Psychosocial Health Conditions Research Articles

Screen Time and Psychosocial Health Conditions Amongst University Students

Abstract University students, predominantly young adults, spend vast periods of the day utilizing technology and looking at screens to complete assignments, study and relax. These students also commonly complain of several mental health disorders. The aim of this study is to determine how neurological stress, such as anxiety, depression and more, affects average screen time and to assess the weekly fluctuations in neurological stress and their influence on screen use. Additional factors (gender, quality of sleep, alcohol, etc.) were also considered with regards to their relation to screen time. The data collection was conducted in 2022, targeting university students of ages 18-24 in Ajman, UAE, via a self-administered questionnaire. 425 responses were collected and crosstabulation, using the Chi square test (p <0.05), was performed to assess statistical significance. Significant statistical association was found between depression and other psychological states (mood swings, insomnia, addictive tendencies) with screen time during the week and weekend. No other associations were identified. Overall, this study affirms the relation between negative mental health and its effects on the average user screen time amongst university students in Ajman. Additional studies are needed to clarify what specific contents and types of screens are more impactful on mental health. JEL classification numbers: I12, I19. Keywords: Screen time, Depression, Stress, University Students.

Impacts of Spirituality on Health Status of HIV/AIDS Infected People: A Study of HIV/AIDS Control Centers in District Gujrat and Sargodha, Punjab, Pakistan

Spirituality is a complex and multilayered construct that can incorporate the internal, external, personal, emotional and physical expression of the sacred expression. Spirituality refers to different prospects for different people, such as believing in a higher power, inner peace, finding a higher purpose in life, and connectedness with self, others and the natural world, among others. Spirituality has a significant association with the life of human beings and is a greater source of positive deeds, which has a great concern in an individual's personal, social, physical and economic situation. Throughout the world, especially in developing countries like Pakistan, individuals living with HIV face several stressors regarding the chronicity of their diseases and experience a very high level of post-traumatic stress. In this study, researchers examined the impacts of spirituality on the health condition of HIV patients by applying quantitative research methods & techniques. Data were collected from patients registered at HIV/AIDS control centres of districts Gujrat and Sargodha. Non-random convenience sampling techniques were applied, and primary data was collected through a structured questionnaire. Advanced statistical software SPSS-21 was used for empirical and reliable results. The findings of the study indicated that spirituality has significantly positive impacts on the psycho-social and physical health conditions of HIV patients.

Peningkatan Dukungan Kesehatan Jiwa Psikososial Covid-19 Melalui Teknik Relaksasi Lima Jari

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has raised psychosocial problems such as anxiety. Anxiety is a physiological response that arises due to the stressor experienced. Efforts to overcome these psychosocial problems are to provide Covid 19 Psychosocial Mental Health Support (DKJPS Covid 19), one of which is in the form of five-finger relaxation. This community service aims to provide psychosocial mental health support by increasing the participant's ability to perform five-finger relaxation. Methods: The method provides online training (in the network). Partners in this activity are residents of Gang Gelatik Batuyang Batubulan. The stages of implementing activities include pre-activities, activities and evaluations. Results: The results of this activity show that the participants' psychosocial mental health conditions are in good condition, service participants can do five-finger relaxation and are enthusiastic about participating in activities to provide support for mental health and psychosocial Covid 19. Conclusion: Five-finger relaxation can be applied daily as psychosocial mental health support Covid 19.

Early childhood factors in the development of oral health behaviours in adolescence: A structural equation modelling approach.

