bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Enablers and barriers to effective parenting within the first 1000 days of life
Authors: Adebiyi B , Goldschmidt T , Benjamin F , Sonn I , Rich E , Roman N 
Published: October 2022

Abstract

Background
The first 1000 days is the period between conception and a child’s second birthday. Globally, research on parenting is in an advanced stage, but parenting research focusing specifically on parenting in this developmental phase is limited in South Africa. Therefore, this study explores the enablers and barriers to effective parenting within the first 1000 days through the lens of parents and caregivers in low socio-economic communities.

Methods
This study was conducted in low socio-economic communities of South Africa. An exploratory qualitative research design explored the enablers and barriers to effective parenting within the first 1000 days of life. Thirty participants were purposively selected and interviewed in this study. A semi-structured interview schedule was used for all interviews. The data were analysed using inductive thematic analysis.

Results
Two main categories emerged (effective parenting enablers and effective parenting barriers) during the data analysis. The main enablers of effective parenting within the first 1000 days of life include a support system, healthy behaviours/environment, job opportunities, religion, information/knowledge, and professional assistance. On the other hand, the main barriers to effective parenting were low socio-economic circumstances, environmental circumstances, lack of partner’s support, the negative impact of technology, and lack of access to services.

Conclusions
Enablers that need to be promoted for effective parenting range from support systems to professional assistance for parents. Also, barriers that need to be removed for effective parenting range from low socio-economic circumstances to a lack of partner’s support for parents. This is because effective parenting is vital in improving developmental outcomes for children within the first 1000 days of life. Therefore, there is a need to develop policies and interventions to promote effective parenting within the first 1000 days in the communities.

Key messages
• Effective parenting is vital in improving developmental outcomes for children within the first 1000 days of life.
• There is a need to develop policies and interventions to promote effective parenting within the first 1000 days in low socio-economic communities.
Maternal dietary adherence during pregnancy to recommendations: a cross-sectional study in Modena
Authors: De Pasquale L , Palandri L , Casalucci MA , Azzalini D , Lucaccioni L , Passini E , Facchinetti F , Righi E 
Published: October 2022

Abstract

Background
Unbalanced nutrients intake and incorrect weight gain can lead to immediate and future adverse health consequences for both mother and child. The Italian Society of Gynaecology and Obstetrics (SIGO), has drawn up a series of nutritional recommendations with the aim of promoting a correct food intake for future mothers. The purpose of our study was to assess adherence to good dietary indications during pregnancy and to evaluate if voluptuary habits could play a role.

Methods
This cross-sectional study investigated dietary habits during the last trimester of pregnancy. We evaluated the adherence to dietary SIGO recommendations of a sample of pregnant women representative of physiologic full-term pregnancies (n = 572, mean age 33.4±5.2) living in Modena (Italy), recruited between 2016 and 2020. Maternal diet during pregnancy was assessed by a self-administered questionnaire fill in at the hospital after childbirth, evaluating lifestyle habits and usual food intake. Descriptive statistics and bivariate associations (Chi-square tests) were performed.

Results
More than 50% of women did not comply with SIGO dietary recommendations. Overall, adherence was very low, ranging between 8.4% (sweets) and 38.8% (seafood), for all food categories, excluding coffee and tea (89%), alcohol (76.2%), red wine (99.1%) and seasoning (olive oil 93.4%). Preliminary results suggest that several factors and behaviours, including BMI before pregnancy, age, smoking habits, education, are associated with levels of adherence to different food categories.

Conclusions
Poor adherence to a proper dietary regimen during pregnancy is a missed opportunity for prevention and demonstrates the importance of promoting public health interventions to improve dietary recommendations adherence. Several initiatives, such as courses, information campaigns, use of social media and counselling can be useful for a nutrition education in pregnancy, raising awareness of the related benefits for both mother and child.

