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Collette T, Stevens L, Robinson-Dooley V, Sterling E. COVID-19 Related Knowledge, Attitudes, and Behaviors Among Black Men with Chronic Health Conditions: A Latent Profile Analysis. SOCIAL WORK IN PUBLIC HEALTH 2024:1-16. [PMID: 39068542 DOI: 10.1080/19371918.2024.2381621] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/30/2024]
Abstract
Research indicates that Black communities experienced disproportionately higher numbers of confirmed cases and fatalities throughout the COVID-19 pandemic with Black men experiencing marked reductions in life expectancy. Inequities were further magnified by known COVID-19 such as hypertension, diabetes, obesity, and higher prevalence of cardiovascular disease. The current project aimed to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors related to COVID-19 among Black men with chronic conditions. Specifically, we sought to determine whether COVID-19-related perspectives and behaviors impacted cross-sectional health outcomes. A national sample of Black men (N = 312) who self-reported at least one chronic disease responded to survey questions about their knowledge, attitude, and preventative behaviors (KAP) related to COVID-19. Analyses suggest that unique latent profiles based on COVID-19-related KAP differentially impacted participants' self-reported health and well-being for those low on KAP items. The discussion includes considerations on viral hygiene interventions, misinformation, stigma, and perceptions of discrimination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tyler Collette
- Department of Psychological Science, Kennesaw State University, Kennesaw, Georgia, USA
| | - Laura Stevens
- School of Social Work, Simmons University, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | | | - Evelina Sterling
- Department of Sociology & Criminal Justice, Kennesaw State University, Kennesaw, Georgia, USA
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Sanders R, Dombrowski JC, Hajat A, Buskin S, Erly S. Associations between adverse childhood experiences, viral suppression, and quality of life among persons living with HIV in Washington state. AIDS Care 2024; 36:937-945. [PMID: 38176057 PMCID: PMC11222305 DOI: 10.1080/09540121.2023.2299339] [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: 03/01/2023] [Accepted: 12/18/2023] [Indexed: 01/06/2024]
Abstract
Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) have been linked to numerous negative health outcomes in adulthood and have been recognized as a hurdle to participating in HIV care. However, few studies have examined the cumulative impact that different types of childhood trauma have on HIV care engagement and HIV outcomes. This study characterized the relationship between ACEs, viral suppression, and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) among persons living with HIV (PLWH). We used HIV surveillance data and self-reported information on ACEs and HRQOL from PLWH in Washington State from 2018-2020. Logistic regression was used to assess the relationship between the quantity and type of ACEs and viral suppression. We used Poisson regression to examine the relationship between ACEs and HRQOL as measured by unhealthy days. The majority of PLWH experienced ≥1 ACE (86.8%). ACEs were not significantly associated with the likelihood of viral suppression (OR ≥4 vs 0 ACEs: 0.49, 95% CI: 0.12-2.09), but ACEs were associated with more unhealthy days experienced in a 30-day period (RR ≥4 vs 0 ACEs: 3.19, 95% CI: 1.59-6.40). These findings provide support that trauma is common among PLWH, and efforts to address the impact of childhood trauma may work to improve quality of life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel Sanders
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Julia C Dombrowski
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
- Division of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
- Public Health – Seattle & King County, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Anjum Hajat
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Susan Buskin
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
- Public Health – Seattle & King County, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Steven Erly
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
- Office of Infectious Disease, Washington State Department of Health, Tumwater, WA, USA
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Thompson RA, Johnson D, Ashworth M, Stott M. Establishing Quality and Outcome Measures for Recovery Housing: A Tiered Approach Supporting Service Evolution. Community Ment Health J 2024; 60:681-690. [PMID: 38270727 PMCID: PMC11001738 DOI: 10.1007/s10597-023-01219-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2023] [Accepted: 12/15/2023] [Indexed: 01/26/2024]
Abstract
With over one-hundred thousand drug overdose deaths in 2021, substance use disorder (SUD) is a public health crisis in the United States. Medical stabilization has been the predominant focus of SUD interventions despite low levels of retention. Consequently, national quality measures for SUD care outside the clinical continuity of care are limited. The expansion of recovery support services addressing social drivers of health outside clinical settings is needed. The current SUD quality measures are not applicable nor feasible for recovery support service providers with limited resource capacities, like the estimated 17,900 recovery housing providers nationwide. Despite widespread support for recovery housing and its documented effectiveness, no universal set of measures has been developed for widespread adoption. In this brief, a matrix of quality measures are proposed to meet the needs of recovery housing providers with various capacities to support service evolution and improve equitable SUD treatment and recovery care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robin A Thompson
- Fletcher Group, Inc., 601 Meyers Baker Road, Suite 238, London, KY, 40741, USA.
