Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on health-promoting lifestyle behaviors:A cross-sectional study

Objective:To explore health-improving behaviors during COVID-19 pandemic and to reveal the impact of the risk perception of COVID-19 on these behaviors.Methods:We recruited a total of 510 participants for this cross-sectional study.The data were collected online using a questionnaire booklet covering a form inquiring about the participants’demographic,physical,and mental characteristics,the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 Scale,and the COVID-19 Perceived Risk Scale.Results:The mean age of the participants was(28.7±10.1)years,and 76.1%were females.Of the participants,31.8%were overweight and obese.While 35.1%experienced negative alterations in their dietary patterns,23.9%reported positive changes to their diet during the pandemic.Besides,47.8%reported their sleep to be negatively affected during the pandemic.While the rate of those with extended screen time was 72.5%,it was 44.3%for the participants engaging in regular exercise.More than one-third of the participants(35.9%)had high and severe anxiety.We also found increased risk perception of COVID-19 among females,obese,those with disturbed eating and sleep quality,healthcare workers,and those with severe anxiety.Conclusions:Overall,the pandemic has appeared to have brought both positive and negative impacts on maintaining and improving eating,sleep,physical activity,and mental health.

Shaping global health promotion:a comprehensive analysis of the 10 Global Conferences on Health Promotion Conferences(1986-2021)

Objective This study analyzed how the 10 Global Conferences on Health Promotion have played a significant role in shaping and promoting a worldwide consensus and actions on health promotion,effectively addressing diverse health challenges that evolved over different periods.Methods The textual analysis method was used in this study and text encoding was conducted to systematically examine the declarations and reports presented by the 10 Global Conferences on Health Promotion held during 1986-2021.We summarized the themes and key achievements,and key vocabulary in the conference declarations was extracted and analyzed to construct the global health promotion consensus and actions.Results The fundamental principles of the conferences are to foster consensus and initiate actions in the realm of health promotion on a global scale.The primary purpose and goal are to promote health from regional to global.Significantly,our findings highlight a transition in the primary actors driving health promotion.It underscores a shift in health promotion from being driven primarily by organizations like the World Health Organization,governments,and international bodies,to a more inclusive approach involving non-governmental organizations and the general public.This development implies that health promotion has evolved into a collective global endeavor,demanding the proactive involvement of various stakeholders,and forging new alliances in public health.Meanwhile,the coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19)pandemic has further shaped the landscape of health promotion,underscoring the need for intensified focus on areas including disease prevention,health education,and the integration of digital health technologies,and emphasizing the importance of a multidimensional,responsive approach in public health initiatives.Conclusions Sustained collaboration and innovative strategies are pivotal to advancing health promotion globally.Countries,together with public and private entities,should intensify cooperation.Multisectoral collaboration among partners such as healthcare,education,social security,and the industry is vital for health promotion and achieving global health goals.

Predictors of health-promoting behaviour among older adults with hypertension in Indonesia

Objectives:This study aimed to determine the predictors of health-promoting behaviour among older adults with hypertension in Bengkulu City,Bengkulu,Indonesia.Methods:A cross-sectional study was conducted in 333 older adults with hypertension,who were selected using multistage sampling method.Data were obtained by face-to-face interview with structured questionnaires.The questionnaires used in this study included the Health-Promoting Lifestyle Profile II(HPLP II),Hypertension Knowledge-Level Scale(HK-LS),Self-Rated Abilities for Health Practices Scale(SRAHP),Barriers to Health-promoting Behaviour Scales(BAS),Benefits to Health-Promoting Behaviour Scales(BES),Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support(MSPSS)and Situational Influences Questionnaire(SIQ).Data were analysed by using multiple linear regressions.Results:The mean and standard deviation(Mean±SD)of each questionnaire were as follows:HPLP II,2.55±0.19;HK-LS,11.83±3.00;SRAHP,2.00±5.87;BAS,27.89±2.70;BES,34.29±2.29;MSPSS,60.35±8.12;and SIQ,47.71±6.66.According to the multiple linear regression model,36.9% of the variation in health-promoting behaviour among older adults with hypertension can be explained by six variables,namely,education,knowledge,self-efficacy,perceived barriers,social support and situational influences(adjusted R^(2)=0.369).Conclusions:High and good-quality education will increase the level of health-promoting behaviour,whereas barriers,such as expense and time requirement,can decrease it.Situational influences and support from family and friends can also influence the older adult's attempts to change their health behaviour.Increased self-efficacy will clearly result in improved health-promoting behaviour of older adults with hypertension.

