Promoting healthy aging through physical activity (PA) is crucial as the global population grows older. Traditional interventions often fail to engage older adults, underlining the need for personalized, timely approaches. Smartphone-delivered PA interventions can offer personalized support during opportune moments for behavioral change. The current study examined whether the receptivity of inactive older adults influences compliance with mHealth walking suggestions after inactivity, and explored their experiences with it. Thirty healthy older adults (mean age 73.9 years) participated in the study and answered event-based EMA questionnaires via HealthReact after each 30-minute inactivity period. Emotions, physical complaints, intention, self-efficacy, perceived walking, and environmental permissiveness were assessed. Walking suggestions followed each EMA, and semi-structured interviews were conducted post-study. Multilevel logistic regressions in R were applied, and qualitative data were thematically analyzed using NVivo. Results show that higher intention, self-efficacy, and environmental permissiveness positively correlated with compliance, while higher perceived walking negatively correlated. Participants generally found the suggestions motivating and well-timed, but some reported increased alertness and pressure. Consequently, tailoring interventions to individual needs and targeting receptive moments can enhance compliance and promote healthier aging through increased PA. Future mobile interventions should consider self-efficacy, intention, prior activity, and environmental conditions to improve effectiveness.
- MeSH
- Patient Compliance * psychology MeSH
- Walking * psychology MeSH
- Smartphone MeSH
- Exercise psychology MeSH
- Middle Aged MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Longitudinal Studies MeSH
- Health Promotion * methods MeSH
- Self Efficacy MeSH
- Aged, 80 and over MeSH
- Aged MeSH
- Telemedicine MeSH
- Intention MeSH
- Healthy Aging * psychology MeSH
- Check Tag
- Middle Aged MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Male MeSH
- Aged, 80 and over MeSH
- Aged MeSH
- Female MeSH
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
BACKGROUND: Exposure to benzophenone-1 (BP-1) and benzophenone-3 (BP-3), widely used as UV filters in personal care products, has been associated with adverse health effects. However, epidemiological evidence is limited and inconclusive, particularly in vulnerable populations such as teenagers. OBJECTIVE: To examine the relation between BP-1 and BP-3 concentrations and obesity, cardiometabolic biomarkers, and asthma/allergy outcomes in European teenagers, including possible sex-specific associations. METHODS: A multi-country cross-sectional study was conducted using pooled data from six aligned studies from the Human Biomonitoring for Europe Initiative (HBM4EU). Sociodemographic data, cardiometabolic biomarkers, and asthma/allergy outcomes were collected through questionnaires. Anthropometric data and BMI z-scores were calculated (n = 1339). Plasma/serum cardiometabolic biomarkers and asthma/allergy outcomes were available for a subsample (n = 173-594). Urinary BP-1 and BP-3 concentrations were adjusted for creatinine dilution using the traditional standardization (trad.) and the covariate-adjusted creatinine standardization (CAS) method. Generalized additive models, linear, logistic, and multinomial mixed models were applied, and sex-interaction terms were tested. RESULTS: Each natural log-unit increase in urinary BP-3 (CAS) concentrations was associated with higher odds of obesity in the whole population (OR: 1.20; 95%CI: 1.04-1.38). Sex-specific associations were also found with BP-1 (CAS) and BP-3 (CAS) concentrations, which were associated with higher odds of obesity in male teenagers (OR: 1.25; 95% CI: 1.01-1.55; OR: 1.34; 95%CI: 1.09-1.65, respectively). Linear mixed models showed consistent findings toward higher BMI z-scores. A negative association was found between BP-1 (CAS) concentration and serum adiponectin levels in females (% change per loge-unit increase: -3.73, 95%CI: -7.32, -0.10). BP-3 (CAS) concentrations were also associated with higher odds of non-food allergies in males (OR: 1.27; 95%CI: 1.00-1.63). Traditional creatinine adjustment showed similar or slightly attenuated estimates compared to the CAS method. CONCLUSIONS: BP-1 and BP-3 exposure was cross-sectionally associated with higher odds of obesity in European male teenagers, highlighting the need to update regulations and keep exposure levels as low as practically achievable. Longitudinal studies are needed to confirm these findings.
