Public Health Institute Journal (LJMU)
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Health-related internet use by young people/youth: A scoping review
No full textBackground: The internet is a powerful tool for individuals searching for health-related content for their own requirements. The internet provides young people with the opportunity to research and explore a range of relevant health issues. Widespread access to the internet could reduce social inequality by reducing the barriers that can prevent people from sustaining their physical and mental health effectively. Hence, this scoping review explores how young people use the internet to access information on health issues and the pros and cons of health-related internet use.
Methods: A scoping review was selected to allow broader options for critical evaluation of the papers. A five-stage process explained by Arksey and O’Malley was followed for conducting the study. In this process, the Population-Concept-Context (PCC) framework, the inclusion and exclusion criteria were established.
Results: A total of 790 papers were potentially relevant to the aim and objectives set for the review. Once the duplicates and paid-access articles were removed, and other inclusion criteria such as year of publication from 2010 to 2020, relevance in titles and abstracts, population age from 14 to 24 years of age, etc. were applied, it led eventually to 10 papers to be selected for the review. Once the screening and critical assessment has been done, the papers were discussed using six key themes, mentioned later in the paper.
Conclusion: It has been observed that this topic of interest has not received much comprehensive work. However, the authors of these articles agreed that since the use of internet is widespread among young people, it is inevitable that they require internet to search for health and medical information more than the other age groups. It is obvious that more knowledge is required in order to appraise the quality of information given on the internet and identify authentic websites or applications for health information. There are significant gaps identified in the research as well which point towards future studies
The views and experiences of transgender and gender non-binary communities and healthcare professionals regarding healthcare provision and the educational requirements to address health inequalities: A systematic review of qualitative studies
No full textBackground: Transgender and gender non-binary (GNB) individuals experience significant health inequalities and have a greater likelihood to be denied healthcare than their non-transgender peers. Transgender and GNB communities also experience physical, verbal and sexual violence and discrimination in healthcare, which can lead to delaying care. Reduced access to healthcare can impact screening for diseases, consequently having negative effects for transgender and GNB populations. There is evidence of high rates of negative health outcomes, such as HIV and sexually transmitted infections, substance misuse, mental health issues and suicidality. This review explored whether there is a need for further education for healthcare professionals to support transgender and GNB communities in health settings and prevent health disparities. It sought to identify barriers to healthcare experienced by transgender and GNB communities in order to inform care practice and what level of education is required to ensure healthcare professionals are adequately prepared to care for these population groups.
Methods: This study entailed a qualitative systematic review. The databases CINAHL and PsycINFO were accessed for the literature search. A bibliographical search was carried out on the articles in order to source further primary qualitative research. Thematic synthesis was carried out on the four included studies (Thomas and Harden, 2008).
Results: Three analytical themes were identified: stigma and discrimination, healthcare providers’ lack of knowledge, and communication. Reported experiences of stigma and discrimination included healthcare professionals’ lack of sensitivity, and environmental factors which involved documentation as well as the physical environment. Healthcare professionals acknowledged that education relating to the needs of transgender and GNB patients would be beneficial.
Conclusion: There is a need to further educate healthcare professionals to support transgender and GNB communities in healthcare settings in order to prevent health inequalities and address stigma and discrimination. This education should also be included in healthcare curriculums by educational providers
How do families who have been bereaved by substance use utilise their experience to advocate for drug policy change and how does this affect them personally?
No full textBackground: Drug deaths in England and Wales are the highest they’ve been since records began. It is estimated that 275,896 adults in the UK are in touch with drug and alcohol services. It is thought that for every person who dies from drug use there will be ten close family or friends who grieve. Some people who have been bereaved by drug use utilise their experience to campaign, or advocate, for drug policy change in the hopes to change laws and improve stigma for drug users and their families. There is sparse research on if campaigning work helps with their grief. There is also little research on barriers these campaigners feel they face.
Methods: An exploratory qualitative methodology using a phenomenological approach was the approach taken for this study. Semi structured online interviews were used to collected data. Purposeful sampling was used for this study and seven participants took part. Interviews were transcribed and analysed using thematic analysis.
