Health Counseling Research Articles

DropStop

It is a student-centric initiative aimed at addressing the alarming issue of school dropouts. The platform focuses on identifying students at risk of discontinuing their education due to financial constraints, family issues, health challenges, or lack of access to quality learning resources. It provides a comprehensive support system, including financial aid, mentorship programs, remote learning opportunities, and mental health counseling. By leveraging data-driven insights and community involvement. It aspires to bridge the gap between students and educational resources, empowering them to resume and continue their studies seamlessly. This project envisions a world where every student, regardless of their circumstances, has the opportunity to fulfill their academic potential.

Preparing patient navigators and assessing the impact of patient navigation in promoting cervical cancer screening uptake, knowledge, awareness, intention, and health beliefs: a protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

There are limited studies in Tanzania concerning the modality of preparing patient navigators and the influence of patient navigation strategies on cervical cancer screening. This protocol describes the preparation of patient navigators and assesses the impact of a patient navigation strategy on promoting cervical cancer screening uptake, knowledge, awareness, intention, and health beliefs. This is a protocol for a community-based randomized controlled trial. The method is categorized into two phases. (1) Preparing patient navigators, which will involve the training of five patient navigators guided by a validated training manual. The training will be conducted over three consecutive days, covering the basic concepts of cervical cancer screening and guiding navigators on how to implement a patient navigation strategy in the communities. (2) Delivering a patient navigation intervention to community women (COMW) which will involve health education, screening appointments, navigation services, and counseling. The study will recruit 202 COMW who will be randomized 1:1 by computer-based blocks to either the patient navigation intervention group or the control group. The study will prove that the trained patient navigators are easily accessible and offer timely and culturally acceptable services to promote cervical cancer screening uptake in communities.

The Effect of Health Counseling on Maternal Knowledge Regarding Stunting: Pre-experimental Study

The Effect of Health Counseling on Maternal Knowledge Regarding Stunting: Pre-experimental Study

Family planning, reproductive health and pregnancy after bariatric surgery: a survey of bariatric healthcare professionals in Switzerland.

A wide range of reproductive health issues, including fertility, pregnancy outcomes and contraceptive practices can be affected by morbid obesity and weight loss subsequent to bariatric surgery. This study aimed to explore the attitudes and practices of bariatric healthcare professionals in Switzerland regarding reproductive health counselling in the context of bariatric surgery. We conducted a national, cross-sectional, 36-question online survey among bariatric professionals in Switzerland. Survey topics included demographic factors, baseline characteristics of bariatric patients, perioperative reproductive health practices, attitudes and knowledge about contraception and recommendations regarding pregnancy. The survey was open from 1 October 2022 to 30 April 2023. A total of 75 healthcare professionals participated in the survey.The majority of participants responded that female patients of reproductive age constitute more than half of the referred bariatric patients. Forty participants (57%) recommended contraception for a duration of 18-24 months following a bariatric operation. Only twenty-three respondents (31%) stated that they always refer their female bariatric patients of reproductive age to a gynaecologist prior to bariatric surgery. Fifty-six participants (75%) replied that they always discuss family planning prior to surgery. There was high variation regarding the recommended methods of contraception after surgery.Only thirty-nine participants (52%) reported that they always inform their patients about the occurrence of possible surgery-related complications during future pregnancies. More than half of the participants reported inadequate knowledge regarding absorption and safety of contraceptive pills after bariatric surgery. Although most professionals routinely follow up and provide counselling on maternal and foetal risks in pregnant women with previous bariatric surgery, forty-nine participants (65%) have no standardised protocol for such patients who present with acute abdominal pain in their practice. Despite acknowledging the importance of reproductive health counselling, bariatric professionals address perioperative and contraception issues inconsistently and mostly reported a lack of adequate knowledge in the latter. Therefore, a stronger collaboration between bariatric professionals and women's healthcare providers is needed to improve care of female bariatric patients of reproductive age.

