Burden landscape of hepatobiliary and pancreatic cancers in Chinese young adults:30 years’overview and forecasted trends

BACKGROUND Hepatobiliary and pancreatic(HBP)cancers impose a considerable burden on young populations(aged 15 to 49 years),resulting in a substantial number of new cases and fatalities each year.In young populations,the HBP cancers shows extensive variance worldwide and the updated data in China is lacking.AIM To investigate the current status,trends,projections,and underlying risk factors of HBP cancers among young populations in China.METHODS The Global Burden of Disease Study 2019 provided data on the annual incidence,mortality,disability-adjusted life years(DALYs),age-standardized incidence rate(ASIR),mortality rate(ASMR),and DALYs rate(ASDR)of HBP cancers in young Chinese adults between 1990 and 2019.Temporal trends were assessed using estimated annual percentage change and hierarchical clustering.Sex-specific mortality and DALYs caused by various risks were analyzed across China and other regions,with future trends until 2035 projected using the Bayesian age-period-cohort model.RESULTS From 1990 to 2019,incident cases,deaths,DALYs,ASIR,ASMR,and ASDR for liver cancer(LC)in young Chinese individuals decreased,classified into'significant decrease'group.Conversely,cases of gallbladder and biliary tract cancer and pancreatic cancer rose,categorized as either'significant increase'or'minor increase'groups.The contribution of risk factors to mortality and DALYs for HBP tumors increased to varying degrees.Healthy lifestyle behaviors,such as tobacco control,weight management,alcohol moderation,and drug avoidance,could lower HBP cancers incidence.Moreover,except for LC in females,which is likely to initially decline slightly and then rise,the forecasting model predicted that the ASIR and ASMR for all HPB cancers subtypes by gender will increase among young adults.CONCLUSION HBP cancers burden among young adults in China is expected to increase until 2035,necessitating lifestyle interventions and targeted treatment strategies to mitigate the public health impact of these cancers.

Multimodal abnormalities of brain structures in adolescents and young adults with major depressive disorder:An activation likelihood estimation meta-analysis

BACKGROUND Major depressive disorder(MDD)in adolescents and young adults contributes significantly to global morbidity,with inconsistent findings on brain structural changes from structural magnetic resonance imaging studies.Activation likeli-hood estimation(ALE)offers a method to synthesize these diverse findings and identify consistent brain anomalies.METHODS We performed a comprehensive literature search in PubMed,Web of Science,Embase,and Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure databases for neuroi-maging studies on MDD among adolescents and young adults published up to November 19,2023.Two independent researchers performed the study selection,quality assessment,and data extraction.The ALE technique was employed to synthesize findings on localized brain function anomalies in MDD patients,which was supplemented by sensitivity analyses.RESULTS Twenty-two studies comprising fourteen diffusion tensor imaging(DTI)studies and eight voxel-based morphome-try(VBM)studies,and involving 451 MDD patients and 465 healthy controls(HCs)for DTI and 664 MDD patients and 946 HCs for VBM,were included.DTI-based ALE demonstrated significant reductions in fractional anisotropy(FA)values in the right caudate head,right insula,and right lentiform nucleus putamen in adolescents and young adults with MDD compared to HCs,with no regions exhibiting increased FA values.VBM-based ALE did not demonstrate significant alterations in gray matter volume.Sensitivity analyses highlighted consistent findings in the right caudate head(11 of 14 analyses),right insula(10 of 14 analyses),and right lentiform nucleus putamen(11 of 14 analyses).CONCLUSION Structural alterations in the right caudate head,right insula,and right lentiform nucleus putamen in young MDD patients may contribute to its recurrent nature,offering insights for targeted therapies.

