Public Health Institute Journal (LJMU)
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The impact of anxiety and depression among overweight and obese young adults (18-25 years) in high-income countries.
No full textBackground: Existing research reveals that the prevalence of mental health issues, such as depression and anxiety, are driven by external and internal stigma. And patients have employed various coping strategies, including, emotional eating, cognitive restructuring, healthy dietary choices, self-monitoring, physical activity, seeking social support, and confrontation, offering insights for targeted interventions. Therefore, this review evaluates the impact of anxiety and depression on obesity and overweight among young adults (aged 18-25) in high-income countries using a systematic review design.
Methods: This systematic literature review used the SPIDER framework to design the review questions. Following the PRISMA framework, peer-reviewed empirical studies published between 2013 and 2023 were selected for analysis. Studies were extracted from three databases: Medline, ERIC and CINAHL Plus with full text. These databases were chosen for their comprehensive coverage of high-quality research related to obesity, mental health, and young adults in high- income countries, ensuring a robust systematic review. Thematic synthesis was applied to uncover patterns and relationships in the data, and ethical considerations were adhered to throughout the review process.
Results: In the thematic synthesis, 7 themes were identified relating to body image perceptions. Participants expressed mixed emotions influenced by societal norms and personal attitudes. Cultural ideals and barriers to engagement with weight loss services were also prominent. Motivations for weight loss encompassed appearance and health-based reasons. The findings underscore the complex nature of body image and its impact on mental well-being.
Conclusion: The findings highlight how coping strategies, like exercise and peer support, play a role in managing mental health challenges. However, further targeted research is needed to address the specific experiences of this population. Recommendations were made for evidence- based interventions and policies to support the mental well-being of young adults with obesity in high-income countries
Attitudes, reasons, and effects of vaping among students in Liverpool John Moores University: A quantitative study.
No full textBackground: The rising prevalence of vaping among young individuals has raised significant public health concerns due to potential health risks. Even though vaping is considered a smoking cessation tool, vaping is very much influenced by young adults. Therefore, this study focuses on understanding the attitudes and behaviours of LJMU students toward vaping. Furthermore, it evaluates the influence of advertising and marketing of vaping products, attitudes toward age restrictions, awareness programmes, and insights into the factors that motivate students to begin vaping.
Methods: This study utilised a quantitative approach, employing convenience sampling for participant selection. An online, self-administered questionnaire was distributed to collect data from 105 participants, which was then analysed using SPSS, including chi-square tests.
Results: The study involved 105 students, predominantly females. Most participants were aged 25-34 years, followed by 18-24. Postgraduates exceeded undergraduates. Among students, 58% never vaped, 42% experimented, and 15% were current vapers. Gender correlated significantly with initial vaping engagement. Notably, gender is related to advertisement influence and negative vaping effects. The majority supported stricter regulations, age restrictions, and awareness programmes. Most agree vaping causes significant harm. Curiosity drove vaping. Most had not faced peer pressure to vape. The majority acknowledged vaping’s negative effects, emphasising lung damage. The majority agreed e- cigarettes are 95% less harmful than tobacco smoke, with more harmful chemicals in tobacco smoke. Most disagreed that e-cigarettes are less addictive than tobacco smoke.
Conclusion: This study reveals vaping behaviours, attitudes, and perceptions among LJMU students. It highlights varied usage patterns, gender and social influences, and health concerns. Students support regulations and age restrictions while valuing awareness programs. Tailored education, cessation support, and targeted interventions are recommended to address vaping complexities. The research contributes insights to the broader understanding of vaping behaviours and informs strategies for healthier choices among young adults. Further research is needed in student vaping in the United Kingdom, long term health effects of vaping, vaping in pregnant women
A qualitative study exploring how adult registered general nurses understand, access and practice self-care.
No full textBackground: There is renewed interest in the idea and practice of self-care to improve people\u27s health, wellness, and well-being, as well as mitigating financial constraints with rising needs for social and healthcare systems throughout the United Kingdom (UK). The lack of clarity on the precise nature and complete scope of self-care, with a lack of a universal and widely recognised framework that might assist the conceptualisation and research of self-care in its entirety, in all situations and from many viewpoints, has been a continuing issue. This study intends to understand how registered adult general nurses practice self-care. Additionally, it seeks to bridge gaps in the literature on self-care for registered adult nurses in the UK and acquire knowledge to inform local Trust and Nursing Policy to support nurses\u27 mental health and well-being.
