Public Health Institute Journal (LJMU)
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Assessing public attitude and opinions towards implementing UK smoke free generation policy: A quantitative survey
No full textBackground: In 2023, the UK government proposed the implementation of a smoke-free generation policy aimed at eradicating smoking by 2030. The policy\u27s method involves progressively increasing the legal age for purchasing cigarettes each year, starting with individuals born in 2009. Understanding public attitudes and opinions toward this policy is crucial for its successful adoption and long-term effectiveness. This study aims to delve deeper into the smoke-free generation policy to fully understand its focus and significance in public health. Additionally, it examines the policy\u27s potential impact on public health, public perception, compliance, and the socioeconomic implications associated with its implementation.
Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among a representative sample of the UK adult population, primarily students, at a specific point in time. Participants were surveyed about their knowledge and understanding of the smoke-free generation policy, as well as the health-related implications of smoking. Data were analysed using quantitative statistics and logistic regression to identify factors associated with support for the policy.
Results: The findings revealed strong public support for the smoke-free generation policy, particularly among non-smokers and younger individuals. However, significant opposition remains among current smokers and those concerned about individual liberties, highlighting the need for targeted communication strategies.
Conclusion: The study suggests substantial public support for the policy, yet it also identifies areas of opposition that need to be addressed to ensure successful implementation. These insights underscore the importance of targeted public education and engagement strategies to build broader consensus for the policy. Further research is recommended to explore the potential long-term effects of the policy on smoking prevalence and public health outcomes in the UK. 
A qualitative study to explore UK women\u27s experiences of taking part in the couch to 5k programme
No full textBackground: Women are more likely to be physically inactive than men. People who are physically inactive are at an increased risk of developing non communicable diseases. The Couch to 5K (C25K) programme, which was launched in 2016 by the NHS, is a nine week running programme designed to enable people to run a 5K. The program has had many downloads but there is limited research and evaluations of the program. Therefore, the aim of the study was to explore women\u27s experiences of taking part in the C25K programme. The objectives were to explore women\u27s experiences of taking part in C25K, explore the barriers and facilitators to participation of women taking part in C25K and explore the perceived impact on health and wellbeing.
Methods: A qualitative approach was used. The researcher recruited seven women to complete online semi-structured interviews. Participants were recruited via snowball sampling and purposive sampling. Participants were recruited from social media and a local parkrun. The inclusion criteria were women who had completed the full nine weeks or who had dropped out the programme from week five.
Results: The results were analysed on NVivo using thematic analysis and the following themes were found; programme structure, barriers and facilitators, health and wellbeing impacts. The programme had many physical and mental health benefits. Participants identified many barriers and facilitators including peer support, motivation, weather, personal safety, lack of time, injury, and health and wellbeing impacts
Conclusion: Overall, the research suggested that participants enjoyed the programme. While there is data to show the C25K app has been downloaded many times there is lack of research and evaluations of the program. The programme could be beneficial for physical activity promotion and encouraging more women to run but more research is needed to assess the full impact of the programme. 
A systematic review on nicotine replacement therapy in low middle-income countries to quit smoking
No full textBackground: Smoking is a major concern in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), with its prevalence increasing day by day, placing a significant burden on public health due to smoking-related diseases. This review examines the effectiveness of nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) in various settings within LMICs and identifies the barriers and facilitators that could enhance NRT\u27s effectiveness. A systematic review was conducted to explore these aspects.
Methods: The author selected three databases—EBSCO Medline, EBSCO CINAHL Plus with Full Text, and Cochrane Library—accessed through Liverpool John Moores University. Additionally, a search was conducted using Google Scholar and grey literature. The PICO framework was employed, and thorough searching was carried out.
Results: Out of 320 articles retrieved, only 7 were selected that directly addressed the research question. The mean abstinence rate from these 7 articles was 39.8%, with the lowest being 12.7% and the highest 57.1%. This indicates that NRT is an effective intervention in these settings if certain barriers are removed and facilitators are enhanced, depending on the specific challenges of individual countries.
