Public Information Campaigns Research Articles

Alcohol and cancer: risk perception and risk denial beliefs among the French general population.

Worldwide, millions of deaths each year are attributed to alcohol. We sought to examine French people's beliefs about the risks of alcohol, their correlates, and their associations with alcohol use. Data came from the 2010 Baromètre Cancer survey, a random cross-sectional telephone survey of the French general population (n = 3359 individuals aged 15-75 years). Using principal component analysis of seven beliefs about alcohol risks, we built two scores (one assessing risk denial based on self-confidence and the other risk relativization). Two multiple linear regressions explored these scores' socio-demographic and perceived information level correlates. Multiple logistic regressions tested the associations of these scores with daily drinking and with heavy episodic drinking (HED). About 60% of the respondents acknowledged that alcohol increases the risk of cancer, and 89% felt well-informed about the risks of alcohol. Beliefs that may promote risk denial were frequent (e.g. 72% agreed that soda and hamburgers are as bad as alcohol for your health). Both risk denial and risk relativization scores were higher among men, older respondents and those of low socioeconomic status. The probability of daily drinking increased with the risk relativization score and that of HED with both scores. Beliefs that can help people to deny the cancer risks due to alcohol use are common in France and may exist in many other countries where alcoholic beverages have been an integral part of the culture. These results can be used to redesign public information campaigns about the risks of alcohol.

Public knowledge and behaviours concerning antibiotic use and resistance in France: a cross-sectional survey.

To evaluate knowledge and behaviours concerning antibiotics and bacterial resistance in the French population, and to identify the socio-demographic factors associated with a high level of such knowledge and appropriate behaviours. A survey of the general population was conducted in 2015 in northeast France. The 44-item standardized questionnaire used comprised three parts, focusing on the assessment of knowledge, behaviours, and the collection of main socio-demographic characteristics of respondents (gender, age, having children, education level, and profession). The association of these characteristics with the level of knowledge about antibiotics, and with related behaviours, as well as the association between knowledge and behaviours was identified in a bivariate analysis (Chi-2 tests) and a multivariate analysis when necessary (logistic regression). The 200 respondents had quite a good level of knowledge about antibiotics for several points: the lack of effectiveness of antibiotics for colds (75.5%), the risk of inefficacy of antibiotics when misused (93%), and the effects of overconsumption on bacterial resistance (92%). Conversely, the effects of different doses and treatment durations on resistance were less well known. Inappropriate behaviours were frequent, especially non-adherence to dosing schedules and to treatment duration (35.5%), and self-medication practices (18%). Female gender, older age, and having children were independently associated with a good level of knowledge. A low level of education and older age were associated with appropriate behaviours. No association was found between knowledge and behaviours, highlighting the relevance of national public information campaigns to limit the misuse of antibiotics.

Breast Cancer Screening Programmes across the WHO European Region: Differences among Countries Based on National Income Level.

Breast cancer (BC) is the most frequent tumour affecting women all over the world. In low- and middle-income countries, where its incidence is expected to rise further, BC seems set to become a public health emergency. The aim of the present study is to provide a systematic review of current BC screening programmes in WHO European Region to identify possible patterns. Multiple correspondence analysis was performed to evaluate the association among: measures of occurrence; GNI level; type of BC screening programme; organization of public information and awareness campaigns regarding primary prevention of modifiable risk factors; type of BC screening services; year of screening institution; screening coverage and data quality. A key difference between High Income (HI) and Low and Middle Income (LMI) States, emerging from the present data, is that in the former screening programmes are well organized, with approved screening centres, the presence of mobile units to increase coverage, the offer of screening tests free of charge; the fairly high quality of occurrence data based on high-quality sources, and the adoption of accurate methods to estimate incidence and mortality. In conclusion, the governments of LMI countries should allocate sufficient resources to increase screening participation and they should improve the accuracy of incidence and mortality rates.