| | - David Johnson
- Fletcher Group, Inc., 601 Meyers Baker Road, Suite 238, London, KY, 40741, USA
| | - Madison Ashworth
- Fletcher Group, Inc., 601 Meyers Baker Road, Suite 238, London, KY, 40741, USA
| | - Milena Stott
- Fletcher Group, Inc., 601 Meyers Baker Road, Suite 238, London, KY, 40741, USA
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Jacq G, Fontaine C, Legriel S. Patient-reported outcomes in adults after status epilepticus: A systematic review. Epilepsy Behav 2024; 151:109610. [PMID: 38183929 DOI: 10.1016/j.yebeh.2023.109610] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2023] [Revised: 12/21/2023] [Accepted: 12/22/2023] [Indexed: 01/08/2024]
Abstract
Impairments after status epilepticus have generally been assessed by physicians, using generic scales. Patient-reported outcomes (PROs) directly reflect each patient's experience and are therefore recommended to improve patient-centered care. The objective of this systematic review was to compile the available information on patient-reported outcomes of adults after status epilepticus. We used Medical Subject Headings terms to search PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Library from database inception to February 2023. We excluded reviews, case reports, abstract-only reports, editorials, and publications in languages other than English or French. Studies reporting PROs in adults after SE were eligible. Bias in included studies was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS). Given the heterogeneity in assessment tools and outcomes, most of the results are presented separately for each included study. Only three studies met our criteria. All used an observational cohort design. Two were retrospective and one prospective. Of the 141 patients (76 males and 65 females, mean age 43-63 years), 105 (74.4 %) had a history of epilepsy before status epilepticus. The studies used four epilepsy-specific and five generic tools to assess five patient-reported outcomes: quality of life (n = 141), mental health (depression, n = 81, or anxiety, n = 49), physical health including fatigue (n = 130), return to work (n = 49), and side effects of antiepileptic drugs (n = 81). A single study (n = 81) was of good methodological quality. Health-related quality of life (HRQOL) and mental health were the most extensively studied outcomes, and both were impaired. HRQOL scores ranged from 41.7 ± 11.5 to 48.3 ± 24.5. The prevalence of depression and anxiety varied from 30 % to 36 %, and from 22 % to 62 %, respectively. However, data were not collected before the status epilepticus episode, and the possible impact of this last on the outcomes cannot therefore be assessed. Information on PROs of adults after status epilepticus is extremely scant. Patient-reported outcomes should be collected more widely in adults after status epilepticus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gwenaëlle Jacq
- Intensive Care Department, Centre Hospitalier de Versailles - Site André Mignot, 177 rue de Versailles 78150, Le Chesnay cedex, France; IctalGroup, Le Chesnay, France; Université Paris-Saclay, UVSQ, Inserm, CESP, 94807, Villejuif, France.