Effectiveness of the Buddhist-Based Elderly Mental Health Counseling Training Program for Thai Health Volunteer Monks

The mental health challenges faced by aging societies, particularly within the context of Thai Buddhist communities, underscore the urgent need for capacity-building initiatives to support monks in promoting the psychological well-being of the elderly. This study evaluates the effectiveness of a mental health training program for monks, rooted in Buddhist principles. The primary aim is to assess how well the program equips monks to counsel the elderly in Thai Buddhist society. A quasi-experimental design was employed, involving 32 health volunteer monks selected through purposive sampling. The study assessed the monks’ knowledge and practical counseling skills and collected participant feedback. The results indicate significant improvements in both knowledge and practical skills, with marked progress observed from pre- to post-test scores (p < 0.001) and sustained effectiveness in follow-up assessments (p = 0.005). Approximately 71.88% of participants passed the knowledge post-test and practical skills evaluation, with 62.50% demonstrating proficiency in the follow-up assessment. These findings suggest that the program is effective in preparing monks to address mental health issues among the elderly in Thai Buddhist society. Additionally, integrating indigenous practices and beliefs into mental health interventions can enhance their cultural relevance and acceptance. This approach empowers local religious leaders and fosters culturally sensitive solutions to mental health challenges across diverse populations.

Using a Cognitive Behavioral Approach in Individual Counseling with Patients Undergoing Bariatric Surgery

Morbid obesity is linked to physical and psychological well-being. Bariatric surgery has shown tremendous success with rapid weight loss in patients with morbid obesity. However, some patients experience weight regain post-surgery, which can be linked to psychological and social factors. Mental health counseling is rarely offered in bariatric surgery programs. We used a six-session individual Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) approach with patients following bariatric surgery, using a single case research design to treat four participants. We measured the effectiveness of a six-session CBT treatment and assessed for psychosocial improvements. Results indicated that each participant experienced psychosocial improvements, decreased comorbid maladaptive behavior post treatment, and lost body weight during the study. In conclusion, CBT treatment may be beneficial for post-surgery bariatric patients.

Unveiling intimacy: sexual dysfunction and marital satisfaction among Pakistani males in Karachi.

In Asian countries, discussing sex-related issues remains a taboo. Sexual dysfunction is not even considered a serious disorder in Pakistan. To explore sexual dysfunction and marital satisfaction within the Pakistani context to develop supportive intervention programs. This study entailed a mixed method approach and was carried out in Karachi, Pakistan. The sample comprised 28 married men, and data were gathered by in-depth interviews. Subsequently, data were analyzed through content analysis. There is a strong relationship between marital dissatisfaction and sexual dysfunction in adult married males aged 25 to 40years in Pakistan. The analysis of participants' perspectives revealed 5 themes: psychosocial issues, rationale of openness in marital life, insufficient sexual knowledge, lack of sexual health service, and individual consequences. The results of this study suggest that it is an important suggestion to the government of Pakistan to introduce sexual health counseling and premarital counseling programs at the university level. The Ministry of Health and Higher Education needs to promote awareness about sexual health, sexual dysfunctions, and marital satisfaction, which will enable men to understand their sexual problems and effectively cope with them. The results of this study highlight the biopsychosocial dimensions of human sexuality. In this context, the psychosocial aspects associated with sexual dysfunctions are influenced by cultural and societal norms, where open discussions about sexual issues between male and female partners may be limited due to concerns about maintaining harmony in marital relationships. The limitation of this study is that the sample is not generalized; it is also not a demographic representation of all socioeconomic groups in Pakistan. Participants in low and middle classes reported an inability to seek help from professionals due to the high costs of treatments. Therefore, the results cannot to be extended to all Pakistani males. In this study, male sexual dysfunction strongly affects marital satisfaction within the couple. As such, marital counseling and psychotherapeutic strategies play an important role to help individuals and couples manage their sexual dysfunctions and enhance their marital satisfaction.

