Health Perception Research Articles

Perspectives on Quality of Life in Women with Breast Cancer

Objectives: The objectives of the study are to assess changes in the quality of life amongst breast cancer patients undergoing treatment at a cancer institute in Colombia. Materials and Methods: Analytical observational prospective cohort study in patients over 18 years of age diagnosed with breast cancer. Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) was analysed using the EQ-5D-3L questionnaire and a Visual Analogue Scale measured at diagnosis and after a 6-month follow-up. Sociodemographic and clinical factors were analysed using a logistic regression model, with STATA 16 software. Results: A total of 103 patients met the included criteria and were included in the study, with a median age of 56 years. According to the Tumour, Node, Metastasis classification of cancer stage, the majority of participants (35.92%) were in stage 2 of cancer. Multivariate analysis revealed that changes in HRQoL were significantly associated with age (odds ratio [OR] = 1.06, P = 0.001), radiotherapy (OR = 3.56, P = 0.038) and moderate anxiety and depression (OR = 5.54, P = 0.007). Conclusion: While the overall quality of life in women with breast cancer showed a slight improvement over the 6 months, older patients and those receiving radiotherapy experienced a greater decline in health perception.

Understanding community resilience during the drinking water contamination event on Oahu, Hawaii, 2021-2022: a mixed mode approach.

A petroleum leak into the Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam water system on Oahu, Hawaii in November 2021 contaminated the drinking water of approximately 93,000 users, causing many to relocate for months. Perceptions of health and wellbeing were captured using the Centers for Disease Control/Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (CDC/ATSDR) Assessment of Chemical Exposures (ACE) cross-sectional survey in collaboration with the Hawaii Department of Health (HDOH). Responses from the ACE online survey of community members, businesses, schools, health care and veterinary care organizations during the contamination event, containing quantitative questions and qualitative information from an open text field, were analyzed. Separately, a qualitative key informant questionnaire was administered to community establishments. Thematic content analysis was used to analyze and identify prominent themes from the ACE open text field and the key informant responses that were triangulated by the quantitative data when the themes aligned. Six major themes of disruption, communication, trust, stress, support, and ongoing needs were identified. Burdensome logistics from obtaining alternate water, negative financial impacts from relocation or losing business, distrust of information, perceived lack of support from response entities and uncertainty of long-term health impact caused significant disruption, stress and mental health. Individuals reported needing water, shelter, and mental health care while establishments wanted financial reimbursement and a resolution. The findings show that environmental disasters have significant disruptive and mental health impacts from stress. Identified themes can inform and improve emergency response and communication strategies and increase trust with community members during and after large chemical exposure events.

The development of an online-based rural community of practice framework for addressing health issues among rural citizens: a grounded theory approach.

Health literacy facilitates an individual's ability to interpret and utilize medical information, thereby influencing their quality of life. Despite the benefits, the current oversaturation of information necessitates the support of healthcare professionals. Help-seeking behavior (HSB) is a term that describes the actions taken to assuage health concerns, and timely medical consultations are critical, especially for older individuals in rural areas who often face barriers to accessing care. These challenges are exacerbated by the perceived psychological distance from medical services in rural settings due to past negative experiences; however, the emergence of social media has helped form a bridge, allowing for direct communication with physicians. While consultations with artificial intelligence (AI) do occur, interaction with human physicians remains the gold standard. Thus, this study sought to understand social media's role in facilitating health consultations in rural areas and the implications for primary care education among physicians. This qualitative study, conducted from September 2022 to June 2023, employed a grounded theory approach to analyze information about a social network-based consulting system that utilized the LINE application. Residents posted anonymous health-related concerns, and comments were extracted. Two researchers coded and assessed the data; another specialist reviewed the findings. A total of 621 citizens participated, generating 10,432 posts. The grounded theory approach identified five major themes regarding health-related social networking in rural settings: (1) mutual exploration for information sharing highlighted distrust toward primary care physicians; (2) temporary collaboration resulted in superficial health discussions and relationship-building through empathy; (3) conflicts arising from differing health perspectives and misinformation sharing led to intense debates; (4) anxiety was resolved through shared illness experiences and increased empathy, enhancing psychological safety; and (5) a mutual assistance community was created, characterized by improved health dialogues and HSB among participants. The high engagement with the social network-based consulting system in rural Unnan City highlights technology's pivotal role in facilitating health dialogue and community engagement, despite challenges related to misinformation and health literacy complexities. As a reflection of the community's health perceptions and dynamics, future adaptations should incorporate strategies to combat these challenges while preserving collaboration and support.