Oral health behaviour is a learning process that begins in the early years of an individual's life. The aim of this study was to evaluate the associations between demographic, socioeconomic, and psychosocial factors and oral health behaviours during the transition period from childhood to adolescence. This was a cohort study with a follow-up of 7 years. The baseline assessment occurred in 2010 with a random sample of 639 preschool children from southern Brazil. Demographic, socioeconomic and psychosocial oral health conditions were assessed at baseline. Oral health habit variables were collected at follow-up and included questions regarding dental care and oral hygiene behaviours. Structural equation modelling was performed to assess the direct and indirect relationships between predictors at baseline in oral health behaviours at follow-up. A total of 449 children were re-examined at follow-up (70.3% cohort retention rate). Factors directly related to poorer oral health behaviours (lower use of dental services, dental visits for emergency reasons and lower frequency of toothbrushing) were lower household income, lower maternal education, lower frequency of visits to neighbours or friends, and male sex. Considering indirect pathways, the household income and maternal education at baseline influenced oral health behaviours at follow-up via visits to neighbours or friends. Our findings suggest that household income, maternal education and social capital play an important role in the development of oral health behaviours during the transition from childhood to adolescence. Acquisition of healthy oral behaviours is an important factor to consider in childhood. With this knowledge, public health policies can be developed to intervene in specific causal factors and improve oral health during this transitional period.

Challenges Faced By International Non – Governmental Organizations on Enhancement of Refugees Wellbeing in Dadaab Camp, Kenya

Challenges faced by International non – governmental organizations (INGOs) on enhancement of refugees’ wellbeing were complex. Mostly refugees’ experiences were debilitating as they struggled with stigma due to mental health conditions, poor social networks due to discrimination faced in the host country, disorientation and insufficient language to communicate or initiate conversations. This study was guided by Trauma Theory and it employed descriptive research design. Both primary and secondary data were utilized in the study. Data collection utilized questionnaires, interviews, Focus group discussions and Observations checklist on accessibility and safety of INGOs’ interventions. Data was analysed by statistical Packages for Social Science (SPSS 22). Data was presented in tables, bar graphs and pie charts. The findings of the study demonstrate that INGOs faced language barriers, financial barriers, lack of culturally responsive psychosocial interventions, insufficient security and long-term mental health conditions in enhancement of wellbeing of refugees in Dadaab camp. Most refugees reported their trauma occurrences to INGOs. The study concluded that cultural stereotypes, stigma, fear, Limited knowledge and information about mental healthcare, limited clinical competency and language barrier were major challenges faced by INGOs in enhancement of refugees’ wellbeing.

Health lifestyles during adolescence: clustering of health behaviours and social determinants in Italian adolescents.

Health behaviours in adolescence have a high impact on both current and future health. The literature claims a focus on social determinants and shows that these behaviours are associated. The concept of 'health lifestyles' should be considered to account for co-occurring health behaviours and determinants interactions. The aim of this study is to increase our understanding of adolescents' health lifestyles and to (i) cluster adolescents according to a comprehensive number of health behaviours and (ii) describe these groups according to sociodemographic characteristics, perceptions of life contexts (family, school, peers or neighbourhood) and perceived physical and psychosocial health conditions. In Italy, 906 15-year-old students participated in the cross-national Health Behaviour of School-aged Children study. Clusters were identified by applying the KAMILA clustering method and compared using analysis of variance and chi-squared tests.Results: Four clusters were identified: 'substance consumers', 'media lovers', 'active students' and 'passive students'. Each cluster exhibited different characteristics related to health behaviours and social determinants. Interesting associations between health behaviours were identified, which showed the relevance of considering the adolescents' overall lifestyles. The description of each cluster permitted the identification of risks and protective factors, which may be important for designing effective health promotion activities.

Technology Enhanced Health and Social Care for Vulnerable People During the COVID-19 Outbreak.