Research on the Optimization Path of College Counselor Team Construction in the New Era

In the new era, the team of college counselors, as an indispensable and important component of the higher education system, bears multiple responsibilities such as ideological and political education, daily student management, mental health counseling, and employment and entrepreneurship guidance. With the rapid development of society and the diversified transformation of student groups, the construction of the counselor team is facing new challenges and opportunities. In-depth research on the optimization path of the construction of the college counselor team is not only significant for improving the overall quality and work efficiency of the counselor team but also directly related to the completion effect of the fundamental task of cultivating morality and talents in colleges and universities, as well as the achievement of the goal of cultivating more high-quality talents for the country. Based on this and the author’s work experience, this paper first elaborates on the necessity of the construction of the college counselor team, and then conducts a deep analysis of its optimization path and strategy, aiming to provide a useful reference for the professionalization and professional development of the college counselor team, thereby promoting the sustainable development of higher education and the comprehensive growth of students.

Decolonisation of global conferences: unfinished business for women's health advocates

Global health consensus in recent years has highlighted ‘decolonisation’ as an important factor in the pursuit of equity. Initiatives such as the United Nations’ sustainable development goals for 2030 have come amid talk of ‘bottom up’ programming, driven by the needs of people living and working in the world's most deprived regions. However, most high-level meetings still take place in wealthy countries where United Nations bodies, major donors and the biggest non-governmental organisations are headquartered. In midwifery, maternity experts from low- and middle-income countries may struggle to take part in discussions because of barriers such as visa restrictions, travel costs and the challenge of breaking into old-school networks. Meanwhile multimillion dollar programmes designed to save mothers’ and babies’ lives lose out on insights from the very people that they are intended to help. With this in mind, a wave of non-governmental organisations focused on women's health and gender equality are moving their conferences closer to the action. This article explores a dynamic field, where forces for change are responding directly to evidence on ‘conference inequity’. Non-governmental organisations including WomenLift Health and the International Confederation of Midwives explain how and why they are shaking things up.

Investigating the Impact of Artistic Activism on Health Policy

This paper investigates the intersection of artistic activism and health policy, focusing on how artistic interventions influence policy debates, address health disparities, and foster societal change. By examining historical and contemporary case studies, the paper demonstrates the capacity of artistic activism to challenge social norms, mobilize communities, and inform policy decisions. It emphasizes the unique ability of art to humanize complex issues, engage diverse audiences, and serve as a catalyst for inclusive policymaking. Through methodological assessments, the paper highlights key success factors, potential pitfalls, and the evolving role of interdisciplinary collaborations in advancing health equity. The findings underscore the need for robust frameworks to evaluate the impact of art-driven initiatives on health policy and advocate for expanded research and practice in this domain. Keywords: Artistic Activism, Health Policy, Social Change, Public Health Advocacy, Interdisciplinary Collaboration.

Regime Type and Data Manipulation: Evidence from the COVID-19 Pandemic

Context: This study examines whether autocratic governments are more likely than democratic governments to manipulate health data. The COVID-19 pandemic presents a unique opportunity for examining this question because of its global impact. Methods: Three distinct indicators of COVID-19 data manipulation were constructed for nearly all sovereign states. Each indicator was then regressed on democracy and controls for unintended misreporting. A machine learning approach was then used to determine whether any of the specific features of democracy are more predictive of manipulation. Findings: Democracy was found to be negatively associated with all three measures of manipulation, even after running a battery of robustness checks. Absence of opposition party autonomy and free and fair elections were found to be the most important predictors of deliberate undercounting. Conclusions: The manipulation of data in autocracies denies citizens the opportunity to protect themselves against health risks, hinders the ability of international organizations and donors to identify effective policies, and makes it difficult for scholars to assess the impact of political institutions on population health. These findings suggest that health advocates and scholars should use alternative methods to estimate health outcomes in countries where opposition parties lack autonomy or must participate in uncompetitive elections.

