bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Mental health and well-being of students at TU Dresden
Authors: Girbig M , Huebner L , Kaempf D , Lesener T , Gusy B , Seidler A 
Published: October 2022

Abstract

Background
University life can be a particularly challenging phase in the development of young adults. Current research shows that mental disorders occur more frequently in students compared to workers of the same age. The coronavirus pandemic has exacerbated the problem. The TUDo! Study, done in cooperation with the FU Berlin, aimed to assess the health status of students at TU Dresden, with a focus on mental health.

Methods
In 2020/2021 students at TU Dresden (excluding students in the medical school) completed an online-based questionnaire. Validated questionnaires, e.g. the PHQ 4 (depressive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder) and the ERI student (student gratification crisis) were used. We evaluated descriptively and analytically, according to the questionnaire-specific specifications.

Results
A total of 2,683 students (12.3%) at the TU Dresden took part in the survey. The majority of study participants were female (n = 1,507; 56.7%) and had an average age of 22.9 years (SD = 4.3). 32.8% (n = 856/2,611) of the participating students reported a depressive syndrome and 32.5% (n = 848/2,612) a generalized anxiety disorder. Almost half of participating students (40,0%; n = 515/1,310) indicated an imbalance between effort (E) and reward (R) (ER ratio&gt;1). 51.23% (n = 693/1,50) of respondents reported a decline of mental well-being because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Discussion
Unlike similar studies, this study shows that TU Dresden students were particularly affected with regards to perceived psychological stress and complaints. The existing differences seem to be partly due to the coronavirus pandemic. These results indicate that universities should regularly check their studying conditions and provide appropriate preventive measures.

Key messages
• Students are at higher risk than workers of the same age for mental health problems.
• Students reported a decline in mental well-being due to the coronavirus pandemic.
The effectiveness of interventions to prevent loneliness in the community-dwelling elderly population
Authors: Grillich L , Titscher V , Klingenstein P , Kostial E , Emprechtinger R , Sommer I 
Published: October 2022

Abstract

Background
Loneliness and social isolation have comparable health effects to widely acknowledged and established risk factors. Although the elderly are particularly affected, the effectiveness of interventions to prevent and/or mitigate social isolation and loneliness in the community-dwelling elderly is unclear. The aim of this review of reviews was to pool the findings of systematic reviews addressing the question of effectiveness.

Methods
Ovid MEDLINE®, Health Evidence, Epistemonikos and Global Health (EBSCO) were searched from January 2017 to November 2021. Two reviewers independently assessed each systematic review in two consecutive steps based on previously defined eligibility criteria and appraised the methodological quality using AMSTAR 2. One author extracted data from both systematic reviews and eligible studies; another checked this. We conducted meta-analyses to pool the study results. We report the results of the random-effects and common-effect models.

Results
We identified 5 systematic reviews containing a total of 30 eligible studies, 16 with a low or moderate risk of bias. Our random-effects meta-analysis indicates an overall SMD effect of 0.63 [95% CI: -0.10; 1.36] for loneliness and was unable to detect an overall effect of the interventions on social support [SMD: 0.00; 95% CI: -0.11; 0.12].

Discussion
The results show interventions can potentially reduce loneliness in the non-institutionalised, community-dwelling elderly population living at home. As confidence in the evidence is low, rigorous evaluation is recommended.

Key messages
• The meta-analysis indicates that psychosocial interventions have the potential to reduce loneliness in the community-dwelling elderly population.
• As confidence in the evidence is low, healthcare providers should only implement interventions that are, firstly, based on a sound theory of change and, secondly, subject to rigorous evaluation.
Mental health promotion in the school environment
Authors: Kouznetsov R , Jelastopulu E 
Published: October 2022

Abstract

Issue/problem
The practice took place in a private school with students from 9 to 15 years old. The purpose of the intervention was to promote the mental health of students. The school’s goal was to eliminate school bullying incidents. The phenomenon of school bullying has global dimensions.

Description of the problem
The teachers of the school did not consider that they should be involved in issues of mental health of the students and did not take steps to reduce the phenomena of school bullying. In the meetings with the students, which had duration of six months, concepts such as self-esteem, empathy, emotional intelligence, cooperation, respect, stress, failure were analyzed. The causes and consequences of school bullying were discussed. The aim of the meetings was to raise students’ awareness to the above issues, to understand themselves and others and to develop teamwork. In the meetings with the students, three basic principles were developed: Facilitate-Respect-Recognize.

Results
After the end of the practice in the school context, students, teachers and parents completed an evaluation questionnaire anonymously. It turned out that the meetings at school became a cause for discussion in the classroom by 100% and at home by 65%. The students stated that they would not allow school violence or bullying after the meetings. It is noteworthy that one in three teachers did not consider the promotion of mental health as part of their duties while the parents expected the teachers to fulfill this goal 100%.

