Health Promotion Tool Research Articles

Geosocial Tools for Community Diagnosis and Health Promotion.

Growing research highlights the role of local community contexts in health and well-being. Communities function as central arenas for health promotion as individuals and community spaces interact in daily life. To better communicate the linkages between community and health, we demonstrate the use of a set of geosocial tools for community diagnosis and health promotion, conceptually grounded in the framework of geosocial embeddedness, using data from community surveys and participatory research conducted with local inhabitants to engage their competency. Through a web-based interactive map generated using a geographic information system, we identified public territories in the municipality where greater policy attention is needed to enhance health. Through an intersectional matrix produced using multilevel analysis, we identified precise social groups by intersectional categories that are most at risk of loneliness for targeted intervention. A health radar chart on multidomain indicators illustrated information on group dynamics and longitudinal comparisons for health promotion. Overall, these tools offered not only diagnoses of the most vulnerable social groups for tailored interventions but also insight for policymakers to improve infrastructure and material resources to promote health. We conclude that geosocial tools offer a promising approach toward sharpening health communication and improving health in the community.

Zooming In and Out of Programming: Developing an Approach to Trauma-and Violence-Informed Physical Activity “Post-Pandemic”

Researchers have found that physical activity is an effective health promotion tool due to its positive effect on wellbeing, however, despite the overwhelming evidence on the benefits of physical activity, many structural and systemic inequities exist that affect access and uptake particularly for women. These barriers have been exacerbated over the last few years as conditions surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic has made engagement in physical activity even more difficult for equity-deserving populations. Community organizations have reported an increase in gender-based violence and a strain on support services. In this qualitative research study, we present findings that demonstrated how COVID-19 complicated the delivery of in-person programs for equity-deserving populations. Using a feminist participatory action research approach, community-specific barriers to physical activity from the perspectives of individuals who deliver physical activity programming and social services to self-identified women were generated in three themes using thematic analysis: 1) Increased Need, Decreased Services; 2) Online Service Provision was Not Effective for Clients or Providers; 3) Physical Activity was Not Deemed an “Essential Service”-Transitioning from Survival Mode to a New Normal. Taken together, findings underlined the importance of effective and sustainable resources and strategies to improve access for women to engage in physical activity programs.

The impact of a lifestyle behaviour change program on healthcare costs: Quasi-experimental real-world evidence from an open-access mobile health app in the Netherlands

ObjectiveRecognizing the substantial role of modifiable risk factors such as physical inactivity, unhealthy diets, and substance use in driving global healthcare expenses, this study aims to assess the impact of a lifestyle behaviour change mobile health (mHealth) app on healthcare costs within a real-world setting. MethodsEmploying a difference-in-difference approach, this research compared healthcare costs between users of an mHealth app (treatment group) and a propensity score-matched control group of non-users. The study included data from 15,506 participants in the Netherlands, covering healthcare cost records collected from 2015 to 2019. ResultsThe implementation of the mHealth app was linked to a steady reduction in healthcare costs, achieving a 4.9 % decrease (β=−0.05,95%CI:−0.10to0.00) during the first year following the program's implementation, and a further 5.3 % decrease (β=−0.05,95%CI:−0.10to−0.00) in the second year. This healthcare costs reduction is associated with lower expenses for general practitioner services as well as diminished specialist visits. Additionally, increased app use led to further cost reductions, with frequency of use proving more important than intensity. ConclusionsThis study demonstrates that a behaviour change mHealth app is linked to significant reductions in healthcare costs, with more frequent and intense use leading to greater savings. Given their relatively low cost and ability to reach diverse population groups, such apps not only enhance individual health outcomes but can also serve as effective policy tools for large-scale health promotion, supporting broader societal health improvements.

