bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A qualitative study on newly settled migrants’ perceptions of civic and health orientation in Sweden
Authors: Al-Adhami M , Hjelm K , Wångdahl J , Larsson E 
Published: October 2022

Abstract

Background
Migrants face structural, socio-political barriers in their resettlement processes that affect their health. Migration also impacts resources such as social capital and health literacy that are of importance for health and integration in society. Hence, there is a need for health promotion in the post-migration phase. The aim of the study was to explore participants' perceptions and experiences of civic orientation with added health communication.

Methods
Six focus group discussions were performed with 32 men and women. Two were held in Arabic, two in Farsi and two in Somali, with native speaking moderators. Participants were recruited from civic orientation classes in the county of Stockholm. An interview guide with semi-structured questions was used. The data were analysed using a method for content analysis of focus group discussions.

Results
Three main categories were identified: ‘The course gives valuable information but its delivery needs adjustments', which includes that the civic and health orientation is valuable and needed earlier, during asylum phase, and that planning and course content need adjustments. ‘The health communication inspired participants to focus on their health', includes that the health communication was useful and inspired uptake of healthier habits. ‘Participation in the course promoted independence and self-confidence', which includes that the course gave insights into society and values in Sweden and promoted independence and new social contacts.

Conclusions
This study adds knowledge of the users' perspectives on the potential of civic orientation to promote health and integration of newly settled migrants, describing ways in which civic orientation with added health communication prompted health and empowerment. However, the content and delivery of the course needs adjustment to better fit the migrants' life situations and varying pre-existing knowledge.

Key messages
The civic and health information is needed early in the resettlement phase. Participation in the course promoted health awareness, independence and self-confidence.
Trust in societal factors and vaccine hesitancy in Western Balkans
Authors: Matovic-Miljanovic S , Cvjetkovic S , Jeremic-Stojkovic V , Mandic-Rajcevic S , Bjegovic-Mikanovic V , Gross M 
Published: October 2022

Abstract

Background
Countries in the Western Balkans are facing vaccine hesitancy, trying to bring vaccine acceptance and ways to improve it into the focus. Trust in science and institutions, namely political trust, plays an important role and can significantly affects vaccine acceptance.

Methods
Cross-sectional research was carried out from July to September 2021 in five countries of the Western Balkans (Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, North Macedonia, Montenegro and Serbia) and included adult population aged 18 and older (1605 individuals). Convenience sampling was applied using anonymised online questionnaires and Likert scales, shared through online social media, and asking, among others, for trust in societal factors.

Results
In all countries people had more confidence in health authorities than in political officials. There are no gender differences found in showing trust in societal factors, except in Serbia where women compared to men showed greater trust in health authorities (50.6% vs. 34.4%), as well as in political officials (42.8% vs. 28.2%). The lowest trust in pharmaceutical companies was found in Albania where 34,9% respondents believe that vaccination against COVID-19 is largely promoted by pharmaceutical companies due to financial profits. People who put more trust in societal factors were vaccinated to a greater extent. In Serbia and Albania, the older respondents in general put more trust in societal factors. People who assessed themselves as more religious in Serbia and North Macedonia demonstrated less trust towards societal factors.

Conclusions
The study demonstrated moderate trust in societal factors in all countries, with greatest trust in health authorities. This implies that health authorities should have a pivotal role, together with physicians in primary health, in promoting vaccination and educating the general public in the Western Balkans.

Key messages
Supporting patient involvement in health service research: development of a methodological guidance
Authors: Dauvrin M , Kohn L , Cleemput I 
Published: October 2022

Abstract

Background
The Belgian Health Care Knowledge Centre (KCE) issued a Position Paper in 2019 regarding the Patient Involvement (PI) in its researches as stakeholders. After previously investigating the organizational culture of the KCE, a key element for a successful implementation of PI was providing methodological guidance to the researchers.

Objectives
The objective of this study was to develop a methodological guidance for implementing PI into the practices of researchers at KCE.

