17 pages, 1267 KiB  
Article
Influence Analysis of Sustainability Perceptions on Sense of Community and Support for Sustainable Community Development in Relocated Communities
by Yi-Hsien Lin 1, Tsung-Hung Lee 2,* and Chiu-Kuang Wang 3
1 Department of Tourism, Ming Chuan University, Taoyuan 333023, Taiwan
2 Graduate School of Leisure and Exercise Studies, National Yunlin University of Science and Technology, Yunlin 640301, Taiwan
3 Department of Accounting, National Yunlin University of Science and Technology, Yunlin 640301, Taiwan
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2021, 18(22), 12223; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph182212223 - 21 Nov 2021
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2482
Abstract
This study aims to examine a theoretical model using sustainability perceptions, including environmental; sociocultural; economic; and life satisfaction, sense of community, and support for sustainable community development among the indigenous people of two relocated communities in Taiwan. A total of 747 usable questionnaires [...] Read more.
This study aims to examine a theoretical model using sustainability perceptions, including environmental; sociocultural; economic; and life satisfaction, sense of community, and support for sustainable community development among the indigenous people of two relocated communities in Taiwan. A total of 747 usable questionnaires were collected and analyzed using structural equation modeling. The analytical results indicated that sense of community is an antecedent of support for sustainable community development in both relocated communities. Life satisfaction perceptions can influence the sense of community in Rinari. Additionally, environmental and economic perceptions are antecedents of the sense of community in New Laiyi. Finally, this study provides theoretical implications to fill the gaps in previous research, and offers valuable insights for promoting residents’ support for sustainable community development in aboriginal communities; thus, this study has significant contributions, theoretically and practically. Full article
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10 pages, 325 KiB  
Article
Mental Health Provision in UK Secondary Schools
by Megan Garside 1,*, Barry Wright 2, Roshanak Nekooi 1 and Victoria Allgar 3
1 COMIC Research, Leeds and York Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, York YO10 5NP, UK
2 Department of Health Sciences, University of York, York YO10 5NP, UK
3 Faculty of Health, Peninsula Medical School, University of Plymouth, Plymouth PL4 8AA, UK
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2021, 18(22), 12222; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph182212222 - 21 Nov 2021
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 5408
Abstract
Research reports high levels of mental health problems faced by young people in the UK. Schools provide a range of mental health support services, although these are often not robustly evaluated. This paper aims to explore the mental health provision of secondary schools [...] Read more.
Research reports high levels of mental health problems faced by young people in the UK. Schools provide a range of mental health support services, although these are often not robustly evaluated. This paper aims to explore the mental health provision of secondary schools across two large regions in the North of England and provide comparisons to the mental health questionnaire scores of their pupils. Results are part of a wider study providing an overview of the mental health of secondary school pupils. Measures include the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire, distributed to year 8, 9, and 11 pupils attending secondary schools and a bespoke mental health service provision questionnaire for school staff at the same schools. A total of 6328 pupil questionnaires and 36 staff questionnaires were returned from 21 schools. Results showed a non-significant correlation between provision and young people’s mental health scores and highlight a range of factors to take into consideration. There is a need to improve the evaluation and recording of school-based mental health provision. Mental health difficulties in young people are prevalent in schools. Future research is needed to elucidate which types of services are most helpful in preventing, supporting, and signposting those with mental health problems. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Child Mental Health in a Modern World)
9 pages, 621 KiB  
Brief Report
The Effect of the COVID-19 Lockdown on the Position-Specific Match Running Performance of Professional Football Players; Preliminary Observational Study
by Damir Sekulic 1, Sime Versic 1,2, Andrew Decelis 3, Jose Castro-Piñero 4,5, Dejan Javorac 6, Goran Dimitric 6, Kemal Idrizovic 7, Igor Jukic 8 and Toni Modric 1,*
1 Faculty of Kinesiology, University of Split, 21000 Split, Croatia
2 HNK Hajduk, 21000 Split, Croatia
3 Institute for Physical Education and Sport, Faculty of Education, University of Malta, MSD 2080 Msida, Malta
4 GALENO Research Group, Department of Physical Education, Faculty of Education Sciences, University of Cádiz, Avenida República Saharaui s/n, 11519 Puerto Real, Spain
5 Instituto de Investigación e Innovación Biomédica de Cádiz (INiBICA), 11009 Cádiz, Spain
6 Faculty of Sport and Physical Education, University of Novi Sad, 21000 Novi Sad, Serbia
7 Faculty for Sport and Physical Education, University of Montenegro, 81400 Niksic, Montenegro
8 Faculty of Kinesiology, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2021, 18(22), 12221; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph182212221 - 21 Nov 2021
Cited by 17 | Viewed by 3312
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic interrupted professional football in the 2019/2020 season, and football experts anticipate that the consequences of lockdown measures will negatively affect the physical performance of players once competition restarts. This study aimed to evaluate position-specific match running performance (MRP) to determine [...] Read more.
