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European Heart Journal. Digital Health Mar 2022Cardiac rehabilitation (CR) is indicated in patients with cardiovascular disease but participation rates remain low. Telerehabilitation (TR) is often proposed as a...
AIMS
Cardiac rehabilitation (CR) is indicated in patients with cardiovascular disease but participation rates remain low. Telerehabilitation (TR) is often proposed as a solution. While many trials have investigated TR, few have studied participation rates in conventional CR non-participants. The aim of this study was to identify the percentage of patients that would be willing to participate in a TR programme to identify the main perceived barriers and facilitators for participating in TR.
METHODS AND RESULTS
Two groups of patients were recruited: CR non-participants and CR participants. Semi-structured interviews were conducted. Thirty non-participants and 30 participants were interviewed. Of CR non-participants, 33% would participate in TR and 10% would participate in a blended CR programme (combination of centre-based CR and TR). Of CR participants, 60% would participate in TR and 70% would be interested in a blended CR programme. Of those that would participate in TR, 44% would prefer centre-based CR, 33% would prefer a blended CR programme, and 11% would prefer a full TR programme. In both groups, the main facilitating aspect about TR was not needing transport and the main barrier was digital literacy.
CONCLUSION
For CR non-participants, TR will only partly solve the problem of low participation rates and blended programmes might not offer a solution. Cardiac rehabilitation participants are more prepared to participate in TR and blended CR. Digital literacy was in both groups mentioned as an important barrier, emphasizing the challenges for healthcare and local governments to keep educating all types of patients in digital literacy.
PubMed: 36713992
DOI: 10.1093/ehjdh/ztab091 -
Journal of Sex Research 2021Despite the abundance of studies investigating individual differences associated with extradyadic behavior (EB), nearly all have adopted retrospective measures in which...
Despite the abundance of studies investigating individual differences associated with extradyadic behavior (EB), nearly all have adopted retrospective measures in which the data is likely plagued by recall biases. In addition, few studies have explored individual differences or outcomes associated with EB between those with consenting and nonconsenting primary partners. Thus, the current study investigated the extent to which users participated in a wide range of EBs, whether age, gender, and sexual identity predicted participation, and the extent to which outcomes were impacted by partner consent. The results from 1460 adults (962 men, 498 women) revealed that users reported engaging in three categories of behaviors: sexual/explicit, technology/online, and emotional/affectionate behaviors and that women and those older in age reported participating in EBs more frequently than men and those younger in age. Finally, 16.9% of the sample had a primary partner that consented to their use and those with consenting partners reported greater perceived improvement in their primary relationship than did those with nonconsenting partners. Our findings highlight the importance of assessing the multitude of behaviors that users participate in and whether consent was obtained. Implications for educators and practitioners are discussed.
Topics: Adult; Emotions; Female; Gender Identity; Humans; Male; Retrospective Studies; Sexual Behavior; Sexual Partners
PubMed: 33871291
DOI: 10.1080/00224499.2021.1908509 -
BMC Women's Health Jun 2022The World Health Organisation's efforts to eliminate cervical cancer by 2030 with a target of 70% screening coverage using a high-performance test demand that women...
BACKGROUND
The World Health Organisation's efforts to eliminate cervical cancer by 2030 with a target of 70% screening coverage using a high-performance test demand that women increase participation in screening. Factors that impact uptake of screening must therefore be identified and bottlenecks addressed, especially in lower- and middle-income countries where cervical cancer incidence remains high. This study investigated Muslim women, participation in, intention to engage in and self-efficacy about cervical cancer screening.
METHODS
An analytical cross-sectional study was conducted among Muslim women aged 18 years and above in the Cape Coast Metropolis of Ghana using an interviewer-administered questionnaire. Data were analysed using appropriate descriptive statistics, Chi-square test, point biserial correlation and binary logistic regression analysis.
RESULTS
The mean age of participants was approximately 31 years (M = 30.9, SD = 10.4). Out of the 431 women, 21 (4.9%) had ever participated in cervical cancer screening. Participants demonstrated very low knowledge about cervical cancer and screening, with a mean knowledge score of 3.68 out of 15. Knowledge about cervical cancer was associated with increased odds of participating in cervical cancer screening (aOR = 1.32, 95%CI 1.11, 1.56). Concerns about similarity with health provider in terms of gender and faith was associated with decreased odds of cervical cancer screening self-efficacy (aOR = 0.81, 95% CI 0.67). Islamic modesty (aOR = 0.88, 95%CI 0.81, 0.96) was associated with decreased self-efficacy about seeking cervical cancer screening, whereas attitude (aOR = 1.32, 95%CI 1.14, 1.53) was significantly associated with increased self-efficacy about seeking cervical cancer screening. Again, Islamic modesty (aOR = 0.88, 95%CI 0.80, 0.97) was associated with decreased intention to participate in screening, whereas attitude (aOR = 1.42, 95%CI 1.20, 1.68) was associated with increased intention to participate in screening.