Vaccine literacy and cultural competence training of Professional FOR health to improve the vaccination offer

Abstract Background It is essential that healthcare institutions have a high level of organizational vaccine literacy so that they can support Newly Arrived Migrants (NAM) to navigate, understand and make informed decisions on vaccinations in an effort to make uptake equitable. Developing training material for Professional-FOR-health (PfH) working with NAM, i.e. health and non-health workers, can improve the vaccination offer for NAM. Objectives A holistic training framework for PfH was designed to increase capacity building skills and cultural sensitivity of the healthcare system in promoting active immunization of NAMs. The blended training should cover four topics: “Vaccine Literacy”, “Cultural awareness/migrant sensitivity”, “Health promotion tools with community-based approach” and “Entitlement to vaccination for NAMs/NAMs profile”. As learners cannot be seen as mere recipients of notions, their needs, motivations, and experiences should be put right at the center of the training process. Therefore, a training guide and materials were shared to Consortium Countries to be adapted and implemented in their context. Training sessions were conducted in the summer of 2023. Results A total of 180 participants showed an average increase of 8.2% in correct answers from pre- to post-raining. Notably, 112 participants experienced more than a 10% increase in correct answers. Significant increases were observed across all topics, particularly in Vaccine Literacy (A1) and NAM Profile (A4), with increases of 52% and 74%. The training was evaluated positively with an overall index of 4.2 out of 5. All items analyzed from the satisfaction questionnaire yielded positive evaluations, with an average rating of 4 out of 5. Conclusions The evaluation underscores the effectiveness of training in meeting educational needs of participants. This type of training can be the groundwork for the changes needed to make the NAMs vaccination process more guaranteed and inclusive.

Mental Health Arts Festival as a tool for mental health promotion

Abstract Background of the problem 1 in 4 people experience mental health problems each year, and that number is only growing. Stigma and discrimination of mental health are widespread and affect the quality of life at the individual and societal level. The WHO identifies mental health arts festivals as an effective way to reduce stigma and improve mental health. Description of the problem We are not comfortable talking about mental health difficulties and the care we need. Consequently, individuals often withhold personal experiences to shield themselves from potential bias and harsh judgement. Methodology The Mental Health Arts Festival (MHAF) Bonds https://www.rysiaifest.lt/, https://www.facebook.com/Rysiaifest) seeks to contribute to the human rights based mental health knowledge creation across the partner organisations, involved communities and audiences, as well as contribute to local creation of artworks on the topic of mental health in open, accessible, safe space where every voice matters. The biannual MHAF brings together recognised artists, arts institutions, scientists, policy makers and communities of people with mental health issues (over 80 events, attracting about 4,500 spectators) for group exhibition, films, contemporary dance and live performances, literary readings, open microphones, followed by discussions and workshops. Qualitative study methodology is applied to assess the potential impacts of the MHAF. Lessons • Visual identity that seeks to challenge existing stigmatising views. • The festival has become the production or premier place of new artworks on the topics of mental health, spanning addiction, war-related trauma, transgenerational trauma, neurodiversity. Key messages • Mental health arts festivals promote mental health literacy and reduce negative attitudes towards health-seeking behaviour. • Art festivals should be an integral part of national programs to address stigma and promote mental health and well-being.

9.B. Scientific session: Promoting health in the digital age: a room to improve health literacy and digital health literacy?

