bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Temperature and cardiovascular diseases: exploring associations in India and public health insights
Authors: Shrikhande S , Pedder H , Roosli M , Dalvie MA , Ravivarman L , Gasparrini A , Utzinger J , Cisse G 
Published: October 2022

Abstract

Background
Climate change has far-reaching consequences on human health globally. Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), the global leading cause of death, are climate sensitive, mainly to temperature. The temperature-CVD association is region-specific, with several studies from Europe but relatively few from low-and-middle-income countries (LMICs).

Methods
We used a binomial regression model to analyze the association between apparent temperature and in-hospital CVD mortality in Puducherry city. A distributed lag non-linear model was used to capture the delayed and non-linear trends over a 21 day lag period to estimate the burden of in-hospital CVD mortalities attributable to non-optimal temperature between 2010 and 2020.

Results
Tapp in Puducherry ranges from 23°C to 40°C. We found that the optimal temperature range for Puducherry is between 33°C and 35°C with respect to CVDs. Temperatures both above and below the optimal temperature range were associated with an increased risk of overall in-hospital CVD mortalities, resulting in a U-shaped association curve. Up to 20% of the CVD deaths could be attributable to non-optimal temperatures, with a slightly higher burden attributable to cold (11.2%) than heat (9.12%). We also found that males above 60 years of age were more vulnerable to colder temperatures while females above 60 years were more vulnerable to the heat. Mortality with cerebrovascular accidents was associated more with heat compared to cold, and ischemic heart diseases did not seem to be affected by temperature.

Conclusions
Both cold and heat is associated with CVD mortality in Puducherry. The comparison of the results of this exploratory Indian study with those from European contexts show that the associations differ based on several factors. There are also age, gender and CVD type differences in Tapp attributable CVD mortalities. More region specific studies on Tapp- CVD mortality are needed from LMICs to better understand this association and build capacity.

Key messages
• The regional burden of cold attributable CVD deaths needs to be considered along with heat. Age and gender specific differences in the association need to be further studied globally.
• The development regional and contextual climate-health action plans, as seen in some European countries, could be enhanced by such studies and reduce the burden of temperature attributable CVD deaths.
Digital phenotyping for monitoring and prediction of physical activity level during pregnancy
Authors: Shojaa M , Schmitz N 
Published: October 2022

Abstract

Background
Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is one of the most common complications in pregnancy. Physical activity (PA) during pregnancy may reduce the adverse pregnancy outcomes. Digital phenotyping can develop interactive risk profiles to better reflect a person’s daily mobility than traditional retrospective self-assessment questionnaires. Therefore, the aims of the proposed research are to 1) test the acceptability and applicability of the BEIWE app during pregnancy, 2) characterize daily physical mobility during pregnancy, and 3) describe differences in physical mobility in women with and without diabetes.

Methods
This prospective cohort study will include 20 pregnant women with GDM and 20 without GDM from the Diabetes Center of the Medical Clinic or outpatient clinics of the Tübingen Women’s Clinic, Tuebingen, Germany. The study was approved by the Ethics Committee of the University Hospital Tuebingen (004/2022BO1). At baseline (22 weeks gestation), participants will be instructed to download the app. Passive data (phenotypic information) is collected automatically during the observation period. The follow-up assessment will be conducted three weeks after delivery. The acceptance of the app and comparison of the groups with and without diabetes will be conducted through Statistical analysis.

Results
Recruitment of participants has started and follow-up assessment is estimated to be finalized in fall 2022. Study design and results will be presented at the conference.

Conclusions
PA during pregnancy has been associated with minimum risk of a pregnancy, and self-monitoring of PA via an app may play a role in improving pregnancy outcomes. However, the success of Apps depends on their validity and reliability, which lack evidence.

Key messages
• The result of the study will develop a qualification measure for PA with no intervention.
• It also provides information for planning and conducting subsequent intervention studies.
Attitudes of doctors of medicine and dental medicine towards contacting patients via social networks
Authors: Relic D , Marelic M , Machala Poplasen L , Viskic J , Sedak K , Majer M , Vukusic Rukavina T 
Published: October 2022

Abstract

Background
As the use of social networking sites (SNSs) has greatly increased among health professionals, it is necessary to investigate their use of SNSs. The aim of this study was to identify the patterns of SNS use for contact with patients between medical doctors (MD) and doctors of dental medicine (DMD) in Croatia.

