General Willingness Research Articles

COVID-19 vaccine acceptance among cold-chain workers in Shenzhen, China: A cross-sectional survey

ABSTRACT Given the high level of exposure to SARS-CoV-2, cold-chain workers are considered priority vaccination groups. To date, many studies have reported on the willingness within distinct populations to be vaccinated against COVID-19, whereas it has not been reported among cold-chain workers worldwide. To address this void, we conducted a cross-sectional survey to gather general information, COVID-19-related knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP), and willingness to receive a COVID-19 vaccine among cold-chain workers in Shenzhen, China. Binary logistic analyses were conducted to explore the associations between COVID-19-related KAP factors and the willingness for COVID-19 vaccination. Among 244 cold-chain workers, 76% indicated that they were willing to be vaccinated. Knowledge about SARS-CoV-2, comprehending the most effective prevention, understanding the transmission routes, and recognizing the priority vaccination groups were positively associated with willingness to be vaccinated against COVID-19. Regarding attitude factors, perceiving the social harmfulness and severity of COVID-19 were related to a higher willingness to vaccination. Participants considering themselves a priority group for COVID-19 vaccination were more likely to get vaccinated. For practice factors, attaining more knowledge and higher self-reported compliance with maintaining adequate ventilation were also positively associated with the dependent variable. Agreement on the importance of COVID-19 vaccination was the most frequent reason for accepting the COVID-19 vaccine; additionally, concerns about side effects and insufficient understanding of efficacy were the main factors contributing to vaccine refusal. Enhancing KAP levels related to COVID-19 helps promote vaccine acceptance. Health authorities should promptly implement educational activities following the updated vaccine status among cold-chain workers.

Addressing the Helper's and Victim's Gender Is Crucial in Schoolchildren Resuscitation Training-A Prospective, Educative Interventional Trial.

Background: A victim’s gender is a known factor that influences the willingness of adult bystanders to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) if an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) occurs. This study aims to identify whether gender characteristics of OHCA victims are also relevant to schoolchildren, who are the key target group of CPR trainings worldwide. Methods: A prospective, educative intervention study was performed in schoolchildren (5th–7th grade). Schoolchildren’s willingness to perform CPR was assessed by means of questionnaires before (t0) and after (t1) standardized CPR training. Participants were asked how determined they were to perform CPR in male and female OHCA victims on a 5-point Likert scale (not being determined to being very determined). A data analysis was performed according to the gender characteristics of schoolchildren. Results: Overall, 342 schoolchildren aged 10–15 years were included, and 166 male (MG) and 176 female (FG) schoolchildren served as a comparison group. Before (t0) and after (t1) the intervention, females showed a significantly higher general willingness to perform CPR than males (t0: 97.1% vs. 89.0%; p < 0.003 and t1: 95.7% vs. 98.9%; p = 0.038). The general willingness to perform CPR after training had a stronger increase in males (8.0% vs. 2.3%; p = 0.017). In the case that the OHCA victim was female, male schoolchildren were less willing to perform CPR than females at baseline (MG: n = 101;60.8% vs. FG: n = 147;84.5%; p < 0.001) and after training (MG: n = 97;58.4% vs. FG: n = 138;79.3%; p < 0.001). At t1, CPR willingness for female victims was improved in males (MG: n = 36;21.7% vs. FG: n = 19;10.9%; p = 0.006). Conclusions: The gender characteristics of OHCA victims, as well as schoolchildren themselves, have a relevant impact on the willingness to perform CPR. Training concepts should effectively motivate male schoolchildren to reduce preexisting inhibitions, especially towards female OHCA patients. Trial registration: This study was registered at the German Clinical Trials Register (Registration number: DRKS00017707) on 2 August 2019.