The COVID-19 pandemic interrupted professional football in the 2019/2020 season, and football experts anticipate that the consequences of lockdown measures will negatively affect the physical performance of players once competition restarts. This study aimed to evaluate position-specific match running performance (MRP) to determine the effect of COVID-19 lockdowns on the physical performance of professional football players. Players’ MRPs (n = 124) were observed in matches before and after the COVID-19 lockdown in the 2019/2020 season of the highest level of national competition in Croatia and were classified according to player position: central defenders (CD; n = 42), fullbacks (FB; n = 20), midfielders (MF; n = 46), and forwards (FW; n = 16). The MRPs were measured using Global Positioning System, and included the total distance covered, low-intensity running (≤14.3 km/h), running (14.4–19.7 km/h), high-intensity running (≥19.8 km/h), total accelerations (>0.5 m/s2), high-intensity accelerations (>3 m/s2), total decelerations (less than –0.5 m/s2), and high-intensity decelerations (less than –3 m/s2). The results indicated that, in matches after the COVID-19 lockdown, (i) CDs and FBs featured lower running and high-intensity running (t-value: from 2.05 to 3.51; all p < 0.05; moderate to large effect sizes), (ii) MFs covered a greater distance in low-intensity running and achieved a lower number of total accelerations, and total and high-intensity decelerations (t-value: from –3.54 to 2.46; all p < 0.05, moderate to large effect sizes), and (iii) FWs featured lower high-intensity running (t-value = 2.66, p = 0.02, large effect size). These findings demonstrate that the physical performances of football players from the Croatian first division significantly decreased in matches after the COVID-19 lockdown. A combination of inadequate adaptation to football-specific match demands and a crowded schedule after the competition was restarted most likely resulted in such an effect. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Football Science—from Health to Sports Performance)
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20 pages, 962 KiB  
Review
The Role of Gut and Lung Microbiota in Susceptibility to Tuberculosis
by Pasquale Comberiati 1,2,3,*, Maria Di Cicco 1,2, Francesco Paravati 4, Umberto Pelosi 5, Alessandro Di Gangi 1,2, Stefania Arasi 6, Simona Barni 7, Davide Caimmi 8,9, Carla Mastrorilli 10, Amelia Licari 11 and Fernanda Chiera 4
1 Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy
2 Allergology and Pulmonology Section, Pediatrics Unit, Pisa University Hospital, 56126 Pisa, Italy
3 Department of Clinical Immunology and Allergology, I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, Moscow 119991, Russia
4 Department of Pediatrics, San Giovanni di Dio Hospital, 88900 Crotone, Italy
5 Pediatric Unit, Santa Barbara Hospital, 09016 Iglesias, Italy
6 Area of Translational Research in Pediatric Specialities, Allergy Unit, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, 00165 Rome, Italy
7 Allergic Unit, Department of Pediatric, Meyer Children’s Hospital, 50139 Florence, Italy
8 Allergy Unit, CHU de Montpellier, Université de Montpellier, 34295 Montpellier, France
9 IDESP, UMR A11, Université de Montpellier, 34093 Montpellier, France
10 Department of Pediatrics, University Hospital Consortium Corporation Polyclinic of Bari, Pediatric Hospital Giovanni XXIII, 70124 Bari, Italy
11 Pediatric Clinic, Pediatrics Department, Policlinico San Matteo, University of Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy
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Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2021, 18(22), 12220; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph182212220 - 21 Nov 2021
Cited by 24 | Viewed by 4719
Abstract
Tuberculosis is one of the most common infectious diseases and infectious causes of death worldwide. Over the last decades, significant research effort has been directed towards defining the understanding of the pathogenesis of tuberculosis to improve diagnosis and therapeutic options. Emerging scientific evidence [...] Read more.