A critical review on phytochemical profile and health promoting effects of mung bean (Vigna radiata)

The seeds and sprouts of mung bean are very common cruise in Asia.Evidence showed that bioactive compounds in mung bean have emerged as an increasing scientific interest due to their role in the prevention of degenerative diseases.All data of in vitro,in vivo and clinical studies of mung bean and its impact on human health were collected from a library database and electronic search.Botanical,phytochemical and pharmacological information was gathered and orchestrated.Remarkable studies have been demonstrated,showing the enhancement of metabolites in mung bean during the sprouting process,which possesses various health benefiting bioactive compounds.These compounds have been frequently attributed to their antioxidant,anti-diabetic,antimicrobial,anti-hyperlipidemic and antihypertensive effect,anti-inflammatory,and anticancer,anti-tumor and anti-mutagenic properties.In this critical review,we aimed to study the insight of the nutritional compositions,phytochemistry,and healthpromoting effects of mung bean and its sprouts.The various curative potential of mung bean provides successive preclinical outcomes in the field of drug discovery and this review strongly recommends that mung bean is an excellent nutritive legume,which modulates or prevents chronic degenerative diseases.

Fight fire with fire?Promoting physical activity and health through active video games

Physical inactivity has been identified as one of the leading causes of many chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease,type 2 diabetes,and obesity.Technology such as video games plays a complicated role in physical inactivity—much like a double-edged sword.Traditionally,video games have contributed to the epidemic of physical inactivity and have

Investigation and Countermeasures on the Health-Promoting Lifestyle of the Disabled Elderly in a Rural Area

Objective： To investigate the level of health-promoting lifestyle in the disabled elderly in a rural area and to provide useful countermeasures for health care workers and the government to improve the elderly＇ s lifestyle behaviors. Methods： A total of 446 disabled elderly people were recruited and examined using the General Questionnaire and Health-Promoting Lifestyle Profile II. Results： The mean score of the health-promoting lifestyle was 109.73（ SD = 16.80）, in which 90.6 percent of the disabled elderly demonstrated unhealthy lifestyle behaviors. The average score for each of the subscales includedthe following： interpersonal relations, stress management, nutrition, self-actualization, health responsibility, and sports activity. Conclusions： The health-promoting lifestyle of the disabled elderly needs to be improved; health care workers and the government should pay more attention to the countermeasures that can improve the lifestyle behaviors and promote the health of the disabled elderly.

The Evidenced Effects of Early Childhood Interventions to Promote Mental Health and Parenting in the Nordic Countries: A Systematic Review

Thefirst years of life and the family context are key to the promotion and protection of children’s health and well-being,emphasizing the need for interventions aimed to support families with young children.This review aimed to explore the effectiveness of early childhood interventions developed for promoting mental health and parenting among families with young children in the Nordic countries.Six electronic databases were systematically searched,and 20 articles covering 16 studies applying various quantitative and qualitative methods met the study inclusion criteria.The studied interventions were assessed as universal health-promoting interventions and health-promoting interventions with elements of prevention.Outcomes of interest encompassed mental health,related risk and protective factors among the parents and/or the children,or child-parent interaction.The results from studies applying statistical methods show significant improvements in parents’self-efficacy,self-esteem,and parental satisfaction,while few improvements in parents’social support or parental relationship were identified.Improvements in social support and parental relationships were however reported in qualitative studies.Most quantitative studies reporting on parents’mental health problems and stress found a significant decrease,and qualitative studies highlighted experienced positive effects on mental health and well-being.The majority of stu-dies reporting on children’s mental health and/or development as well as strengths and difficulties indicated a statistically significant positive development.No significant changes were however found for existing behavioral problems.The majority of studies examining parenting strategies and/or parent-child interaction found signifi-cant positive changes after the interventions.In sum,althoughfindings are heterogeneous,early childhood inter-ventions show various positive effects on the parenting and mental health of both children and their parents.The fact that different types of initiatives have been developed and implemented can be seen as an advantage,con-sidering the varying needs and expectations of different families.