CONCLUSIONS
There are gaps in knowledge of cervical cancer among Muslim women in this study as less than 5% had participated in screening. A positive attitude was found to influence intention to screen and actual participation in screening programmes. Islamic modesty and commitment to the Islamic faith decreased intention and self-efficacy regarding screening. Therefore, comprehensive and appropriate socio-cultural and religion-specific interventions aimed at addressing the barriers to screening are important in improving uptake among Muslim women.
Topics: Adult; Cross-Sectional Studies; Early Detection of Cancer; Female; Ghana; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; Humans; Intention; Islam; Mass Screening; Self Efficacy; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms
PubMed: 35698121
DOI: 10.1186/s12905-022-01803-0 -
Disability and Health Journal Jul 2022Despite a long history of research on the benefits of exercise for people with mobility impairments, little is known about how exercise affects participation in their... (Randomized Controlled Trial)
Randomized Controlled Trial
BACKGROUND
Despite a long history of research on the benefits of exercise for people with mobility impairments, little is known about how exercise affects participation in their daily activities.
OBJECTIVE
This randomized mixed-methods study examined the effects of participating in a structured community-based exercise program on pain, depression, fatigue, exertion and participation in daily activities.
METHOD
Study participants were recruited from a population-based sample of people who returned a survey (n = 800) and indicated they would be willing to participate in another study. The intervention group was randomly assigned to participate in a physical therapy evaluation and 30 exercise sessions within four months and the control group completed measures only. Ecological momentary assessment and a daily diary was used to evaluate treatment outcomes for the intervention relative to the control group on pain, depression, fatigue, exertion and participation in high exertion activities. We also interviewed a subset of intervention participants to solicit their lived experience from engaging in the exercise intervention.
RESULTS
Exercise intervention participants reported 28% less pain and 19% less fatigue than control participants. They also reported engaging in 11% more bathing and grooming, 22% more household chores, and left their homes 13% more than control participants. These results were mirrored in qualitative interview results.
CONCLUSIONS
Participating in an exercise program leads to less pain and fatigue and more participation in activities that require relatively high levels of exertion like bathing and leaving home.
Topics: Activities of Daily Living; Disabled Persons; Exercise Therapy; Fatigue; Humans; Pain
PubMed: 35249859
DOI: 10.1016/j.dhjo.2022.101272 -
BMC Medical Education Mar 2023Medical schools are reported to be less accessible to students with non-traditional backgrounds. These students face barriers when applying for and transitioning to...
BACKGROUND
Medical schools are reported to be less accessible to students with non-traditional backgrounds. These students face barriers when applying for and transitioning to medical school, which may be reduced by offering free preparatory activities. By equalizing access to resources, these activities are expected to reduce disparities in selection outcomes and early academic performance. In the present study, four free institutionally-provided preparatory activities were evaluated by comparing the demographic composition of participating and non-participating applicants. Additionally, the association between participation and selection outcomes and early academic performance was investigated for subgroups (based on sex, migration background and parental education).
METHODS
Participants were applicants to a Dutch medical school in 2016-2019 (N = 3592). Free preparatory activities included Summer School (N = 595), Coaching Day (N = 1794), Pre-Academic Program (N = 217), and Junior Med School (N = 81), supplemented with data on participation in commercial coaching (N = 65). Demographic compositions of participants and non-participants were compared using chi-squared tests. Regression analyses were performed to compare selection outcomes (curriculum vitae [CV], selection test score, probability of enrolment) and early academic performance (first-course grade) between participants and non-participants of demographic subgroups, controlling for pre-university grades and participation in other activities.
RESULTS
Generally, no differences in sociodemographic compositions of participants and non-participants were found, but males participated less often in Summer School and Coaching Day. Applicants with a non-Western background participated less often in commercial coaching, but the overall participation rate was low and participation had negligible effects on selection outcomes. Participation in Summer School and Coaching Day were stronger related with selection outcomes. In some cases, this association was even stronger for males and candidates with a migration background. After controlling for pre-university grades, none of the preparatory activities were positively associated with early academic performance.