The COVID-19 pandemic has spread rapidly worldwide with critical consequences in health, as well as in social, economic, and particularly in psychological conditions of vulnerable people, especially older adults. Therefore, it is necessary the direct attention to their health care needs and related interventions. Information and Communication Technology (ICT) have direct impact on older adults’ health and quality of life leading to decreased depression and loneliness, along with empowerment of independent life. Many studies involve cognitive training programs/software based on new technological systems that provide to vulnerable people access to gamified, attractive, cognitive exercises for overall functionality everywhere and at any time. Twenty-four participants (mean age 69.3 years) were assigned to this study. The cognitive training component of LLM Care was used as an interactive software to enhance participants’ cognitive functions. The intervention lasted 12 weeks with the frequency of 2–4 times per week in sessions of at least 30 min. Participants used their personal devices (tablets/laptops) in their own residence, while technical and consulting guidance was provided by LLM Care certified trainers. They were informed about the purpose of the study, while consent forms along with psychological assessments were distributed every 2 weeks to periodically evaluate their psychosocial and mental health conditions. The assessments included the World Health Organization-Five Well-Being Index (WHO-5), the Short Anxiety Screening Test (SAST), the System Usability Scale (SUS) and the Impact Factor Event Scale (IES-R). According to the results, the participants with improved well-being tended to report decreased subjective distress caused by COVID-19, and their engagement with new technologies can potentially minimize the negative outcomes occurred by the current stressful situation, mitigating the effect of hyperarousal symptoms, while increasing their overall well-being. Well-being seems to remain relatively stable among older adults and decreases only when adversities occur, while the usability of the software was perceived as marginally acceptable by participants. The exploitation of the LLM Care contributes to the improvement of older adults’ well-being and alleviates the negative experience caused by stressful situations like COVID-19.

A-124 Sleep Quality and Quantity in Individuals Aging with Traumatic Brain Injury: Associations with Psychosocial Outcomes and Health Conditions

Abstract Objective To examine the association of sleep quality/duration with chronic health conditions, psychological distress, and quality of life (QOL) in older adults with chronic traumatic brain injury (TBI). Methods 120 older adults (x-age = 64.2 ± 8.3) 1 or more years (med = 9.8, range = 1.1–45.6) post moderate–severe TBI reported on history of chronic health conditions and current sleep duration and quality. Participants were categorized by sleep duration (< 6, 6–8, >8 hours) and whether or not they felt well-rested. Outcome measures were QOL (Quality of Life after Brain Injury questionnaire) and psychological distress (Brief Symptom Inventory-18). Results 65% of individuals reported receiving 6–8 hours of sleep; 78% reported feeling well-rested. 17.5% reported no health conditions, 47.5% one condition, and 35% reported two or more. High blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes were the most common. Number of health conditions was not related to sleep quality χ2(2,N = 120) =0.83, p = 0.66, or quantity, χ2(4,N = 120) =7.4, p = 0.12. MANCOVA controlling for age, chronicity, and injury severity revealed a significant association between poor sleep quality and decreased QOL across multiple life domains, V = 0.30, F(6,105) = 4.6, p < 0.001, ηp2 = 0.21. Sleep duration was also associated with QOL, Λ = 0.80, F(12,208) = 2.1, p < 0.05, ηp2 = 0.108. In ANCOVAs, poor sleep quality was related to increased psychological distress, F(1,110) = 18.3, p < 0.001, ηp2 = 0.142, but sleep duration was not, F(2,109) = 2.2, p = 0.12, ηp2 = 0.038. Conclusion Although most participants received the recommended amount of sleep, poor sleep quality/quantity were associated with poorer QOL and sleep quality was additionally associated with psychological distress. Chronic health conditions were prevalent in the sample, but not related to self-reported sleep quality/duration.

Barriers, facilitators, and opportunities to optimize care engagement in a diverse sample of older low-income women: A qualitative study

The growing population of aging women in the United States is disproportionately at-risk for adverse physical, behavioral, mental, and psychosocial health conditions. Engagement with preventive care is critical to address these risk factors. A qualitative descriptive approach was used to explore patterns of healthcare use, facilitators, barriers, and opportunities to optimize primary/preventive care engagement among low-income midlife and older women. Themes were deductively derived from the Behavioral Model for Vulnerable Populations. Categories were inductively determined: barriers to care engagement; facilitators of care engagement; opportunities to optimize primary/preventive care engagement. Themes emerging from this study suggest that experiences related to discrimination, psychological health, trauma, and prioritizing care of others negatively influence care engagement; while respect, continuity, and clinician gender and racial/ethnic concordance enhance care participation. Efforts aiming to engage low-income aging women in care should focus on addressing barriers, building on facilitators, and leveraging contemporary telehealth-outreach solutions.

Syndemic Conditions, Sexual Risk Behavior, and HIV Infection Among Men Who Have Sex with Men in Taiwan.