Implementation Research on the Effects and Results of a National Health Promotion Project

The purpose of this study was to describe the implementation of the Finnish government’s 2017-2018 key project titled “Effective lifestyle counselling for social and health care cross-functionally” (VESOTE) in primary health care organizations in Southwest Finland. The study also aimed to illustrate the project’s impacts on nursing practices in primary health care organizations in terms of lifestyle counselling. Data were collected from all of the primary health care organizations in Southwest Finland by using a questionnaire. The data were analyzed qualitatively and by using descriptive statistics. The participants considered the VESOTE project important in terms of its contents. However, only individual measures of the project were adopted into practice. Organizations require tools to monitor the implementation of a new operating model. This should be taken into account when launching national projects.

Bowel preparation experiences and needs before follow-up colonoscopy in older adult postoperative colorectal cancer patients: A qualitative study

BACKGROUND The bowel preparation process prior to colonoscopy determines the quality of the bowel preparation,which in turn affects the quality of the colonoscopy.Colono-scopy is an essential procedure for postoperative follow-up monitoring of colorec-tal cancer(CRC)patients.Previous studies have shown that advanced age and a history of colorectal resection are both risk factors for inadequate bowel prepara-tion.However,little attention has been paid to the bowel preparation experiences and needs of predominantly older adult postoperative CRC patients.AIM To explore the experiences and needs of older adult postoperative CRC patients during bowel preparation for follow-up colonoscopy.METHODS Fifteen older adult postoperative CRC patients who underwent follow-up colonoscopy at a tertiary hospital in Shanghai were selected using purposive sampling from August 2023 to November 2023.The phenomenological method in qualitative research was employed to construct an interview outline and conduct semi-structured interviews with the patients.Colaizzi's seven-step analysis was utilized to organize,code,categorize,summarize,and verify the interview data.RESULTS The results of this study were summarized into four themes and eight sub-themes:(1)Inadequate knowledge about bowel preparation;(2)Decreased physiological comfort during bowel preparation(gastrointestinal discomfort and sleep deprivation caused by bowel cleansing agents,and hunger caused by dietary restrictions);(3)Psychological changes during different stages of bowel preparation(pre-preparation:Fear and resistance due to previous experiences;during preparation:Irritation and helplessness caused by taking bowel cleansing agents,and post-preparation:Anxiety and worry while waiting for the colonoscopy);and(4)Needs related to bowel preparation(detailed instructions from healthcare professionals;more ideal bowel cleansing agents;and shortened waiting times for colonoscopy).CONCLUSION Older adult postoperative CRC patients'knowledge of bowel preparation is not adequate,and they may encounter numerous difficulties and challenges during the process.Healthcare professionals should place great emphasis on providing instruction for their bowel preparation.

The Association between Fear of COVID-19,Obsession with COVID-19,and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder in Korean Emergency Rescue Firefighters:A Cross-Sectional Study

During the rapid spread of COVID-19,first responders are at risk of being exposed to COVID-19 due to their role in providing first aid and responding to an unspecified number of people.This uncertainty can have adverse mental health effects,such as increased anxiety and fear.This study aimed to investigate the degree of association between fear of COVID-19,obsession with COVID-19,and post-traumatic stress disorder(PTSD)in emergency rescue firefighters.The participants were 150 emergency rescue firefighters working in Region S,Korea.They filled out self-report questionnaires:The data obtained through the Fear of COVID-19 Scale,Obsession with COVID-19 Scale,and Impact of Event Scale-Revised Korean version were subjected to nonparametric statistical analysis using SPSS WIN 25.0.The study found a significant correlation between emergency rescue firefighters’fear of COVID-19,obsession with COVID-19,and PTSD.Fear and obsession with COVID-19 were higher among first responder firefighters who were directly involved in COVID-19-related tasks.Furthermore,a one-point increase in obsession was associated with a 2.837-point increase in PTSD.Based on the results,we found that there is a need for effective control of obsessions and fears among first responder firefighters during COVID-19,and we suggest that there is a need for mental health care for first responder firefighters during the pandemic through the development and support of programs to prevent and mitigate obsessions.