| | - Candice Fontaine
- Intensive Care Department, Centre Hospitalier de Versailles - Site André Mignot, 177 rue de Versailles 78150, Le Chesnay cedex, France; IctalGroup, Le Chesnay, France
| | - Stephane Legriel
- Intensive Care Department, Centre Hospitalier de Versailles - Site André Mignot, 177 rue de Versailles 78150, Le Chesnay cedex, France; IctalGroup, Le Chesnay, France; Université Paris-Saclay, UVSQ, Inserm, CESP, 94807, Villejuif, France
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Nolazco JI, Rosner BA, Roebuck EH, Bergerot CD, Rammant E, Iyer GS, Tang Y, Al-Faouri R, Filipas DK, Leapman MS, Mossanen M, Chang SL. Impact of smoking status on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in cancer survivors. Front Oncol 2024; 13:1261041. [PMID: 38239633 PMCID: PMC10795065 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1261041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2023] [Accepted: 11/23/2023] [Indexed: 01/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction The Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQoL) often declines among cancer survivors due to many factors. Some cancer patients who smoke before the cancer diagnosis continue this harmful habit, potentially contributing to a more significant decline in their HRQoL. Therefore, this study investigates the association between smoking status and HRQoL in cancer survivors. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional study utilizing self-reported cancer history from 39,578 participants of the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) database, leveraging 2016 and 2020 year questionaries. A multidimensional composite outcome was created to assess HRQoL, integrating four distinct dimensions - general health, mental health, physical health, and activity limitations. After accounting for the complex survey design, logistic regression models were used to analyze the association between smoking status and poor HRQoL, adjusting for demographic, socioeconomic, and health-related confounders. Results Our study found that, after adjusting for potential confounders, current smokers exhibited a significantly poorer HRQoL than never smokers (OR 1.65, 95%CI 1.40-1.93). Furthermore, former smokers showed a poorer HRQoL than never smokers; however, this association was not as strong as current smokers (OR 1.22, 95%CI 1.09-1.38). Conclusion Our findings highlight the adverse association of smoking with poor HRQoL in cancer survivors, underscoring the importance of healthcare professionals prioritizing smoking cessation and providing tailored interventions to support this goal.
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Affiliation(s)
- José Ignacio Nolazco
- Division of Urological Surgery, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
- Servicio de Urología, Hospital Universitario Austral, Universidad Austral, Pilar, Argentina
| | - Bernard A. Rosner
- Channing Division of Network Medicine, Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Emily H. Roebuck
- Department of Urology, Carolinas Medical Center/Atrium Health, Charlotte, NC, United States
| | - Cristiane Decat Bergerot
- Centro de Câncer de Brasília, Instituto Unity de Ensino e Pesquisa, Grupo Oncoclinicas, Brasília, DF, Brazil
| | - Elke Rammant
- Department of Human Structure and Repair, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Geetha S. Iyer
- Division of Pharmacoepidemiology and Pharmacoeconomics, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Yuzhe Tang
- Urology Department, Beijing Tsinghua Changgung Hospital, School of Clinical Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Ra’ad Al-Faouri
- Department of Surgery, Division of Urology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Dejan K. Filipas
- Division of Urological Surgery, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
- Department of Urology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Michael S. Leapman
- Yale School of Medicine, Department of Urology, New Haven, CT, United States
| | - Matthew Mossanen
- Division of Urological Surgery, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Steven Lee Chang
- Division of Urological Surgery, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
- Lank Center for Genitourinary Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, United States
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Majeed H, Baumann S, Majeed H. Understanding the association between county-level unemployment and health stratified by education and income in the southwestern United States. Sci Rep 2023; 13:21988. [PMID: 38081866 PMCID: PMC10713646 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-49088-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2023] [Accepted: 12/04/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Past research on the relationship between unemployment rates and population health has produced mixed findings. The relationship can be influenced by the kinds of health outcomes observed, time frame, level of geographic aggregation, and other factors. Given these mixed findings, there is a need to add to our knowledge about how unemployment rates and population health are related. There is limited research that examines the association of unemployment rates with both physical and mental health, while simultaneously stratifying populations by income and education levels. Using survey-based self-reported data, this first population-based study examined the association between unemployment rates and physically and mentally unhealthy days in the southwestern United States, by county-level stratification of income (high and low) as well as education (high and low), from 2015 to 2019. After controlling for covariates, associations were modelled using negative binomial regression, with autocorrelative residuals, and were reported as rate ratios (RR). Overall, we found that a 1% rise in unemployment rates was significantly associated with an increase in physically unhealthy days [adjusted RR 1.007; 95% CI, 1.004-1.011, P < 0.001] and mentally unhealthy days [RR 1.006; 95% CI, 1.003-1.009, P < 0.001]. Upon stratification, a significant risk was found among the high education and high income category [RR 1.035; 95% CI, 1.021-1.049, P < 0.001], as well as for the high education and low income category [RR 1.026; 95% CI, 1.013-1.040, P < 0.001]. A better understanding of how unemployment is associated with the health of communities with different education and income levels could help reduce the burden on society through tailored interventions and social policies not only in the United States, but also in other developed nations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hamnah Majeed
- Department of Sociology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, M5S 2J4, Canada
| | - Shyon Baumann
- Department of Sociology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, M5S 2J4, Canada
| | - Haris Majeed
- Institute of Medical Science, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, M5S 1A8, Canada.
