bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Parents’ experiences of an antenatal visit being part of a home visiting program in deprived areas
Authors: Lönnberg G , Edvardsson K , Leissner J , Salari R , Warner G , Sarkadi A 
Published: October 2022

Abstract

Background
There are considerable health divides between residential areas in many Swedish cities. In more disadvantaged areas children grow up with poorer health outcomes than the country average. To meet the greater needs of children growing up in these areas through proportionate universalism, an extended home visiting program has been delivered. A novel part of this program has been the social worker and nurse later conducting home visits meeting the parents at the maternity care clinic before childbirth. The aim of this study was to explore parents’ experiences of that antenatal visit.

Methods
Semi-structured interviews were carried out with nine mothers and three fathers around 3 months postpartum. Nine of the participants were foreign-born and a translator was used for four of the interviews. The interviews were recorded and transcribed verbatim and the data was analyzed with thematic analysis with an inductive approach.

Results
The parents’ overall experiences are comprised in the main theme: ‘A feeling of security and care for the whole family'. This main theme is derived from the three following themes: 1) ‘Staff - a trustworthy source of information'. Parents perceived the staff as experienced and knowledgeable and appreciated obtaining information about practical things and about the Swedish system; 2) ‘Access to emotional support'. Several parents expressed the need for emotional support and valued that by meeting the staff they knew they had someone to turn to; 3) ‘Becoming familiar with the staff'. It was appreciated to know who will come to your home as this gave parents an increased sense of security.

Conclusions
Initiating the program through introducing home visiting staff at a scheduled antenatal visit benefited parents, by giving them useful information and social support. The visit also seems to be indirectly beneficial as it contributes to building trust for the staff and the rest of the program.

Key messages
• Initiating an extended home visiting program at a scheduled antenatal visit benefited parents, by giving them useful information and social support.
• Initiating an extended home visiting program at a scheduled antenatal visit contributed to building parents’ sense of trust for the staff and the rest of the program.
Low birth weight in Angola and its socioeconomic determinants
Authors: da Silva Maia J , Teixeira JP , Queiroz G , Félix China J 
Published: October 2022

Abstract

Background
In low-income nations, low birth weight (LBW) is still a major public health concern, which accounts for 96.5 % of global LBW cases. Any newborn weighing less than 2500g is considered LBW, which is associated with a 20-fold increase in the chance of dying during infancy. Despite the severity of the problem, in Sub-Saharan Africa the high rates of LBW have not diminished in the recent decade. The goal of this study is to evaluate the prevalence of LBW and its risk factors in Angola, as there is a pressing need to address LBW and its substantial health and social implications.

Methods
We used secondary data from the Angola Children’s Record Database of Demographic and Health Survey from 2015 to 2016. A binomial logistic regression model was used to investigate the prevalence of LBW and its related risk variables.

Results
From the 3738 children selected, 9.2% were born with LBW. The complete lack of formal maternal education (p = 0.011; adjOR=4.56, 95%CI 1.41-14.74), the absence of maternal iron supplementation during pregnancy (p = 0.017; adjOR=1.42, 95%CI 1.07-1.89) and women living in rural areas (p = 0.016; adjOR=1.37, 95%CI 1.06-1.78) were associated with LBW.

Conclusions
Education appears to have a significant impact on LBW, emphasizing the importance of addressing literacy in Public Health policies. Lack of iron supplementation and rural residence can also be used as indicators of poor health-care access. Understanding the factors informs decision-makers and should pave the way for more targeted intervention and more efficient LBW policy.

Key messages
• Intervention in socioeconomic factors and health access during pregnancy might have a high impact on the LBW problem.
• Addressing literacy as a major health determinant can guide a more efficient policy making and help stakeholders target their interventions.
Suicide as a public health concern: Confronting the means, motives, and opportunity
Authors: Overholser J , McGovern C , Silva C , Gomez S 
Published: October 2022

Abstract

Issue
Suicide continues to present a major public health concern in many societies. Suicide prevention efforts have failed to reduce the rate of suicide in most countries. A change of intervention strategy can help to prevent these deaths from despair.

