Health Promotion Education Research Articles

Learning by Doing: The Potential for Experiential Education in Health Promotion

Background: Rural populations face significant health disparities (e.g., high rates of chronic diseases) and unique accessibility barriers (e.g., limited healthcare facilities). Training higher education students to serve as facilitators for chronic disease prevention programs may address rural health promotion needs. Purpose: The purpose of this pilot, exploratory study was to create an experiential learning opportunity for students and examine their experiences. Methodology/Approach: Project leaders completed a Diabetes Prevention Program Lifestyle Coach training and, based on their experiences, created training program goals, content, and schedule. Undergraduate students in health-related programs or courses were recruited to participate. Four students completed a 4-week experiential training program and, at the end of the program, participated in an individual qualitative interview for researchers to understand their experiences. Findings/Conclusions: Data were analyzed through a qualitative-descriptive approach. The main theme, experiential learning, branched into two subthemes: (a) professional development and (b) program implementation and future program directions. Students’ experiential learning influenced their personal and programmatic views of prevention training. Implications: The benefits of experiential learning in prevention will enhance students’ education and future employment experiences. Future studies should improve upon training delivery and examine the acceptability of this method of delivery in the rural population.

Obesity in childhood - literature review and educational recommendations

Introduction and purpose Childhood obesity is a major global health concern. The World Health Organization reports that the prevalence of obesity in children and adolescents has increased significantly from 4% in 1975 to over 18% in 2016. The aim of the study is to conduct a comprehensive review of the literature on obesity among children and adolescents, emphasizes the importance of prevention, identification and effective management of childhood obesity. Materials and methods An extensive examination of articles published in scientific journals was carried out through online research platforms PubMed and Google Scholar. We searched articles by entering keywords in appropriate configuration: “childhood obesity”, “pediatric overweight”, “physical activity”, “activity and health”, “diet and obesity", "bariatric surgery" and "obesity medication". State of knowledge Treating childhood obesity requires following a personalized weight loss program, as well as adopting healthy eating habits and lifestyle practices. Improvements in metabolic and anthropometric indices can be achieved through complex interventions including dietary modification and physical activity, behavioral therapy, health promotion education, pharmacological treatment and bariatric surgery A step-by-step approach to managing weight is recommended, considering the child's age, the severity of obesity, and any accompanying health conditions. Dietary interventions focus on promoting a balanced, nutrient-rich diet that is calorie-appropriate for the child's age and gender. Summary Further research is still necessary to develop additional pharmaceutical options, refine surgical techniques, and better understand long-term outcomes in this patient population.To effectively prevent this disease, a comprehensive approach is necessary, considering both education and changes in the social environment.

A IMPORTÂNCIA DO ENFERMEIRO NA PREVENÇÃO DO CÂNCER DE COLO DE ÚTERO

Objective: To highlight the essential role of nurses in the prevention of cervical cancer. Method: Integrative literature review. The search was conducted in the BDENF, SciELO, and LILACS databases, using descriptors related to the topic such as "Nursing," "Prevention," "Cancer," and "Cervical cancer." Articles published between 2019 and 2024 in Portuguese that addressed the topic were included. After removing duplicates and selecting relevant articles, the final sample comprised 11 articles. Results: The analyzed studies emphasize the importance of nurses in the prevention and control of cervical cancer. Their actions range from performing Pap smears to promoting papillomavirus vaccination. Challenges include a lack of information and cultural beliefs that hinder adherence to preventive exams. Conclusions: Lack of knowledge about cervical cancer and the importance of preventive screening remains one of the main obstacles to women's health. The nurse's role in primary care is crucial to promoting health education and reducing cervical cancer incidence.

E-Cigarette and Vaping Perspectives: Recommendations for Occupational Health Nurses.

