Health Promotion Strategies Research Articles

Impact of childhood socioeconomic status on depression among postdoctoral researchers in universities: The chain mediating role of current subjective socioeconomic status and perceived stress.

Postdoctoral researchers in Chinese universities commonly face a high risk of mental health issues, such as depression, yet the underlying causes and mechanisms remain unclear. This study aims to explore the influence of childhood socioeconomic status (SES) on depression among postdoctoral researchers and the mediating roles of current subjective SES and perceived stress in this process. An online survey was conducted among postdoctoral researchers at a university. The survey included a general information questionnaire, the Childhood Socioeconomic Status Scale, the Subjective Socioeconomic Status Scale, the Perceived Stress Scale, and the Patient Health Questionnaire. A total of 505 valid responses were collected. Pearson correlation analysis was used to analyze the data, and the PROCESS macro was employed for chain mediation analysis. Childhood SES was significantly positively correlated with current subjective SES (P<0.05) and significantly negatively correlated with postdoctoral tenure, perceived stress, and depression (all P<0.05). Current subjective SES was significantly negatively correlated with perceived stress and depression (both P<0.05), while perceived stress was significantly positively correlated with depression (P<0.05). The chain mediation effect of childhood SES → current subjective SES → perceived stress → depression was significant (P<0.05). Childhood socioeconomic status can influence depression among postdoctoral researchers through the mediating roles of current subjective socioeconomic status and perceived stress. These findings provide a target for the prevention and intervention of depression in postdoctoral populations and offer a reference for the development of mental health promotion strategies for young university faculty.

The Public Health Approach to Oral Health: A Literature Review

Background: Oral health (OH) has evolved beyond dental concerns to encompass psychosocial dimensions and overall well-being. This study reviews OH strategies within a public health framework to identify key elements for effective OH promotion. Methods: A literature review following PRISMA guidelines identified 42 relevant articles from 62 screened. Five themes emerged: group-level, individual-level, policy-level (emphasizing devising OH policies), healthcare delivery, and communication. Common components included OH education, behaviour change, access to OH services, and policy integration. Results: Thematic analysis identified five overarching themes in oral health (OH) promotion strategies, with a focus on tailored approaches for specific populations and components such as education, access to services, interventions, and policy, emphasizing the multifaceted nature of OH promotion. Conclusion: Effective OH promotion requires a multifaceted approach and tailored strategies with interprofessional collaboration. Future research should focus on cost-effectiveness and user-friendly resources for OH professionals and policymakers.

Innovation in Nutrition Promotion : Literature Analysis to Increase Community Awareness and Healthy Practices

The important role of health promotion in improving community welfare has encouraged effective innovation to increase nutritional awareness and healthy lifestyle practices. This research explores recent innovations in health promotion strategies, particularly in nutrition and health, to increase awareness and encourage positive behavioral change. Through comprehensive literature analysis, this research identifies and evaluates approaches such as technology interventions, community-based initiatives, and other new strategies. The results show that innovations such as nutrition promotion media (pop-up books, PGS cards, leaflets, nutrition puzzles, and educational videos) as well as active community participation (FGD and lunch menu practices) and empowering health workers and teachers, have succeeded in increasing knowledge. , attitudes and nutritional behavior of the community. Case studies and successful programs show real improvements in community nutrition practices. However, challenges such as limited sample size, short intervention duration, and methodological obstacles need to be overcome. Based on these findings, further research is recommended focusing on: (1) longitudinal research with larger sample sizes to understand long-term impacts; (2) exploration of contextual factors that influence program effectiveness; (3) evaluate the effectiveness of innovation for vulnerable groups such as people with disabilities or people with low education; (4) evaluation of community empowerment strategies and their impact on local health policies; and (5) exploration of cross-sectoral collaboration for holistic and sustainable nutrition promotion programs. These findings provide valuable insights for practitioners, researchers, and policymakers, and serve as a comprehensive resource for designing programs that increase nutrition awareness and encourage healthy practices in communities.

