National Awareness Campaign Research Articles

The same but different: A cross‐country comparison of national earthquake policies and societal perspectives of seismic risk in Israel and Switzerland

AbstractNational earthquake policies aim to mitigate earthquake risk by minimizing the potential damage to lives, property, and infrastructure and by preparing the population to carry out recommended behaviors when an earthquake is felt or a warning is heard. In this research, we compare two earthquake‐prone countries, Israel and Switzerland, to examine if and how their policies to mitigate seismic risk differ, and how citizens react to the national earthquake policies in terms of their perceived risk of earthquakes and their preparedness. We examine and compare four national‐level earthquake policy components—risk assessment, mitigation regulation, early warning system, and risk communication with the public. We find that centralized national‐level policy in Israel, which includes regulated building codes, a nationwide early warning system, and national awareness campaigns, does lead to higher levels of reported awareness and preparedness. Similarly, in high‐risk cantons in Switzerland, which apply these policies (except for the warning system), citizens were also more prepared than in low‐risk cantons. However, given learning from both countries' policies, we suggest that earthquake policies should include collaboration with local authorities and the population through a more decentralized and localized approach, which includes drills, training, and information dissemination.

Associations between a Brazilian suicide awareness campaign and suicide trends from 2000 to 2019: Joinpoint and regression discontinuity analysis

BackgroundSuicide is a global health concern whose rates are soaring in many low-and-middle-income countries. Public awareness campaigns have been implemented in Brazil; however, their impact is uncertain. MethodsThis was an ecological study using population data from DATA-SUS, a Brazilian official notification system, selecting only deaths that were voluntarily self-inflicted (CID-10 × 60-X84). We analyzed all available data from 2000 to 2019 to assess trends before and after the national Yellow September (YS) campaign started in 2015. Differences in trends were assessed by Joinpoint Analysis (JA) and Regression Discontinuity Analysis (RDD), unadjusted and adjusted for economic factors. ResultsOverall, there was a progressive increase in the rate of relative (per 100,000 inhabitants) number of suicides over time between 2000 and 2019 (57 % increase). The JA detected a change in the slope of the curve representing an acceleration in suicides starting in the year 2015. Adjusted RDD revealed the year that Yellow September started significantly change the slope of the association between time and rates of suicide (pinteraction < 0.01), and marginal analysis detected the coefficient increased from 0.07 (95%CI 0.04–0.10) to 0.27 (95%CI -0.07-0.60) suicides/year per 100,000 inhabitants. LimitationsThe ecological nature of the manuscript compromises causational implications. ConclusionsWe found an increase in suicidal trends in Brazil, against the global trend that coincides with the beginning of a large national awareness campaign. Although we cannot attribute causality, our results reinforce the need of further studies to better understand the role of awareness campaigns in suicide reduction interventions, including potential unintended effects.

Disseminating key messages from a policy lab in Sierra Leone: A national pre-eclampsia awareness campaign

Disseminating key messages from a policy lab in Sierra Leone: A national pre-eclampsia awareness campaign

Global warming communicative actions of publics in Türkiye: Utilizing fuzzy rule based system

The effectiveness of government policies and environmental initiatives to mitigate global warming relies heavily on public support, which is closely tied to public perception and awareness. Despite the scientific evidence communicated, the public remains reluctant to take preventive measures against global warming. The aim of the paper is to investigate the communicative actions of publics proposed as in the situational theory of problem solving to understand publics' communicative actions towards global warming. The paper utilizes a fuzzy rule-based system approach to analyze the communicative actions of publics to reveal non-linear relationships; whereas previous studies mostly used linear statistical analysis. The paper provides a deeper understanding into the interplay between problem recognition, constraint recognition, and involvement in shaping information behavior. The results show that the communicative actions of the publics are at a low-to-moderate level. The paper's interesting finding is the nonlinear effects of constraint recognition on communicative action about global warming. Contrary to the current literature, it was found out that the dominant factor that may convince public to start taking action towards global warming seems to be recognizing being constrained at a moderate level. Based on the results, it is suggested for policy makers and communication strategists to mitigate the negative outcomes of global warming by integrating environmental issues into education at all levels and collaborating with non-governmental organizations for national awareness campaigns which focus on increasing public problem recognition and involvement.