Statistics from the Centers for Disease Control indicate that the use of e-cigarettes, vaping, and other electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) are increasing although data on their safety is limited. While most employers ban smoking in the workplace, tobacco-free policies do not always extend specifically to e-cigarette products. An IRB approved exploratory, cross-sectional study was conducted to investigate occupational health professionals' (OHPs) knowledge of e-cigarettes, vaping and ENDS and the ability to create change in tobacco-free workplace policies. A 91-item electronic survey was sent via email to 3248 OHPs who were members of the American Association of Occupational Health Nurses. A total of 299 surveys were returned, but only 230 completed the entire survey. Of those who completed the entire survey, those with advanced education had higher attitude toward change summary scores (p = .043) and those with lower years of practicing had low scores for transformational leadership (p = .039). Approximately 40% of individuals did not have or were unsure that a tobacco-free program was in place that included e-cigarettes, but the majority (90%) perceived their organizational leaders as interested in safety changes. The majority of respondents understood the health issues inherent in e-cigarettes, were open to implementing policies that included e-cigarettes but needed education and both managerial and employee support to implement policy changes. OHPs are well positioned to be advocates for workplace education, policy development, and worker health promotion for smoking and vaping cessation by leading organizational change.

Comprehensive Scoping Review on Body Image Perceptions and Influences in Children and Adolescents.

Conducting a scoping review helps identify research gaps and opportunities, avoid duplication, guide the selection of appropriate methodologies, and base studies on existing evidence. The aim of this study was to map the literature on body image in children and adolescents (0 to 19 years). The present study follows the recommendations of the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA). The search was conducted in the following databases: PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, SPORTDiscus, LILACS, SciELO, PsycINFO, CINAHL, and the Cochrane Library. A total of 3257 articles were found, of which 2147 were duplicates, resulting in 1110 articles. Of these, 41 met the inclusion criteria. The results were divided into analytical dimensions, including measurement instruments, programs and interventions, social media, sociodemographic aspects, physical activity, personality and cognitive thinking, and studies with specific populations. The results highlight that peer influence, physical activity, media, and the school environment play crucial roles in shaping young people's body image; factors such as sex, age, and socioeconomic context emerge as important variables in understanding body perceptions, and educational interventions and health promotion programs have been shown to be effective in preventing and reducing body dissatisfaction, underscoring the need for multifactorial and collaborative approaches.

Pre-hospital delay intention and its associated factors in the high-risk population of stroke: A latent profile analysis.

To explore the possible latent classifications of pre-hospital delayed intention at high risk of stroke and to analyze the characteristics of different profiles. A cross-sectional study was conducted in one community in Shanghai, China. 470 individuals at high risk of stroke were recruited, and self-reported questionnaires (including socio-demographic, stroke knowledge, health belief, and pre-hospital delay behavior intention scale) were distributed between April and June 2023. A latent profile analysis was employed to identify the delay intention clusters, and multinomial logistic regression was utilized to ascertain the factors influencing the latent classes of delay intention. 457 high-risk populations with a response rate of 97.23% were finally enrolled in this study. Four distinct classes were identified: High warning signs-Low delay intention (26.3%), Low warning signs-Low delay intention (17.7%), moderate level of delay intention (37.3%), and high level of delay intention (18.7%). The influencing factors included stroke knowledge, health belief, age, education background, the nearest distance to the medical institution, and household income. The pre-hospital delay intention among high-risk populations of stroke was classified into four distinct classes. It is crucial for individuals at high risk to remain vigilant towards stroke symptoms and to take prompt action. Health promotion education may be explored as a strategy to bridge the gap between the recognition of stroke symptoms and the low pre-hospital delay intention.

A family physician for all Indian families: A vision for 2047

ABSTRACT As India progresses towards its centenary of independence in 2047, the need for a comprehensive and compassionate healthcare system that emphasizes the role of family physicians has never been more urgent. Family physicians serve as the bedrock of primary health care, providing a holistic approach that encompasses preventive, curative, and rehabilitative care for individuals across all stages of life. This vision for 2047 articulates a future where every Indian family has access to a dedicated family physician who addresses their healthcare needs and promotes health education, and community well-being.