Conclusion: The study findings reveal that NRT can be an effective intervention and could significantly impact the economies of LMICs if properly implemented. This can be achieved by ensuring affordability, cost-effectiveness, training, and availability in both urban and rural areas. With these corrections, it becomes more evident that NRT can help people quit smoking.
 
Does socioeconomic status impact on parental health literacy and child health outcomes? A systematic review of the literature
No full textBackground: The UK National reading age is nine years old; research tells us that one in four adults in the UK do not understand heath information given to them by health professionals. With deprivation at its highest in recent years and health disparities widening for those of lower socioeconomic status, the purpose of this study was to understand the impact socioeconomic status has on parental health literacy and child health outcomes.
Methods: The review question was formulated using a PICo framework for qualitative research. The population, phenomena of interest, and context were identified through initial scoping searches to better understand the key factors influencing how socioeconomic status affects parental health literacy and child health outcomes. A systematic review of the literature was then undertaken to identify qualitative research within this topic area.
Results: Online database searches of CINAHL and MEDLINE identified 289 articles after removing duplicates. Upon screening titles and abstracts, 271 articles were excluded for not meeting the inclusion criteria. Full texts of the remaining 18 articles were obtained and assessed for eligibility, leading to the exclusion of 14 articles that did not meet the criteria. Finally, four articles were retained for analysis. From the papers selected, four clear themes emerged and were explored in detail within the review.
Conclusion: The review provides a comprehensive analysis of the significant disparities in healthcare access and utilisation driven by socioeconomic status and health literacy. The evidence consistently shows that parents with low socioeconomic status face substantial barriers to accessing healthcare. This can lead to misuse of services, delayed presentation or care, and poorer health outcomes for their children. In contrast parents with higher socioeconomic status are more likely to be able to navigate the healthcare system and manage their health more effectively, often accessing services to their advantage. 
Identifying factors related to alcohol use among young adults in Nigeria: A systematic review
No full textBackground: Alcohol use is a major public health problem in young adults in Nigeria. The drinking behaviour is influenced by a wide range of socio-cultural, economic, and environmental factors. This paper aims to systematically review existing literature to identify the factors that may influence alcohol use among young adults in Nigeria in order to guide the development of preventions and intervention strategies.
Methods: this study used a systematic review methodology utilising a thorough search of databases including PubMed, ProQuest and PsycInfo. The study selection was done using the PICo framework, focusing on young adults (15–25 years old) in Nigeria and exploring factors related to the use of alcohol. Qualitative and mixed-method primary studies in English and published in peer-reviewed journals were considered eligible. The quality of the selected studies was assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) and Critical Appraisal Skills Programme (CASP) tools.
Results: Following the search, 450 potentially relevant studies were identified, of which 10 studies were included following screening and quality appraisal. The studies revealed that alcohol use among young adults in Nigeria was influenced by factors relating to demography (age, gender, socioeconomic status and level of education), social factors (peer pressure, family dynamics and parental monitoring) and culture (ethnic and religious beliefs).
Conclusion: Alcohol use among young adults in Nigeria is multifaceted, underpinned by a complex interplay of demographic, social and cultural influences. Intervention strategies should therefore be culturally sensitive, prioritise family and peer influences, and focus on the socio-economic inequalities that underpin drinking patterns.
 
A quantitative survey to explore caffeinated energy drink consumption patterns and knowledge of its health impacts among Liverpool John Moores University students : Public Health Dissertation Prize Winner
No full textBackground: Energy drinks are a type of liquid beverage that often contains a large amount of caffeine and other ingredients such as taurine, guarana, vitamin B, ginseng, milk thistle, L-carnitine, and ginkgo biloba. Energy drinks are marketed as performance enhancers, but their excessive consumption has raised significant health concerns, including increased heart rate, high blood pressure, sleep disturbances, and risk of addiction. This study aimed to explore patterns of caffeinated energy drink consumption, reasons for consumption, the knowledge of the effects of energy drinks, and influence of this knowledge on consumption behaviour among students at Liverpool John Moores University.
