| 1. |
- Al-Emrani, Faisal, et al.
(author)
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Pattern of Five-Year Weight Change by Age and Birth Cohorts in a Swedish Adult Population
- 2013
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In: The Open Public Health Journal. - : Bentham Science Publishers Ltd.. - 1874-9445. ; 6, s. 42-50
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The driving factors behind the global epidemic of obesity have not yet been fully elucidated. Investigating the effect of age and cohort on weight change might enable us to develop effective intervention strategies. Aims To analyse the pattern of BMI change by age and birth cohort over five-year follow-up in adult Swedish sample. Methods The data was drawn from the Scania Public Health Cohort. The baseline survey was conducted between 1999 and 2000, and the follow-up in 2005. A total of 10,373 individuals responded to both surveys; all were included in the present study. The data was stratified into three-year intervals according to a respondent’s birth year and age at baseline. This was done in order to allow for age and cohort effect analysis by means of fixed effects linear mixed models. Results We observed a significant increase in BMI between baseline and follow-up for males and females (p < 0.001), as well as significant age and cohort effects resulted from age
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| 2. |
- Al-Emrani, Faisal, et al.
(author)
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The influences of childhood and adult socioeconomic position on body mass index: A longitudinal Swedish cohort study.
- 2013
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In: Scandinavian Journal of Public Health. - : SAGE Publications. - 1651-1905 .- 1403-4948. ; 41:5, s. 463-469
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background: Low socioeconomic position (SEP) in adulthood has been associated with overweight and obesity in high-income countries. However, little is known about the contribution of childhood SEP to weight change. Using a Swedish general population sample, this study aimed to examine the association between five-year weight gain among adults and socioeconomic position in childhood and adulthood. Methods: The data was drawn from the Scania Public Health Cohort and included 4244 individuals (1816 males and 2428 females) between the ages of 29 and 60 years, stratified by sex and age (29-39 and 40-60 years). General linear and logistic regression models were used to analyse the data. Results: Adult SEP was inversely correlated to BMI at baseline in males and older females. Childhood SEP showed no clear pattern regarding current BMI or the risk of being overweight at baseline, either in males or females. However, BMI increase between baseline and follow-up was greater in the highest adult SEP groups than in lowest ones for both males and females, although with a weaker trend among females. High childhood SEP was associated with a greater BMI increase in older males, but the pattern was the opposite in older females. Conclusions: Adult as well as childhood SEP influences weight gains, but differently among males and females and in different age groups. The findings suggest two waves of socioeconomic weight gain patterns in the Swedish population: one across generations and another contemporary one.
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| 3. |
- Asamoah, Benedict O, et al.
(author)
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Distribution of causes of maternal mortality among different socio-demographic groups in Ghana; a descriptive study
- 2011
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In: BMC Public Health. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1471-2458. ; 11
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- BACKGROUND: Ghana's maternal mortality ratio remains high despite efforts made to meet Millennium Development Goal 5. A number of studies have been conducted on maternal mortality in Ghana; however, little is known about how the causes of maternal mortality are distributed in different socio-demographic subgroups. Therefore the aim of this study was to assess and analyse the causes of maternal mortality according to socio-demographic factors in Ghana.METHODS: The causes of maternal deaths were assessed with respect to age, educational level, rural/urban residence status and marital status. Data from a five year retrospective survey was used. The data was obtained from Ghana Maternal Health Survey 2007 acquired from the database of Ghana Statistical Service. A total of 605 maternal deaths within the age group 12-49 years were analysed using frequency tables, cross-tabulations and logistic regression.RESULTS: Haemorrhage was the highest cause of maternal mortality (22.8%). Married women had a significantly higher risk of dying from haemorrhage, compared with single women (adjusted OR = 2.7, 95%CI = 1.2-5.7). On the contrary, married women showed a significantly reduced risk of dying from abortion compared to single women (adjusted OR = 0.2, 95%CI = 0.1-0.4). Women aged 35-39 years had a significantly higher risk of dying from haemorrhage (aOR 2.6, 95%CI = 1.4-4.9), whereas they were at a lower risk of dying from abortion (aOR 0.3, 95% CI = 0.1-0.7) compared to their younger counterparts. The risk of maternal death from infectious diseases decreased with increasing maternal age, whereas the risk of dying from miscellaneous causes increased with increasing age.CONCLUSIONS: The study shows evidence of variations in the causes of maternal mortality among different socio-demographic subgroups in Ghana that should not be overlooked. It is therefore recommended that interventions aimed at combating the high maternal mortality in Ghana should be both cause-specific as well as target-specific.