Lessons
It would be especially useful to conduct training seminars for teachers on adult (to enable better communication channels with parents) and child mental health and conflict management. Respectively, the parents should be educated on issues of mental health and psychopedagogy. The innovation of this action was that it involved teachers, parents and students while similar initiatives seldom take place in a Greek school environment.

Key messages
• Promoting healthy interpersonal relationships at school between students and teachers.
• Recognizing children’s emotions promotes their mental health during school life.
Anxiety, depression, and lower quality of life among Danish women with polycystic ovarian syndrome
Authors: Abdelkarim V , Thapa S 
Published: October 2022

Abstract

Background
Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) is the most frequent hormonal/endocrine disorder in women of reproductive age and is one of the most common causes of infertility. Approximately 20% of Danish women of reproductive age are diagnosed with PCOS, and yet only a little attention has been paid to the psychological symptoms appearing in women with PCOS. The present study investigated anxiety, depression, and lower quality of life among Danish women of reproductive age who are diagnosed with PCOS.

Methods
This was a cross-sectional survey study among 326 Danish women who self-reported as being diagnosed with PCOS. The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) was used to measure anxiety and depression, and the PCOS-QOL scale was used to measure the quality of life. Chi-square tests and logistic regression analyses were used for analyzing data.

Results
Sixty-six percent of women were found to have anxiety (n = 216), 41% of women had depression and 70% of women had low quality of life The most frequently reported symptoms were irregular menstrual cycle (86%), overweight (73%), and mood swings (65%), and irregular menstrual cycle, overweight and infertility were the were perceived of having higher severity. After adjusting for age, ethnicity, education, and income, the severity of symptoms, namely irregular menstrual cycle, infertility, overweight, and hirsutism, were independently and positively associated with depression, and severity of symptoms, namely irregular menstrual cycle, mood swings, and hirsutism, was independently and positively associated with anxiety. Lower quality of life was independently associated with both anxiety and depression.

Conclusions
Women with PCOS are at higher risk of anxiety, depression, and consequently, lower quality of life. Clinicians and other healthcare professionals should pay attention to the importance of mental health support in women with PCOS and work towards promoting it.

Key messages
• Women with PCOS are at higher risk of anxiety and depression, and lower quality of life.
• Health care professionals working with women with PCOS should be aware of this and be prepared to offer necessary support.
Distribution of Suicides in India: A Decadal Data Analysis (2011-2020)
Authors: Arif A 
Published: October 2022

Abstract

Background
India accounts for a significant proportion of suicide deaths globally. As per the Global Burden of Disease Study, India’s share of global suicides from 1990 to 2016 increased from 25·3% to 36·6% among women and 18·7% to 24·3% among men. However, medical factors are not the sole contributors to the suicide burden.

Methods
I analyze decadal data (2011-2020) on suicides in India provided by National Crime Records Bureau. This data contains the distribution of suicidal deaths based on age groups, causes, professions, gender, and residence zones.

Results
The analysis suggests that individuals aged ‘15-29 years’ were most affected (35.05%) by suicides, followed by those aged ‘30-44 years’ (32.61%). Family problems contribute to the highest burden of suicides among both these age groups. Such deaths can be attributed to personal reasons. Suicides due to dowry disputes are exclusive to women. Also, women report the highest instances of suicides due to marriage-related issues. While suicides due to drug abuse, bankruptcy, unemployment, poverty, and property disputes were mainly reported among males. In 2020, the rise in annual suicide rate was found to be highest among business persons (29.43%), especially tradesmen (49.9%) and vendors (26.11%) against other businesses (12.13%). Other professions which witnessed a steep rise in annual suicide rates in 2020 were agricultural laborers (17.90%) and daily wage earners (15.76%). This increase in suicide rates may be linked to economic reasons post lockdown imposition during the Covid-19 outbreak in 2020.

Conclusions
Women commit suicide mainly due to marriage-related causes, while men are more vulnerable to suicide due to economic factors. Not all suicides can be traced back to diagnosed mental illnesses. A significant proportion of suicides are attributed to personal, economic, and social problems. The insights generated from this analysis can help identify the vulnerable groups and target the much-needed interventions.