Methods
In order to build a practical and effective process note, reflecting the needs and points of attention of all involved participants, different methods were combined: a literature review, workshops with the umbrellas of patient associations, patients and patient representatives, Delphi survey and a pilot project involving patients as research partners.

Results
The resulting guidance identified 5 prerequisites and conditions for implementation of patient involvement at the organisational level. The guidance also focused on how to involve patients (which patients, how, when, what for) and included general recommendations to researchers during the collaboration (communication, relational aspects, animation techniques, specific needs of patients). Recommendations for the reporting and evaluation of PI were also formulated. Alongside the guidance for researchers, supports for patients were also developed and validated by the patient associations.

Conclusions
The KCE guidance for PI in research could inspire other agencies willing to implement PI in their practices. Implementation will therefore require additional human and financial resources.

Key messages
Recreational walking and the perceived local environment among socioeconomic disadvantaged adults
Authors: D'Hooghe S , Deforche B , van Dyck D , De Ridder K , Vandevijvere S , van de Weghe N , Dury S 
Published: October 2022

Abstract

Background
Insufficient physical activity (PA) is a risk factor for obesity and non-communicable diseases and seems more prevalent among socioeconomically disadvantaged (SED) adults. Recreational walking (RW) is an important type of leisure time PA which can be done for free and without specific equipment or facilities. Environmental factors influencing PA may be particularly important for SED adults who are more reliant on their direct environment. The objectively measured environment is not always congruent with the perception of residents, and this may differ by socioeconomic group. This study aims to identify the local environmental factors important for RW as perceived by SED adults.

Methods
This study is part of the CIVISANO project. Purposeful convenience sampling was used to recruit 38 SED adults (25-65 y/o) in two Flemish semi-urban municipalities. Individual walk-along interviews have been performed in the participants’ neighborhood. 20 participants joined the focus group discussion (n = 4) that were intended for member checking, to categorize identified environmental factors and to identify local actions to promote recreational walking. MaxQDA was used for content analysis.

Results
The way the environment is perceived by SED adults plays an important role in their RW behavior. Results demonstrate the interrelation of different environmental types (physical, sociocultural, economic, political and information) and sizes (micro, meso, macro). Improving communication and knowledge transfer, stimulation of physical, sociocultural, and economic accessibility, and promotion of physical and social safety are identified most important action points for the local government to facilitate RW.

Conclusions
Our findings indicate that the perceived local environment can play an important role in promoting RW among SED adults. Future studies should investigate if changes in these environments and in residents’ perception lead to changes in RW behavior of SED adults.

Key messages
Breast cancer screening adhesion among migrants: a matter of communication strategy?
Authors: Banzola S , Corsaro A , Capitani S , Vesco S , Dodi L , Serra O , Piazza N , Onesti S , Salvati MA , Musolino A 
Published: October 2022

Abstract

Background
Migrants’ engagement to cancer screening programs is a relevant issue for universalistic health systems. To increase breast cancer screening coverage among migrant women, a public-private partnership involving a multidisciplinary team of Primary Care, Public Health, Hospital and private social workers has been built up in a district in Italy. The team worked in two steps, planning health promotion (HP) meetings addressing women in refugees’ reception programs and a web-based workshop involving intercultural mediators (IMs) and community health promoters.

Objectives
The workshop, involving 10 professionals among IMs and community health promoters, realized in 3 online meetings during March ‘22, aimed at identifying communication tools to enable migrants’ participation to breast cancer screening and increasing health literacy (HL) and cultural competence (CC) among the team. A participatory approach, supported by learning methods, such as storytelling and role-play, has been adopted to identify the major barriers to access to screening and public health messages. Participants worked on critical words and concepts, highlighted during HP meetings, accounting for HL, literacy, language skills, communication techniques and different perspectives about health and prevention.

