Health Education Research Articles

Familial hypercholesterolemia: Current limitations and future breakthroughs

Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) is characterized by elevated low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels due to genetic mutations, presenting with xanthomas, corneal arch, and severe cardiovascular diseases. Early identification, diagnosis, and treatment are crucial to prevent severe complications like acute myocardial infarction. Statins are the primary treatment, supplemented by Ezetimibe and proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 inhibitors, though their effectiveness can be limited in severe cases. Over 90% of FH cases remain undiagnosed, and current treatments are often inadequate, underscoring the need for improved diagnostic and management systems. Future strategies include advancements in gene testing, precision medicine, and novel drugs, along with gene therapy approaches like AAV-mediated gene therapy and clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats. Lifestyle modifications, including health education, dietary control, and regular exercise, are essential for managing FH and preventing related diseases. Research into FH-related gene mutations, especially LDLR , is critical for accurate diagnosis and effective treatment.

Looking Back on Digital Medical Education Over the Last 25 Years and Looking to the Future: Narrative Review

Background The last 25 years have seen enormous progression in digital technologies across the whole of the health service, including health education. The rapid evolution and use of web-based and digital techniques have been significantly transforming this field since the beginning of the new millennium. These advancements continue to progress swiftly, even more so after the COVID-19 pandemic. Objective This narrative review aims to outline and discuss the developments that have taken place in digital medical education across the defined time frame. In addition, evidence for potential opportunities and challenges facing digital medical education in the near future was collated for analysis. Methods Literature reviews were conducted using PubMed, Web of Science Core Collection, Scopus, Google Scholar, and Embase. The participants and learners in this study included medical students, physicians in training or continuing professional development, nurses, paramedics, and patients. Results Evidence of the significant steps in the development of digital medical education in the past 25 years was presented and analyzed in terms of application, impact, and implications for the future. The results were grouped into the following themes for discussion: learning management systems; telemedicine (in digital medical education); mobile health; big data analytics; the metaverse, augmented reality, and virtual reality; the COVID-19 pandemic; artificial intelligence; and ethics and cybersecurity. Conclusions Major changes and developments in digital medical education have occurred from around the start of the new millennium. Key steps in this journey include technical developments in teleconferencing and learning management systems, along with a marked increase in mobile device use for accessing learning over this time. While the pace of evolution in digital medical education accelerated during the COVID-19 pandemic, further rapid progress has continued since the resolution of the pandemic. Many of these changes are currently being widely used in health education and other fields, such as augmented reality, virtual reality, and artificial intelligence, providing significant future potential. The opportunities these technologies offer must be balanced against the associated challenges in areas such as cybersecurity, the integrity of web-based assessments, ethics, and issues of digital privacy to ensure that digital medical education continues to thrive in the future.

Meanings and senses of Hansen’s disease for health workers from a Vygotskian perspective: a qualitative study

BackgroundHansen's disease is an infectious disease with a slow and chronic evolution that can manifest itself through skin lesions, with changes in thermal, painful and tactile sensitivity, and also affect peripheral nerves, causing significant physical disabilities. This study aimed to analyze the meanings and senses for health workers from outpatient services who provide care to people diagnosed with Hansen's disease.MethodsThis is an exploratory qualitative study that used the Vygotskian theoretical-methodological framework based on the dimension of historical-dialectic materialism that bases its procedures on the use of meaning cores. The study was carried out in Ribeirão Preto, in the inland state of São Paulo, Brazil. In total, 13 health professionals participated in the study, including two nurses, three physicians, five nursing assistants, a physiotherapist and two social workers.ResultsTo understand the meanings and senses of Hansen's disease, we take three cores of meaning as a basis: (1) personal, professional and social aspects of health workers and Hansen's disease, the health workers report that their view of what Hansen's disease was based on the understanding that it was an infectious disease that caused deformities, known as “leprosy”, and that those affected needed to be isolated; (2) Hansen’s disease – neglected, invisible and unknown, the invisibility of Hansen's disease continues to haunt those affected by it, and diagnosis is still late, referring to the marks carried in the history of Hansen's disease that remain today; and (3) challenges and potential in the world of work in the Hansen’s disease reference services, the dichotomies, challenges and potential of working with those affected by Hansen's disease are linked to the creation of bonds, love for the profession, religious beliefs and problems related to the lack of resources for the rehabilitation of those affected.ConclusionsThe re-elaboration of meaning can occur when professionals are inserted in the world of work. The socially produced senses and meanings surrounding leprosy are related to its invisibility and late diagnosis. Changing the meanings and senses requires mediation and the use of critical active methodologies in health education, with investments from training bodies, social movements and health services.