Men who have sex with men (MSM) continue to constitute the majority of HIV incidence in Taiwan. This study examined the associations between five co-occurring psychosocial health conditions (PHCs)-childhood physical abuse (CPA), childhood sexual abuse (CSA), intimate partner violence (IPV), internalized homophobia (IH), and methamphetamine use (MU), and two outcomes (HIV infection and condomless anal sex) among a community sample of 1,000 Taiwanese MSM (mean age 28.5years). Compared to MSM who had never experienced any PHC, MSM with one or more PHCs had greater than twofold higher odds of being HIV-positive, and those with three or more PHCs had twofold higher odds of having condomless anal sex. Interactive effects on HIV infection were identified from CPA + CSA + MU and CPA + IPV + MU. An interactive effect on condomless anal sex was detected between IH and MU. In order to control the escalating HIV epidemic among MSM in Taiwan, interventions are needed to address syndemic psychosocial health conditions.

Loneliness in older people: Spiritual practices as an alternative pathway to action, a treatise from India

Loneliness is an abstract construct defined in multiple ways. It is a feeling of disconnectedness, emotional isolation, and subjective feeling of lacking social relationships. Research shows loneliness to be common in older people, which, in turn, is a potent risk factor for various physical and psychosocial health conditions. Chronic loneliness is a predisposing factor for suicide, worsens cognitive outcomes, and impairs quality of living. Conventionally, aging is associated with “loss of vitality” and the “desperate need to retain older abilities.” In contrast to these concepts, eastern views center around acceptance, “letting go” and aging with a greater sense of purpose. Traversing loneliness with self-esteem is viewed over a consistent resistance against loneliness. Self-acceptance, wisdom, and understanding the processes of emotional aging can foster hope and resilience which help navigate the inevitable loneliness that may arise in old age due to a multitude of factors. Spirituality has various intersections with mental well-being, however, it is often considered to be an esoteric concept. In this paper, we provide an Indian understanding of accepting and dealing with loneliness through the daily implementation of spiritual practices in life as well as mental health interventions. The four ashramas of Hinduism are discussed with special relevance to Vanaprastha Ashrama (forest-dweller), which signifies renunciation and acceptance associated with aging. The actionable areas with respect to spirituality and its philosophical underpinnings in mitigating loneliness in older people are also highlighted.

Syndemic Health Disparities and Sexually Transmitted Infection Burden Among Black Men Who Have Sex with Men Engaged in Sex Work in the U.S.

Black men who have sex with men (MSM) engaged in sex work (BMSM-SW) experience elevated HIV and sexually transmitted infection (STI) prevalence. Further, BMSM-SW have been shown to have higher rates of syndemic psychosocial health conditions which contribute to HIV risk behavior and incidence, and poorer care outcomes than other groups of men who have sex with men. However, syndemic perspectives have not been applied to understanding past-year STI burden among BMSM-SW in the U.S. Sexually active Black MSM ≥ 18years old were recruited from Black Pride events in six U.S. cities (n = 4421) between 2014 and 2017. Multivariable logistic regressions assessed correlates of past-year sex work engagement; whether BMSM-SW had higher odds of syndemic conditions; and whether BMSM-SW had higher odds of self-reported, past-year STI diagnoses. Structural equation models assessed relationships between sex work engagement, syndemic conditions, and STI controlled for sociodemographics and number of sexual partners. A total of 254 (5.7%) Black MSM reported past-year sex work, of whom 45.3% were HIV positive. BMSM-SW were significantly more likely to be Hispanic, to report past-year bisexual behavior, and to report annual income < $10,000. In multivariable models, BMSM-SW were significantly more likely to report intimate partner violence, assault victimization, polydrug use, and depression symptoms; they were also more likely to report past-year gonorrhea, chlamydia, and syphilis. Syndemic conditions mediated the relationship between past-year sex work and past-year STI burden, constituting a significant indirect effect. BMSM-SW in the U.S. face severe biopsychosocial health disparities. Interventions developed for BMSM engaged in sex work are lacking. Our results suggest that interventions containing safer sex work education and sex-positive biobehavioral HIV/STI prevention alongside substance use, mental health, employment, and education components will be most effective.