Survey of general practitioners’ awareness, practice and perception of social prescribing across Europe

Background Social prescribing (SP) is a patient pathway by which healthcare professionals connect patients with other sources of support, groups, or activities within their community. The awareness, practice, and perception of SP among GPs across Europe remains unclear. Objectives To explore the awareness, practice, and perception of GPs on SP in the WONCA Europe region. Methods An anonymous, cross-sectional online survey was distributed through a snowballing system, mailing lists, and at three international conferences in 2022/2023 to explore GPs’ awareness, practice, and perception of SP. The questionnaire in English contained 21 open and closed questions. Results Of the 208 participating GPs from 33 countries, 116 (56%) previously heard of ‘social prescribing’ and 66 (32%) regularly referred patients to community activities through a formal system. These 66 GPs reported different funding sources and varied activities, with an average of four activities and physical exercise being the most prevalent. Among them, 25 (38%) knew about national or local SP awareness campaigns. Of these 25, 17 (68%) agreed that SP increases their job satisfaction and 21 (84%) agreed that it has a positive impact on their patients. Variations in SP awareness and referral practice were evident across and within countries. Conclusion Despite disparities in awareness and referral practice as well as a diversity of activities and funding sources, most GPs who actively referred patients and were informed about SP campaigns agreed that SP positively impacts them and their patients.

Factors Affecting the Awareness of Diabetic Retinopathy: An Observational Cross-Sectional Study.

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a chronic metabolic disease characterized by elevated blood glucose levels. Over time, it can lead to serious complications in the eyes, heart, blood vessels, kidneys, and nerves, being the leading cause of blindness among working-age patients. This descriptive observational cross-sectional study aims to evaluate the factors affecting the awareness of the general adult diabetic population about their chronic disease and its complications. A survey was distributed anonymously among diabetic patients in different parts of Jordan over four months (January 2023-April 2023), targeting diabetic patients (DMT2 or adults DMT1). The link was sent via WhatsApp to willing candidates. Data collected included age, sex, region, education, home blood sugar (BS) testing, knowledge about cumulative blood sugar test (HbA1c), eye affection by DM, optician role, and doctor and nutritionist follow-up visits. A chi-squared test or Fisher's exact test explored the association between categorical data; a z-test was applied for column proportion differences. An alpha level of 0.05 was deemed statistically significant. IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, Version 28 (Released 2021; IBM Corp., Armonk, New York) was used for data analysis. The sample comprised 447 diabetic adults aged 18-80 years. The majority were school-educated or school leavers (278; 62.2%); 20 (4.5%) held a master's or PhD degree. The largest group had DM for one to five years. Insulin was the sole treatment for 188 patients (42.1%), while oral hypoglycemic agents (OHA) were used by 170 patients (38%) as the only anti-DM medication. A total of 174 patients (38.9%) had never been seen by an ophthalmologist, and 153 (34.2%) believed an optometrist checkup suffices. Although 381 (85.2%) reported knowing DM affects the eyes, 272 (60.9%) believed they needed to see an ophthalmologist only when experiencing eye symptoms. Less than half (186; 41.6%) had an HbA1c reading of 7% or less. There was a significant correlation between education level and awareness of DM and diabetic retinopathy (DR): HbA1c, regular home BS checkups, early DR symptoms, and optometrist visits. Significant variations in awareness were noted across Jordan's major areas. Diabetics with abnormal HbA1c who visited a nutritionist were almost triple those who did not. The main information source about DM and DR was the treating physician for 298 (66.7%) respondents. Awareness of DM and DR in Jordan is not satisfactory for assisting patients in their long journey with minimal complications. A national awareness campaign utilizing social media and a sustainable screening program prioritizing the north, south, and middle regions of Jordan are needed.