Tackling Inequalities in Access to Medicines for People Experiencing Homelessness: A Meta-Ethnography and Qualitative Systematic Review.

Despite increased awareness of the detrimental relationship between homelessness and health, people experiencing homelessness remain an underserved population in health and social care research. Due to barriers affecting the accessibility of medicine and healthcare services, as well as reported competing priorities such as food and shelter, evidence has demonstrated that people experiencing homelessness are less likely to undergo routine examinations, receive diagnoses and adhere to prescribed medical treatments. To enhance service design and access for those experiencing homelessness, it is critical to better recognise, understand and address the barriers these individuals face. This meta-ethnography aims to identify barriers, enablers and interventions to begin addressing this inequality gap. A systematic literature search was undertaken in October and re-ran in December 2023 across four databases: MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL and Scopus. Qualitative studies were included if they addressed barriers, enablers and interventions aimed at tackling medicines and health service inequalities among populations experiencing homelessness. Study quality was assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute critical appraisal checklist. Data were synthesised using a meta-ethnographic approach, as outlined by Noblit and Hare. The review was registered on PROSPERO (CRD42024511502) and performed according to PRISMA guidelines. This meta-ethnographic systematic review synthesised data from eight studies across multiple countries. Three overarching third-order constructs (termed 'themes') were developed through reciprocal translation and centred around: recognising and acknowledging the discrimination, stigma and barriers experienced when using current services; exploring safe and practical use of medicines and the promotion of general health education and appreciating strategies to tackle inequalities, namely community outreach programmes designed for homeless communities. This work highlighted the barriers, enablers and interventions that sought to address the inequalities affecting people experiencing homelessness in accessing medication and healthcare services. Future research should utilise lived-experience narratives and co-design to further explore ways to tackle wider healthcare accessibility inequalities for this minoritised population. Not applicable, as this is a systematic review. Public contributors (minority research champions and one public health research champion, H.K.G. and T.G.) informed and shaped this project during study design and conceptualisation. They helped to ensure that the study was conducted, and the findings were reported with sensitivity.

Knowledge, attitude and practice towards physical activity among healthcare students at a public university in Saudi Arabia.

This research aimed to study the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) toward physical activity (PA) of healthcare students at King Khalid University in Abha, Saudi Arabia. A prospective web-based cross-sectional study was carried out among healthcare students of King Khalid University from March to May 2024. The questionnaire contained questions on sociodemographic details, five questions about knowledge, eight questions about attitudes, and seven practice-related questions. A multivariable logistic regression analysis was used. Out of the 383 participants, 175 (45.7%) were men and 208 (54.3%) were women. Most of the students, 292 (76.2%), had a body mass index (BMI) of 18.5-24.9. Among the 383, 264 (68.9%) showed good knowledge, 288 (75.2%) had positive attitudes, and 242 (63.2%) had satisfactory PA practice. Most of them, 310 (80.9%), were aware that "regular exercise helps promote strong bones and muscles." Three hundred and fifty-two (91.9%) students believed that individuals who frequently engaged in PA had longer lifespans. More than half of the students (n = 239, 62.4%) engaged in the recommended level of PA. Of the students, 179 (46.8%) agreed that they planned to begin increasing their physical activity during the next 6 months. One hundred and fifty-six (40.7%) stated that they did sports with a high level of intensity for 20 min, three to five times a week, and 175 (45.7%) stated that they did moderate-intensity sports for 30 min, more than five times a week. None of the independent variables had a significant effect on good knowledge levels (p > 0.05). The regression results show being male OR = 0.473 (CI 0.285-0.783 p = 0.004), and being a first-or third-year student OR = 0.329 (CI 0.130-0.832 p = 0.013), OR = 0.276 (CI 0.100-0.762 p = 0.019) has a significant effect on positive attitude levels, while being male OR = 1.945 (CI 1.207-3.135 p = 0.006) and having a BMI between 18.5 and 24.9 OR = 10.101 (CI 2.104-48.49 p = 0.004) has a significant effect on satisfactory practice levels. The majority of participants in our study showed good knowledge and positive attitudes toward PA. A lower number of participants, though still the majority, had satisfactory levels of PA. Health education and health promotion initiatives should maintain and enhance knowledge of the positive effects of PA on health.

