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Jiang P, Chen Q, Liu R, Peng T, Zhao H, Chen J, Xin J, Yang X. Survey on health literacy and related factors among firefighters of emergency management departments in Southwest China. BMC Public Health 2024; 24:1983. [PMID: 39049012 PMCID: PMC11270878 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-024-19522-6] [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: 08/31/2023] [Accepted: 07/18/2024] [Indexed: 07/27/2024] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Although health literacy (HL) has emerged as a critical public health concern, research on HL in emergency management departments is limited. This study aimed to investigate the awareness of HL and associated factors among firefighters of emergency management departments in southwest China to provide a basis for carrying out targeted health education. METHODS A cross-sectional convenience sample of 1,742 firefighters from an emergency management department in southwestern China was surveyed from February to April 2023 using the Chinese Citizen's Health Literacy Questionnaire (2019 version). The chi-square test, linear trend chi-square test, Fisher's test, rank sum test, and multifactorial logistic regression model were used to identify influential factors associated with HL. RESULTS The HL level of the 1742 respondents was 34.3%. Age, ethnicity, education level, length of service, type of job, smoking status, types of parental jobs, annual household income, time of daily internet use, etc. (P < 0.05). The results of multivariate logistic regression analysis indicate that type of job (OR = 0.648, 95%CI:0.426-0.985), length of service (OR = 0.496, 95%CI:0.251-0.981), household income (OR = 1.900, 95%CI:1.443-2.502), daily internet usage time (OR = 0.726, 95%Cl:0.588-0.896), health status (OR = 0.750, 95%Cl:0.585-0.962) and frequency of organizing HL sessions (OR = 1.603, 95%Cl:1.101-2.330) were influencing factors affecting the HL of the officers and soldiers. CONCLUSION The health literacy level of firefighters in the Emergency Management Department in Southwest China was 34.3%. Lower levels were found in the health-related skills dimension (HRS, 30.1%) and in infectious disease control (ID, 30.7%). Health information literacy (HI, 34.3%) was lower than the national level. The type of urban and rural areas, literacy level, and household income level may be the factors affecting the level of health literacy among the respondents. Therefore, health education and promotion interventions should target high priority dimensions (HRS, HI, and ID) and should focus on strengthening health literacy levels of firefighters with rural types, low education levels, and low household income to improve their health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peijie Jiang
- School of Public Health, Chengdu Medical College, Chengdu, Sichuan Province, China
| | - Quanxin Chen
- School of Public Health, Chengdu Medical College, Chengdu, Sichuan Province, China
| | - Ruifeng Liu
- School of Public Health, Chengdu Medical College, Chengdu, Sichuan Province, China
| | - Tingchun Peng
- School of Public Health, Chengdu Medical College, Chengdu, Sichuan Province, China
| | - Haili Zhao
- School of Public Health, Chengdu Medical College, Chengdu, Sichuan Province, China
| | - Jian Chen
- School of Public Health, Chengdu Medical College, Chengdu, Sichuan Province, China
| | - Junguo Xin
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Chengdu Medical College, Chengdu, China.
| | - Xiaohong Yang
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Chengdu Medical College, Chengdu, China.