Distribution and survival of medicinal and aromatic plants is threatened by the anticipated climate change

Changing climatic scenarios has been recognized as a prominent threat to biodiversity globally. Given the decline in biodiversity, there are more and more local, national, and global awareness campaigns as well as legislative initiatives devoted to biodiversity conservation. The present study aims to increase our knowledge and understanding of the distribution of six medicinal and aromatic plants (MAPs) in Jammu Kashmir, India under present and future climatic scenarios using an ensemble species distribution modelling approach. Results of the present study revealed changes in the habitat range of the plant species due to changing climatic scenarios leading to the expansion or contraction of their distribution range. A significant decline in the suitable habitats of Arisaema jacquemontii, Lamium album, Phytolacca acinosa and Urtica dioica is predicted. Podophyllum hexandrum and Thymus linearis are predicted to expand their distribution ranges, however, losing their currently suitable habitats. Thus, the present study recommends that these MAPs should be prioritized for conservation and abrupt appraisal of their present population status and updated IUCN categorization should be carried out. Furthermore, to provide more reliable information for conservation decision-making under future climate scenarios, more thorough models that take into account both the biotic and abiotic factors contributing to species persistence should be used.

Smoking Habits and Nicotine Dependence Among the General Lebanese Population Before and During Both the Economic Crisis and COVID-19 Pandemic.

Smoking habits have widely changed over time; however, they remain a well-known fashion that risks people's health. In addition, nicotine addiction depends on the interplay between several factors. Our study aimed to understand the smoking habits and nicotine dependence in the Lebanese population before (September 2019) and during (June 2020) the economic crisis and COVID-19 pandemic. This observational cross-sectional survey-based study included 1560 Lebanese individuals aged between 13 and 75years old from June till October 2020. Data collection was performed through an electronic survey including patients' demographics and validated instruments to assess addiction to nicotine (CAGE, Four C's, Fagerström test, and Smoker's profile scores). Out of 1560 participants, 794 (50.9%) were males. The mean age was 26.5 ± 11.69years, and 67.8% were aged between 18 and 25years old. We found that 865 (55.4%) participants were smokers. In addition, smoking cigarettes or vaping, significantly increased between September 2019 and June 2020. Our smoker group showed a high CAGE positivity (P < .001), marked compulsion (P < .001), and a considerable lack of self-control to surcease smoking (P < .001). Furthermore, the nicotine dependence score (NDS) increased with age (B = .166) and decreased with higher educational levels (B = -.219). During the economic crisis and the COVID-19 pandemic, the Lebanese population showed an increased prevalence of smoking, a high level of CAGE positivity, strong compulsion, and a significant lack of self-control when it came to quitting smoking. This strongly entails public health measures for smoking cessation through national awareness campaigns.

Assessment of prevalence of sunscreen use and related practices among people living in Saudi Arabia: A cross-sectional survey-based study.

The use of sunscreen significantly reduces the risk of skin cancer and helps maintain skin health; however, improper use can decrease its effectiveness. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence and factors associated with sunscreen use in Saudi Arabia as well as identifying areas of weakness in sunscreen practices. A cross-sectional survey-based study was conducted with a diverse population sample in Saudi Arabia. Participants were asked about their sunscreen usage habits, motivations, and knowledge of proper application techniques. Demographic information, including age, gender, and skin type, were also collected. A total of 2321 individuals participated in the study. More than two-thirds of the participants reported using sunscreen either always, regularly, or often, primarily to maintain a light skin color and prevent skin cancer. Factors associated with sunscreen use included younger age (18-40 years old), female gender, history of sunburn, and fair skin. Despite the majority reporting healthy sun exposure habits, several shortcomings were identified in sunscreen practices, including incorrect application and suboptimal reapplication frequency. While sunscreen use is common among the study population, there is a need for improved education on proper application techniques. National awareness campaigns, especially those utilizing popular social media and digital platforms in Saudi Arabia, should focus on disseminating accurate sunscreen use guidelines to maximize sun protection and skin health.