Syndemic conditions and medication adherence in older men living with HIV who have sex with men

ABSTRACT For people living with HIV, lack of adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART) is a serious problem and frequently results in HIV disease progression. Reasons for non-adherence include concomitant psychosocial health conditions – also known as syndemic conditions – such symptoms of depression or posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), past physical or sexual abuse, intimate partner violence (IPV), stimulant use, and binge drinking. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between syndemic conditions and medication adherence. The sample included 281 older men living with HIV who have sex with men (MSM). The study period was December 2012–July 2016. We observed the following syndemic conditions significantly decreased medication adherence: symptoms of depression (p = .008), PTSD (p = .002), and stimulant use (p < .0001). Past physical or sexual abuse, IPV, and binge drinking were not significantly associated with decreased medication adherence. The findings suggest that syndemic conditions may impact medication adherence in older MSM living with HIV.

Syndemic Psychosocial Health Conditions Associated with Recent Client-Perpetrated Violence Against Female Entertainment and Sex Workers in Cambodia.

Female entertainment and sex workers (FESW) are vulnerable to violence, which impedes safer sex behaviors and increases risk of HIV. FESW are also disproportionately affected by co-occurring psychosocial health conditions, including substance use, depression, and economic insecurity, which increased risk of exposure to violence. We used a syndemic framework to examine the effects of co-occurring psychosocial conditions on the risk of client-perpetrated physical and sexual violence against FESW. Data were collected among 1198 Cambodian FESW on recent client-perpetrated physical and sexual violence, and psychosocial conditions (psychological distress, alcohol consumption, amphetamine-type stimulant (ATS) use, debts, housing, and food insecurity). Bivariate and multivariate logistic regressions were conducted. Prevalence of physical and sexual violence from clients was 4.8% and 6.9%, respectively. Client-perpetrated physical violence was associated with housing insecurity, ATS use, and psychological distress. All psychosocial conditions, except ATS, were associated with exposure to sexual violence. In multivariable models, odds of client-perpetrated physical violence were twice higher among women with ≥ 4 compared to ≤ 3 psychosocial conditions. Risk of sexual violence increased with the number of psychosocial conditions. Compared to those with ≤ 1 condition, FESW with two psychosocial conditions had twice the odds (AOR = 2.08; 95% CI 1.00-4.31) and women with 5-6 psychosocial conditions had eightfold higher odds (AOR = 8.10; 95% CI 3.4-19.31) of sexual violence from clients. Our findings support a syndemic model of co-occurring psychosocial conditions among FESW that are associated with increased risk of violence. Violence prevention interventions targeting FESW should adopt comprehensive approaches that address co-occurring psychosocial conditions.

Social prescribing for frequent attenders: findings from an innovative pilot intervention

BackgroundSocial prescribing and use of local resources is emerging as a complementary prescription in meeting health-care demands to address public needs. Frequent attenders are individuals who have, on average, 30 face-to-face consultations with general practitioners (GPs) over 2 years. There is growing evidence of the positive health outcomes of social prescribing, although less is known about the patients that are referred and the economic impact on the health-care system. We aimed to explore whether the participation of frequent attenders in a pilot social prescribing intervention affected their health and wellbeing outcomes and use of health-care resources as a consequence of the intervention. MethodsThis pilot evaluation took a mixed method approach using focus groups, in-depth interviews, and quantitative health and wellbeing data gathered before and after the intervention via self-reported questionnaires (Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Wellbeing Scale). The intervention was delivered via two social prescribers across three GP practices in south Wales, with patients identified as frequent attenders referred to structured volunteering interventions. Participants received time credits in exchange for volunteering. 1 h of volunteering equalled one credit, which could be exchanged for various leisure activities and other opportunities (eg, cinema vouchers). We did a cost analysis to estimate cost variances based on health-care unit usage before, during, and after the intervention. FindingsBetween Sept 1, 2017, and Jan 31, 2018, 78 patients were recruited to the intervention over 5 months, with 21 identified as frequent attenders. Thematic analysis of social prescriber's case notes showed that all patients presented with complex psychosocial, mental, and physical health conditions. Post-intervention, frequent attenders had improved health and wellbeing outcomes and were less reliant on health-care resources (decreased usage of health-care units, GP consultations, and prescriptions issued). Cost variance results show a direct cost saving of £8109 or £77·22 per frequent attender over the 5 months. InterpretationAlthough frequent attenders often have complex, chronic health issues, participating in this innovative intervention had a positive effect on their health and wellbeing outcomes, improved social support, and reduced isolation. Our findings show that social prescribing interventions are a key part of a social model of health and wellbeing in non-clinical support policy development in line with legislative changes. FundingInnovate to Save, Welsh Government.