Risk factors for Clonorchis sinensis infections and control measures reinforced with focused interviews.

Clonorchiosis, a disease that develops following the consumption of raw freshwater fish that harbors Clonorchis sinensis metacercariae, seriously threatens the health of residents in endemic areas. We aimed to assess the level of awareness of liver fluke infections among infected residents and restaurant workers in liver fluke infection-endemic areas. To identify and provide a more realistic description of C. sinensis infections, we conducted a focused interview and questionnaire survey of local residents in endemic areas in Korea. Most residents knew that freshwater fish are a source of C. sinensis infection. Nevertheless, the consumption of raw freshwater fish was the main risk factor for their infection with C. sinensis. The residents had little knowledge regarding their residential area being endemic to C. sinensis or about the symptoms and complications of C. sinensis infection. Although the participants had no experience with C. sinensis prevention or health education, they preferred on-site education during visits to village halls. The in-depth interviewees had a high level of knowledge about C. sinensis infection but were unaware that eating raw freshwater fish was its cause. Family and social gatherings encourage the habit of eating raw freshwater fish, which is a risk factor for repetitive infections. Based on these findings, to eliminate clonorchiosis, we propose strengthening the capacity of public health care personnel, giving C. sinensis prevention education, and screening educational videos during visits to village halls. Furthermore, intensive education is recommended for reinfected people and community opinion leaders, as well as reservoir host control.

A scoping review on health literacy in parental educational practices: What do we know about it?

PurposeThis study aims to synthesize evidence on health literacy assessment in parental educational practices of parents/caregivers of newborns from 0 to 13 months old.Design/methodology/approachA scoping review. We synthesized qualitative and quantitative research according to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA). Database selection was based on specific content coverage of peer-reviewed articles in the biomedical and life sciences (PubMed) and health sciences and education (Scopus). We included articles complete original articles in English and/or Portuguese from peer-reviewed indexed journals whose reporting of evidence was in line with the objectives of this study: studies with parents and caregivers of newborns from 0 to 13 months old. Two independent reviewers extracted data and inconsistencies were resolved in a discussion between them and the third reviewer.FindingsA total of 345 articles were recruited, and 342 were excluded. The most studied age group was 2 months old. Regarding geographic location, most studies were carried out in the USA. All articles were published after the year 2010 and carried out only with fathers and mothers, excluding other caregivers (e.g. relatives and professionals).Research limitations/implications Only one instrument is focused on health literacy in parental educational practices.Originality/valueWe observe that this is a little-researched theme. All caregivers of young children face important barriers to understanding and implementing basic child health tasks (e.g. providing adequate nutrition, safety and medication).

Lessons Learned from an Online Sexual Health Education Program: Reflections from Preservice Health and Physical Education Teachers

ABSTRACT The purpose of this qualitative study was to seek to understand and describe the experiences of 18 preservice physical and health education teachers taking part in the published Vision of You (VOY) sexual health program. Data from reflective writing responses were collected and analyzed inductively, revealing three themes: (1)“I feel better prepared to teach sexual health in my classroom:” Preservice teachers’ views on VOY as a training and instruction tool, (2) “It does not have to be some huge, awkward thing:” Preservice teachers’ getting comfortable with the uncomfortable, and (3)“VOY changed a bias in my head I didn’t know I had:” Preservice teachers’ new knowledge and understanding of inclusive sexual health education. Based on these findings, the meaning of the VOY program was evident in the data, supporting its value as a mechanism for learning and engagement, with clear implications for practice in training preservice teachers who will be responsible for teaching sexual health content.