Methods
In collaboration with the Croatian Medical Chamber and the Croatian Chamber of Dental Medicine, a quantitative cross-sectional study was conducted on the use of SNSs and the attitudes of MDs and DMDs towards e-professionalism. Data were collected using online questionnaires. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics.

Results
A total of 753 responses were processed, 507 (67,3%) MDs and 246 (32,7%) DMDs. DMDs were significantly more likely to visit patients or their family members’ profiles on SNSs (60,6% vs 33,3%, P &lt; 0.001). The main reason for visiting a patient’s or family member’s profile is social communication, which is significantly more common among DMDs (46,3% vs 29,0%, P &lt; 0.002). DMDs are significantly more likely to send friend requests from private SNS profiles to patients or their family members (15,0% DMDs vs 3,4% MDs, P &lt; 0.001). Patients are much more likely to send friendship and connection requests on SNS to DMDs (91,1% DMDs vs 62,7% MDs, P &lt; 0.001) who are also significantly more likely to accept these requests (76,8% DMDs vs 41,5% MDs, P &lt; 0.001). MDs and DMDs would find the presence of e-professionalism guidelines useful (72,2% MDS vs 78,0% DMDs, P = 0.103).

Conclusions
The results show that DMDs are more open to communicating with patients via SNSs. Results showed a difference between MDs and DMDs in both directions - in sending requests to patients or their family members and in positive responses to their requests for connection. The findings point to the need to develop guidelines for health professionals regarding e-professionalism.

Key messages
• There are differences between MDs and DMDs toward communicating with patients using SNSs, DMDs being more open to the communication with patients.
• There is a need to develop guidelines for health professionals on e-professionalism with emphasis regarding how to professionally communicate with patients on SNSs.
Mapping core characteristics of internet-based tools to maintain and improve population health
Authors: Maass L , Freye M , Pan CC 
Published: October 2022

Abstract

Rapid developments and implementation of digital technologies in public health domains throughout the last decades have changed the landscape of health delivery and disease prevention globally. Many countries introduce digital interventions to their health systems to improve their populations’ health and make access to health care more accessible. Despite multiple definitions for digital public health and the development of different digital interventions, no study has analysed whether the used technologies fit the definition and the core characteristics of digital public health interventions. Digital public health for us means using digital tools to achieve public health goals. We conducted a scoping review to map the characteristics of digital public health interventions, see how the understanding of specific interventions differs between countries, and how they fit in the theoretical framework of digital public health definitions. Our review is the first to display the landscape of worldwide existing digital public health interventions that use information- and communication technologies. The study’s protocol was published in March 2022 in JMIR Research Protocols (DOI 10.2196/33404). We searched five databases (PubMed, Web of Science, CENTRAL, Ieee, and ACM) for publications. Given the broad search string, we retrieved 13,869 results screened for eligibility. A total of 1,429 publications were included for full-text screening. The study showed that the terms for specific interventions are related to the context in which they are used. Scandinavian countries displayed a different understanding of electronic health records (EHRs) than South American countries. We also identified that the separation between digital health and digital public health is blurry in praxis. Although interventions such as EHRs target individuals to improve their health, the collected data can also be pooled to allow research and the development of interventions on a public health level.

Key messages
• When comparing interventions internationally, it’s best to compare based on the characteristics of the intervention rather than on the name.
• Although, in theory, the distinguishment between digital health, digital public health, and public health became more precise in recent years, the practical reality between them remains still blurry.
Online information seeking and attitudes towards COVID-19 vaccination in Germany
Authors: Schmidt L , Babitsch B 
Published: October 2022

Abstract

Background
A large proportion of the European population seeks information about the COVID-19 vaccination on the internet. The population seems to split into those with positive stance on the vaccination and those with negative stance, but there are still individuals who do not have a final position yet. By now, there is a lack of understanding about the online information seeking behavior in these three groups. The current analysis sheds light on differences in internet usage and requested qualities of online information regarding the COVID-19 vaccination.

Methods
An online survey with N = 1,000 people (18-74 years) living in Germany was conducted between November 26 and December 8, 2021. The questionnaire included closed questions about frequency, information channels, formats and reasons of online information seeking, as well as one open question about requested qualities of online content. We conducted bivariate analysis for differences in information seeking behavior and content analysis for the requests.

Results
Information seeking behavior differed significantly by attitude towards the vaccination regarding frequency, almost all types of formats, three of ten listed information channels, and three of six reasons for online information seeking. Undecided participants and those who support COVID-19 vaccination used the internet more often than participants who are against the vaccination. Individuals supporting vaccination preferred reading text contributions (e.g. online articles). Informative videos were more often consumed by those who are undecided or against vaccination. Those who have not decided yet preferred online resources providing full information about side-effects and showing reliable facts by credible sources.