Results: Finding showed that family who had been bereaved by drug use although didn’t think campaigning helped explicitly with grief did express that it gave them a focus. Participants also expressed that campaigning gave them meaning and felt that their message would help reduce drug deaths. Campaigning gave all the participants a sense of community and improved opportunities for them to meet people who had similar experiences which was deemed important to help cope with their grief. Barriers to campaigning found in this study were lack of support from family and friends, stigma, cost, and it being traumatic to discuss death frequently. All participants felt that lived experience was as important, or more important, than professional opinion alone.
Conclusion: This study showed that family who have been bereaved by drug use although didn’t think campaigning helped explicitly with grief, did express that it gave them a focus, adding to current research which agrees with this. The bereavement of a person by drug use is often a more difficult kind of grief to process because of associated stigma, feelings of guilt and societal views. 
A quantitative study into the knowledge and attitudes of young people in Gibraltar towards pollution
No full textLow air quality and pollution levels have shown to affect human health all around the world. The World Health Organization has addressed this issue and concerns towards pollution and its effects on human health. The aim of this study was to acknowledge and address the primary concerns young Gibraltarians have towards pollution in Gibraltar. Many studies have been conducted around the Straits of Gibraltar, but there have been limited studies exploring young people’s attitudes and knowledge towards pollution in Gibraltar. The researcher’s aim was to fill the gap in the current literature to provide the Government of Gibraltar and relevant authorities with data that could influence future research. The study collected data via a quantitative method, the use of self-selected participation, where only residents of Gibraltar were eligible to complete the questionnaire. Through assessing young Gibraltarians knowledge and attitudes towards pollution in Gibraltar, the researcher was able to collect data portraying their demographics, attitude, behaviours, and knowledge on pollution. The study was conducted on 63 participants, which proved to be an acceptable volume of participants considering Gibraltar only has a population of around 30,000. From the data collected the researcher was able to conclude that young people in Gibraltar, ranging from 18-30, are very laid back towards their influence on Gibraltar’s current pollution. The data showed that participants had a clear understanding of the health implications associated with pollution. From the research conducted the results should be used for further research on the attitudes and knowledge young Gibraltarian’s have towards pollution.
 
A quantitative study to explore UK students experiences of purchasing food from virtual kitchens
No full textFoodborne disease is a common illness in the UK. Previous research has estimated that yearly there are 566,000 cases, 74,000 general practitioner presentations and 7,600 hospital admissions related to foodborne disease from 13 known pathogens in UK. Campylobacter and norovirus are the most common foodborne pathogens in the UK. Food safety is important as it helps to protect consumers from the risk of food borne illnesses. It also helps to prevent consumers from risks of health related conditions such as allergy and death. During the Covid-19 pandemic, virtual kitchens obtained vital social and industrial currency. This came at a time when many restaurants were either unproductive due to limitations on public dining or reduced significantly as very low numbers of customers were permitted to be served on premises even as the situation recovered. Conversely, demand for home delivery of food expanded as people were required to stay at home during lockdown. This study explores the experiences of UK students in purchasing food from virtual kitchens. For this research study, a quantitative methodology has been selected using an online questionnaire for students over 18, to explore their experiences of using virtual kitchens on social media sites. The findings from this study show that 32% of the participants bought from virtual kitchens once, while 68% had bought from two to ten times, indicating that they like or enjoy the foods that they purchase. Participants usually order the food themselves, and usually buy food from virtual kitchens for special occasions, such as birthdays or as a treat for themselves or someone else. Around a quarter (26) purchased because they want to support a local business, with 10% purchasing food as part of their regular shop. Most of the participants purchase birthday cakes, meals and desserts with some purchasing sweets, other types of cakes, savoury products such as meat pies and other types of food. Close to three in ten (28%) of participants state they purchase from virtual kitchens for the variety of food and 18%for the cost of the food. Customers prefer to have a variety of options but also affordable food. Most participants were either very satisfied or satisfied when purchasing food from social media sites. The rest were neutral and only 10% were dissatisfied or very dissatisfied with their purchases. Some of the participants in this study indicated that they were aware that food sold on social media sites is not the same quality as that sold in virtual kitchens. However, some participants were uncertain if the food was the same quality as in the past, indicating a lack of knowledge about where they are purchasing from. Participants also claim that virtual kitchens do not provide enough information about ingredients and allergens associated with the foods they sell. However, they prefer to purchase from virtual kitchens due to the variety of food options to choose from, as well as being much cheaper than high street kitchens