Abstract The workshop aims to explore innovative approaches to promoting health literacy and digital health literacy and their impact on individual and community health outcomes at different stages of life. This initiative is driven by the recognition that digital platforms and tools offer unprecedented opportunities to improve population health through health education and behavior change. The workshop will feature a dynamic and interactive format starting from plenary sessions in which speakers will provide insights into digital health promotion best practices and their outcomes, offering diverse perspectives. The added value of organizing this workshop lies in its comprehensive approach to integrating digital tools into health prevention strategies, particularly for addressing childhood smoking. By examining innovative digital interventions, the workshop provides a platform for sharing insights and strategies that leverage technology to promote healthier lifestyles among youth. This is increasingly pertinent as digital platforms become central in the daily interactions of young people. The coherence between the presentations revolves around the theme of enhancing digital health literacy as a preventive measure against health issues. The first presentation sets the stage by exploring digital tools that educate and engage young people about the dangers of smoking. The subsequent session builds on this by assessing the current state of digital health education and literacy, emphasizing the need for curriculum integration and better training for educators to support these initiatives effectively. Finally, the meta-analysis presentation ties everything together by evaluating the effectiveness of these digital interventions across various demographics, offering evidence-based recommendations for tailoring health literacy programs to diverse needs. Together, these presentations form a cohesive narrative on the critical role of digital literacy in health prevention, illustrating a clear pathway from educational content to educational infrastructure, and culminating in broad-based intervention strategies that can be adapted to different settings and populations. This coherence enhances the workshop’s impact, providing attendees with a well-rounded understanding of how digital tools can be harnessed to foster long-term health improvements from an early age. Live Q&A sessions will encourage dialogue between speakers and attendees, enhancing the learning experience. By combining expert knowledge with interactive discussions, the workshop aims to share insights needed to implement effective digital health promotion strategies. Key messages • The role of health literacy and digital health literacy in improving health outcomes demands that the efficacy of the most effective strategies be evaluated. • Digital tools offer opportunities for innovative health promotion approaches and tools.

The process of developing an augmented reality (AR) tool for knowledge translation on climate change-related experiences among youth in Kenya

This report details a qualitative methodological approach of developing an Augmented Reality (AR) tool which integrates digital storytelling for context-specific, accessible, scalable participatory research knowledge translation on climate-related sexual health experiences among youth (aged 16-25 years) in Kenya. AR, which engages audiences through virtual images overlayed on the real world in real-time, enhances learning and knowledge retention. This suggests the potential for using this increasingly accessible technology in knowledge translation, despite such use being understudied. Our AR tool meaningfully incorporates seven digital storytelling videos made by youth in Kenya through a study in 2023, to amplify youth voices while illustrating complex pathways between four climate-related factors (drought, floods, extreme heat, and excess winds) and three HIV vulnerabilities (gender-based violence, early marriage, and transactional sex). The aim of this paper is to describe the design of an AR tool for knowledge translation, youth empowerment, and health promotion, and to outline how it can be harnessed for sexual health and climate change education to inform future knowledge translation approaches with youth climate-affected issues.

Social branding for health promotion against non-communicable diseases in Maharashtra, India

Introduction: The burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) is a major challenge for countries, regardless of their level of development. Social branding is an emerging approach to health promotion for NCD prevention. In this paper, the process of social branding is documented as a case study to help researchers develop similar kinds of interventions in the settings in which they work. Methods: The process of developing a social brand is documented through conversations with the project team, observations in the field, interaction with community local members, and information gathered through photographs, videos and newspaper clippings. Results: The social brand focused upon in this study was named the Aarogyachi Vaari (Health Pilgrimage) inspired by the Pandrapur Wari, a religious pilgrimage undertaken in the state of Maharashtra, India. Various stakeholders from self-help groups, panchayat raj institutions and schools from the local village collaborated successfully to implement the health event in a manner similar to the way in which diverse religious groups come together for the Pandrapur Wari religious pilgrimage. The Aarogyachi Vaari took the form of a strategically planned health event consisting of various health promotion stalls, many developed by local villagers themselves. The organisation of the event was aided by resource mobilisation within the local community. Discussion: Social branding can be an effective tool for health promotion in community settings. Studying people’s cultural preferences and what makes them feel connected and excited can lay the foundations for the creation of a social brand that reflects their choices and helps them take up healthy behaviours on their own. It is possible to mobilise a community for health through social branding that is culturally relevant and connected to the interests and priorities of local people.

Exploring the Role of Art in Community Health Initiatives

This review investigates the intersection of art and community health initiatives, focusing on how art can serve as a tool for health promotion, disease prevention, and rehabilitation. It examines the historical and cultural significance of art in health practices, drawing on both active participatory and passive art experiences. By investigating the biopsychosocial model, the paper highlights how art contributes to individual and collective well-being, reducing stress, fostering social cohesion, and improving mental and physical health. Through case studies and evidence-based research, the paper argues that art plays a crucial role in community health strategies, advocating for greater integration of art into public health policy. Recommendations are offered for expanding interdisciplinary collaborations, increasing funding for arts-based health interventions, and exploring digital opportunities for art in healthcare. Keywords: Art in health, community health initiatives, public health, mental well-being, biopsychosocial model.