Methods: A qualitative technique was adopted for this investigation. Participants were interviewed using MS Teams during semi-structured interviews. With the participant’s consent, the interviews were recorded and transcribed. To find, analyse, and report patterns in the data, thematic analysis was used. The investigators’ Facebook social media accounts were used to recruit participants. Each participant had to be an adult general registered nurse, which required them to be actively engaged in nursing practice to remain on the Nursing Midwifery Council (NMC) register in the UK. Nine people participated in this study.
Results: The concept of self-care was understood in some way by every participant. Even though participants identified self-care as a practice for both physical and mental health, most individuals indicated that self-care activities in which they practised would primarily promote mental wellness while having minimal impact on their physical health. Participants described lack of time in the day and spending their spare time caring for their families and doing household chores as the main obstacles to practising self-care.
Conclusion: It was clear that the participants did not consistently practise self-care; they did so only when they had free time or felt emotionally overwhelmed. Self-care was not seen as a priority or a preventative measure
Experiences of workplace violence among professionals working in United Kingdom healthcare settings in the post-COVID-19 era.
No full textBackground: Workplace violence (WPV) is any form of physical violence, which can be harassment, intimidation, or any other threatening behaviour in the work environment that can involve staff, visitors, clients or customers. WPV is classified as emotional abuse, threats, physical assault, verbal abuse, sexual harassment, and racial harassment. Healthcare professionals are at the receiving end of WPV, at an average of 8-38% of healthcare professionals having suffered physical violence sometime in their careers. During the COVID-19 pandemic, most healthcare professionals experienced different forms of attack, such as obstruction, physical assault, eviction from home, heavy weapon, psychological threat, and denial of services. This project aimed to explore the experiences of WPV among healthcare professionals in the post- COVID-19 era, by studying the recent experiences of WPV among healthcare professionals in the United Kingdom (UK), new contributors to the increase of WPV against healthcare workers after the COVID-19 pandemic, and the impact of WPV on healthcare professionals.
Methods: The study was approved by the Research Ethics Committee at Liverpool John Moores University. The study adopted an exploratory quantitative approach accompanied by online questionnaires. A descriptive cross-sectional survey was used for the online questionnaires. The questionnaire included an introduction to the researcher and the purpose of the survey, voluntary consent, inclusion criteria, demographics, questions on experience, and witnesses of different forms of WPV. It also contained interventions and consequences for workplace violence since the COVID-19 pandemic. A convenience sampling method was used to recruit participants through email, and a total of 25 LJMU CPD Violence Prevention, Reduction, and Public Health module students working in the NHS UK participated in the study. The quantitative data was analysed using descriptive and correlational statistics using SPSS.
Result Data analysis revealed that WPV had increased since COVID-19, according to most of the participants (56%, n = 25). The WPVs most experienced were racial harassment (56%, n = 22) and verbal abuse (52%, n = 20); also, verbal abuse (28%, n = 20) and racial harassment (28%, n = 22) were the most witnessed forms of WPV. The highest contributor to increased WPV in the post- COVID-19 era is long waiting hours. The major consequence of WPV is poor work performance and stress, while the most preferred preventive measures for WPV were security measures and an increased number of staff. Nurses and support staff (kitchen/maintenance, security) were the professional groups that have experienced more of the four forms of WPV since the COVID-19 pandemic. 80% (n=25) of the participants reported procedures for reporting WPV at their workplace. There was a significant relationship between healthcare professionals’ experiences of sexual harassment and gender (p =0.01) and age (p =0.03). There was no significant association between the healthcare professionals’ experience of WPV and their work hours.
