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Hajek A, König HH. Health-related quality of life during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond. Arch Gerontol Geriatr 2024; 122:105426. [PMID: 38570277 DOI: 10.1016/j.archger.2024.105426] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/05/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- André Hajek
- Department of Health Economics and Health Services Research, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg Center for Health Economics, Hamburg, Germany.
| | - Hans-Helmut König
- Department of Health Economics and Health Services Research, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg Center for Health Economics, Hamburg, Germany
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2
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Alexandrov N, Scott ES, Janssen MF, Lubetkin EI, Yfantopoulos JN, Bonsel GJ, Haagsma JA. The relationship between healthcare access and change in health-related quality-of-life among the general population of five countries during the COVID-19 pandemic. Qual Life Res 2024:10.1007/s11136-024-03704-1. [PMID: 38861096 DOI: 10.1007/s11136-024-03704-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/28/2024] [Indexed: 06/12/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE To determine whether (1) healthcare access at onset of the pandemic and (2) age, gender, socioeconomic status (SES), and pre-existing health status were associated with change in health-related quality-of-life (HRQoL) during the COVID-19 pandemic. The study includes a general population sample of five countries. METHODS An online questionnaire was administered to respondents from Greece, Italy, the Netherlands, the UK, and the US at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic between April 22nd and May 5th of 2020, and 1 year later between May 23rd and June 29th of 2021. The questionnaire included questions on demographic background, health status, and HRQoL. The primary outcome was change in HRQoL as measured by the EQ-5D-5L instrument. Specifically, the EQ-5D-5L index and EQ VAS were used. Healthcare access was quantified with regard to the respondent's ease of getting an appointment, waiting time, and opportunity to contact the provider and during analysis dichotomized into "sufficient" versus "insufficient". Linear regression analysis was performed with change in HRQoL as dependent variable and background variables as independent variables. RESULTS In total, 6,765 respondents completed the second questionnaire. 19.8% of total respondents reported insufficient healthcare access. Respondents with insufficient healthcare had both more improved and deteriorated HRQoL compared to respondents with sufficient healthcare, whose HRQoL remained unchanged. We did not find significant interactions between age, gender, SES and/or chronic disease status with healthcare access at onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. CONCLUSION Healthcare access was not associated with cumulative differences in change in HRQoL over a 1-year period in strata of age, gender, SES, and chronic disease status.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nadja Alexandrov
- Department of Public Health, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | | | - Mathieu F Janssen
- Section Medical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Department of Psychiatry, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Erica I Lubetkin
- Department of Community Health and Social Medicine, CUNY School of Medicine, New York City, NY, USA
| | - John N Yfantopoulos
- Health Department of Economics, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Gouke J Bonsel
- Department Scientific Support, EuroQol Research Foundation, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
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Webb EJ, King N, Howdon D, Carrol ED, Euden J, Howard P, Pallmann P, Llewelyn MJ, Thomas-Jones E, Shinkins B, Sandoe J. Evidence of quality of life for hospitalised patients with COVID-19: a scoping review. Health Technol Assess 2024:1-23. [PMID: 38798077 DOI: 10.3310/atpr4281] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/29/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Information on the quality of life of people hospitalised with COVID-19 is important, both in assessing the burden of disease and the cost-effectiveness of treatments. However, there were potential barriers to collecting such evidence. Objective To review the existing evidence on quality of life for people hospitalised with COVID-19, with a focus on the amount of evidence available and methods used. Design A scoping review with systematic searches. Results A total of 35 papers were selected for data extraction. The most common study type was economic evaluation (N = 13), followed by cross-sectional (N = 10). All economic evaluations used published utility values for other conditions to represent COVID-19 inpatients' quality of life. The most popular quality-of-life survey measure was the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (N = 8). There were 12 studies that used a mental health-related survey and 12 that used a sleep-related survey. Five studies used EQ-5D, but only one collected responses from people in the acute phase of COVID-19. Studies reported a negative impact on quality of life for people hospitalised with COVID-19, although many studies did not include a formal comparison group. Limitations Although it used systematic searches, this was not a full systematic review. Conclusion Quality-of-life data were collected from people hospitalised with COVID-19 from relatively early in the pandemic. However, there was a lack of consensus as to what survey measures to use, and few studies used generic health measures. Economic evaluations for COVID-19 treatments did not use utilities collected from people with COVID-19. In future health crises, researchers should be vigilant for opportunities to collect quality-of-life data from hospitalised patients but should try to co-ordinate as well as ensuring generic health measures are used more. Funding This article presents independent research funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Health Technology Assessment programme as award number NIHR132254.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edward Jd Webb
- Academic Unit of Health Economics, Leeds Institute of Health Sciences, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
| | - Natalie King
- Academic Unit of Health Economics, Leeds Institute of Health Sciences, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
| | - Daniel Howdon
- Academic Unit of Health Economics, Leeds Institute of Health Sciences, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
| | - Enitan D Carrol
- Department of Clinical Infection Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Infection, Veterinary and Ecological Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Joanne Euden
- Centre for Trials Research, College of Biomedical and Life Sciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
| | - Philip Howard
- School of Healthcare, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
- Department of Medicines Management and Pharmacy, Leeds Teaching Hospitals, Leeds General Infirmary, Leeds, UK
| | - Philip Pallmann
- Centre for Trials Research, College of Biomedical and Life Sciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
| | - Martin J Llewelyn
- Brighton and Sussex Medical School, University of Sussex and University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust, Brighton, UK
| | - Emma Thomas-Jones
- Centre for Trials Research, College of Biomedical and Life Sciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
| | - Bethany Shinkins
- Academic Unit of Health Economics, Leeds Institute of Health Sciences, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
- Division of Health Sciences, Warwick Medical School, University of Warwick, Warwick, UK
| | - Jonathan Sandoe
- Healthcare Associated Infection Group, Leeds Institute of Medical Research, School of Medicine, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
- Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, Leeds, UK
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Kangwanrattanakul K, Krägeloh CU. EQ-5D-3L and EQ-5D-5L population norms for Thailand. BMC Public Health 2024; 24:1108. [PMID: 38649833 PMCID: PMC11036570 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-024-18391-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2023] [Accepted: 03/19/2024] [Indexed: 04/25/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The previous Thai norm-based scores for the EQ-5D-5L were established with Thai general population samples aged 20-70 years in 2019. Nevertheless, these values need to be updated after the COVID-19 pandemic because of its effects on both physical and mental health. This study therefore aimed to establish population norms of the Thai EQ-5D-3L, EQ-5D-5L and EQ-VAS scores as well as to estimate disutility values associated with self-reported main diseases. METHODS Individual face-to-face interviews were conducted with 2000 adult (age ≥ 18 years) members of the general Thai population to estimate norm-based scores. Each participant completed the EQ-5D-3L and EQ-5D-5L as well as questions related to their sociodemographic factors and self-reported main diseases. Responses to the two instruments were converted to health utility (HU) scores on the basis of available value sets. Descriptive statistics were used to report the norm-based scores stratified by age and sex categories. Response redistribution determining the response consistency between EQ-5D versions was investigated. The HU score agreement from those two instruments was investigated using intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). Tobit regression models were employed to investigate the relationships between sociodemographic factors and HU and EQ-VAS scores. Moreover, it was used to estimate the disutility values associated with self-reported main diseases. RESULTS The means (percentage of ceiling effects) of EQ-5D-3L, EQ-5D-5L, and EQ-VAS scores were 0.845 (57.80%), 0.923 (49.05%), and 79.83 (3.20%), respectively. The average percentage of inconsistent response was 1.09%. A good agreement level was found between both EQ-5D versions with the ICCs of 0.789 (95% CI: 0.558-0.878). Female, older, and unemployed participants and those with BMI ≥ 30 reported lower EQ-5D-3L and EQ-5D-5L than their counterparts. Bone/Joint disorder and stroke contributed to the largest disutility value for those two instruments. CONCLUSIONS The Thai norm-based scores from those two instruments were diminished when advancing age and among female, unemployed, and obese (BMI ≥ 30) participants. It is expected to provide information to policy makers to better allocate health care resources to those with diminished norm-based scores.