The relationship between psychosocial health status and social support of pregnant women

Purpose The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between psychosocial health status and social support, which has important effects on pregnancy, and to determine the factors related to both psychosocial health and social support. Method The research was planned to be a descriptive study. The sample of the study consisted of 393 pregnant women. ‘Personal Information Form’, ‘Pregnancy Psychosocial Health Assessment Scale (PPHAS)’, and ‘Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS)’ were used to collect data, and Student’s t-test, ANOVA and Tukey’s HSD tests were used for the data analysis. The relationship between the two continuous variables was evaluated according to the Pearson correlation coefficient. Results Psychosocial health conditions and perceived social supports of pregnant women whose spouses were working were determined to be significantly higher (p < .05), and at a lower level (p < .05) in pregnant women with two or more children. As MSPSS total mean scores of the pregnant women increased, their PPHAS total mean scores were weakly affected in the positive direction (r = 0.393, p < .01). Conclusions It is recommended that health care needs of pregnant women should be evaluated not only in terms of physical health but also together with their psychosocial health and social supports. Furthermore, this assessment should be done in their own home environment with their spouses and other family members.

Developmental differences in health-related quality of life (HRQL) in adolescent and young adult (AYA) survivors of childhood cancer.

e21524 Background: AYAs experience many distinct periods of developmental transition within this life stage. AYA survivors of childhood cancer are at risk for chronic physical and psychosocial health conditions due to treatment-related exposures. Few studies have evaluated HRQL differences that may exist among developmental subgroups of AYA cancer survivors. This study examined HRQL differences across AYA developmental subgroups (early teens 12-14 years; late teens 15-17; emerging adults 18-24; young adults 25-39) of long term childhood cancer survivors. Methods: Cancer survivors ages 12-39 years who were seen in a long term follow up clinic at time of survey completion (as part of larger HRQL study) and completed therapy ≥2 years ago were included. HRQL was assessed using PedsQL (&lt; 18) and FACT-G (&gt; 18) measures. Demographic and treatment data were obtained from EMR. Analyses compared HRQL measure scores among AYA age subgroups and investigated predictors of HRQL outcomes. Results: A total of 155 patients were included in analysis. Mean age at survey completion was 17.9 [range 12-33] years. PedsQL school functioning was significantly lower for 15-17 year-old compared to 12-14 year-old survivors (M = 77.60, p = 0.01). There were no differences between 18-24 and 25-39 year-old survivors on the FACT-G. PedsQL school functioning was significantly lower for survivors (&lt; 18) compared to normative data (p = 0.004). FACT-G scores for survivors were significantly higher compared to population norms in all domains (p≤0.001) except emotional well-being. Regression CART analysis indicated survivors who were ≤15 years-old and had not relapsed and survivors who were &gt; 15 years old and had ≥2 late effects had lower PedsQL scores. Survivors who were ≥21 years-old had lower FACT-G scores compared to &lt; 21 years. Survivors who were &lt; 21 years-old, &gt; 7 years-old at diagnosis, and &gt; 6 years from end of treatment had lower FACT-G scores. Conclusions: Adolescent survivors may be at risk for school problems years after cancer treatment. Young adult survivors may be at greater risk of poor HRQL. This study highlights potential developmental differences in HRQL predictors and outcomes in long term AYA cancer survivors.