Key messages
• Nowadays pregnant women’s compliance to diet recommendations is still low.
• There is still a lot to do in terms of education and awareness of future mothers.
Strengthening antenatal care providers’ role to address HIV: experiences of pregnant women in Russia
Authors: King EJ , Vetrova MV 
Published: October 2022

Abstract

Background
Significant gaps in HIV treatment remain in Russia. Women are often diagnosed during pregnancy, which is important for prevention of mother-to-child transmission and mothers’ longer-term treatment. We aimed to learn the needs of HIV-positive pregnant and postpartum women and to identify opportunities for antenatal care (ANC) providers to better address these needs.

Methods
We conducted in-depth interviews with Russian women who were diagnosed with HIV during pregnancy in July-November 2021. We conducted thematic analysis using team-based deductive and inductive coding of the interview transcripts.

Results
The Russian healthcare system operates in silos, which means that while pregnant women are tested in ANC services, they must visit a specialized AIDS Center for their HIV care. Our respondents mostly appreciated the specialized care, but they recognized that it presented difficulties in discussing their HIV-related needs with ANC providers. Respondents noted a lack of coordination and collaboration between the AIDS Centers and the ANC services. Respondents described how ANC providers were often ill-equipped to answer questions, offer information, or provide extensive counseling upon diagnosis. However, some respondents shared the positive impact a supportive and trustworthy ANC provider had on their engagement in HIV care. This included psychological, informational, and instrumental support. Respondents were receptive to the empathy and openness of ANC providers as long as they did not exhibit incompetence or judgement. The stigma and discrimination that many respondents encountered in the healthcare setting served as significant barriers to openly discussing HIV with ANC providers.

Conclusions
Issues of trust, knowledge, support, compassion, de-stigmatization, and coordination of services are important considerations in strengthening the role that ANC providers can have in improving HIV-positive pregnant women’s engagement in HIV treatment.

Key messages
• Pregnant women who are diagnosed with HIV require more comprehensive psychosocial support from the healthcare system. This could have a positive impact on longer-term engagement in HIV treatment.
• Antenatal care providers need better preparation and empathy to address the concerns of HIV-positive pregnant women and to support these women through the process of accessing HIV treatment and care.
Parents’ knowledge about their children’s congenital heart disease: an observational study
Authors: Martinato M , Virgis S , Cerantola E , Ocagli H , Cainelli E , Vedovelli L , Comoretto RI , Azzolina D , Monaco E , Gregori D 
Published: October 2022

Abstract

Introduction
Congenital heart diseases (CHD) represent abnormalities of cardiovascular structure or function present at birth. The degree of knowledge of parents of children with CHD determines the quality of care and the quality of life of their children. Several studies have shown that parents’ knowledge is still lacking.

Objectives
This study aims to translate and validate in Italian the Leuven Knowledge Questionnaire for Congenital Heart Disease (LKQCHD) and to assess the knowledge of parents of children with CHD about heart defect, treatments, preventive measures, opportunities for physical activity and reproductive problems of their children.

Methods
Translation and validation of the questionnaire were performed using a multistep method: forward translation, backward translation, and pilot testing. Five experts in CHD were included for the validation of the questionnaire. The sample consisted of fifty-four pairs of parents of children with CHD. Parents were contacted by telephone; knowledge was assessed using an electronic questionnaire.

Results
Five items were found to have an Item Content Validity Index (I-CVI) of 0.6, 2 of 0.5, and 2 of 0.2. The Scale ContentValidity Index (S-CVI) was found to be 0.80. Regarding parental knowledge, the results show that almost all parents are able to correctly state the name of the diagnosis and the description and location of the heart defect. However, parental knowledge has important gaps; in particular, parents are less informed about the most characteristic sign of endocarditis, the possibility of contracting endocarditis more than once in a lifetime, and risk factors. Parental knowledge also seems to be lacking regarding symptoms suggesting worsening health status in their children.

Conclusions
The Italian version of the LKQCHD has proved to be a valid tool to measure the level of knowledge of parents of children with CHD, allowing to identify in which areas it is necessary to improve the education addressed to parents.