Harmonizing data on correlates of sleep in children within and across neurodevelopmental disorders: lessons learned from an Ontario Brain Institute cross-program collaboration.

There is an increasing desire to study neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) together to understand commonalities to develop generic health promotion strategies and improve clinical treatment. Common data elements (CDEs) collected across studies involving children with NDDs afford an opportunity to answer clinically meaningful questions. We undertook a retrospective, secondary analysis of data pertaining to sleep in children with different NDDs collected through various research studies. The objective of this paper is to share lessons learned for data management, collation, and harmonization from a sleep study in children within and across NDDs from large, collaborative research networks in the Ontario Brain Institute (OBI). Three collaborative research networks contributed demographic data and data pertaining to sleep, internalizing symptoms, health-related quality of life, and severity of disorder for children with six different NDDs: autism spectrum disorder; attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder; obsessive compulsive disorder; intellectual disability; cerebral palsy; and epilepsy. Procedures for data harmonization, derivations, and merging were shared and examples pertaining to severity of disorder and sleep disturbances were described in detail. Important lessons emerged from data harmonizing procedures: prioritizing the collection of CDEs to ensure data completeness; ensuring unprocessed data are uploaded for harmonization in order to facilitate timely analytic procedures; the value of maintaining variable naming that is consistent with data dictionaries at time of project validation; and the value of regular meetings with the research networks to discuss and overcome challenges with data harmonization. Buy-in from all research networks involved at study inception and oversight from a centralized infrastructure (OBI) identified the importance of collaboration to collect CDEs and facilitate data harmonization to improve outcomes for children with NDDs.

Global Impact of Menstrual Readiness Revolution

This study investigates the association between menstrual knowledge and readiness for menarche among sixth-grade girls at SDN Ngembe 1 Beji in 2023. Using a cross-sectional approach and validated questionnaires, the research explores factors beyond knowledge that influence preparedness. Findings reveal a non-significant correlation (p-value = 0.636) between knowledge and readiness, emphasizing the need for comprehensive educational efforts involving healthcare, schools, and communities to better equip young women for this important phase of development. Highlight: Holistic education for menstrual readiness. Cross-sectional study on adolescent knowledge. Health promotion strategies for menstrual preparedness. Keyword: Menstrual knowledge, Menarche readiness, Adolescent education, Cross-sectional study, Health promotion

The Impact of Sauna on Health

This review examines the health implications of regular sauna use, a tradition deeply rooted in Finnish culture now gaining global interest for its potential health benefits. It consolidates findings from various scientific studies, emphasizing the physiological and health impacts of traditional sauna practices on cardiovascular health, mental well-being, and overall mortality. The review highlights the positive cardiovascular outcomes associated with regular sauna use, such as reduced risks of hypertension, coronary artery disease, and sudden cardiac death, attributing these benefits to improved endothelial function, decreased arterial stiffness, and positive changes in blood pressure. Additionally, sauna bathing is shown to offer mental health benefits by reducing stress, depression, anxiety levels, and possibly lowering the risk of neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's and dementia. Despite the substantial benefits, the review also acknowledges potential risks, especially for individuals with specific health conditions, underscoring the importance of hydration and caution against alcohol consumption before sauna sessions. Conclusively, the evidence supports the integration of sauna bathing into health promotion strategies, with a call for further research to explore the mechanisms underlying its health benefits and to develop guidelines for optimizing these benefits while minimizing risks. Sauna bathing emerges as a promising, non-invasive approach to enhancing overall health and well-being, warranting its consideration in complementary health practices.