Tuberculosis is one of the most common infectious diseases and infectious causes of death worldwide. Over the last decades, significant research effort has been directed towards defining the understanding of the pathogenesis of tuberculosis to improve diagnosis and therapeutic options. Emerging scientific evidence indicates a possible role of the human microbiota in the pathophysiology of tuberculosis, response to therapy, clinical outcomes, and post-treatment outcomes. Although human studies on the role of the microbiota in tuberculosis are limited, published data in recent years, both from experimental and clinical studies, suggest that a better understanding of the gut–lung microbiome axis and microbiome–immune crosstalk could shed light on the specific pathogenetic mechanisms of Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection and identify new therapeutic targets. In this review, we address the current knowledge of the host immune responses against Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection, the emerging evidence on how gut and lung microbiota can modulate susceptibility to tuberculosis, the available studies on the possible use of probiotic–antibiotic combination therapy for the treatment of tuberculosis, and the knowledge gaps and future research priorities in this field. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Chronic Respiratory Diseases and Respiratory Care in Childhood)
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15 pages, 1233 KiB  
Article
“Mummy, Can I Join a Sports Club?” A Qualitative Study on the Impact of Health-Promoting Schools on Health Behaviours in the Home Setting
by Marla T. H. Hahnraths *, Maartje Willeboordse, Annick D. H. M. Jungbauer, Corina de Gier, Carlien Schouten and Constant P. van Schayck
Department of Family Medicine, Care and Public Health Research Institute (CAPHRI), Maastricht University, 6200 MD Maastricht, The Netherlands
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2021, 18(22), 12219; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph182212219 - 21 Nov 2021
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2836
Abstract
Information regarding school-based health-promoting interventions’ potential effects in the home environment is scarce. Gaining more insight into this is vital to optimise interventions’ potential. The Healthy Primary School of the Future (HPSF) is a Dutch initiative aiming to improve children’s health and well-being [...] Read more.
Information regarding school-based health-promoting interventions’ potential effects in the home environment is scarce. Gaining more insight into this is vital to optimise interventions’ potential. The Healthy Primary School of the Future (HPSF) is a Dutch initiative aiming to improve children’s health and well-being by providing daily physical activity sessions and healthy school lunches. This qualitative study examines if and how HPSF influenced children’s and parents’ physical activity and dietary behaviours at home. In 2018–2019, 27 semi-structured interviews were conducted with parents from two HPSFs. Interviews were recorded and transcribed, and data were coded and interpreted through thematic analysis. HPSF resulted in various behavioural changes at home, initiated by both children and parents. Parents reported improvements in healthy behaviours, as well as compensatory, unhealthy behaviours. Reasons for behavioural change included increased awareness, perceived support to adopt healthy behaviours, and children asking for the same healthy products at home. Barriers to change included no perceived necessity for change, lack of HPSF-related information provision, and time and financial constraints. Both child-to-adult intergenerational learning and parent-initiated changes play an important role in the transfer of health behaviours from school to home and are therefore key mechanisms to maximise school-based health-promoting interventions’ impact. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Physical Activity in Childhood and Adolescence)
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15 pages, 650 KiB  
Article
Exploring PM2.5 Environmental Efficiency and Its Influencing Factors in China
by Dongdong Ma 1, Guifang Li 2,* and Feng He 3,*
1 School of Economics, Henan University of Economics and Law, Zhengzhou 450046, China
2 Institute of Economics and Management, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450046, China
3 School of Economics and Management, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing 100083, China
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2021, 18(22), 12218; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph182212218 - 21 Nov 2021
Cited by 17 | Viewed by 2900
Abstract
In China, air pollution, especially fine particulate matter (PM2.5) pollution, has become increasingly serious with the rapid economic growth that has occurred over the past 40 years. This paper aims to introduce PM2.5 pollution as a constraint in the environmental efficiency research framework [...] Read more.