General vaccination willingness and current vaccination status in relation to clinical and psychological variables in patients with multiple sclerosis

BackgroundInfections can have a significant impact on morbidity and mortality in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients. Therefore, vaccinations are of immense importance. If vaccination willingness is to be increased, possible influencing factors should be identified. The aim of the present study was to investigate the status of active immunisation in MS patients in association with sociodemographic, clinical-neurological, psychopathological and personality variables using the NEO-Five Factor Inventory, the Temperament and Character Inventory-Revised and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. MethodFour hundred and four MS patients from two German neurological hospitals were examined for their vaccination attitudes, in detail, the general willingness to vaccinate and the current vaccination status of mumps, measles and rubella (MMR) as well as tetanus and influenza. We also looked at the current level of disability in relation to the current vaccination status, as well as possible associated personality and psychopathological variables. ResultsPatients with a complete MMR vaccination status were significantly younger and those with a complete influenza vaccination status were significantly older than those with related incomplete vaccination status. Tetanus vaccination status completeness did not differ depending on age and did not show substantial association with personality scores. However, influenza vaccination completeness was associated with differences in personality and psychopathological variables; extraversion, openness, novelty seeking, harm avoidance and anxiety. A reported general vaccination willingness was significantly correlated with the current completeness of tetanus and influenza vaccinations. Novelty seeking, persistence, extraversion, agreeableness, conscientiousness and neuroticism were found associated with an increased vaccination willingness. Anxiety and depression were not related to general vaccination willingness. ConclusionsNo specific personality trait could be defined on its own in relation to general vaccination willingness or complete vaccination status. Younger patients should be made more aware of influenza vaccination. Reasons for rather low vaccination rates need to be further investigated.

Boredom Proneness Predicts Self-Assessed Decision Errors in Sports but Is Unrelated to Risk Taking in General.

Introduction: Boredom proneness is linked to poor self-regulation, leading to poor decision making and/or increased risk taking. These links have not yet been investigated in the domain of sports and exercise. However, poor decisions or excessive risk behavior would be highly detrimental to sporting performance and, in some cases, even cause physical harm. Here, we address this gap by assessing if boredom proneness is linked to general risk taking, sport-specific risk taking, and to regrets about sports-specific decision errors with respect to acting too risky or too passively. Methods: N = 936 athletes (27.6 ± 9.0 years, 89.6% men): n = 330 Climbers (31.8 ± 10.7 years, 82.4% men), n = 83 Snowboarders (29.9 ± 8.3 years, 79.5% men), and n = 523 Esports athletes (24.6 ± 6.3 years, 95.8% men) completed the Short Boredom Proneness Scale (SBPS), along with measures for objective risk taking (Balloon Analogue Risk Task; BART), subjective risk taking (general willingness to take risks), as well as assessments for sport-specific risk taking and regrets for sports-specific decision errors (taking too many risks, failing to act at all). In the two extreme sports samples (i.e., climbers and snowboarders), we additionally assessed self-selected outcome certainty in a hypothetical sports-specific scenario where an error would result in physical harm. Results: A series of multiple regression analyses revealed that boredom proneness was unrelated to objective and subjective general risk taking, but a significant predictor of sport-specific risk taking and higher risk taking in the sports scenario (climbers and snowboarders only). Most importantly, boredom proneness predicted regrets for taking too many risks and being too passive. Exploratory post-hoc analyses further indicated that boredom proneness in extreme sports athletes was lower than in esports athletes. Higher boredom proneness was significantly related to lower skill levels across all kinds of sport. Discussion: Across three athlete samples, boredom proneness was unrelated to general risk taking but significantly related to poorer decision making, as indicated by regrets about acting too risky and too passively, as well as demanding a significantly lower safety threshold to make a risky sports-specific choice. While at odds with the often-reported link between boredom proneness and risk taking, these results are consistent with the conceptualization of boredom proneness as a maladaptive self-regulatory disposition that leads to noisy decision making in sports. In addition, we provide preliminary evidence that boredom proneness covaries with self-selection into specific types of sports and might also stand in the way of skill acquisition in sports.