Results
Several barriers, such as lack of knowledge on preventive initiatives and different approaches to health, decrease the perception of cancer risk. Others, like family and work duties, influence the adhesion. Fear or shame about the exam and linguistic issues are further hampering factors. Participants pointed out text, audio and video messages, in Italian and native plain language, as useful tools to explain the screening procedure and give relevant and practical information supported by simple and clear illustrations to diffuse via WhatsApp.

Conclusions
The intervention enabled the team to improve HL and CC defining suitable communication strategies for cancer screening programs.

Key messages
An analysis of hospital-treated attempted hanging and drowning in Ireland, 2007-2019
Authors: White P , Corcoran P , Griffin E , Arensman E , Barrett P 
Published: October 2022

Abstract

Background
Highly lethal of methods of self-harm, such as attempted hanging and drowning, are a major public health concern due to their high associated risk of completed suicide. This study aims to describe hospital presentations for attempted hanging and drowning in Ireland and explore the factors associated with self-harm and repeat self-harm by these methods.

Methods
Data on all self-harm presentations to Irish hospitals (2007-2019) were obtained from the National Self-Harm Registry Ireland, a national surveillance system of hospital-treated self-harm. Multivariable logistic regression was used to explore factors associated with any presentation for attempted hanging and drowning and factors associated with repetition of attempted hanging and drowning.

Results
There were 9,719 and 4,637 attempted hanging and drowning hospital presentations, respectively, in Ireland in 2007-2019. The odds of presentations being due to hanging, rather than due to any other self-harm method, were highest for males (aOR 2.88, 95% CI: 2.76-3.02), children aged &lt;15 (aOR 1.32, 1.17-1.48) and in summer (aOR 1.09, 1.02-1.14). The odds of presentations being due to drowning, rather than due to any other self-harm method, were highest for those aged ≥55 (aOR 1.60, 1.43-1.78), homeless individuals (aOR 2.59, 2.32-2.89) and in autumn (aOR 1.15, 1.06-1.25). Repetition of attempted hanging was positively associated with homelessness (aOR 2.47, 2.02-3.04) and acute alcohol ingestion (aOR 1.12, 1.02-1.23). Similar associations were observed for repetition of attempted drowning.

Conclusions
This study identifies key population groups for whom the risk of self-harm, or repeat self-harm, by hanging and drowning is greatest. Universal, targeted and indicated interventions are needed to address the determinants of highly lethal methods of self-harm. Biopsychosocial assessments of those presenting after attempted hanging and drowning are essential, in view of their high risk of repeat self-harm and suicide.

Key messages
The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on tuberculosis case reporting in Kazakhstan
Authors: Kulimbet M , Yergasen A , Glushkova N , Adenov M , Davletov K 
Published: October 2022

Abstract

Background
The COVID-19 pandemic had a significant impact on economic development, lifestyles and health systems in all countries. Due to the lack of medical interventions, many countries adopted restrictive measures to slow the spread of the virus and reduce the burden on the healthcare system. Quarantine measures have had an impact on the transmission of SARS-CoV-2. However, the unintended consequences of such drastic measures were inevitable. In developing countries, there have been adverse effects of disruptions in health services, including the provision of timely medical services in detecting cases of tuberculosis in the population. The aim of this study was to study the influence of COVID-19 pandemic on the tuberculosis incidence in the Republic of Kazakhstan.

Methods
We analyzed national data on the reported tuberculosis cases and screening results of tuberculosis in Kazakhstan for 2019-2020. The primary data were collected from regular reporting of cases through surveillance.

Results
The number of registered patients identified during screening activities in 2020 were 2,854 cases compared to 4,288 cases in 2019 before COVID-19 era. The proportion of cases with antibiotic-resistant (poly, multi, super) forms of tuberculosis increased up to 6.7% in 2020 in comparison with 2019.

Conclusions
There is a need to conduct an analysis of the reasons for the increase in cases of multidrug-resistant and extensively drug-resistant tuberculosis. The working process should be adapted to epidemics and emergencies to ensure the availability of medical services, as well as to improve the system of preventive examinations and screening for the early detection of TB cases.
The abstract was submitted under the ‘CATINCA - Capacities and infrastructures for health policy development’ project which is coordinated/led by Robert Koch Institute and supported by the WHO Regional Office for Europe.