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Saxena-Beem S, Dickson TA, Englund TR, Cleveland RJ, McCormick EM, Santana AE, Walker JA, Allen KD, Sheikh SZ. Perceived Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Physical Activity Among Adult Patients With Rheumatologic Disease. ACR Open Rheumatol 2022; 4:1042-1049. [PMID: 36314195 DOI: 10.1002/acr2.11507] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2022] [Revised: 09/24/2022] [Accepted: 09/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The objective of this cross-sectional study was to investigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on physical activity (PA) levels of patients with rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases (RMDs) and to examine factors associated with decreased PA. METHODS A sample of adult patients with RMDs (n = 7,776) was identified through electronic medical records from an academic health care system in North Carolina. Invitations to participate in an online survey were sent between July 2020 and September 2020 to assess self-reported changes in PA during the COVID-19 pandemic. Descriptive statistics, age-adjusted prevalence odds ratios (PORs), and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were computed to examine patient characteristics associated with decreased PA. RESULTS A total of 893 eligible participants completed the survey (mean age 57.8 ± 14.9 years, 75.8% female). The most common primary diagnoses reported among participants included rheumatoid arthritis (27.3%), osteoarthritis (16.0%), and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) (13.0%). More than half of participants (56.8%) reported engaging in less PA since the pandemic began. Factors associated with engaging in less PA included lower self-reported general health (POR, 2.21; CI, 1.64-2.97) and a diagnosis of SLE (POR, 1.57; CI, 1.03-2.38). Comorbidities associated with decreased PA included chronic pain (POR, 1.38; CI, 1.04-1.82), depression (POR, 1.48; CI, 1.09-2.01), and hypertension (POR, 1.44; CI, 1.10-1.90). CONCLUSION The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated barriers to PA in patients with RMDs. There is a critical need to provide resources, support, and multifaceted programs to encourage PA in patients with RMDs during the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shruti Saxena-Beem
- Thurston Arthritis Research Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, North Carolina, Chapel Hill, USA
| | - Teresa A Dickson
- Thurston Arthritis Research Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, North Carolina, Chapel Hill, USA
| | - Tessa R Englund
- Thurston Arthritis Research Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, North Carolina, Chapel Hill, USA
| | - Rebecca J Cleveland
- Thurston Arthritis Research Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, North Carolina, Chapel Hill, USA
| | - Emily M McCormick
- Thurston Arthritis Research Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, North Carolina, Chapel Hill, USA
| | - Andres E Santana
- Thurston Arthritis Research Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, North Carolina, Chapel Hill, USA
| | - Julie A Walker
- Thurston Arthritis Research Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, North Carolina, Chapel Hill, USA
| | - Kelli D Allen
- Thurston Arthritis Research Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, North Carolina, Chapel Hill, USA.,Center of Innovation to Accelerate Discovery and Practice Transformation, Durham Veterans Affairs Health Care System, North Carolina, Durham, USA
| | - Saira Z Sheikh
- Thurston Arthritis Research Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, North Carolina, Chapel Hill, USA.,Division of Rheumatology, Allergy, and Immunology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Department of Medicine, North Carolina, Chapel Hill, USA