The potential and limitations of radio as a health promotion tool: knowledge synthesis

Objective: Identify the potential and limitations of using radio for health promotion. Methods: This is an integrative review carried out from September to November 2022, using the databases Latin American and Caribbean Literature in Health Sciences (LILACS), Nursing Database (Base de dados de Enfermagem, BDENF), National Library of Medicine (PUBMED) and Web of Science with the descriptors radio, information technology and health promotion. After the inclusion and exclusion criteria, a total of 16 articles remained. Results: As potentialities, it was identified that radio is a relevant tool for interaction and dissemination of information, as it manages to reach different audiences, enabling greater popular engagement and, consequently, greater effectiveness of health promotion actions. Its limitations include the complexity of certain subjects and the need to adapt the language used to the target audience. Conclusion: The conclusion is that health professionals should be empowered to use this technology as an intermediary tool for health education actions, since it enables greater interaction and brings the user-health professional-service relationship closer together.

Dating apps as health allies? Examining the opportunities and challenges of dating apps as partners in public health

In recent years, dating apps have become important allies in public health. In this paper, we explore the implications of partnering with dating apps for health promotion. We consider the...

Application of Positive Psychology in Digital Interventions for Children, Adolescents, and Young Adults: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Controlled Trials.

The rising prevalence of mental health issues in children, adolescents, and young adults has become an escalating public health issue, impacting approximately 10%-20% of young people on a global scale. Positive psychology interventions (PPIs) can act as powerful mental health promotion tools to reach wide-ranging audiences that might otherwise be challenging to access. This increased access would enable prevention of mental disorders and promotion of widespread well-being by enhancing self-efficacy, thereby supporting the achievement of tangible objectives. We aimed to conduct a comprehensive synthesis of all randomized controlled trials and controlled trials involving children, adolescents, and young adults, encompassing both clinical and nonclinical populations, to comprehensively evaluate the effectiveness of digital PPIs in this age group. After a literature search in 9 electronic databases until January 12, 2023, and gray literature until April 2023, we carried out a systematic review of 35 articles, of which 18 (51%) provided data for the meta-analysis. We included randomized controlled trials and controlled trials mainly based on web-based, digital, or smartphone-based interventions using a positive psychology framework as the main component. Studies included participants with a mean age of <35 years. Outcomes of PPIs were classified into indicators of well-being (compassion, life satisfaction, optimism, happiness, resilience, emotion regulation and emotion awareness, hope, mindfulness, purpose, quality of life, gratitude, empathy, forgiveness, motivation, and kindness) and ill-being (depression, anxiety, stress, loneliness, and burnout). PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines were used for the selection of studies and data extraction. Quality assessment was performed following the CONSORT (Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials) guidelines. For well-being outcomes, meta-analytic results showed that PPIs augmented the feeling of purpose, gratitude, and hope (Hedges g=0.555), compassion (Hedges g=0.447), positive coping behaviors (Hedges g=0.421), body image-related outcomes (Hedges g=0.238), and positive mindset predisposition (Hedges g=0.304). For ill-being outcomes, PPIs reduced cognitive biases (Hedges g=-0.637), negative emotions and mood (Hedges g=-0.369), and stress levels (Hedges g=-0.342). Of note, larger effect sizes were found when a waiting list control group was considered versus a digital control group. A funnel plot showed no publication bias. Meta-regression analyses showed that PPIs tended to show a larger effect size on well-being outcomes in studies including young adults, whereas no specific effect was found for ill-being outcomes. Revised evidence suggests that PPIs benefit young people's well-being and mitigate ill-being symptoms. Digital platforms offer a unique way to address their mental health challenges, although not without limitations. Future research should explore how they work for the needs of the young population and further examine what specific PPIs or combination of interventions is most beneficial with respect to other digital control groups. PROSPERO International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews CRD42023420092; https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?RecordID=420092.