Prevalence and factors associated with immunization coverage among children under five years in Mohamed Mooge health center, Hargeisa, Somaliland: a cross-sectional study

BackgroundRoutine immunization contributes greatly to reduction in mortality from vaccine preventable diseases among children. The Somaliland Demographic and Health survey, 2020 revealed that only 13.7% of children in Marodijeh (Hargeisa) region had received all recommended vaccines, which is far below the World Health Organization (WHO) target of 80%. We therefore, assessed factors associated with immunization coverage among children under five years at Mohamed Mooge Health Center in Hargeisa, Somaliland.MethodsInstitutional based cross-sectional study was conducted on 174 systematically sampled, consented mothers that visited Mohamed Mooge Health Center for antenatal care during December 2022 to May 2023. Data was collected using a structured questionnaire. Data was analysed using SPSS and the relationship between dependent and independent variables was checked chi-square test at p ≤ 0.05. Finally, candidate variables were tested by using multivariate logistic regression in order to control potential confounders and the result was presented using AOR and 95% confidence interval. Model fitness was checked using Hosmer-Lemeshaw goodness of fit test with P > 0.05 for fitness. Multicollinearity between variables was checked using correlation coefficients at 0.80 or higher. ResultAmong 174 study participants, the prevalence of overall vaccine completion in this study was 55.3%. Women who had being aware about childhood immunization on BCG vaccination (AOR = 3.887; 95% CI: 1.275, 6.844), pentavalent (AOR = 11.385; 95% CI: 5.424–14.464), and measles (AOR = 3.074; 95% CI: 1.822–6.130) had higher odds of having immunized their children. Mothers who had employment had higher odds of having their children immunized against measles (AOR = 4.069; 95% CI: 1.822–6.130) compared to those who had not.ConclusionsFull immunization coverage was lower than the target set by the World Health Organization in this study area. The current study revealed that, the mother’s awareness of childhood vaccinations on BCG, pentavalent, measles and employment status of mothers were positively associated with immunization coverage. To promote vaccination coverage, the government should implement a national awareness campaign on childhood immunization and increase the number of outreach services.

Parental Knowledge of Appendicitis and Its Management Options Among Children of Makkah Region, Saudi Arabia.

Despite decades of studies, appendicitis in children still presents several uncertainties regarding optimal treatment. To assess parental understanding of appendicitis, along with its risks and treatment, and to determine attitudes to operative and non-operative treatment of uncomplicated appendicitis. This is a cross-sectional study. The current study has targeted all parents who visited the pediatric outpatient departments or clinics at three different hospitals in Makkah and Jeddah City, including Maternity and Children Hospital (MCH) in Makkah, King Fahad Armed Force Hospital (KFAFH), and Saudi German Private Hospital (SGH) in Jeddah. Data was collected via an online Google form and was analyzed by using SPSS. A total of 408 subjects were involved in this study. The majority of them were females (74.5%); 25.5% weremales. Most of the study participants aged between 25 and 34 years. Our results found that the average knowledge score of the study population was 4.1±1.81 out of 11. Only 23.5%of them had good knowledge about appendicitis. More than half of the respondents identified the appendix as a part of the digestive system and most of the study population were aware of the currenttreatment for appendicitis, which is surgery (80.9%). Female participants and respondents who knew someone that has been treated for appendicitis were significantly associated with a better level of knowledge about appendicitis (P-values: 0.011 and 0.033, respectively). Moreover, we found that educational level significantly influenced preference for treatment with antibiotics and surgeryif appendicitis happened again (P-value: 0.049). The study population had poor knowledge of appendicitis and its management options. The highlighted criteria of self-reported relevance to parents should be addressed in all appendicitis counseling and consent. We advocate for the establishment of national public awareness campaigns, as well as increased research and clinical trials. Understanding lay views of treatment alternatives and efficacy will influence future approaches to appendicitis therapy by analyzing the community's preference for emerging treatment modalities and identifying future directions for patient-centered clinical trials.

Evaluation of the Community's Awareness of Developmental Dysplasia of the Hip: A Cross-Sectional Study in Jordan.

Developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) is a condition where there is an abnormal relationship between the femoral head and acetabulum. DDH is prevalent in Jordan, where late presentations of complicated cases are common due to the absence of a national screening program and cultural behaviors that can exacerbate DDH progression. The study aims to prove that the absence of a nationwide screening program and low awareness of the population about DDH are the primary reasons for the high incidence of late-presenting DDH in Jordan. The study highlights the need for addressing modifiable risk factors like swaddling and correcting common misconceptions such as using multiple diapers as a treatment option. The cross-sectional study evaluated the awareness level of DDH among Jordan residents above the age of 18. An online questionnaire was used, containing two sections. The Chi-square test was used to analyze the level of awareness scores according to demographic variables and cultural norms such as tight swaddling and using multiple diapers. The sample was categorized into three groups based on their scores: low awareness (0-4), moderate awareness (5-8), and high awareness (9-12). The study included 1013 participants. The results indicated that 48.9% had moderate awareness, 37.8% had low awareness, and 13.3% had high awareness of DDH. Gender and place of residence had no significant relationship with the level of awareness. However, the majority of participants with high and moderate levels of awareness were in the 25-40 years age group, and healthcare workers had the highest levels of awareness. The study showed that 33.9% of participants gained their knowledge from either relatives or self-experience, while awareness campaigns were the least assessed source of information with only 2.9% of participants getting their information from them. The study also revealed misconceptions regarding DDH, such as the belief that tight swaddling and wearing many diapers reduced the risk of developing DDH. Additionally, about half of the participants were unaware of the presence of screening guidelines for DDH. The study underscores the urgent need to establish a national screening program and awareness campaigns to increase knowledge about DDH and prevent late presentations of complicated cases in Jordan. The study findings provide essential information for the development of future DDH campaigns and screening protocols.

Quad bike related trauma in Ireland

IntroductionA quad bike or an all-terrain vehicle is a four-wheeled powered vehicle generally designed for off-road use. They are widely used for farm-related work and more recently for recreational purposes. The potential for serious injury and death with quad bike use is a growing public health concern. There is an inherent instability in their design and they are typically used on rugged terrain characterised by dangerous driving surfaces. This study examines quad bike related trauma in Ireland using a national trauma registry to identify patient demographics, injury mechanism and type, treatments received and outcomes. MethodsAll quad bike related trauma cases recorded on the Major Trauma Audit (MTA), National Office of Clinical Audit in Ireland for the period 2014–2019 were gathered and analysed. ResultsThere were 69 cases identified and 63 (91 %) of these were male. The median (IQR) age was 27 (19 - 49.1). There were 25 % (n = 17) aged 0–18 years, 64 % (n = 44) aged 19–65 and 12 % (n = 8) aged greater than 65 years. The median injury severity score (ISS) was 10 (IQR 9–22). The most severely injured body region was the head (n = 21, 30 %). No helmet use was recorded in 50 % (n = 34) of cases.October recorded the highest number of cases (n = 9, 13 %), and Sunday was the most common day (n = 17, 25 %). The median length of hospital stay was five days (IQR 3–9). One patient died after arrival to hospital. ConclusionQuad bike related trauma predominantly affects a young male cohort with serious injury characteristics. A sizeable proportion of patients are under 18 years of age. This data can better inform national policies and public awareness campaigns targeting this trauma subset. The head was the most common severely injured body region, highlighting the potential need for legislative intervention regarding mandatory helmet use. A large cohort of patients required transfer for definitive care which has implications for trauma care pathways and advocates for the development of an integrated trauma system in Ireland.

Development and validation of educational multimedia to promote public health literacy about healthy cognitive aging.