Community Nursing for people with a migration biography: a qualitative study

Community Nursing for people with a migration biography: a qualitative study Abstract: Background: People with a migration background or with special socio-cultural needs have difficult access to health services or are affected by overuse, underuse or misuse. Community Nursing (CN), which was implemented in March 2022 in a district in Austria, can strengthen health literacy and promote individual well-being. Aim: The aim was to obtain information about perception and use of CN services by people with a migration biography and to identify adequate measures to promote increased use. Methods: In March 2023, two focus group interviews with stakeholders and people with a migration biography regarding the use of the CN service were conducted, analyzed and validated in workshops in a municipality in Vorarlberg. Results: Diverse barriers (lack of language skills, lack of knowledge about own insurance coverage, lack of information, emotional inhibiting factors such as fear, shame and reservations about care services) were identified. The jointly developed solutions for a low-threshold offer range from the use of key persons, and health counseling in meeting cafés, to a targeted information strategy. Conclusions: A successful CN service requires a comprehensive implementation strategy and needs-based measures. The identified barriers, fears, and reservations should be considered to facilitate access to CN for people with a migration background.

K-Pop as a Stress-Relief Mechanism Exploring Its Emotional Impact on Filipino Youth

K-Pop has emerged as a powerful cultural phenomenon that significantly impacts the mental and emotional well-being of Filipino youth. This paper explores K-Pop’s role as a stress-relief mechanism, analyzing its emotional impact through themes of escapism, social connection, and emotional catharsis. K-Pop’s relatable messaging, inclusive fandoms, and advocacy for mental health have resonated deeply with Filipino youth, offering solace in a society often constrained by academic, familial, and societal pressures. By examining K-Pop’s lyrical themes, community engagement, and the inspiration drawn from idols’ personal struggles, this study highlights how K-Pop fosters resilience, belonging, and healing among its fans. While acknowledging challenges like idol worship, financial strain, and unrealistic beauty standards, the paper emphasizes the importance of balanced fandom practices to fully harness K-Pop’s positive influence. This paper underscores K-Pop’s transformative role in empowering Filipino youth and promoting emotional well-being in an increasingly stressful world.

"To Be Vaccinated or Not to Be Vaccinated": Factors Influencing COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy and Future Vaccination Willingness Amongst US Women of Reproductive Age.

Growing data on the impact of herd immunity and susceptibility of unvaccinated persons to chronic COVID sequelae requires deeper understanding of vaccine stigma and hesitancy to facilitate population needs. Reproductive-aged women (18-45 years) were at a "vaccine paradox" during COVID-19 - hesitant to receive the vaccine, yet at increased risk for COVID infection. In this study, we sought to: identify demographic predictors, reasons, geographic location of vaccine hesitancy, and COVID-specific attributes that predict future vaccination willingness. We hypothesized that high COVID risk perception and high COVID stress would be predictors of willingness. Study Design: Cross-sectional survey of women across the United States. Main Outcomes and Measures: Vaccine hesitancy was defined as responding "No/Not Sure" to the question "Have you received any of the COVID-19 vaccines?" The COVID-Risk scale evaluate perceived COVID Risk, and the COVID-19 Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10-c) evaluated COVID stress. Open ended questions inquired about participants' vaccine concerns. Of the 1,037 women who accessed the survey, 948 (91%) consented and completed. Predictors of vaccine hesitancy included younger aged parents (p=0.005), non-white race (p=0.003), and having high school or lower educational attainment (p<0.0001). Using smoking as a proxy measure of "health behavior", we found long-term smokers or quitters were more hesitant than those who never smoked (p=0.03). Geographic analyses showed the most vaccine hesitant women resided in Southeast and Midwest US. Hesitancy reasons included side effects (21%) and fertility/pregnancy concerns (4%). High COVID risk perception (p=0.0004) and high COVID stress (p=0.01) significantly predicted future willingness to get vaccinated. This research provides insights for managing the "vaccine paradox" in reproductive age women, and identifying factors that influence COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy and future vaccination willingness. Public health and policy advocates could target messaging around COVID risk and stress in Southeastern and Midwestern regions; as well as address women's concerns around fertility and other side effects.