- MeSH
- Hypersensitivity * epidemiology MeSH
- Benzophenones * toxicity urine adverse effects MeSH
- Biomarkers blood MeSH
- Biological Monitoring MeSH
- Asthma * epidemiology chemically induced MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Adolescent MeSH
- Obesity * epidemiology chemically induced MeSH
- Sunscreening Agents * adverse effects MeSH
- Cross-Sectional Studies MeSH
- Environmental Exposure * MeSH
- Check Tag
- Humans MeSH
- Adolescent MeSH
- Male MeSH
- Female MeSH
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
- Geographicals
- Europe MeSH
OBJECTIVES: Having adequate level of health literacy is a very powerful tool of improving health. "Emerging adulthood" is described as a period between age of 18-25 years, characterized by changing life circumstances, developing personality and exploring possibilities. The aim of this study was to establish the relationship between health literacy and socioeconomic status of young adults in Serbia and their individual influence on the reproductive health and sexual behaviour. METHODS: This research was conducted as observational, cross-sectional study. We used STOFHLA to assess the health literacy level of young people and general information questionnaire for demographic, social and economic characteristics of respondents, health knowledge and behaviour in the area of reproductive health. Chi-square test was performed to assess the existence of association between categorical variables using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS). RESULTS: Results of our research found significant connection between levels of health literacy and age groups, marital status, but also connection with living in rural place. Socio-demographic factors and health literacy levels had significant impact on various aspects of sexual behaviour and reproductive health knowledge. CONCLUSION: The importance of this research is reflected in its contribution to a clearer understanding of the impact of health literacy and socioeconomic status on the reproductive health of young people in Serbia, with the aim of improving public policies, health interventions and educational programmes, which would contribute to reducing health inequalities, improving health outcomes, and developing targeted educational initiatives.
- MeSH
- Adult MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Adolescent MeSH
- Young Adult MeSH
- Cross-Sectional Studies MeSH
- Surveys and Questionnaires MeSH
- Reproductive Health * statistics & numerical data MeSH
- Sexual Behavior * statistics & numerical data MeSH
- Socioeconomic Factors MeSH
- Social Class * MeSH
- Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice MeSH
- Health Literacy * statistics & numerical data MeSH
- Check Tag
- Adult MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Adolescent MeSH
- Young Adult MeSH
- Male MeSH
- Female MeSH
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
- Observational Study MeSH
- Geographicals
- Serbia MeSH
OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was to identify potential areas for improvement in the prevention of oral diseases in pregnant women by assessing their oral care habits and awareness regarding oral health. METHODS: An original, anonymous, web-based survey was conducted among women at any stage of pregnancy. The survey consisted of 23 questions regarding oral care habits, knowledge about oral health of mother and child, general and oral health changes, and attendance of oral healthcare services during pregnancy. The data analysis was performed using IBM SPSS 27.0 version software. Descriptive statistics, Chi-square and Wilcoxon signed-rank tests were used to analyse the data. The level of statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. RESULTS: A total of 714 pregnant women participated in the study, with a mean (SD) age of 30.2 (4.4) years. Majority of the respondents demonstrated acceptable oral health-related knowledge and habits. A lack of interdental care among pregnant women was discovered. Nearly a third (27.6%) of the respondents reported a decline in their oral health during pregnancy. The most commonly reported general and oral health issues during pregnancy were increased stomach acid levels (71.3%) and gum bleeding (43.3%). Pregnant women were most frequently informed about the importance of oral care by an obstetrician-gynaecologist (25.4%). CONCLUSIONS: The study revealed the need for targeted interventions to enhance oral health awareness and practices among pregnant women in Lithuania. While overall oral hygiene habits were acceptable, deficiencies in interdental care and knowledge regarding oral health during pregnancy were evident. Higher level of education and urban residency were associated with superior oral care practices of pregnant women. In order to improve oral health of mother and child, interdisciplinary collaboration and dissemination of accessible, evidence-based information are essential.