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Affiliation(s)
- Krittaphas Kangwanrattanakul
- Division of Social and Administrative Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Burapha University, 169 Long-Hard Bangsaen Rd.,, Chonburi, Mueang, 20131, Thailand.
| | - Christian U Krägeloh
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Auckland University of Technology, Auckland, New Zealand
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Sakamoto M, Ishikawa H, Suzuki A. Evaluation of Parents' Use of a Child Health Care Information App and Their Health Literacy: Cross-Sectional Study. JMIR Pediatr Parent 2024; 7:e48478. [PMID: 38623727 PMCID: PMC11034361 DOI: 10.2196/48478] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2023] [Revised: 03/06/2024] [Accepted: 03/08/2024] [Indexed: 04/17/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Recently, digital media, including internet websites and smartphone apps, have become popular resources for parents in searching for child health care information. Higher health literacy among parents in obtaining adequate health care information and making proper decisions may lead to improved child health outcomes and a reduction in the burden on health care professionals. However, few studies have examined the association between the provision of child health care information apps and parents' health literacy. Objective This study aims to evaluate whether parents' use of an app that provides child health care information is associated with their health care knowledge, their health literacy, and emergency room visits for their children. Methods Participants were recruited during checkups for their 1.5-year-old children at health centers within Saku City in 2022. Parents who agreed to participate were included in this study; individuals were excluded if they were not the mother or father of the child or did not have a smartphone. Participants were asked if they had used the Oshiete-Doctor app, which was distributed by Saku City free of charge to improve the home nursing skills of parents and guardians. Sociodemographic data of parents and children, data on health care knowledge about children, data on the frequency of emergency room visits in the past 6 months, and health literacy scores (HLSs) of parents (measured with the HLS-EU-Q47 [European Health Literacy Survey Questionnaire]) were collected from participants in this cross-sectional survey. Univariable and multivariable analyses were conducted to examine the associations of app use with health care knowledge, health literacy, and emergency room visits. Results In total, 251 respondents completed the survey (response rate: 251/267, 94%). Although the proportion of health care workers was significantly higher among app users than among non-app users (P=.005), no other participant attributes were significantly associated with the use of the app. The proportions of participants with higher health care knowledge and participants with higher total HLSs were significantly higher among app users than among non-app users (P=.001 and P=.003, respectively). After adjusting for potentially confounding covariates, these proportions were still significantly higher among app users than among non-app users (P=.02 and P=.007, respectively). Emergency room visits were significantly more frequent among app users than among non-app users (P=.007) in the univariable analysis, but the association was not significant (P=.07) after adjusting for sociodemographic variables. Conclusions This study showed a significant association between parents' use of a child health care information app and higher child health care knowledge and health literacy. The use of the app may lead to more appropriate health decisions and behaviors in children's health care. Future studies are needed to evaluate the association between app use and emergency room visits.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Hirono Ishikawa
- Teikyo University Graduate School of Public Health, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Asuka Suzuki
- Teikyo University Graduate School of Public Health, Tokyo, Japan
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Ishizuki S, Hirano M. Online health information searching and health literacy among middle-aged and older adults: A cross-sectional study. Nurs Health Sci 2024; 26:e13098. [PMID: 38369320 DOI: 10.1111/nhs.13098] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2022] [Revised: 12/28/2023] [Accepted: 01/25/2024] [Indexed: 02/20/2024]
Abstract
Given the rapid increase in health information available, health literacy is now more important than ever when searching for health information online. Furthermore, health literacy and online health information searching are reported to be associated with support from others. In this study, we examined the associations of health literacy and social support with online health information searching among individuals in their 50s and 60s. Between March and May 2022, an anonymous self-administered questionnaire was administered among 750 middle-aged and older adults (age 50-69) living in northern Japan. The questionnaire items included personal characteristics, frequency of online health information searching, health literacy domains, and social support. A total of 237 respondents answered all the items (response rate: 31.6%). Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that communicative health literacy was significantly associated with searching for information about illnesses and health promotion, while critical health literacy was significantly associated with searching for information about medical institutions. Controlling for personal characteristics, health literacy, was associated with online health information searching, suggesting that improving health literacy is important in a digital and information society.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shiho Ishizuki
- Graduate School of Health Sciences, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Michiyo Hirano
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
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Silva S, Machado H, Galasso I, Zimmermann BM, Botrugno C. Narratives about distributed health literacy during the COVID-19 pandemic. Health (London) 2023:13634593231215715. [PMID: 38095184 DOI: 10.1177/13634593231215715] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2024]
Abstract
The promotion of health literacy was a key public health strategy during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the role of social networks and relationships for support with health literacy-related tasks in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic is scarcely understood. Moving beyond traditional notions of health literacy, which focus on individual skills and knowledge, this study uses the concept of distributed health literacy to explore how individuals make meaning of and respond to health literacy and make their literacy skills available to others through their relational and socially situated and lived experiences of the COVID-19 pandemic. Drawing on 89 semi-structured interviews conducted in three European countries (Italy, Portugal, and Switzerland) between October and December 2021, we found narratives of stabilization, hybridization, and disruption that show how health literacy concerning COVID-19 is a complex social construct intertwined with emotional, cognitive, and behavioral responses distributed among individuals, communities, and institutions within socioeconomic and political contexts that affect their existence. This paper opens new empirical directions to understand the critical engagement of individuals and communities toward health information aimed at making sense of a complex and prolonged situation of uncertainty in a pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susana Silva
- Institute for Social Sciences, University of Minho, Portugal
- Centre for Research in Anthropology (CRIA-UMinho/IN2PAST), Portugal
| | - Helena Machado
- Institute for Social Sciences, University of Minho, Portugal
| | - Ilaria Galasso
- University College Dublin, Ireland
- Institute of History and Ethics in Medicine, Department of Clinical Medicine, TUM School of Medicine and Health, Technical University of Munich, Germany
| | - Bettina M Zimmermann
- Institute for Biomedical Ethics, University of Basel, Switzerland
- Institute of History and Ethics in Medicine, Department of Clinical Medicine, TUM School of Medicine and Health, Technical University of Munich, Germany
- Institute of Philosophy & Multidisciplinary Center for Infectious Diseases, University of Bern, Switzerland
| | - Carlo Botrugno
- Research Unit on Everyday Bioethics and Ethics of Science, Department of Legal Sciences, University of Florence, Italy
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Hahn JS, Chua KC, Jones R, Henderson C. The Every Mind Matters campaign: changes in mental health literacy and its associations with campaign awareness. Eur J Public Health 2023; 33:1008-1013. [PMID: 37579223 PMCID: PMC10710357 DOI: 10.1093/eurpub/ckad145] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/16/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The aim of this study is to investigate the effects on population level mental health literacy (MHL) of Every Mind Matters over 30 months following campaign launch. METHODS To observe changes in MHL over time, we conducted regression analyses on a nationally representative, repeated cross-sectional dataset of nine survey waves from September 2019 to March 2022 and an individual participant data meta-analysis with data from October 2019 to March 2021 to examine the association between campaign awareness and the outcomes. RESULTS There were small improvements in knowledge of management of stress, depression and anxiety, mental health vigilance, sleep literacy and psychological wellbeing self-efficacy from September 2019 to March 2020 and a deterioration in most MHL outcomes from March 2020 compared with September 2019. Campaign awareness was positively associated with symptom management of depression and anxiety, help seeking self-efficacy, stigma related to mental disorders and mental health vigilance. CONCLUSIONS There is little evidence that the campaign improved MHL in the general population beyond March 2020. Those who were aware of the campaign may have benefitted from its resources.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jane S Hahn
- Division of Psychiatry, Faculty of Brain Sciences, University College London, London UK
| | - Kia-Chong Chua
- Health Service and Population Research Department, King’s College London, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology, and Neuroscience, London, UK
| | - Rebecca Jones
- Division of Psychiatry, Faculty of Brain Sciences, University College London, London UK
| | - Claire Henderson
- Health Service and Population Research Department, King’s College London, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology, and Neuroscience, London, UK
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Oliveira JLD, Almeida JCPD, Pauli AJCD, Moitinho MR, Fiorati RC, Souza JD. Impactos psicosociales de la pandemia de COVID-19 en mujeres de asentamientos rurales: estudio longitudinal. Rev Lat Am Enfermagem 2023. [DOI: 10.1590/1518-8345.6123.3830] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Resumen Objetivo: analizar los impactos psicosociales de la pandemia de COVID-19 en mujeres brasileñas de asentamientos rurales. Método: se trata de un estudio longitudinal cuantitativo con 13 mujeres asentadas. Los datos se recolectaron entre enero de 2020 y septiembre de 2021 mediante cuestionarios sobre percepción del entorno social (calidad de vida, apoyo social, autoeficacia), síntomas de trastorno mental común y aspectos sociodemográficos. Los datos se analizaron mediante estadística descriptiva, análisis de conglomerados y análisis de varianza. Resultados: se identificaron condiciones de vulnerabilidad entrelazadas que posiblemente exacerbaron los desafíos impuestos por la pandemia. El dominio físico de la calidad de vida fluctuó de manera diferente e inversa de acuerdo a los síntomas del trastorno mental. En cuanto al dominio psicológico, al final del segmento, se identificó un aumento en el tiempo en toda la muestra, dado que la percepción de las mujeres era mejor que antes de la pandemia. Conclusión: hay que destacar el empeoramiento de la salud física de las participantes que, probablemente, puede estar relacionado con la dificultad para acceder a los servicios de salud durante ese período y el miedo al contagio. A pesar de eso, las participantes fueron resilientes emocionalmente durante todo el período e, inclusive, tuvieron signos de mejoría en los aspectos psicológicos, lo que sugiere un posible efecto de la organización comunitaria del asentamiento.