Forming of modern Russian youth’s social representations about maintaining health: condition and problems

The article deals with the study of health maintaining among Russian youth. Based on data from all-Russian surveys and presented in relevant studies, the contradictions between the value perception of health and destructive health practices among young people were found. In this regard, based on the understanding of health conservation as a purposeful activity, in the structure of which the cognitive component plays a significant role, the author underlines to study young people’s ideas about health and health caring in order to realise the reasons of differences between the state of health and the attitude of Russian youth. In this regard, the author conducted a study of the structure of social ideas of young Russians. The theoretical basis of the study was the key provisions of the concept of social representations by S. Moscovici. The empirical basis was the data of the author’s empirical study “Health Saving of Modern Russian Youth: Ideas and Practices”. Based on the results of the study, it was established that the core of modern youth’s social ideas about health conservation are traditional images and ideas that reflect the most characteristic of Russian society and its health conservation culture, but in a limited format. The peripheral zone includes components such as breaking bad habits, well-being, and maintaining emotional stability. The least characteristic of young Russians is the connection between ideas about health and health preservation with institutional practices of clinical examination and preventive examinations, which suggests a decrease in the role of the medical institute as an agent of social control in relation to health in the ideas of the younger generation. Thus, the social ideas of young Russians about health and the practices of its preservation, along with traditional ideas, are distinguished by features, the formation of which, according to the author, is due to the influence of new agents of healthy lifestyle socialization and the online-sources

The relationship between grandparental childcare experience and relative handgrip strength among middle-aged and older adults.

Delayed marriage and childbirth often result in individuals becoming grandparents in middle and older age, coinciding with significant physical transitions. This study examines the relationship between the intensity of grandparental childcare, measured in terms of time-commitment over the last year, and relative handgrip strength among South Korea adults aged 45-84. Data from 3,742 participants with grandchildren were analyzed using the 2008-2010 waves of the Korean Longitudinal Study of Aging. After applying propensity score matching, a final sample of 286 participants was analyzed with multivariate logistic regression model. Results showed that grandparents who provided childcare for an average of less than 40h per week (Odds Ratio [OR] = 3.62) were more likely to have lower handgrip strength compared to those without caregiving experience. Additionally, those over the age of 65 showed a similar trend (OR = 2.76). Conversely, grandparents with positive self-rated health were less likely to exhibit lower handgrip strength than those rating their health as moderate (OR = 0.28). Grandparents who provided care for more than half the year were also less likely to have lower handgrip strength than those who provided less frequent care (OR = 0.26). This study highlights grandparental childcare as both a vital family support mechanism and a factor influencing physical health. Findings on caregiving intensity, particularly the role of moderate weekly childcare hours and longer terms involvement, underscore the importance of aligning caregiving commitments with grandparents' health perceptions and capacities. Developing guidelines for optimal childcare duration and recommending physical activities tailored to support grandparents' well-being would further promote healthy aging within a family-centered caregiving system.

Adolescents’ perceptions of autonomy-supportive parents and social-emotional health: Serial multiple mediation of positive stress and mental toughness

Adolescence may bring some developmental challenges that affect social-emotional health. However, it is also possible to turn challenges into opportunities. Parental autonomy support, psychological stress, and mental toughness can contribute to adolescents having a healthy period. This study examined the mediating role of positive stress and mental toughness in the relationship between parental autonomy support and social-emotional health. The study included 441 (female 56.46%, male 43.54%) adolescents in Turkey enrolled in a high school. Self-report scales were used in this cross-sectional study. The results showed that positive stress and mental toughness were serial mediators of the relationship between adolescents’ perceptions of parental autonomy support and social-emotional health outcomes (indirect effect = 0.05 [0.03, 0.08]). These results extend the implications of self-determination and positive psychology theories. It guides parents, educators, and school counselors in strengthening adolescents’ social-emotional health. Adolescents’ socio-emotional health can be enhanced through workshops and counseling services that offer parental autonomy support, positive management of stress, and mental toughness.