Residents’ Participation in Solid Waste Management in Solwezi District, Zambia

Purpose: Community participation in solid waste management is currently seen as a determinant of successful solid waste management. Cases of failed solid waste management are common in areas where the waste management is regarded as a responsibility of local authorities while the community remains indifferent. Research has shown that public participation in solid waste management is marginal in most African countries. The study was aimed at analysing the residents’ participation in solid waste management in Solwezi. Results are cardinal in designing more sustainable waste management strategies.&#x0D; Methodology: It utilized systematic random sampling to sample 77 households of which 28 were from Kyawama Township, 23 from Stadium and 26 were from Kandundu Townships. Structured interviews, key informant interviews and observations were used to collect data on methods of waste disposal, residents’ perceptions of solid waste management services available, and their willingness to pay for sustainable solid waste management. Data analysis was conducted using descriptive statistics, chi-square, Pearson product-moment correlation and content analysis.&#x0D; Findings: Results showed that 65 % of the residents felt that they did not participate in any formal waste management practices. The 35 % who admitted to being participants felt they did this through waste separation, reuse and through their engaging a formal waste collector. In Solwezi, burying of waste (44.2 %) was the dominant waste management practice followed by formal waste collection (35 %) and burning (19.4 %)., while informal waste collectors accounted for 2.6 % of waste disposed of and 1.3 % of waste was disposed of through communal rubbish bins. Solwezi had very low participation of the residents in formal waste collection services with some residents not aware of the existence of such a service in the town (31.2 %). Among barriers to community engagement in solid waste management in Solwezi were a lack of knowledge of the existence of formal waste collection systems (35 %), failure by the local municipal council to provide waste bins either in residential areas or streets (13 %), relatively high costs of engaging in formal solid waste management and a lack of alternative cheaper ways of managing domestic solid waste. There was a general willingness by most residents to pay for sustainable solid waste management (57.2 %) with only 2.6 % indicating they felt that the local municipal council should treat waste management as a service that residents do not have to pay for&#x0D; Unique contribution to theory, practice and policy: In conclusion, the low community participation in solid waste management in Solwezi was attributed to failure to adequately sensitize residents by the municipal council. Residents’ attitudes towards sustainable management of solid waste and community engagement in decisions related to solid waste management by the local authority was token at best. The study recommended sensitization in community participation as well as incentivizing champions of community waste management as a way of improving community participation in solid waste management.

Intergroup Sensitivity and Promoting Sustainable Consumption: Meat Eaters Reject Vegans’ Call for a Plant-Based Diet

Reducing meat consumption can make immediate contributions to fighting the climate crisis. A growing minority adheres to meat-free diets and could convince others to follow suit. We argue, however, that recipients’ social identification as meat eaters may impede the effectiveness of such calls (i.e., an intergroup sensitivity effect based on dietary groups). Indeed, meat eaters in our experiment (N = 260) were more likely to reject calls for dietary change from a vegan than from a fellow meat eater. This effect was also evidenced in evaluations of and engagement with an initiative to promote a vegan diet (“Veganuary”), providing some indication for behavioral impact. In contrast, our societal dietary norm manipulation had no consistent effects on observed outcomes. Exploratory moderation analyses show a limited impact of participants’ social identification as meat eaters but highlight the role of peoples’ general willingness to engage in environmentally friendly behavior. We discuss theoretical and practical implications, including how our results challenge existing approaches to promoting a meat-reduced diet.

Level and determinants of willingness to donate organs among the general public: A cross-sectional survey in China.

This study aims to assess the level and determinants of the general public's willingness to organ donation. We conducted a population-based cross-sectional study of 4261 participants in China. The primary outcome was the willingness to donate organs. Logistic regression modelling was used to determine the factors that affect willingness to donate organs. Overall, the proportion of participants who showed a willingness to donate organs was 47.45% (95%CI: 0.46, 0.49) in this study. Logistic regression modelling showed participants from Western (OR = 1.33, 95%CI = 1.11-1.59) and Eastern China (OR = 1.40, 95%CI = 1.19-1.65) were more willing to donate organs compared with those from Central China. The odds of being willing to donate organs was higher in females than males (OR = 1.35, 95%CI = 1.17-1.55); and was higher in those participants with experience of organ donation (OR = 1.58, 95%CI = 1.13-2.21), experience of caring for organ transplant patients (OR = 1.45, 95%CI = 1.01-2.07), and those undertaking related voluntary activities (OR = 1.67, 95%CI = 1.45-1.94), than those without. The general public's level of willingness to organ donation was not high in this study. Geographical region, gender, experience of organ donation related activities, taking care of organ transplant patients and volunteering in related activities were independently associated with participants' willingness to donate organs.