The impact of stigma and discrimination on the quality of life and social disability in persons with a diagnosis of mental disorder. A pilot study

Stigma and discrimination of persons diagnosed with mental disorder is a common issue. In many European countries, research studies on the prevalence and implications of this problem are conducted in order to better understand how to overcome it. In Poland, there is a scarcity of such studies, what results in neglecting this issue by the policy makers. The objective of the study is to assess the prevalence of stigma and discrimination affecting the patients hospitalized in psychiatric day units and in-patient wards between 2016–2017 as well as to analyze the relationship between the stigma and the quality of life and social disability in persons with a mental disorder diagnosis of F20–F48 according to ICD-10, aged 18–65, in a day ward and an in-patient ward settings. The pilot study presents the data gathered from a preliminary sample of 20 patients of both genders diagnosed with the aforementioned mental disorders, equaling 10 per cent of the targeted total study sample. The quality of life is assessed with WHOQOL-Bref, WHO-5 questionnaire and Rosenberg self-esteem scale, while social disability is measured with the second version of the Groningen Social Disabilities Schedule. The assessment of the impact of stigma on the social disability of persons with mental disorders and their quality of life can be useful in the context of developing evidence-based interventions for these persons, while it could also provide the scientific data to support public information campaigns aiming at tackling the stigma against persons with mental disorders in Poland.Disclosure of InterestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

Understanding low uptake of contraceptives in resource-limited settings: a mixed-methods study in rural Burundi

BackgroundFamily planning can reduce deaths, improve health, and facilitate economic development in resource-limited settings. Yet, modern contraceptive methods are often underused. This mixed-methods study, conducted in rural Burundi, sought to explain low uptake of contraceptives by identifying utilization barriers. Results may inform development of family planning interventions in Burundi and elsewhere.MethodsWe investigated uptake of contraceptives among women of reproductive age in two rural districts of Burundi, using an explanatory sequential, mixed-methods research design. We first assessed availability and utilization rates of modern contraceptives through a facility-based survey in 39 health clinics. Barriers to uptake of contraceptives were then explored through qualitative interviews (N = 10) and focus groups (N = 7).ResultsContraceptives were generally available in the 39 clinics studied, yet uptake of family planning averaged only 2.96%. Greater uptake was positively associated with the number of health professionals engaged and trained in family planning service provision, and with the number of different types of contraceptives available. Four uptake barriers were identified: (1) lack of providers to administer contraception, (2) lack of fit between available and preferred contraceptive methods, (3) a climate of fear surrounding contraceptive use, and (4) provider refusal to offer family planning services.ConclusionsWhere resources are scarce, availability of modern contraceptives alone will likely not ensure uptake. Interventions addressing multiple uptake barriers simultaneously have the greatest chance of success. In rural Burundi, examples are community distribution of contraceptive methods, public information campaigns, improved training for health professionals and community health workers, and strengthening of the health infrastructure.

Intention to undergo HIV testing and associated factors among women in one high–HIV prevalence city

The objective of this study is to understand the rate of intention to undergo HIV testing and associated factors among women in a city with high HIV prevalence. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 293 women HIV/AIDS patients who were newly examined with HIV infection and aged ≥18years from September to December 2012. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to identify the factors associated with intention to undergo HIV testing. The rate of intention to undergo HIV testing was 12.3%. Nearly 90% of participants had no intention of getting HIV tested, and the main reasons were "Never thought I would be HIV-infected" (78.2%) and "I did not feel sick, and it was impossible to be HIV-infected" (19.8%). The awareness rate of HIV knowledge was 67.8%, and 34.1% had casual heterosexual partners. Those who had casual heterosexual partners or had better HIV knowledge were more likely to have intention of getting HIV tested. The rate of intention to undergo HIV testing among women is low. AIDS health education programmess and public information campaigns should be initiated to improve knowledge about HIV and the risk of HIV infection, to encourage women to take HIV testing more promptly. It is also vital to take measures to reduce stigma against AIDS patients.

Liver transplantation for patients with alcoholic hepatitis.

Alcoholic liver disease, considered as a self-inflected disease, is an example of how moral judgment may affect ethical exercise of medicine which requires equity and fair utilization of a scarce resource in a context of organ shortage. Some consider that selection process should prioritize access to liver transplantation (LT) for patients who develop liver failure "through no fault of their own" even if limiting care because of a patient's perceived responsibility has been considered unethical. The absence of improvement after alcohol withdrawal, the high short-term mortality risk and the poor predictability of the 6-month rule in post-LT relapse in alcohol consumption in AH patients not responding to medical therapy led to recommend an evaluation of LT. In the French-Belgian pilot study, 26 patients with severe AH not responding to medical therapy underwent early LT (eLT). Stringent selection criteria were applied. Six-month and 2-year survivals of eLT patients were better than that of non-transplanted matched controls: 77% vs 23% and 71% vs 23% respectively. Alcohol relapse occurred in 12% of patients after eLT. Three studies confirmed these results. The impact organ donation should be limited as showed by a recent survey and the efforts that should be made in public information campaigns based on scientific data and medical ethics. In conclusion, the ongoing accumulation of scientific evidence and requirement of ethical exercise of medicine lead to continue evaluating eLT as a therapeutic option in patients with severe AH not responding to medical therapy.

