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BMC Public Health Dec 2021Ghana is facing the public health "double burden" of both communicable and chronic diseases. To combat increased chronic disease prevalence, physical activity promotion...
BACKGROUND
Ghana is facing the public health "double burden" of both communicable and chronic diseases. To combat increased chronic disease prevalence, physical activity promotion efforts are necessary. The Ministry of Health (MOH) developed physical activity guidelines in 2009, but community members are unaware of the guidelines and sample activities (e.g., ballroom dancing) are not culturally appropriate. The purposes of this study were to investigate 1) dissemination of the physical activity guidelines through MOH and Ghana Health Service (GHS) and 2) culturally appropriate physical activities.
METHODS
Data were collected in urban and rural areas of Ghana through focus groups (N = 2) with community representatives and in-depth interviews (N = 15) with GHS health workers. Focus group and interview questions included recommended types of physical activity; interview questions included dissemination factors based on Diffusion of Innovations. The research team analyzed the data through an inductive, grounded theory approach.
RESULTS
Together, the focus groups and in-depth interviews generated 942 meaning units coded into themes of Physical Activity Perceptions (N = 337 meaning units), Suggested Physical Activities (N = 317), and Dissemination and Implementation Factors (N = 290). Participants had positive perceptions of physical activity but expressed concerns over individual abilities; barriers included the built environment and a lack of time. Suggested physical activities included walking, jogging, football, and dancing for adults; traditional games and football for youth, and walking and daily chores for older adults. Participants noted that guideline implementation was influenced by leadership engagement at multiple levels, relative advantage, and compatibility. Respondents suggested implementation strategies to resolve barriers, including involving partner organizations and developing an implementation plan. Participants were largely unaware of the physical activity guidelines; typical dissemination methods included written materials and the internet.
CONCLUSIONS
The results of this study suggest that physical activity guidelines should include familiar physical activities such as traditional games. Results also suggest that public health workers within GHS experience challenges in disseminating the physical activity guidelines. Adapting, disseminating, and implementing physical activity guidelines is a necessary step in increasing physical activity levels and preventing chronic diseases. These results contribute to understanding translation of physical activity policy to practice.
Topics: Adolescent; Aged; Exercise; Focus Groups; Ghana; Humans; Qualitative Research; Walking
PubMed: 34895182
DOI: 10.1186/s12889-021-12250-1 -
BMJ Open Dec 2023Healthcare systems are currently facing challenges in enhancing access and improving the quality of healthcare services around the world, and one of the innovative...
INTRODUCTION
Healthcare systems are currently facing challenges in enhancing access and improving the quality of healthcare services around the world, and one of the innovative strategies that have been used to address such challenges is the positive deviance (PD) approach. The approach assumes that identifying, examining, understanding and disseminating solutions to problems that are already available within the community and organisations including the healthcare system can help in bringing improvements at scale. However, to the best of the researcher's knowledge, there is no scoping review, that is, conducted to map and synthesise the available evidence on the use of the PD approach for healthcare system service improvements. Hence, this scoping review aims to map and synthesise resources on the methodologies and reported outcomes and identify gaps and potentials regarding the use of the PD approach in the healthcare system.
METHODS AND ANALYSIS
Articles will be searched and retrieved in research databases such as PubMed, Embase and Scopus. Retrieved articles will be screened independently for inclusion through a title and, or abstract review. Then, articles that passed the title and abstract review will be screened by reading the full texts. A descriptive mapping and synthesis of the literature will be employed to present data using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis extension for Scoping Reviews checklist and data will be presented in text, figure and table formats.
ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION
The results of this scoping review will be published in peer-reviewed reputable international journals. Furthermore, it will also be disseminated through conference presentations, and popular press to the wider community. However, formal ethical approval is not required as primary data will not be collected.
Topics: Humans; Checklist; Databases, Factual; Delivery of Health Care; Peer Review; Research Design; Review Literature as Topic; Systematic Reviews as Topic; Clinical Protocols
PubMed: 38101832
DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2023-078809 -
Tropical Medicine and Health Feb 2022This paper discusses the challenges of disseminating COVID-19 information to migrant populations by sharing our trial-and-error approach. In 2018, the Migrants' Neighbor... (Review)
Review
This paper discusses the challenges of disseminating COVID-19 information to migrant populations by sharing our trial-and-error approach. In 2018, the Migrants' Neighbor Network & Action (MINNA), a consortium of individuals and organizations that addressed the issues of accessing relevant information and services for migrants in Japan, was launched. Amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, the MINNA attempted to investigate and improve access to health information among Vietnamese, Nepali, and Burmese migrants in Japan. We had three assumptions in distribution of information to reach a large audience, such as building a multilingual website, requesting stakeholders to disseminate information, or posting on Facebook. None of our assumptions were sufficient to reach the target audience in the context of COVID-19, as total number of views that accessed our materials were less than 300 at most. We viewed these myths as the result of overlooking critical elements of effective communication strategies. Eventually, MINNA managed to establish communication with the manager of a Facebook page with the largest number of followers from the Vietnamese community in Japan. Compared with our previous attempts, the messages were delivered to a large audience on the Facebook page, such as the article on COVID-19 vaccines that was viewed more than 300,000 times. In public health emergencies, interactive process of information dissemination is necessary. It is a key component for risk communication and should be prioritized. Breakthroughs in communicating with a larger audience could be possible through partnerships with online communities.