Key messages
• Assessing the knowledge of parents of children with CHD allows to improve their education.
• The Italian version of the LKQCHD is a valid tool to measure the level of knowledge of parents of children with CHD.
Prospective prediction of substances use among a cohort of Tunisian adolescents
Authors: Zammit N , Amara A , Ghammam R , Ben Fredj S , Maatouk A , Ouertani M , Ben Belgacem W , Boujebha S , Maatoug J , Ghannem H 
Published: October 2022

Abstract

Background
The risk of substances use increases during adolescence. In Sousse (Tunisia), an upward trend of these risk behaviors has been observed during the last years among young adolescents. Among older adolescents, the trend of their use is unknown.

Objectives
To determine the incidences and the most influencing factors on substances use among high school students in Sousse between 2018 and 2019.

Methods
A prospective longitudinal study was conducted among a cohort of high school students from Sousse. The same pre-tested questionnaire served to collect data in 2018 and 2019 from the same participants in their classes and in the presence of pre-trained investigators.

Results
A total of 404 high school students have participated in the study. Their median age was of 17 (IIQ: 15.8-17.6) years. Girls represented 66.8% of participants. The incidence rates of lifetime tobacco use, alcohol consumption, lifetime inhalants use and lifetime illicit substances use between 2018 and 2019 were 13%, 3.5%, 1.8% and 2 .9% respectively. Lifetime tobacco use was the main predictor of inhalants experimentation. This latter was the main predictor of becoming a user of e-cigarettes while alcohol consumption was the most influencing factor on cannabis experimentation among high school students. On the other hand, illicit substances use among friends predicted e-cigarette use, alcohol consumption, and cannabis experimentation among participants.

Conclusions
The existing prevention programs aiming at reducing tobacco use and substances use in the schools of Tunisia should be reinforced and integrate a comprehensive and multi-sectoral prevention program. The implementation of a national observatory of substances use would ensure the continuous improvement of this program.

Key messages
• There is an upward trend on using substances among the adolescents of Sousse, Tunisia.
• Tobacco experimentation and alcohol consumption are the gateway to later substances experimentation among the adolescents of Sousse, Tunisia.
It matters what we do: Relationships between forms of media use and life satisfaction of adolescents
Authors: Schloemer T , Rocco I , Kolip P 
Published: October 2022

Abstract

Background
Electronic media communication is firmly anchored in the leisure time of adolescents. Adolescents use electronic devices (ED) as a means of interpersonal communication with friends, such as text messaging, for entertainment in the form of receptive communication, such as watching movies, in the form of interactive communication, such as playing computer games, and for other purposes, such as homework. We aimed to identify how these communication forms are related to and interact on life satisfaction (LS) of girls and boys.

Methods
We conducted multivariable linear regression analysis with the dataset of 5,961 adolescents aged 11, 13 and 15 years, obtained from the German Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC) survey of 2013/2014. Separate statistical analyses were performed for girls and boys, including statistical interactions. We controlled for age, family affluence and family structure.

Results
Interpersonal communication with friends has a positive relationship with LS in boys (β = 0.12, t = 3.19, p = 0.001), but no effect in girls. Whereas other communication forms have a negative main effect on life satisfaction in girls (entertainment β = -0.1, t = -3.79, p &lt; 0.001; gaming β = -0.09, t = -4.12, p &lt; 0.001; using the ED for other purposes β = -0.04, t = -2.26, p = 0.024), we found no association of entertainment with LS for boys. The negative effect of gaming in boys is conditional on the level of using the ED for other purposes: the results show a reinforcing statistical interaction (β = 0.02, t = 3.24, p = 0.001).

Conclusions
The results demonstrate the relevance of considering the differences in associations between single forms of communication and LS for boys and girls separately. This confirms our theoretical focus on a communication-centred approach. Moreover, it is of high relevance to identify potentially enabling and harmful media communication and to understand adolescents’ perspectives on these forms of communication.