Understanding the attitudes and experiences of people living with potentially stigmatised long-term health conditions with respect to collecting and sharing health and lifestyle data.

BackgroundThe emerging landscape of patient-generated data (PGData) provides an opportunity to collect large quantities of information that can be used to develop our understanding of different health conditions and potentially improve the quality of life for those living with long-term health condition (LTHCs). If the potential benefits of PGData are to be realised, we need a better understanding of the psychological barriers and facilitators to the collection and beneficial sharing of health and lifestyle data. Due to the understudied role that stigma plays in sharing PGData, we explore the attitudes and experiences of those living with potentially stigmatised LTHCs with respect to collecting and sharing health and lifestyle data.MethodsThis study used semi-structured interviews and a card sorting task to explore the attitudes and experiences of people living with potentially stigmatised LTHCs. Fourteen adult participants who reported having a range of conditions were recruited in England. Template analysis was used to analyse interview transcripts and descriptive statistics were used for the card sorting task.ResultsThe findings present four overarching themes: Preferences for collecting health and lifestyle data, Importance of anonymity, Expected use of data, and Sources of emotional support. Participants illustrated a general willingness to share health and lifestyle data; however, there were some notable differences in sharing experiences, varying both by information type and recipient group. Overall, participants did not identify health-related stigma as a barrier to collecting or sharing their personal health and lifestyle data.ConclusionsWe outline a number of preferences that participants feel would encourage them to collect and share data more readily, which may be considered when developing data sharing tools for the future.

PROFESSIONAL TRAINING OF MASTERS OF MANAGEMENT FOR ACTIVITIES IN EXTREME CONDITIONS

The purpose of the article is to characterize the features of professional training of future managers in the field of education to work in extreme conditions. The main result of the training of future heads of educational institutions (managers of education) in the master's degree is the formation of their professional competence. This integral quality of personality is manifested in the general ability and willingness to manage (especially in extreme conditions). Emphasis is placed on acmeological competence – the most important indicator of a high level of professionalism of management staff. In extreme conditions, a very important factor is the inherent nature of each manager (head of educational institution) of many acmeological invariants (managerial reflection, responsibility, empathy, professional optimism). Professional optimism is later transformed into public social optimism. Features of preparation of masters of management for educational branch are considered. In mastering the educational components, undergraduates use the acquired knowledge to implement acme-futuring – an effective tool for self-forecasting for the future. This is especially important in today's extreme conditions. Future education managers develop author's programs of personal and professional self-development and self-improvement. They are based not only on the top model of self-development, but also on the model of low self-development (tragic and anastrophic). These models emphasize the importance of taking into account the points of crisis and catharsis. In the educational process in the preparation of future masters of management in education is the development of professionalism of this category of specialists, improving their acmeological invariants, developing the ability to predict the future through the development of author's programs of personal and professional self-development and self-improvement. Predicting one's future confirms the manager's own optimistic position. Optimism is a protective factor of the individual and society from distress and a significant factor in predicting subjective well-being. A person shows social activity, full of positive expectations for the future. By mastering this acme-energetic technology, the leader is able to help other people, his subordinates to gain confidence in the future. Accordingly, on this basis, social optimism is formed as a necessary condition for society to emerge from the crisis.

Impact of COVID-19 on perceived wellbeing, self-management and views of novel modalities of care among medically vulnerable patients in Singapore.