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Oliveira JLD, Almeida JCPD, Pauli AJCD, Moitinho MR, Fiorati RC, Souza JD. Os impactos psicossociais da pandemia de COVID-19 entre mulheres assentadas: estudo longitudinal. Rev Lat Am Enfermagem 2023. [DOI: 10.1590/1518-8345.6123.3832] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Resumo Objetivo: analisar os impactos psicossociais da pandemia de COVID-19 entre mulheres brasileiras de assentamentos rurais. Método: trata-se de um estudo quantitativo longitudinal com 13 mulheres assentadas. Os dados foram coletados entre janeiro de 2020 e setembro de 2021 utilizando questionários sobre a percepção do ambiente social (qualidade de vida, apoio social, autoeficácia), sintomas de transtorno mental comum e aspectos sociodemográficos. Os dados foram analisados por meio de estatística descritiva, análise de agrupamento e de variância. Resultados: foram identificadas condições de vulnerabilidade interseccionadas que, possivelmente, exacerbaram os desafios decorrentes da pandemia. O domínio físico da qualidade de vida oscilou diferentemente e inversamente de acordo com os sintomas de transtorno mental. Quanto ao domínio psicológico, no final do segmento, identificou-se em toda a amostra um incremento ao longo do tempo, pois a percepção das mulheres estava melhor do que antes da pandemia. Conclusão: a piora na saúde física das participantes merece destaque e, provavelmente, pode estar relacionada à dificuldade de acesso aos serviços de saúde neste período bem como ao medo da contaminação. Apesar disso, as participantes apresentaram-se emocionalmente resilientes em todo o período, inclusive, com sinais de melhora em relação aos aspectos psicológicos, sugerindo um possível efeito da organização comunitária do assentamento.
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Yao Q, Zhang X, Wu Y, Liu C. Decomposing income-related inequality in health-related quality of life in mainland China: a national cross-sectional study. BMJ Glob Health 2023; 8:e013350. [PMID: 38035731 PMCID: PMC10689391 DOI: 10.1136/bmjgh-2023-013350] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2023] [Accepted: 11/12/2023] [Indexed: 12/02/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Health equity is an important indicator measuring social development and solidarity. However, there is a paucity in nationwide studies into the inequity in health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in mainland China, in particular using the most recent data measuring HRQoL using the EuroQol 5-Dimension-5 Level (EQ-5D-5L). This study aimed to address the gap in the literature by estimating and decomposing income-related inequality of the utility index (UI) of EQ-5D-5L in mainland China. METHODS Data were extracted from the Psychology and Behaviour Investigation of Chinese Residents (2022), including 19 738 respondents over the age of 18 years. HRQoL was assessed by the UI of the EQ-5D-5L. Concentration index (CI) was calculated to measure the degree of income-related inequality in the UI. The contributions of individual, behavioural and context characteristics to the CI were estimated using the Wagstaff decomposition method. RESULTS The CI of the EQ-5D-5L UI reached 0.0103, indicating pro-rich inequality in HRQoL. Individual characteristics made the greatest contribution to the CI (57.68%), followed by context characteristics (0.60%) and health behaviours (-3.28%). The contribution of individual characteristics was mainly attributable to disparities in the enabling (26.86%) and need factors (23.86%), with the chronic conditions (15.76%), health literacy (15.56%) and average household income (15.24%) as the top three contributors. Educational level (-5.24%) was the top negative contributor, followed by commercial (-1.43%) and basic medical insurance (-0.56%). Higher inequality was found in the least developed rural (CI=0.0140) and western regions (CI=0.0134). CONCLUSION Pro-rich inequality in HRQoL is evident in mainland China. Targeted interventions need to prioritise measures that aim at reducing disparities in chronic conditions, health literacy and income.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiang Yao
- School of Political Science and Public Administration, Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, China
- Centre for Social Security Studies, Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Xiaodan Zhang
- School of Political Science and Public Administration, Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Yibo Wu
- School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Chaojie Liu
- School of Psychology and Public Health, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
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Husain Z, Datta SS, Ghosh S, Dutta M. Change in mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic: a longitudinal study of residents of Indian metropolitan cities. J Ment Health 2023; 32:879-889. [PMID: 36891873 DOI: 10.1080/09638237.2023.2182417] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2022] [Revised: 01/18/2023] [Accepted: 01/28/2023] [Indexed: 03/10/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Initial studies have reported an increase in the incidence of mental health problems during the early months of COVID-19. Longitudinal studies of changes in mental health undertaken in Low and Middle Income countries during the pandemic remains an under-researched area. AIMS The current study examines changes in mental health among adult residents of metropolitan cities of India, a middle-income country reporting the second-highest COVID cases and third-highest fatalities, during the pandemic. METHOD Data was collected, based on a telephonic survey using the internationally accepted abridged Depression Anxiety Stress schedule (DASS-21), in August and September 2020 and July-August 2021. The sample size is 994. The data was analysed using an ordered logit model. RESULTS At the onset of the pandemic, high levels of anxiety, stress and depression prevailed; their levels reduced after one year. Respondents who have experienced a decline in economic fortunes, have family members with pre-existing co-morbidity or had COVID in the family are significantly less likely to report improvement in mental health; less-educated respondents are also vulnerable. CONCLUSIONS Specific sub-groups, identified as at risk, need monitoring and continued provisioning of tailor-made mental health services addressing their specific needs. Relief measures targeting economically affected households are also required.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zakir Husain
- Economics Department, Presidency University, Kolkata, India
| | - Soumitra Shankar Datta
- Department of Palliative Care & Psycho-Oncology, Tata Medical Center, Kolkata, India
- MRC Clinical Trials Unit, Institute of Clinical Trials & Methodology, University College London, London, UK
| | - Saswata Ghosh
- Institute of Development Studies Kolkata, Kolkata, India
| | - Mousumi Dutta
- Economics Department, Presidency University, Kolkata, India