Prevalence and associated factors of intestinal parasitic infections in the Badi indigenous communities of Western Nepal

Despite years of a national deworming campaign, the incidence of intestinal parasitic infections (IPIs) remains relatively high among certain ethnic groups, with lifestyle factors distinct from those of the general population. Despite existing studies on the prevalence of IPIs, there is limited research exploring the contextual associated factors within the Badi Indigenous community. Our objective in this study was to assess the prevalence of IPIs in the indigenous Badi community of Gurbhakot Municipality, Surkhet, Nepal, considering socioeconomic, lifestyle, and behavioral factors. A total of 205 stool samples were obtained from individuals aged 18–70 years through purposive sampling and preserved in a 2.5% potassium dichromate solution. A structured questionnaire was administered to the selected participants. Three diagnostic methods were used: direct wet mount, saturated salt flotation, and formal ether sedimentation. The study revealed an overall parasite prevalence of 27% (n = 55) in the indigenous Badi communities. Protozoan infections were found in 19% (n = 39) of the studied community, whereas helminthic infections were present in only 7.8% (n = 16). The highest prevalence was observed for Giardia lamblia at 16.1% (n = 33), followed by Ascaris lumbricoides at 5.9% (n = 12), Entamoeba histolytica at 2.9% (n = 6), and both Enterobius vermicularis and Hymenolepis nana at 1% (n = 2). The female population had a higher exposure to E. histolytica (5.8%, n = 6) than did the male population (0%, n = 0). The multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed increased odds of IPIs among participants involved in agriculture [aOR: 5.37, 95% CI: (2.31 to 12.47)], those who kept free-ranging pigs and poultry [aOR: 5.22, 95% CI: (1.87 to 14.53)], those who did not use soap before eating [aOR: 9.96, 95% CI: (2.11 to 46.99)], and those who consumed raw or undercooked meat [aOR: 2.76, 95% CI: (1.08 to 7.05)] compared with others. Therefore, health education, particularly regarding hygiene practices and lifestyle changes, is crucial for reducing the burden of intestinal parasitic infections (IPIs) in indigenous Badi communities.

Developing a model of physical education teachers’ health service competence in China: based on the grounded theory technical approach

BackgroundIn recent years, public health emergencies have become increasingly frequent, threatening human health. Accordingly, countries worldwide have attached great importance to optimizing their public health service systems. In China, physical education teachers are responsible for conducting health education in schools and improving students’ health; however, China’s health service supply is unbalanced and insufficiently developed. Therefore, this study constructed a health service competence model of Chinese physical education teachers to assess their contribution to the improvement of China’s national public health system.MethodsThe qualitative data were primarily gathered through semi-structured interviews. Physical education teachers and researchers of physical education teachers from diverse regions of China (N = 48) were selected as participants using purposive sampling techniques. Grounded theory technical approach was employed to analyze the data through NVivo 11.0 software.ResultsThe physical education teachers’ health service competence model contained three dimensions: health service beliefs, basic health knowledge, and health service skills. Health service beliefs contained two categories: health service awareness and health service cognition. Basic health knowledge contained two categories: life health knowledge and sports health knowledge. Health service skills contained seven categories: health education skills, management skills, research skills, advocacy skills, emergency skills, organization skills, and alert skills.ConclusionThis study’s model provides a theoretical foundation for Chinese physical education teachers to transition to physical education and health teachers. Utilizing this model in teacher education can contribute to enhancing China’s national public health service system.

Public perceptions of HIV/AIDS awareness in the Gulf Council Cooperation countries: a qualitative study

BackgroundAwareness of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is limited in Muslim countries, even among high-risk populations. Several factors contribute to the misunderstandings and stigma surrounding HIV, including socio-cultural and religious aspects. This study explored people's experiences and perceptions of HIV awareness campaigns in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region.MethodsWe conducted a qualitative study using semi-structured interviews with participants from the GCC region. The data were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis methods.ResultsTwenty-seven participants took part in this study. The data revealed five main themes: The Necessity of HIV/AIDS Awareness, The Contrast Between Traditional and Modern Awareness, Exploring the Balance: Moral vs. Health Messages, HIV/AIDS Awareness in GCC countries, and Key Providers of HIV/AIDS Awareness. All participants emphasised the need to raise awareness about HIV in the GCC, believing that recent societal changes and increased openness justify the need for sexual health education. They stressed the importance of delivering clear and assertive health education to raise awareness while minimising the reliance on fear-based messaging. However, some participants expressed concerns about promoting condom use and HIV treatment, fearing it might encourage extramarital sex. Additionally, the lack of a religious component in the awareness messages raised concerns among some participants, as they believed adhering to religious practices was the best protection against HIV.ConclusionsMuslims in the GCC recognise the importance of spreading awareness about HIV. However, they stress the need to balance religious sensitivity with the delivery of open and transparent health messages. Engaging the target community, including high-risk individuals, in planning health campaigns is crucial for improving the acceptance, reach, inclusivity, and understanding of health awareness programs.