Description of the problem
Suicide prevention strategies are examined through an integrative review combined with more than 30 years of experience conducting research on suicide attempters and psychological autopsy research on adults who had died by suicide. Journal articles published since 2005 were reviewed for strategies designed to prevent death by suicide.

Results
Suicide risk is examined by confronting the means, motives and opportunities for suicidal behavior. Prevention strategies that limit access to lethal means can have a beneficial impact if the method is easily accessible and not easily replaced. Unfortunately, some individuals merely shift to a different method for their suicidal act. Prevention strategies that restrict the opportunity for self-injury provide time to confront underlying disorders and initiate treatment. Unfortunately, many patients do not continue treatment beyond the acute crisis, and there is often a resurgence of suicidal behavior after discharge from the hospital. Prevention strategies that aim to confront the person’s motivation to die may reduce the underlying cause. It is important to provide interventions to help reduce the desperation and isolation that underlie suicidal urges. These intervention strategies hold potential for making lasting changes that could eliminate, instead of temporarily suppressing, the desire to die.

Lessons
Restricting access to lethal methods and limiting times when a suicidal person is left alone can temporarily block suicidal urges. However, the motive underlying the suicidal urges remains intact. The motivation to die can be addressed through interventions that focuses on helping clients to build a life worth living.

Key messages
• Suicide prevention strategies can confront the desire for death by helping to build a life that is worth living.
• Comprehensive interventions aimed at reducing depression, isolation and addiction hold potential for reducing the rate of suicide.
Assessment of Psychological Impact of Covid Pandemic on Frontline workers at Points of Entry,Pakistan
Authors: Noreen N , Habib Ullah S , Ali Khan S , Ullah Faiz A 
Published: October 2022

Abstract

Background
The unprecedented public health crisis of the COVID-19 pandemic has caused heightened levels of stress and fear among health care workers.With the advent of COVID-19 in Pakistan,frontline workers of POEs have been under physical and psychological pressure including a high risk of infection, abnormal levels of workload, prolonged working hours, lack of personal protective equipment for safety from contagion, isolation, exhaustion, and lack of contact with family.The study aims to assess the impact of Covid-19 on the mental health of frontline healthcare workers.

Methods
A descriptive study was conducted among HCWs across points of entry from 1st October 2020 to 31st December 2020.Data was collected using a structured questionnaire.Depression, anxiety, and stress scale (DASS-21)was used for the assessment of depression, stress, anxiety. Descriptive analysis of socio-demographic and professional factors was done. Multivariable logistic regression analysis (MLRA) was performed using SPSS version 23.0.

Results
A total of 628 participants (586 males and 42 females) completed questionnaire.The mean age of the participants was 42.6 ± 45.9 years. The majority of the respondents were married (94.3%). The frequency of depression, anxiety, and stress in the HCWs was 12.1%, 42.3%, and 22.1 %, respectively. Multivariable logistic regression analysis found that the depression in HCWs was significantly associated with the profession and age (P &lt; 0.001). The anxiety in HCWs was associated with their age and gender (P &lt; 0.005). The stress in HCWs was significantly associated with their age (P &lt; 0.05).

Conclusions
The HCWs at the Points of entry across Pakistan showed mild to moderate symptoms of DAS. The COVID-19 pandemic has caused a heavy psychological impact among the frontline healthcare professionals. Timely psychological counseling and early psychological intervention need to be implemented for HCWs to alleviate their anxiety and stress and improve their general mental health.

Key messages
• The COVID-19 pandemic has caused a heavy psychological impact.
• Timely psychological counseling and early psychological intervention.
Trajectories of sickness absence among young people with prior depression/anxiety symptoms
Authors: Alaie I , Svedberg P , Ropponen A , Narusyte J 
Published: October 2022

Abstract

Background
Depression and anxiety are associated with elevated risks of sickness absence (SA), but less is known about the development of SA over time in young people experiencing these mental health conditions. This study aimed to identify latent trajectories of SA in young people with a history of depression and/or anxiety symptoms, while accounting for sociodemographic factors.