In China, air pollution, especially fine particulate matter (PM2.5) pollution, has become increasingly serious with the rapid economic growth that has occurred over the past 40 years. This paper aims to introduce PM2.5 pollution as a constraint in the environmental efficiency research framework through the use of panel data covering the Chinese provinces from 2001–2018. PM2.5 environmental efficiency is measured with the slack-based measure (SBM)-Undesirable-variable returns-to-scale (VRS) model, and the results show that the average PM2.5 environmental efficiency score is 0.702, which indicates inefficiency, and is U-shaped over time. The PM2.5 environmental efficiency scores are unbalanced across the eight regions and 30 provinces of China. Additionally, the relationship between PM2.5 environmental efficiency and its influencing factors is examined with a tobit model, and the empirical findings indicate that the relationship between economic development and PM2.5 environmental efficiency is an inverted U, which is the opposite of the traditional environmental Kuznets curve (EKC). In addition, technological innovation, trade dependency, and regional development each have a significantly positive effect on PM2.5 environmental efficiency. However, environmental regulations, the industrial structure, and population density have significantly negative effects on PM2.5 environmental efficiency. Finally, this paper fails to prove that foreign direct investment (FDI) has created a PM2.5 “pollution haven” in China. Full article
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16 pages, 5048 KiB  
Article
Operation Note Transformation: The Application of Lean Six Sigma to Improve the Process of Documenting the Operation Note in a Private Hospital Setting
by Nicola Wolfe 1,*, Seán Paul Teeling 2,3, Marie Ward 4, Martin McNamara 2 and Liby Koshy 1
1 Beacon Hospital Beacon Court, Bracken Rd, Sandyford Business Park, Sandyford, D18 AK68 Dublin, Ireland
2 UCD Centre for Interdisciplinary Research, Education & Innovation in Health Systems, School of Nursing, Midwifery & Health Systems UCD Health Sciences Centre, D04 V1W8 Dublin, Ireland
3 Centre for Person-Centered Practice Research Division of Nursing, School of Health Sciences, Queen Margaret University Drive, Musselburgh EH21 6UU, UK
4 Centre for Innovative Human Systems, School of Psychology, Trinity College, The University of Dublin, D02 PN40 Dublin, Ireland
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2021, 18(22), 12217; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph182212217 - 21 Nov 2021
Cited by 10 | Viewed by 4645
Abstract
Clinical documentation is a key safety and quality risk, particularly at transitions of care where there is a higher risk of information being miscommunicated or lost. A surgical operation note (ON) is an essential medicolegal document to ensure continuity of patient care between [...] Read more.
Clinical documentation is a key safety and quality risk, particularly at transitions of care where there is a higher risk of information being miscommunicated or lost. A surgical operation note (ON) is an essential medicolegal document to ensure continuity of patient care between the surgical operating team and other colleagues, which should be completed immediately following surgery. Incomplete operating surgeon documentation of the ON, in a legible and timely manner, impacts the quality of information available to nurses to deliver post-operative care. In the project site, a private hospital in Dublin, Ireland, the accuracy of completion of the ON across all surgical specialties was 20%. This project sought to improve the accuracy, legibility, and completeness of the ON in the Operating Room. A multidisciplinary team of staff utilised the Lean Six Sigma (LSS) methodology, specifically the Define/Measure/Analyse/Design/Verify (DMADV) framework, to design a new digital process application for documenting the ON. Post-introduction of the new design, 100% of the ONs were completed digitally with a corresponding cost saving of EUR 10,000 annually. The time to complete the ON was reduced by 30% due to the designed digital platform and mandatory fields, ensuring 100% of the document is legible. As a result, this project significantly improved the quality and timely production of the ON within a digital solution. The success of the newly designed ON process demonstrates the effectiveness of the DMADV in establishing a co-designed, value-adding process for post-operative surgical notes. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Whole Systems Approaches to Process Improvement in Health Systems)
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11 pages, 559 KiB  
Systematic Review
Effects of Facial Muscles Exercise on Mental Health: A Systematic Review
by Rumiko Okamoto 1,*, Toshie Manabe 2 and Katsuyoshi Mizukami 1
1 Faculty of Health and Sport Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Tokyo 112-0012, Japan
2 Nagoya City University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Nagoya 467-8601, Aichi, Japan
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2021, 18(22), 12216; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph182212216 - 21 Nov 2021
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 5164
Abstract
Mental disorders are increasing worldwide. Previous research has reported an association between mental health and facial expressions. Face-to-face communication, specifically, is majorly affected when wearing face masks for a long time because of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, there have been no systematic reviews [...] Read more.