The Support Needs of Parents of Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Qualitative Study Based on the Nurturing Care Framework.

To explore the support needs of parents of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in China under the guidance of the nurturing care framework (NCF). A descriptive qualitative study design was used. Fourteen parents of 2-6-year-old children with autism were recruited for face-to-face individual interviews in Chongqing between July and November 2023. NVivo 12.0 software was used to manage the data, and a directed content analysis was performed to extract themes. Five nurturing care needs of parents of children with autism were extracted, including acquisition of health- and disorder-related knowledge and information, maintenance of psychological and physical wellbeing, desire for individualised caregiver skills training, creation of multi-agent social support network, and accessibility of high-quality and coordinated services. Parents of children with autism have multidimensional unmet nurturing care needs. It is crucial to address these needs and develop targeted family support programs with consideration of the extracted need components. This study implies that health education, parental empowerment and psychological support should be prioritised in future family support programs. The findings also emphasise the importance of establishing a cross-departmental coordination mechanism and building a multi-agent social support network for families of children with autism. This study expands our understanding on the support needs of families of children with autism and enriches the theoretical connotation of nurturing care framework, and the results may inform the development of tailored support programs for families of children with autism in China. The results are reported in accordance with the reporting guidelines of the Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Studies (COREQ). No patient and public contribution.

Vavro Šrobár: Slovak politician and publicist as a medical doctor involved (also) in the history of medicine.

Vavro Šrobár was a prominent political figure in East-Central Europe. He played a pivotal role in the establishment and development of the First Czechoslovak Republic, which emerged following the dissolution of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. He was the first Minister to exercise full administrative authority in overseeing the Provisional Government of Slovakia, and throughout his career, including until the end of his life, he held several significant political positions, such as Minister of Public Health and Physical Education, Minister of Unification, Minister of Education and National Enlightenment, and Minister of Finance. Among his numerous contributions, Šrobár was unquestionably one of the key figures behind the founding of the University in Bratislava. His name subsequently became closely associated with the first decades of the Bratislava Faculty of Medicine at Comenius University, founded in 1919. In the field of medicine, he is regarded as one of the founding figures of social medicine in Slovakia. This article will primarily examine Šrobár's medical accomplishments within the context of healthcare in present-day Slovakia during the first quarter of the 20th century and his work at the Faculty of Medicine in Bratislava. Additionally, we will explore the connection between his person and the early history of medicine in Slovakia.

Do school students study enough about the reproductive system? Data from Jordan

BackgroundUnderstanding reproductive anatomy and physiology is essential for safe wealthy sexual practices as well as reproductive attitudes. It has been advised that comprehensive sexual reproductive health (SRH) education should be provided in educational systems, colleges, and communities. We aimed to explore the knowledge about the reproductive system among first-year students in non-medical health schools.MethodA pre-validated questionnaire was distributed among first year non-medical health care school students in two universities.ResultsA number of 384 students were included. The average score of knowledge was 14.12 out of 42, Female students scored higher than males (15.06 versus 11.54).ConclusionFrom the results of the current study, it appears that Jordanian students do not study enough about reproductive systems. It is recommended that the school curricula in the fields about reproductive systems, need to be reassessed and reformed, teachers need to be trained for better teaching strategies about reproductive subjects as well.

Health and Well-Being in the Context of Health-Promoting University Initiatives: Protocol for a Mixed Methods Needs Assessment Study at Qatar University.