Gender differences in dietary intake and physical activity among university students: a post-COVID-19 pandemic study

Purpose Malaysia transitions from a pandemic to an endemic state, beginning on April 1, 2022. The dietary intake and physical activity of university students were altered during the COVID-19 pandemic confinement period, but there is limited information on this topic in the post-COVID-19 period. This cross-sectional study aims to understand gender differences in dietary intake and physical activity among university students and investigate the factors influencing their body mass index (BMI) in the post-COVID-19 period. Design/methodology/approach The questionnaire used in this study comprised three main segments: sociodemographic information, a semiquantitative food frequency questionnaire and the International Physical Activity Questionnaire. Findings Results indicated that males exhibited significantly higher (p &lt; 0.05) mean intakes of total dietary energy and macronutrients compared to females. Compared to the Malaysian Recommended Nutrient Intakes 2017, 76.4% of males and 68.8% of females had a sufficient daily energy intake. The majority of males (52.7%) and females (46.4%) were moderately physically active. Regression analysis revealed that male university students with lower fiber intake (ß = −0.309, p = 0.002) were significantly associated with higher BMI reading after confounding adjustment. However, a similar trend was not observed in female university students. Practical implications Understanding the gender differences in dietary intake and physical activity can provide insights into the development of effective gender-specific health promotion strategies and the formulation of policies aimed at promoting healthier lifestyles among university students in the post-COVID-19 pandemic era. Originality/value This study provides insights into the gender differences in the dietary and physical activity habits of university students, as well as the factors influencing their BMI in the post-COVID-19 pandemic era.

Alterations in salivary biomarkers in relation to periodontal health and obesity among Hong Kong adolescents

ObjectivesTo explore the association among salivary biomarkers, periodontal inflammation, and adiposity status in adolescents. MethodsThis study included 180 Hong Kong adolescents aged 12–15 years. Anthropometric measurements including central obesity surrogate, waist-to-height ratio (WHtR), and dental examinations were conducted. The participants were classified into four groups as follows: with normal WHtR and less extensive periodontal inflammation (NW+LP); with high WHtR and less extensive periodontal inflammation (HW+LP); with normal WHtR and more extensive periodontal inflammation (NW+P); and with high WHtR and more extensive periodontal inflammation (HW+P). Saliva were collected to measure salivary physicochemical parameters, total bacterial load, and levels of protein biomarkers including secretory phospholipase A2 group IIA (sPLA2-IIA) and interleukin-6 (IL-6). Data were analysed by Kruskal-Wallis test and Spearman correlation coefficient. ResultsSalivary IL-6 levels and sPLA2-IIA and IL-6 output differed significantly between groups (P = 0.041, 0.027, and 0.043, respectively). The NW+P group had significantly higher salivary IL-6 output than the NW+LP group (P = 0.034) and significantly lower salivary sPLA2-IIA output than the HW+LP group (P = 0.038). Salivary IL-6 levels were negatively correlated with the number of sextants with healthy gingivae and positively correlated with salivary sPLA2-IIA levels in participants with normal WHtR. Salivary sPLA2-IIA levels were negatively correlated with total salivary bacterial load in participants with high WHtR. ConclusionsSalivary IL-6 levels were associated with the extent of periodontal inflammation in participants with normal WHtR but not in those with high WHtR. Adolescents with different adiposity status may have different mechanisms of periodontal inflammation. Clinical significanceInvestigating salivary biomarkers of periodontal health holds potential benefits in identifying individuals at risk and customizing oral health promotion strategies for individuals with varying levels of adiposity, even as early as adolescence.

