Perceptions of Family Support in the Stroke Prevention Program Make My Day.

BackgroundDue to reduced physical labor and increased food availability, making healthy lifestyle changes is becoming increasingly challenging. Prior studies have suggested that strong ties (such as friends or family members) help promote positive lifestyle behavior changes while weak ties like online friends hardly make a difference in activating healthy lifestyle changes. More recent studies have found evidence of positive lifestyle changes brought about by health APPs. Yet, the process through which online health community (OHC) engagement is related to healthy lifestyle changes has not been fully explored.MethodsDrawing on social network theory and the self-efficacy literature, we argued that the information and emotional support which users obtained from OHCs is positively associated with health self-efficacy, which in turn is positively associated with lifestyle changes. Then we constructed a serially mediated model between OHC engagement and healthy lifestyle changes and collected 320 valid questionnaires through an online survey. We tested the model by applying structural equation modeling via Mplus 8.3, which uses bootstrapping (5,000 samples) to test the significance of the mediated paths.ResultsThis study demonstrated that the informational and emotional support that users receive from OHC engagement positively affects healthy lifestyle changes via the mediating role of health self-efficacy. We also found that healthy lifestyle changes are an outcome of enhanced health self-efficacy through the effect of informational and emotional support from OHC engagement.ConclusionsOur findings help explain how OHC users make healthy lifestyle changes by utilizing the informational and emotional support to develop health self-efficacy. The results also highlight the value of informational and emotional support as important resources which users acquire from OHC engagement. Thus, we suggest that OHC users utilize the informational and emotional support to enhance health self-efficacy and facilitate healthy lifestyle changes. Future research could explore the dynamic process through which OHC engagement influences lifestyle changes by designing longitudinal research and addressing the limitations of the present study.


 
 
 East Nusa Tenggara Province is the second-highest province with the percentage of pregnant women having HBsAg reactive (5,26%) and has the lowest screening coverage (4,55%). Increasing the mother’s screening coverage is necessary, followed by increasing access to therapy and early infant detection. A positive attitude should exist to increase the mother’s behavior for assessing triple elimination testing, thus can reduce the transmission risk of Hepatitis B, Syphilis, and HIV-AIDS to the infants. This research analyzed the relationship between knowledge, family support, and information frequency with the mother’s triple elimination testing attitude. This research was an analytical study using the cross-sectional method, conducted at four primary health centres in Kupang city in 2020. The sample selection used a stratified random sampling method, with 110 pregnant women from the four PHC chosen. Data analysis used Chi-square. Results showed only 36,7% of respondents had good triple elimination knowledge, and 33,9% have insufficient knowledge. Most respondents (64%) have a neutral perception, and 27% have a positive perception of family (husband’s) support. 79% of respondents receive scarce information about triple elimination. Respondent’s attitude primarily neutral (61%). However, 23% still have a negative attitude towards triple elimination testing. There is a significant relationship between perception of family support and attitude towards triple elimination testing (p < 0.001). The mother having a positive perception of their husband’s support, also have a positive attitude toward triple elimination testing. Knowledge level and information frequency showed no significant relationship (p = 0.941 and p = 0.093) with mother’s attitude.
 
 