Methods: This study used a cross-sectional quantitative survey design. A self-administered structured online questionnaire was distributed via the University’s Canvas site and WhatsApp recruiting students from any discipline.
Results: Of 31 participants, 58% were female and 67% were aged 26-40. Eighty per cent were postgraduates and 77% were international students. Of these participants, 45% consumed energy drinks less than once a month. Primary motivations included energy boosts (41%), staying awake (38%), exam preparation (29%) and taste (29%). Advertisements (35%) and recommendations from others (22%) were key influencers. Despite 51% having high awareness of the health risks, consumption remained prevalent. According to participants increased heart rate and blood pressure, insomnia, increase urination, headache, dental decay, cardiovascular diseases were the most known side effects. Knowledge influenced consumption behaviour for 25% of respondents, but 22% remained unaffected, with 67% open to reducing consumption with more information. There was a statistically significant relationship between students\u27 awareness of the side effects of energy drinks and how their knowledge about caffeine influences their consumption behaviour.
Conclusion: The findings highlight the need for targeted interventions to address knowledge gaps and promote healthier choices among university students. Effective health education, stress management, and public health campaigns are crucial. Further research is needed to explore the long-term effects of energy drinks and the effectiveness of intervention strategies to reduce consumption. Longitudinal, qualitative, and comparative studies will offer deeper insights and specific recommendations. 
A small-scale study to explore the experiences of people who travel abroad for bariatric surgery: Environmental Health Dissertation Prize Winner
No full textObesity is a growing public health problem which leads to a significant number of health issues including cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes and certain cancer. Bariatric surgery is an effective intervention to help people lose weight by removing parts of the stomach or inserting a band, both which restrict the amount of food that can be consumed. However, the waitlist in the UK for surgery is long, and requirements (i.e. BMI of 40+ or between 35-40 with a health condition) can be difficult to meet. This has increased the number of people choosing to travel abroad for bariatric surgery, leading to a rise in medical tourism-related emergencies for the NHS. There is limited literature identifying what motivates people to choose to travel abroad for bariatric surgery. This study used semi-structured interviews to collect data from six participants who have travelled to other countries for bariatric surgery. From the data, three main themes emerged: 1) Motivations for traveling abroad for bariatric surgery, 2) Experiences of bariatric surgery abroad and 3) Contrasting outcomes of bariatric surgery abroad. It was found that peoples\u27 experiences can differ significantly. Many of the participants felt that bariatric surgery abroad was the only option for them. The expectations of surgery should be realistic, and the NICE guidelines used in UK provisions play a key role in sustainable weight loss and understanding the lifestyle changes required post-surgery. Due to the ease of accessibility to bariatric surgery in other countries, policies need to be implemented on an international level which promote safety for those that travel the surgery. Within the UK, there should also be clear information and guidelines provided to anyone who visits their GP seeking weight loss advice to give individuals an insight into potential risks of having surgery
Navigating isolation: The impact of social distancing on men’s mental health: before, during and after COVID-19
No full textThis dissertation looks at the influence social distancing had on men’s mental health before, during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. It is shown that men’s mental health is understudied, and that society is unaware of how vital it is to spread awareness on this public issue. Throughout, researching this topic it is highlighted that different types of psychological disorders are experienced by men, but also by certain demographics of men including elderly, adolescents, single men and different ethnicities. The significant effects of social distancing on men\u27s mental health prior to, during, and following the COVID-19 epidemic are examined in this dissertation. Based on a thorough analysis of the body of research, the study looks at how social isolation and shifting social norms affected men\u27s psychological health in three different stages: before the pandemic, during the epidemic, and during the recovery period that followed. The study looks at how men\u27s reactions to loneliness are influenced by social ties, mental health stigma, and masculinity standards. It also draws attention to the difficulties that other male demographic groups, such as unmarried males, the elderly, and those without jobs, face. This research also assesses the long-term psychological effects of enforced social separation, the difficulties in obtaining conventional help, and the efficacy of digital mental health therapies. The study highlights important support system deficiencies and provides policy suggestions for creating focused, gender-sensitive mental health initiatives by synthesizing the literature in the fields of health, psychology, and social care. In the end, this study advances our knowledge of the relationship among social isolation, masculinity, and mental health in order to guide future treatments that promote men\u27s mental health both during and after crises. As well as this it highlights the strengths and limitations that are shown in other studies and theories for men\u27s mental health and the importance of acknowledging men’s wellbeing