Physically demanding occupations among females and sex-related differences to develop osteoarthritis of the hip: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BackgroundHip osteoarthritis (HOA) is a leading cause of disability increasing with age and is more prevalent in women and in various physically demanding occupations. This systematic review identifies and summarises occupational exposures for women in physically demanding occupations and discusses sex differences and consequences.MethodsIn this systematic review, we searched various electronic databases for reports published between date of database inception and October 2022. We included cohort studies and case-control studies that assessed the association between exposure to physically demanding occupations and the development of HOA. We then assessed the methodological quality of selected studies, extracted relative effects, compared the risk for women and men and meta-analytically reviewed the effects of physically demanding occupations. All steps were based on a study protocol published in PROSPERO (CRD42015016894).ResultsWe included six cohort studies and two case-control studies in this systematic review. These studies showed a considerably increased risk of developing HOA in both sexes. Women working in traditionally female-dominated occupations such as cleaning, sales, catering, childcare and hairdressing that are physically demanding, have a higher risk of developing HOA than men in similarly physically demanding occupations. Conversely, in traditionally male-dominated occupations with a high heterogeneity of work activities, such as agriculture, crafts, construction, as well as in low-skilled occupations, the risk was higher for men. One exception are health occupations, which are grouped together with a wide range of other technical occupations, making it difficult to draw conclusions.ConclusionsExisting studies indicate an association between various occupations with a high physical workload and an increased risk of developing HOA. Occupational prevention and individual health promotion strategies should focus on reducing the effects of heavy physical workloads at work. The aforementioned as well as early detection should be specifically offered to women in female-dominated occupations and to people working in elementary occupations.

Support for a browser plug-in blocking online alcohol imagery among Australian participants: A qualitative interview study.

Alcohol depictions are extremely common online, and there is a reported relationship between alcohol exposure and alcohol use. A browser plug-in specifically designed to block online alcohol depictions may be helpful to prevent the uptake of alcohol or increased alcohol use. Twenty-five semi-structured interviews were conducted, examining participants' beliefs about the effects of online alcohol exposure and their support for developing the browser plug-in. Using reflexive thematic analysis, we found participants highlighted a clear impact of viewing alcohol online and offline alcohol use. Participants believed a browser plug-in that blocked alcohol was acceptable and would be especially useful for minors (to prevent alcohol initiation) and those who are aiming to reduce their alcohol use. Participants emphasised that viewing online alcohol exposure had an impact on drinking behaviours, such as increased craving and temptation. The browser plug-in was considered an easy intervention tool for both parents and people who are experiencing alcohol-related problems or trying to reduce their drinking. SO WHAT?: Participants' continuous support of an alcohol-blocking browser plug-in suggests that future health promotion strategies should consider the development of a prototype plug-in.

Case commentary: a ‘merciful approach’ to discipline for a New Zealand lawyer’s misconduct

A recent decision reveals how a New Zealand’s disciplinary tribunal promoted justice for an unwell lawyer in a case of professional misconduct. In 2023, the Lawyers and Conveyancers Disciplinary Tribunal (LCDT) applied a ‘merciful approach’ when assessing the lawyer’s misconduct and health issues. In Auckland Standards Committee 3 v Ms W [2023], the LCDT discussed the impacts of reproductive treatment in relation to the practitioner’s conduct. This decision is the foundation to compare the disciplinary regime for legal and health practitioners in New Zealand. The article outlines New Zealand’s framework for discipline of lawyers, noting the absence of a health pathway. The article discusses opportunities to resolve cases involving impaired lawyers outside the disciplinary system, including benefits and disadvantages of mandatory reporting. While focusing on the legal profession, the discussion is relevant to other professions and examines health-promoting regulatory strategies from other jurisdictions.

Effectiveness of health education program on knowledge regarding health promotion strategies in the geriatric population of selected old age homes at Raipur, Chhattisgarh.

The elderly is defined as the person who is beyond middle age and approaching old age (60 or above), also called senior citizens. The number of older adults globally is expected to increase from 420 million in 2000 to 974 million in 2030. In 2017. The objectives of the study were to assess the existing level of knowledge regarding health promotion strategies and to determine the effectiveness of health education program on knowledge regarding health promotion among the elderly in old age home. The study employed one-group pretest and posttest preexperimental design without a control group. The sample size of 50 was selected using a non-probability convenient sampling technique. Baseline data were collected by a structured questionnaire, and a structured teaching program was given for 2 weeks, and after 15 days, a posttest was conducted with the same tool. Data collected were analyzed by using both descriptive and inferential statistics. The knowledge score increased significantly from baseline. The mean score of the pretest was 18.38, the mean score of the posttest was 21.78, the mean improvement was 3.40, and the paired value obtained for knowledge was 17.36, which was found significant at 0.05 level (P < 0.05). There was a significant improvement in the knowledge regarding health promotion strategies in the geriatric population. The result of the study concluded that health education program was effective in improving the knowledge regarding health promotion strategies in the geriatric population.