Culturally safe community agency health promotion capacity for diverse equity-seeking women: a rapid theoretical review

ObjectivesImmigrant and sexually/gender-diverse women (henceforth, women) face inequities in access to and quality of care. As a result, many seek health information from community agencies perceived as culturally safe. We...

The Status and Related Factors of Customized Physical Education for Physical Health Promotion among Chinese College Students: A Cross-Sectional Investigation

The Status and Related Factors of Customized Physical Education for Physical Health Promotion among Chinese College Students: A Cross-Sectional Investigation

The association between weight loss behaviors and body weight perception in Chinese adolescents: 2007–2022

BackgroundWeight misperceptions are common in children and adolescents, which is related to the engagement of weight loss behaviors. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between body weight perception and weight loss behaviors of lower-calorie diets and increased levels of physical activity (PA).MethodsThe Ningbo Youth Risk Behavior Survey was conducted from 2007 to 2022. A multistage, stratified cluster sampling procedure was utilized to draw target adolescents aged 12 to 18 years participating in each survey wave (2007, 2012, 2017, 2022). Data of anthropometry, weight perception, and weight loss behaviors were collected through self-administered questionnaires. A binary generalized linear model was used to examine associations between body weight perception and weight loss behaviors of lower calorie diets and increased levels of PA.ResultsThe sample sizes for each survey wave were 777, 885, 1588 and 2638. The prevalence of overweight (OW)/obesity (OB), self-perception of OW/OB and overestimated perception increased from 7.6%, 27.0% and 29.1% in 2007 to 16.3%, 39.9% and 41.4% in 2022, respectively. Adolescents that perceived themselves as OW/OB had higher odds of lower-calorie diets (OR: 4.2, 3.3–5.4) and increased level of PA (OR: 3.8, 2.9-5.0), whereas adolescents that perceived themselves as underweight had lower odds of lower-calorie diets (OR: 0.371, 0.253–0.542) and increased levels of PA (OR: 0.381, 0.295–0.559).ConclusionOW, self-perception of OW/OB and overestimated perception were prevalent in Chinese adolescents. Self-perception of OW/OB was positively associated with lower-calorie diets and increased levels of PA. The results can support public health specialists to promote health education of body perception and improve self-esteem in Chinese children and adolescents.

The diverse but common definitions of sex for young people in Australia

ABSTRACT Relationships and sexuality education is a key strategy for promoting safe sex and respectful relationships during adolescence. Understanding the ways in which young people define sex is critical to ensuring a shared understanding between sexual health educators and students. Young people aged 14–18 years (N = 6,043) who participated in a large-scale cross-sectional Australian study were asked to indicate whether various sexual practices (e.g. vaginal, anal or oral sex, genital rubbing, mutual masturbation) were included in their definition of ‘sex’. Associations between demographic characteristics, sexual experiences, and definitions of sex were identified using multiple logistic regression. Content analysis further examined open-text responses from 63 participants who expanded on their definitions. Almost all participants (99.1%) included vaginal sex in their definition of sex, 83.7% included anal sex and 59.7% included oral sex. Young people also included a diverse range of sexual practices that did not consistently align with common definitions used in sexuality education and sexual health promotion campaigns. Definitions of sex differed by gender and sexuality suggesting that when discussing sex with young people, educators and health professionals need to consider sexuality and gender diversity and take care to check common understanding of terminology.