Mental disorders are increasing worldwide. Previous research has reported an association between mental health and facial expressions. Face-to-face communication, specifically, is majorly affected when wearing face masks for a long time because of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, there have been no systematic reviews of facial muscles exercise intervention studies for mental health. Thus, evidence of their effect on mental health is unclear. This review aimed to evaluate the current evidence of the effectiveness of voluntary facial muscles exercise to improve some parameters of mental health. We implemented a systematic review of experimental studies (published between 2007 and 2018, 10 years before we decided to start this review). Of the 61,096 references screened, seven studies reported that facial muscles exercise may help to improve some parameters of mental health. Moreover, the study quality was assessed, and we extracted sub outcomes for mental health. Non-coherent results of seven experimental studies were included in this review. Voluntary facial muscles exercise may help improve depressive symptoms, mood, and reduce the level of chronic stress. However, due to the low quality of analyzed studies, further studies are needed to confirm the mental health benefits of a facial muscles exercise program. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Exercise and Health)
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10 pages, 373 KiB  
Article
Body Dissatisfaction and Its Association with Health-Related Factors in Rural and Urban Mexican Adolescents from the State of Jalisco
by María Rivera-Ochoa 1,2, Marta Arroyo-Bello 3,4, Asier Mañas 5,6, Carlos Quesada-González 1,7, Barbara Vizmanos-Lamotte 8, Marcela González-Gross 1 and Amelia Guadalupe-Grau 1,6,*
1 Department of Health and Human Performance, ImFINE Research Group, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain
2 North University Center, Universidad de Guadalajara, Guadalajara 44430, Mexico
3 Department of Psychology, University of Westminster, London W1B 2HW, UK
4 Department of Psychology, Universidad Nacional de Educación a Distancia (UNED), 28040 Madrid, Spain
5 Deapartment of Physical Activity and Sports Sciences, GENUD Toledo Research Group, Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha, 45071 Toledo, Spain
6 Carlos III Health Institute, CIBER of Frailty and Healthy Aging (CIBERFES), 28029 Madrid, Spain
7 Department of Applied Mathematics to Information and Communication Technologies, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain
8 Institute of Nutrigenetics and Translational Nutrigenomics, University Center for Health Sciences, Universidad de Guadalajara, Guadalajara 44430, Mexico
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2021, 18(22), 12215; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph182212215 - 20 Nov 2021
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2738
Abstract
Background: To better understand Mexican adolescent’s body self-perception, this study aimed to analyze their body dissatisfaction (BD) levels according to sex and place of residence. We also aimed to explore differences in body composition (BC), physical fitness (PF), and physical activity (PA) between [...] Read more.