How to Define Sexual Health? A Qualitative Analysis of People’s Perceptions

Objectives Sexual health is an essential aspect of overall health that affects an individual’s physical, psychological, and social well-being. Understanding people’s perceptions of sexual health is essential because it can impact their sexual health-related behaviors, namely, their interactions with health services, campaigns, information, and policies. Furthermore, these perceptions may have a systemic impact, as public health policies related to promoting sexual health can be influenced by social factors. Such perceptions may also influence individuals’ sexual expression and interactions with sexual partners. Thus, an understanding of people’s perceptions of sexual health can facilitate the appropriate seeking of sexual healthcare, inform professional interactions with patients and the community, and guide policymakers in the promotion of it. Methods A total of 151 people living in Portugal, aged 19 to 75, answered a cross-sectional online questionnaire with an open-ended question: “In your opinion, what is sexual health?”. The data was analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis. Results We created four themes: (1) Let’s get physical, physical, (2) I’m in charge!, (3) I am not alone in this, and (4) Sexual justice is a must!. Participants presented diverse and complex views of sexual health, considering that it includes physical and biological components, cognitive and behavioral aspects and relational factors, and it is framed by the social and political context. Conclusions This study emphasizes that defining and achieving sexual health goes beyond healthism and needs to be considered at multiple levels. It highlights the need for individual awareness and self knowledge, to recognize equity within relationships and the strive for social equality and sexual rights. The study also emphasizes the significance of considering and respecting sexual developmental when promoting positive attitudes toward sex in formal and informal settings, increasing education about sexual pleasure, accepting and celebrating sexual and gender diversity, recognizing consensual non-monogamous relationships, and the need for inclusivity within sexually tolerant societies. Viewing sexual health through a political lens may play a crucial role in reshaping societal norms, promoting sexual justice, and influencing policymakers to better address and support the sexual health needs of a population following their own perspectives and expressed needs.

An Investigation of Indoor Environment Quality on Occupants’ Thermal Responses, Health, and Productivity: A Study Based on Physiological Data in Occupied Office Space

This study explores the impact of Indoor Environment Quality (IEQ) on the health and productivity of office workers in an office building in Fujisawa, Kanagawa, Japan. Previous studies have shown that IEQ can affect the physiological responses of occupants, such as of skin temperature, heart rate, and metabolic rate, which are indicators of health and productivity. However, most studies took place in controlled laboratory environments, which may not accurately represent real-life experiences. The study collected subjective and objective data from actual occupied office space, including on perceptions of IEQ, health, and productivity, and measurements of IEQ parameters such as on the thermal environment, light environment, indoor air quality, and acoustics. The study used correlation and linear regression methods to examine the relationship between IEQ, physiological data, and subjective responses to health and productivity. The stable thermal environment and low physical intensity of office work may contribute to the weak correlation between physiological data, thermal responses, and health–productivity variables. The results of this study can provide insights into how IEQ affects the psychological responses, well-being, and performance of office workers in real-world settings.

Effectiveness of telerehabilitation-based mckenzie method versus manual therapy in low-back pain management: a randomised controlled trial

Abstract Background Studies comparing the effectiveness of telerehabilitation and spinal manual therapy (SMT) for chronic non-specific low-back pain (NSLBP) are limited. This study aimed to compare the efficacy of the telerehabilitation-based McKenzie therapy (TBMT) and SMT among patients with NSLBP. Methods Forty-nine consenting patients randomised into either TBMT (n = 28) or SMT (n = 21) group completed the study. TBMT is a mobile phone-based telerehabilitation involving the ‘McKenzie extension protocol’. SMT is a grade II (10 oscillations) posterior-anterior central vertebral pressure on the offending spinous process. Both interventions were applied thrice weekly for eight weeks, and outcomes were assessed on Pain Intensity (PI), Activity Limitation (AL), Participation Restriction (PR), and Health-related Quality of Life (HRQoL) in the fourth and eighth weeks. Results Within-group comparison across baseline, 4th and 8th week indicate that SMT had a significant effect on PI (F = 132.804, p = 0.001), AL (F = 75.984, p = 0.001), PR (F = 99.428, p = 0.001) and for all the scales of SF-12 except for mental health domain (p > 0.05). Similarly, TBMT had a significant effect on PI (F = 243.631; p = 0.001), AL (F = 85.930; p = 0.001), PR (F = 48.425; p = 0.001), and for all the scales except also for mental health domain (p > 0.05). However, there were no significant differences (p > 0.05) in the treatment effects between SMT and TBMT, except for the ‘health perception’ (p = 0.045) scale at week four and the ‘mental health’ scale (p = 0.023) at week eight. Conclusion Telerehabilitation-based McKenzie method and SMT are effective in chronic NSLBP, with TBMT leading to significantly higher long-term health perception improvement. Trial Registration Pan African Clinical Trial Registry (PACTR202010667228786), Registered 27 October 2020-Retrospectively registered.