This study aims to examine the impact of COVID-19 measures on wellbeing and self-management in medically vulnerable non-COVID patients and their views of novel modalities of care in Singapore. Patients with cardiovascular disease (CVD), respiratory disease, chronic kidney disease, diabetes and cancer were recruited from the SingHealth cluster and national cohort of older adults. Data on demographics, chronic conditions and perceived wellbeing were collected using questionnaire. We performed multivariable regression to examine factors associated with perceived wellbeing. Qualitative interviews were conducted to elicit patient's experience and thematically analyzed. A total of 91 patients participated. Male patients compared with female patients perceived a lower impact of the pandemic on subjective wellbeing. Patients with CVD compared to those having conditions other than CVD perceived a lower impact. Impacts of the pandemic were primarily described in relation to emotional distress and interference in maintaining self-care. Hampering of physical activity featured prominently, but most did not seek alternative ways to maintain activity. Despite general willingness to try novel care modalities, lack of physical interaction and communication difficulties were perceived as main barriers. Findings underline the need to alleviate emotional distress and develop adaptive strategies to empower patients to maintain wellbeing and self-care.

Bursting balloons - comparison of risk taking between extreme sports, esports, and the general public

Arguably, extreme sports athletes exhibit a more significant risk appetite than the general public. Are standard behavioral risk measures able to capture this? To answer this question, we assessed self-reports of risk taking and measured the risk-taking behavior of samples of snowboarders and climbers. Two groups of non-athletes, university students and crowdworkers, and athletes of a sport that does not include the potential of grave injury or death, esports athletes, serve as control conditions and complement our study. Across these five different groups, 1313 participants performed an online version of the Balloon Analogue Risk Task (BART) and gave self-reports of general willingness to take risks and sports-specific risk taking. Extreme sports athletes exhibited greater risk taking in the BART than non-athletes and esports athletes. Furthermore, BART-performance predicted sports-specific risk taking and its affective consequences. Our results speak to the BART’s ecological validity and the unique role of physical consequences on risk-taking behavior.

Charity Misconduct on Public Health Issues Impairs Willingness to Offer Help.

Charity organizations positively impact our societies but charity misconduct impairs people’s willingness to contribute to charity and functional health systems on public health issues. This study investigates the impact of charity misconduct on people’s willingness to offer help on public health issues and possible ways of reducing the negative impact brought by charity misconduct news through four studies (Ntotal = 1269). Results showed that charity misconduct on public health issues significantly reduced individuals’ willingness to offer help via both the charity involved with the misconduct and any charity they prefer (Study 1 and 2). Furthermore, news on charity misconduct reduced people’s general willingness to help in contexts that did not involve charity (Study 3). Finally, presenting charity nonmisconduct news after charity misconduct news increases individuals’ willingness to offer help via the nonmisconduct charity (Study 4), suggesting a potential way to nudge people to provide help in the fight against the negative impact brought by charity misconduct news. The findings show the backfire of reporting charity misconduct news and have important implications for potential ways to facilitate people to offer help.

Influence of rapid COVID-19 vaccine development on vaccine hesitancy

IntroductionIn the race to deploy vaccines to prevent COVID-19, there is a need to understand factors influencing vaccine hesitancy. Secondary risk theory is a useful framework to explain this, accounting for concerns about vaccine efficacy and safety. MethodsDuring the first week of July, 2020, participants (N = 216) evaluated one of three different hypothetical vaccine scenarios describing an FDA-approved vaccine becoming available “next week,” “in one year,” or “in two years.” Dependent variables were perceived vaccine efficacy, self-efficacy, perceived vaccine risk, and vaccination willingness. Covariates included vaccine conspiracy beliefs, science pessimism, media dependency, and perceived COVID-19 risk. Data analysis employed multiple analysis of covariance (MANCOVA). ResultsPerceived vaccine efficacy was lowest for the next-week vaccine (η2p = .045). Self-efficacy was higher for the two-year vaccine than the next-week vaccine (η2p = .029). Perceived vaccine risk was higher for the next-week vaccine than for the one-year vaccine (η2p = .032). Vaccination willingness did not differ among experimental treatments. In addition, vaccine conspiracy beliefs were negatively related to perceived vaccine efficacy (η2p = .142), self-efficacy (η2p = .031), and vaccination willingness (η2p = .143) and positively related to perceived vaccine risk (η2p = .216). ConclusionsThe rapid development of the COVID-19 vaccine may have heightened public concerns over efficacy, availability, and safety. However, the current findings showed a general willingness to take even the most rapidly developed vaccine. Nonetheless, there remains a need to communicate publicly and transparently about vaccine efficacy and safety and work to reduce vaccine conspiracy beliefs.