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Murakami K, Kuriyama S, Hashimoto H. General health literacy, COVID-19-related health literacy, and protective behaviors: evidence from a population-based study in Japan. Front Public Health 2023; 11:1208815. [PMID: 37794892 PMCID: PMC10547581 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1208815] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2023] [Accepted: 08/25/2023] [Indexed: 10/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Health literacy (HL) can be regarded as a key element of non-pharmaceutical interventions used in emergency responses. The present study aimed to determine the associations of combinations of general HL and COVID-19-related HL with COVID-19 protective behaviors and healthy lifestyle behaviors. Methods A questionnaire survey was conducted from December 2020 to January 2021 among residents in Japanese metropolitan areas. Valid responses were received from 1,443 residents. The levels of HL were categorized into four groups: low level in both HLs (reference), high level in general HL only, high level in COVID-19-related HL only, and high level in both HLs. The total scores of eight COVID-19 protective behaviors were dichotomized into low and high adherence. Healthy lifestyle behaviors included healthy and balanced diet, adequate sleep, and regular exercise. Poisson regression analyses were conducted to examine the associations between the HL groups and high adherence to COVID-19 protective behaviors. Results High level in COVID-19-related HL only was associated with high adherence to COVID-19 protective behaviors [prevalence ratio (PR), 1.25; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.09-1.45], while high level in general HL only was associated with healthy and balanced diet (PR, 1.49; 95% CI, 1.04-2.13), adequate sleep (PR, 1.46; 95% CI, 1.02-2.10), and regular exercise (PR, 2.00; 95% CI, 1.29-3.13). High level in both HLs showed the highest prevalence of high adherence to COVID-19 protective behaviors and healthy lifestyle behaviors. Conclusion These findings indicate that COVID-19-related HL and general HL can both be considered to enhance protective behaviors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keiko Murakami
- Tohoku Medical Megabank Organization, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan
- Graduate School of Medicine, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan
- Department of Health and Social Behavior, School of Public Health, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Shinichi Kuriyama
- Tohoku Medical Megabank Organization, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan
- Graduate School of Medicine, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan
- Department of Disaster Public Health, International Research Institute of Disaster Science, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan
| | - Hideki Hashimoto
- Department of Health and Social Behavior, School of Public Health, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
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14
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Sayar MS, Akça MÖ, Hakyemez İN, Asan A. The impact of health literacy on COVID-19 immunization. Hum Vaccin Immunother 2023; 19:2254539. [PMID: 37814493 PMCID: PMC10566376 DOI: 10.1080/21645515.2023.2254539] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2023] [Accepted: 08/30/2023] [Indexed: 10/11/2023] Open
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic can be controlled by vaccination in addition to public health measures. This study investigate the impact of Health Literacy (HL) on vaccination and COVID-19. 334 patients and patient's relatives aged 18 to 65 years who were followed up at the Infectious Diseases Clinic between March and July 2022 for reasons other than COVID-19 disease were included in the study. The COVID-19 vaccination status of each participant was queried and the preferred vaccination was recorded on the case form. The mean age was 40.9 years, and 52.4% (n:175) of participants were women. It was found that 82.3% (n:275) of participants had received at least one dose of the vaccine COVID-19. It was found that 17.6% of participants had not been COVID-19 vaccinated. It was found that 60.7% (n:203) of participants received ≥ 2 doses of the mRNA-based viral vaccine. Vaccination rates were found to be significantly lower in patients with 'inadequate' HL (p = .047). In addition, the vaccination rate was lower in people aged 39 years and younger and in the presence of one or more chronic diseases. When chronic diseases are present, COVID-19 becomes more severe. On the other hand, the disease shows a moderate clinical picture and plays a significant role in transmission to risk groups in the young population, where vaccination rates are low. This situation in the context of COVID-19 demonstrates once again the importance of informing at-risk groups and the healthy young population about vaccine-preventable diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Merve Sefa Sayar
- Infectious Disease and Clinical Microbiology, Bursa Yuksek Ihtisas Training and Research Hospital, Bursa, Turkey
| | - Mustafa Özgür Akça
- Infectious Disease and Clinical Microbiology, Bursa Yuksek Ihtisas Training and Research Hospital, Bursa, Turkey
| | - İ̇smail Necati Hakyemez
- Infectious Disease and Clinical Microbiology, Bursa Yuksek Ihtisas Training and Research Hospital, Bursa, Turkey
| | - Ali Asan
- Infectious Disease and Clinical Microbiology, Bursa Yuksek Ihtisas Training and Research Hospital, Bursa, Turkey
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15
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Lin LP, Yu JR, Lin JD. Disparities in the level of COVID-19 health literacy and the associated factors among employees in long-term care facilities in Taiwan. BMC Health Serv Res 2023; 23:701. [PMID: 37380992 DOI: 10.1186/s12913-023-09721-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2022] [Accepted: 06/20/2023] [Indexed: 06/30/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) poses a significant threat to the safety of residents in long-term care facilities, and the staff of long-term care facilities are essential in the care and prevention of major infectious diseases and therefore require good health literacy to ensure the health of residents. The main objective of this study was to examine the health literacy of staff in long-term care facilities and analyze the factors associated with their COVID-19 health literacy in Taiwan to provide a basis for the response mechanism to emerging infectious diseases. METHODS A cross-sectional survey with a structured questionnaire by a convenience sample method and to assess the COVID-19 health literacy of caregivers working in long-term care facilities in this study. The COVID-19 health literacy scale was a self-administered scale designed to combine the concept of "health literacy" with the 3 levels and 5 stages of preventive medicine. A total of 385 workers from 10 long-term care facilities were surveyed as the study sample, and the validated questionnaires were statistically analyzed using SPSS version 22.0 statistical software. A multivariate logistic regression model was used to establish the associated factors of the COVID-19 health literacy level. RESULTS Overall, the mean COVID-19 health literacy score was 88.7 ± 10.4 (range: 58-105). Using a quartile scale, 92 (23.9%) of the study participants had low health literacy (health literacy score < 82), 190 (49.3%) had average health literacy (health literacy score 82-98), and the remaining 103 (26.8%) had good health literacy (health literacy score 99-105). Statistical analysis revealed significant differences (p < 0.05) in the COVID-19 health literacy score by demographic variables (education, job category, number of daily service users, and training related to infectious disease prevention and control) of the study population. The logistic regression analysis of the COVID-19 health literacy level (> 82 vs. ≤82) showed a significant difference in the study sample by gender (male vs. female, OR = 2.46, 95% CI = 1.15-5.26), job category (nurse practitioner vs. caregiver, OR = 7.25, 95% CI = 2.46-21.44), monthly service hours (> 160 h vs. 40-79 h, OR = 0.044, 95% CI = 0.07-0.97), experience caring for confirmed COVID-19 patients (yes vs. no, OR = 0.13, 95% CI = 0.02-0.98), and training related to infectious disease prevention and control (yes vs. no, OR = 2.8, 95% CI = 1.52-5.15). CONCLUSIONS This study recommends that facilities provide immediate updated COVID-19 information to staff, especially frontline caregivers, and specifically enhance COVID-19 infection control education training for all facility staff to eliminate health literacy disparities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lan-Ping Lin
- Institute of Long-term Care, MacKay Medical College, New Taipei City, Taiwan
| | - Jia-Rong Yu
- Institute of Long-term Care, MacKay Medical College, New Taipei City, Taiwan
- Ren-Ai Senior Citizens' Home, New Taipei City Government, New Taipei City, Taiwan
| | - Jin-Ding Lin
- Institute of Long-term Care, MacKay Medical College, New Taipei City, Taiwan.