Australia’s irregular migration information campaigns: border externalization, spatial imaginaries, and extraterritorial subjugation

ABSTRACTAustralia’s irregular migration information campaigns: border externalization, spatial imaginaries, and extraterritorial subjugation. Territory, Politics, Governance. This article analyses the Australian Government’s ‘Overseas Public Information Campaigns’ (OPICs). OPICs are transnational marketing campaigns disseminating advertisements in asylum seeker source and transit countries to ‘educate’ people about the risks of irregular migration. The article argues that these campaigns are a practice of externalized border security extraterritorially acting on people’s perceptions of migration in ways intended to discourage it. Specifically, the article demonstrates how campaigns are designed to reshape the symbolic and imaginative dimensions of the transnational space of irregular migration to Australia among ethnic groups the Australian Government deems at risk of asylum seeking. Campaigns do this by disseminating narratives about the spaces and places of clandestine boat travel to Australia. These narratives are designed to normalize a spatial imaginary deterring irregular migrants through portraying ‘home’ as safe and financially stable while irregular migration to Australia as dangerous and destined to fail, a financially irresponsible waste of time hurting families and leading to island detention. The article analyses the campaigns themselves and 103 Australian Government documents related to their use, shedding light on how campaigns are used to preemptively exclude undesired refugees paradoxically through including them as specific kinds of extraterritorial subjects.

Mathematical model for the impact of awareness on the dynamics of infectious diseases

This paper analyses an SIRS-type model for infectious diseases with account for behavioural changes associated with the simultaneous spread of awareness in the population. Two types of awareness are included into the model: private awareness associated with direct contacts between unaware and aware populations, and public information campaign. Stability analysis of different steady states in the model provides information about potential spread of disease in a population, and well as about how the disease dynamics is affected by the two types of awareness. Numerical simulations are performed to illustrate the behaviour of the system in different dynamical regimes.

People trying to lose weight dislike calorie counting apps and want motivational support to help them achieve their goals

BackgroundTwo thirds of UK adults are overweight or obese and at increased risk of chronic conditions such as heart disease, diabetes and certain cancers. Basic public health support for weight loss comprises information about healthy eating and lifestyle, but internet and mobile applications (apps) create possibilities for providing long-term motivational support. AimsTo explore among people currently trying to lose weight, or maintaining weight loss, (i) problems, experiences and wishes in regards to weight management and weight loss support including e-health support; (ii) reactions to Functional Imagery Training (FIT) as a possible intervention. MethodSix focus groups (N=24 in total) were recruited from a public pool of people who had expressed an interest in helping with research. The topics considered were barriers to weight loss, desired support for weight loss and acceptability of FIT including the FIT app. The focus group discussions were transcribed and thematically analysed. ResultsAll groups spontaneously raised the issue of waning motivation and expressed the desire for motivational app support for losing weight and increasing physical activity. They disliked calorie counting apps and those that required lots of user input. All groups wanted behavioural elements such as setting and reviewing goals to be included, with the ability to personalise the app by adding picture reminders and choosing times for goal reminders. Participants were positive about FIT and FIT support materials. ConclusionThere is a mismatch between the help provided via public health information campaigns and commercially available weight-loss self-help (lifestyle information, self-monitoring), and the help that individuals actually desire (motivational and autonomous e-support), posing an opportunity to develop more effective electronic, theory-driven, motivational, self-help interventions.