Return of individual research results from genomic research: A systematic review of stakeholder perspectives.

Despite the plethora of empirical studies conducted to date, debate continues about whether and to what extent results should be returned to participants of genomic research. We aimed to systematically review the empirical literature exploring stakeholders' perspectives on return of individual research results (IRR) from genomic research. We examined preferences for receiving or willingness to return IRR, and experiences with either receiving or returning them. The systematic searches were conducted across five major databases in August 2018 and repeated in April 2020, and included studies reporting findings from primary research regardless of method (quantitative, qualitative, mixed). Articles that related to the clinical setting were excluded. Our search identified 221 articles that met our search criteria. This included 118 quantitative, 69 qualitative and 34 mixed methods studies. These articles included a total number of 118,874 stakeholders with research participants (85,270/72%) and members of the general public (40,967/35%) being the largest groups represented. The articles spanned at least 22 different countries with most (144/65%) being from the USA. Most (76%) discussed clinical research projects, rather than biobanks. More than half (58%) gauged views that were hypothetical. We found overwhelming evidence of high interest in return of IRR from potential and actual genomic research participants. There is also a general willingness to provide such results by researchers and health professionals, although they tend to adopt a more cautious stance. While all results are desired to some degree, those that have the potential to change clinical management are generally prioritized by all stakeholders. Professional stakeholders appear more willing to return results that are reliable and clinically relevant than those that are less reliable and lack clinical relevance. The lack of evidence for significant enduring psychological harm and the clear benefits to some research participants suggest that researchers should be returning actionable IRRs to participants.

General inclusive victimhood predicts willingness to engage in intergroup contact: Findings from Bosnia‐Herzegovina and the Basque Country

AbstractWe investigated the relationship between general inclusive victimhood (i.e., perceived similarity between the ingroups’ and other victim groups’ experiences of collective victimization) and willingness to engage in direct, intimate (e.g., intimate relationships) and distant (e.g., neighbors) contact with the adversary group in the aftermath of collective violence. We tested this link across two post‐conflict contexts: Bosnia‐Herzegovina (N = 147 students) and the Basque Country (N = 351 adults). We found that general inclusive victimhood was linked to greater willingness to engage in distant intergroup contact in two contexts (e.g., having an outgroup member as a neighbor), but only predicted more intimate forms of intergroup contact (e.g., having a former adversary member as a romantic partner) in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The link between general inclusive victimhood and both types of contact was sequentially mediated by conflict‐specific inclusive victimhood and trust in Bosnia‐Herzegovina and Basque Country, and via conflict‐specific inclusive victimhood and empathy in the Basque Country. Theoretical and practical implications for reconciliation in the aftermath of ethnic conflict are discussed.

Analysis on the Subjective Willingness of Public Participation in the Scenic Villages’ Construction and Its Related Factors

The construction of scenic villages can not be done without the active participation of the local residents and it is of great significance to analyse the residents’ participation willingness and its related factors. On the basis of drawing experience from the present research results, we, through house-to-house questionnaire surveys and sampling interviews, survey residents in five villages of Hangzhou city about their willingness to participate in the construction of scenic villages themselves, participation paths and their attitudes toward external participation, and adopt the methods, such as exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis(CFA), to verify three hypotheses(H1, H2, H3). The study finds that: (1) the general participation willingness of village residents is comparatively high, but the participation willingness degrees of different village groups are quite different. According to the degree of participation willingness, the sequence from high to low is: village cadres &gt; farmhouse and rural lodging operators &gt; college village officials &gt; staffs employed in the village enterprises &gt; ordinary villagers &gt; resident cadres. (2) There are relatively big differences among the villagers’ recognition degrees of different participation routes in the construction of scenic villages. The highest difference significance of the correlation is the multi-family joint loans (1.160). The lowest is to publicize, encourage and actively promote the construction of scenic villages (0.936). (3) The verification results are in favor of three hypotheses that the resident identity of the villagers has a significant impact on their willingness to participate, the path of participation, and their attitudes towards the external participation. According to the research results, the following suggestions are made: improve the awareness of the related subjects, especially the villagers by increasing the publicity; take measures to attract the active participation of the new business entities; open up the input channels to motivate the villagers; improve the public participation degree of the scenic villages’ construction by coordinating the relation among investment subjects and guaranteeing the villager’ interests etc.