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16
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Fukuta Y, Arizono S, Tanaka S, Kawaguchi T, Tsugita N, Fuseya T, Magata J, Tawara Y, Segawa T. Effects of real-time remote cardiac rehabilitation on exercise capacity and quality of life: a quasi-randomised controlled trial. BMC Geriatr 2023; 23:388. [PMID: 37353730 PMCID: PMC10290306 DOI: 10.1186/s12877-023-04113-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2022] [Accepted: 06/15/2023] [Indexed: 06/25/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The impact of real-time remote cardiac rehabilitation (CR) on health and disability-related outcomes and its correlation with physical function are unknown. We compared the effectiveness of real-time remote CR with that of hospital-based CR on physical function improvement and physical functions of improvement (Δ) to clarify the relationship between health and disability at baseline. METHODS Patients with cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) were enrolled (n = 38) in this quasi-randomised controlled trial and underwent 4 weeks of hospital-based CR, followed by 12 weeks of remote or hospital-based CR based on quasi-randomised allocation. Patients were assessed at baseline and after 12 weeks of remote or hospital-based CR using the shortened version of the World Health Organization (WHO) Quality of Life scale (WHOQOL-BREF) for subjective satisfaction, WHO Disability Assessment Schedule (WHODAS2.0-J) for objective performance, and cardiopulmonary exercise test for physical function and peak oxygen uptake (peak VO2). The trends in measured variables from baseline to the post-CR stage were analysed. RESULTS Sixteen patients (mean age, 72.2 ± 10.4 years) completed remote CR, and 15 patients (mean age, 77.3 ± 4.8 years) completed hospital-based CR. The post-CR physical function differed significantly between the groups (Δpeak VO2, 2.8 ± 3.0 versus 0.84 ± 1.8 mL·min-1·kg-1; p < 0.05). The differences in post-CR changes in the WHOQOL-BREF scores between the groups were insignificant. The post-CR changes in the WHODAS2.0-J scores were significantly lower in the remote CR group than in the hospital-based CR group (ΔWHODAS2.0-J score, -8.56 ± 14.2 versus 2.14 ± 7.6; p < 0.01). Forward multiple stepwise regression analysis using overall data showed that the intervention method (β = 0.339, p < 0.05), baseline cognition (β = - 0.424, p < 0.05), and social interaction level (β = 0.658, p < 0.01; WHODAS2.0-J) were significant independent contributors to Δpeak VO2 (r2 = 0.48, F = 8.13, p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS Remote CR considerably improved physical function and objective performance in patients with CVDs. Remote CR can be used to effectively treat stable patients who cannot visit hospitals. TRIAL REGISTRATION This interventional trial was registered at the UMIN-CTR registry (trial title: Development of remote programme for cardiac rehabilitation using wearable electrocardiograph; trial ID: UMIN000041746; trial URL: https://center6.umin.ac.jp/cgi-open-bin/ctr_e/ctr_view.cgi?recptno=R000046564 ; registration date: 2020/09/09).
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Affiliation(s)
- Yoshitatsu Fukuta
- Department of Rehabilitation, Asahi University Hospital, 3-23 Hashimoto, Gifu, Gifu, 500-8523, Japan.
- School of Health Sciences, Seirei Christopher University, Hamamatsu, Shizuoka, Japan.
| | - Shinichi Arizono
- School of Health Sciences, Seirei Christopher University, Hamamatsu, Shizuoka, Japan
| | - Shinichiro Tanaka
- Department of Cardiology, Asahi University Hospital, Gifu, Gifu, Japan
| | | | - Natsumi Tsugita
- Department of Cardiology, Asahi University Hospital, Gifu, Gifu, Japan
| | - Takahiro Fuseya
- Department of Cardiology, Asahi University Hospital, Gifu, Gifu, Japan
| | - Junichi Magata
- Department of Rehabilitation, Asahi University Hospital, 3-23 Hashimoto, Gifu, Gifu, 500-8523, Japan
| | - Yuichi Tawara
- School of Health Sciences, Seirei Christopher University, Hamamatsu, Shizuoka, Japan
| | - Tomonori Segawa
- Department of Cardiology, Asahi University Hospital, Gifu, Gifu, Japan
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17
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Ishikawa H, Ogawa R, Otsuki A, Saito J, Yaguchi-Saito A, Kuchiba A, Fujimori M, Fukuda Y, Shimazu T. Effect modification by geographic area on the association between health literacy and self-rated health: a nationwide cross-sectional study in Japan. BMC Public Health 2023; 23:952. [PMID: 37231363 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-023-15897-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2022] [Accepted: 05/16/2023] [Indexed: 05/27/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Health literacy (HL) has gained increasing attention as a factor related to health behaviors and outcomes. This study aimed to investigate geographic differences in HL levels and effect modification by geographic area on their relationship with self-rated health in the Japanese population using a nationwide sample. METHODS Data for this study were derived from a nationally representative cross-sectional survey on health information access for consumers in Japan using a mailed self-administered questionnaire in 2020 (INFORM Study 2020). Valid responses from 3,511 survey participants, selected using two-stage stratified random sampling, were analyzed in this study. HL was measured using the Communicative and Critical Health Literacy Scale (CCHL). Multiple regression and logistic regression analyses were conducted to examine the associations between geographic characteristics and HL and effect modification on the association between HL and self-rated health by geographic area, controlling for sociodemographic characteristics. RESULTS The mean HL score was 3.45 (SD = 0.78), somewhat lower compared with previous studies on the Japanese general population. HL was higher in Kanto area than in Chubu area, after controlling for sociodemographic factors and municipality size. Furthermore, HL was positively associated with self-rated health after controlling for sociodemographic and geographic factors; however, this association was more evident in eastern areas than in western areas. CONCLUSION The findings indicate geographic differences in HL levels and effect modification by geographic area on the relationship between HL and self-rated health in the general Japanese population. HL was more strongly associated with self-rated health in eastern areas than in western areas. Further investigation is needed to explore the moderating effects of areal features, including the distribution of primary care physicians and social capital, when formulating strategies to improve HL in different contexts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hirono Ishikawa
- Teikyo University Graduate School of Public Health, 2-11-1 Kaga, Itabashi-Ku, Tokyo, 173-8605, Japan.
| | - Runa Ogawa
- Teikyo University Graduate School of Public Health, 2-11-1 Kaga, Itabashi-Ku, Tokyo, 173-8605, Japan
| | - Aki Otsuki
- Division of Behavioral Sciences, National Cancer Center Institute for Cancer Control, National Cancer Center, 5-1-1 Tsukiji, Chuo-ku, Tokyo, 104-0045, Japan
| | - Junko Saito
- Division of Behavioral Sciences, National Cancer Center Institute for Cancer Control, National Cancer Center, 5-1-1 Tsukiji, Chuo-ku, Tokyo, 104-0045, Japan
| | - Akiko Yaguchi-Saito
- Division of Behavioral Sciences, National Cancer Center Institute for Cancer Control, National Cancer Center, 5-1-1 Tsukiji, Chuo-ku, Tokyo, 104-0045, Japan
- Faculty of Human Sciences, Tokiwa University, 1-430-1 Miwa, Mito-Shi, Ibaraki, 310-8585, Japan
| | - Aya Kuchiba
- Graduate School of Health Innovation, Kanagawa University of Human Services, 3-25-10 Tonomachi, Kawasaki-Ku, Kawasaki-Shi, Kanagawa, 210-0821, Japan
- Division of Biostatistical Research, Institute for Cancer Control/Biostatistics Division, Center for Research Administration and Support, National Cancer Center, 5-1-1 Tsukiji, Chuo-ku, Tokyo, 104-0045, Japan
| | - Maiko Fujimori
- Division of Survivorship Research, National Cancer Center Institute for Cancer Control, National Cancer Center, 5-1-1 Tsukiji, Chuo-ku, Tokyo, 104-0045, Japan
| | - Yoshiharu Fukuda
- Teikyo University Graduate School of Public Health, 2-11-1 Kaga, Itabashi-Ku, Tokyo, 173-8605, Japan
| | - Taichi Shimazu
- Division of Behavioral Sciences, National Cancer Center Institute for Cancer Control, National Cancer Center, 5-1-1 Tsukiji, Chuo-ku, Tokyo, 104-0045, Japan.