The impacts of sexual abuse on women in Nigeria: A qualitative systematic review
No full textBackground: Sexual abuse is a significant public health issue affecting women in Nigeria, with studies suggesting prevalence rate ranging from 30-50%, exacerbated by cultural stigmas, inadequate legal frameworks, and insufficient support systems which perpetuate a cycle of silence and victimization. Women often bear the brunt of societal blame, which further complicates their recovery and reintegration into communities. This systematic review aims to examine the impact of sexual abuse on women in Nigeria
Methods: A systematic review search was conducted CINAHL Plus, Medline, and Eric databases for qualitative studies exploring the sexual abuse of women in Nigeria. Studies were screened against predefined inclusion criteria. The included studies underwent quality assessment using the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme (CASP) tool. The data were extracted and synthesised using thematic analysis.
Results: This review found several impacts of sexual abuse on women in Nigeria were wide-ranging, encompassing physical health consequences (e.g., injuries, sexually transmitted infections), mental health effects (e.g., PTSD, depression, anxiety), social stigma and isolation, educational and economic repercussions, disruption of relationships and trust, increased vulnerability to further abuse, and long-term trauma. The pervasive stigma surrounding sexual abuse in Nigerian society was found to exacerbate many of these impacts. Additionally, the study identifies significant gaps in community support and the need for robust legal protections.
Conclusion: This review highlights the nature of sexual abuse impacts on Nigerian women, emphasising the need for comprehensive support services and interventions. Findings suggest a need for culturally sensitive approaches to prevention and support, addressing underlying societal norms and economic factors that contribute to vulnerability. Future research should focus on evaluating the effectiveness of interventions and exploring strategies to reduce stigma and increase reporting of sexual abuse. Policy implications include strengthening legal frameworks, improving data collection mechanisms, and enhancing support services for survivors. 
A scoping review of the challenges in healthcare access and vaccination among migrants arriving and settling in the UK post 2015
No full textBackground: Although healthcare is a fundamental human right, most migrant populations in the UK face many barriers to accessing essential services such as vaccination. These barriers, legislative changes, and other sociopolitical determinants have been blamed for notable disparities in vaccine coverage. This scoping review seeks to critically assess how UK policies and legislation align with the public health needs of migrants, specifically for vaccine-preventable diseases.
Methods: This is a scoping review study in methodology using the PCC (Population, Concept, and Context) framework. Search terms were entered into critical databases: Web of Science and MEDLINE, capturing documents between 2015 and 2024. The documents were then screened for relevance, charted, and analysed thematically to pull up emerging themes on barriers, facilitators, and disparities in vaccination among migrants.
Results: The review underscores the profound barriers migrant populations face in accessing vaccinations. Language and communication challenges, entrenched cultural beliefs, mistrust in healthcare systems, and structural issues like difficulties registering with healthcare services are prevalent. These obstacles were found to be particularly severe in regions such as Wales and Northern Ireland. Despite these challenges, the review highlights effective strategies, such as culturally tailored communication and community engagement, which have been successful in specific contexts but need to be more consistently applied across the UK.
Conclusion: This review identifies significant shortfalls in the UK health policy framework related to meeting the needs of migrant populations and the continuation of health inequalities. Solutions to this problem include the urgent need for regionally inclusive research, adopting trauma-informed care practices, and expanding language services. Improved multiagency collaboration is vital for the equitable access of all migrants to care, particularly for the control of vaccine-preventable diseases. The neglect of such issues poses a severe threat to the health and human rights of migrant communities. 
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