Conclusion: Since the COVID-19 pandemic, WPV has been on the increase in UK healthcare settings and has affected healthcare professionals adversely through poor work performance and stress. Long waiting hours had been the major contributor to the increase in WPV, with patients and clients as the major perpetrators. Policies should be made to protect nurses and support staff (kitchen/maintenance, security), and to also reduce racial harassment and verbal abuse towards healthcare professionals, as they are the most experienced form of WPV in the post-COVID-19 era. Burnout, which was a major stressor during COVID-19, has gradually reduced after the pandemic. Further research on the effectiveness of digital platforms and social media and the need for more standardized data collection methods will help develop a more comprehensive understanding of WPV in the post-COVID-19 era, as the knowledge will inform evidence-based strategies to help make the workplace safer for both the healthcare professionals and service users
The prevalence and impacts of adverse childhood experiences in women in Sub-Saharan Africa: A scoping review.
No full textBackground: Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) are a worldwide problem. Child maltreatment includes sexual, physical, and emotional abuse and neglect. Growing up in a home with substance use, parental mental illness, or divorce affects physical, mental, and social health. ACEs are common in high-income countries (HICs) and low and middle-income countries (LMICs) but are mostly studied in HICs. Little evidence exists on ACEs in Sub- Saharan Africa (SSA). This review aimed to explore ACEs\u27 prevalence and impact on women in SSA, as women often experience more adversity.
Methods: A scoping review was conducted to synthesise the existing knowledge on the prevalence and impact of ACEs on women in SSA. The scoping review methodology (PRISMA) was implemented following a five-step framework. Three databases were searched in abstracts and titles – ERIC, Medline, and Criminal Justice Abstracts. The analysis involved both numerical and thematic syntheses in line with the framework.
Results: Twelve articles were reviewed. Prevalence for emotional abuse ranged from (2.04%- 72.5%), sexual abuse from (2.4%-33%), witnessing intimate partner violence from (0.56%- 35.9%), physical abuse from (1.1%-39.4%), collective violence (50.49%), lifetime interpersonal violence at (60.3%), child marriage from (16.5%-81.7%), and death/divorce of a parent at (0.57%). The review found an association between ACEs and interpersonal violence, and that women exposed to interpersonal violence as children were at risk of intimate partner violence (IPV). Women with ACEs were more likely to be victims and perpetrators of violence in adulthood, continuing the cycle of violence. ACEs also increased the risk of HIV infection and were linked to mental health issues like stress and postpartum depression. Child marriage was associated with fertility and reproductive outcomes: women married as children had lower odds of early childbirth than those not married as children. ACEs were linked to higher rates of perinatal substance use, likely due to psychological distress caused by ACEs.
Conclusion: This dissertation sheds light on ACEs’ prevalence and multifaceted impact on women in SSA. The results highlight the urgent need for a holistic approach to address ACEs, integrating mental health services, IPV prevention, HIV prevention and treatment, reproductive healthcare, intergenerational support, and substance abuse interventions. Effective policies and programmes in these areas can improve women\u27s well-being and quality of life in SSA, breaking the cycle of ACEs and promoting healthier futures for individuals and communities alike
Enabling and inhibiting factors of exclusive breastfeeding among women in Nigeria: A qualitative systematic review.
No full textBackground: Exclusive Breastfeeding (EBF) has several benefits for both mothers and babies. Notwithstanding, a wide range of empirical evidence reveals a low prevalence of EBF worldwide. The low majority is even worse in developing continents, including Africa, especially Sub-Saharan Africa. Many studies have demonstrated the Influence of factors such as social support, adequate knowledge of EBF, and favourable working conditions as enabling factors for the practice of EBF among women in Nigeria. Similarly, socio-cultural beliefs, unfavourable working conditions, physiological factors, and financial constraints have all been linked to sub-optimal rates of EBF practice in the country. A systematic review, therefore, sought to synthesise available evidence to inform interventions for increasing EBF uptake in Nigeria.
Methods: Four electronic databases, PubMed, MEDLINE, CENTRAL (The Cochrane Central Registry of Controlled Trials), and CINAHL (Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature)) were searched for references up to July 2023 to investigate the barriers and enablers to exclusive breastfeeding among nursing mothers in Nigeria. Only qualitative studies conducted between 2013 and 2023 were included in the review. Nigerian Women of reproductive age formed the target population.