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Roser K, Baenziger J, Ilic A, Mitter VR, Mader L, Dyntar D, Michel G, Sommer G. Health-related quality of life before and during the COVID-19 pandemic in Switzerland: a cross-sectional study. Qual Life Res 2023:10.1007/s11136-023-03414-0. [PMID: 37084000 PMCID: PMC10119820 DOI: 10.1007/s11136-023-03414-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/28/2023] [Indexed: 04/22/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The COVID-19 pandemic forced people to give up their daily routines and adjust to new circumstances. This might have affected health-related quality of life (HRQOL). We aimed to compare HRQOL during the first COVID-19 wave in 2020 to HRQOL before the pandemic and to identify determinants of HRQOL during the pandemic in Switzerland. METHODS We conducted a cross-sectional online survey during the pandemic (between May and July 2020; CoWELL sample; convenience sample). Before the pandemic (2015-2016), we had conducted a cross-sectional paper-based survey among a representative random sample of the Swiss general population (SGP sample). In both samples, we assessed physical and mental HRQOL (Short Form-36) and socio-demographic characteristics. In the CoWELL sample, we additionally assessed health- and COVID-19-related characteristics. Data were analysed using linear regressions. RESULTS The CoWELL sample included 1581 participants (76% women; mean age = 43 years, SD = 14 years) and the SGP sample 1209 participants (58% women, mean age = 49 years, SD = 15 years). Adjusted for sex, age, and education, the CoWELL sample reported higher physical HRQOL (PCS, +5.8 (95% CI: 5.1, 6.6), p < 0.001) and lower mental HRQOL (MCS, -6.9 (-7.8, -6.0), p < 0.001) than the SGP sample. In the CoWELL sample, especially persons with lower health literacy, who had no support network or who have had COVID-19, reported lower HRQOL. DISCUSSION Aspects unique to the COVID-19 pandemic affected HRQOL. Vulnerable persons such as those having had COVID-19, less support opportunities, and with lower health literacy are especially prone to impaired HRQOL during the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katharina Roser
- Faculty of Health Sciences and Medicine, University of Lucerne, Lucerne, Switzerland.
| | - Julia Baenziger
- Faculty of Health Sciences and Medicine, University of Lucerne, Lucerne, Switzerland
- Heart Centre for Children, The Sydney Children's Hospitals Network, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Center for Heart Disease and Mental Health, Heart Institute and the Division of Behavioral Medicine and Clinical Psychology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center and the Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Anica Ilic
- Faculty of Health Sciences and Medicine, University of Lucerne, Lucerne, Switzerland
| | - Vera R Mitter
- Department of Gynaecology, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Luzius Mader
- Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
- Cancer Registry Bern-Solothurn, University of Bern, Murtenstrasse 31, 3008, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Daniela Dyntar
- Faculty of Health Sciences and Medicine, University of Lucerne, Lucerne, Switzerland
- Swiss Childhood Cancer Registry, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Gisela Michel
- Faculty of Health Sciences and Medicine, University of Lucerne, Lucerne, Switzerland
| | - Grit Sommer
- Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
- Department for BioMedical Research, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
- Department of Pediatrics, Inselspital, Pediatric Endocrinology, Diabetology and Metabolism, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
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König HH, Neumann-Böhme S, Sabat I, Schreyögg J, Torbica A, van Exel J, Barros PP, Stargardt T, Hajek A. Health-related quality of life in seven European countries throughout the course of the COVID-19 pandemic: evidence from the European COvid Survey (ECOS). Qual Life Res 2023; 32:1631-1644. [PMID: 36739583 PMCID: PMC9899332 DOI: 10.1007/s11136-022-03334-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/17/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE To investigate health-related quality of life (HRQoL) over the course of the COVID-19 pandemic in seven European countries and its association with selected sociodemographic as well as COVID-19-related variables. METHODS We used longitudinal data from nine quarterly waves collected between April 2020 and January 2022 (sample size per wave ranging from N = 7025 to 7300) of the European COvid Survey (ECOS), a representative survey of adults in Germany, United Kingdom, Denmark, Netherlands, France, Portugal and Italy. HRQoL was measured using the EQ-5D-5L. The association of self-reported COVID-19 infection, perceived health risk from COVID-19, selected sociodemographic variables and the COVID-19 stringency index with HRQoL was analyzed by logistic and linear fixed effects regressions. RESULTS On average across all nine waves, the proportion of respondents reporting any problems in at least one of the EQ-5D dimensions ranged between 63.8% (Netherlands) and 71.0% (Denmark). Anxiety/depression was the most frequently affected EQ-5D dimension in four countries (Portugal: 52.0%; United Kingdom: 50.2%; Italy: 49.2%; France: 49.0%), whereas pain/discomfort ranked first in three countries (Denmark: 58.3%; Germany: 55.8%; Netherlands: 49.0%). On average across all nine waves, the EQ-VAS score ranged from 70.1 in the United Kingdom to 78.4 in Portugal. Moreover, the EQ-5D-5L index ranged from .82 in Denmark to .94 in France. The occurrence of COVID-19 infection, changes in the perceived risk to one's own health from COVID-19, the occurrence of income difficulties and an increase in the COVID-19 stringency index were associated with increased likelihood of problems in EQ-5D dimensions, reduced EQ-VAS score and reduced EQ-5D-5L index. CONCLUSIONS Across seven European countries, we found large proportions of respondents reporting problems in HRQoL dimensions throughout the pandemic, especially for anxiety/depression. Various sociodemographic and COVID-19-related variables were associated with HRQoL in longitudinal analysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hans-Helmut König
- Department of Health Economics and Health Services Research, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg Center for Health Economics, Martinistr. 52, 20246 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Sebastian Neumann-Böhme
- Erasmus School of Health Policy & Management, Erasmus University Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands ,Hamburg Center for Health Economics, University of Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Iryna Sabat
- Nova School of Business and Economics, Carcavelos, Portugal
| | - Jonas Schreyögg
- Hamburg Center for Health Economics, University of Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Aleksandra Torbica
- Department of Social and Political Sciences, SDA Bocconi School of Management, Bocconi University, Milan, Italy
| | - Job van Exel
- Erasmus School of Health Policy & Management, Erasmus University Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | | | - Tom Stargardt
- Hamburg Center for Health Economics, University of Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
| | - André Hajek
- Department of Health Economics and Health Services Research, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg Center for Health Economics, Martinistr. 52, 20246 Hamburg, Germany
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Wang D, Xie S, Wu J, Sun B. The trend in quality of life of Chinese population: analysis based on population health surveys from 2008 to 2020. BMC Public Health 2023; 23:167. [PMID: 36694154 PMCID: PMC9873389 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-023-15075-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2022] [Accepted: 01/17/2023] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Quality of life (QoL) is one of the most important indicators for evaluating an individual's overall health status. However, evidence exploring the trend in QoL of the Chinese population is still lacking. This study aimed to investigate the trend in QoL of the Chinese population measured by the EQ-5D from 2008 to 2020, as well as compare the changing trends in QoL categorized by populations with different socio-demographic characteristics. METHODS Data were obtained from the 2008, 2013, and 2020 waves of the Health Services Surveys conducted in Tianjin, China. Respondents completed the EQ-5D (EQ-5D-3L in 2008 and 2013 and EQ-5D-5L in 2020) through face-to-face interviews or self-administration. Responses of the EQ-5D-3L in 2008 and 2013 were mapped onto the EQ-5D-5L responses, and then converted to utility values using the Chinese value set. The trend in QoL was explored by comparing the percentage of any reported problems on each EQ-5D dimension and the corresponding utility values across the three waves. Subgroup analyses were performed to compare trends in utility values stratified by socio-demographic indicators. The effect of the time variable (year) on utility values was assessed by multiple linear regression analyses using the pooled data. RESULTS By analyzing and comparing the three waves of the data (N = 25,939 in the 2008 wave, N = 22,138 in 2013, and N = 19,177 in 2020), an upward trend was observed in the percentages of reporting problems on all five dimensions (p < 0.001), resulting in a decreasing trend in utility values (2008: 0.948, 2013: 0.942, 2020: 0.939, p < 0.001). Utility values declined more over time among the female, the elder, the recipients of medical assistance, the widowed, the unemployed, and respondents with primary or lower education. The effect of the year (Coef. for 2013 = - 0.009, p < 0.001; Coef. for 2020 = - 0.010, p < 0.001) confirmed the downward trend in the utility values. CONCLUSIONS The overall QoL of the Chinese population decreased over the period from 2008 to 2020. The QoL of the disadvantaged or vulnerable populations in terms of socioeconomic characteristics declined more over time.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dingyao Wang
- grid.33763.320000 0004 1761 2484School of Pharmaceutical Science and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300072 China ,grid.33763.320000 0004 1761 2484Center for Social Science Survey and Data, Tianjin University, Tianjin, China
| | - Shitong Xie
- grid.33763.320000 0004 1761 2484School of Pharmaceutical Science and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300072 China ,grid.25073.330000 0004 1936 8227Department of Health Research Methods, Evidence, and Impact, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario Canada
| | - Jing Wu
- School of Pharmaceutical Science and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300072, China. .,Center for Social Science Survey and Data, Tianjin University, Tianjin, China.
| | - Bei Sun
- Academy of Medical Engineering and Translational Medicine, Tianjin University, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin, Tianjin's Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin, 300072, China.