Community pharmacist engagement in HIV and HCV prevention: Current practices and potential for service uptake

BackgroundThe central Appalachian region is at an elevated risk for HIV/HCV outbreaks, primarily due to injection drug use. Regional risk assessments highlight gaps in the evidence-based continuum of primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention strategies to minimize HIV/HCV transmission. One potential strategy for increasing the reach of HIV/HCV prevention efforts in rural areas is through provision of services at community pharmacies. ObjectiveTo qualitatively describe community pharmacists' HIV/HCV-related prevention behaviors, attitudes, and beliefs in a 3-state central Appalachian region. MethodsKey informant interviews were conducted with 15 practicing community pharmacists. Theory of Planned Behavior-based questions probed for perceptions about the role of pharmacies in preventing and reducing HIV/HCV outbreaks in rural areas through activities such as syringe services, screening for HIV/HCV, and linking people to treatment when appropriate. Investigators applied thematic analysis to deductively and inductively generate themes from the interview transcripts. ResultsTwo overarching themes regarding pharmacist engagement in HIV/HCV-related prevention services were generated: 1) current approaches to primary prevention through nonprescription syringe sales (e.g., gatekeeping behaviors) and 2) potential for uptake of the continuum of HIV/HCV-related prevention services in community pharmacies. Future engagement of community pharmacists in the continuum of HIV/HCV-related prevention services comprised 2 subthemes as possible underlying factors: general and specific willingness to provide services and perceived fit within the pharmacy profession. ConclusionsCentral Appalachian community pharmacists express a general willingness to help patients who may benefit from HIV/HCV-related prevention services, but current engagement, willingness, and perceived fit for offering specific prevention services in the community pharmacy setting is variable. This has potential immediate implications, such as prioritizing the introduction of more widely accepted services (e.g., provision of HIV/HCV-related prevention education) to community pharmacy practice, and longer-term implications, such as the integration and framing of HIV/HCV-related prevention services as helping behavior within the pharmacist professional identity.

Factors influencing (health-promoting) telework during COVID-19: A company sample in Austria

Abstract Background Many companies had to switch to teleworking (TW) due to COVID-19 pandemic in spring 2020. However, TW conditions (home office) are not always health promoting. The question was: To what extent companies enabled TW before, during and after the first lockdown (time points t1-t3) and what is the role of workplace health promotion (WHP) in the establishment of health-promoting TW? Methods Using TAM, hypotheses were operationalised using a standardised questionnaire. At the beginning of 2020, a selection of 1858 Austrian companies were asked to participate in an online survey. The n = 192 responses from company representatives cover a broad mix of different sectors, industries, company sizes and regions in Austria. The analysis was carried out using structural equation models. Results Both the extent of TW implemented (means: mt1=3.7, mt2=18.4, mt3=8.6 days per month/employee) and the proportion of the workforce that could make use of TW (mt1=17.3%, mt2=58.6%, mt3=40.1%) increased significantly during the 1st lockdown and did not return to the pre-lockdown level afterwards. The degree of TW depended on how well the companies were prepared for it (β = 0.271). The (a) experience with TW and the (b) willingness to continue offering TW depended on the preparation (a: 0.243; b: 0.453) and on the actual degree of implementation of TW (a: 0.228; b: 0.193). For the intention to implement health-promoting TW in the company, the general willingness for TW (0.415) but also the existing WHP structures are central requirements (0.446; all p &amp;lt; 0.050). Conclusions Far more than before COVID-19, TW is of central interest for public health and WHP. In terms of a holistic health understanding of TW, companies have to adapt to the changing conditions (eg technical, communication) and to establish comprehensive WHP structures and processes. Support for companies can come from training or further education to raise awareness and develop an appropriate health-promoting company culture. Key messages Health promoting telework conditions need to be assessed and developed further. Companies need to be supported when implementing health-promoting telework, eg with guidelines, further education.