Results: Seven studies were eligible for inclusion in the review. Several factors were identified as inhibitors of exclusive breastfeeding, including perceived insufficiency of breast milk, socio-cultural beliefs and practices, lack of social support, unfavourable working conditions, and lack of finance for proper maternal nutrition. On the other hand, maternal knowledge and positive attitudes towards breastfeeding, social support, and the experiences of other women were identified as enabling factors of exclusive breastfeeding among women in Nigeria.
Conclusion: While this review has provided valuable insights into the factors influencing EBF among women in Nigeria, it also highlights the need for more nuanced, culturally sensitive, and extensive research into the challenges and opportunities for exclusive breastfeeding in Nigeria via qualitative studies. Accordingly, the review has shown that EBF in Nigeria is multi-factorial and, therefore, requires a multi-pronged approach to improving its uptake in the country
Unheard and abandoned, deaf behind bars: A global scoping review.
No full textBackground: Every human is entitled to dignified and respectful treatment, irrelevant of their personal circumstances with The Universal Declaration of Human Rights implemented to support this basic need. However, this entitlement is not consistently accessed by vulnerable and neglected populations across the world. The prison population is one which is both vulnerable and neglected on several levels, one of those being academic research. Those who belong to marginalised groups within prison experience further neglect. Incarcerated deaf individuals are one of the most neglected groups, with a profound lack of research currently globally available and research that is available highlighting the immeasurable hardships suffered.
Methods: This research adopted a global scoping review approach based on the Arksey and O’Malley 2005 framework to summarise the current data available, which investigates how those who are hard of hearing navigate prison life.
Results: The research findings highlighted a precedented lack in research currently available with large portions of the globe having no record of published data. Throughout the literature, consistent reports of extreme neglect and isolation were discovered as caused by the foundational structure of the prison environment producing an inaccessible environment for those who are deaf. This research also highlighted that despite cases of hearing screening having positive implications on the hearing health of inmates, this has not been made a standard of prison entry in any location across the globe. Finally, research was unable to identify evidence of a data monitoring system within prison to identify deaf individuals and ensure the correct accommodations and adaptations are implemented as required by law.
Conclusion: This research is the first of its kind in conclusively identifying a complete lack of focus upon a highly vulnerable population suffering immensely within prison. This study creates foundations for future research that can be used to inform policy and practiced globally. Along with this, a change in attitude treating those who are deaf with respect and highlighting the importance of providing support to create equity between inmates who are deaf and inmates who are not. As each day passes without further research, intervention or change, irreversible damage is transpiring to individuals globally and presents a threat to deaf individuals’ human rights
The impact of health literacy on diabetic patients’ quality of life through self-management, self-care behaviours and glycaemic control in Eastern Mediterranean Region: A systematic review
No full textBackground: In the Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMRO) countries, diabetes is a significant noncommunicable disease with rising prevalence, impacting healthcare systems. Effective diabetes management requires optimal health literacy and self-care behaviours. Limited health literacy may lead to inferior health outcomes. This systematic review aims to explore the association between health literacy and the quality of life of diabetic patients, focusing on self-management, self-care behaviours, and glycaemic control.
Methods: This systematic review followed PRISMA guidelines, using rigorous procedures to identify, screen, and select relevant English articles from 2010 to 2023 in Medline, CINHAL, and Web of Science. The Joanna Brigg\u27s Institute (JBI) checklist for cross-sectional studies was utilized for quality appraisal. The primary outcomes of interest were the associations between health literacy, quality of life, self-management, self-care behaviours, and HbA1c. In total, 19 articles met the inclusion criteria established in the protocol.
Results: In this review, we analysed 19 studies conducted in the EMRO countries to explore the intricate relationship between health literacy and diabetes management outcomes. Through a narrative data analysis, we found consistent evidence that higher health literacy levels among diabetic patients positively impact self-care practices, glycaemic control (HbA1c levels), and health-related quality of life. Notably, some of the studies highlighted the mediating role of self-efficacy in the link between health literacy and diabetes self-management and self-care behaviours. In addition to the mediating role of self-management and self-care behaviours. These findings emphasize the multidimensional nature of health literacy and its relevance in optimizing diabetes care and patient outcomes in the EMRO region.