Key messages
• Suicide is a multifaceted problem involving various personal, economic, cultural, and social factors, besides medical reasons.
• Multidimensional strategies targeted at vulnerable groups could be potentially effective in curbing suicide rate.
Psychiatric Comorbidity Among Sexual and Gender Minority Youth and Young Adults at Risk for Suicide
Authors: van der Star A , Brady JP , Albright CA , Gonzales IV M , Garcia Alcaraz C , Cobian Aguilar R , Askew A , Blashill AJ , Wells KJ 
Published: October 2022

Abstract

Background
Compared with peers, young sexual and gender minorities (SGM) are at a four to seven-fold increased risk of attempting suicide. Prior epidemiological studies, mainly focusing on monomorbid inequalities and without conducting diagnostic clinical interviews, have been unable to report robust data on psychiatric comorbidities among those who attempted suicide. The purpose of this presentation is to describe the presence of current psychiatric comorbidities among SGM youth and young adults at elevated risk for repeat suicide attempts.

Methods
A diverse convenience sample of SGM youth and young adults with a lifetime history of suicide attempts and current suicidal ideation was recruited for an open-phase suicide prevention trial in San Diego, CA. At baseline, participants underwent a 15-module DIAMOND interview for adults or computerized K-SADS for minors, and a battery of self-report questionnaires.

Results
Among the 31 participants (Mage = 22 years [Range: 16, 29]; 100% sexual, 52% gender, and 61% racial/ethnic minority), 27 (87%) participants met criteria for any mood disorder, 24 (77%) for any anxiety disorder, 16 (52%) for any trauma or stress disorder, and 2 (6%) for any psychotic disorder. One (3%) participant did not meet criteria for any psychiatric diagnoses, while five (16%) met criteria for a single and 25 (81%) for multiple diagnoses. The average number of diagnoses was 3.2 (Range: 0, 7). Additionally, 20 (65%) participants met the cut-off for likely ADHD, 20 (65%) for possible borderline personality disorder, and 21 (68%) for likely body dysmorphic disorder, with 11 (35%) within the 90th percentile for reference eating disorder severity.

Conclusions
The degree of psychiatric comorbidities in the sample of SGM youth and young adults at elevated risk for suicide was high. Beside direct suicide risk mitigation efforts, suicide prevention programs that target young SGM with a history of attempts should screen for untreated psychiatric disorders.

Key messages
• LGBTQ+ youth and young adults at elevated risk for repeat suicide attempts experience a high degree of psychiatric comorbity.
• Beyond suicide risk mitigation, LGBTQ+ youth suicide prevention programs should focus on untreated psychiatric comorbidities.
Barriers to primary care access for asylum seekers and refugees in the UK: a systematic review
Authors: Harrington S , Sornalingam S , Evenden R , Singh N , Paudyal P 
Published: October 2022

Abstract

Background
Recent armed conflicts, in addition to the deterioration of humanitarian conditions across the world, has led to the biggest increase in civilian displacement since World War II. Exploration of the barriers and facilitators to primary healthcare access amongst asylum seekers and refugees (ASRs), from the perspective of both service users and service providers, is important for improving policy and practice to ensure more equitable health care.

Methods
Systematic searches of PubMed, EMBASE, MEDLINE, and CINHL databases were conducted to identify articles until May 2021 using a combination of relevant search terms. Studies were eligible if they were published in English and conducted in ASR populations in primary care settings the UK using qualitative approaches. Literature was thematically analysed using Braun and Clarke’s 6-step process. Quality assessment of included studies was conducted using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool.

Results
Nine studies were included in the review. Key themes identified included: accommodation within services; awareness of service navigation, negotiation and eligibility of care; accessibility; availability of appointments; acceptance; complexity within health needs; and cultural appropriateness. Healthcare professionals encounter barriers and facilitators within the healthcare setting, the overall healthcare system, and with regards to their understanding of migration policy. ASRs experience barriers and facilitators with regards to accessing and understanding the health system, cultural appropriateness of care, cost, stigma and prejudice, and availability of specialist services.

Conclusions
This study highlights the difficulties ASRs and healthcare professionals face in primary care settings, the need for consistent and unambiguous guidance that supports the cultural competence of the heath service, and the need for further research into the efforts made to eliminate health discrimination within primary care.

Key messages
• Barriers exist to primary healthcare amongst asylum seekers and refugees.
• Specialised and incorporated healthcare and support is needed due to unique social, cultural, and demographical differences of this population.
Health and equity: Venezuela’s and Brazil’s public health policies aimed at the LGBTQ+ population
Authors: Knihs de Camargo C , Moncada S , Nawal Huda N 
Published: October 2022

Abstract

Background
Public health policies aimed at the LGBTQ+ population within Latin America have been a theme of discussion among policymakers, governments, and society. Latin America’s conservative idiosyncrasy has delayed advances in this regard. A common factor has been inequity and difficulty in access to healthcare institutions by LGBTQ+ groups. Despite some improvements in some regions, there are still huge gaps between neighboring countries as in the case of Brazil and Venezuela. The aim of this study is to investigate and compare the existence and implementation of health policies aimed to improve the health equity of the LGBTQ+ population in both countries.