Health-promoting universities are dedicated to fostering learning environments and organizational cultures that support the physical and mental well-being of students, faculty, and staff. As students constitute the largest group within the university community, any policy intervention targeting them is likely to have a significant impact on the university as a whole. This study aims to assess the health status and needs of Qatar University (QU) students using a comprehensive and holistic definition of health, informed by the perspectives of students, faculty members, and key informants. The ultimate goal is to inform evidence-based policies and services designed to improve students' physical and mental well-being. An explanatory sequential mixed-methods research design will be used to conduct a comprehensive assessment of students' health status and needs. This assessment will consist of a quantitative component (a web-based health survey) administered to a convenience sample of students, and a qualitative component, including focus groups with students and faculty members, as well as interviews with key informants. Priority health issues and their determinants, identified through the quantitative assessment, will inform and guide the qualitative assessment to provide a deeper understanding of the various contexts and factors shaping them. Descriptive analyses (eg, proportions or means with SDs), comparative analyses (eg, t tests or chi-square tests), and association analyses (eg, linear, logistic, or Poisson regression models) will be used to analyze the quantitative data. Thematic analysis will be used in the qualitative assessments. Additionally, an environmental scan will be conducted to assess relevant facilities, services, and programs at the QU campus and the QU Primary Healthcare Corporation Center, as well as to review university policies and regulations that may affect students' health and well-being. Together, the needs assessment and environmental scan will inform the design of multilevel interventions, including health education and promotion programs, health services orientation, and proposed policy changes. Between March and December 2022, 812 students completed the web-based health survey. Data have been extracted, cleaned, and harmonized. Analyses to assess the extent of selection bias and the calculation of weights to account for this in all subsequent analyses have been completed (by December 2023). Following the completion of all quantitative data analyses (expected by the end of 2024), focus groups, interviews, and the environmental scan will begin in January-December 2025. This project will help identify and prioritize the health needs of QU students and their determinants, and inform relevant services and policies targeting these needs. By using comprehensive and context-appropriate methods, this project will contribute to QU's strategic efforts to become a Health-Promoting University. DERR1-10.2196/58860.

Parental health belief model constructs associated with oral health behaviors, dental caries, and quality of life among preschool children in China: a cross-sectional study

BackgroundEarly childhood caries (ECC) is a prevalent health problem that negatively affects both overall health and oral health–related quality of life (OHRQoL). This study investigated the association between health belief model (HBM) constructs and oral health behaviors, dental caries, and OHRQoL in preschool children in China.MethodsA total of 1562 preschool children aged 3 to 6 years were recruited from six public kindergartens in Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, by using stratified cluster sampling. A questionnaire was administered to parents to collect information on demographics, HBM constructs, oral health behaviors, dental caries, and OHRQoL. Regression models were used to examine relationships between HBM constructs and the outcomes.ResultsParental perceived benefits [adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 1.47 and 1.42], perceived barriers (AOR = 0.65 and 0.63), and oral health self-efficacy (AOR = 20.59 and 19.09) were associated with brushing teeth twice daily and brushing teeth with parental assistance. Perceived susceptibility (AOR = 6.62) and perceived severity (AOR = 0.49) were significantly associated with children’s ECC. Poorer oral health (β = 0.09), higher perceived susceptibility (β = 0.11), and greater perceived barriers (β = 0.30) were associated with lower OHRQoL. Brushing teeth twice daily (β = −0.19) and brushing teeth with parental assistance (β = −0.09) were associated with higher OHRQoL.ConclusionsParental HBM constructs were significantly associated with oral health behaviors, ECC, and OHRQoL in preschool children. These findings indicate the importance of incorporating parental HBM constructs into health education programs to promote positive oral health behaviors, reduce the prevalence of caries, and enhance OHRQoL in preschoolers.Trial registrationNot applicable.

The influence of caregiver’s malaria-related knowledge on the use of insecticide-treated net among children under-five: a cross-sectional study

BackgroundMalaria remains a critical public health challenge globally, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa where it significantly contributes to morbidity and mortality among children under-five. In Ghana, efforts to promote the use of insecticide-treated nets (ITNs) as a preventive measure have been substantial but utilization rates remain suboptimal. This study examines the influence of caregivers' malaria-related knowledge on ITN use among children under the age of five years in a rural district of Ghana.MethodsA community-based cross-sectional study was conducted in the Ahafo Ano South West District, Ghana, between June and October 2023. A total of 442 caregivers (mothers) of children under-five were selected using a two-stage sampling process. Data were collected through structured interviews and analysed using bivariate and multivariable logistic regression models to determine the association between caregivers’ malaria-related knowledge and ITN use among children.ResultsOut of 442 caregivers, 436 (98.6%) completed the survey. ITN use among children under-five the night before the survey was reported by 73.8% of caregivers. Overall, 36.8% of caregivers had good malaria-related knowledge, 41.2% had satisfactory knowledge, and 21.9% had poor knowledge. Multivariable analysis showed that caregivers with good malaria-related knowledge were 12 times more likely to use ITNs for their children (AOR = 12.06, 95% CI 2.30–53.20) compared to those with poor knowledge. Other significant predictors included education on ITN use, ITN ownership, child's age, and use of alternative malaria prevention methods.ConclusionThis study highlights the critical role of caregiver malaria-related knowledge in promoting ITN use among children under-five in rural Ghana. Caregivers with better knowledge were significantly more likely to use ITNs, emphasizing the need for targeted health education programs. Such interventions should enhance awareness of malaria risks and ITN benefits, empower caregivers to use ITNs effectively, and reduce barriers to ITN access. These findings provide valuable insights for policymakers aiming to improve ITN utilization and reduce malaria morbidity and mortality in vulnerable populations.