Background: To better understand Mexican adolescent’s body self-perception, this study aimed to analyze their body dissatisfaction (BD) levels according to sex and place of residence. We also aimed to explore differences in body composition (BC), physical fitness (PF), and physical activity (PA) between satisfied and dissatisfied adolescents and to find the associations between BD and these parameters. Methods: Cross-sectional, observational study carried out in Jalisco (Mexico) in which 451 adolescents (43.68% males, 43.90% rural) aged 13–17 years were evaluated. BD and self-perceived PF and PA were assessed with validated questionnaires, while objectively measured PF (strength, explosive strength, speed-agility, and cardiovascular fitness) was assessed using field tests. To evaluate BC, anthropometric measures and bioelectric impedance analysis were carried out. Regression analysis was used to ascertain the associations between health-related factors and body dissatisfaction. Results: Girls obtained higher scores on the BD questionnaire than boys (11.12 ± 3.13 vs. 10.33 ± 2.73; p < 0.05), whereas no geographical differences between rural and urban adolescents were found. BD was positively associated with higher fat mass (β = 0.15; p < 0.001), and negatively associated with muscle mass and PF (β = −0.24 and β = −0.23; p < 0.001). However, PA was not associated with any of the measured parameters. Conclusions: selected parameters of BC, PF, and sex have an impact on the Mexican adolescent’s body satisfaction levels and should be considered when designing future health policies. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Maternal, Newborn, Child and Family Health: Past, Present, and Future)
10 pages, 310 KiB  
Article
Self-Reported and Device-Measured Physical Activity in Leisure Time and at Work and Associations with Cardiovascular Events—A Prospective Study of the Physical Activity Paradox
by Roman P. Kuster 1,2, Philip von Rosen 1, Wilhelmus J. A. Grooten 1,3, Ing-Mari Dohrn 1 and Maria Hagströmer 1,4,*
1 Division of Physiotherapy, Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Karolinska Institutet, 141 83 Stockholm, Sweden
2 IMES Institute of Mechanical Systems, School of Engineering, ZHAW Zurich University of Applied Sciences, 8400 Winterthur, Switzerland
3 Women’s Health and Allied Health Professionals Theme, Medical Unit Occupational Therapy and Physiotherapy, Karolinska University Hospital, 171 77 Stockholm, Sweden
4 Academic Primary Health Care Center, Region Stockholm, 104 31 Stockholm, Sweden
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2021, 18(22), 12214; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph182212214 - 20 Nov 2021
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 3363
Abstract
The beneficial health effects of physical activity, in particular moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA), are well documented, but there is an ongoing scientific debate whether the domain matters, i.e., whether leisure time physical activity is beneficial and occupational physical activity is detrimental to health, [...] Read more.
The beneficial health effects of physical activity, in particular moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA), are well documented, but there is an ongoing scientific debate whether the domain matters, i.e., whether leisure time physical activity is beneficial and occupational physical activity is detrimental to health, referred to as the physical activity paradox. The present study, therefore, analyzed the association between self-reported and device-measured physical activity and cardiovascular events in both domains. A representative sample of 807 individuals was followed for 14.6 ± 1.1 years, in which 59 cardiovascular events occurred. For self-reported data, Cox proportional hazard models showed no effect of physical activity in leisure and at work, while for device-measured MVPA, beneficial associations with total time spent in MVPA and occupational time spent in MVPA were found, but not for leisure time spent in MVPA. When accounting for both domains in the same model, the associations disappeared. These results indicate that it matters how physical activity is measured and that MVPA is beneficial for cardiovascular health, but the domain in which MVPA occurs does not seem to matter. Full article
(This article belongs to the Collection Health Behaviors, Risk Factors, NCDs and Health Promotion)
8 pages, 657 KiB  
Article
Missing Value Imputation of Time-Series Air-Quality Data via Deep Neural Networks
by Taesung Kim 1, Jinhee Kim 1, Wonho Yang 2, Hunjoo Lee 3,* and Jaegul Choo 1,*
1 Kim Jaechul Graduate School of Artificial Intelligence, KAIST, Daehak-ro 291, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon 34141, Korea
2 Department of Occupation Health, Daegu Catholic University, Gyeongbuk 38430, Korea
3 Department of Environmental Big Data, CHEM. I. NET, Ltd., Seoul 07964, Korea
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2021, 18(22), 12213; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph182212213 - 20 Nov 2021
Cited by 21 | Viewed by 3683
Abstract
To prevent severe air pollution, it is important to analyze time-series air quality data, but this is often challenging as the time-series data is usually partially missing, especially when it is collected from multiple locations simultaneously. To solve this problem, various deep-learning-based missing [...] Read more.