ED12.01 Tobacco Control Policies in Eastern Europe

ED12.01 Tobacco Control Policies in Eastern Europe

The impact of child restraint legislation on the incidence of severe paediatric injury in Chile

The objective of this study is to determine the association between Chile's 2005 child restraint legislation (CRL) and the incidence of severe paediatric motor vehicle-related injury. We analysed motor vehicle injury data from Chile's Road Safety Commission from 2000 to 2012 to determine the association between Chile's 2005 CRL and severe paediatric injury. Using Poisson time-series models we assessed the effect of the law on two outcome variables: (1) severely injured children per vehicle fleet; and (2) severely injured children per population. Chile's 2005 CRL is significantly associated with a 24% reduction in severely injured children per vehicle, and 19% reduction in severely injured children per population in the 1st year of its enactment. In 2007 this law is also significantly associated with a 17% decrease in severely injured children per vehicle, and with an 11% decrease in severely injured children per population. However, this legislation had a short-term effect since no reductions in severely injured children per vehicle were observed after 2009 and no reductions for severely injured children per population were registered after 2008. This is the first study to examine the association between CRL and severe paediatric injury in a Latin-American country. This study suggests that Chile's CRL was only effective in the short term. To support this type of reforms in the long term, other measures such as police enforcement, public information campaigns and involvement of public health professionals in educating parents about the benefits of using child restraints should be considered.

HPRA launches first public information campaign

HPRA launches first public information campaign

An exploratory investigation of child safety seat use among citizens of the United Arab Emirates

ABSTRACTChild car safety has significantly improved in Western nations with the use of proper child restraints over the last 40 years, but progress lags in other nations. High-income but developing Eastern Mediterranean countries experience one of the world's highest road traffic-injury mortality rates for children. This study provides a preliminary investigation of child safety seat utilization among United Arab Emirates (UAE) citizen parents. Cross-sectional survey research was used to determine child safety seat utilization proportions. Data were collected from a convenience sample composed of target citizens, which make up approximately 15% of the total population of the country. A total of 366 parents with at least one child younger than age 13 years participated. Despite prevalent car-seat giveaway campaigns and regardless of car-seat ownership, the overall percentage of car seat use among Emirati parents was low: less than 20% for their children younger than age 24 months. Additionally, of those who use a car seat, parents reported improper use. The UAE currently has no compulsory child safety seat legislation. The findings suggest the need for further studies on car-seat usage in the UAE, as well as intervention research to inform locally relevant and culturally appropriate public information campaigns.

Caries prevention programs for children based on the current health care system in Poland

Abstract Prevention is the most effective element of measures to promote oral health. The authors have conducted an analysis of the current health system in Poland with particular emphasis put on caries prevention focused on children. It is worth noting that in the first days of life a midwife introduces „the area of dental prophylaxis“. In subsequent years of life i.e. 2, 4, 6, 10, 13, 16, 19, both the dentist and the primary care doctor provide prophylactic services. More preventive actions are organized in primary school (grades I-VI), where group fluoride prophylaxis and education in oral health are carried out by a nurse/school hygienist. The effects of preventive measures, as measured by epidemiological studies presented among others in the reports from the Monitoring of Oral Health by the Ministry of Health, show that the adopted regulations are unsatisfactory. It is necessary to carry out a public information campaign on the negative consequences of neglecting disease prevention and the consequences of incorrect early treatment of oral cavity diseases and their influence over the proper development of children.

The Crowding-Out Effects of Garbage Fees and Voluntary Source Separation Programs on Waste Reduction: Evidence from China

This paper examines how and to what degree government policies of garbage fees and voluntary source separation programs, with free indoor containers and garbage bags, can affect the effectiveness of municipal solid waste (MSW) management, in the sense of achieving a desirable reduction of per capita MSW generation. Based on city-level panel data for years 1998–2012 in China, our empirical analysis indicates that per capita MSW generated is increasing with per capita disposable income, average household size, education levels of households, and the lagged per capita MSW. While both garbage fees and source separation programs have separately led to reductions in per capita waste generation, the interaction of the two policies has resulted in an increase in per capita waste generation due to the following crowding-out effects: Firstly, the positive effect of income dominates the negative effect of the garbage fee. Secondly, there are crowding-out effects of mandatory charging system and the subsidized voluntary source separation on per capita MSW generation. Thirdly, small subsidies and tax punishments have reduced the intrinsic motivation for voluntary source separation of MSW. Thus, compatible fee charging system, higher levels of subsidies, and well-designed public information and education campaigns are required to promote household waste source separation and reduction.