Factors associated with cancer risk perception among high school sophomores: an analysis of national survey data based on a cancer education logic model to promote cancer control

Objective Using a nationwide survey of cancer education outcomes that contribute to cancer control, this study aimed to determine the short-term outcomes of cancer education associated with students' perceptions of cancer risk.Methods An online survey was administered to second-year high school students between September and December 2022. The participants were asked about two basic attributes and 33 short-term outcome measures, as shown in the cancer education logic model. Of the 238 schools randomly selected nationwide, 145 (30,208 students) participated (60.9% of the institutions responded). Of the 21,692 respondents, 20,402 indicated that they would participate in the survey. The analysis included 19,785 respondents (response rate; 65.5%). After calculating the percentage of responses for each item, we conducted a Chi-square test with sex as the dependent variable and logistic regression analysis with cancer risk awareness as the dependent variable, using sex as the adjustment variable for statistical analysis. The significance level was set at P＜0.05.Results The percentage of responses based on the calculation method for each indicator ranged from 67.6-88.4% and 77.5-93.1% among male and female students, respectively, for the seven indicators of cancer prevention. Contrastingly, the percentages for the three indicators in the field of cancer care ranged from 4.3-89.1% and 6.6-89.8% among male and female students, respectively. Cancer risk awareness among female students was higher than that among male students at 3,196 (31.9%) and 2,814 (28.8%), respectively (P＜0.001). Additionally, more female students knew about cancer, whereas more male students felt stigmatized. Furthermore, in an analysis in which sex was used as a moderating variable, 25 of the 33 items were risk perception-related factors. Of these, odds ratio was 0.92 (95% confidence interval; 0.86-0.98) for those who found it easy to judge "the basis of cancer information."Conclusion Cancer risk perception was positively associated with sex and many short-term outcome measures in cancer education. Improved health education on cancer as a typical disease and an appropriate social environment for such education are required.

Behaviors and willingness to support HPV vaccination for women: a cross-sectional study of young adult men in China

BackgroundMen’s involvement in and support for women’s decision-making concerning human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination is crucial. However, the support provided by men to promote HPV vaccination among women, as a crucial part of intimate relationships has received limited attention. This study examined the behaviors and willingness of young Chinese adult men to support HPV vaccination in women and explored potential factors influencing supportive behaviors and willingness.MethodsFrom December 2020 to January 2021, a cross-sectional study was conducted among 1014 young men from eight universities in Zhejiang Province, China. The survey questionnaire assessed behaviors and willingness to support HPV vaccination, HPV-related knowledge, information seeking for male HPV vaccination, attitudes toward women’s vaccination benefits, and sociodemographic variables. Multivariable logistic regression analyses adjusting for all covariates were used to identify factors associated with supportive behaviors and willingness.ResultsOnly 48.4% of respondents reported having acquired and shared information about HPV vaccination with loved ones, whereas 41.3% recommended HPV vaccination. Approximately 80% of the participants without supportive behaviors reported a willingness to support the vaccination. Positive attitudes toward the benefits of women’s HPV vaccination, active seeking of information on male HPV vaccination, and relevant sociodemographic and health-related variables were associated with vaccination-supportive behaviors or willingness.ConclusionsYoung men expressed a relatively low level of support for female HPV vaccination. Promoting active information seeking regarding HPV vaccination among men and emphasizing the benefits of HPV vaccination for women could potentially foster more supportive behaviors. Targeted health education should include men to promote their involvement in shared decision-making regarding female HPV vaccinations.