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Lima ACP, Maximiano-Barreto MA, Martins TCR, Luchesi BM. Factors associated with poor health literacy in older adults: A systematic review. Geriatr Nurs 2024; 55:242-254. [PMID: 38070263 DOI: 10.1016/j.gerinurse.2023.11.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2023] [Revised: 11/24/2023] [Accepted: 11/27/2023] [Indexed: 02/06/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To identify factors associated with poor health literacy in older adults. METHODS A systematic literature review was conducted, employing the descriptors "Aged" and "Health Literacy". PROSPERO - CRD 42022350140. RESULTS Out of 23,500 articles screened, 176 were selected. Several factors associated with poor health literacy in older adults were identified, such as sociodemographic (e.g., advanced age, low educational level, non-white population, and others), social (e.g., poor family/social support, loneliness, social isolation, few social activities, and others), economic (e.g., lower income and/or lower socioeconomic status) and health aspects (e.g., poor health, chronic conditions, mental health challenges, hospitalizations, frailty, physical inactivity, cognitive impairment, and others). CONCLUSIONS The factors associated with poor health literacy in older adults identified in this review could contribute to future research, support interventions to improve health literacy, and assist professionals in planning educational activities and public policies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Caroline Pinto Lima
- Campus de Três Lagoas, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Enfermagem, Federal University of Mato Grosso do Sul, Três Lagoas, MS, Brazil
| | | | - Tatiana Carvalho Reis Martins
- Campus de Três Lagoas, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Enfermagem, Federal University of Mato Grosso do Sul, Três Lagoas, MS, Brazil; Instituto Integrado de Saúde, Federal University of Mato Grosso do Sul, Campo Grande, MS, Brazil
| | - Bruna Moretti Luchesi
- Campus de Três Lagoas, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Enfermagem, Federal University of Mato Grosso do Sul, Três Lagoas, MS, Brazil; Research Group on Mental Health, Cognition and Aging, Federal University of São Carlos, São Carlos, SP, Brazil.
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Li J, Chen J. Media exposure, trustworthiness of sources and the health information literacy knowledge gap: a study in China. Health Promot Int 2023; 38:daad129. [PMID: 37837409 DOI: 10.1093/heapro/daad129] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Health information literacy (HIL), as an essential part of the wellbeing of citizens, is a crucial indicator used to measure a country's primary public health level. The present study collected 1051 samples in southern China to examine the factors predicting HIL. The results showed that males, those less educated, and older adults had lower HIL. Television exposure, unofficial Internet exposure, trust in government and trust in doctors and medical institutions were positively associated with HIL. In contrast, newspapers, radio exposure and trust in web celebrities were negatively associated with HIL. Official Internet media exposure helps to bridge the HIL knowledge gap generated by differences in education level, while trust in celebrities-especially web celebrities-could widen the HIL knowledge gap. This study extends the knowledge gap theory in health communication in the Chinese context and provides pathways for future health interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinxu Li
- Department of Communication and Journalism, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
| | - Juan Chen
- School of Journalism and Communication, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, China
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Cardoso RSS, Tosin MHS, de Oliveira BGRB, Moraes KL, Santana RF. The Multidimensionality of Low Health Literacy in Older Adults: A Scoping Review of International Studies. Clin Nurs Res 2023; 32:270-277. [PMID: 36625242 DOI: 10.1177/10547738221146461] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
This scoping review aims to map the dimensions encompassing the low health literacy (HL) of older adults, describing their respective causes and consequences. A three-step search strategy was conducted using 16 databases from nine portals and reference lists. Of the 4,259 identified studies, 2,845 were screened and 29 (1%) were included. Studies were published between 1999 and 2021, most of them in English (86.2%), from the American continent (48.3%) and with observational design (86.2%). Four dimensions encompassing the low HL of older adults were mapped: (1) patient dimension, (2) healthcare system dimension, (3) social/economic dimension, and (4) health condition dimension. This review highlights specific dimensions encompassing the low literacy in older adults with evidence about its causes and consequences. These results can guide future research and evidence-based practice involving HL of older adults.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Michelle H S Tosin
- Fluminense Federal University, Niterói, RJ, Brazil.,Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, USA