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| 4. |
- Bisak, Adela, et al.
(author)
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Unleashing the potential of Health Promotion in primary care-a scoping literature review
- 2024
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In: Health Promotion International. - 1460-2245. ; 39:3, s. 1-10
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Research review (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The purpose of this study is to gain a better understanding of the role and extent of health promotion lifestyle interventions targeting adults in primary care, and especially those who are considered overall healthy, i.e. to study the outcomes of research applying salutogenesis. We performed a literature review, with three specific aims. First, to identify studies that have targeted the healthy population in intervention within the primary health care field with health promotion activities. Second, to describe these interventions in terms of which health problems they have targeted and what the interventions have entailed. Third, to assess what these programs have resulted in, in terms of health outcomes. This scoping review of 42 studies, that applied salutogenesis in primary care interventions shows that health promotion targeting healthy individuals is relevant and effective. The PRISMA-ScR guidelines for reporting on scoping review were used. Most interventions were successful in reducing disease-related risks including CVD, CVD mortality, all-cause mortality, but even more importantly success in behavioural change, sustained at follow-up. Additionally, this review shows that health promotion lifestyle interventions can improve mental health, even when having different aims.
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| 5. |
- Bolatova, Zhanerke, et al.
(author)
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Challenges of access to WASH in schools in low-and middle-income countries : Case study from rural central Kazakhstan
- 2021
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In: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. - : MDPI AG. - 1661-7827 .- 1660-4601. ; 18:18
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Safe water and sanitation, which give rise to appropriate hygiene, are fundamental determinants of individual and social health and well-being. Thereby, assessing and widening access to sustainable, durable water and sanitation infrastructure remains a global health issue. Rural areas are already at a disadvantage. Poor access to water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) can have a major negative effect on students in rural schools. Thus, the paper aims to assess the current condition and the challenge to access WASH in rural Kazakh schools. The study was conducted in three rural schools in Central Kazakhstan. Data were gathered through a survey among pupils, observations of the WASH infrastructure and maintenance, and a face-to-face interview with school administrators. The mean survey response rate was 65% across schools. Results indicated there was no alternative drinking-water source in schools, and 15% of students said they had access to water only occasionally. Half of the students reported that the water was unsafe to drink because of a poor odor, taste, or color. The toilet in school 3 was locked with a key, and a quarter of the students reported there was no access to a key. Moreover, not having gender-separated toilet facilities was a challenge because of the traditional gender norms. Despite the effective regulations and measures of handwashing taken during COVID-19, 27.7% of the students answered that soap was not offered daily in classrooms. Additionally, warm water was only provided in school 2. About 75% of students did not have access to drying materials continuously. The study shows that having the schools’ infrastructure is not enough when characteristics, such as availability, accessibility, maintenance, operation, quality of services, education, and practices, are ignored. Cooperation between local education authorities, school administration, and parents should be encouraged to the achievement of the sustainable development goals (SDGs) by 2030.
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| 6. |
- Boman, Fiffi, et al.
(author)
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Comparing parent and teacher assessments of mental health in elementary school children
- 2016
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In: Scandinavian Journal of Public Health. - : SAGE Publications. - 1403-4948 .- 1651-1905. ; 44:2, s. 168-176
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background: Screening instruments are often used for detecting mental health problems in children and adolescents. The Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) is one instrument for screening children's mental health. The SDQ can be used for assessment by different informants, i.e. parents, teachers and by 11-16 year olds for self-reporting. Aims: The aim was to compare the precision and validity of parental and teacher SDQ assessments in elementary school children, and to analyze whether assessments were affected by the child's sex and by socio-demographic factors. Methods: A total of 512 primary school students were included in a cross-sectional study. Exploratory factor analysis, sensitivity/specificity analysis, Cronbach's alphas, and logistic regression were applied. Results: Parents rated 10.9% and teachers 8.8% of the children as high-risk individuals, but the overlap was low (32.1%). Cronbach's alphas were 0.73 and 0.71 for parents and teachers, respectively. However, factor analysis showed that the five-factor solution could be confirmed only for teacher ratings. Moreover, only the parents' ratings were affected by maternal educational level and parental country of birth when rating the same children as the teachers. Conclusions: Construct validity was only confirmed for teacher assessments. However, parental assessments might capture a dimension of a child's mental health that seems to be sensitive to socioeconomic factors, which could be important when addressing equity issues, and for the dialogue between parents and school.
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| 7. |
- Brede, Jens, et al.