Empowering Expecting Mothers: The Impact of Antenatal Classes on Child Birth Experience.

Introduction Antenatal education is one of the ways to increase a woman's knowledge about pregnancy and childbirth, which could improve self-efficacy during labor, making the expecting mothers well-prepared for labor and nursing. One of the ways for its delivery could be via well-structured antenatal classes. Such classes are part of many countries' healthcare systems and have proven to decline maternal anxiety, shorten labor, increase partner involvement, and overall improve labor experience. However, at the same time, such classes can augment more interventions in labor, induction of labor, and epidural usage. Despite the heterogeneous results of their effect, the high demands of antenatal education amongpregnant women can justify its incorporation into antenatal care. By allowing the women to identify labor correctly and preventing admission in false labor, shortening the labor, and teaching women non-pharmacologic ways to manage labor pains, it can reduce the patient and fiscal burden on the already overwhelmed maternity units of Pakistan, hence proving to be an inexpensive health promotion tool. Methods This cross-sectional study was conducted in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecologyof Aga Khan University Hospital Karachi, Pakistan, between December 2020 and June 2021. All pregnant women, aged 18 to 45 years, between gestational ages of 37 to 42 weeks, with singleton, cephalic pregnancy, booked during the first or second trimester, and who attended at least one antenatal class, were invited to participate. Women who had any contraindication to vaginal delivery, whose labor was induced, or who suffered from medical, psychological, or obstetric comorbidities were excused. The participants were observed for labor outcomes in terms of stage of labor on arrival, use of epidural analgesia, mode of delivery, and childbirth experience, using a validated research tool, known as the Questionnaire for Assessing the Childbirth Experience (QACE)to identify women with a positive or negative childbirth experience. A higher score representing on the questionnaire represented a more negative birth experience. A score of less than 19 was considereda positive birth experience. Data was analyzed using IBMStatistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) Statistics for Windows, Version 19. Results The mean QACE score was reported as 18.2±3.00, reflecting that on average the mothers had a positive childbirth experience. Modes of delivery revealed 57.6% of the women delivering spontaneously, with 60.4% of them arriving in the labor room in active labor. Demand for labor analgesia in the form of epidural was 64%. Majorly the participants attended only one antenatal class, with 66.91% of women reporting a positive childbirth experience. Conclusion Antenatal education classes are a low-input, high-yielding resourcethat can be used to empower mothers with pertinent information and support for a pleasant childbirth experience while simultaneously taking the edge off the overburdened maternity wards of low resources, in densely populated countries like Pakistan. Hence it is the need of the hour to devise plans to invest in these classes to make them available to the masses.

Assessing the impact of a community-based psychodrama intervention on mental health promotion of adolescents and young adults in Mozambique: A mixed-methods study.

While mental health is an emerging issue in low-income countries, its promotion remains poor, with little context-oriented evidence available. Here we aimed to assess the impact and acceptability/feasibility of a community-based psychodrama intervention involving both adolescents and young adults (AYA) living with HIV (AYALHIV) and without HIV (AYAHIV-). We used a mixed-methods approach, where the quantitative part was based on pre/post questionnaires and the qualitative one on content analysis of semi-structured interviews. Trained community health care workers delivered psychodrama sessions involving AYAs aged 15-24 years once a week between July and August 2023 in Beira, Mozambique. The baseline assessment involved a sociodemographic and three mental health questionnaires: the Mental Health Knowledge Schedule (MAKS), Community Attitudes toward People with Mental Illness (CAMI27), and the Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS). We repeated all questionnaires after the intervention and conducted semi-structured interviews. We enrolled 354 AYAs (50.8% female, 45.5% AYALHIV) at baseline; 315 (89.0%) attended the sessions, with a mean participation rate of 94.4%. Overall, 281 (89.2%) completed the post-intervention assessment. MAKS score improved from 44.5 (95% confidence interval (CI) = 44.0-45.0) to 47.1 (95% CI = 46.4-47.7, P < 0.001). Total CAMI27 score showed no significant variation (P = 0.855). Total TAS score decreased from 57.3 (95% CI = 56.1-58.5) to 54.3 (95% CI = 53.0-55.6, P < 0.001). We found no statistically significant interactions between time and sex, age, or HIV serostatus in all questionnaires. For the qualitative part of the study, we analysed 37 semi-structured interviews (43.2% with females, 40.5% with AYALHIV). We identified four areas of intervention impact: peer-to-peer support (30.3%), social empowerment (24.7%), resilience (23.0%), and emotional skills (21.9%). Regarding acceptability/feasibility, perceived scalability (37.2%) and affective attitude (34.5%) were the sub-areas most frequently retrieved in the SSIs. The community-based psychodrama intervention proved to be an effective tool in AYAs' mental health promotion, increasing knowledge and improving emotional awareness through group experience and interpersonal learning. The intervention also showed good acceptability and feasibility in the context of our study.