Impact of a program encouraging prevention in primary care on a daily and opportunistic basis

In France, clinical preventive practices are still underdeveloped and formalized, notably due to a lack of guidelines, despite the fact that a proactive and systematic prevention and health promotion strategy involving all healthcare professionals seems essential. The P3C program aims to encourage preventive clinical practices among healthcare professionals, and thus contribute to the emergence of a common culture of prevention.

Utilisation of the health belief model to study the behavioural intentions relating to obesity management among university students: a cross-sectional study

BackgroundOverweight and obesity are excessive fat accumulations linked with many health problems, including heart diseases, type 2 diabetes and cancer. Multiple studies have demonstrated that beliefs about overweight, obesity and...

Visual Narratives in Health Communication: Evaluating Comics as Tools for Health Literacy by the Indonesian Ministry of Health

This study investigates the efficacy of comics as a strategic communication tool for health promotion, utilizing a qualitative analysis of literature and examples from the “Sehat Negeriku” website managed by the Indonesian Ministry of Health. The multifaceted nature of comics, incorporating visual storytelling and character-driven narratives, offers a unique method for conveying complex health messages in an accessible and engaging manner. This research identifies several key advantages of comics in health communication, including increased appeal and interest among diverse demographics, enhanced memory retention through visual cues, emotional engagement that deepens message impact, stimulated creativity and imagination, and the ability to reach a broad audience. Data collection involved a thorough review of existing literature and content analysis of health communication comics, focusing on their structure, content, and reception. The findings highlight how comics, by blending entertainment with educational content, can effectively reduce resistance to health messages, facilitate behavioral change, and contribute to public health knowledge. Furthermore, the study underscores the importance of considering cultural relevance and audience-specific characteristics in comic design to maximize their educational impact. This paper contributes to the understanding of visual communication in public health and supports the integration of comics into broader health promotion strategies.

Sleep and mental health among Chinese adolescents: the chain-mediating role of physical health perception and school adjustment

ObjectiveSleep problems and their detrimental effects on adolescents’ physical and mental health have received substantial attention. Prior studies have focused mainly on the direct association between sleep and mental health; however, little is known about the underlying mediating mechanism. To address this gap, the present study constructed a chain mediation model to examine the association between sleep deficiency and mental health status in adolescents, by introducing two mediating variables-physical health perception and school adjustment.MethodsA sample of 7530 senior high school students completed a battery of self-report questionnaires measuring their sleep duration, mental health status, physical health perception, and school adjustment. Data were collected from the Database of Youth Health at Shandong University. All the measures showed good reliability and validity in the present study. Data were analyzed using SPSS 25.0 and the SPSS PROCESS.ResultsThe results were as follows: (1) Sleep duration was significantly associated with physical health perception and mental health. (2) Physical health perception partially mediated the association between sleep and mental health. (3) Physical health perception and school adjustment played a chain mediating role between sleep and mental health. In conclusion, sleep not only directly associated with mental health among adolescents, but also influences mental health by the chain mediating effect of perception of physical health and school adjustment.ConclusionThese findings in the present study contribute to understanding the mechanisms underlying the association between sleep and mental health and have important implications for interventions aimed at improving mental health status among adolescents in China. Our results indicated that promoting adequate sleep duration and improving sleep quality are possible key mental health promotion strategies for adolescents.