(author)
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Dynamics of molecular self-ordering in tetraphenyl porphyrin monolayers on metallic substrates
- 2009
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In: NANOTECHNOLOGY. - : IOP Publishing. - 0957-4484 .- 1361-6528. ; 20:27, s. 275602-
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- A molecular model system of tetraphenyl porphyrins (TPP) adsorbed on metallic substrates is systematically investigated within a joint scanning tunnelling microscopy/molecular modelling approach. The molecular conformation of TPP molecules, their adsorption on a gold surface and the growth of highly ordered TPP islands are modelled with a combination of density functional theory and dynamic force field methods. The results indicate a subtle interplay between different contributions. The molecule-substrate interaction causes a bending of the porphyrin core which also determines the relative orientations of phenyl legs attached to the core. A major consequence of this is a characteristic (and energetically most favourable) arrangement of molecules within self-assembled molecular clusters; the phenyl legs of adjacent molecules are not aligned parallel to each other (often denoted as pi-pi stacking) but perpendicularly in a T-shaped arrangement. The results of the simulations are fully consistent with the scanning tunnelling microscopy observations, in terms of the symmetries of individual molecules, orientation and relative alignment of molecules in the self-assembled clusters.
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| 8. |
- Choudhry, Vikas, et al.
(author)
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Patterns of alcohol consumption and risky sexual behavior: a cross-sectional study among Ugandan university students.
- 2014
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In: BMC Public Health. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1471-2458. ; 14:1
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- As reflected in elevated rates of sexually transmitted infections, there is a high prevalence of risky sexual behavior among Ugandan university students. It has been assumed that alcohol contributes to risky sexual behavior. However, perhaps owing to methodological issues, this relationship has found only mixed support in empirical research. The present study analyzes the association between alcohol use and risky sexual behavior at the global, situational, and event level among Uganda university students with sexual experience.
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| 9. |
- Dahlman, Disa, et al.
(author)
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Female Swedish backpackers in Vietnam: A hypotheses generating study on sexual health risks while travelling.
- 2013
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In: Travel Medicine and Infectious Disease. - : Elsevier BV. - 1873-0442 .- 1477-8939. ; 11:4, s. 243-249
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- BACKGROUND: According to previous studies, foreign travellers and backpackers are at increased risk of sexually transmitted infections (STI). Concurrently, STI incidence, especially Chlamydia, is increasing among young Swedes. Our objective was to investigate Swedish backpackers' own view of sexual health and risks while travelling, with the purpose to identify hypotheses for further, more extensive research. METHOD: In-depth semi-structured interviews were carried out in Vietnam with four Swedish women in their early twenties. The interviewees had been travelling throughout South East Asia for a period of at least two weeks. RESULTS: There were large differences between the respondents regarding perceived health risks in relation to food safety, STI, and alcohol and drug use; and to what extent their behaviour while travelling deviated from their normal one. In contrast, the interviewees shared a perceived lack of knowledge about sexual health abroad. CONCLUSIONS: The study identified six hypotheses and suggestions for preventive measures that could be analysed in future research. The study demonstrated that sexual behaviour as well as attitudes and norms were strongly linked to the individual level, rather than to the group of backpackers.
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| 10. |
- Hayes-Mejia, Rebecca, et al.
(author)
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Psychosocial work environment and mental health among the global workforce of seafarers in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic
- 2023
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In: BMC Public Health. - 1471-2458. ; 23:1
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background: The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the mental health outcomes of international seafarers, who played a crucial role in maintaining global trade during the pandemic. The study examined how changes in psychosocial work environment and policies affected mental health outcomes among seafarers. Methods: We analyzed a survey including answers from 17,861 seafarers, serving on 44 different international commercial vessels with 154 different nationalities. Stress, anxiety, and depression were applied as outcome measures in this study. Three sets of independent variables were included; work-related consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic, general psychosocial work environment onboard, and socioeconomic variables. First, we applied binary linear regression, followed by a multivariate linear regression analysis. Results: The study found that changes in safety consciousness and clear communication from employers were associated with better mental health outcomes among seafarers. Eroded policies related to crew changes had a significant negative effect on mental wellbeing due to delays caused by national quarantine guidelines and travel restrictions. The results also showed a discrepancy in mental health outcomes between those onboard and those onshore, with stress being present in both groups. Conclusions: The findings suggest that crisis management within shipping companies played an important role in mitigating adverse mental health outcomes during the pandemic. Clear communication from employers and emphasizing safety issues onboard were effective strategies for promoting better mental wellbeing among seafarers. However, delays in crew changes had a significant negative impact on mental health outcomes, highlighting the need for global cooperation and overarching agreements to protect international seafarers during times of crises.
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