Change agent aides: effect in a public information campaign

Purpose This study aims at establishing if the use of change agency aides can have an effect on a specific target group in a public information campaign. The target group is elderly citizens. Design/methodology/approach Using both diffusion theory and social network theory the theoretical concept for the interpersonal network communication campaign is presented. The object of this study is the analogue terrestrial television (ATT) switch-off in Denmark. The units of analysis are the whole Danish population and elderly Danish citizens. The rate of awareness-knowledge of the ATT switch-off among all Danish households and the rate of awareness-knowledge of the ATT switch-off among elderly citizens aged 65+ were measured. Findings In the 3 month campaign period the double-digit gab (12 percent) was reduced to a two percent gap. It appears that interpersonal network communication can have an effect, with respect to elderly citizens who are targeted by change agent aides. Research limitations/implications It is a limitation of this study that the change agent aides were not monitored and surveyed systematically to document their effort. Practical implications It is likely that the use of change agent aides can make sense with respect to other target groups. However, the use of change agent aides will not necessarily work with any subject matter. Who can benefit from using change agent aides, can vary from subject matter to subject matter, and with the complexity of the subject matter. Originality/value Little research appears to have been carried out in recent years. One can only speculate as to why apparently no research has been carried out in recent years, but if practitioners are unsure of the effect of using change agent aides, for instance, they may refrain from using them, and consequently there may not be many cases to study.

Reducing Waits for VHA Services Through Use of Tools of Governance

The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) has been plagued by one of the largest scandals in its history since receiving cabinet level status: scandal regarding veterans experiencing excessive wait times for needed health care services. This paper explores the current crisis within the VHA and the agency’s response to public outcry through use of both traditional and innovative tools of governance. Through use of strategic planning, contracting, and public information campaigns, the VHA is placing a focus on the outcomes and effectiveness of these tools to resolve the current wait list problems. This paper explores the aforementioned tools of governance and the steps currently being taken within the VHA to ensure effectiveness, equity, and efficiency in countering some of the largest challenges existing with application of the governance paradigm to the delivery of public services.

Between zero tolerance and damage control: policy and parental strategies concerning teenagers and alcohol

This article focuses on the distribution of responsibility between teenagers and parents in relation to teenagers’ alcohol consumption. It does so by contrasting the way in which responsibility is ascribed to parents in public guidelines on underage drinking with parents’ posts made to an online discussion board. In Swedish alcohol policy on underage drinking, to a large extent the replacement of state control over the accessibility of alcohol with individual responsibility translates into parental responsibility. Further, in national information campaigns, parents have been urged to stand their ground and maintain a zero-tolerance stance in order to minimise underage drinking. Like policy-makers, parents who engaged in online discussions on teenagers and alcohol were concerned about the effects of underage drinking. But in addition to the national alcohol policy goals of postponing the alcohol debut and minimising underage drinking, parents were also concerned about the effects of their drinking rules on their relationship with their teenagers, and about the long-term effects of their parenting strategies on their children’s later drinking habits as adults. And in contrast to public policy and national information campaigns, not all parents ascribed to themselves the power to influence their teenage children’s drinking.

The prevalence in the general population of advance directives on euthanasia and discussion of end-of-life wishes: a nationwide survey.

BackgroundTo determine the extent to which members of the general population have talked to their physician about their wishes regarding medical treatment at the end of life, to describe the prevalence of advance directives on euthanasia, and to identify associated factors.MethodThis study used data from the cross-sectional Health Interview Study (HIS) 2008 that collected data from a representative sample (N = 9651) of the Belgian population.ResultsOf all respondents, 4.4 % had spoken to their physician about their wishes regarding medical treatment at the end of life, while 1.8 % had an advance directive on euthanasia. Factors positively associated with discussions regarding wishes for medical treatment at the end of life were being female, being older in age, having poorer health status and having more GP contacts. People older than 55 years and living in Flanders or Brussels were more likely than the youngest age categories to have an advance directive on euthanasia.ConclusionYounger people, men, people living in the Walloon region of Belgium, people without a longstanding illness, chronic condition or disability and people with few GP contacts could represent a target group for education regarding advance care planning. Public information campaigns and education of physicians may help to enable the public and physicians to engage more in advance care planning.