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21
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Oliveira JLD, Almeida JCPD, Pauli AJCD, Moitinho MR, Fiorati RC, Souza JD. Psychosocial impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic among settled women: A longitudinal study. Rev Lat Am Enfermagem 2023; 31:e3831. [PMID: 36888794 PMCID: PMC9991003 DOI: 10.1590/1518-8345.6123.3831] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2022] [Accepted: 09/01/2022] [Indexed: 03/08/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE to analyze the psychosocial impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic among Brazilian women from rural settlements. METHOD this is a quantitative and longitudinal study conducted with 13 settled women. The data were collected between January 2020 and September 2021 using questionnaires on the perception of the social environment (quality of life, social support, self-efficacy), common mental disorder symptoms and sociodemographic aspects. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, cluster analysis and variance analysis. RESULTS intersecting vulnerability conditions were identified that possibly intensified the challenges arising from the pandemic. The Quality of Life physical domain fluctuated differently and inversely according to the mental disorder symptoms. As for the psychological domain, at the end of the segment, an increase over time was identified in the entire sample, as the women's perception was better than before the pandemic. CONCLUSION worsening of the participants' physical health deserves to be highlighted and, probably, it can be related to the difficulty accessing health services in this period as well as to the fear of contamination. Despite this, the participants were emotionally resilient throughout the period, including signs of improvement in terms of psychological aspects, suggesting a possible effect of the community organization of the settlement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jaqueline Lemos de Oliveira
- Universidade de São Paulo, Escola de Enfermagem de Ribeirão Preto, PAHO/WHO Collaborating Centre for Nursing Research Development, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Janaina Cristina Pasquini de Almeida
- Universidade de São Paulo, Escola de Enfermagem de Ribeirão Preto, PAHO/WHO Collaborating Centre for Nursing Research Development, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Antonio Jose Correa de Pauli
- Universidade de São Paulo, Escola de Enfermagem de Ribeirão Preto, PAHO/WHO Collaborating Centre for Nursing Research Development, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil.,Scholarship holder at the Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES), Brazil
| | - Mara Regina Moitinho
- Centro Nacional de Pesquisa em Energia e Materiais, Laboratório Nacional de Biorrenováveis, Campinas, SP, Brazil
| | - Regina Célia Fiorati
- Universidade de São Paulo, Escola de Enfermagem de Ribeirão Preto, PAHO/WHO Collaborating Centre for Nursing Research Development, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Jacqueline de Souza
- Universidade de São Paulo, Escola de Enfermagem de Ribeirão Preto, PAHO/WHO Collaborating Centre for Nursing Research Development, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
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22
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Cheng JW, Nishikawa M. Effects of Health Literacy in the Fight Against the COVID-19 Infodemic: The Case of Japan. HEALTH COMMUNICATION 2022; 37:1520-1533. [PMID: 35505456 DOI: 10.1080/10410236.2022.2065745] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
This study quantitatively examines whether health literacy can reduce belief in COVID-19 misinformation and conspiracy theories. Conducting path and cluster analyses on survey data collected from 1,488 adults in Japan in 2021, we found that while health literacy reduces people's belief about COVID-19 and vaccination misinformation, it has no direct effect on their belief in COVID-19 conspiracy theories. That said, the results also highlighted the importance of health literacy. It is found that even though high health literacy does not guarantee a low degree of conspiracy beliefs, low health literacy is associated with high susceptibility to both misinformation and conspiracy theories. Moreover, people who relied more on social media than mass media for COVID-19 news and reported on having been more severely affected by the pandemic were found to be more likely to have lower health literacy and higher belief in misinformation and conspiracy theories. Based on the findings, we discussed ways to enhance health literacy research and promotion in Japan.
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Affiliation(s)
- John W Cheng
- Department of English, College of Liberal Arts, Tsuda University
| | - Masaru Nishikawa
- Department of International and Cultural Studies, College of Liberal Arts, Tsuda University
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23
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Abdullah B, Snidvongs K, Poerbonegoro NL, Sutikno B. Reshaping the Management of Allergic Rhinitis in Primary Care: Lessons from the COVID-19 Pandemic. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph192013632. [PMID: 36294211 PMCID: PMC9603682 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph192013632] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2022] [Revised: 10/15/2022] [Accepted: 10/16/2022] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic presented unique challenges to the delivery of healthcare for patients with allergic rhinitis (AR) following its disruption and impact on the healthcare system with profound implications. Reliance on self-care for AR symptom management was substantial during the pandemic with many patients encouraged to only seek in-person medical care when necessary. The advantage of digital technology becomes apparent when patients and healthcare providers had to change and adapt their method of interaction from the regular physical face-to-face consultation to telehealth and mobile health in the provision of care. Despite the pandemic and the ever-evolving post pandemic situation, optimal management of AR remains paramount for both patients and healthcare professionals. A reshaping of the delivery of care is essential to accomplish this goal. In this paper, we present what we have learned about AR management during the COVID-19 pandemic, the role of digital technology in revolutionizing AR healthcare, screening assessment in the identification and differentiation of common upper respiratory conditions, and a framework to facilitate the management of AR in primary care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Baharudin Abdullah
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery, School of Medical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kubang Kerian 16150, Kelantan, Malaysia
- Correspondence: or
| | - Kornkiat Snidvongs
- Department of Otolaryngology, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
| | | | - Budi Sutikno
- Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Airlangga, Jl. Mayjen. Prof. Dr. Moestopo No. 6-8, Surabaya 60286, Indonesia
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24
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Wong ELY, Li J, Yuen S, Lai AHY, Cheung AWL, Yau PSY, Yeoh EK. Vulnerable populations during COVID-19 response: Health-related quality of life among Chinese population and its influence due to socio-demographic factors and loneliness. Front Public Health 2022; 10:857033. [PMID: 36081475 PMCID: PMC9446419 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2022.857033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2022] [Accepted: 07/06/2022] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Infection control policy affected people's wellbeing during the COVID-19 pandemic, especially those vulnerable populations. This study aimed to compare the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of the Hong Kong (HK) Chinese population under the pandemic with the normative profiles and explore its influencing factors, including socio-demographic characteristics, loneliness, and the interaction between them. Methods A cross-sectional questionnaire survey (301 online and 202 in-person) was conducted between June and December 2020 among the adult Chinese population during the 2nd wave of COVID-19 in HK. HRQoL was measured by a Hong Kong validated EQ-5D-5L instrument (EQ-5D-5L HK). Loneliness was measured by a single-item question regarding the frequency of the participants reporting feeling lonely and their subjective social status was measured by the MacArthur Scale of Subjective Social Status. A series of Tobit regressions was conducted. The interaction terms between socio-demographics and loneliness were also examined to decide their association with HRQoL. Results A total of 503 responses were collected. The level of HRQoL of the respondents was significantly lower than the referred norms profile among the local general population. The findings identified that younger age, single, a higher subjective social status, and a lower level of loneliness were significantly associated with better HRQoL. Moreover, age and marital status were significant moderators in the relationship between loneliness and HRQoL. Conclusion The present study found that some population groups face additional vulnerabilities during the pandemic in terms of declined HRQoL. In addition, reducing loneliness can protect the HRQoL during the pandemic, especially among older people. This article provides useful information for policy-makers to design and promote effective services or provide education to improve the connection of people and recover from the global pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eliza Lai-Yi Wong
- Centre for Health Systems and Policy Research, The Jockey Club School of Public Health and Primary Care, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China,*Correspondence: Eliza Lai-Yi Wong