The trials and triumphs of co-producing an evaluation plan: A principles-focused evaluation

BackgroundRecovery Colleges are mental health-oriented education programs that are rooted in principles of peer support and co-production. Co-production, in this context, involves people with lived experience of mental health and addiction challenges and people with other forms of expertise (e.g., mental health professionals, administrators, and researchers) collaborating on the design and actualization of programs and initiatives. Despite co-production being a central feature of Recovery Colleges, very few Recovery College evaluations appear to be co-produced. In addition, there is a lack of research that evaluates the quality of the co-production processes in developing evaluations. The Recovery College at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, called the Collaborative Learning College, established an Evaluation Subcommittee with the goal of co-designing and implementing an evaluation plan for the program. In response to the dearth of literature on co-producing Recovery College evaluations and the quality of such collaborative processes, the Evaluation Subcommittee conducted a principles-focused evaluation to assess the quality of their process of co-producing an evaluation plan.MethodsAll members of the Evaluation Subcommittee collaboratively developed and agreed on three principles that they felt were most important in their co-production process. Using a self-narrative approach, each member then produced a reflection on the importance of the principles, the degree to which the committee adhered to them, and the impact. Finally, members engaged in collaborative thematic analysis and co-wrote this manuscript.ResultsThe results of this study outline member’s purposes for joining the Evaluation Subcommittee, the strengths and challenges related to embodying the collaborative principles, and the associated impacts.ConclusionsThe findings demonstrate the value of co-producing health education evaluations with people with lived experience and highlight important lessons learned through the Evaluation Subcommittee’s collaborative process, specifically related to mitigating the impacts of power imbalances. These lessons can be valuable for others to consider in their co-production processes.

Exploring the impact of the Global Community-Based Education (G-CBE) program at the University of Global Health Equity (UGHE), Rwanda: insights from the inaugural cohort

Background and contextCommunity-Based Education (CBE) integrates practical experiences within community settings to deepen students’ understanding of real-world issues. In July 2023, the University of Global Health Equity (UGHE) launched the Global Community-Based Education (G-CBE) program, designed to immerse international students in diverse settings across Rwanda and enhance their grasp of social determinants of health, community health and social medicine.ObjectivesThis study explores the experiences and perceptions of the first cohort of the G-CBE program at UGHE. It aims to evaluate how the program influenced the learning, career development, and understanding of community health for the 10 participating students.MethodsQualitative methods were employed, including 10 in-depth interviews (IDIs) to gather insights into the participants’ experiences and the perceived benefits of the G-CBE program.Key findingsStudents reported gaining a comprehensive understanding of social determinants of health, developing a strong appreciation for community-driven approaches, and acquiring practical skills through hands-on experiences. The program also broadened their global health perspective and heightened their awareness of health inequities.ConclusionThe findings underscore the significance of immersive community-based learning in global health education. The students’ experiences will inform ongoing improvements to the G-CBE program, enhancing its effectiveness in preparing future health professionals.

Rotational training structures and national employment in public health education: an organizational perspective

IntroductionPostgraduate medical education (PGME) relies on structured training rotations and workplace-based learning (WBL) to provide comprehensive clinical training and professional development. Emphasizing WBL, PGME integrates theoretical knowledge with practical skills through direct patient care involvement, underscoring the pivotal role of training institutes in supporting these initiatives. While curricular changes in PGME have been extensively studied in clinical teaching hospitals, PGME programs in public health (PGME-PH) remain underexplored, yet their multidisciplinary nature post-COVID-19 underscores the urgency for effective curricular reforms. This study explores how training institutions offering PGME-PH navigate the adoption of structured training rotations and a transition to a national employer by examining organizational perspectives to enhance sustainability and integration of educational innovations in this unique context.MethodsSemistructured interviews were conducted with 14 participants from 8 training institutions offering PGME-PH in the Netherlands between October and November 2022 to explore their experiences with the implementation of a rotational training structure. The interviews were guided by the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR).ResultsThe analysis identified three pivotal themes influencing sustainable implementation and ownership: influence, communication, and motivation. Participants expressed concerns about reduced influence in organizing PGME-PH and noted significant communication challenges, such as ambiguity in roles, program frameworks, and financial aspects. Despite these obstacles, participants showed strong motivation for education and underscored the importance of collaboration and shared responsibility.ConclusionThe successful implementation of structured training rotations was negatively impacted by training institutions’ experience of limited influence and communication challenges. This led to diminished ownership of the new PGME-PH curriculum, potentially affecting its long-term sustainability. Despite these challenges, participants maintain high motivation for educational delivery. Enhancing sustainable implementation requires fostering ownership, promoting collective responsibility, establishing clear communication channels, and nurturing motivation. These factors are crucial for ensuring the success and longevity of educational programs such as PGME-PH.