Methods
This was an observational cohort study of 1,445 twin individuals who had elevated depression/anxiety symptoms in late adolescence or young adulthood (age range: 19-30), as assessed in Swedish surveys completed in 2005. Through linkage to the national registries, the individuals were prospectively followed from 2006 to 2018. The outcome included consecutive annual net days of SA, which were analyzed using group-based trajectory modeling with zero-inflated Poisson regression. Multinomial logistic regression estimating odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) was used to examine the influence of age, sex, and educational level on the resulting trajectory groups.

Results
Four distinct trajectories of SA were identified: ‘high-increasing’ (6%), ‘low-increasing’ (12%), ‘high-decreasing’ (13%), and ‘constant-low’ (69%). The constant-low was used as the reference in all analyses. Increasing age was found to be associated with higher odds of belonging to the low-increasing trajectory (OR = 1.07, 95% CI = 1.02-1.12). Women had higher odds of belonging to the low-increasing trajectory (OR = 1.67, 95% CI = 1.10-2.53), compared to men. Higher education was associated with lower odds of belonging to the high-increasing (OR = 0.34, 95% CI = 0.22-0.54) and high-decreasing (OR = 0.59, 95% CI = 0.43-0.81) trajectories, compared to lower education.

Conclusions
Distinct group-based trajectories of SA were identified in young people with early depression/anxiety symptoms. Targeted and timely public health strategies aiming to improve adolescent and young adult mental health may help reduce SA in the long run.

Key messages
• We identified four trajectories of sickness absence in young people with common mental health problems.
• Public health efforts to improve mental health may reduce sickness absence in vulnerable groups.
Positive mental health and COVID-19 pandemic in Slovenia
Authors: Vinko M , Mikolič P , Roškar S , Jeriček Klanšček H 
Published: October 2022

Abstract

Background
The COVID-19 pandemic is having a major impact on mental health. In contrast to studies on mental disorders, our study contributes to the under-researched area of the impact of the pandemic on positive mental health. We compare the prevalence of positive mental health before and during the pandemic and identify factors associated with flourishing and languishing mental health during the pandemic.

Methods
We used data from two nationally representative cross-sectional surveys of Slovenian adults conducted in 2019 and 2021. Outcome included positive mental health (Mental Health Continuum - Short Form). Cross-sectional prevalence estimates were calculated and logistic regression assessed associations between positive mental health and the COVID-19 specific and other health-related factors.

Results
In 2021, 38.6% (95% CI, 37.0%-40.2%) had flourishing mental health, compared to 61,5% (95% CI, 60.5%-62.5%) before the pandemic. In contrast, the share of people in languishing mental health during the pandemic (8.0%; 95% CI, 7.1%-8.9%) was nearly two times higher than in 2019 (4,5%; 95% CI, 4.1%-4.9%). Both flourishing and languishing were significantly associated with changes in family relations, social interactions and dietary habits, resilience and COVID-19 literacy.

Conclusions
Positive mental health in Slovenia worsened drastically during the pandemic compared with before. Results indicate important role of family relationships, social interactions and dietary habits on positive mental health. Both prevention of mental disorders and mental health promotion need to be considered in order to address the full range of public mental health needs, with increased attention to strengthening resilience and health literacy.

Key messages
• We noted an substantial decline in flourishing and rise in languishing mental health during the pandemic.
• Public health efforts need to address the impact of the pandemic on family relations and social interactions.
Sleep quality in the Croatian adult population during the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Miskulin I , Fotez I , Miskulin M , Milas J , Palenkic H , Kristic M 
Published: October 2022

Abstract

Background
The COVID-19 pandemic as a worldwide public health issue is a traumatic event that has affected both the sleep and mental health of the general population. This study aimed to evaluate the quality of sleep in the Croatian adult population during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods
This cross-sectional questionnaire study was conducted from February to June 2021 period. A validated, anonymous questionnaire that contained questions regarding demographic data, as well as Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and Coronavirus Anxiety Scale (CAS) was self-administered to a convenient sample of Croatian adults from central and northwestern Croatia.