Moving from local to global: The examples of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and the Okanagan Charter

The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) set forth 17 broad goals that we should pursue globally to ensure the health of the planet and of humankind. Within each goal, several targets are identified. This article explores the overarching framework of the SDGs as a guide to ensuring human and planetary health. The one goal, Goal #3: Global Health and Wellbeing was described in more detail. Simultaneous to the development of the SDGs, a health promotion framework, the Okanagan Charter, was launched. The Okanagan Charter similarly identifies the calls to action and principles that are the foundation of the work. This article explores briefly the origins of the Okanagan Charter and describes the study that was conducted to explore the implementation of the Charter at the first 10 campuses to sign on to the Charter. The findings identify that systems approaches require leadership and engaged champions, effective communication structures, dedicated resources, work across silos, and development of targets and measures to gauge progress; these structures are crucial for effective systems approaches to complex initiatives such as holistic health promotion strategies. The article concludes with a discussion about future directions for the crucial health promotion agenda.

Black Americans' perceptions of Alzheimer's disease, a healthy brain, and strategies for brain health promotion

ObjectivesLack of awareness of Alzheimer's disease (AD) among Black Americans may undermine their ability to identify potential AD risk. We examined Black Americans' perceptions and knowledge of AD, and views of a healthy brain, which may contribute to the development of effective and culturally sensitive strategies to address racial disparities in AD. MethodsWe conducted a mixed-methods study, integrating a cross-sectional survey of 258 older (>55 years) Black participants and qualitative interviews with a sub-sample of N = 29. Both data sets were integrated to inform the results. ResultsParticipants endorsed having little knowledge of AD. While most participants reported practicing a healthy lifestyle to promote a healthy brain, the range of activities listed were limited. Participants made several suggestions to increase AD awareness, which includes using AD educational materials containing information that would benefit the whole family, not only older adults. Outreach approaches that address both individual behaviors and structural factors were also encouraged. ConclusionOur findings identify ongoing needs to improve AD awareness among traditionally under-represented groups. InnovationThe study utilized novel approaches to examine participants' perspectives of AD that included a diverse sample of research naïve participants, and integrated exploration of participants' views of AD and brain health.

Knowledge Regarding Ayushman Bharat Yojana among Nursing Personnel at Health Care Centers

The Ayushman Bharat Yojana was recently introduced by the Union government. Ayushman Bharat, the national health safety strategy, aims to develop ground-breaking policies to address health systemically throughout both the primary and secondary care systems, encompassing both prevention and health promotion strategies. The main of the study was to assess the knowledge regarding Ayushman Bharat Yojana among Nursing Personnel at health care center of Moradabad with a view to develop information booklet. Sample size consists of 100 nursing personnel working in different health care centres of Moradabad District. For this investigation, Non-Probability purposive sampling was utilised to choose the samples. Data highlights that 19(19%) Nursing Personnel have poor knowledge, followed by 65(65%) Nursing Personnel have average knowledge and 16(16%) Nursing Personnel have good knowledge regarding Ayushman Bharat Yojana. The degree of knowledge on the use of the Ayushman Bharat Yojana was significantly correlated with years of experience, place of residency, and prior awareness of the Ayushman Bharat Yojana.

Parenting Styles and Rejection Sensitivity: A Gen Z Perspective

This study examines the interplay between parenting styles, rejection sensitivity and gender differences among Generation Z individuals aged 18 to 25 years. Using descriptive statistics, correlation analyses, Mann Whitney U tests and regression analysis the research explores these relationships. Results indicate significant correlations between parenting styles and rejection sensitivity, with authoritative parenting negatively associated and authoritarian parenting positively correlated. Gender differences emerge, with females exhibiting higher levels of authoritative, permissive and authoritarian parenting styles yet males demonstrating greater rejection sensitivity scores. Regression analysis confirms the predictive role of authoritative and authoritarian parenting styles on rejection sensitivity. These findings highlight the influence of parental behavior on rejection sensitivity and underscore gender disparities in parenting practices and psychological outcomes. Implications for parenting interventions, mental health promotion and educational strategies are discussed alongside recommendation for future research to deepen.