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A meta-analysis of factors influencing health literacy among Chinese older adults. J Public Health (Oxf) 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s10389-021-01638-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022] Open
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Green G. Seniors’ eHealth literacy, health and education status and personal health knowledge. Digit Health 2022; 8:20552076221089803. [PMID: 35371531 PMCID: PMC8966200 DOI: 10.1177/20552076221089803] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2021] [Accepted: 03/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The COVID-19 pandemic made eHealth literacy skills and online health activities essential for seniors. Research aims (a) To examine the differences in eHealth literacy dimensions (awareness of sources, recognizing quality and meaning, understanding information, perceived efficiency, validating information) as related to participants’ health status and education level. (b) To explore the effect of eHealth literacy dimensions on participants’ personal health knowledge. Methods We used a cross-sectional design with a convenience sample of 298 Israeli seniors aged 65 or over during the second lockdown. The questionnaire was composed of three sections: (a) background characteristics, (b) an eHealth Literacy scale, and (c) perceived personal health knowledge. Results Participants with an excellent health status reported higher levels of awareness of sources and perceived efficiency than participants with poor or good health statuses. Furthermore, participants with a graduate degree understand online information better than participants with a high school education. Moreover, it was found that participants with a high school education sense that they are being smart on the net more than participants with an undergraduate degree. Finally, we found that eHealth literacy dimensions influenced the participants’ personal health knowledge. Conclusion As the population ages, it becomes more at risk for disease, and as a result, its health status weakens. Therefore, it is important to provide seniors with appropriate intervention programs for improving their eHealth literacy, which may eliminate health inequality. In addition, caregivers need to develop patients’ eHealth literacy skills—finding, evaluation, and interpretation of online health knowledge relevant to them.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gizell Green
- Nursing Department, Ariel University, Ariel City, Israel
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Abd-Rahim SNH, Mohamed-Yassin MS, Abdul-Razak S, Isa MR, Baharudin N. The Prevalence of Limited Health Literacy and Its Associated Factors among Elderly Patients Attending an Urban Academic Primary Care Clinic in Malaysia. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:ijerph18179044. [PMID: 34501632 PMCID: PMC8430857 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18179044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2021] [Revised: 08/20/2021] [Accepted: 08/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Limited health literacy (HL) is linked to many negative health outcomes, including poor self-management of chronic diseases and medication adherence among patients. There are a lack of data regarding HL in the elderly population in Malaysia. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of limited HL levels and its associated factors among elderly patients in an urban academic primary care clinic in Selangor, Malaysia. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 413 elderly patients (≥60 years old) who attended this academic primary care clinic between January 2020 and January 2021. Sociodemographic data, clinical characteristics, and health literacy scores were collected. Descriptive statistics (median with interquartile ranges (IQR), frequency, and percentages) and multiple logistic regression were utilized. The prevalence of limited HL in our population was 19.1% (95% CI: 15.3, 23). The middle-old (70–79 years) and very-old (≥80 years) age groups were more likely to have limited HL (aOR 4.05; 95% CI: 2.19, 7.52 and aOR 4.36; 95% CI: 1.02, 18.63, respectively). Those with at least secondary school education (aOR 0.06; 95% CI: 0.02, 0.24) and those who found medical information via the internet/television (aOR 0.21; 95% CI: 0.05, 0.93) had lower odds of having limited HL. In conclusion, having limited HL levels was not common among elderly patients in this primary care clinic. Further studies involving rural and larger primary care clinics in Malaysia are required to support these findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siti Nur Hidayah Abd-Rahim
- Department of Primary Care Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Jalan Prima Selayang 7, Batu Caves 68100, Malaysia; (S.N.H.A.-R.); (S.A.-R.); (N.B.)
| | - Mohamed-Syarif Mohamed-Yassin
- Department of Primary Care Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Jalan Prima Selayang 7, Batu Caves 68100, Malaysia; (S.N.H.A.-R.); (S.A.-R.); (N.B.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +60-36-126-4655
| | - Suraya Abdul-Razak
- Department of Primary Care Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Jalan Prima Selayang 7, Batu Caves 68100, Malaysia; (S.N.H.A.-R.); (S.A.-R.); (N.B.)