International Planetary Health Education in Undergraduate and Graduate Medical Curricula: A Scoping Review.

Background Climate change is a public health emergency, yet planetary health education is absent for many medical and health professions trainees. Objective To perform a scoping review exploring the inclusion of planetary health in undergraduate and graduate medical education. Methods A search strategy was developed with a health sciences librarian and run on 6 databases from their inception to February 2022: MEDLINE, Embase, APA PsycInfo, CINAHL, Global Health, and Scopus. The Arksey and O'Malley framework was employed to broadly select publications that described the implementation of planetary health in undergraduate and postgraduate medical education. Commentaries were included if they outlined a potential curriculum. Extracted data was grouped thematically using an iterative approach based on competencies described, key considerations, and anticipated barriers. Results After screening 2407 articles, 42 were included. Thirty articles involved medical education at undergraduate or postgraduate levels, while 10 discussed multidisciplinary education including veterinary medicine, public health, and nursing. Two articles discussed planetary heath education for staff physicians. Reported competencies included eco-medical literacy, environmental inequity, and planetary health advocacy. Key considerations for curricular development included longitudinal implementation, interprofessional collaboration, and experiential learning through quality improvement projects. Barriers to implementation included time constraints and the lack of knowledgeable educators and administrative support for curricular change. Conclusions This scoping review outlines key recommendations and barriers to help facilitate the implementation of planetary health education in medical training.

Ink-ling of Identity: Unraveling Tattoo Culture for Mental Health Counselors

Ink-ling of Identity: Unraveling Tattoo Culture for Mental Health Counselors

Association between Food Insecurity and Inability to Obtain Provider-Recommended Medications, Multidisciplinary Services, and Technology in Youth and Young Adults with Diabetes: A Cross-Sectional Study

We assessed if food insecurity (FI) is associated with not obtaining recommended diabetes medications, technology, and multidisciplinary services, and explored the most common reasons for not obtaining recommended treatments in youth and young adults (YYA) with diabetes. In this cross-sectional study, among 911 YYA with type 1 diabetes (T1D) and 144 with type 2 diabetes (T2D) from the SEARCH Food Security Cohort Study Follow-up 1 (2018-2021), FI (≥3 items affirmed from the 18-item Household Food Security Survey module) and inability to obtain recommended treatments were self-reported. Almost 30% of YYA with T1D and FI and 20% of YYA with T2D and FI did not obtain one or more recommended treatments. Participants with T1D who reported FI had higher odds of not obtaining insulin (OR 3.2, 95% CI 1.2-8.4), mental health counseling (OR 3.3, 95% CI 1.3-8.2), diabetes education (OR 3.6, 95% CI 1.4-9.3), an insulin pump (OR 2.2, 95% CI 1.2- 4.4), and a continuous glucose monitor (CGM) (OR 2.5, 95% CI 1.5-4.4) compared to those who reported food security (FS). Among participants with T2D, FI was related to not obtaining dietician services (OR 8.1, 95% CI 1.2-53.8). Participants with T1D and FI reported more financial reasons for not obtaining a CGM compared to FS participants. YYA with diabetes and FI face constraints in obtaining medications, diabetes technology, and multidisciplinary services, largely due to financial and structural reasons. New strategies are needed to bridge the gap between medical care required versus obtained by YYA with diabetes.

Assessing parenting attitudes among adolescents seeking healthcare with a brief pregnancy and parenting attitudes questionnaire.