- MeSH
- Adult MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Oral Hygiene * statistics & numerical data MeSH
- Oral Health * statistics & numerical data MeSH
- Surveys and Questionnaires MeSH
- Pregnancy MeSH
- Pregnant People * psychology MeSH
- Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice * MeSH
- Check Tag
- Adult MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Pregnancy MeSH
- Female MeSH
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
- Geographicals
- Lithuania MeSH
BACKGROUND: Longitudinal investigation of the association between mobile health (mHealth) app use and attitudes toward one's body during adolescence is scarce. mHealth apps might shape adolescents' body image perceptions by influencing their attitudes toward their bodies. Adolescents might also use mHealth apps based on how they feel and think about their bodies. OBJECTIVE: This prospective study examined the longitudinal within-person associations between mHealth app use, body dissatisfaction, and physical self-worth during adolescence. METHODS: The data were gathered from a nationally representative sample of Czech adolescents aged between 11 and 16 years (N=2500; n=1250, 50% girls; mean age 13.43, SD 1.69 years) in 3 waves with 6-month intervals. Participants completed online questionnaires assessing their mHealth app use, physical self-worth, and body dissatisfaction at each wave. The mHealth app use was determined by the frequency of using sports, weight management, and nutritional intake apps. Physical self-worth was assessed using the physical self-worth subscale of the Physical Self Inventory-Short Form. Body dissatisfaction was measured with the items from the body dissatisfaction subscale of the Eating Disorder Inventory-3. The random intercept cross-lagged panel model examined longitudinal within-person associations between the variables. A multigroup design was used to compare genders. Due to the missing values, the final analyses used data from 2232 adolescents (n=1089, 48.8% girls; mean age 13.43, SD 1.69 years). RESULTS: The results revealed a positive within-person effect of mHealth app use on the physical self-worth of girls: increased mHealth app use predicted higher physical self-worth 6 months later (β=.199, P=.04). However, this effect was not consistent from the 6th to the 12th month: a within-person increase in using apps in the 6th month did not predict changes in girls' physical self-worth in the 12th month (β=.161, P=.07). Regardless of gender, the within-person changes in the frequency of using apps did not influence adolescents' body dissatisfaction. In addition, neither body dissatisfaction nor physical self-worth predicted app use frequency at the within-person level. CONCLUSIONS: This study highlighted that within-person changes in using mHealth apps were differentially associated with adolescents' body-related attitudes. While increased use of mHealth apps did not influence body dissatisfaction across genders, it significantly predicted higher physical self-worth in adolescent girls 6 months later. A similar association was not observed among boys after 6 months. These findings indicate that using mHealth apps is unlikely to have a detrimental impact on adolescents' body dissatisfaction and physical self-worth; instead, they may have a positive influence, particularly in boosting the physical self-worth of adolescent girls.
- MeSH
- Child MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Longitudinal Studies MeSH
- Adolescent MeSH
- Mobile Applications * MeSH
- Body Dissatisfaction * psychology MeSH
- Personal Satisfaction MeSH
- Body Image psychology MeSH
- Prospective Studies MeSH
- Surveys and Questionnaires MeSH
- Self Concept * MeSH
- Telemedicine * MeSH
- Check Tag
- Child MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Adolescent MeSH
- Male MeSH
- Female MeSH
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
- Geographicals
- Czech Republic MeSH
This paper evaluates the first Recovery College in Slovakia, a revolutionary approach to mental health care based on the recovery concept. These colleges offer comprehensive educational programs led by individuals with personal and/or professional experience in mental health care. The main goal is to help individuals become experts in their own care; instead of prevalent paternalistic care of patients and clients who need to be told how to manage their mental health problems; it brings about a paradigm shift in the way people who experience mental illness are viewed. We used mixed research. We utilized the standardized Recovery Assessment Scale questionnaire (measuring the effect of courses on subjective recovery rates) and semi-structured interviews with staff and students of the first Recovery College in Slovakia. Interviews were focused on fulfilling the goals and principles of Recovery Colleges (Education, Co-production, Strengths-based approach, Progress and empowerment, Inclusion, Community focus and Person-centered approach). Both tools demonstrate positive changes in the lives of staff and students of the first Recovery College in Slovakia, especially when it comes to self-stigma reduction, the increase of self-responsibility, and recognizing personal strengths. The article provides a unique insight into the newly established Recovery College. It could serve as a source of inspiration.