Stress Relief Measurements in Young Adults and Adolescents—A Comparative Pilot Study with Different Relaxation Programs

Background: Chronic stress is a emotional challenge. Constant pressure presents a serious risk of damage to mental and physical health and hence is associated with increased incidence of various diseases. The ability to cope with chronic stress may be a function of psychological resilience including intellectual capacities, but more so of external factors such as life experience and education. Adolescents are more vulnerable to chronic stress than adults. The measures introduced during the COVID-19 pandemic brought up major societal problems. As both children and adolescents lost their life anchors, the prevalence of stress in adolescents increased from 20% to 45%. Chronic psychological stress can impede the normal development of schoolchildren. It may cause anxiety, social withdrawal, interpersonal conflicts and aggression. This applies particularly to those in puberty, with the adolescent already facing unstable social bonds and elevated fear about the future. It is likely that the puberty cohort accounts for the dramatic increase in the prevalence of stress. Since it impacts public health, chronic stress among school-age children is increasingly taking on a socio-political dimension. Non-clinical stress intervention studies can investigate how to achieve stress reduction in school children. Methods: In a small pilot study, we analysed the effects of a training program with four different standard interventions, i.e. mindfulness training, progressive muscle reflection, autogenic training, and sound meditation. We obtained baseline scores of 10 stress-indicators, and re-tested after the interventions were performed. Results: The four applied interventions resulted in a reduction of 8 (out of 10) stress-indicators, such as “feeling stressed” or stress related symptoms (headaches, dizziness, sweating). This positive impact of the interventions significantly reduced “Fears about the future” (p Discussion: School children recognise the positive potential of stress reducing training or interventions. Our results provide evidence in support of integrating the training of relaxation techniques in the school curriculum. We propose that a larger study be undertaken to determine which methods would be most effective.

Determinants of Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices among Young Adults Type 2 Diabetes Patients in Selected Tertiary Hospitals in Shandong Province, China

Objective: The purpose of this study is to understand the current situation of knowledge, attitude, and practice of self-management in young patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and to explore the relationship between general conditions (personal, social, and environment, clinical factors) and their knowledge, attitude, and practices (KAP) of diabetes self-management, This aims to provide patients with high-quality nursing care management and services, as well as to provide relevant recommendations for effective self-management. Methods: This study is a descriptive correlational study that used the purposive sampling method to investigate 359 patients with T2DM aged 18-25 years in four designated tertiary hospitals in Shandong Province. Results: Knowledge of self-management was correlated with sex, age, education level, occupation and work situation, monthly household income, medical payment method, family and friend support, frequency of diabetes health education, and diabetes complications. The attitude subscale was correlated with sex, age, education level, work situation, and family and friend support. The practice subscale was associated with age, education level, work situation, family and friend support, frequency of diabetes health education, and HbA1c values. Conclusion: Young adults aged 18-25 with T2DM have positive attitudes towards diabetes self-management, but there are still deficiencies in knowledge acquisition and behavioral practice. The KAP of self-management of diabetes is influenced by personal factors such as sex, age, and education level, and socio-environmental factors such as family income and family or friends’ social support. Additionally, clinical factors such as complications and HbA1c values significantly impacted the patient’s disease self-management ability.

Validity and Reliability of a Mental Health Recovery Checklist for Young Adults

The purpose of the present study is to evaluate the internal consistency and construct validity of a self-report checklist measuring clinical mental health recovery across six key domains:family and relationships,occupation and school,physical health,mental health,spirituality,and social support systems.The Mental Health Recovery Checklist(MHRC)was developed at The Dorm,an intensive outpatient mental health treatment program for young adults in New York,NY,and Washington DC that services individuals between the ages of 18 and 35 years old.The present study is cross-sectional,as data were pulled from clients’records who were discharged between January 2018 and May 2023.Pearson Correlations and Cronbach’s alpha were used to determine scale reliability.To establish validity,an Exploratory Factor Analysis(EFA)was conducted to assess a single-factor model using Principal Axis Factoring.Cronbach’s alpha was high(α=0.88),indicating good reliability.In the EFA,all items loaded strongly on a single factor.The unidimensional structure revealed in the EFA highlights the interconnected nature of various life domains as they pertain to mental health recovery in young adults.Future research is warranted to explore whether there are additional dimensions of mental health recovery that have not been assessed in the present scale.