Assessing the impacts of Instagram body image ideals on the health & well-being of adolescent girls and young women: Public Health Dissertation Prize Winner
No full textIdentified by the Royal Society for Public Health (2017) as the most harmful of all main social media platform for young people’s mental health, Instagram has 1 billion followers worldwide and hosts posted content that promotes idealised and manipulated body images, while posters compete for followers in response to the images. The House of Commons Women and Equalities Committee’s findings for 2019/2021 indicate 95% of young people in the UK use Instagram, with 65% of girls under 18 believing there is an ‘ideal body type’ and only 5% of that age group saying they would not change any feature of their appearance. Meanwhile, Instagram’s own internal findings highlight the increased rates of anxiety and depression in 32% of teenage girls as a result of its externalized body image ideals (Raychoudhury, 2019). This literature review explores the idealisations of unrealistic and unhealthy female body image via the social media platform Instagram. It examines the issue of Female Body Image from a Public Health perspective through a broader, socioecological lens incorporating it with psychological standpoints, and in the contexts of history and sociocultural pressures as exacerbated by the mass reach, and visual and comparative features, of social media. The review analyses and quantifies the impact of Instagram body image ideals on the physical, emotional and mental health and well-being of adolescent girls and young women and exposes this as a major public health concern (Instagram, 2019; Frier, 2021; Heger 2020). It furthermore assesses various public health responses, concludes that the effectiveness of these is uneven and the need remains to address these issues from a well-informed, authentic public health perspective that can equip girls and young women to recognize the harmful and inauthentic nature of the Instagram body image. The review recommends improvements including: campaigns to promote more positive and diverse health-related internal traits and combat self-objectification; the inclusion of primary age children in educational health initiatives; collaboration between medical professionals, legislators, and the body positive movements; and further regulation of media images and encouragement of a more diverse range of female bodies represented in the public eye
Sexual Violence in the Night-Time Economy: Exploring the Determinants and Health Impacts
No full textConcerns about violent and disorderly behaviour in town and city centres are often associated with what is known as the \u27night-time economy\u27 which consists of bars, pubs, and nightclubs. Over recent years sexual violence against women has been recognised as a major public health issue within these settings. Many studies and scholars have found that street harassment is a global social problem, one that has been faced by women for many decades (Kearl 2013). According to the findings, many women, regardless of their demographics, experience public sexual harassment (Kearl and Sharma 2014). Overall, sexual violence in the night economy is considered a normalised part of society which dehumanises the freedom of women’s health and safety. Such behaviours are expected to negatively impact women’s self-worth leading to tragic outcomes. Frequent exposure to sexual harassment is linked to an increased risk of certain mental and physical disorders, however there is a gap in research when examining the long-term effects of sexual violence. The findings emphasise the need of intervening to prevent sexual violence in the night-time economy to improve women\u27s safety and comfort in social spaces. As women continue to experience violence due to their gender, their mental and physical health have significant implications. Although there are laws in place to protect women against sexual violence, the prevalence of sexual harassment against women is still high, meaning more needs to be done to see a difference. Introducing laws which directly tackle men’s behaviours can be a future opportunity for public health researchers to implement, it reflects the importance of prioritising women’s health and safety in the night-time economy. The aim of this research is to explore the determinants and health impacts of sexual violence in the night-time economy. The literature will provide a critical analysis on the current social norms across society from a public health perspective and will allow a greater insight into the problem, furthermore it will aim to evaluate the health and social impacts of unwanted sexual attention; to critically analyse how ‘laddish’ behaviours influence sexual objectification of women; to identify the mental and physical outcomes of sexual violence; and to examine relevant interventions that help to tackle the issue. This study concluded that sexual violence in the night-time economy remains a substantial part of a night out for most women
Hospitality Workers & Covid-19: A small-scale qualitative study exploring the impact of Covid-19 on hospitality workers in Liverpool: Environmental Health Dissertation Prize Winner