- Keywords
- Recovery College,
- MeSH
- Mental Health MeSH
- Empowerment MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Recovery of Function * MeSH
- Health Care Surveys MeSH
- Self Concept MeSH
- Mental Health Services * organization & administration MeSH
- Peer Group MeSH
- Patient Education as Topic methods MeSH
- Check Tag
- Humans MeSH
- Geographicals
- Slovakia MeSH
PROBLEM: Disgust contributes to anxiety-based psychopathology, and in turn, anxiety increases disgust proneness. BACKGROUND: Disgust and anxiety undergo significant changes in pregnancy, but no previous study has examined their longitudinal associations in this time period. AIM: This prospective longitudinal study aimed to identify longitudinal associations between disgust sensitivity and state anxiety across the three trimesters of pregnancy, while exploring the directionality of the effect between those two variables. METHODS: At each trimester of pregnancy, the pregnant women (n = 261) completed the Disgust Scale-Revised (DS-R), the Pathogen disgust domain of the Three Domains of Disgust Scale (TDDS), and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory. A path analysis (structural equation model) was used to assess cross-lagged effects between disgust sensitivity and state anxiety across the three pregnancy trimesters. FINDINGS: We found significant cross-lagged associations between disgust and anxiety such that higher disgust (overall DS-R score, Core disgust subscale of DS-R and Pathogen disgust domain of TDDS) in the first trimester predicted greater anxiety in the third. No significant cross-lagged associations were found between Animal-reminder or Contamination disgust subscales of DS-R and state anxiety. State anxiety did not predict disgust sensitivity at any time point. DISCUSSION: Our results indicate a unidirectional association between disgust sensitivity and state anxiety in pregnant women such that disgust sensitivity in early pregnancy predicts state anxiety in late pregnancy, but anxiety does not predict disgust sensitivity at any time point. CONCLUSION: Assessing disgust in early pregnancy could help to identify women at risk of higher anxiety levels in advanced pregnancy.
- MeSH
- Adult MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Longitudinal Studies MeSH
- Disgust * MeSH
- Prospective Studies MeSH
- Surveys and Questionnaires MeSH
- Pregnancy Trimester, First * psychology MeSH
- Psychometrics instrumentation methods MeSH
- Pregnancy MeSH
- Pregnant People * psychology MeSH
- Anxiety * psychology MeSH
- Check Tag
- Adult MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Pregnancy MeSH
- Female MeSH
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
<b>Introduction:</b> The exposure to unsafe sound levels is considered a risk factor for developing noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL). Personal listening devices (PLDs) represent a common source of recreational noise among young adults. First changes of NIHL could be detected at extended high frequencies (EHFs).<b>Aim:</b> This pilot study aimed to analyze hearing thresholds at conventional frequencies (CFs) and EHFs in young adults due to the PLD use.<b>Methods:</b> Hearing thresholds of 114 otologically normal adults aged 18 to 30 years unexposed to occupational noise were assessed using conventional and extended high-frequency audiometry. Data on PLD use, leisure time noise exposure, health and lifestyle, were acquired using a questionnaire.<b>Results:</b> Differences in hearing thresholds were found at CFs but not at EHFs according to the listening frequency (daily vs less frequent listening); duration of one PLD use of more than 30 minutes; and total listening time ≥7 hours/week. Only the highest frequency was affected by loud volume listening.<b>Conclusions:</b> Changes in hearing thresholds were found at CFs, whereby long duration, high volume and daily use were associated with lower hearing thresholds in otologically healthy adults.