Awareness and perceived barriers in practicing healthy living to prevent hypertension among young adults in Malaysia

Objective:To investigate the knowledge,attitude,and practice levels and perceived barriers towards healthy living to prevent hypertension among young adults in Malaysia.Methods:Adults aged 18-25 years reside in Malaysia were recruited via convenience sampling.Sociodemographic characteristics,medical knowledge on hypertension(K1),knowledge(K),attitude(A),practice(P)and perceived barriers in practising healthy living to prevent hypertension were assessed.Average scores were categorised into good(80%-100%),upper-moderate(70%-79%),lower-moderate(60%-69%)and poor(<60%).Multivariate analysis was performed to test the difference and relationship of variables.Pearson correlation test was used to test the association of two continuous variables.Results:A total of 1218 respondents participated in this survey.The mean score of K1 was 54.1%,while the knowledge,attitude,and practice towards healthy living were 82.7%,78.2%and 68.5%respectively.The prevalence of high salt intake,high fat intakes,low fibre intake,sedentary lifestyle and lack of annual health screening was 83.2%,81.4%,70.3%,and 73.2%,respectively.Abnormal BMI was associated with low P scores,while lower socio-economic status,unawareness of self-blood pressure reading and those without family history of hypertension were associated with lower scores in K1,K,A,and P.K1,K,A and P are significantly inter-related.The main perceived barriers included self-proclaimed good fit status,frequent consumption of out-of-home food,and addiction to high salt/fat food.Conclusions:The national strategies for health management should be prioritized in reducing salt and fat,promoting annual health screening,physical activities and fibre intake in this age group.

Digestive cancer incidence and mortality among young adults worldwide in 2020:A population-based study

BACKGROUND Digestive cancer has traditionally been thought of as a disease that mainly occurs in elderly individuals,and it has been ignored in young adults by both patients and physicians.AIM To describe the worldwide profile of digestive cancer incidence,mortality and corresponding trends among 20–39-year-olds,with major patterns highlighted by age,sex,development level,and geographical region.METHODS I performed a population-based study to quantify the burden of young adult digestive cancers worldwide.Global,regional,sex,and country-specific data estimates of the number of new cancer cases and cancer-associated deaths that occurred in 2020 were extracted from the GLOBOCAN Cancer Today database.To assess long-term trends in young adult digestive cancer,cancer incidence data and mortality data were obtained from the Cancer in Five Continents Plus database and the World Health Organization mortality database,respectively.The associations between the human development index(HDI)and digestive cancer burden in young adults were evaluated by linear regression analyses.RESULTS In 2020,there were an estimated 19292789 new cancer cases,resulting in 9958133 deaths worldwide,which equated to an age-standardized incidence rate(ASIR)of 5.16 and age-standardized mortality rate(ASMR)of 3.04,accounting for 12.24%of all new cancer cases and 25.26%of all cancer deaths occurring in young adults.The burden was disproportionally greater among males,with male:female ratios of 1.34 for incidence and 1.58 for mortality.The ASIRs were 2.1,1.4,and 1.0 per 100000 people per year,whereas the ASMRs were 0.83,1.1,and 0.62 per 100000 people per year for colorectal,liver,and gastric cancer,respectively.When assessed by geographical region and HDI levels,the cancer profile varied substantially,and a strong positive correlation between the mortality-to-incidence ratio of digestive cancer and HDI ranking was found(R^(2)=0.7388,P<0.001).CONCLUSION The most common digestive cancer types are colorectal,liver and gastric cancer.The global digestive cancer burden among young adults is greater among males and exhibits a positive association with socioeconomic status.The digestive cancer burden is heavy in young adults,reinforcing the need for primary and secondary prevention strategies.

Physical exercise,Sedentary Behaviour,Sleep and Depression Symptoms in Chinese Young Adults During the COVID-19 Pandemic:A Compositional Isotemporal Analysis

Numerous studies links movement activity(e.g.,physical activity,sedentary behavior[SB],and sleep)with mental health or illness indicators during the COVID-19 pandemic;however,research has typically examined time-use behaviors independently,rather than considering daily activity as a 24-hour time-use composition.This cross-sec-tional study aimed to use compositional isotemporal analysis to estimate the association between reallocation of time-use behaviors and depression symptoms in young adults in China.Participants(n=1475;68.0%of female;20.7[1.60]years)reported their time spent in moderate to vigorous physical activity(MVPA),light physical activ-ity(LPA),SB,and sleep.Replacing SB with sleep,LPA,and MVPA at 5,10,or 15 min was significantly associated with lower estimated depression symptoms scores.For example,adding MVPA from SB at 15 min was associated with lower depression symptoms scores(estimated difference:-0.13[-0.17,-0.09]).The associations between reallocation of time use behaviors with depression symptoms scores were slightly differentiated.Our results emphasize the importance of increased MVPA and decreased SB as well as their mutual replacements for lowering the risks of depression symptoms in young adults during the COVID-19 pandemic.Our results can inform policy to develop effective plans and strategies for mental health promotion.

Inhibited and impulsive subgroups of socially anxious young adults: Their depressive symptoms and life satisfaction

Purpose: Socially anxious people are typically thought of as being behaviorally inhibited;however, an atypical subgroup, which is impulsive rather than inhibited, has recently been identified [1]. Theoretically, inhibition and impulsivity could be viewed as different strategies for coping with anxiety that have the same goal—escape from negative emotions—but they seem to have different implications. Previous studies have found that the socially anxious-impulsive subgroup was higher on risk-prone behavior, as for example drug use, compared with a socially anxious-inhibited subgroup [1]. In this study, we aimed to identify these subgroups in a general population, and asked whether they also experience various levels of depressive symptoms and life satisfaction, as well as moderating effects of gender. Methods: Cluster analysis was used to identify subgroups of young adults (20 - 24 years old;N = 772) characterized by different profiles of social anxiety and impulsivity. These subgroups were compared on levels of internal adjustment, and the moderating effects of gender were also tested. Results: We identified five clusters, including an Anxious-Inhibited and an Anxious-Impulsive cluster. In the interaction between gender and cluster membership, gender showed evidence of moderation regarding both depressive symptoms and life satisfaction, with the young women in the Anxious-Inhibited and the Anxious-Impulsive clusters faring worst. Conclusions: We replicated previous findings demonstrating the existence of a socially anxious-impulsive subgroup, thus solidifying current knowledge that may be important when it comes to diagnostics and treatment. This may prove particularly important for young women regarding internalizing symptoms.

Healthcare needs and access in a sample of Chinese young adults in Vancouver, British Columbia: A qualitative analysis

Objectives: Immigrants of Chinese ethnicity and young people (between 18 and 30 years of age) are known to access health services less frequently and may be at greater risk for experiencing unmet health needs. The purpose of this study was to examine the health beliefs, health behaviors, primary care access, and perceived unmet healthcare needs of Chinese young adults.Methods: Semi-structured in-depth interviews were carried out with eight Chinese young adults in Vancouver, Canada. Results: A content analysis revealed that these Chinese young adults experienced unmet healthcare needs, did not have a primary care provider, and did not access preventive services. Cultural factors such as strong family ties, filial piety, and the practice of Traditional Chinese Medicine influenced their health behaviors and healthcare access patterns. Conclusion: Chinese young adults share similar issues with other young adults in relation to not having a primary care provider and accessing preventive care but their health beliefs and practices make their needs for care unique from other young adults.

Video-Based Interventions for Adolescents and Young Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder:A Systematic

Many individuals with autism spectrum disorder(ASD)experience delays in the development of social and communications skills,which can limit their opportunities in higher education and employment resulting in an overall negative impact to their quality of life.This systematic review identifies 15 studies that explored the effectiveness of Video-Based Interventions(VBIs)for those with ASD during the critical years of adolescence and young adulthood.The 15 studies described herein found this to be an effective intervention for this population for the improvement of their vocational,daily living,and academic skills.In addition,VBIs allow for the maintenance and generalization of the different target behaviors that were examined.The majority of the studies located by this review also investigated the social validity of the intervention method with participants and caregivers and found these VBIs to have high social validity.Although a few studies that implemented VBIs to improve academic skills were located,the research on their use in this area was found to be lacking,indicating a gap in the research on VBIs.Increased usage of VBIs—including video modeling and video prompting—with the target population of those aged 15–28 with ASD is recommended with specific attention given to the use of VBIs to improve the academic and social skills of adolescents and young adults with ASD.

Effects of long COVID-19 among young adults in Turkey:A cross-sectional study

Objective:To investigate the cognitive state,psychological problems such as depression and anxiety,and pain in the musculoskeletal system among young adults with post-COVID-19(long COVID)syndrome.Methods:This descriptive study included 361 students studying at the Vocational School of Health Services of Bingöl University in Turkey.Data were collected using the Socio-Demographic Information form,the Beck’s Depression Inventory,the Cognitive Appraisal Scale,and the Visual Analogue Scale for pain.Results:Compared to those without COVID-19,the mean depression score,cognitive appraisal score,and mean Visual Analogue Scale score of the young adults with COVID-19 were significantly higher.There was no significant difference in pain assessment at rest between those with COVID-19 and those without COVID-19.Conclusions:Young adults with COVID-19 are more depressed,their cognitive functions are more easily negatively affected,and experience more pain during exercise.

Attitudes of Family Planning Workers toward Setting Up Special Counseling Stations for Unmarried Young Adults

ve To understand attitudes of family planning workers to setting up special counseling stations for unmarried young adults and to identify the acceptable and feasible ways to provide the services for unmarried young adults in eight provinces/cities in China

Water Consumption Pattern among Young Adults in a Higher Institution in Mubi Adamawa State

Considering the injurious effects of hypohydration, a study on the water consumption pattern of young adult in a specified higher institution in Adamawa State was sought due to concerns on the low plain water consumption with the objectives of understanding the average daily consumption, as well as knowing contributors to total body fluid intake. A qualitative cross sectional sweep survey (CSSS) using simple random sampling (SRS) method was carried out, a pilot sturdy which achieved a cronback alpha of >0.7 reliability questionnaire was used to carry, while Conchrans formula was adopted to determine sample size N, which was 400. The result showed that majority of the respondents 176(44) were 21 years of age in their early adulthood, many, 187(46.75) used borehole water as their source of household water. Most of the respondents 272(69) agreed to drinking rain water. Some respondents 200(50) choose pure satchet water as their major source of drinking water, about half 200(50) of the respondents drink 1.5 L or less of water daily, while only 13(3.25) of the respondents drink 5 - 6 L/day of water, on the average. Most of the respondents 174(43.3) take orange as their most commonly consumed fruit, taking a maximum of 4 oranges per day, 160(40) of the respondents eat apple as their most commonly consumed fruit, with a maximum of one apple a day both apples and oranges give 87% fluid of their total weight. Some respondents 40(10) attested to being diabetic, with 13(3.26) of them agreeing to consuming alcohol, 377(94.25) confirmed they drink at least a bottle of carbonated drink daily. The study reveals that most young adults (21 - 25 years of age) in the sturdy area drink below the recommended daily requirement for water therefore, intervention as well as public enlightenment is required to encourage good water consumption pattern among young adults.

Risk Factors for Prevention Stroke (IS or TIA) Due to Cerebral Infarction in Young Adults: A Meta-Analytical Study

Ischemic strokes (IS), also referred to as cerebral ischemia or brain ischemia, is a significant cause to the brain cells damage or death. Approximately, 10% - 14% of ischemic strokes cases occurred in young adults. Hence, we conducted a meta-analysis to find the effective interventions to prevent the best strokes caused by cerebral infarction in young adults. The search was done in different databases, including Google scholar, PubMed, Embase, Medline, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Cochrane Database, Scopus, and Web of Science from January 2016 to April 2020, and only English published articles were considered. Our analysis included studies that stratified the risk of ischemic stroke by CHA2DS2-VASc score for patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation. Further, random effects model was used to estimate the summary annual rate of IS. Pooled relative risks and odds ratios, with their 95% confidence intervals, were calculated, respectively. The analysis was conducted using STATA (version 12), pooled effect sizes were calculated using the random-effects model and heterogeneity was tested for using the I2 statistic. The analysis included 13 studies. The analysis shows that diabetes, high blood pressure, ischemic heart disease, atrial fibrillation, hypercholesterolemia, alcohol consumption and smoking are significant risk factors. In Caucasian and Chinese ischemic stroke patients, the risk factor associations associated with ischemic stroke subtypes are similar. Compared to all other ischemia subtypes, diabetes is more familiar with aortic stroke, atrial fibrillation, ischemic heart disease (with obstruction), hypertension and diabetes. Our research shows that atrial fibrillation, ischemic heart disease, and hypercholesterolemia are low in patients with ischemic stroke and the risk factors are higher. Further analysis of each patient’s data is required to enable confounders’ adjustments to confirm and expand these findings.