Conclusions
Our findings support an online vaccination communication that is tailored to target groups with different attitudes towards the vaccination. Overall, online campaigns should focus on transparent, reliable and complete information.

Key messages
• Online information seeking behavior regarding COVID-19 vaccination varies between individuals with different attitudes towards the vaccination.
• Online information about the COVID-19 vaccination should focus on transparency and reliable information.
The usage of DiGA, stratified by sociodemographic/socioeconomic characteristics
Authors: Hannemann N , Babitsch B 
Published: October 2022

Abstract

Background
The German government undertakes efforts to implement DiGA into the statutory health insurance to improve its quality. DiGA are physician-prescribed applications for patients with certain diagnosed diseases, whose costs are covered by the statutory health insurers. DiGA have the potential to improve healthcare, but it is also possible, that the usage of these applications perpetuates existing health inequalities, summarized by the term Digital Divide; meaning that socially deprived populations are less able to benefit from digital technologies. The aim of this analysis is to determine whether differences exist in DiGA use by sociodemographic/socioeconomic characteristics.

Methods
The results based upon the analysis of an online survey involving 1,200 people (18-74 years) living in Germany between March 10 and March 18, 2022. The sample composition reflects the current distribution of age, gender, and place of residence in the federal states (uncrossed). The questionnaire focused, among other aspects, on the use of DiGA. A binary logistic regression was used for the analysis.

Results
Compared to the lowest subjective social status (SSS), probands with a medium (OR 2.865) or a high SSS (OR 4.085) are more likely to use DiGA. Compared to the reference group (60 years and older), the 18-29-year- (OR 2.044) and the 30-39-year-olds (OR 1.952) tend to have a higher likelihood of using DiGA. The likelihood of the use decreases among probands with medium (OR 0.632) and high educational degree (OR 0.580) compared to the reference group (low education).

Conclusions
In accordance with the results of existing studies, social differences could be identified regarding known determinants of health inequalities, like age and SSS. In this analysis, the highest degree of education does not appear as a predictor for an increased likelihood of use. Thus, further analyses are needed to address the influence of education, especially to develop a broader understanding of the DiGA use.

Key messages
• It appears that DiGA are not equally accessible or used across different population groups, and thus indicating an already existing or emerging Digital Divide regarding the use of DiGA.
• Contrary to the broad assumption that higher expressions of health determinants are related to a higher likelihood of using DiGA, a higher degree of education decreases the likelihood of using DiGA.
Knowledge, attitude and practice about the Personal Health Record among general population in Italy
Authors: Prinzivalli A , Scaioli G , Guastavigna L , Scacchi A , Lo Moro G , Bert F , Siliquini R 
Published: October 2022

Abstract

Background
The Personal Health Record (PHR) is an online tool containing a person’s health-related data, which can be shared with health professionals. This tool is widely used throughout Europe but is not very popular in Italy, despite its implementation being mandatory. This study aims to investigate knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) associated with the PHR among the general population in Italy, to identify the main obstacles in the usage of PHR and to establish strategies that lead to their resolution.

Methods
A cross-sectional survey was designed and shared both online and on paper (in the waiting rooms of the outpatient clinics) to an opportunistic sample of people aged ≥18 years. Factors associated with a higher knowledge and willingness to activate the PHR were investigated through multivariable logistic regression analyses.

Results
Preliminary results of the on paper survey (243 answers) showed that the median age of the participants was 45, 46% were women, 9% worked in healthcare and 68% had chronic diseases. Only 31% heard about the PHR, of which 22% showed a good knowledge of it. The 66% declared the willingness to activate the PHR and 92% agreed that the PHR is a useful tool for physicians to share information. Multivariable logistic regression models showed that those who were employed and those who were visited by a doctor in the last three months had a higher likelihood of having heard about PHR (OR 2.56, 95% CI 1.12 - 5.82 and OR 2.67, 95% CI 1.20 - 5.90 respectively). The likelihood of being willing to activate the PHR is lower for those who live alone, and is higher for those who are employed (OR 0.35, 95% CI 0.14 - 0.88 and OR 2.35, 95% CI 1.06 - 5.24).

Conclusions
The results confirm the low level of knowledge and diffusion of the PHR in Italy, although a relatively high interest in this tool was highlighted, along with a favorable perception of its usefulness. Promotional interventions are needed to increase knowledge and awareness of this tool.