- MeSH
- Adult MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Adolescent MeSH
- Young Adult MeSH
- Hearing Loss, Noise-Induced * MeSH
- Pilot Projects MeSH
- Auditory Threshold * MeSH
- Check Tag
- Adult MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Adolescent MeSH
- Young Adult MeSH
- Male MeSH
- Female MeSH
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
INTRODUCTION: In health care, effective communication enhances teamwork and safety by minimizing adverse events. Evidence suggests that ongoing education should include communication skills training, as interprofessional communication relies on tools that facilitate seamless interaction. OBJECTIVE: This project aimed to improve communication practices among nurses in a long-term care unit by promoting evidence-based recommendations. METHODS: This project followed the seven phases proposed by the JBI Evidence Implementation Framework. This framework is grounded in an audit, feedback, and re-audit process, along with a structured approach to addressing barriers to compliance with best practices. JBI's Practical Application of Clinical Evidence System (PACES) and Getting Research into Practice (GRiP) approach were also used. RESULTS: A baseline audit was conducted focusing on three audit criteria. Compliance was measured by observing 250 handovers and administering a questionnaire to 14 nurses. After analyzing the results, the nursing team identified barriers and designed strategies to promote change, such as educational sessions and a focus group. The results of the follow-up audit showed significant improvements across all criteria. Nurses received training in communication for Criterion 1, which improved from 0% to 78%. For Criterion 2, training in teamwork and conflict management improved from 21% to 50%. For Criterion 3, the use of a structured communication tool (ISBAR) during handovers improved from 43.6% to 91%. CONCLUSIONS: The nursing team's involvement enabled effective change. Adapting ISBAR to a long-term care unit was an unexpected goal. The next objective is to refine and share it with similar units. Integrating communication training into health care institutions' priorities is crucial, and future audits will ensure sustainability. SPANISH ABSTRACT: http://links.lww.com/IJEBH/A295.
- MeSH
- Long-Term Care * MeSH
- Interprofessional Relations * MeSH
- Communication * MeSH
- Evidence-Based Practice MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Patient Handoff standards MeSH
- Surveys and Questionnaires MeSH
- Check Tag
- Humans MeSH
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
INTRODUCTION: PAdverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) are associated with an increased risk of mental health issues in general, but their relationship with panic disorder (PD) and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) has received less attention compared to borderline personality disorder (BPD). Dissociative experiences are significant predictors of increased symptoms, reduced treatment adherence, and poor prognosis in several psychiatric conditions, including PD, OCD, and BPD; still, their impact remains underexplored. This part of the study focuses on the overall efficiency of psychotherapeutic programs on treatment-resistant patients diagnosed with PD, OCD, and BPD (or combined), as well as the relationship between ACEs, dissociation rates, and treatment results. METHOD: The study was conducted under standard conditions in an inpatient psychotherapy unit that specialized in anxiety, affective disorders, and personality disorders. Patients were hospitalized for 6 weeks and treated with a comprehensive CBT program and pharmacotherapy. The study included patients diagnosed with PD, OCD, or BPD (or combined). Two independent psychiatrists confirmed the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Patients were assessed using the Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-II), Clinical Global Impression Scale - Severity (CGI-S), Dissociative Experience Scale (DES), and Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ-SF). RESULTS: A total of 349 out of 357 patients completed the study. The average age of patients was 33.33 ± 11.59 years. After the 6 week treatment, there was a statistically significant decrease in mean scores across all assessed scales. Changes in any scale during treatment did not correlate with the total CTQ-SF score or sub-scores. The relative change in CGI-S showed a statistically significant negative correlation with the total dissociation score on the DES scale at the beginning of treatment but not with pathological dissociation assessed by the DES-T questionnaire. Statistically significant decreases in mean CGI-S scores were observed in patients with a single diagnosis of PD, OCD, and BPD. Among comorbid groups, significant changes were observed only in patients with comorbid OCD and BPD. No statistically significant change in mean BDI-II scores was observed in patients with comorbid PD and OCD or comorbid OCD and BPD. CONCLUSIONS: Our analysis showed that treatment led to a significant decrease in the severity of depressive symptoms assessed by BDI-II and anxiety symptoms assessed by BAI in patients with PD, OCD, and BPD. This decrease was not statistically significant in patients with comorbid disorders, suggesting that the presence of multiple diagnoses may affect treatment efficacy. ACEs did not correlate to treatment results, but dissociation rates were linked with poorer treatment outcomes.
- MeSH
- Dissociative Disorders * therapy psychology MeSH
- Adult MeSH
- Inpatients MeSH
- Borderline Personality Disorder * therapy psychology MeSH
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy * methods MeSH
- Combined Modality Therapy MeSH
- Middle Aged MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Young Adult MeSH
- Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder * therapy psychology MeSH
- Panic Disorder * therapy MeSH
- Treatment Outcome MeSH
- Check Tag
- Adult MeSH
- Middle Aged MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Young Adult MeSH
- Male MeSH
- Female MeSH
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH