promotion. However, global evidence suggests that the health-related behaviours of HE students are both sub-optimal, and worsening. Our objectives, therefore, are to determine prevalence and risk of various health behaviours, and to identify protective factors in Irish HE students.

Methods
Using an anonymous, repeated measures (annually 2019-2022) cross-sectional student survey of health behaviours (physical activity, mental health and wellbeing, healthy eating, healthy environment, addictive behaviours, and sexual health), data on 4924 participants (2019:N=1302, 2020:N=1128, 2021:N=967, 2022:N=1527), 58.5% identifying as female (2877), aged [mean(SD)] 21.8 (6.3) years are eligible. Most respondents (60.4%, N = 2539) are undergraduates in first year.

Results
Preliminary prevalence data show vaping has risen from 10.8% in 2019 to 17.9% in 2022. Those reporting poor mental health (MHI-5) has also increased from 17.4% in 2019 to 21.5% in 2022. Similarly, happiness declined from 2019 to 2022 (2019, 6.5, (1.92) | 2022, 6.09 (2.00). Further work will aim to calculate prevalence of health indicators (weighted means and 95% CIs) each year; dichotomise variables where necessary and perform logistic regression to determine if health behaviours (i.e., substance use, physical activity etc.) are associated with illness indicators (i.e., GAD, general mental health, BMI, happiness etc.), controlling for gender, economic status, course of study, marital status, sexual orientation, age and underlying health conditions.

Conclusions
While the results so far are concerning, they align with existent literature. Outcomes may be of interest to HE health services and policy makers in determining how to optimise the student health.

Key messages
• The health of students in HE settings is at risk.
• Emphasis should be placed on factors that enhance the health of students.
Health literacy of informal caregivers: findings from a Portuguese study
Authors: Pedro A R , Avelar F G , Raposo B , Brandão D , Amaral O , Escoval A 
Published: October 2023

Abstract

Background
Health literacy (HL) concerns the knowledge and competences of people to meet the complex demands of process of caring. Providing health care to someone can be an extremely demanding task that requires a combination of skills and knowledge. HL can be considered a key factor in promoting the health of both the informal caregiver and the cared person. The aim of this study was to assess the characteristics associated with health literacy among informal caregivers.

Methods
A cross-sectional study was conducted through an online survey directed to informal caregivers. It was applied the Portuguese version of European Health Literacy Survey (HLS-EU-PT-Q16) and it was calculated a 0-50 Score. Bivariate analyses were performed using one-way ANOVA, independent T-tests, and Pearsońs correlation, at a 5% significance level in SPSS®.

Results
In total, 760 informal caregivers were surveyed, mean age 57 years (±9.9), 92.5% female, 62.6% married or living with a partner, 41,5% higher education, 44.4% works full or part-time, 58.7% receives up to two national minimum wages. Regarding the process of care, 78.9% takes care of one person, 85.2% have been caring for more than 1 year, 54.3% feel that are not supported at all, and 20.3% do not feel competent to care. The mean HL score (n = 673) was 31.9 (+7.8), and 58.6% has a problematic or inadequate HL level. Education (p &lt; 0.001), marital status (p = 0.030), employment (p &lt; 0.001), family income (p &lt; 0.001), perception of general and mental health status (p &lt; 0.001), level of support (p &lt; 0.001), level of perceived competence (p &lt; 0.001), access to health care (p &lt; 0.001) and access to information (p &lt; 0.001) were associated with the informal caregivers’ HL Score.

Conclusions
Socioeconomic determinants are associated with HL Score, better socioeconomic status is associated with a higher level of health literacy among informal caregivers. Future studies focused on these determinants are needed to better understand and act on them.

Key messages
• Health literacy levels are associated to socioeconomic determinants, better socioeconomic status is associated with a higher level of health literacy among informal caregivers.
• Higher levels of health literacy are associated with higher levels of perceived competence to provide care.
The challenge of infodemic: a scoping review of strategies to tackle health-related fake news
Authors: Gentili A , Villani L , Valz Gris A , Osti T , Solimene V , De Maio L , Corona V F , Zaino A , Bonacquisti M , Cascini F 
Published: October 2023

Abstract

Introduction
The term “infodemic” was coined by David J. Rothkopf during the SARS epidemic to describe the phenomenon of the uncontrolled spread of speculation amplified by the media and the technologies of the 21st century. During the COVID-19 pandemic, a tremendous increase of misinformation was observed. The purpose of this scoping review is to collect and describe all the strategies, tools, and recommendations available from the literature aimed at counteracting infodemic and provide useful information for decision makers to build effective responses.

Methods
We performed a systematic search of scientific literature from 1 January 2018 to 31 January 2023 on PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus electronic databases. Eligible articles were English article analysing tools (strategies, policies, recommendations, guidance, guidelines, toolkits, etc) aiming at supervising, monitoring, preventing and countering infodemic.