Key messages
• When examining associations between media use and life satisfaction among adolescents, form of communication and gender should be taken into account.
• Investigating interactions of different forms of communication can help to better understand their influence on adolescents’ life satisfaction.
Gambling disorder symptoms among Slovenian gamblers
Authors: Selak Š , Žmavc M , Makivić I 
Published: October 2022

Abstract

Background
We are facing a growing popularity of gambling, partly due to the rapid rise of internet related technologies. This growth has been linked to a considerable increase in problem gambling and gambling disorder, which has been an established non-substance addiction. The aim of our study was to assess the prevalence rate of gambling disorder among the Slovenian population.

Methods
National Survey on the Use of Tobacco, Alcohol and Other Drugs was conducted in 2018 on a nationally representative sample (n = 16,000; age: 15-64 years), using mixed-mode data collection (CAWI and CAPI). Responses were obtained from 9,161 respondents, of those 18.4% (n = 1,686) reported to have gambled in the last 12 months (i.e. gamblers). Gambling disorder symptoms were assessed using Berlin Inventory of Gambling Behavior - Screening, consisting of 14 items with a yes/no response option, which measure 9 gambling disorder criteria (DSM-V). Participants who reported at least 5 out of 9 gambling disorder criteria were classified as disordered.

Results
Data shows that 4.3% of Slovenian gamblers met the criteria for gambling disorder. Significantly higher shares were observed among men (5.9%; compared to 1.2% of women) and among younger generations (highest shares among 15-19 year olds (19.4%) and 20-24 year olds (14.5%)). The same goes for money spent for gambling. Namely, males (4.4% of men; compared to 0.6% of women) and younger generations (highest shares among 20-24 year olds (9.2%) and 30-34 year-olds (6.9%)) were more likely to spend more than 100 EUR in a day for gambling.

Conclusions
Data obtained in the present study indicates the extent of gambling disorder symptomatology and highlights key demographic groups with risk for gambling disorder. These findings are consistent with previous comparable studies and provide a basis for tailored public health measures in Slovenia with an emphasis on early intervention.

Key messages
• 4.3% of Slovenian residents, who engaged in gambling in the last 12 months met the criteria for gambling disorder.
• Males and younger generations were more likely to report gambling disorder symptoms and spent more money on gambling. The data shows the need for tailored public health measures.
Pandemic-related determinants of depression in Czech older persons: Evidence from the HAPIEE cohort
Authors: Dalecká A , Pikhart H , Čapková N , Bobák M 
Published: October 2022

Abstract

Background
A number of studies reported higher levels of mental health issues during the COVID-19 pandemic but only minority of studies focused to assess changes in mental health against measurements taken before the pandemics. We investigated a change in depressive symptoms using repeated measurements and the impact of the pre-existing and COVID-19-related stressors in an ageing cohort in the Czech Republic.

Methods
We used data on 2853 subjects (mean age 73 years) from the Czech part of the prospective HAPIEE cohort that participated on postal questionnaire surveys before (2017) and during the pandemic (autumn 2020 to early 2021). Participants reported their depressive symptoms using validated CESD-10 report tool. The impact of pre-existing stressors (age, sex, education, living alone, self-rated health, employment status, depression before pandemic), as well as pandemic-related stressors on change in depressive symptoms were tested using multivariable linear regression, after adjustment for age and potential confounders.

Results
Compared with pre-pandemic period, there was a significant increase in depression score during the COVID-19 pandemic. The mean CESD-10 score increased from 4.92 to 5.37 (p &lt; 0.001). Significantly larger increases in depressive score reported older persons (β = 0.073; p &lt; 0.001) and those with poor self-rated health (β = 0.170; p &lt; 0.001) in the fully adjusted model. Moreover, those who experienced social deprivation (β = 0.057; p &lt; 0.001), death or hospitalization of a close person (β = 0.064; p &lt; 0.001), delays in healthcare (β = 0.048; p = 0.005) and those who suffered from COVID-19 (β = 0.045; p = 0.008) also reported worsened depressive symptoms.

Conclusions
This longitudinal study confirms important increase in depressive symptoms during the COVID-19 pandemic and contributes to identify pandemic-related risk factors. Interventions and future public health policies should address vulnerable individuals and population groups.