Adolescents with type 1 or type 2 diabetes have known risks for future cardiovascular (CV) disease, the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in adults with diabetes. Limited research is available on efficacious approaches to promoting regular, physical activity as a salient component of diabetes management to control glucose levels and minimize future CV risks and complications in this population. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to examine the associations of adolescents' perceptions of diabetes-specific family support with their adherence to a 16-week personalized exercise program to achieve 60 minutes/day of moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA). We also explored the associations of the frequencies of adherence to daily MVPA (i.e. 10, 30, or 60 minutes/day MVPA) with glucose control. METHODS: Baseline measures of adolescents' perceptions of family support were obtained using the Diabetes Social Support Questionnaire-Family Version (LaGreca & Bearman, 2002). Adherence to their personalized exercise program was measured using accelerometers. Adolescents were instructed to wear the accelerometers daily except when sleeping, bathing or swimming. Glucose control was measured at baseline and at the completion of the intervention with A1C% using a DCA 2000®. RESULTS: A sample of 29 adolescents with diabetes (20 type 1; 9 type 2) participated. There were 12 males; 17 females (15 Hispanic white; 1 Hispanic black; 13 Non-Hispanic white). Average baseline A1C% was 9.2 ± 1.8% vs. 8.4 ± 1.7% for those with type 1 vs. type 2 diabetes, respectively. Significant positive associations between family support of blood testing, exercise and meal planning with all levels of adherence to MVPA were found, with some stronger associations noted with higher frequencies of adherence to 60 minutes/day of MVPA (r =.38 to.50, p <.05). Family support for insulin administration was also significantly related to greater adherence to 60 minutes/day of MVPA (r =.41, p <.05). The frequency of 30 minutes/day of MVPA was negatively associated with percent change in A1C% (r =.-.49, p <.001). CONCLUSIONS: Adolescents' views of a supportive family environment for overall diabetes management provide a foundation for successful adherence to participation in routine daily MVPA and improvements in glucose control.

Objective The practice of diabetes self-care behaviors has been cited as a foundation for achieving optimal glycemic control. Proper motivation of people with diabetes mellitus is, however, needed for the performance of these behaviors. It is therefore pertinent to know if motivation by the family will improve glycemic control in people with type 2 diabetes mellitus. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between glycemic control and perceived family support among Nigerians with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Methods A cross-sectional study was conduced on 316 adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus who attended a medical outpatient clinic. Data were collected through a pretested interviewer-administered questionnaire and a standardized tool (Perceived Social Support – Family scale). Hemoglobin A1c level was used as an indicator of glycemic control. Results The proportion of participants with good glycemic control was 40.6%. Most of the participants (137, 43.8%) had strong perceived family support. Strong perceived family support (P=0.00001, odds ratio 112.51) was an independent predictor of good glycemic control. Conclusion This study shows that strong perception of family support is a predictor of glycemic control among the adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus studied. Physicians working in sub-Saharan African countries with rich kinship networks should harness the available family support of people with type 2 diabetes mellitus in their management. Significance statement Nigeria and other sub-Saharan African countries are currently experiencing a rapid increase in the incidence of noncommunicable diseases, especially diabetes mellitus (DM), as a result of increasing urbanization and changing lifestyles. People with diseases such as DM that require lifelong management may be tired of taking medications and adhering to the lifestyle modifications over time. This underscores the importance of motivation in people with DM. Can support from the family motivate people with DM to improve self-management behaviors and ultimately their glycemic control? Few studies have looked at the relationship between perceived family support and glycemic control among people with type 2 DM. The conclusions from these studies did not point in any specific direction. Most of these studies were also done in developed countries. Thus, assessing the relationship between perceived family support and glycemic control in a setting with a rich kinship network may give better insight into this theme.

750 Are Lifestyle Modifications Being Appropriately Recommended in the Canadian Primary Care Practice to Manage Elevated Cardiometabolic Risk?

Background/Objectives: Gestational diabetes is associated with an increased risk of future type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease, but healthy lifestyle changes can prevent the development of these diseases. This study aimed to identify factors that can improve intervention programmes and postpartum support after gestational diabetes. Methods: Twenty-two women who had experienced gestational diabetes in Norway participated in in-depth interviews following a six-month intervention programme focusing on healthy lifestyle changes. Participants were included 3–12 months after giving birth. The data were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis. Results: Four themes were developed: (1) A status report on my health and lifestyle—crucial for recognising the need for change; (2) encouragement and cheering on: getting started and maintaining changes; (3) life’s challenging moments: looking after the baby and prioritising one’s own health; and (4) the first period with the newborn baby—a good time to make changes. Participants described maternity leave as a suitable time for lifestyle change. Adequate information about and insight into their health were important for success. The focus on small changes motivated them to improve their lifestyle. Participants emphasised individualised help, support from others, noticing an improvement and seeing a positive effect on their family members as motivational factors for maintaining the changes. However, they found it difficult to prioritise themselves and to maintain lifestyle changes in challenging life situations and transitional phases. Conclusions: The study findings can help support the development of future intervention programmes for women who have experienced gestational diabetes.