Results
The overall research in the scientific databases yielded a total of 5,516 record. Following the inclusion and exclusion criteria, we selected 26 articles from scientific and grey literature.
From the included articles, 21 public health actions were extracted. These recommendations were grouped into five main categories (“Strategies”) that act on the infodemic phenomenon:
- Increasing the health literacy of the population
- Surveillance of the spread of misinformation strategies
- Checking and debunking misinformation strategies
- Legal and Institutional strategies
- Communicate and dissemination programs

Conclusions
The review showed a large number of stakeholders envolved (social media companies, healthcare professionals, institutions, population). To properly address the problem of infodemia, it will be essential the creation of a solid health network, capable to tackle the spread of fake news in every moment of the process, from the surveillance systems to the checking and debunking information.

Key messages
• Healthcare professionals have the responsibility of disseminating information in an understandable manner; government and authorities should implement laws to tackle the dissemination of fake news.
• Social media companies (and their most famous users, the ‘influencers'), should take stronger actions to contain the dissemination of fake news.
Health literacy for the prevention of noncommunicable diseases–health sciences students’ perception
Authors: Leventi N 
Published: October 2023

Abstract

Background
World Health Organization highlights the importance of health literacy development for noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) prevention and control. NCDs were recognized by the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development as a major challenge. The aim of our research is to explore health sciences students’ perception on the role of health literacy, digital health literacy and NCDs risk factors, related to their prevention.

Methods
A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 210 first year students from the Faculty of Medicine and the Medical College in Medical University-Sofia, Bulgaria. An anonymous questionnaire distributed among students and all respondents participated voluntarily. Data was collected during January 2023. A descriptive statistical method was used to analyze the data collected.

Results
Among respondents the majority 83,7% stated that promoting health literacy is an approach to promote the prevention of NCDs while 88,2% of them considered very important or important the role of digital health literacy among medical and non-medical professionals for NCDs prevention. Data collected show that a significant percentage (81,5%) among participants reported the necessity of interdisciplinary initiatives as an action to promote health literacy. In addition, more training on NCDs risk factors was pointed as essential by 82,0% of the students.

Conclusions
It appears very important for the future health professionals to develop health literacy on and be familiar with the risk factors associated with NCDs. That could lead them to gain confidence, and be more effective in health issues related decision making. Special attention should be given the digital tools and instruments, as they can significantly contribute for the health literacy improvement. An interdisciplinary approach can provide the environment to optimize access to health information, and support health and well-being of individuals and communities.

Key messages
• Both health professionals to build capacity on health literacy improvement, and the population to directly engage, need interdisciplinary actions, focused on NCDs control and prevention.
• The successful digital transformation of health services, requires digital competencies and skills. They are the major components for digital health literacy, that supports health and wellbeing.
A regional gap analysis to inform the implementation of the Irish Healthy Campus Framework
Authors: Calnan S , Bickerdike A , Byrne M , O'Neill C , Millar S , Muttucomaroe L , Oliveira V 
Published: October 2023

Abstract

Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) constitute prudent ecological contexts for ‘whole-setting’ health promotion (HP) encompassing institutional policies, built environments, sociocultural norms, transdisciplinary research, and capacity-building curricula. As potent life course conduits for both monitoring and addressing public-health priorities, evidence-based HP within HEIs synergistically aligns with cross-sectoral agendas, including the UN SDGs, Okanagan Charter for Health Promoting Universities, and the EU Global Health Strategy. In Ireland, the health-enhancing potential of the higher education sector has been recognised, and validated, via the design and implementation of the Irish Healthy Campus Framework (IHCF). Concurrently, however, there remains a dearth of empirical evidence to underpin the efficacy of ecological HP interventions in contemporary HEIs. As the first inter-institutional collaboration of its kind to inform the implementation of the IHCF within two HEIs in Ireland (N &gt; 37,000 students, N &gt; 4,700 staff), this mixed-methods (QUAN-QUAL) research aims to examine the health and lifestyle profiles of inherently diverse campus populations, in addition to exploring the qualitative perspectives of cross-campus HP stakeholders. Pertinent measures will include two comprehensive web-based health instruments, comprised of iteratively devised items, in addition to a series of validated scales. Qualitative analyses will be rooted in an empirical model, which will be utilised to map and evaluate the ecological reach of HP services and interventions, serving as a regional gap analysis. This novel research will identify thematic priorities amongst a heterogeneous target population comprised of students and staff across two distinct universities, spanning seven regional campuses in the southwest of Ireland. Given the magnitude of HEIs as settings for health, these data will be of interest to a multitude of public health practitioners, academics, and policy makers.

Key messages
• This research is the first inter-institutional collaboration of its kind to inform the implementation of the Healthy Campus Framework within two HEIs in Ireland (N &gt; 37,000 students, N &gt; 4,700 staff).
• Emerging international frameworks recognise universities as potent, and highly-scalable, life course conduits through which to monitor and address public health priorities.