A preference for quality: Australian general public's willingness to pay for home and residential aged care

In Australia and many other countries internationally, aged care services are provided to older people in their own homes or residential care facilities. The majority of these services are funded by the federal government using taxpayer contributions from the general public. However, the monetary value Australians place on aged care services, and the factors that predict this value, have not been examined. We, therefore, sought to determine the general public's willingness to pay (WTP) for aged care services and examine which factors influence this WTP. A cross-sectional contingent valuation survey was administered to a nationally representative cohort of 10,285 Australians between September and October 2020 from the general population aged 18 years and over. Respondents were asked to indicate their WTP values for satisfactory and high-quality aged care services to be provided in the future. A two-part regression model was used to explain what factors explained variation in WTP. In total, 80% (61%) of respondents were willing to pay to access satisfactory (high) quality home care (counterpart figures for residential care were 64% (45%)). On average, respondents were willing to pay between $126 and $158 ($145 and $237) per week to receive satisfactory-quality (high-quality) home care and between $333 and $520 ($308 and $680) per week for satisfactory-quality (high-quality) residential care. Respondents were willing to pay an additional $120 per week on average to access high-quality aged care. Higher WTP values were generally associated with being younger, male, recent experience with aged care through a close family member accessing aged care and ability to pay. These results suggest general public support for payment of individual co-contributions to access aged care services in the future.

Sexual morbidity, quality of life, and patient-provider communication among ovarian cancer patients and survivors

Objectives: As survival rates increase among women in the U.S. living with ovarian cancer (OC), quality of life (QOL) needs become more salient. Women treated for OC often report adverse sexual effects, yet evidence suggests oncology providers rarely discuss sexual health with their patients. We characterized sexual morbidity, QOL, and health care team (HCT) communication among a community sample of OC patients. Methods: 60 OC patients and survivors who enrolled in a cancer experience registry completed questions to assess sexual morbidity (6 items tallied to create a sexual morbidity score; range: 0-6) and its impact. Frequencies and correlations between sexual morbidity measures, HCT communication, QOL indices (assessed using PROMIS-29 v2.0 symptom burden subscales), and socio-demographics were examined. Results: Participants were 83% non-Hispanic White, 7% Hispanic, and 5% Black/African American; mean age was 58 years (SD=11.3). Median time since diagnosis was 4 years (range: 0-25), 51% reported diagnosis in past 2 years, 35% were ever metastatic, 32% experienced a recurrence. 83% reported total abdominal hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy. 70% of OC participants reported at least 1 sexual difficulty, 55% reported 2 or more of the following: 55% vaginal dryness, 52% no interest in sex, 39% anxious about having sex, 27% difficulty having an orgasm, 27% did not enjoy sex, and 25% pain during or after sex. Further, 47% reported OC negatively impacted their sexual life, 35% indicated sexual activity was a source of distress. 71% felt they could talk to a member of their HCT about sexual concerns; 49% indicated a member of their HCT offered help in coordinating distress-related care, but only 32% reported that a member of their HCT ever asked about sexual function. Greater sexual morbidity was positively correlated with PROMIS depression (r=.31, p Conclusions: OC patients report substantial concerns related to sexual function and well-being, with greater sexual morbidity associated with poorer emotional well-being, fatigue, and sleep disturbance. Few OC patients indicate being asked about sexual function by their HCT, despite a general willingness to talk about sexual concerns. Findings highlight a need for oncology care providers to initiate conversations surrounding sexual function and for the development of relevant evidence-based supportive care programs.