The mediating role of healthy behaviors and self-perceived health in the relationship between eating behaviors and comorbidity in adults

BackgroundThere is limited information on how healthy behaviors and individual health perceptions mediate the relationship between eating behaviors and noncommunicable diseases in adults. This study aimed to evaluate the mediating role of these factors in the relationship between eating behaviors and comorbidity in U.S. adults.MethodsA cross-sectional predictive study using data from 5,247 adults from the Health Information National Trends Survey (HINTS) 5, cycle 3 (2019) was conducted. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was used to assess the mediating effect.ResultsThe model showed good fit (χ2/df = 1.22, CFI = 971, TLI = 959, RMSEA = 0.050, SRMR = 0.036). It was found that self-perceived health totally mediated the relationship between eating behaviors and comorbidities (β = − 0.026, p < .001). Additionally, healthy behaviors and self-perceived health together mediated the relationship between eating behaviors and comorbidities (β = − 0.025, p < .001). A direct relationship was also observed between healthy behaviors and comorbidities, mediated by self-perceived health (β = − 0.103, p < .001).ConclusionThe study concludes that eating behaviors are significantly related to comorbidities through the mediation of healthy behaviors and self-perceived health.

The effects of mindfulness and psychological capital on reducing worker stress and promoting health

This cross-sectional study aims to test the combined effect of mindfulness and psychological capital on reducing stress and burnout and improving the perception of health (physical and psychological). The sample consisted of 398 workers (94.5% female) from a public organization in Puerto Rico dedicated to providing services to families and their children in their early formative stages. The results from moderated regressions showed that the interaction between mindfulness and psychological capital was significant, indicating that individuals with high levels of mindfulness and psychological capital showed lower burnout and stress and a higher perception of psychological health. These results suggest that mindfulness provides the conditions to foster the mobilization of personal resources (i.e., psychological capital) to deal with stressful situations and take actions toward greater well-being. Future intervention strategies should consider combining various personal resources to increase their effectiveness in reducing stress and promoting well-being.

Perceptions of Overall Health Differences Among Veterans Across Marital Statuses.

We examined the relationship between substance use, marital status, and perceived overall health using national data from a sample of 1,506 retired active-duty veterans. We found that binge drinking and heavy alcohol use among widowed veterans have a negative effect on overall health compared to married veterans who did not use alcohol in the past month. We found that non-binge and binge drinking have a positive effect on perceptions of overall health among divorced or separated veterans compared to those who are married and did not use alcohol in the past month. We discuss these findings and address clinical implications.

Oral health status, self-perceptions, and risk awareness among young adult users of electronic cigarettes in Pakistan.