To prevent severe air pollution, it is important to analyze time-series air quality data, but this is often challenging as the time-series data is usually partially missing, especially when it is collected from multiple locations simultaneously. To solve this problem, various deep-learning-based missing value imputation models have been proposed. However, often they are barely interpretable, which makes it difficult to analyze the imputed data. Thus, we propose a novel deep learning-based imputation model that achieves high interpretability as well as shows great performance in missing value imputation for spatio-temporal data. We verify the effectiveness of our method through quantitative and qualitative results on a publicly available air-quality dataset. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Occupational & Environmental Health Risk Assessment)
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14 pages, 744 KiB  
Article
The Nutritional Content of Rescued Food Conveyed by a Food Aid Organization
by Anne Nogueira 1,2,*, Fátima Alves 1,2 and Paula Vaz-Fernandes 2,3
1 Centre for Functional Ecology-Science for People and the Planet, Department of Life Science, Faculty of Sciences and Technology, University of Coimbra, 3000-456 Coimbra, Portugal
2 Science and Technology Department, Universidade Aberta, 1269-001 Lisbon, Portugal
3 CAPP, Centre for Public Administration & Public Policies, Instituto Superior de Ciências Sociais e Políticas, Universidade de Lisboa, 1300-663 Lisbon, Portugal
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2021, 18(22), 12212; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph182212212 - 20 Nov 2021
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2930
Abstract
Background: The number of food-insecure families in the European Union has increased, resulting in an increasing number of households depending on food assistance programs. The aim in this study was to evaluate the nutrient content of food rescued by a food aid organization [...] Read more.
Background: The number of food-insecure families in the European Union has increased, resulting in an increasing number of households depending on food assistance programs. The aim in this study was to evaluate the nutrient content of food rescued by a food aid organization that rescues and redistributes fresh or freshly cooked food to low-income households. Methods: To determine the nutritional content of food hampers provided by our case study organization, we weighed all items of food hampers in three weighing rounds over a period of four months. The Food Insecurity Experience Scale (FIES) was applied to measure households’ food insecurity. Results: Our results show that, at our case study food aid organization, food donations substantially contribute to energy, macro, and micronutrient dietary recommendation intake (DRI). Conclusions: When evaluating how these nutrients contribute to alleviating food insecurity of the beneficiary households, we found that the perception of food insecurity is independent of the amount of nutrients served. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study measuring the nutritional content of fresh or freshly cooked rescued food conveyed by a food aid organization. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Food Insecurity: Health Effects and Interventions)
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19 pages, 377 KiB  
Article
Critical Characteristics of Housing and Housing Supports for Individuals with Concurrent Traumatic Brain Injury and Mental Health and/or Substance Use Challenges: A Qualitative Study
by Maria Jennifer Estrella 1,*, Bonnie Kirsh 1,2,3, Pia Kontos 4,5, Alisa Grigorovich 4,6, Angela Colantonio 1,2,4,5,7, Vincy Chan 2,4,7 and Emily Joan Nalder 1,2,4
1 Department of Occupational Science & Occupational Therapy, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5G1V7, Canada
2 Rehabilitation Sciences Institute, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5G 1V7, Canada
3 Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5T 1R8, Canada
4 KITE Research Institute, Toronto Rehabilitation Institute—University Health Network, Toronto, ON M5G 2A2, Canada
5 Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5T 3M7, Canada
6 Department of Recreation and Leisure Studies, Brock University, St. Catharines, ON L2S 3A1, Canada
7 Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5T 3M6, Canada
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2021, 18(22), 12211; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph182212211 - 20 Nov 2021
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 3690
Abstract
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) and mental health and/or substance use challenges (MHSU) are commonly co-occurring and prevalent in individuals experiencing homelessness; however, evidence suggests that systems of care are siloed and organized around clinical diagnoses. Research is needed to understand how housing and [...] Read more.
