Optimal Health (Spirit, Mind, and Body): A Feasibility Study Promoting Well-Being for Health Behavior Change

Prevalence and Predictors of Substance Use Support Programming Among U.S. Religious Congregations

We conducted a cross-sectional secondary analysis of data from the 2012 National Congregation Study, a nationally representative survey of religious congregations in the United States ( N = 1,331). Multivariate logistic regression was used to identify congregational characteristics associated with providing substance use support programing. Nearly one-third (38%) of U.S. congregations indicated that they provided substance use support programming; approximately half (52%) of all congregational attendees were in a congregation that provided some type of substance use support. The internal factors associated with a congregation providing substance use programming include having members who are unemployed and younger, being conservative Protestant, engaging in the practice of speaking in tongues, and having the resources to support social services. The analysis also identifies external factors (i.e., assessing community needs and hosting social service speakers) as being associated with a congregation’s likelihood of providing substance use programming. Findings identify factors associated with congregations providing substance use support.

Tea and tea drinking: China's outstanding contributions to the mankind

Background

Tea trees originated in southwest China 60 million or 70 million years ago. Written records show that Chinese ancestors had begun drinking tea over 3000 years ago. Nowadays, with the aging of populations worldwide and more people suffering from non-communicable diseases or poor health, tea beverages have become an inexpensive and fine complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) therapy. At present, there are 3 billion people who like to drink tea in the world, but few of them actually understand tea, especially on its development process and the spiritual and cultural connotations.

Methods

We searched PubMed, Google Scholar, Web of Science, CNKI, and other relevant platforms with the key word “tea”, and reviewed and analyzed tea-related literatures and pictures in the past 40 years about tea’s history, culture, customs, experimental studies, and markets.

Results

China is the hometown of tea, tea trees, tea drinking, and tea culture. China has the oldest wild and planted tea trees in the world, fossil of a tea leaf from 35,400,000 years ago, and abundant tea-related literatures and art works. Moreover, tea may be the first Chinese herbal medicine (CHM) used by Chinese people in ancient times. Tea drinking has many benefits to our physical health via its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, immuno-regulatory, anticancer, cardiovascular-protective, anti-diabetic, and anti-obesity activities. At the moment, COVID-19 is wreaking havoc across the globe and causing severe damages to people’s health and lives. Tea has anti-COVID-19 functions via the enhancement of the innate immune response and inhibition of viral growth. Besides, drinking tea can allow people to acquire a peaceful, relaxed, refreshed and cheerful enjoyment, and even longevity. According to the meridian theory of traditional Chinese medicine, different kinds of tea can activate different meridian systems in the human body. At present, black tea (fermented tea) and green tea (non-fermented tea) are the most popular in the world. Black tea accounts for over 90% of all teas sold in western countries. The world’s top-grade black teas include Qi Men black in China, Darjeeling and Assam black tea in India, and Uva black tea in Sri Lanka. However, all top ten famous green teas in the world are produced in China, and Xi Hu Long Jing tea is the most famous among all green teas. More than 700 different kinds of components and 27 mineral elements can be found in tea. Tea polyphenols and theaflavin/thearubigins are considered to be the major bioactive components of black tea and green tea, respectively. Overly strong or overheated tea liquid should be avoided when drinking tea.

Conclusions

Today, CAM provides an array of treatment modalities for the health promotion in both developed and developing countries all over the world. Tea drinking, a simple herb-based CAM therapy, has become a popular man-made non-alcoholic beverage widely consumed worldwide, and it can improve the growth of economy as well. Tea can improve our physical and mental health and promote the harmonious development of society through its chemical and cultural elements.

The effectiveness of a nail-biting prevention program among primary school students

PURPOSE

This study aimed to demonstrate the effect of a program called "Do Not Bite Your Nails, Cut Your Nails," which is based on a health promotion model to change the nail-biting habit among primary school students.

DESIGN AND METHODS

This quasi-experimental study was conducted using the pre- and post-test and interrupted time series design. The study sample included 299 students. Nurse observation form and nail follow-up chart were used to evaluate behavioral outcomes. This program was conducted under the guidance of school nurses and lasted 6 weeks. The data were analyzed using McNemar and Cochran Q tests.

RESULTS

The number of those who selected "yes" for "I cut my nails this weekend" and "I didn't bite my nails today" increased. However, the number of the students that selected "yes" for "I pulled out my nails," "I pulled out and ate," "I pulled out my nail skin," "My cuticle bled today," and "My nails hurt today" decreased significantly and statistically compared with pretest, first and second observation, and post-test (P < 0.001). The rate of the students with minimum one abnormal finger was 83.9% according to observations, and 6% following the intervention (P < 0.001). New insights were provided into the program to diminish nail-biting habit.

PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS

The program significantly reduced the nail-biting rate among primary school students. The nurse that implement this program will be able to do a comprehensive evaluation of students' nail-biting habits, perform solution-focused interventions, and prevent advanced complications that might develop in connection to nail-biting. Thus, the effectiveness of nursing implementations will improve in the prevention of nail-biting habit, early diagnosis, and changing students' habits. "Do Not Bite Your Nails, Cut Your Nails" program can be applied again in different schools.

Designing Culturally Relevant Physical Activity Programs for African-American Women: A Framework for Intervention Development

BACKGROUND

African-American women perform low levels of physical activity and are disproportionally burdened by associated cardiometabolic disease conditions (i.e., 57 % are obese, 49 % have cardiovascular disease). The marked health disparities among African-American women indicate the need for innovative strategies to promote physical activity to help attenuate the chronic disease health disparities in this high-risk population. Culturally tailoring physical activity programs to address the sociocultural norms, values, beliefs, and behaviors of African-American women is an advantageous strategy to enhance physical activity promotion efforts. The purpose of this article is to discuss critical aspects for researchers to consider when designing physical activity programs for African-American women and to present a conceptual framework to guide intervention development.

METHODS

Development of the framework was based on our previous physical activity research with African-American women, seminal literature on the topics of cultural adaptation and health promotion, sociological and theoretical perspectives on the role of women in African-American culture, and key determinants of physical activity engagement among African-American women.

RESULTS

Three key concepts are discussed in the conceptual framework: (1) Developmental milestones and life stage transitions of African-American women; (2) Historical, social, and cultural influences associated with physical activity engagement; and (3) Intervention delivery strategies.

DISCUSSION

Using the framework to guide intervention development has the potential to enhance the physical activity and health outcomes of a physical activity program for African-American women.