PubMed: 35105384
DOI: 10.1186/s41182-022-00404-9 -
Ophthalmology Sep 2020
Topics: Biomedical Research; COVID-19; Disease Transmission, Infectious; Humans; Information Dissemination; Intersectoral Collaboration; Ophthalmologists; Ophthalmology; Practice Patterns, Physicians'; SARS-CoV-2; Social Media
PubMed: 32502595
DOI: 10.1016/j.ophtha.2020.05.048 -
Frontiers in Veterinary Science 2023Physical and non-physical processes that occur in nature may influence biological processes, such as dissemination of infectious diseases. However, such processes may be...
INTRODUCTION
Physical and non-physical processes that occur in nature may influence biological processes, such as dissemination of infectious diseases. However, such processes may be hard to detect when they are complex systems. Because complexity is a dynamic and non-linear interaction among numerous elements and structural levels in which specific effects are not necessarily linked to any one specific element, cause-effect connections are rarely or poorly observed.
METHODS
To test this hypothesis, the complex and dynamic properties of geo-biological data were explored with high-resolution epidemiological data collected in the 2001 Uruguayan foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) epizootic that mainly affected cattle. County-level data on cases, farm density, road density, river density, and the ratio of road (or river) length/county perimeter were analyzed with an open-ended procedure that identified geographical clustering in the first 11 epidemic weeks. Two questions were asked: (i) do geo-referenced epidemiologic data display complex properties? and (ii) can such properties facilitate or prevent disease dissemination?
RESULTS
Emergent patterns were detected when complex data structures were analyzed, which were not observed when variables were assessed individually. Complex properties-including data circularity-were demonstrated. The emergent patterns helped identify 11 counties as 'disseminators' or 'facilitators' (F) and 264 counties as 'barriers' (B) of epidemic spread. In the early epidemic phase, F and B counties differed in terms of road density and FMD case density. Focusing on non-biological, geographical data, a second analysis indicated that complex relationships may identify B-like counties even before epidemics occur.
DISCUSSION
Geographical barriers and/or promoters of disease dispersal may precede the introduction of emerging pathogens. If corroborated, the analysis of geo-referenced complexity may support anticipatory epidemiological policies.
PubMed: 37252396
DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2023.1149460 -
Journal of Neurosurgery. Case Lessons Feb 2022Central neurocytomas usually have a favorable clinical course, and gross total resection (GTR) results in long-term survival. Recurrences of central neurocytomas are...
BACKGROUND
Central neurocytomas usually have a favorable clinical course, and gross total resection (GTR) results in long-term survival. Recurrences of central neurocytomas are usually local, and dissemination is extremely rare.
OBSERVATIONS
A 24-year-old man who presented with vomiting was found to have a mass in the right lateral ventricle. After GTR, he received whole-brain irradiation and chemotherapy and had remained disease-free on follow-up for years. The review of the initial tumor revealed central neurocytoma. Seventeen years later, he presented with deterioration of memory, and magnetic resonance imaging showed an enhanced lesion in the left hippocampus. The enhanced lesion was resected, and the histological examination revealed that the tumor was a disseminated atypical central neurocytoma with frequent mitoses. Although he was treated with chemotherapy, the disseminated tumor slowly grew and invaded the brain. Massive brain invasion occurred without enhanced lesions, and he died 27 months after the tumor recurrence.
LESSONS
In this patient, a central neurocytoma disseminated after an extremely long period of time. Once neurocytomas disseminate and show aggressive behavior, patients usually follow a poor course. Patients with central neurocytomas should be followed up for a long time.
PubMed: 36130558
DOI: 10.3171/CASE21610 -
AMIA ... Annual Symposium Proceedings.... 2021Marginalized communities often mistrust research due to a history of unethical practice and limited community engagement. Research community engagement is expected with...
Marginalized communities often mistrust research due to a history of unethical practice and limited community engagement. Research community engagement is expected with Indigenous communities, but few empirical studies have explored engagement in results dissemination, let alone using technology. Studies on using technology to disseminate results focus on health and research professional audiences. This paper discusses Alaska Native stakeholder values on technology to facilitate collaborative results dissemination. In this formative study, six participants engaged in participatory design activities on collaborative results dissemination. Sketches and interviews were analyzed deductively using a value-based codebook. Study findings highlight the importance of community context and transparency. Contextual awareness includes understanding local culture and power dynamics, acknowledging the diversity of cultural practices within Alaska Native groups. Transparency is tied to clear communication: encouraging active dialogue and providing alternatives to communicate research. Technology that supports such collaborative dissemination could increase trust and improve adoption of research-recommended actions.