Results
The study sample included 939 subjects with, median age of 42 years (interquartile range 35-48), 35.4% males, and 64.6% females. At the PSQI 22.6% of subjects presented sleep disturbances while at the CAS 0.4% of subjects presented dysfunctional anxiety associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. Sleep disturbances were more frequent among females (p &lt; 0.001), inhabitants of the Croatian capital Zagreb (p = 0.001), subjects who were not infected with COVID-19 virus (p = 0.042), subjects who had fear of coronavirus infection in the workplace (p &lt; 0.001), subjects who had fear of coronavirus infection during daily life activities (p &lt; 0.001), subjects who had fear of coronavirus infection during daily physical activities (p &lt; 0.001), subjects who worked with limited social contact (p = 0.005), and subjects with dysfunctional anxiety associated with the COVID-19 pandemic (p = 0.003).

Conclusions
Poor sleep quality is common during the COVID-19 pandemic in Croatia. Identifying factors associated with poor sleep would help develop specific intervention programs that enhance mental health and sleep quality during pandemics.

Key messages
• The COVID-19 pandemic has a significant negative influence on the mental health of the Croatian general population.
• Appropriate supportive programs and interventional approaches directed toward the general population are needed to address mental health problems in Croatia during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Werther effect: adherence of Italian newspapers to the “reporting on suicide” recommendations
Authors: Scaioli G , Giacomini G , Galvagno P , Bert F , Lo Moro G , Siliquini R 
Published: October 2022

Abstract

Background
Reporting a case of suicide on a newspaper could lead to an emulation effect (Werther effect). It is important to report suicide cases by following specific recommendations implemented by World Health Organization (WHO). This study aimed to analyze articles published on Italian newspapers to quantify the adherence to the WHO recommendations in suicide report.

Methods
All the articles published in the three most important Italian newspapers from June 2019 to May 2020 that described one or more cases of suicide were included. Two researchers analyzed all the articles through an ad-hoc checklist, constructed on the basis of the WHO recommendations, that included 18 “negative” items (e.g. “presence of suicide-related words in the title”) and nine “positive” items (e.g. “the article reports the contacts of a suicide-prevention hotline”). For each negative item a “-1” point, and for each positive item a + 1 point, was assigned. Multivariable linear regressions were performed to identify factors related with a lower adherence to the WHO recommendations and with higher social engagement of the articles.

Results
A total of 110 articles were analyzed. In the 73% of the cases, the individual was male. The 14.5% of the suicide cases were homicide-suicide, while 9% were femicide-suicide. The median score of the checklist was -6 (IQR 3). Only 5% of the articles had at least one positive item. The word “suicide” (or related words) were present in 90% of the titles. Multivariable analyses showed that female suicides were associated with a higher score of the checklist (coeff 0.816, p = 0.039). No correlation was retrieved between the score of the checklist and the social media engagement of the articles included.

Conclusions
Italian newspapers do not follow WHO recommendations on how to report suicide cases, leading to a potential emulation effect. Public health professionals should raise decision makers’ and journalists’ awareness about the importance of these recommendations.

Key messages
• Since Italian newspapers are not compliant with the recommendations of the World Health Organization on how to report a suicide case, there is the risk of a potential emulation effect.
• Specific training for journalists and other professionals in the field of communication should be implemented, to raise the awareness on the importance of the “reporting on suicide” recommendation.
Analysis of suicides in one of the administrative regions of Bulgaria for 10-year period (2009-2018)
Authors: Veleva I , Stoychev K , Stoimenova M , Mineva E 
Published: October 2022

Abstract

Background
Suicide is an important medical and social problem responsible for nearly one million deaths per year globally. However, distal and proximal risk factors for suicide, expect being mentally diagnosed, are not enough studied. The aim of the study was to analyze the dynamics, structure, socio-demographic and clinical characteristics of all suicides committed by persons with mental disorder for 10-year period (2009-2018) in Pleven district.