Key messages
Strategies to recruit people with selected nationalities for the interview survey GEDA Fokus
Authors: Koschollek C , Geerlings J , Bug M , Blume M , Kajikhina K , Hövener C 
Published: October 2022

Abstract

Background
People with migration history (PMH) are underrepresented within health monitoring at Robert Koch Institute (RKI). To better describe the health status of PHM, the RKI is currently conducting the health interview survey GEDA Fokus with different migrant groups. Aim of this contribution is to present which sub-groups in this sequential mixed-mode survey design are reached by which mode.

Methods
People aged 18-70 years with Croatian (hr), Italian (it), Polish (pl), Syrian (sy) or Turkish (tr) nationality were drawn out of 99 residents’ registration offices all over Germany (N = 33,436). Study persons were invited sequentially to participate online (saq-web), paper-based(saq-paper) and in person (CAPI) or by telephone (CATI) in Arabic, Croatian, German, Italian, Polish or Turkish. Saq-web was available in German only or bilingual. Data collection took place from November 2021 to April 2022. Per nationality, 1,200 participants were recruited.

Results
As of 25th of April, 6,197 people took part, most often per saq-web (49%), which was less often used among participants aged ≥ 50 years (35% vs. 56%). Pl participants used saq-web most often in German only (55%), sy participants most often used the bilingual version (77%). Saq-paper was more often used by participants aged ≥ 50 years (41% vs. 22%) and less often by tr (21%) and sy (24%) participants. Participants with it nationality most often took part on their own initiative (saq) (92%), while tr (33%) and pl (28%) participants were recruited via personal contact (CAPI/ CATI) more often.

Conclusions
Preliminary results show that offering multiple modes of administration helps to reach different sub-groups. Personal contact contributes to reach those not directly taking part on their own initiative. The opportunity to utilize the bilingual version of the questionnaire was well accepted, especially among those with presumably shorter duration of residence in Germany.

Key messages
Perceived discrimination and mental health among adolescents in Germany
Authors: Blume M , Koschollek C , Kajikhina K , Waldhauer J , Hövener C 
Published: October 2022

Abstract

Background
The association between perceived discrimination and mental health in adolescents has been widely documented. Aim of this contribution is to show how the relationship between mental health and perceived discrimination at school, work or job training differs depending on socio-economic or migration-related determinants.

Methods
The present analyses was conducted with data from German Health Interview and Examination Survey for Children and Adolescents (KiGGS) wave 2 (2014 - 2017). Weighted linear regression analyses were conducted to explore the association between perceived discrimination at school, work or job training and behavioral problems in adolescents (14-17 years). Also, we examined the extent to which the association is moderated by the parents’ income, education as well as the language spoken at home.

Results
Of all young people, 25.5 % reported perceived discrimination at school, work or job training. Behavioral problems were reported more frequently in adolescents with discrimination experience (12.5 % vs. 3.23 %). Multivariate analyses showed that the coefficients of the association between perceived discrimination and behavioral problems differed by parents’ level of education (low 4.07 (2.39-5.74)/high 2.47 (1.29-3.65)), income (low 3.61 (2.06-5.16)/high 0.35 (-1.81-2.51)), or language spoken at home (German 2.02 (0.33-3.70)/ Other 3.48 (-0.27-7.23)).

Conclusions
A large proportion of adolescents experienced discrimination, with this being reported more frequently among young people with behavioral problems. Parents’ income and education as well as the language spoken at home are relevant for this context. To ensure that health inequalities are not exacerbated by discrimination, targeted prevention measures are needed in these settings. These should address not only the individual needs of young people, but also the underlying conditions and thus aim to promote health equity in the long term, especially in already disadvantaged groups.

