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'Letting you share when you need to share': navigating the potential and precarity of friends and peers for UK young people after sexual abuse in adolescence
Get PDFThis article explores the rarely considered role of friends and peers supporting young people after sexual abuse experienced in adolescence, drawing on participatory research with 32 young people in the UK with lived experience. The article considers ways in which relationships with friends and peers interplay with recovery from abuse. This includes friends and peers as recipients of disclosure, conduits to professional support, sources of emotional support and distraction, and embroiled in often challenging, precarious peer cultures that young people navigate post-abuse. The article explores young people’s rationale for, and experiences of, reaching out to friends and peers. It considers what young people seek and gain from these relationships in the aftermath of abuse, while acknowledging complex risks and precarity of these relationships. It argues that support from friends offers something distinct to family and professionals. It explores benefits of these relationships, but also potential for peer responses to undermine wellbeing if not sufficiently supportive or informed. The article ends by arguing for professionals to better recognise and respond to these relational contexts and consider whether there are safe and appropriate ways to ‘support young people to support’ without responsibilisation, and recognising welfare needs of those providing such support
Knowledge, perceived risk, and attitudes towards COVID-19 protective measures amongst ethnic minorities in the UK: a cross-sectional study
Get PDFBackground: Minority ethnic groups are at increased risk of COVID-19 related mortality or morbidity yet continue to have a disproportionally lower uptake of the vaccine. The importance of adherence to prevention and control measures to keep vulnerable populations and their families safe therefore remains crucial. This research sought to examine the knowledge, perceived risk, and attitudes toward COVID-19 among an ethnically diverse community. Methods: A cross-sectional self-administered questionnaire was implemented to survey ethnic minority participants purposefully recruited from Luton, an ethnically diverse town in the southeast of England. The questionnaire was structured to assess participants knowledge, perceived risk, attitudes toward protective measures as well as the sources of information about COVID-19. The questionnaire was administered online via Qualtrics with the link shared through social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, and WhatsApp. Questionnaires were also printed into brochures and disseminated via community researchers and community links to individuals alongside religious, community and outreach organisations. Data were analysed using appropriate statistical techniques, with the significance threshold for all analyses assumed at p = 0.05. Findings: 1,058 participants (634; 60% females) with a median age of 38 (IQR, 22) completed the survey. National TV and social networks were the most frequently accessed sources of COVID-19 related information; however, healthcare professionals, whilst not widely accessed, were viewed as the most trusted. Knowledge of transmission routes and perceived susceptibility were significant predictors of attitudes toward health-protective practises. Conclusion/recommendation: Improving the local information provision, including using tailored communication strategies that draw on trusted sources, including healthcare professionals, could facilitate understanding of risk and promote adherence to health-protective actions
Effectiveness of interventions to manage difficulties with breastfeeding for mothers of infants under six months with growth faltering: a systematic review update
Get PDF(1) Background: The current evidence on management of infants under six months (u6m) with growth faltering is limited and of low quality. This review aimed at updating an existing review to inform the WHO guideline update on prevention and management of growth faltering in infants u6m. The objective is to synthesise evidence on interventions to manage breastfeeding difficulties in mothers or caregivers of infants u6m with growth faltering to improve breastfeeding practices and breastmilk intake. (2) Methods: We searched PubMed, CINAHL, and Cochrane Library from December 2018 to December 2021 for experimental studies. Using RoB 2.0 and ROBINS-I tools, we assessed study quality and results were synthesised narratively. Using the GRADE approach, we assessed the quality of evidence for four outcome domains-breastfeeding (critical), anthropometric (important), mortality (important), and morbidity (important). (3) Results: We identified seven studies, conducted among neonates (mainly preterm, n = 14 to 607), and assessed the following interventions: (a) non-nutritive sucking (NNS) on breast (n = 2) and (b) alternative supplemental feeding techniques (n = 5, cup feeding, spoon feeding, supplemental feeding tube device, and syringe feeding), and reported breastfeeding and anthropometric outcomes. None of the studies reported mortality and morbidity outcomes. The reported breastfeeding outcomes included LATCH (Latch, Audible swallowing, Type of nipple, Comfort, Hold) total score, PIBBS (Preterm Infants Breastfeeding Behaviour Scale) total score, EBF (exclusive breastfeeding) at various time points and time to transition to full breastfeeding, and reported anthropometric outcomes included weight gain and weight at different time points. Studies had 'serious' indirectness and 'serious' to 'very serious' risks of bias. From the limited studies we found, NNS on breast compared to NNS on finger may have some benefits on PIBBS total score; NNS on breast compared to NNS on pacifier may have some benefits on EBF at discharge; and cup feeding compared to bottle feeding may have some benefits on EBF at discharge, at three months and at six months. (4) Conclusions: Evidence on the effectiveness of interventions to manage breastfeeding difficulties in mothers or caregivers of infants u6m with growth faltering to improve breastfeeding practices and increase breastmilk intake is 'limited' and of 'low' to 'very low' quality. As the majority of the infants in the included studies were neonates, no new recommendations can be made for infants from one to six months due to lack of evidence in this population. We need more studies targeting infants from one to six months of age. The review was registered with PROSPERO (CRD42022309001)