Methods
Retrospective analysis of medical records of all mentally ill persons who committed suicide was done. Data were extracted from the databases of all in- and outpatient mental health centers in the region. Data processing was performed by IBM SPSS Statistics v.25. Statistical associations between a number of socio-demographic and clinical characteristics and the age of suicide victims was studied by dispersion analysis and Mann-Whitney test. Statistical significance was set at p ≤ 0.05.

Results
Among all 281 registered suicide cases during the studied period, 77 (28%) were with mental disorders. The most common were mood disorders (44%), followed by schizophrenia, anxiety disorders, substance abuse disorders and organic mental conditions. The mean age of all suicides was 55.62 years; significantly lower in males than in females (p = 0.042); lower in divorced or never married/single living persons compared to married or who had lived with a partner (F (2.74) =17.682, p &lt; 0.001]; the lowest in patients with schizophrenia (44.62 years), and the highest in organic disorders (66.83 years). Higher educational degree was associated with lower age of suicide (U = 3.713, p &lt; 0.01) and the earlier age of onset of the psychiatric disorder (r = 0.754, p &lt; 0.001). Most of the suicide cases had occurred in March and September. Tuesdays and Fridays were most suicidal.

Conclusions
Severe mental disorders are major risk factors for suicide with the additional contribution of certain socio-demographic and disease related characteristics.

Key messages
• Suicide monitoring should be constant in all patients with chronic and severe mental disorders.
• Suicide registration in Bulgaria needs to be improved in terms of collecting sufficient and reliable information about the mental health of suicide victims.
Social inequality and change in psychological distress during the Covid-19 pandemic in Norway
Authors: Aasan BEV , Lillefjell M , Kvaløy K , Krokstad S , Sund ER 
Published: October 2022

Abstract

Background
Emerging research findings suggest that the Covid-19 pandemic may have affected various social groups differently. Using follow-up health data from Norway, the aim of this study was to investigate whether change in psychological distress in adolescents during the Covid-19 pandemic differed across socioeconomic position (SEP).

Methods
Data consisted of 1254 Norwegian adolescents who participated in Young-HUNT4 (2017-19) and Young-HUNT COVID (spring 2021). Psychological distress (PD) was assessed by the Symptom Checklist-10, using a cut-off point of ≥ 1.85 to identify adolescents with high PD. Based on the adolescents PD score prior to and during the Covid-19 pandemic, four groups were identified: persistent low PD, improved PD, worsened PD, and persistent high PD. Adolescents reported their parents’ education level which was used as an indicator for SEP. SEP was dichotomized separating low and high SEP, where having at least one parent with a higher education was defined as high SEP. Multinomial logistic regression models were used to investigate if the likelihood of the outcome groups varied across SEP, adjusted for age and sex.

Results
Compared to the persistent low PD group, no statistically significant difference was found between low and high SEP in the improved PD and worsened PD group (RR 1.33 95% CI 0.77 - 2.31, RR 1.22 95% CI 0.82 - 1.81, respectively). However, adolescents of low SEP had a higher likelihood to be in the persistent high PD group compared with the high SEP group (RR 1.93 95% CI 1.30 - 2.87).

Conclusions
These preliminary findings suggest that the pandemic may not have led to greater social inequality in mental health among Norwegian adolescents. However, the results showed that social inequality that existed prior to the pandemic has persisted, as adolescents of lower SEP had a higher likelihood of reporting high PD that persisted from prior to and throughout the Covid-19 pandemic.

Key messages
• Social inequality in psychological distress among Norwegian adolescents has persisted prior to and during the Covid-19 pandemic.
• The Covid-19 pandemic does not seem to have increased existing social inequalities in psychological distress among Norwegian adolescents.