- Institute of Pathology, Laboratory and Forensic Medicine (I-PPerForM), Universiti Teknologi MARA, Sungai Buloh 47000, Malaysia
- Cardio Vascular and Lungs Research Institute (CaVaLRI), Pusat Perubatan UiTM, Kampus Sungai Buloh, Sungai Buloh 47000, Malaysia
| | - Mohamad Rodi Isa
- Department of Public Health Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Jalan Hospital, Sungai Buloh 47000, Malaysia;
| | - Noorhida Baharudin
- Department of Primary Care Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Jalan Prima Selayang 7, Batu Caves 68100, Malaysia; (S.N.H.A.-R.); (S.A.-R.); (N.B.)
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Golan-Cohen A, Blumberg G, Merzon E, Kitai E, Fogelman Y, Shipotovsky A, Vinker S. Does a policy that requires adherence to a regular primary care physician improve the actual adherence of patients? Isr J Health Policy Res 2021; 10:50. [PMID: 34433499 PMCID: PMC8386125 DOI: 10.1186/s13584-021-00475-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2020] [Accepted: 06/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Continuity of care by the same personal physician is a key factor in an effective and efficient health care system. Studies that support the association between high adherence and better outcomes were done in settings where allocation to the same physician was a long-term policy. OBJECTIVES To evaluate the influence that changing organizational policy from the free choice of a primary care physician to a mandatory continuity of care by the same physician has on adherence to a personal physician. METHODS A cross-sectional study based on electronic databases; comparison of adherence and demographic characteristics (sex, age, and socio-economic status) of 208,286 Leumit enrollees who met the inclusion criteria, according to change in the adherence to a personal physician. To evaluate adherence, we used the Usual Provider of Care (UPC) index, which measures the number of visits made to the personal doctor out of the total primary care physician visits over the same period. The patients were divided into groups according to their UPC level. RESULTS The data shows that 54.5% of the patients were high adherers even before the organizational change; these rates are similar to those published by various organizations worldwide, years after mandating continuity of care by the same physician. In the year following the intervention, only 34.5% of the patients changed the level of their adherence group. Of these, 64% made a shift to a higher adherence group. Before the intervention, the high adherers were older (mean age 57.8 vs. 49.3 years in the low adherers group) and from a higher SES (mean SES status 9.32 vs. 8.71). After the intervention, a higher proportion of older patients and patients from a higher SES changed their adherence to a higher group. Sex distribution was similar over all the adherence level groups and did not change after the intervention. CONCLUSIONS AND POLICY IMPLICATIONS A policy change that encouraged adherence to an allocated primary care physician managed to improve adherence only in specific groups. Health organizations need to examine the potential for change and the groups they want to influence and direct their investment wisely. TRIAL REGISTRATION retrospectively registered.
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Affiliation(s)
- A. Golan-Cohen
- Leumit Health Services, 23 Shprinzak St, Tel Aviv, Israel
- Tel Aviv University Faculty of Medicine, 6927901 Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - G. Blumberg
- Leumit Health Services, 23 Shprinzak St, Tel Aviv, Israel
- Tel Aviv University Faculty of Medicine, 6927901 Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - E. Merzon
- Leumit Health Services, 23 Shprinzak St, Tel Aviv, Israel
- Tel Aviv University Faculty of Medicine, 6927901 Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - E. Kitai
- Leumit Health Services, 23 Shprinzak St, Tel Aviv, Israel
- Tel Aviv University Faculty of Medicine, 6927901 Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Y. Fogelman
- Leumit Health Services, 23 Shprinzak St, Tel Aviv, Israel
- Technion Faculty of Medicine, Haifa, Israel
| | - A. Shipotovsky
- Leumit Health Services, 23 Shprinzak St, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - S. Vinker
- Leumit Health Services, 23 Shprinzak St, Tel Aviv, Israel
- Tel Aviv University Faculty of Medicine, 6927901 Tel Aviv, Israel