Awareness, Practice and Intention to Practice Testicular Self-Examination among Professional Working Males in Ghana

Background: The aetiology of Testicular Cancer (TC) is still unknown to researchers but many of the associated risk factors have been identified. These include family history, age, racial origin, cryptorchidism, urogenital malformations, testicular atrophy, and infertility. Given the lack of scientific data on the causes of the disease, it has been asserted in previous studies that the promotion of awareness and early detection are prerequisites to mitigating risks of metastasis as well as improving survival. This study is to assess the awareness, practice, and intention to practice testicular self-examination among professional working males in Accra. Methods: A quantitative cross-sectional design with a structured research instrument was used to collect data from respondants. The purposive and convenience sampling techniques were used to collect data from 300 men at Accra in Ghana. The study was conducted at two (2) Universities and a Senior High school at Accra in Ghana. The data was then analysed using descriptive statistics, logistic regression, multiple linear regression, and structural equation modeling. Results: From the study findings, 37% of male participants rated their knowledge of testicular self-examination and related symptoms as good, 28% of participants practised testicular self-examination monthly, while 65% of respondents expressed their intention to practice monthly testicular self-examination. The findings from logistic regression demonstrated that level of education, age, and marital status of participants had a significant influence on testicular self-examination. Additionally, the multiple linear regression results revealed knowledge and self-efficacy significantly predict testicular self-examination intention. The path coefficient results from the structural equation model are consistent with results from the regression models. Conclusion: This research is the first to investigate testicular self-examination among men in Ghana. The findings revealed awareness and practice of TSE are low among participants. Therefore, the research findings would improve the expertise of physicians and nurses in providing counsel, intervention, and support for patients at risk of testicular cancer.

Effectiveness Analysis on the Physical Activity and the Health Benefit of a Community Population Based Program

Objective To evaluate the community-based health promotion effect of physical activity. Methods The residents aged 28 and above from two communities in Gongshu District of Hangzhou City, Zhejiang province, were randomly selected and recruited for the multi-strategy and comprehensive physical activity intervention. Questionnaire survey, physical check up and blood biochemistry were conducted. Results After this two-year intervention, the time of the participant spent on weekly physical activity of moderate intensity increased from 464 min to 542 min （P〈0.05）, with an average increase of 78 min. Time spent in walking every week increased from 533 min to 678 min （P〈0.05）, with an average increase of 245 min. The body weight, waistline, blood pressure and heart rate all reduced significantly （P〈0.05）; the vital capacity increased significantly （P〈0.05）; and the related biochemical indicators were also improved. Conclusion Comprehensive and evidence-based physical activity interventions targeting community population can improve the levels of physical activity, related body measurement and biochemical indicators.

Smoking prevalence in the area of responsibility of the German Ministry of Defense——results of the employee survey in the context of occupational health management

Background:Tobacco use,correlated with reduced physical fitness,is one of the leading causes of avoidable death worldwide.It increases the risk of dementia and can shorten the lifespan by 10 years.For the German Armed Forces(Bundeswehr),figures on smoking behavior have not been comprehensively captured.This study analyzes current data in a large sample from this population.Methods:Based on an employee survey as part of the Occupational Health Management System,data on smoking behavior from 13,326 participants were analyzed in relation to age,gender,professional status,education level and membership in military operational units versus other agencies.Results:Smoking behavior varied significantly(P<0.001)by age group(younger>older),gender,professional status,military agency membership status,and education level(the lower the education level,the higher the smoking rates).With the exception of the downward trend in smoking behavior with increasing age among civilian employees,these results were all significant(P<0.005).Conclusions:This data analysis shows that smoking prevalence among personnel in the area of responsibility of the Federal Ministry of Defense is comparable to the current data from corresponding surveys of the German population.Depending on gender,they generally show values that are slightly above those of the German population.The well-known trend in the general population of decreasing smoking prevalence with increasing age is also seen in this analysis.However,there are considerable differences in the smoking prevalence among individual subgroups(professional status,agency,gender,education level).The data show that particular young soldiers in the armed forces should be the target group for further preventive measures.