Side Effects of Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine among Libyan Young Adults: Observational Study

Purpose: Since the mRNA technology used to manufacture Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine is new, it is still difficult to predict its consequences. However, many young people, especially in developing countries, think that they are less susceptible to severe infection with the Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), Therefore, they do not prefer to take the COVID-19 vaccines. Accordingly, studies in this aspect are necessary to increase people’s awareness of the acceptance of vaccination, especially for the youth. Patients and Methods: This study was conducted on healthy young adults of both sexes. Participants (n = 81) were received two doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine. A paper questionnaire was prepared, the survey asks about the side effects related to receiving the Vaccine. All participants completed the questionnaire twice, once after the first dose and again after the second dose. Data were collected and statistically analyzed. Results: The most common side effects were Muscle pain, Tiredness, Headache, and Fever. Less common side effects were Chills, Fainted, Breathlessness, and Coughing. Rare side effects include nausea and vomiting, Diarrhea, Anaphylactic Reaction, and Swollen Lymph Nodes. Side effects that are strongly associated with females are Headache, and Joint pain, for males, Anaphylactic reaction. The study revealed a significant difference between the number of females (96.5%) and males (85%) who suffered from the side effects of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine (P = 0.033). Conclusion: Most of the side effects reported in our study were consistent with Pfizer’s fact sheet for recipients and caregivers. Through our follow-up to the participants in the study, we noticed that the reported side effects were not too bad, and they were able to carry out their daily activities, so we recommend taking the vaccine, especially for young people.

Risk Factors and Relation Between Clinical,Biochemical Marker and Stenosis Extent of Coronary Artery in Young Adults With Acute Myocardial Infarction

Objectives To analyze risk factors and the relation between clinical, biochemical marker and the stenosis extent of coronary artery in patients below the age of 45 years with acute myocardial infarction （AMI）. Methods A retrospective investigation was performed on 92 patients below the age of 45 with AMI at the First Affiliated Hospital of Medical School of Xi′an Jiaotong University in 2003-2007. The etiology, morbidity, risk factors, clinical features and results of coronary angiography were studied. Various clinical and biochemical markers were assessed to find out what were associated with the stenosis extent of coronary artery. Meanwhile, the differences between one-vessel disease （group A） and two-vessel or multi-vessel disease （group B） patients with AMI were comparatively analyzed. Results Risk factors analysis revealed that a history of cigarette smoking, metabolic disorders and abusive drinking were mainly found in young AMI patients below the age of 45 years, and metabolic disorder mainly consists of decreased high-density lipoprotein cholesterol （HDL-C） and hypertriglyceridemia. AMI in patients below the age of 45 years account for 10.3% of all AMI. Angiographically, the incidence of one-vessel affected was most frequent in the young adults （73.75 %）. The most committed vessel was LAD （80.00 %）. A higher incidence with history of hypertension and diabetes or impaired glucose tolerance was found in group B, but a history of preceding angina 1 month earlier was more frequently found in group A. Improved Genisi scores of coronary angiography was lower in group A than in group B（7.49±3.63 vs 15.08±6.08）. Correlation analysis showed that log（LDL-C/HDL-C）（r= 0.238, P= 0.037）, TC/HDL-C （r= 0.232, P= 0.046） were directly correlated with angiographic scores, and HDL-C（r= -0.202, P= 0.042）was inversely correlated. Multielement gradual linear regression analysis showed log（LDL-C/HDL-C）, TC/HDL-C were associated with the extent of stenosis of coronary artery. Furthermore, the correlation was linear dependence. Conclusions A history of cigarette smoking, metabolic disorders and abusive drinking are mainly found in young patients with AMI under the age of 45 years. Bad life style is the main motivator. The main cause is atherosclerosis（95%）. A higher incidence of history of hypertension and diabetes or impaired glucose tolerance is associated with multi-vessel affected,log（LDL-C/HDL-C）, TC/HDL-C are linear dependent on the extent of stenosis of coronary artery. Thus changing of bad life style （stop smoking et al）, improving of lipoprotein profile are more important for the prevention and treatment of AMI in young adults.