Methods and logistics of an oral health cohort of university students from Pelotas, a Brazilian Southern city

Aim: This paper aimed to describe the methodological aspects in the baseline of university students’ cohort in a public university in southern Brazil. Methods: A multidisciplinary study was carried out assessing the psychosocial and oral health conditions of university students at the Federal University of Pelotas (UFPel). All new university students who have entered in in UFPel in the first semester of 2016 year were invited to participate. Two self-administered questionnaires were applied in classrooms. Descriptive analysis was performed using Stata 14.0. Results: A total of 3,237 students were eligible. Of these, 2,089 (64.5%) signed the consent form to participate of the study and answered the general questionnaires, and 2,052 (63.4%) students answered the confidential questionnaire. Refuses represented only 1.4% (n=29) of the total sample. Overall, most of the sample was female (52.2%), with age ranging from 18 to 24 years (66.1%), with white skin color (74.1%) and with mothers with educational level at university course (32.4%). A total, 62% reported a family income between 1001.00 and 5000.00 BRL, while only 16.3% reported being from low-income family (≤ 1000.00 BRL). The UFPel offers 63 classroom-based courses classified in nine areas of knowledge. The Applied Social Sciences area comprised 19% of the sample followed by the Linguistics, Letters and Arts (17%) area and the Health sciences area (13%). Conclusion: To the knowledge of researchers, this was the first cohort study of university students in the South of Brazil including more than two thousand participants. This paper described strategies adopted to optimize and to allow data collection in the baseline and in the next follow-ups.

Unlimbited Wellness: Telehealth for Adults with Upper-Limb Difference

ABSTRACT Introduction Individuals with upper-limb loss/difference often require specialized services, including occupational therapy that may be difficult to access. Also, individuals are likely to encounter secondary conditions that include pain, overuse, perceptions of isolation, and social stigma. The program was developed to meet the needs vocalized by the target population, to offer a pathway using telehealth (TH) to access peers, and to become better informed about strategies that would help to prevent physical overuse and social isolation and facilitate improved self-advocacy skills with medical practitioners. Methods Unlimbited Wellness is based on results of a needs assessment that specifically focused on the challenges experienced by this population. Participants of the Unlimbited Wellness program interacted with peers via a TH model to learn about physical and psychosocial health conditions that may cause them disparity and to share strategies to prevent or manage them. Results Effectiveness of the program was assessed via a survey of participant TH experiences and changes in perceptions of pain, ability, and quality of life as measured by the McGann Client Feedback Form and the Pizzi Health and Wellness Assessment. Overall, participant post-group perceptions of health, well-being, and prosthetic satisfaction improved as compared with pre-group experiences. During the 1:1 interviews, all participants stated they felt empowered due to their engagement in peer discussions and collaborative exercises during the Unlimbited Wellness program. Conclusions The program results indicate that a TH service delivery can be beneficial to enact health behavior change and empower individuals with upper-limb difference.

Factors influencing subjective recovery of people with recent-onset psychosis: A cross-sectional study in a low-income sub-Saharan country

People with psychosis were traditionally believed to have a chronic deteriorating condition with no hope of recovery. Recent studies have shown varied levels of recovery across countries. However, evidence from low-income, particularly African countries is scant. This study aimed to investigate levels of subjective recovery of people with recent-onset psychosis and identify its influencing factors. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 263 outpatients with recent-onset psychosis in a low-income country, Ethiopia. Psychiatric outpatients were randomly selected, and assessed by a set of questionnaires measuring their psychosocial, clinical and physical health conditions. Hierarchical multiple regression tests were used to identify factors influencing subjective recovery. The level of subjective recovery was found to be high, with a mean Questionnaire about the Process of Recovery score of 44.17. Individuals with higher quality of life were found to have significantly better subjective recovery level. Hopeless and centrally obese individuals were found to have significantly lower level of subjective recovery. Despite the limitations associated with a cross sectional study design, the results suggest that individuals with recent-onset psychosis in Ethiopia may have a better level of subjective recovery than those in high-income countries and their recovery is influenced by quality of life, hopelessness and central obesity.