Application of Mindsets to Health Education and Behavior Change Programs

Successful health promotion programs are characterized in part, by the willingness of audiences to engage, participate, and adopt healthier behaviors. But presentation of messages that reach and resonate with the intended audience remains challenging. This is due in part to the variety of mindsets—viewpoints, attitudes, and beliefs—within a population. These mindsets play an essential role in understanding and predicting behaviors and lifestyle factors associated with health or chronic diseases. The purpose of this study is to demonstrate how a specific survey-based method of mindset segmentation can distinguish predominant mindsets and then be used to create, adapt, and/or market health programs to appeal to these mindsets. Steps in survey construction, distribution, and analysis are described. Interpretation of the results, yielding three primary mindsets, is the critical outcome of this segmentation method. The applications of this interpretation to community health education programs are suggested. This approach has potential to inform, enhance, or customize programs, tailoring activities, methods, and messages to the preferences of the community.

Application of network meta-analysis in the field of physical activity and health promotion

Continued advancement in the field of physical activity and health promotion relies heavily on the synthesis of rigorous scientific evidence.As such,systematic reviews and meta-analyses of randomized controlled trials have led to a better understanding of which intervention strategies are superior(i.e.,produce the greatest effects)in physical activity-based health behavior change interventions.Indeed,standard meta-analytic approaches have allowed researchers in the field to synthesize relevant experimental evidence using pairwise procedures that produce reliable estimates of the homogeneity,magnitude,and potential biases in the observed effects.However,pairwise meta-analytic procedures are only capable to discerning differences in effects between a select intervention strategy and a select comparison or control condition.In order to maximize the impact of physical activity interventions on health-related outcomes,it is necessary to establish evidence concerning the comparative efficacy of all relevant physical activity intervention strategies.The development of network meta-analysis(NMA)-most commonly used in medical-based clinical trials-has allowed for the quantification of indirect comparisons,even in the absence of direct,head-to-head trials.Thus,it stands to reason that NMA can be applied in physical activity and health promotion research to identify the best intervention strategies.Given that this analysis technique is novel and largely unexplored in the field of physical activity and health promotion,care must be taken in its application to ensure reliable estimates and discernment of the effect sizes among interventions.Therefore,the purpose of this review is to comment on the potential application and importance of NMA in the field of physical activity and health promotion,describe how to properly and effectively apply this technique,and suggest important considerations for its appropriate application in this field.In this paper,overviews of the foundations of NMA and commonly used approaches for conducting NMA are provided,followed by assumptions related to NMA,opportunities and challenges in NMA,and a step-by-step example of developing and conducting an NMA.

School health promotion:A cross-sectional study on Clean and Healthy Living Program Behavior(CHLB)among Islamic Boarding Schools in Indonesia

Objective:This study aims to identify the knowledge,attitude,and behavior of students using eight indicators of Clean and Healthy Living Behavior(CHLB)in relation to the health education and grade levels in Islamic Boarding Schools(IBS)in Jember regency,East Java Province,Indonesia.Methods:A cross-sectional school-based survey design was used.About 114 students(mean age of 13.17 years old)selected through a multi-stage random sampling completed a selfadministered questionnaire to measure the eight indicators of CHLB,such as washing hands with running water and soap,eating healthy snacks,using clean and healthy latrines,exercising regularly and measurably,eradicating mosquito larvae,not smoking at school,weighing and height measurement every 6 months,and disposing garbage properly.The data analyses included descriptive and comparative analyses of the difference in knowledge,attitude,and behavior toward CHLB by health education and grade level.Results:About 66.7% students received health education.Significant knowledge in CHLB in relation to health education and grade was observed(P<.05),including in-depth knowledge of exercises,measurable weight and height,smoking,and healthy latrines.Meanwhile,no significant difference was observed between the attitude toward CHLB and health education in different grade levels.Furthermore,CHLB was associated with health education,including habitual exercise and using of clean and healthy latrines.