The use of electronic cigarettes (ECs) has surged globally, particularly among young individuals. This study aimed to assess the perceptions of vaping-related oral health risks, clinical oral health status, and self-perceived dental and periodontal conditions among young adult users of ECs in Pakistan. A cross-sectional study was conducted from June 2023 to March 2024, recruiting 142 young users of ECs. Intraoral examinations assessed Decayed, Missing, and Filled Teeth (DMFT) index, Oral Hygiene Index Simplified (OHI-S), Gingival Bleeding Index (GBI), Plaque Index (PI), and dental stain. Data on sociodemographic characteristics, oral health behaviors, vaping habits, and perceptions of impact of vaping on oral health were gathered through a self-administered questionnaire. Associations between EC use and various oral health variables were analyzed using the chi-squared and Fisher's exact tests. Mean DMFT was 5.66 (SD=2.20). Poor oral hygiene (29.6%) and severe dental staining were prevalent. Most participants (76.1%) brushed once daily, while only 34.5% attended regular dental check-ups. Gingival bleeding and plaque accumulation were observed in 47.2% and 35.3% of participants. Around 66% reported daily EC use, with 80.3% initiating vaping before the age of 18 years. Most common reason for vaping was perception that ECs are safer than traditional smoking (31.7%). Participants' perceptions of vaping-related oral health risks were relatively low, with 45% associating vaping with tooth decay, 48% with gum disease, and 58.5% with tooth staining. Tooth brushing frequency, vaping frequency (per day), and time since vaping started, were significantly associated with oral clinical indicators (p<0.05). The education level was the only variable significantly associated with vaping-related risk perception (p<0.05). The study reveals that oral health awareness among young vapers is low, with many starting EC use at a young age and exhibiting poor oral health behaviors. Misconceptions about the safety of ECs compared to conventional cigarettes may contribute to increased vaping.

Immortalization of patient-derived lip cells for establishing 3D lip models

IntroductionThe lips fulfill various critical physiological roles besides being viewed as a fundamental aesthetic feature contributing to the perception of health and beauty. Therefore, any lip injury, abnormality, or congenital malformation, such as cleft lip, needs special attention in order to restore proper lip function and aesthetics. To achieve this goal, a better understanding of the complex lip anatomy, function, and biology is required, which can only be provided by basic research endeavors. However, the current lack of clinically relevant human lip cells and three-dimensional in vitro lip models, capable of replacing ethically questionable animal experimentations, represents a significant limitation in this area of research.MethodsTo address these limitations, we aimed to pioneer the introduction of immortalized healthy lip- and cleft lip-derived keratinocytes. Primary keratinocytes were isolated from patients’ samples and immortalized by introducing the catalytic domain of telomerase, combined with the targeted knockdown of the cell cycle inhibitor gene, p16INK4A. We then focused on validating the newly established cell lines by comparing their genetic stability and key phenotypic features with their primary keratinocyte counterparts.ResultsThe newly established immortalized keratinocyte cell lines demonstrated genetic stability and preserved the main phenotypic characteristics of primary keratinocytes, such as cellular morphology and differentiation capacity. Three-dimensional lip models, generated using these cell lines, proved to be effective and convenient platforms for screening applications, including wound healing and microbial infection of the lip epithelium.DiscussionThe establishment of immortalized keratinocytes derived from healthy and cleft lips represents a significant achievement in lip research. These cell lines and the associated three-dimensional lip models are valuable tools that can be used as convenient screening platforms for various assays in a multitude of lip-related research areas, including dermatology, skin care, wound healing, tissue engineering, and craniofacial anomalies. This work opens new avenues in studying lip abnormalities and provides unique tools for personalized medicine approaches beneficial to patients.

Assessing nursing students’ e[formula omitted]health literacy and foresights to global health challenges during COVID[formula omitted]19 restrictions: A cross-sectional study with a machine learning approach

AimThis study aims to assess the e-health literacy and foresights to global health challenges of nursing students during the COVID19 restrictions. BackgroundAs the healthcare environment becomes more digitalized, understanding how nursing students perceive and prepare for global health challenges during the COVID19 restrictions and e-health literacy is crucial for customizing educational strategies to enhance their capabilities. DesignA descriptive and correlational study design was employed. MethodsThe study included 310 nursing students from six universities in Istanbul, Turkey, encompassing both state and foundation institutions. Data were collected via online surveys, including an Information Form, a Foresight Form for Global Health Challenges and an E−Health Literacy Scale. The study extended beyond conventional statistical analysis by incorporating a tree-based ML model, specifically a Random Forest classifier, to identify complex patterns and relationships affecting e−health literacy and global health perceptions. ResultsThe analysis indicated that e−health literacy levels among nursing students are significantly shaped by their academic year, participation in global health courses and engagement with international health organizations. ML techniques pinpointed the ability to discern high−quality online health resources as a pivotal skill, emphasizing the need for nursing curricula to focus on advanced critical evaluation skills. ConclusionsThe findings stress the necessity of integrating critical evaluation and information−seeking skills into nursing education to equip students for the complexities of a globalized health landscape.