| | - Jia Li
- Centre for Health Systems and Policy Research, The Jockey Club School of Public Health and Primary Care, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Shannon Yuen
- Faculty of Social Sciences, Developmental and Educational Psychology, Leiden University, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Angel Hor-Yan Lai
- Department of Applied Social Sciences, Faculty of Health and Social Sciences, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Annie Wai-Ling Cheung
- Centre for Health Systems and Policy Research, The Jockey Club School of Public Health and Primary Care, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Peter Sen-Yung Yau
- Centre for Health Systems and Policy Research, The Jockey Club School of Public Health and Primary Care, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Eng-Kiong Yeoh
- Centre for Health Systems and Policy Research, The Jockey Club School of Public Health and Primary Care, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
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25
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Babicki M, Bogudzińska B, Kowalski K, Mastalerz-Migas A. Depression, Anxiety and Quality of Life among Online Responders in Poland: A Cross-Sectional Study Covering Four Waves of the COVID-19 Pandemic. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:9934. [PMID: 36011561 PMCID: PMC9408464 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19169934] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2022] [Revised: 07/27/2022] [Accepted: 08/09/2022] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic has affected the mental health of the population. This study aims to assess the prevalence of subjective depressive and anxiety symptoms as well as assess the quality of life in different waves of the COVID-19 pandemic based on an online survey. Methods: The study was conducted based on an original and anonymous questionnaire, consisting of a section assessing sociodemographic status and psychometric tools: Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Generalised Anxiety Disorder Assessment (GAD-7) and Manchester Short Assessment of Quality of Life (MANSA). A total of 6739 people participated in the survey, with the largest number from the first wave of the pandemic (2467-36.6%), followed by 1627 (24.1%) for the second wave, 1696 (25.2%) for wave three and 949 (14.1%) for wave four. The mean age of the study group was 28.19 ± 9.94. Results: There was an initial, gradual increase in depressive and anxiety symptoms over the three waves. There were no significant differences in the quality-of-life scores, except for the second and third waves (-0.0846; p = 0.013. It was found that women, residents of big cities and people with psychiatric history showed higher BDI and GAD-7 scores. Conclusions: The impact of the pandemic on mental health was not homogeneous, with the first three waves of the COVID-19 pandemic having more of an impact compared to the fourth wave. Female respondents' sex, history of mental disease and reduced earning capacity exacerbated psychiatric symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mateusz Babicki
- Department of Family Medicine, Wroclaw Medical University, 51-141 Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Bogna Bogudzińska
- Faculty of Medicine, Wroclaw Medical University, 50-367 Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Krzysztof Kowalski
- Department of Psychiatry, Division of Consultation Psychiatry and Neuroscience, Wroclaw Medical University, 50-367 Wroclaw, Poland
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26
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Tamson M, Reile R, Sokurova D, Innos K, Nurk E, Laidra K, Vorobjov S. Health-Related Quality of Life and Its Socio-Demographic and Behavioural Correlates during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Estonia. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:9060. [PMID: 35897422 PMCID: PMC9331429 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19159060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2022] [Revised: 07/17/2022] [Accepted: 07/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
The aim of the study was to analyse health-related quality of life (HRQoL) among the Estonian general population and its socio-demographic and behavioural correlates during the COVID-19 pandemic. Longitudinal data on 1781 individuals from an Estonian rapid-assessment survey on COVID-19 were used. HRQoL was assessed with the EQ-5D-3L in June 2020 (baseline) and in May 2021 (follow-up). The HRQoL index score and its socio-demographic and behavioural variations were analysed using paired t-tests and Tobit regression modelling. Statistically significant declines in mean EQ-5D index scores were observed for all socio-demographic and behavioural variables considered. Most of these changes were due to increased reporting of problems in the pain/discomfort and anxiety/depression health domains. Older age, being unemployed or economically non-active and having financial difficulties were significantly associated with lower HRQoL in both baseline and follow-up measurements. In the follow-up data, women had significantly lower HRQoL compared to men, whereas higher education proved to be the only protective factor regarding HRQoL. Unhealthy dietary habits and low physical activity had a negative impact on the HRQoL score in the follow-up data. These results indicate that the COVID-19 pandemic has had a substantial impact on HRQoL in the Estonian population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Merili Tamson
- National Institute for Health Development, 11619 Tallinn, Estonia; (R.R.); (D.S.); (K.I.); (E.N.); (K.L.); (S.V.)
- Institute of Psychology, University of Tartu, 50409 Tartu, Estonia
| | - Rainer Reile
- National Institute for Health Development, 11619 Tallinn, Estonia; (R.R.); (D.S.); (K.I.); (E.N.); (K.L.); (S.V.)
- Institute of Family Medicine and Public Health, University of Tartu, 50411 Tartu, Estonia
- Health Research Institute, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, 47181 Kaunas, Lithuania
| | - Diana Sokurova
- National Institute for Health Development, 11619 Tallinn, Estonia; (R.R.); (D.S.); (K.I.); (E.N.); (K.L.); (S.V.)
| | - Kaire Innos
- National Institute for Health Development, 11619 Tallinn, Estonia; (R.R.); (D.S.); (K.I.); (E.N.); (K.L.); (S.V.)
- Institute of Family Medicine and Public Health, University of Tartu, 50411 Tartu, Estonia
| | - Eha Nurk
- National Institute for Health Development, 11619 Tallinn, Estonia; (R.R.); (D.S.); (K.I.); (E.N.); (K.L.); (S.V.)
| | - Kaia Laidra
- National Institute for Health Development, 11619 Tallinn, Estonia; (R.R.); (D.S.); (K.I.); (E.N.); (K.L.); (S.V.)
| | - Sigrid Vorobjov
- National Institute for Health Development, 11619 Tallinn, Estonia; (R.R.); (D.S.); (K.I.); (E.N.); (K.L.); (S.V.)
- Institute of Family Medicine and Public Health, University of Tartu, 50411 Tartu, Estonia
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27
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Wang X, Gong XF, Xiong KX, Guo DS, Liu LJ, Lin CM, Chang WY. Mapping of Research in the Field of Forest Therapy-Related Issues: A Bibliometric Analysis for 2007-2021. Front Psychol 2022; 13:930713. [PMID: 35898977 PMCID: PMC9309728 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2022.930713] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2022] [Accepted: 06/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Exposure to forest environments promotes human health. The number of relevant studies in this area has increased rapidly. However, an overall review of relevant analyses from the perspectives of bibliometrics and visualization is lacking. A scientometric analysis of 2,545 publications from 2007 to 2021 via the Web of Science database was conducted to identify the knowledge structure and frontiers objectively. The publications were subsequently analyzed in terms of the distribution of journals and countries, citation bursts, major subject areas, and evolutionary stages. The findings showed that the knowledge foundation of forest therapy was multidisciplinary with most published in the fields of environmental sciences and ecology but lacking input from social disciplines. The research hotspots evolved from the early focus on individual benefits obtained from nature to increasing attention on human well-being at the social-ecological scale. More rigorous experiments with strict randomized controlled trials and blinding are needed to accommodate the trend of forest therapy toward non-pharmacological treatments. According to Shneider's four-stage theory, forest therapy research is in the third stage of the scientific research process. More future studies utilizing novel technologies and decision-making frameworks to solve practical issues are needed for introducing health into policies and promoting human well-being.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Wang
- Laboratory of Environmental Education and Forest Therapy, College of Forestry, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Xiang-Fei Gong
- Laboratory of Environmental Education and Forest Therapy, College of Forestry, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Ke-Xin Xiong
- Laboratory of Environmental Education and Forest Therapy, College of Forestry, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China
| | - De-Sheng Guo
- Laboratory of Environmental Education and Forest Therapy, College of Forestry, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Li-Jun Liu
- Forest Therapy Branch, Chinese Society of Forestry, Beijing, China
| | | | - Wei-Yin Chang
- Laboratory of Environmental Education and Forest Therapy, College of Forestry, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China
- Forest Therapy Branch, Chinese Society of Forestry, Beijing, China
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