Methods
Scoping review in international journal databases and grey literature, such as official government websites, and NGOs reports.

Results
In Brazil, the “National Policy for comprehensive health of lesbians, gays, bisexuals and transgender populations” was created in 2011. Nonetheless, its implementation encounters challenges. The main difficulties are: under budgeting, lack of training of healthcare personnel, and challenges in monitoring and assessing proposed health interventions. In Venezuela, till today there is a lack of institutional protective policies and health policies directed at this population. Some examples include the impossibility to rectify documents to reflect transgender people’s identity, adequate protection from the law against civilian violations, same-sex marriage, and legal conditions for children of same-sex parents.

Conclusions
The points presented above restrain satisfactory access to health care, positioning the LGBTQ+ population in a vulnerable setting, and making it a challenge to achieve health equity. In order to strengthen the health care systems in both countries, breakthrough measures need to be taken to assure fundamental human rights.

Key messages
• Venezuela lacks basic institutional protective policies aimed towards LGBTQ+ population, while Brazil has a National LGBT Health Policy.
• Achieving health equity and assurance of rights to the LGBTQ+ population remains a challenge in both Brazil and Venezuela.
Digital health information and female adolescents with turkish migration background
Authors: Islertas Z , Bittlingmayer UH 
Published: October 2022

Abstract

Background
Youth with Turkish migration background (TRMB) are repeatedly classified as a vulnerable group. Digital health information, which is prepared and made available by various providers in a variety of ways, may represent an opportunity to promote the health of these adolescents. Empirical findings on wheter young people have access to digital health information and what role digital health information plays in their everyday lives are hard to find.

Methods
In the project ELMi, a project of the HLCA Consortium, funded by the BMBF, female adolescents with TRMB were interviewed. Individual interviews as well as a focus group discussion were conducted and evaluated according to the Qualitative Content Analysis.

Results
Female adolescents with TRMB have technical access to digital health information. They use New Media to obtain health information. When searching for digital health information, it is important for the adolescents to be able to find factual and comprehensibly formulated information quickly. German-language homepages are preferred by them. Parallel to the digital platform they regard female persons from their own social network as contact persons for health questions. They draw on their health-related knowledge and experience in order to be able to obtain answers to their own questions.

Conclusions
Digital health information and the health-related knowledge and experience of the female social network are considered as a health related resource. German-language electronic information with low-threshold content can represent an opportunity to reach female adolescents with TRMB

Key messages
• Female adolescents with TRMB demonstrate technical and content access to digital health information.
• Digital health information represents an opportunity to reach the target group.
Health in refugees and migrants who self-identify as sexual or gender minority
Authors: Mattelin E , Fröberg F , Korhonen L , Khanolkar AR 
Published: October 2022

Abstract

Background
In 2019, 80 million individuals were forcibly displaced. Yet, there is little knowledge on the health of refugees and migrants who self-identify as sexual- or gender minority (SGM). The aim was to examine health and health-related behaviors in refugee and migrant individuals who identify as SGM, and in comparison, to their heterosexual peers.

Methods
This study included 168,952 persons aged 16-84 who answered the Swedish National Public Health Survey in 2018 and 2020. Participants were grouped into White heterosexual, White SGM, migrant heterosexual, migrant SGM, refugee heterosexual, and refugee SGM. Outcomes included mental health (f.e. mental ill-health, suicidal ideation), general health, risky behaviors (f.e drug and alcohol use), and experiences of violence. Associations were analyzed using logistic and linear regression adjusting for sex, age, and educational level.

Results
Being an SGM, regardless of refugee or migrant minority status, was associated with worse general health and mental ill-health compared to heterosexual peers including suicidal ideation in refugee SGM (OR 2.42, 95 % CI 1.44-4.08). Both refugees and migrants had for example lower odds of drug and risk alcohol use compared to heterosexual peers but higher odds of risk gambling (OR 1.88, 1.49-2.37 for refugee SGM). Transgender refugees had high odds for risk gambling (OR 8.62, 1.94-38.40) and exposure to physical violence (OR 7.46, 2.97-18.70).

Conclusions
In this national population-based study, SGM have worse mental and general health regardless of being refugee or migrant minority. SGM refugees did not have worse health compared to migrant and White SGM and their heterosexual peers. While more research is needed, our study shows the need for public health personnel to be aware of potentially worse health and adverse experiences in SGM individuals, regardless of ethnic origin including refugees.

Key messages
• Our study provides evidence for poorer health outcomes in diverse SGM-groups.
• Policies tackling health in refugees and SGM are still inadequate.