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Zlotnick C, Dryjanska L, Suckerman S. Health literacy, resilience and perceived stress of migrants in Israel during the COVID-19 pandemic. Psychol Health 2021; 37:1076-1092. [PMID: 33980091 DOI: 10.1080/08870446.2021.1921177] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To examine perceived stress in migrants guided by Bornstein's Specificity Principle in Acculturation Science (BSPAS) theoretical framework. DESIGN Using a cross-sectional study, we recruited English-language migrants (n = 411) living in Israel to respond to an online questionnaire during the COVID-19 pandemic, from 3 April to 16 May 2020. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES The dependent variable comprised the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) scores, which attained an internal consistency of 0.91 in this sample. RESULTS PSS scores were related to lower age (p < 0.0001), being single (p = 0.0095), not possessing high (p = 0.0069) or medium resilience (p = 0.0002), reporting below average SES (p = 0.0196), being "extremely" worried about getting COVID-19 (p < 0.0001), and having high health literacy (p = 0.0007). Additionally, the interaction between health literacy and resilience (p < 0.0001) showed that migrants with high resilience and high health literacy had the lowest perceived stress; and migrants with low resilience and high health literacy had the highest perceived stress. CONCLUSIONS Interventions are needed to assist migrants during the COVID-19 pandemic. The optimal intervention will aim to address the psychological distress while increasing both health literacy and resilience.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cheryl Zlotnick
- Cheryl Spencer Department of Nursing, Faculty of Health & Welfare Science, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel
| | - Laura Dryjanska
- Rosemead School of Psychology, Biola University, La Mirada, CA, USA
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Bar-Lev S, Beimel D. Numbers, graphs and words - do we really understand the lab test results accessible via the patient portals? Isr J Health Policy Res 2020; 9:58. [PMID: 33115536 PMCID: PMC7592036 DOI: 10.1186/s13584-020-00415-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2020] [Accepted: 10/14/2020] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The heavy reliance on remote patient care (RPC) during the COVID-19 health crisis may have expedited the emergence of digital health tools that can contribute to safely and effectively moving the locus of care from the hospital to the community. Understanding how laypersons interpret the personal health information accessible to them via electronic patient records (EPRs) is crucial to healthcare planning and the design of services. Yet we still know little about how the format in which personal medical information is presented in the EPR (numerically, verbally, or graphically) affects individuals' understanding of the information, their assessment of its gravity, and the course of action they choose in response. METHODS We employed an online questionnaire to assess respondents' reactions to 10 medical decision-making scenarios, where the same information was presented using different formats. In each scenario, respondents were presented with real (anonymized) patient lab results using either numeric expressions, graphs, or verbal expressions. Participants were asked to assess the gravity of the hypothetical patient's condition and the course of action they would follow if they were that patient. The questionnaire was distributed to more than 300 participants, of whom 225 submitted usable responses. RESULTS Laypersons were more likely to overestimate the gravity of the information when it was presented either numerically or graphically compared to the narrative format. High perceived gravity was most likely to produce an inclination to actively seek medical attention, even when unwarranted. "Don't know" responses were most likely to produce an inclination to either search the Internet or wait for the doctor to call. POLICY RECOMMENDATIONS We discuss the study's implications for the effective design of lab results in the patient portals. We suggest (1) that graphs, tables, and charts would be easier to interpret if coupled with a brief verbal explanation; (2) that highlighting an overall level of urgency may be more helpful than indicating a diversion from the norm; and (3) that statements of results should include the type of follow-up required.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shirly Bar-Lev
- Dror (Imri) Aloni Center for Health Informatics, Tel Aviv, Israel.
- Department of Industrial Engineering and Management, Ruppin Academic Center, Emek Hefer, Israel.
| | - Dizza Beimel
- Dror (Imri) Aloni Center for Health Informatics, Tel Aviv, Israel
- Department of Computer and Information Sciences, Ruppin Academic Center, Emek Hefer, Israel
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