Key messages
Mental health care in the post-partum: differences between Danish-born, migrants and descendants
Authors: Santia P , de Montgomery CJ , Marti-Castañer M 
Published: October 2022

Abstract

Background
Research suggest migrants are at higher risk of mental health (MH) disorders in the post-partum (PP), while they have less access to care. However, MH need and care have been studied separately, descendants have been, mostly, excluded and migrants, studied as a homogeneous group. We aim to assess differences in MH care use between Danish-born, migrants and descendants in the PP after a MH need is identified; and to characterize migrants at lowest risk of accessing MH care.

Methods
This retrospective cohort study includes 45571 women who gave birth from 2002 to 2018 in Denmark and had a MH need identified by a nurse in the PP program. MH care use, from delivery to two years PP, was retrieved from national registries and includes contacts with the general practitioner, psychologist, psychiatrist, emergency room, hospitalization, and medication expedition. Cox regression models estimated time to MH care use, by migrant status and migrant characteristics, adjusted by history of MH, sociodemographic and birth variables. Results are shown as hazard ratios (aHR [95% CI]).

Results
Final sample consisted of 75.7% Danish, 19.7% migrants and 4.7% descendants. Median time to treatment was 4 months for Danish and 6 months for migrants and descendants. Risk of accessing MH care was lower for migrants (aHR 0.75 [0.70; 0.79]) and descendants (aHR 0.77 [0.70; 0.86]) than for Danish-born. Among migrants, refugees showed higher risk of accessing MH care (1.22 [1.04; 1.42]) than non-refugees; recently arrived showed lower risk (&lt;5 years, 0.85 [0.74; 0.97]) than those living in Denmark for ≥10 years; and migrants from East Africa showed the lowest risk of accessing MH care (0.47 [0.33; 0.66]) compared to migrants from North Europe.

Conclusions
There is a gap in PP MH care between Danish-born women, who show higher and earlier access to care, and migrants and descendants. Refugee background, length of residency and origin impact migrant's MH care use and should be considered.

Key messages
Attitudes towards mandatory vaccinations during the COVID-19 pandemic in Bulgaria
Authors: Hadzhieva S , Chamova R , Ivanova E , Radeva N , Rohova M , Mihaylov NL , Paunov Ts , Kolarova M , Pancheva R 
Published: October 2022

Abstract

Background
Vaccinations are an essential public health strategy to control preventable diseases. A much-discussed approach to increase coverage is mandatory vaccination; however, its legitimacy and effectiveness were put to question during the COVID-19 pandemic. As of March 1,2022, Bulgaria had one of Europe's lowest immunization coverage rates against COVID-19. Only 29.3% of Bulgarians had completed COVID-19 vaccination, compared to 71% in the EU and EEA, and the country ranked last in number of booster doses (9.9% vs 51.4 %). This study aims to investigate the public's attitudes toward proposed mandatory COVID-19 vaccination and toward the long-standing mandatory child immunization schedule in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods
An online cross-sectional survey was conducted in April 2022 using a self-administered anonymous questionnaire to collect information on sociodemographic characteristics, vaccination status and attitudes toward mandatory vaccination to COVID-19 and the mandatory childhood immunization schedule.

Results
Out of 1433 reached respondents, 1200(84%) completed the survey. The largest relative share of respondents is between 35-44y-33.3%; 72.7% were women; mainly highly educated (50.8%), and vaccinated participants (59.3%). There is a significant and large difference between vaccinated and unvaccinated regarding the full support of mandatory COVID vaccinations (46.1% vs 1.8%), and regarding mandatory child vaccinations (77.9% vs 50.4%). Mandatory childhood vaccination schedules are supported by 88.7% of those in favor of obligatory COVID-19 vaccinations and 56% of those who oppose them (p &lt; 0.001). Significance is preserved after adjustment for vaccination status.

Conclusions
Public health authorities need to develop well-organized vaccination campaigns in which accurate evidence-based information is adequately disseminated with respect to individuals’ autonomy. More research on the determinants of vaccination attitudes in Bulgaria is necessary.

Key messages