Key messages
• Mental health worsened during the COVID-19 pandemic compared to previous years.
• Social deprivation, delays in healthcare and experiencing COVID-19 infection affected mental health of older people.
Development and evaluation of an evidence-based health information on benzodiazepines and z-drugs
Authors: Lindemann C , Heeg J , Dirmaier J , Verthein U , Haerter M 
Published: October 2022

Abstract

Background
With approximately 1.1-1.4 million people in Germany taking benzodiazepines (BZDs) and z-drugs in a problematic or dependent manner, this is a relevant public health problem which needs to be adressed. However, it is well known that affected individuals do not receive the counseling or treatment they need. One possible solution is preventive education of affected individuals and medical practioners using evidence-based and target-group-health information (HI).The project EDER-MIA aimed to develop and evaluate evidence-based and target-group-related HI.

Methods
With the help of three different focus groups (18-40-years; women: 40-60-years; &gt; 60-year-olds), the information needs of affected individuals were assessed. Based on the results, we developed the HI and received feedback from health experts. The HI was implemented online (http://www.psychenet.de) and evaluated with the ‘Usefulness Scale of Patient Information’ (USE): An assessment was made on 3 subscales with a 10-point scale from ‘1=disagree at all’ to ‘10=agree completely'. By forming a sum score (range: 0-90), an overall assessment was calculated.

Results
The results of the focus group study revealed the persons taking BZDs or z-drugs were in need about informations about sleep problems, the risk of taking BZDs and z-drugs and a better orientation regarding help services. The evaluation of the health information achieved medium acceptance rates of usefulness for affected persons (N = 192, 68.2% female; mean= 54.3, sd = 15.4). A somewhat higher usefulness was recognised by the medical staff (N = 58, 69.0% female, mean=64.7, sd = 17.2).

Conclusions
The development of target group-specific HI with the participation of affected individuals and experts is suitable for topics that are associated with possible experiences of shame and stigma. In addition to providing information about the risks of taking BZDs and z-drugs, screening of problematic BZD and z-drug use is also a matter of concern.

Key messages
• BZDs and z-drug use is a relevant public health concern which needs to be adressed.
• Target-group specific health information for BZD and z-drug use accompanied by a screening-test can encourage affected individuals to seek medical advice.
A six-week parenting program for parents of children with learning disabilities in Greece
Authors: Pedioti N , Papadakaki M , Koutra K , Parlalis S 
Published: October 2022

Abstract

Children with learning disabilities have been shown to experience complex emotional and conduct difficulties due to late diagnosis and inappropriate parental management. Parenting support have been deemed necessary for a holistic management of learning disabilities. The current presentation reports on the methodology and initial results of a program offered to parents of children aged 8-12 years with learning difficulties at the region of Crete in Greece, during the school year 2020-2021. The program aimed at improving parenting skills and parent-child interaction, through a short training (four meetings) and a set of seven techniques offered to parents for boosting children’s positive response. All children diagnosed with a learning disability by an interdisciplinary team of experts serving a mobile unit, were approached and their parents were offered a personalised intervention plan and a package of counselling services including a six-week program, based on the “A Six Week Parenting Program For Child Compliance” (Cipani, 2005). Parents were randomly assigned to an intervention (n = 40, 6-week parenting program) and a control group (n = 29, no intervention). A pre- and post evaluation design, with self-administered questionnaires, was used to assess changes in parental skills and performance as well as the quality of parent-child interaction (Parenting Style Questionnaire; the Family Quality of Life Scale (FQOL)). Most of the participants were mothers (n = 63), of low educational level (n = 26) and low income (n = 49). Statistically significant improvements were evident in the intervention group at post-intervention level in parenting skills as compared to baseline scores. Significant differences were also observed in the parenting skills at post-intervention level, between the intervention and the control group. Findings are expected to highlight new approaches towards improving the parental role, with an impact on the quality of life of families.

Key messages
• Training on parenting skills should be included in family support services offered to children with learning disabilities.
• Professionals working with learning disabilities should be trained to assess deficits in parenting skills and offer brief counseling to parents.