An organisational-life cycle assessment approach for Internet of Things technologies implementation in a human milk bank
Get PDFHuman milk banks (HMB) are responsible for screening and recruiting milk donors with surplus milk to their own infant’s needs, followed by transporting, heat-treating (pasteurising) and microbiologically confirming the donor human milk (DHM) is safe to issue to vulnerable infants. Maintaining the safety and quality of DHM are vital requirements in HMB operations. DHM must be maintained in ideal temperature conditions throughout the whole period—from expression until delivery. In this regard, monitoring technologies (e.g., sensors, Big Data and the Internet of Things) have become a viable solution to avoid food loss, allowing prompt corrective action. Therefore, this study aimed to understand the trade-offs between optimising DHM transportation and the environmental impact of implementing such technologies. The environmental performance was carried out through an Organisational Life Cycle Assessment (O-LCA). The electricity consumed during milk storage is the main driver for the environmental impacts in this organisation, responsible for up to 82% of the impacts in ionising radiation. The transportation stage and the treatment of discarded DHM were also relevant for ozone formation and marine eutrophication, respectively. Considering the strategy to integrate monitoring technologies to control the temperature conditions during transportation and the reduction of milk discarded by 3%, an environmental impact reduction can be also observed. In some categories, such as global warming, it could avoid around 863 kg of CO2-eq per year. The sensitivity analysis showed that the impacts of the HMB depend highly on the transport distance. In addition, changing the transportation mode from motorcycles to drones or electric vehicles can affect the environmental performance of this organisation. Therefore, human milk transport logistics must be studied in a multidisciplinary way to encompass all possible impacts of these strategies
A systematic review of Positive Psychology Interventions (PPIs) to improve the health behaviours, psychological wellbeing and/or physical health of police staff
Get PDFObjective: This review aimed to assess the use of Positive Psychology Interventions (PPIs), such as using positive mantras, expressive writing, or gratitude diaries, to improve the health behaviours, psychological wellbeing, and/or physical health of police staff. Method: The review was registered on PROSPERO before 16 electronic databases were searched for published articles between January 1999 and February 2022. Included studies offered PPIs to improve the physical health (body mass index, blood pressure), psychological well-being (stress, anxiety, mood, emotion, depression, self-efficacy), or health behaviours (physical activity, sitting times, dietary habits, alcohol, or tobacco use) of police staff. The mixed methods appraisal tool (MMAT) l was used to assess the risk of bias of included papers. Results: The initial search yielded 4,560 results; with 3,385 papers remaining after duplicates were removed. Of these, 15 studies were included in the final review. Intervention types included mindfulness-based resilience training (n = 11), physical or wellness practice classes (n = 1), role-play and scenario-based interventions (n = 2) and expressive writing (n = 1). Mindfulness-based interventions improved many psychological wellbeing facets such as anxiety, depression, negative affect, and quality of life. Limited improvements were observed for some health behaviours such as alcohol consumption and in self-reported general health. Expressive writing and role-play-based interventions were effective in reducing stress and anxiety, however, improvement in depression scores were inconsistent across studies. Conclusion: Positive Psychology Interventions are promising to support the health and wellbeing of police staff. Future research would benefit from investigating their mechanisms of action
Social sustainability performance: developing and validating measures in the context of emerging African economies
Get PDFSocial sustainability has attracted growing research interest. However, studies on social sustainability in emerging African economies are still in their early stages. This study found that companies in these countries are keen to improve their social sustainability, but they often lack an adequate understanding of measuring their company's social sustainability performance (SSP). This study addresses this knowledge gap by identifying the SSP measures relevant to emerging African economies. The study adopts a mixed research method involving several stages. First, fifty initial SSP evaluation measures across eight dimensions were identified based on an extensive literature review and interviews. Second, these measures were examined in a pilot survey followed by a formal survey with senior managers and business owners of 110 companies in Ghana's manufacturing and service industries. A total of 369 valid responses were received. Based on the statistical analysis of exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis, 26 specific measures of SSP were established. These measures cover seven broad dimensions: community, equity, poverty alleviation, human rights, ethics, regulatory enforcement, and employees. The validated multidimensional measures provide valuable guidance to managers on evaluating and improving their organisation's social sustainability performance
Multiple biological mechanisms for the potential influence of phytochemicals on physical activity performance: a narrative review
Get PDFNatural phytochemicals (PCs) are responsible for the taste, colour, and aroma of many edible plants. Cohort studies have linked higher intake to a reduced risk of chronic degenerative diseases and premature ageing. The ability of foods rich in PCs, such as phytanthocyanins, apigenin, flavonols, flavonoids, bioflavonoids, gallic acid, ellagic acid, quercetin, and ellagitannins, to support physical activity has also been highlighted in a number of published pre-clinical and prospective clinical studies. This literature mostly emphasises the ability of PCs to enhance the adaptive upregulation of antioxidant enzymes (AEs), which reduces exercise-associated oxidative stress, but there are several other mechanisms of benefit that this narrative review addresses. These mechanisms include; protecting joints and tendons from physical trauma during exercise; mitigating delayed-onset muscle symptoms (DOMS) and muscle damage; improving muscle and tissue oxygenation during training; cultivating a healthy gut microbiome hence lowering excess inflammation; cutting the incidence of upper respiratory tract viral infections which disrupt training programmes; and helping to restore circadian rhythm which improves sleep recovery and reduces daytime fatigue, which in turn elevates mood and motivation to train.</p