Health literacy (HL) about healthy cognitive aging is essential in preventing cognitive decline and promoting cognitive well-being. It is important that one such HL module should be scientifically designed, delivered in a technically sound manner to the audience, and specific to the context. The present study thus aimed at developing and validating educational multimedia about cognitive health. The study followed a methodological framework and was carried out across three phases, that is, identification of themes, development and validation of educational script and design, and validation of educational multimedia. The module was scripted based on the Integrated HL framework and the recommendations made during the modified nominal group technique among the research team. Seven speech-language pathologists (SLPs), with expertise in the field of cognitive sciences, and 15 representatives of the general public validated the module using the Educational Content Validation Instrument in Health and the Patient Education Materials Assessment Tool for Audiovisual Materials questionnaire. The scientific content of the educational script received satisfactory agreements among the experts (content validity index [CVI]: 0.93) and representatives of the general public (CVI: 0.86). The technical aspects of the educational multimedia were rated to have high understandability (experts: 92.8%; representatives of general public: 98.8%) and actionability (experts and representatives of general public 100%). Overall, the developed educational multimedia scored optimally with respect to the objective, structure, relevance of the content, actionability and understandability of the multimedia. The developed module holds the potential to be used at community and national level health educational programs or awareness campaigns to enhance public knowledge and beliefs pertaining to cognitive health. SLPs with expertise in the field of cognitive science and representatives from the general public were included to validate and obtain feedback on the developed educational multimedia.

Effect of a national awareness campaign on ambulance attendances for chest pain and out-of-hospital cardiac arrest

AimAwareness of heart attack symptoms may enhance health-seeking behaviour and prevent premature deaths from out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA). We sought to investigate the impact of a national awareness campaign on emergency medical service (EMS) attendances for chest pain and OHCA. MethodsBetween January 2005 and December 2017, we included registry data for 97,860 EMS-attended OHCA cases from 3 Australian regions and dispatch data for 1,631,217 EMS attendances for chest pain across 5 Australian regions. Regions were exposed to between 11 and 28 months of television, radio, and print media activity. Multivariable negative binomial models were used to explore the effect of campaign activity on the monthly incidence of EMS attendances for chest pain and OHCA. ResultsMonths with campaign activity were associated with an 8.8% (IRR 1.09, 95% CI: 1.07, 1.11) increase in the incidence of EMS attendances for chest pain and a 5.6% (IRR 0.94, 95% CI: 0.92, 0.97) reduction in OHCA attendances. Larger intervention effects were associated with increasing months of campaign activity, increasing monthly media spending and media exposure in 2013. In stratified analyses of OHCA cases, the largest reduction in incidence during campaign months was observed for unwitnessed arrests (IRR 0.93, 95% CI: 0.90, 0.96), initial non-shockable arrests (IRR 0.93, 95% CI: 0.90, 0.97) and arrests occurring in private residences (IRR 0.95, 95% CI: 0.91, 0.98). ConclusionA national awareness campaign targeting knowledge of heart attack symptoms was associated with an increase in EMS use for chest pain and a reduction in OHCA incidence and may serve as an effective primary prevention strategy for OHCA.

Prostate cancer in patients with suspected benign prostate hypertrophy in Juba, South Sudan: A retrospective study

Introduction: Prostate cancer carries a high morbidity and mortality especially when not diagnosed early. Patients in resource limited countries tend to be diagnosed late and hence delayed surgery for benign prostate hypertrophy (BPH).Method: This was a retrospective study, from 1st January 2019 to 31st December 2020, on patients who underwent prostatectomy. Demographic and clinical data were extracted from their medical records.Results: This study involved 101 patients who had had simple open prostatectomy. Ages ranged from 49 to 98 years, mean 68 +/- 8.98 years. The largest group (37.6%) was aged 71- 80 years, p=0.001. Two thirds (66%), presented with urinary retention, p=0.03. Histopathological examination showed that 49.5% had BPH. Prostate cancer was found in 28.8%, p=0.082. Almost half (49.5%) were diagnosed histopathologically as having BPH. Prostate cancer made up 28.8% with most patients in the age range 61-80 years, p= 0.456. Conclusion: The prevalence of prostate cancer remains high among patients undergoing prostatectomy for suspected BPH. A national awareness campaign coupled with targeted screening of patients above 40 years could increase early detection of prostate cancer and reduce morbidity and mortality .

Sexual Harassment: Knowledge, Prevalence, Pattern, and Impacts Among Egyptian Female College Students.