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McWilliams ER, Stidham JL, Hunter BA. Discrimination, social support, and health-related quality of life among individuals with criminal records. JOURNAL OF COMMUNITY PSYCHOLOGY 2022; 50:3237-3251. [PMID: 35263453 DOI: 10.1002/jcop.22835] [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: 03/11/2021] [Revised: 12/22/2021] [Accepted: 02/19/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Several studies have found an association between social identity-based discrimination and reduced physical health. Research also indicates that social support may sometimes protectively moderate this relationship. This study addresses the lack of sufficient research regarding these connections among individuals facing criminal record discrimination. The authors analyzed the responses of 168 people with felony records who completed a nationwide, online survey. While controlling for several other potentially impactful variables, the authors used regression analyses to explore the relationship between criminal record discrimination and reported healthy days per month and whether social support protectively moderated this relationship. There was a significant negative association between criminal record discrimination and healthy days among those with notably low social support. Meanwhile, moderate levels of social support appeared to protectively extinguish this relationship. This study suggests that social support may influence whether criminal record discrimination negatively impacts health.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jennifer L Stidham
- Department of Psychology, University of Maryland, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Bronwyn A Hunter
- Department of Psychology, University of Maryland, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
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Upenieks L, Schieman S, Meiorin R. A protective rung on the ladder? How past and current social status shaped changes in health during COVID-19. SSM Popul Health 2022; 17:101060. [PMID: 35252531 PMCID: PMC8887974 DOI: 10.1016/j.ssmph.2022.101060] [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: 11/10/2021] [Revised: 02/27/2022] [Accepted: 02/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
An emerging body of work has started to document population health consequences of the social and economic transformations during the COVID-19 pandemic. We consider an individual’s relative social position in the stratification system—subjective social status (SSS)—and assess how past (childhood) and current SSS predict change in self-rated health during the pandemic. Using two waves of data from the Canadian Quality of Work and Economic Life Study, we follow respondents between the onset of lockdown measures in March and May of 2020 (N = 1886). Drawing from the life course perspective and stress process model, we find that lower current SSS predicts a greater likelihood of being in stable poor health and reporting declining health. Lower past SSS predicts a higher chance of being in stable poor health indirectly through current SSS. And lower cumulative SSS that sums both past and present SSS also predicts stable poor health, while perceived upward mobility over time is associated with stable good health. This robust relationship between SSS and health in such a short time period of two months at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic provides an important glimpse into the influence that SSS has on population health. Using two waves of data from the Canadian Quality of Work and Economic Life Study, we follow respondents between the onset of lockdown measures in March and May of 2020 (N = 1886). Drawing from the life course perspective and stress process model, we find that lower current SSS predicts a greater likelihood of being in stable poor health and reporting declining health. Lower past SSS predicts a higher chance of being in stable poor health indirectly through current SSS. And lower cumulative SSS that sums both past and present SSS also predicts stable poor health, while perceived upward mobility over time is associated with stable good health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Upenieks
- Baylor University Department of Sociology, USA
- Corresponding author. Department of Sociology, Baylor University, One Bear Place, 76798, USA.