Families’ perceptions of support from health care professionals in the three emergency departments in KwaZulu Natal, South Africa

BackgroundDepression and suicidal thinking occur frequently alongside HIV/AIDS, triggering profound detrimental impacts on quality of life, treatment adherence, disease progression, and mortality. Yet the psychosocial factors contributing to these psychiatric comorbidities remain underexplored, particularly in the developing country context. This study thus examined different dimensions of perceived family support in relation to depression and suicidal ideation among people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) in Nepal.MethodsA cross-sectional survey of 322 adult PLWHA residing in the Kathmandu Valley, Nepal was conducted. Data were analyzed using multiple logistic regressions for correlates of Beck Depression Inventory (BDI)-Ia-defined depressive symptoms and suicidal ideation in the past 2 weeks. Perceived family support, measured using the 10-item Nepali Family Support and Difficulty Scale, was entered into separate models, in turn, as a composite score, for each sub-scale (emotional, instrumental, and negative support), and for each individual item.ResultsOverall, 25.5% of participants registered BDI-Ia-defined depression, with significantly lower rates among those with perceived family support scores in the highest (AOR = 0.19; 95% CI = 0.07, 0.55) and middle (AOR = 0.38; 95% CI = 0.17, 0.86) tertiles relative to those with lowest-tertile scores. Meanwhile, 14.0% reported suicidal thinking, with significantly lower rates among those in the highest perceived family support tertile relative to the lowest (AOR = 0.25; 95% CI = 0.07, 0.91). Broken down by support sub-scale, only negative support (i.e. family difficulty) was significant in its correlations with both outcomes – a trend similarly reflected in the item-wise analyses.ConclusionsOur findings highlight an important role for family support in determining experiences of depression and suicidality among PLWHA. Incorporating family counseling and support services – with special focus on ameliorating negative interaction and bolstering emotional support – into HIV care and treatment services may help to improve mental health along with overall wellness and treatment outcomes for HIV-positive populations in Nepal and similar settings.

The perception of family support in chronic disease can be relevant. To assess the perception of family support in adult patients with epilepsy (PWEs) and relate it to quality of life (QoL) and clinical aspects. Data from the Perceived Family Support Inventory (IPFS) of 130 PWEs were related to the clinical variables, QOLIE-31 scores, and the Neurological Disorders Depression Inventory for Epilepsy (NDDI-E) with statistical tests, with p < 0.05. The mean age was 49.9 ± 17.2 years, and the duration of epilepsy was 20.8 ± 15.4 years. The presence of depression (scores ≥ 15) was associated with lower family support. Being married and non-occurrence of depression were the variables associated with a higher IPFS score (R = 0.2112), in the multiple linear regression. The perception of greater family support was associated with demographic aspects, the absence of depression, and better QoL. Family relationships may play an essential role in health adjustment behaviors and QoL in epilepsy.