Topics: Alaska Natives; Communication; Humans; Technology; Trust
PubMed: 35308978
DOI: No ID Found -
Journal of Interpersonal Violence Aug 2023Sext dissemination (i.e., the online sharing of sexually explicit images) has the potential to result in legal, social, and psychological harms. Recent research has...
Sext dissemination (i.e., the online sharing of sexually explicit images) has the potential to result in legal, social, and psychological harms. Recent research has shown that this behavior can be consensual or non-consensual in nature; yet little is known about how motivations or attitudes may differ between these forms, or with gender. This study is based on a cross-sectional online survey investigating consensual and non-consensual sext dissemination and associated demographic, behavioral, attitudinal, and psychological factors. Participants were 2,126 cisgendered adults aged 18 to 30 years ( = 22.97, = 3.21, 55% women, 45% men), resident in Western, English-speaking nations, particularly Australia. Around 10% of respondents reported disseminating texts, and of these, only 19.8% indicated they had permission for this, with no differences across gender. When sexts were disseminated "to gossip," this was significantly more likely to be non-consensual. There were no significant differences between consensual and non-consensual dissemination in subjective attitudes or norms toward dissemination, nor levels of psychological distress. Women were more likely to non-consensually disseminate sexts that had been received as unwanted or unwelcome. Consensual dissemination was weakly associated with being sexually active and having given consent to having one's own images disseminated. We discuss implications for future research regarding consent, and relationship and sexuality education.
Topics: Male; Adult; Humans; Female; Motivation; Cross-Sectional Studies; Sexual Behavior; Attitude; Informed Consent
PubMed: 37067003
DOI: 10.1177/08862605231163886 -
Cancers Apr 2023Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) disseminates with high prevalence to the central nervous system (CNS) in a process resembling aspects of the CNS surveillance of... (Review)
Review
Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) disseminates with high prevalence to the central nervous system (CNS) in a process resembling aspects of the CNS surveillance of normal immune cells as well as aspects of brain metastasis from solid cancers. Importantly, inside the CNS, the ALL blasts are typically confined within the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)-filled cavities of the subarachnoid space, which they use as a sanctuary protected from both chemotherapy and immune cells. At present, high cumulative doses of intrathecal chemotherapy are administered to patients, but this is associated with neurotoxicity and CNS relapse still occurs. Thus, it is imperative to identify markers and novel therapy targets specific to CNS ALL. Integrins represent a family of adhesion molecules involved in cell-cell and cell-matrix interactions, implicated in the adhesion and migration of metastatic cancer cells, normal immune cells, and leukemic blasts. The ability of integrins to also facilitate cell-adhesion mediated drug resistance, combined with recent discoveries of integrin-dependent routes of leukemic cells into the CNS, have sparked a renewed interest in integrins as markers and therapeutic targets in CNS leukemia. Here, we review the roles of integrins in CNS surveillance by normal lymphocytes, dissemination to the CNS by ALL cells, and brain metastasis from solid cancers. Furthermore, we discuss whether ALL dissemination to the CNS abides by known hallmarks of metastasis, and the potential roles of integrins in this context.
PubMed: 37173970
DOI: 10.3390/cancers15092504 -
Microorganisms Feb 2023House flies are well recognized as filth-associated organisms and public nuisances. House flies create sanitation issues when they bridge the gap between microbe-rich... (Review)
Review
House flies are well recognized as filth-associated organisms and public nuisances. House flies create sanitation issues when they bridge the gap between microbe-rich breeding environments and animal/human habitations. Numerous scientific surveys have demonstrated that house flies harbor bacterial pathogens that pose a threat to humans and animals. More extensive and informative surveys incorporating next-generation sequencing technologies have shown that house fly carriage of pathogens and harmful genetic elements, such as antimicrobial resistance genes, is more widespread and dangerous than previously thought. Further, there is a strong body of research confirming that flies not only harbor but also transmit viable, and presumably infectious, bacterial pathogens. Some pathogens replicate and persist in the fly, permitting prolonged shedding and dissemination. Finally, although the drivers still have yet to be firmly determined, the potential range of dissemination of flies and their associated pathogens can be extensive. Despite this evidence, the house flies' role as reservoirs, disseminators, and true, yet facultative, vectors for pathogens have been greatly underestimated and underappreciated. In this review, we present key studies that bolster the house fly's role both an important player in microbial ecology and population biology and as transmitters of microbial threats to animal and human health.
PubMed: 36985156
DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms11030583