Collaborating with Young Adults Diagnosed with Schizophrenia:A Participatory Design Study to Shape the Healthcare System

Introduction: Disengagement from mental health services in young adults with schizophrenia has been associated with dissatisfaction and unmet needs. Striving to improve engagement, we invited service users recently diagnosed with schizophrenia to be co-designers of a smartphone technology that will be responsive to their needs. Aim: This paper reports the first phase of a three-phased participatory design process. The objective was to identify needs of support in young adults recently diagnosed with schizophrenia and to generate ideas of how the needs could be accommodated using smartphone technology. Methods: Participatory design guided the research process and a qualitative approach was used to generate and analyse the data. Data were generated by means of participant observations (n = 45 hours) and interviews (n = 6) with young adults from a first episode psychosis program in Denmark. Findings: Low levels of knowledge and high levels of uncertainties are characteristic of young adults recently diagnosed with schizophrenia, bringing about a vast need of support in order for them to gain power over their new life situation. Our study suggests that the smartphone may be used to foster empowerment by guiding the young adult’s actions in situ, providing comprehensive and easily understood information on the go, allowing for recovery tracking, and notification of mental health changes, providing medication overview and giving easy access to healthcare providers. Conclusion: Young adults recently diagnosed with schizophrenia require comprehensive support in order to become empowered to confidently manage their new life situation. The smartphone holds this potential by offering flexible collaboration and timely access to self-management

Breastfeeding Knowledge, Attitude and Intention among Female Young Adults in Ibadan, Nigeria

Background: The decision to breastfeed is largely dependent on mothers’ breastfeeding knowledge and attitude which are usually formed in their adolescence and early adulthood. It is important to focus research on female young adult who are at the verge of stepping into motherhood. Methods: The breastfeeding knowledge, attitude and intention of 457 female young adults in Ibadan, Nigeria were assessed through validated breastfeeding knowledge, attitude and intention scales. Results: Majority (87.5%) of the respondents had never given birth and 74.6% had previously participated in breastfeeding discussions. About half (52.1%) knew breastfeeding should be initiated within one hour of birth while 49.9% reported that pre-lacteal feed should not be given to newborn babies. Correct definition of exclusive breastfeeding was given by two-third of the respondents and three-quarter specified that breastfeeding was beneficial to both mother and child. Overall 43.1% of the respondents had good breastfeeding knowledge. About 80% of the respondents agreed that breastfeeding should be initiated within one hour after delivery, 37.8% were of the opinion that breast milk only was not sufficient for infants in the first 6 months of life while about half of the respondents agreed that water should be introduced to babies before 6 months. In all, 53.8% had positive attitude towards breastfeeding. Only a third of the respondents had good breastfeeding intention although 90.6% claimed that they intended to breastfeed. Only 35.9% indicated to have known all it took to breastfeed and 54% intended to introduce breastmilk within 1 hour of birth while 60% had the intention of breastfeeding exclusively. There was significant association between breastfeeding knowledge and attitude as well as breastfeeding knowledge and intention. Conclusion: Female young adult demonstrated relatively fair breastfeeding knowledge and attitude but poor intention to breastfeed. Intervention to improve breastfeeding knowledge, attitude and intention of this population is recommended.

Young adults’perceptions of breastfeeding in public:a focus group study

Objective:To elucidate the perceptions of young Chinese adults aged 18–25 toward adopting breastfeeding in public in Hong Kong Special Administrative Region(Hong Kong),China.Methods:A descriptive and exploratory study design was adopted.Participants were recruited by convenience sampling.Focus group data were collected from three semi-structured interviews.Responses from 18 participants were audiotaped,transcribed verbatim,coded,and analyzed using content analysis.Results:Four themes emerged that described the young adults’perceptions and barriers toward breastfeeding practices:(1)adaptability of self and others,(2)cultural deem and practice,(3)convenience and connection,and(4)education and advocacy.Interestingly,all respondents(male and female)are aware of the benefits of breastfeeding.Their negative perceptions toward breastfeeding initiation and continuation originate from factors that are essentially extraneous to the mother-infant dyads(such as the breadth and intensity of sociopolitical support,the dominant social beliefs and norms,and the inadequacy of breastfeeding education in adolescent years).Conclusions:In general,the young adult’s perception of breastfeeding is dominated by sociopolitical and cultural-related factors.In particular,sexualization of breasts as a deep-rooted belief in the Chinese context negatively affects young adults’perceptions and limits their breastfeeding practices.