No full textAs the Covid-19 pandemic spread across the world, the UK government was forced to act with numerous policies and interventions intending to promote safety and limit the spread of the virus. Hospitality has been perhaps the most vulnerable industry during this time, as their businesses were repeatedly closed through lockdowns and limited by restrictions on gatherings, movement, and business practices. Whilst many studies have been published about the economic state of the hospitality industry, very little attention has been given to the workers in UK hospitality venues. Given the tumultuous events since the pandemic began, and the dramatic impacts to the industry, this study aims to understand the impact of Covid-19 and related safety measures on the lives of hospitality workers in Liverpool, focussing on the perceptions and effects of policy. Understanding the impact of the pandemic and corresponding policies and practices on hospitality workers can help to identify which measures were perceived to be effective, and to explore any unintended outcomes. This is a qualitative interview study, using semi-structured interviews conducted online via Microsoft Teams. Seven participants were interviewed in total before data saturation was attained. All participants were over 18 years old and worked in hospitality businesses in Liverpool during August 2020. Participants were recruited through non-probability convenience and snowball sampling methods. Once gathered, data was coded and interpreted through a process of thematic analysis. Findings from this study showed that there were substantial difficulties for hospitality employees working during the pandemic, from implementing and enforcing a variety of safety measures, to struggling with emotional and physical exhaustion and burnout. All participants had experienced notable instances of customer resistance to Covid-19 safety measures, and many indicated that inconsistencies in both government policies and the implementation of safety measures between businesses exacerbated these issues. As many co-workers were often unavailable to work, either because they had to isolate, shield, or had simply left the industry, those workers who remained regularly experienced greater workloads, increased working hours, and additional stress. This in turn had negative impacts on the mental health of employees affecting their ability to maintain personal relationships outside of work. Participants also demonstrated an awareness of many in the industry who struggled financially during lockdowns, bringing the effectiveness of the governments furlough scheme into question. Recommendations from this study include utilising Environmental Health Officers (EHOs) and licensing authorities who have existing relationships with hospitality businesses to enforce restrictions and provide advice to businesses, improving communication and understanding of relevant safety measures and policies, and increasing consistency between venues. This study also recommends the inclusion of tipped income in furlough payment calculations to prevent hospitality workers from suffering excessive income loss
A Quantitative study exploring people’s perception of the Black Lives Matter Campaign
No full textRacism is defined as prejudice, unfairness, or animosity directed toward someone of a different race on the basis of the belief that one race is better or superior to the other. In this study, data was collected in the form of an online survey, with multiple choice questions and even open ones, to obtain as much data as possible and to reveal individuals\u27 perspectives regarding Black Lives Matter through Instagram. This questionnaire was administered anonymously, giving users the option of participating or not. The survey was completed by 53 individuals. This was a limitation because the researcher expected more participants to participate. The study will discuss how racism has affected people\u27s health, how social media has elevated the Black Lives Matter movement to an international level, and what the participants believe about the movement
A study to find the effects of working from home on the mental and physical health of staff members at Liverpool John Moores University.
No full textWorking from home became essential for many in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the attempts to reduce its spread by lessening public interactions. This sudden increase in people working from home had a large knock-on effect on people’s mental and physical health as they, in many cases, were not prepared for this shift to home working. This study sets out to find the extent to which peoples’ mental and physical health was affected by this change and how factors such as gender and caring responsibilities further impacted. A survey was undertaken with university staff at Liverpool John Moores University (LJMU) asking how working from home affected their physical and mental health, as well as finding out what specific factors were having this effect on them. The study found that all participants with caring responsibilities experienced some level of negative physical health when working from home, showing that caring responsibilities had the biggest effect of all recorded factors. Since many participants worked from home during the COVID-19 restrictions at the same time as schools being closed, they had to balance caring for their children as well as work. Some participants reported working longer hours which may be a result of juggling work and home commitments. It is concluded that if companies expect their employees to work from home in the future, significant investment in infrastructure to support this shift needs to be undertaken. Further research with the use of an increased sample size needs to be carried out to confirm and validate these results
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