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) and mental health and/or substance use challenges (MHSU) are commonly co-occurring and prevalent in individuals experiencing homelessness; however, evidence suggests that systems of care are siloed and organized around clinical diagnoses. Research is needed to understand how housing and housing supports are provided to this complex and understudied group in the context of siloed service systems. This study aimed to describe critical characteristics of housing and housing supports for individuals with concurrent TBI and MHSU from the perspectives of service users with TBI and MHSU and housing service providers. Using basic qualitative description, in-depth interviews were conducted with 16 service users and 15 service providers. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis techniques. Themes capture core processes in finding and maintaining housing and the critical housing supports that enabled them: (1) overcoming structural barriers through service coordination, education and awareness raising, and partnerships and collaborations; and (2) enabling engagement in meaningful activity and social connection through creating opportunities, training and skills development, and design of home and neighborhood environments. Implications for practice, including the urgent need for formalized TBI and MHSU education, support for service providers, and potential interventions to further enable core housing processes are discussed. Full article
12 pages, 1592 KiB  
Article
The Influence of Burnout on Patient Safety Management Activities of Shift Nurses: The Mediating Effect of Compassion Satisfaction
by I Seul Ryu 1 and JaeLan Shim 2,*
1 Department of Nursing, Dongguk University Hospital, Gyeongju 38067, Korea
2 College of Nursing, Dongguk University, Gyeongju 38066, Korea
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2021, 18(22), 12210; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph182212210 - 20 Nov 2021
Cited by 18 | Viewed by 8132
Abstract
This study aims to investigate the levels of burnout, compassion satisfaction (CS), and patient safety management activities (PSMA) among nurses on shift work in general hospitals and to examine the mediating effect of CS on the relationship between burnout and PSMA. This was [...] Read more.
This study aims to investigate the levels of burnout, compassion satisfaction (CS), and patient safety management activities (PSMA) among nurses on shift work in general hospitals and to examine the mediating effect of CS on the relationship between burnout and PSMA. This was a descriptive-correlational study, conducted with a convenience sample of 301 nurses from four general hospitals. Data were collected from 1 August to 4 September 2021, using self-report questionnaires. Data were analyzed using the t-test, analysis of variance, Tukey test, Pearson’s correlation coefficient, and multiple regression analyses. Mediation analysis was performed according to the Baron and Kenny, and Sobel Tests. Significant relationships were found between shift nurses’ burnout and CS (r = −0.66, p < 0.001), burnout and PSMA (r = −0.32, p < 0.001), and PSMA and CS (r = 0.32, p < 0.001). Compassion satisfaction showed partial mediating effects on the relationship between burnout and PSMA (Z = −3.21, p = 0.001). The higher the burnout of shift-working nurses, the lower the patient safety management activity. Therefore, an effective support system at the organizational level as well as individual efforts are necessary to enhance CS and reduce burnout of shift-working nurses. Full article
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Article
Exploring Factors Associated with Diabetic Retinopathy Treatment Compliance Behaviour in Cape Town, South Africa
by Annalie Wentzel 1,* and Zandile June-Rose Mchiza 1,2
1 School of Public Health, University of the Western Cape, Bellville, Cape Town 7535, South Africa
2 Non-Communicable Disease Research Unit, South African Medical Research Council, Parow Valley, Cape Town 7501, South Africa
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2021, 18(22), 12209; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph182212209 - 20 Nov 2021
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 3503
Abstract
Complete patient adherence to treatment for diabetic retinopathy (DR) is critical to limit vision loss. There is a dearth of evidence regarding the reasons why South African patients referred for suspected vision-threatening DR stay compliant to or default their treatment. The current study [...] Read more.
Complete patient adherence to treatment for diabetic retinopathy (DR) is critical to limit vision loss. There is a dearth of evidence regarding the reasons why South African patients referred for suspected vision-threatening DR stay compliant to or default their treatment. The current study sought to explore factors associated with treatment compliance among patients living with diabetes who have been referred for suspected vision-threatening DR in the Northern/Tygerberg sub-Structure (NTSS) public health care system of Cape Town, South Africa. A qualitative research approach was used where semi-structured in-depth interviews were conducted with 13 adult patients living with DR, and 2 key informants who are primary eye care providers. Thematic data analysis was conducted using taguette.org. Fear of going blind was the most notable patient-related factor associated with compliance. Notable patient-related barriers reported were forgetfulness and a poor state of health. Notable institution-related barriers included suboptimal information received from health care service providers, poor referral management by the organisation delivering retinal screening services, as well as the inaccessibility of the main NTSS hospital via telephone calls. All these factors were confirmed by the key informants of the current study. Finally, all patients and key informants agreed that SARS-CoV-2 negatively affected patients’ adherence to their DR treatment. Hence, scaling up of health care, referral, and appointment setting services could increase the uptake of treatment and retinal screenings among patients attending the Cape Town, NTSS public health care system. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Risk of Obesity, Cardiovascular Disease and Diabetes)