To use modified Parenthood/Pregnancy Attitude, Timing and How important is pregnancy prevention (PATH) questions to assess parenting attitudes and reproductive desires in adolescents and young adults (AYAs). Between November 2020 and January 2022, we recruited participants 13-22 years old via a convenience sample from an Adolescent Medicine outpatient clinic at an urban children's hospital to participate in a cross-sectional survey. The survey was self-administered on a tablet and was adapted from the original PATH questions. 300 adolescents completed the survey. Median age 17 years, 87.3% identified their assigned sex at birth as female, 43.0% identified as Black, and 55.3% had public insurance. 61.3% reported ever being sexually active. 62.7% reported a desire for future children, 70.2% listed a time frame or specific age when they would like children. Those who had ever had sexual activity were more likely to desire future children. Most participants (68.5%) reported pregnancy prevention was very important or important. To our knowledge, this is the first study assessing parenting attitudes and reproductive desires of AYA patients assigned sex female at birth and assigned sex male at birth in a clinical setting. Most AYAs reported they were sexually active, had a desire for future children, had a certain time frame in mind for having children, and would want to prevent pregnancy until that time. Assessing AYA's parenting attitudes and reproductive desires supports the use of shared decision making and the provision of reproductive health counseling aligned with patients' preferences and priorities.

Research on the Application of Artificial Intelligence in Mental Health Literacy Service for Middle School Students

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is applied to improve the mental health literacy of middle school students. It can effectively improve the efficiency, effectiveness and feasibility of this service. Through the current big data analysis and machine autonomous learning technology, AI can analyze the characteristics of students' behavior patterns and physiological data by training the model used. This paper examines how artificial intelligence can improve the mental health literacy of middle school students. It begins by analyzing and interpreting three key factors that influence their understanding of mental health. Firstly, it analyzes and interprets the three factors that affect the mental health literacy of middle school students. Then from these three factors, the author discusses how artificial intelligence can be applied to enhance the mental health literacy of middle school students. That is to say, it puts forward the new application of artificial intelligence technology in mental health counseling, emotional recognition, mental health assessment, media publicity and education. For example, the use of artificial intelligence to develop virtual psychological teachers, through language processing analysis and emotional recognition to provide online counseling services; It develops emotion recognition function through video and speech analysis of artificial intelligence, and uses digital signal processing means. Through the comprehensive analysis of a large number of data, the mental health evaluation system is gradually intellectualized, so that the evaluation model standard is more targeted.

A Cross-Sectional Study on Social Isolation and Loneliness Related to COVID-19 Among Middle and Late-Stage Elderly in Jazan, Saudi Arabia.

Precautionary measures implemented to reduce the spread of COVID-19, such as social distancing and stay-at-home orders, have inevitably affected the mental health of older adults. This study aimed to measure loneliness among the elderly living in the Jazan region, Saudi Arabia, during the COVID-19 pandemic. This cross-sectional study was conducted between February and April 2022 in the Jazan area, Saudi Arabia. A convenience sampling method was employed to recruit 100 elderly participants (≥ 60 years) from various public locations, including malls, social gatherings, parks, and beaches, across different neighborhoods in Jazan. Qualitative survey data was collected by interviewing each participant. Loneliness level was measured using the De Jong Gierveld Scale, complemented by self-made questions addressing sociodemographic information, communication means, frequency of contact with family and friends, and ability to perform daily activities. The chi-square test was utilized to identify factors associated with loneliness. The De Jong Gierveld scale revealed that most study participants (80%) experienced moderate loneliness despite living arrangements, as 87% were living with their family members. In contrast, only 12% of participants reported severe loneliness. Of all sociodemographic variables, only age and housing companion showed statistically significant relations with loneliness levels (p = 0.005 and < 0.001, respectively). Additionally, loneliness levels were found to be significantly associated with the frequency of communication with family and/or friends (p = 0.002) and knowledge of modern communication means (p = 0.048). This study highlights a high prevalence of social and emotional loneliness among elderly individuals in Jazan, Saudi Arabia, during the COVID-19 pandemic. It indicates that robust family living arrangements alone did not mitigate loneliness in this population. The findings suggest that limited adoption of digital communication and cultural factors contributed to loneliness. While these insights provide a foundation for understanding elderly loneliness in Saudi Arabia, further research is needed to explore these factors in greater depth and assess the effectiveness of potential interventions like mental health counseling and social support programs.