Though previous studies reported the advantages of family in treating people with hypertension, evidence indicates that family support among people with hypertension was poor. To the best of the researchers' knowledge, no study examined the status of perceived family support and associated factors among people with hypertension in Ethiopia. Therefore, this study assessed perceived family support status and associated factors among people with hypertension in Nekemte City public hospitals, Western Ethiopia. A hospital based cross sectional study on 422 selected adults with hypertension was conducted in public hospitals in Nekemte from June to August 2023. A systemic random sampling technique was used to select eligible participants. Bivariate and multivariable logistic regression analyses were carried out, and variables with a p-value < 0.25 in the bivariate analysis were included in the multivariable analysis to identify factors associated with perceived family support at a P-value < 0.05. Two hundred ninety two (70.4%), 95% CI (65.7%, 74.7%), of people with hypertension reported perceived strong family support. Having a family history of hypertension [AOR = 3.6, 95% CI (1.266, 10.34)], involvement of families during patient education on HTN [AOR = 3.305, 95% CI (2.306, 8.363)], and good interaction with family [AOR = 2.45, 95% CI (1.002, 5.32)] were positively associated with perceived family support. Whereas, patients who are poorly knowledgeable about hypertension [AOR = 0.3, 95% CI (0.001, 0.542)] were negatively associated with perceived family support. Two hundred ninety two people with hypertension reported perceived strong family support. Having a family history of hypertension, involvement of families during patient education on hypertension, and patients' interaction with family were positively statistically associated with perceived family support and patients who are poorly knowledgeable about hypertension were negatively associated with perceived family support. Hospitals, along with other stakeholders, should strengthen family support by involving families in health education in line with hypertension patients' lifestyles.

1731 – The relationship between pain symptoms, anxiety and perceived family support in lung cancer patients

A correlational research design utilizing a cross-sectional survey methodology was used to investigate the association between perceived family support and psychological well-being in infertile couples. Family stress theory and the construct of boundary ambiguity were conceptual frameworks applied to the developmental family life cycle. Respondents were 35 married infertile couples with primary infertility recruited from a private For-profit infertility clinic located in Virginia Beach, Virginia. Responses on the Moos and Moos (1984) Family Environment Scale and from the SCL-90-R developed by Derogatis (1977) measured perceived family support and psychological distress respectively. Major findings indicated that infertile couples rated their families of origin lower on perceived support when compared to normative data reported by Moos and Moos (1994). A low to moderate nonsignificant association was found between perceived family support and psychological distress however the correlation was positive indicating that higher family support is correlated with more psychological distress. This result did not support main effects or buffering hypotheses which propose family support as a modifier of stress. Gender differences did not exist between correlations of perceived family support and psychological distress, however gender differences were noted on the correlations of specific subscales of both measures. Age, income and size of family predicted family support. None of the sociodemographic variables predicted psychological distress. Finally, couples in Stage 1 of medical investigation had a moderate correlation between perceived family support and psychological distress, however, correlation coefficients for each stage of medical investigation were not significantly different. Results may indicate a need for a reconceptualization of the role that the expression of negative feelings may play in the psychological coping of infertile couples. Perhaps the expression of psychological distress is a healthy sign of coping. The trend toward higher perceived family support with higher psychological distress may signal a need for families to serve as containers for psychological distress, thus assisting infertile couples in the coping process.

Background/Objectives: Schizophrenia has been associated with increased inflammatory and metabolic disturbances. Perceived family support potentially affects inflammatory and metabolic biomarkers. The aim of this study was to determine the interrelations between family support, C-reactive protein (CRP) and Body Mass Index (BMI) in a sample of outpatients with schizophrenia. Importantly, this study sought to elucidate the effect of perceived family support on inflammatory processes among patients with schizophrenia. Methods: In this cross-sectional correlation study, 206 outpatients with schizophrenia in clinical remission completed a standardized self-report questionnaire that assessed family support (Family Support Scale-FSS). Sociodemographic, clinical and laboratory data were also recorded. Results: Among the participants, 49.5% had detectable CRP values (≥0.11 mg/dL), whereas 14.6% had positive CRP levels (>0.6 mg/dL). There was a significant difference in CRP levels among the different BMI groups (normal weight/overweight vs. obese). For obese patients, the crude odds ratios (ORs) for detectable and positive CRP values were 1.980 (95% confidence interval (CI) [1.056, 3.713]) and 27.818 (95% CI [6.300, 122.838]), respectively. Significant positive correlations were observed among CRP, BMI and illness duration, while scores on the FSS were negatively associated with these variables. The results of binary logistic regression analysis indicated that both BMI and family support were significant factors in determining the likelihood of having positive CRP levels, with each unit increase in the BMI associated with a 17% (95% CI [0.025, 0.337]) increase in the odds, and with each unit increase in family support leading to an 8.6% (95% CI [0.018, 0.15]) decrease. A moderation analysis revealed that the association between family support and the probability of having positive CRP levels depends on the BMI value, but only for obese patients did the protective effect of family support significantly decrease the magnitude of the risk of having positive CRP (b = -0.1972, SE = 0.053, OR = 0.821, p = 0.000, 95% CI [-0.3010, -0.0934]). Conclusions: The effect of perceived family support on inflammatory responses becomes evident in cases where beyond metabolic complications, inflammatory processes have already been established. Increased perceived family support seems to protect against inflammation and, notably, the association between low perceived family support and increased inflammation is even stronger. Establishing the role of family involvement during the treatment of patients with schizophrenia through inflammatory processes is a novelty of this study, emphasizing the need to incorporate family therapy into psychiatric treatment plans. However, primary interventions are considered necessary for patients with schizophrenia in order to maintain their BMI within normal limits and avoid the subsequent nosological sequelae.