Is it safe? Health promotion videos on YouTube and the safety of viewers – Views from Ghana

ObjectivesHealth promotion videos are trending and abundant. Information provided in these videos is not verified by any designated experts but is popular. In this paper we discuss the prevalence of such videos and guide patients on how to verify their authenticity. The paper accepts that these videos are abundant and necessary in an age driven by open access to information and commercial interests. MethodsThe paper uses evidence from previous studies and observations of authors to propose the inclusion of YouTube in the health promotion toolkit of Ghanaian and African health systems. ResultsThe paper proposes the improvement of health literacy and patient-caregiver communication in preparation for an active role for YouTube as a health promotion tool. ConclusionsFor patients, the paper recommends improved health literacy and communication with caregivers as an effective safety mechanism against misleading content. Caregivers are advised to accommodate patient views influenced by YouTube videos and be active participants in online spaces. Research on health literacy and effective patient-caregiver communication is recommended.

BehaviourCoach: Exploring the Use of a Web-Based Serious Game in Health Promotion

Using a multidisciplinary approach, the current study examined the roles of psychological factors and serious games in the promotion of physical activity and wellbeing. The aim was to investigate the use and evaluation of a Web-based application named BehaviourCoach through the following research questions: How do users experience and evaluate this web-application for health promotion? How do elements of serious games and participants’ health status relate to intention to use this web-application? Participants (N = 55) engaged with BehaviourCoach for a duration of 45 minutes. Physical activity, psychological wellbeing, user experience, evaluation and intention to use a digital tool for health as well as demographic information were self-reported. On average, participants were sufficiently active as a group to meet the guidelines of 150 minutes per week of activity. They also reported moderate psychological wellbeing. The evaluation of the web application was positive, with participants expressing enjoyment, reporting that they found the game to support social interaction, and that the web application interface’s navigation was user-friendly. These factors were found to be positively related to intention to use the digital tool for health promotion in the future. In addition, participants’ levels of overall health and subjective wellbeing were predictive of intention to use the web-application for quick results. The study's implications for e-health interventions are discussed, as well as future directions.

Exploring Students' Knowledge about Hand Washing with Soap Through Video Media at Middle School

Purpose of the study: This research aims to evaluate the effectiveness of using video media in increasing students' knowledge and attitudes about the importance of washing hands with soap at Public Middle School 31 North Bengkulu Methodology: This research uses quantitative methods with a pre-experimental One Group Pretest-Posttest Design. The research population was class III students at Public Middle School 31 North Bengkulu, with a sample of 35 students selected using a purposive sampling technique. Data analysis was carried out using the Wilcoxon test to test the difference between pretest and posttest results. Main Findings: This study concludes that the use of video media as a health promotion tool significantly increases the knowledge and attitudes of students at Public Middle School 31 North Bengkulu towards the importance of washing hands with soap. Video media is proven to be more effective than conventional methods in attracting attention and increasing student participation during the learning process Novelty/Originality of this study: This research is very urgent considering the high rate of transmission of infectious diseases among adolescents which can have a significant impact on their health and school attendance. Infectious diseases such as flu, diarrhea and respiratory infections often spread quickly in the school environment, causing high levels of absenteeism and reducing learning productivity.