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Foong WC, Chean KY, Rahim FF, Goh AS, Yeoh SL, Yeoh AAC. Quality of life and challenges experienced by the surviving adults with transfusion dependent thalassaemia in Malaysia: a cross sectional study. Health Qual Life Outcomes 2022; 20:2. [PMID: 34998406 PMCID: PMC8742937 DOI: 10.1186/s12955-021-01897-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2021] [Accepted: 11/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Improvement in medical management has enabled transfusion dependent thalassaemia (TDT) patients to survive beyond childhood, building families, and contributing to the labour force and society. Knowledge about their adult life would provide guidance on how to support their needs. This study aims to explore the general well-being of adults with TDT, their employment status and challenges. METHODS This study recruited 450 people with TDT, aged 18 and above, of both genders through all regional Thalassaemia societies in Malaysia and from the two participating hospitals, over five months in year 2016. A self-administered questionnaire including 'Healthy Days Core Module', WHOQOL-BREF and employment measurements was used. Multiple linear regression models were fitted with associations adjusted for several potential confounders. RESULTS A total of 196 adults with TDT responded to the survey (43.6% response rate). Almost half (45%) had comorbidities and 9% suffered multiple complications: bone-related (13%), hormonal (12%), cardiac (3%) and infections (2%), resulting in 23% seeking treatment more than twice monthly. Within a month, they suffered from at least three days with poor physical and or mental health and their normal daily activities were disrupted up to three days. 36% were jobless and 38% of those with a job were receiving salaries below RM1000. The mean WHOQOL-BREF score (mean (SD)) was: physical health 62.6 (15.5), psychological health 64.7 (15.7), social relationship 64 (15.9), environmental health 60.8 (16.7). Having days with mental issues, financial status, education level, ethnic and marital status were main factors affecting QOL scores. Open questions showed dissatisfaction with health service provision, conflicting judgement in prioritising between health and job, and poor public empathy. CONCLUSION The adults with TDT perceived their health as good and had less unhealthy days when compared with people with other chronic diseases. However, some perceived themselves to be facing more life disruption in a rather non-supportive community and that health services do not meet their needs. Future qualitative studies are needed to focus on their perceived needs and to look for more tailored supportive approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wai Cheng Foong
- Department of Paediatrics, RCSI & UCD Malaysia Campus (formerly Penang Medical College), 4, Jalan Sepoy Lines, 10450, George Town, Penang, Malaysia.
| | - Kooi Yau Chean
- Department of Family Medicine, RCSI & UCD Malaysia Campus (formerly Penang Medical College), 4, Jalan Sepoy Lines, 10450, George Town, Penang, Malaysia
| | - Fairuz Fadzilah Rahim
- Department of Public Health, RCSI & UCD Malaysia Campus (formerly Penang Medical College), 4, Jalan Sepoy Lines, 10450, George Town, Penang, Malaysia
| | - Ai Sim Goh
- Haematology Unit, Hospital Pulau Pinang, Ministry of Health Malaysia, Jalan Residensi, 10990, George Town, Penang, Malaysia
| | - Seoh Leng Yeoh
- Department of Paediatrics, Hospital Pulau Pinang, Ministry of Health Malaysia, Jalan Residensi, 10990, George Town, Penang, Malaysia
| | - Angeline Aing Chiee Yeoh
- Department of Paediatrics, Hospital Seberang Jaya, Ministry of Health Malaysia, Jalan Tun Hussein Onn, 13700, Seberang Jaya, Penang, Malaysia
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Long J, Sang X, Zhao H. Association of chronic liver disease with the prognosis of COVID-19 patients. J Hepatol 2022; 76:228-229. [PMID: 34293343 PMCID: PMC8286900 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhep.2021.07.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2021] [Revised: 07/05/2021] [Accepted: 07/13/2021] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Haitao Zhao
- Department of Liver Surgery, State Key Laboratory of Complex Severe and Rare Disease, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100730, China.