Mental health promotion for elderly populations in World Health Organization South-East Asia Region:Needs and resource gaps

The accelerated population growth of the elderly(individuals aged 60 years or more)across the globe has many indications,including changes in demography,health,the psycho-social milieu,and economic security.This transition has given rise to varied challenges;significant changes have been observed in regard to developing strategies for health care systems across the globe.The World Health Organization(WHO)is also engaging in initiatives and mediating processes.Furthermore,advocacy is being conducted regarding a shift toward the salutogenic model from the pathogenic model.The concept behind this move was to shift from disablement to enablement and from illness to wellness,with the notion of mental health promotion(MHP)being promoted.This article attempts to discuss the MHP of elderly individuals,with special reference to the need to disseminate knowledge and awareness in the community by utilizing the resources of the health sector available in the WHO South-East Asia Region countries.We have tried to present the current knowledge gap by exploring the existing infrastructure,human resources,and financial resources.There is much to do to promote the mental health of the elderly,but inadequate facilities are available.Based on available resources,a roadmap for MHP in elderly individuals is discussed.

Culture Circle as a Teaching Approach in the Education of Teenager Health Multipliers on Leprosy Awareness

Objective: The study aims to evaluate the use of a teaching method proposed by Paulo Freire, Culture Circles, in the education of teenagers multipliers on leprosy awareness. Methods: It is an action-research study with a qualitative approach developed in a public school in Pernambuco, Brazil. Five Culture Circles were conducted involving the participation of 26 teenagers. The followings were used as data collection tools: observation, field notes, photography and filming. Results: The educational intervention on health addressed the following topics: 1) Definition and transmission of leprosy;2) Characteristics and diagnosis of leprosy;3) Treatment of leprosy;4) Aesthetics, prejudice and mental health related to leprosy;and 5) Planning of educational activities for teenagers as health multipliers on leprosy awareness. The educational action on health provided this age group to perceive themselves, act as political subjects in the development of Culture Circles, and act as protagonists in the dissemination of knowledge on leprosy. Conclusions: This study highlights that the application of active methodologies, such as Culture Circles, is able to encourage the engagement of young people in community empowerment and bring together health professionals and the school community in an intersectoral work in order to develop action strategies involving the promotion of health in the context of neglected diseases such as leprosy.

Promoting sense of security in old-age care

Purpose: The concept of security is related to the experience of health but has ever so often been argued from a risk perspective rather than from a promotional perspective. The experience of older persons’ sense of security in private homes and in nursing homes seems to be missing when it comes to promote aging well throughout the life span. This study aimed to describe and analyze factors related to the sense of security of older persons receiving care in nursing homes in Sweden. Design and Methods: The study was based on a questionnaire from a total of 495 persons aged ≥ 65 in private homes (n = 350) or nursing homes (n = 145) in Sweden. Results: Secure relationships, sense of control, and perceived health were significantly related to the subjects’ sense of security. No significant relationships were found between sense of security and having a personal emergency response alarm. Implications: Experience of sense of security from the older person perspective differs depending on the context. To promote the sense of security within the care of older persons, methods on how to establish secure relations as well as the sense of control and knowledge need to be further tested, developed and analyzed together with older persons.

Evaluation of the Effectiveness of Workplace Health Promotion Programs from 2000 to 2020: Literature Review

Introduction. Recognition of best practices in workplace health promotion is an important task that significantly affects the expansion of those programs. Once the program has been developed, its effectiveness becomes the most critical point of evaluation to guarantee achievements in the improvement of workers’ health. Objectives. To identify the practices for evaluating the effectiveness of workplace health promotion programs. Material and Methods: A search was performed on MEDLINE through PubMed with the MeSH: “Occupational Health”, “Health Promotion” and “Program Evaluation”, from the year 2000 to the year 2020 for studies with the following designs: Meta-analyses, Systematic reviews, Randomized Clinical Trials and Clinical Trials. Results: The most common topic of workplace health promotion programs (WHP) was increasing physical activity and avoiding a sedentary lifestyle, followed by stress management and finally smoking cessation and musculoskeletal disorders. The post-intervention measurements were most often done at 6 months and 12. The most commonly used indicators were the number of steps, weight, BMI, % body fat, waist circumference, blood pressure, sedentary time, level of physical activity and time of moderate-vigorous physical activity, daily energy output, life purpose, life satisfaction, mood and stress level. Conclusions: Although a great variability was observed in the evaluation of WHP programs, there were also common aspects. These results will help with designing WHP programs and defining evidence-based evaluation of their effectiveness. It is important to remember that WHP programs must be customized, taking into consideration the needs of each organization’s workforce.