Role-model, reoffer, reward: a thematic analysis and TDF mapping of influences on families’ use of evidence-based vegetable feeding practices
Get PDFChildren’s vegetable intake is low, despite benefits for immediate and long-term health. Repeatedly reoffering vegetables, role-modelling consumption, and offering non-food rewards effectively increase children’s vegetable acceptance and intake. However, a number of barriers prevent families from reoffering previously-rejected vegetables. This study used the Theoretical Domains Framework (TDF) and the COM-B model of behaviour to explore barriers and enablers to reoffering, role-modelling and offering non-food rewards among parents of 2-4-year-old children. Twenty-five semi-structured interviews were conducted, from which eleven core inductive themes were generated: ‘Child factors’, ‘Eating beliefs’, ‘Effectiveness beliefs’, ‘Past experience’, ‘Current family behaviours’, ‘Harms’, ‘Knowledge’, ‘Need for change’, ‘Parent effort’, ‘Parent values’ and ‘Practical issues’. The codes underpinning these themes were inductively mapped to 11 of the 14 TDF domains, and five of the six COM-B components. Previously-reported influences on families’ vegetable feeding practices were confirmed, including concerns about child rejection of foods/meals, cost of vegetables, and food waste. Novel findings included some parents’ perceptions that these practices are pressurising, and that certain beliefs/knowledge about children’s eating behaviour can provide a “protective mindset” that supports families’ perseverance with reoffering over time. Future interventions should be tailored to better reflect the diversity of needs and previous experiences of feeding that families have, with some families likely to find that troubleshooting and further signposting is appropriate for their needs while others might benefit from more persuasive and educational approaches. The mapping of codes to the TDF and COM-B will facilitate the identification of appropriate intervention functions and behaviour change techniques when designing new interventions to support families with increasing their children’s vegetable intake
Development, acceptability and feasibility of a community-based intervention to increase timely initiation of antenatal care in an area of high ethnic diversity and low socio-economic status in the UK
Get PDFBackground Antenatal care plays an important role in preventing adverse maternal and new-born outcomes. Women from ethnic minority backgrounds and of low socio-economic status are at greater risk of initiating antenatal care later than the recommended 10 weeks. There is a paucity of research exploring the development and evaluation of community-based interventions to increase the timely initiation of antenatal care. Objective To develop and evaluate the acceptability and feasibility of a co-produced community-based intervention to increase uptake of antenatal care in an area with high ethnic diversity and low socio-economic status. Design The intervention was developed using co-production workshops and conversations with 20 local service users and 14 stakeholders, underpinned by the theory of Diffusion of Innovation. The intervention was evaluated, on the domains of acceptability, adoption, appropriateness, and feasibility. Questionnaires (n=36), interviews (n=10), and focus groups (n=13) were conducted among those who received the intervention. Observations (n=13) of intervention sessions were conducted to assess intervention fidelity. Quantitative and qualitative data were analysed using SPSS and NVivo software respectively. Results Over 91% of respondents positively ranked the intervention. Qualitative findings with respect to ‘acceptability’ included four subthemes: how the intervention was communicated, the characteristics of the person delivering the intervention and their knowledge, and the reassurance offered by the intervention. The ‘adoption’ theme included three sub-themes: being informed helps women to engage with antenatal care, the intervention provides information for future use, and onwards conveyance of the intervention information. The ‘appropriateness’ theme included three sub-themes: existing gap in information, nature of information given as part of the intervention, and talking about pregnancy in public. The ‘feasibility’ theme included two sub-themes: value of delivering the intervention in areas of high footfall and relational aspect of receiving the intervention. Observations showed intervention fidelity of 100%. Conclusion The community-based intervention, coproduced with women and maternity care stakeholders, was positively evaluated, and offered an innovative and promising approach to engage and educate women about the timely initiation of antenatal care in an ethnically diverse and socio-economically deprived community
Sustaining resilience of healthcare workers and leaders during a pandemic: a protocol to support coping during the Covid-19 pandemic
Get PDFObjective: One way healthcare organisations can support their staff is through supervision. Supervision is typically defined as a process in which professionals receive support and guidance from more experienced colleagues. In this brief review we propose a tailored protocol for supporting support workers during a pandemic. Method: We collected narrative data from difference sources including a systematic meta ethnography and used expert advise in order to tailor the protocol. Results: This protocol can be used by management teams (e.g., senior support workers, team leaders, registered managers, and operation managers) without any prior experience of supervision. The protocol suggested includes a template with easy-to-follow instructions. Conclusions: It provides an easy step-by-step guide that simplifies the process whilst maintaining the depth needed to ensure effective supervision
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