The Role of Public Health in Promoting Healthy Lifestyles

This study investigates the essential part that public health plays in encouraging healthy lifestyles to reduce the growing burden of chronic diseases, mental health issues, and drug abuse. Public health initiatives seek to eliminate health inequities and promote overall well-being by promoting health education, disease prevention, and community-based interventions. The review discusses essential measures such as health promotion, epidemiological data use, and local government initiatives to promote healthy behaviours. The review concludes that public health aims to achieve long-term health benefits for all population segments through a multidimensional approach that includes education, policy lobbying, and community participation. Keywords: Public health, health promotion, disease prevention, chronic diseases, health disparities.

From Traditional-Aged Students to Teenage Fathers: A Qualitative Study of Social Challenges and Experiences of East Asian Second-Generation Teenage Fathers

This study aims to investigate East Asian second-generation teenage fathers’ stress and problems resulting from internal factors and external influences in the United States. The relationships between the changes in the teenage fathers’ family structures, social expectations, and experiences of educational and financial challenges during the pregnancy (of their partner) and into the period of their early fatherhood were examined. Based on the Interpretative phenomenological method, ten participants who had experienced stress and problems due to their characteristics as teenage fathers, particularly second-generation East Asian Americans, participated in this study. Three semi-structured interviews, one focus group activity, and one member-checking interview were used to collect in-depth lived stories. Three themes emerged: (1) Cultural characteristics: Detrimental perspectives from family members and the public, (2) Age: The hindrance of youth as a characteristic of teenage fathers, and (3) Career development: The challenges of earning a minimum salary and having an unforeseen career. The findings indicated that counseling services based on patients’ sociocultural backgrounds and practices should be considered to offer effective treatments to ethnic minorities, in this case, East Asian Americans. The results of this study can provide a map for public health researchers to use in refining sex education and sexual health promotion, and the approach can offer a blueprint for capturing the voices of other teenage parents.

From HIV to Mpox: Socio-discursive Analysis of Communicable Diseases, Stigma, and Pathologization in Sexual Minorities in Brazil.

Discrimination and stigma are significant barriers to healthcare for the LGBTQIAPN+ community, necessitating a deeper analysis of their sociocultural causes. There is a notable gap in the literature regarding the understanding of socio-discursive representations and their impact on the stigmatization and pathologization of sexual minorities in the context of communicable diseases. This study aims to discuss the understanding of the sociodiscursive aspects of the health-disease process, particularly in stigmatized infectious diseases affecting the LGBTQIAPN+ community. The focus is on examining how news articles, or the set of analyzed texts (corpus), shape these perceptions. We conducted documentary research with a qualitative and discursive approach using news articles retrieved from Google NewsⓇ about diseases affecting the LGBTQIAPN+ population from 2011 to 2022. The analysis was based on critical discourse analysis, processed using MAXQDA and IRAMUTEQ software. The identified representations predominantly align with biomedical ideology, manifesting in a discourse that normalizes and medicalizes (normative-curative discourse), and notable for its pathologizing and stigmatizing nature. Six classes were found: Ethical professional dilemmas facing stigma, infection and contamination of the LGBT+ population, prejudice and discrimination in the form of information, stigma related to sexual behavior/orientation, Vulnerability and stigma related to infectious diseases, and strategies for minimizing health risk/stigma for the LGBT+ public. The most relevant analytical categories were related to infectious diseases and sexual identity. These themes were identified, indicating that media representations reinforce stigma and maintain unequal health practices (verticalization) for the LGBT+ community. Understanding these patterns within a broader historical context is crucial for promoting health education and strategies that challenge internalized prejudice. The need to reformulate cultural norms and develop health information and education policies is urgent. These policies should be led by professionals with a comprehensive and humanized vision, addressing the diverse needs of the LGBT+ population.

2024 Guidelines of the Taiwan Society of Cardiology on the Primary Prevention of Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease --- Part I.

Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) is one of the leading causes of death worldwide and in Taiwan. It is highly prevalent and has a tremendous impact on global health. Therefore, the Taiwan Society of Cardiology developed these best-evidence preventive guidelines for decision-making in clinical practice involving aspects of primordial prevention including national policies, promotion of health education, primary prevention of clinical risk factors, and management and control of clinical risk factors. These guidelines cover the full spectrum of ASCVD, including chronic coronary syndrome, acute coronary syndrome, cerebrovascular disease, peripheral artery disease, and aortic aneurysm. In order to enhance medical education and health promotion not only for physicians but also for the general public, we propose a slogan (2H2L) for the primary prevention of ASCVD on the basis of the essential role of healthy dietary pattern and lifestyles: "Healthy Diet and Healthy Lifestyles to Help Your Life and Save Your Lives". We also propose an acronym of the modifiable risk factors/enhancers and relevant strategies to facilitate memory: " ABC2D2EFG-I'M2 ACE": Adiposity, Blood pressure, Cholesterol and Cigarette smoking, Diabetes mellitus and Dietary pattern, Exercise, Frailty, Gout/hyperuricemia, Inflammation/infection, Metabolic syndrome and Metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease, Atmosphere (environment), Chronic kidney disease, and Easy life (sleep well and no stress). Some imaging studies can be risk enhancers. Some risk factors/clinical conditions are deemed to be preventable, and healthy dietary pattern, physical activity, and body weight control remain the cornerstone of the preventive strategy.

Health promotion and health education: Student’s perceptions of early marriage in Bengkulu City, Indonesia

Health promotion and health education: Student’s perceptions of early marriage in Bengkulu City, Indonesia

Effectiveness of immersive technologies in oral health promotion and education: A systematic review

ObjectiveTo evaluate the effectiveness of immersive technologies in oral health promotion and education. MethodsAn extensive literature review was conducted using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) method. This study was systematically performed in six electronic databases (PubMed, Google Scholar, Web of Science, Cochrane, Scopus, and EBSCO). The risk of bias was assessed with the Cochrane tools using RoB 2.0 and ROBINS-I. ResultsPICOS criteria were formulated for study inclusion. The bibliographical search identified 10,074 articles, which were filtered subsequently. Finally, the most pertinent nine articles were included and scrutinized for data synthesis and analysis. This includes five randomized controlled trials and four non-randomized controlled trials in different countries that focused on children (33.3%), adolescents (11.1%), and adults (55.6%). The interventions used virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) to promote knowledge and attitudes towards oral care, improve toothbrushing performance, and smoking cessation, and reduce anxiety levels in oral health education. ConclusionThis systematic review demonstrates that immersive technologies, including VR and AR, significantly enhance oral health knowledge, attitudes, and self-efficacy, leading to improved health outcomes. Clinical significanceImmersive technologies such as VR and AR have the potential to provide innovative and effective methods for enhancing oral health promotion and education, while promoting positive health behaviours, which are crucial for improving overall oral health outcomes.

Translation, Cultural Adaptation, and Content Validity of the Saudi Sign Language Version of the General Nutrition Knowledge Questionnaire.

Profoundly hearing-impaired individuals lack health-promotion education on healthy lifestyles, and this may be due to communication barriers and limited awareness of available resources. Therefore, providing understandable healthy eating knowledge and a proper education evaluation via a questionnaire is vital. The present study aimed to translate, culturally adapt, and validate the content of a Saudi sign language version of the General Nutrition Knowledge Questionnaire (GNKQ). The study followed the World Health Organization guidelines for the translation and cultural adaptation of the GNKQ, using two-phase translation (from English into Arabic and then from Arabic into Saudi sign language), including forward-translation, back-translation, and pilot testing among profoundly hearing-impaired individuals. A total of 48 videos were recorded to present the GNKQ in Saudi sign language. The scale-level content validity index (S-CVI) value was equal to 0.96, and the item-level content validity index (I-CVI) value for all questions was between 1 and 0.9, except for question 6 in section 1, which was 0.6; this discrepancy was due to religious, social, and cultural traditions. The translation, cultural adaptation, and content validity of the Saudi sign language version of the GNKQ were satisfactory. Further studies are needed to validate other measurement properties of the present translated version of this questionnaire.