Sexual harassment (SH) is an uprising problem worldwide, especially in Egypt. This study aims to determine the magnitude, patterns, and circumstances of SH among female students at Suez Canal University. A cross-sectional study was conducted on a representative female student sample (N = 644) from all the faculties using a self-administered anonymous questionnaire. The high prevalence of SH among college students in this study could be a consequence of the absence of knowledge about the legal framework. It mostly happened at all times of the day and night in the streets, and the least amount happened on the campus. Most of the harassers were younger than 20 years old and strangers. The majority of harassed females and surrounding people displayed negative reactions. None of the harassed females notified the authorities. The majority blamed men, and half claimed the SH act was due to the absence of religious principles. Moreover, the ignorance of the majority is with Egyptian law against SH. Both psychological and social impacts are significantly experienced by the harassed females. Thus, it is urgent to establish an institutional program (e.g., psycho-educative sessions during classes and peer training) or national awareness campaigns. Such programs and trainings aim to increase the awareness of students about the SH legal framework and how to deal with such acts, either as a victim or a witness, and how to provide the needed psychological assistance.

Leveraging accessible tourism development through mega-events, and the disability-attitude gap

Able-bodied, and increasingly people with disabilities, represent a key audience for mega-events; occasions that act as crucibles where social problems endemic to host destinations can be exposed and tackled through targeted social policy. Drawing on the social model of disability, the paper examines how Japan utilised Tokyo 2020 as a field configuring event to disrupt systems of ableist thinking and tackle physical and attitudinal barriers restricting Persons with Disabilities (PwD) to accessible tourism. Qualitative evidence reveals national commitments to relegitimise, improve accessibility for - and acceptance toward - PwD in Japanese society, through transformations to the built environment, national awareness, and educational campaigns in the build up to Tokyo 2020. An over-emphasis on physical as opposed to social structural change mean negative attitudes often persist, where disability remains stigmatised, leading to PwD immobility and social exclusion. Our policy recommendations and managerial implications, alongside research directions attend to this disability-attitude gap.

Assessing and investigating children with suspected bone and abdominal tumours: an e-Delphi consensus process

BackgroundThe incidence of childhood cancer has risen by 15% since the 1990s. Early diagnosis is key to optimising outcomes, however diagnostic delays are widely reported. Presenting symptoms are often non-specific...

Evaluating the reach and impact of Still Six Lives: A national stillbirth public awareness campaign in Australia

BackgroundThe Still Six Lives campaign aimed to increase awareness of stillbirth among Australian women and educate people about three modifiable behaviours that pregnant women could take to reduce the risk of stillbirth. The campaign used earned media, digital advertising and social media. AimThe aim of this study is to evaluate the impact of the campaign on Australian women’s awareness of stillbirth, and knowledge of the three modifiable behaviours. MethodsThe study collected process evaluation data about campaign implementation from digital platforms. The impact evaluation comprised of two components: a three-wave community survey of Australian women aged 18–50 years old, and a pre-post cross-sectional maternity service survey of pregnant women. ResultsThe campaign gained significant reach, including 2,974,375 completed video views and 910,000 impressions via social media influencers. The community surveys had 1502 participants at baseline, 1517 mid-campaign and 1598 post-campaign. Participants were slightly more likely to have encountered messages about stillbirth after the campaign (aOR 1.30, 95% CI 1.09–1.55). There were increases in awareness of each behaviour after the campaign: be aware of baby’s movements (aOR 1.26, 95% CI 1.08–1.47), quit smoking (aOR 1.27, 95% CI 1.10–1.47) and going-to-sleep on side (aOR 1.55, 95% CI 1.32–1.82). The antenatal clinic survey had 296 participants at baseline and 178 post-campaign. Post-campaign, there was an increased likelihood that women were aware of side-sleeping (aOR 3.11, 95% CI 1.74–5.56). ConclusionsThe national campaign demonstrated some evidence of change in awareness of three modifiable behaviours that can reduce the risk of stillbirth.