Background: Pap smear is a cervical cancer prevention method that has been proven to be effective in reducing the incidence of cervical cancer. Utilization of Pap smears is influenced by various factors. Family or partner support can also affect the use of Pap smears in women of reproductive age. This study aimed to estimate the effects of Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) and family support on Pap Smear utilization. Subjects and Method: This was a systematic review and meta-analysis based on data obtained through Google Scholar, PubMed, and Science Direct published in the last 10 years. Article search was performed using the PICO model. Population: women of reproductive age. Intervention: positive attitude, perception of strong behavioral control and positive family support. Comparison: negative attitude, perception of weak behavioral control and negative family support. Outcome: utilization of Pap smears. Article searches were carried out using the keywords “Papanicolau test” OR “Pap test” AND “attitude” AND “self-efficacy” OR “perceived behavior control” AND “family support” OR “spouse support” OR “husband support”. The article used is full text in English with a cross sectional design. Articles were collected using PRISMA flow diagrams and then analyzed using the Review Manager 5.4 application. Results: 22 cross-sectional study from Nigeria, Ghana, South Africa, Uganda, Ethiopia, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Iran, and the US were selected for meta-analysis. The total sample size is 13,330. Recent meta-analysis found that positive attitude (aOR= 1.53; 95% CI= 1.35 to 1.72; p&lt;0.001) and perceived strong behavioral control (aOR= 2.01; 95% CI= 1.56 to 2.59; p&lt; 0.001) increased Pap smear utilization. Strong family support increased Pap smear utilization, but it was statistically non-significant (aOR= 2.53; 95% CI= 0.79 to 8.10; p&lt; 0.001). Conclusion: Positive attitudes, perceptions of strong behavioral control and positive family support can increase Pap smear utilization. Keywords: theory of planned behavior, family support, Pap smear, reproductive age, women. Correspondence: Elvira Purnamasari. Master’s Program in Public Health, Universitas Sebelas Maret. Jl. Ir. Sutami 36A, Surakarta 57126, Central Java, Indonesia. Email: elvirapurnamasari65@gmail.com. Mobile: +6285790342898.

Accepted: 16.07.2013 The aim of this research was to describe the family support and family environment level according to students’ perceptions under socio-economic variables. The sample of the research consists of 747 middle and high school students in Izmir, Menderes town. In respect of finding out family support and environment ‘family support and environment’ scale has been developed by researchers. As a descriptive survey model research has revealed that students’ perception about family support was in high level. In terms of perceived family support, middle school students have more positive perception than high school student. Students whose fathers don’t work have less positive perception in comparison to students whose fathers are freelancers and officials; students’ whose mothers are alive have higher perception of family support and environment than whose mothers are dead; students whose mothers and fathers live together have higher perception of family support and environment in comparison to the others; students who live with their families have higher perception of family support and environment in comparison to the others; students who have health problems have less perception of family support and environment than those who have no health problems; students’ perception of family support and environment differed according to number of brothers and sisters in the family.