Key messages
• Awareness about Personal Health Record among the Italian population is low. Despite this, a high level of willingness to activate this tool and a high perception of its usefulness were registered.
• Identifying factors that lead to lower awareness on Personal Health Record may help Public Health professionals to implement targeted promotional interventions aimed to increase the usage of this tool.
The contribution of health behaviours to waist circumference change following employment transitions
Authors: Tam ACT , Murphy RA , Zhang W , Conklin AI 
Published: October 2022

Abstract

Background
Mechanisms through which retirement and later-life job loss lead to subsequent weight change are poorly understood, and include changes to one’s health behaviours (HBs) after employment changes. Our study assessed the potential role of HBs in the impact of employment transitions (ET) on waist circumference (WC), by gender.

Methods
We used two waves of survey data from a Canadian sample of 45- to 85-year-olds with objectively measured WC. For 10,117 participants who were working at baseline, we categorized them into three ET statuses: stayed working, entered retirement, and stopped working. Changes in HBs [sleep, smoking, drinking, and physical activity (PA)] were coded by comparing baseline and follow-up responses. Change in WC was analyzed using multivariable linear regression and multinomial logistic regression models (≥5% gain or loss, no change).

Results
Multivariable models showed that the addition of change in HBs did not alter the effect sizes of ETs on WC change. Regardless of ET status, women who quit smoking had an increased WC compared to persistent non-smokers (1.43cm, 95% Confidence Interval 0.07 - 2.79). Women who became habitual drinkers showed more increases in WC compared to non-habitual drinkers (1.43cm, 0.16 - 2.69). Changes to sleep duration were not associated with WC change; however, women who became satisfied with their sleep had greater WC increases compared to already satisfied sleepers (0.79cm, 0.12 - 1.46). Men who increased their PA by &gt; 1hr to 2hrs were less likely to gain ≥5% weight compared to men with no PA change (OR = 0.75, 0.57 - 0.99). Women who increased their PA by &gt; 1hr to 2hrs were less likely to lose ≥5% weight (OR = 0.74, 0.56 - 0.99).

Conclusions
Our study of this Canadian cohort of middle-aged and older adults suggests some HBs are independent risk factors for weight change rather than mechanisms in the employment-anthropometry relationship.

Key messages
• Health behaviour changes in middle-aged and older adults have anthropometric effects that differ by sex/gender, independent of employment transitions.
• Promotion of persistently good sleep quality to women may help maintain waist size.
New proposed measures to evaluate contact tracing effectiveness
Authors: Santos JV , Fernandes Silva D , Santos Martins F ,   Espinho/Gaia Public Health Unit working group
Published: October 2022

Abstract

Issue/problem
Contact tracing is an important and widely used method to control transmission of communicable diseases. The COVID-19 pandemic presented a new and big challenge with a high number of confirmed cases and contacts and subsequent high burden on contact tracing activities. Naturally, the effectiveness of such interventions needs to be assessed, and appropriate measures are still rather underdeveloped.

Description of the problem
We propose two new measures for assessing contact tracing effectiveness: “number needed to quarantine” (NNQ), which is the number of quarantined person-days needed to prevent one infectious person-day, and the proportion of infectious days prevented by the quarantined (PPID). We have applied these measures to assess COVID-19 contact tracing effectiveness in COVID-19 confirmed cases diagnosed between July and mid-September 2020 in a local Public Health Unity in the Northern region of Portugal (Espinho/Gaia). For robustness checks and accounting for the uncertainty of the infectiousness period, we used three different scenarios.

Results
Depending on the infectiousness period considered, we have found a NNQ between 19.8 and 41.8 and a PPID between 19.7% and 38.2%. Contact tracing effectiveness was higher for some specific groups such as cohabitants and symptomatic contacts. Effectiveness also decreased with the increasing time from diagnosis or symptom onset to contact isolation

Lessons
NNQ and PPID are straightforward and easy to use measures to evaluate contact tracing effectiveness in communicable diseases. Although this example focuses in the COVID-19 pandemic at a local setting, these measures can also be used for different communicable diseases and at different levels. This assessment step can be important for priority setting of transmission control activities but also on a health management perspective.

Key messages
• New measures to evaluate contact tracing effectiveness are proposed: “number needed to quarantine” and “proportion of prevented infectious days”.
• These measures allow the identification of priority groups that must be quarantined, as well as time periods of intervention, for better transmission control.