The STAP-Net: A new health perception and prediction framework for bearing-rotor systems under special working conditions

The health perception of bearing-rotor systems and their remaining useful life prediction has been a critical and challenging theme in the field of Prognostic and Health Management (PHM). Deep learning has become a prominent area of PHM research. However, current models have difficulty in adequately extracting the deep degradation characteristics of bearings and effectively capturing time-series information during the failure process. Also, most remaining useful life (RUL) prediction methods focus on point estimation, limiting their ability to quantify prediction uncertainty. To address these shortcomings, this study proposes a novel health perception and prediction framework, the Spatiotemporal Self-Attention Mechanism Probabilistic model (STAP-Net). The framework embodies the principles of lightweight design, focusing, and probabilistic approaches, and is tailored for bearing rotor systems operating under unique conditions. The key innovation of STAP-Net is the integration of a modified gate recurrent unit, known as the Weight Diminish Recurrent Unit (WDRU). It greatly reduces the training parameters of the proposed STAP-Net framework and improves the convergence speed of the framework while ensuring the prediction accuracy. Through analyzing the bearing-rotor system degradation data, the efficacy of STAP-Net is validated under special operating conditions such as misalignment and abrasive wear. The superior performance of the proposed framework is evaluated and confirmed based on 3 key metrics: high-precision point prediction, suitable prediction intervals, and reliable probabilistic prediction results.

From curriculum to clinic: a qualitative study of junior doctors’ perceptions of global health and sustainable development

IntroductionThe role of global health and sustainable development in medical education is often debated. However, research regarding medical doctors’ views on the application of their global health knowledge in the...

Impact of Biophilic Design on College Student Perception of Mental Health and Environmental Benefits: A Dose-Response Study

Impact of Biophilic Design on College Student Perception of Mental Health and Environmental Benefits: A Dose-Response Study

Perception, Attitude, and Treatment Behaviour of The Community Towards Mental Disorders in Banyumas Raya

Introduction: The stigma associated with mental disorders continues to have negative value in Indonesian society, which can influence treatment decisions. This project is aimed at evaluating the public’s perceptions, attitudes, and behavior toward treatment of mental disorders in Banyumas Raya. Methods: This was a quantitative cross-sectional study with 410 respondents who had completed questionnaires on mental health perceptions (Mental Health Knowledge Schedule, MAKS), attitude assessment (the Community Attitudes toward Mental Illness, CAMI), and behavior of choosing traditional treatment or medical treatment in October–November 2022. A descriptive analysis was used, and the relationship was assessed using the chi-square test. Result: Descriptive analysis reveals that 273 (66.6%) respondents live in Banyumas, 167 (40.7%) are senior high school graduates, and 175 (42.7%) have an income of Rp. 1,000,000-Rp. 3,000,000. Bivariate analysis revealed a significant relationship between knowledge and behavior (p&lt;0.05; CI. OR: 0.251). Conclusion: Respondents with a high level of knowledge are more likely to engage in medical behavior.

Health Related Quality of Life Among Private School Teachers in Chengalpattu District, Tamil Nadu, India-A Cross Sectional Study

Background: Teachers are the foundation of any civilized society, as they preserve information, wisdom, and ideals. The study was conducted to analyze the Health-Related Quality Of Life among private school teachers and associate the findings with various demographic and occupational parameters. Methodology: This cross-sectional study was conducted among 300 private school teachers in Chengalpattu district from March-to May 2024.Sample size was determined by multistage random sampling technique. A semi-structured questionnaire consisting of background, occupation related details, and SF-36 to assess the HRQOL were used to collect data. Data was entered in excel and analysed using SPSS version 26. Results: Out of 300 teachers,233 were female and 152 were above the age of 40. Most affected domains were Bodily Pain and General Health Perception. In both these domains, very low mean levels of quality of life were significantly associated with teachers age more than 40 years old, those who got monthly income of more than 40k, married, teaching experience more than 20 years, those who travelled more than 60 minutes to reach school and those who had comorbidities. Conclusions: At least one variable across all domains analysed was associated with lower quality of life scores. Administrators and policymakers must provide appropriate health education or health promotion programs and comprehensive prevention strategies for improving their HRQOL.