Conclusion: This systematic review highlighted the evidence of the crucial link between health literacy levels and self-care practices, glycaemic control, and quality of life among diabetic patients. As a result, targeted interventions aimed at improving health literacy can significantly enhance the well-being of individuals with diabetes. These findings hold substantial implications for policymakers and healthcare professionals, emphasizing the importance of evidence-based strategies to empower and support diabetic patients in the Eastern Mediterranean region and beyond, leading to better health outcomes and improved overall health.
 
HIV prevalence among female sex workers in Iran: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
No full textBackground: Despite all the global interventions and attempts, HIV/AIDS remains a global health challenge infecting and claiming lives of new victims every year. It is essential to understand the prevalence of HIV among vulnerable populations, such as female sex workers (FSWs), to plan public health, design intervention, and allocate resources. In countries like Iran in particular, where data may be scarce or scattered, a comprehensive review could offer critical insights to design efficient interventions. This systematic review and meta-analysis were designed to collect, synthesize, and critically assess the existing literature on the HIV prevalence among FSWs in Iran.
Methods: A careful literature search was performed across major databases including MEDLINE, Google Scholar, CINAHL Plus with full text and Scopus and Persian database, strictly following PRISMA guidelines. A meta-analysis and narrative synthesis were performed on studies that met the inclusion criteria to combine and interpret findings. Critical appraisal and potential biases of selected studies were assessed using the JBI\u27s critical appraisal tool for prevalence studies. Quantitative synthesis was conducted by metaprop command of STATA to estimate the pooled prevalence of HIV.
Results: Eight studies, which spanned different regions and diverse FSW populations within Iran, were included in the study. The pooled HIV prevalence among them was calculated 1.52%. When compared with global estimates for HIV prevalence among FSWs, which is around 10-15%, a considerably lower prevalence in Iran is notable. Factors potentially underpinning this decreased prevalence encompass various methodological approaches, different sampling methods, and maybe, the efficacy of interventions implemented in Iran that target FSWs. However, significant heterogeneity among selected studies was observed (I2 = 78%), which may suggest different conditions that FSWs face in different Iranian regions or may be due to different methods used.
Conclusion: This systematic review offers a comprehensive picture of HIV prevalence among FSWs in Iran. Although HIV prevalence among FSWs in Iran is lower than the international estimations, they are still at higher risk of acquiring the virus. This highlights the need for suitable interventions, regular health monitoring and deep research to understand and address the health needs of FSWs in Iran
A scoping review into the prevalence and determinants of occupational health hazards among female healthcare workers in Sub-Saharan Africa.
No full textBackground: This scoping review explores the occupational health hazards faced by female healthcare workers in Sub-Saharan Africa, aiming to provide a comprehensive assessment of the challenges and potential interventions. The review encompasses physical, biological, ergonomic, and psychosocial hazards and considers the broader socio-economic and cultural context within which these hazards manifest.
Methods: A systematic search was conducted across electronic databases, yielding a total of 20 relevant studies. These studies were critically appraised and synthesized to identify prevalent hazards and potential impact factors, along with interventions and policy recommendations. The analysis also examines the gender-specific nature of these hazards and their implications for gender equity within the healthcare workforce.
Results: The review highlights the pervasive nature of occupational health hazards among female healthcare workers in Sub-Saharan Africa, including needlestick injuries, ergonomic strains, infectious disease exposure, and psychosocial stressors. These hazards are influenced by various factors such as resource constraints, inadequate training, and organizational culture. While the studies underscore the pressing need for comprehensive occupational health measures, existing research gaps and the role of policy changes in promoting safety are also elucidated.
Conclusions: The findings underscore the urgent need for evidence-based interventions and policy reforms to address occupational health hazards among female healthcare workers. The implications of these hazards extend beyond individual well-being, impacting patient care quality and the overall resilience of healthcare systems. Recommendations encompass the establishment of robust infection prevention and control measures, ergonomic interventions, psychosocial support systems, and gender- sensitive policies
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