Implications of using conversational robots (chatbots) in uro-oncology A patient and physician perspective.

Chatbots, or conversational robots, have become a strategy or support tool for urologic patient care, diagnostic communication, and treatment. With regard to patients, studies have shown that chatbots can answer medical questions with similar percentages of acceptability as urologists. In addition, they can contribute to patient education, allowing them to ask questions that do not arise during medical consultation. They have also proven to be good tools for health promotion and disease prevention. These benefits can also serve doctors, as robots can support medical consultation and the reading of medical records, making patient care more efficient; however, there are several limitations, including the accuracy of bot-generated answers and the acceptability that urologists give to this type of tool.

A Qualitative Investigation of Civic Engagement and Well-Being among Non-College-Bound Young Adults

Young adulthood is an important developmental milestone during which individuals could greatly benefit from health promotion tools. Civic engagement has been linked with positive mental health and well-being; however, little is known about civic behavior among young adults who do not attend college. We investigated the relationship between civic engagement and well-being among non-college-bound young adults (NCYAs). Investigators conducted semi-structured focus groups and interviews with 14 young adults (aged 18–25 years old) who were not enrolled in college. Using qualitative thematic analysis procedures, coders defined five key themes within the data pertaining to the intersection of civic engagement and mental health: (1) experiencing, witnessing, and believing in the fruits of civic engagement labor; (2) managing emotions and conflict; (3) balancing individual needs with those of the collective; (4) garnering social connectedness and support; and (5) acting in alignment with values. Participants described complex, bidirectional relationships between civic engagement and well-being. Participants experiencing empowerment and political efficacy resulting from their civic engagement experiences reported greater well-being. Some participants used civic engagement as a strategy to cope with distressing emotions, while others were civically disengaged to avoid conflict and negative affect. Participants described the need to attend to personal needs first before engaging in actions to help the collective. Connecting with others was a notable promoter of well-being among those who were civically active, although negative peer influence was also a notable detractor. Finally, participants described strong value systems and identities related to civic engagement. Civic engagement can elicit both positive and negative emotional, psychological, and social well-being. The results underscore potential mechanisms that mediate the civic engagement to well-being pathway, which can be used to inform efforts to engage and retain NCYAs in civic engagement. Interventionists should cultivate strong coping and conflict management skills among engagers to manage difficult emotions that arise before, during, and after civic activity if health outcomes are to be achieved.

Evaluation of the Nurses' Understanding of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion in Primary Health Care Centres in Al-Diwaniyah

A descriptive study was undertaken from January 15, 2023 to May 26, 2023 in order to measure the level of knowledge among nurses This text pertains to the improvement of health and the avoidance of illnesses at primary healthcare clinics located in the municipality of Al-Diwaniyah. A precise random population of 150 individuals, evenly distributed among There are eleven primary health care institutions located in the city of Al Diwaniyah. The numbers were obtained from the health promotion and disease prevention tool that has been authorized by the Iraqi Ministry of Health. Data was gathered by conducting a questionnaire for each variable, employing a research instrument and the personal interview method. Each survey necessitated roughly 10 minutes to complete. The questionnaire comprised four axes, with the initial axis explicitly focusing on community partnership and mobilization. The second axis relates to the local council of the primary health care centre. The third level of communication focuses on modifying behaviour, while the fourth dimension revolves around promoting health and preventing sickness. The data was evaluated using the weighted average method, renowned for its ability to generate accurate outcomes by using the principle of weight ratios. The study found that the research sample had outstanding expertise in the field of health promotion and illness prevention. The study proposes improving training programs in primary health care, with a specific emphasis on boosting communication skills and promoting changes in health behaviours. Additionally, it suggests prioritizing community involvement and activation, while also strengthening the local governing bodies of basic healthcare facilities. In addition, the study cautions against indiscriminately replacing experienced nurses with new workers.