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12
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Tepper S, Geva D, Shahar DR, Shepon A, Mendelsohn O, Golan M, Adler D, Golan R. The SHED Index: a tool for assessing a Sustainable HEalthy Diet. Eur J Nutr 2021; 60:3897-3909. [PMID: 33904997 DOI: 10.1007/s00394-021-02554-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2020] [Accepted: 04/03/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Promoting sustainable diets through sustainable food choices is essential for achieving the sustainable development goals set by the United Nations. Establishing a practical tool that can measure and score sustainable and healthy eating is highly important. METHODS We established a 30-item questionnaire to evaluate sustainable-dietary consumption. Based on the literature and a multidisciplinary advisory panel, the questionnaire was computed by principal component analysis, yielding the Sustainable-HEalthy-Diet (SHED) Index. A rigorous multi-stage process included validation in training-verification sets, across recycling efforts, as an indicator of environmental commitment; and validation across the proportion of animal-protein consumption, as an indicator of adherence to a sustainable and healthy dietary-pattern. The EAT-Lancet reference-diet and the Mediterranean-Diet-score were used to investigate the construct validity of the SHED Index score. Reliability was assessed with a test-retest sample. RESULTS Three-hundred-forty-eight men and women, aged 20-45 years, completed both the SHED Index questionnaire and a validated Food-Frequency-Questionnaire. Increased dietary animal-protein intake was associated with a lower SHED Index total score (p < 0.001). Higher recycling efforts were associated with a higher total SHED Index score (p < 0.001). A linear correlation was found between the SHED Index score and food-groups of the Eat-Lancet-reference diet. A significant correlation was found between the Mediterranean-Diet-score and the SHED Index score (r = 0.575, p < 0.001). The SHED Index score revealed high reliability in test-retest, high validity in training and verification sets, and internal consistency. CONCLUSION We developed the SHED Index score, a simple, practical tool, for measuring healthy and sustainable individual-diets. The score reflects the nutritional, environmental and sociocultural aspects of sustainable diets; and provides a tangible tool to be used in intervention studies and in daily practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sigal Tepper
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, Tel-Hai College, Upper Galilee, 1220800, Tel Hai, Israel.
| | - Diklah Geva
- IntegriStat, Studio for Biostatistics, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Danit R Shahar
- Department of Public Health, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva, Israel
| | - Alon Shepon
- Department of Environmental Studies, The Porter School of the Environment and Earth Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel.,The Steinhardt Museum of Natural History, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | | | - Moria Golan
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, Tel-Hai College, Upper Galilee, 1220800, Tel Hai, Israel
| | - Dorit Adler
- The Israeli Forum for Sustainable Nutrition, Hailanot 1, Bitan Aharon, Israel
| | - Rachel Golan
- Department of Public Health, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva, Israel
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Bierman A, Upenieks L, Glavin P, Schieman S. Accumulation of economic hardship and health during the COVID-19 pandemic: Social causation or selection? Soc Sci Med 2021; 275:113774. [PMID: 33711676 DOI: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2021.113774] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Revised: 01/28/2021] [Accepted: 02/09/2021] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
This study examines whether economic hardship during the COVID-19 pandemic is deleteriously associated with psychological distress and self-rated health. A social causation perspective suggests that exposure to economic hardship will harm well-being, but a social selection perspective suggests that the appearance of health effects of hardship during the pandemic are attributable to the increased risk of exposure to hardship associated with poor well-being at the start of the pandemic. We also propose a third perspective, economic selection, which suggests that economic hardship prior to the pandemic negatively affects health and increases risk of exposure to hardship during the pandemic; consequently, an association between health and economic hardship during the pandemic may be spurious, and entirely due to pre-existing levels of hardship. To test these competing perspectives, we use a longitudinal study based in Canada that began in late March of 2020 and followed respondents monthly in April, May, and June. Baseline psychological distress and self-rated health, as well as economic hardship prior to the pandemic, independently predict the accumulation of monthly periods of hardship from April to June. The accumulation of periods of hardship from April to June is deleteriously associated with psychological distress and self-rated health in June. Controls for prior economic hardship and baseline health weaken the association between accumulation of periods of hardship and psychological distress, while also eliminating the association between accumulation of hardship and self-rated health. These findings favor a social causation perspective for psychological distress and a social selection perspective for self-rated health, with less evidence found in support of economic selection. This study took place during the first months of the COVID-19 pandemic, though, and associations with self-rated health may have become more evident as hardship further wore on individual well-being over a longer period of time.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alex Bierman
- University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
| | | | - Paul Glavin
- McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
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