CONCLUSIONS
Free institutionally-provided preparatory activities may contribute to student diversity in medical education, because usage was similar across sociodemographic subgroups, and participation was positively associated with selection outcomes of underrepresented and non-traditional students. However, since participation was not associated with early academic performance, adjustments to activities and/or curricula are needed to ensure inclusion and retention after selection.
Topics: Male; Humans; Cohort Studies; School Admission Criteria; Education, Medical; Educational Status; Ethnicity; Schools, Medical
PubMed: 36991413
DOI: 10.1186/s12909-023-04191-7 -
Preventive Medicine Reports Apr 2022The aim of this study was to evaluate program retention factors in a repeated team-based weight-loss and healthy lifestyle program for Aboriginal and Torres Strait...
The aim of this study was to evaluate program retention factors in a repeated team-based weight-loss and healthy lifestyle program for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples. Data comprised 3107 participants in 10 Aboriginal Knockout Health Challenge contests. Multiple variable and bivariate analyses compared age, gender, self-reported behaviors (physical activity and fruit and vegetable consumption) and objectively measured weight between completers and non-completers. First-time participants (n = 3107) who completed were more likely to be female, be older, weigh less and have more completing members in their team; only the number of team members completing was significant among participants (n = 1245) who took part in a second contest participation. Multivariate results were similar, with a participant's odds of completing on their first and second participation occasion increasing by 1.16 and 1.18, respectively, with every teammate completed. Given that the strongest effect centered on a social factor, this highlights the importance of having community-driven design and the benefits of a group-based approach to engage and maintain First Peoples' engagement in preventive health programs. Further, by identifying a change in factors associated with retention in successive weight-loss attempts, this study improves understanding of retention in weight-loss programs more generally.
PubMed: 35141119
DOI: 10.1016/j.pmedr.2022.101710 -
Neuropsychiatric Disease and Treatment 2020This study aimed to investigate the sensory integration and perceptual-motor performances in elementary school children (5-12 years) with autistic spectrum disorder...
PURPOSE
This study aimed to investigate the sensory integration and perceptual-motor performances in elementary school children (5-12 years) with autistic spectrum disorder (ASD) in Taiwan. The impacts of comprehensive body functions on activity participations in ASD were also investigated to provide evidence for clinical applications and further study.
METHODS
One hundred and seventeen children with ASD (42 females; aged 5-13 years, average age 8 years 3 months) were recruited. All participants were assessed with standardized measures of body functions and activity participations. The body function measures included Bruininks-Oseretsky of Motor Proficiency - Second Edition, Sensory Profile, Test of Sensory Integration Functions, and Test of Visual Perception Skills - Third Edition. The activity participation measures included the Chinese versions of both Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scale and School Function Assessment.
RESULTS
School-aged children with ASD had different levels of impairments on body function measures. Most participant scores fell within the impairment range on 13 to 15 items out of the total 19 sensory and perceptual-motor measure subtests, with worst performance on coordination-related motor task and most sensory integrative dimensions. The results indicated a significant main effect for age and sex on some body functions and activity participations. Correlation analyses indicated strong associations between body function and activity participation across settings in ASD.
CONCLUSION
Our findings characterized the developmental continuum of body functions of school-aged children with ASD and showed their associations with adaptation and participation. While emphasizing the development of functional skills to facilitate age-appropriate activity participation in multiple scenarios, interventions aiming to improve body functions are indispensable.
PubMed: 32753871
DOI: 10.2147/NDT.S253337 -
European Journal of Cancer Prevention :... May 2023Today, women 50 years of age are offered three types of cancer screening in France. However, participation is not optimal. The aim was to describe (1) participation in...
BACKGROUND
Today, women 50 years of age are offered three types of cancer screening in France. However, participation is not optimal. The aim was to describe (1) participation in organised breast cancer screening (OS) of women aged 56 years old, and the influence of this participation on colorectal and cervical cancer screening, (2) the reasons for non-participation in breast cancer OS, and (3) the reasons for screening before age 50.
METHODS
A questionnaire was sent to 56-year-old women in four French departments to identify their participation behaviour in three breast cancer OS invitations and their reasons for non-participation. Three groups were determined according to the number of participations in breast cancer OS (3, 1-2 and 0). We described the quantitative responses and grouped the qualitative responses thematically.
RESULTS
A total of 4634 women responded to the questionnaire. Seventy-six percent had undergone all three breast cancer OS, 16% irregular and 7% non-participant. Among women who irregularly perform breast cancer OS, 50.5% also irregularly perform colorectal cancer OS. Women who participated in all three invitations for the breast cancer OS performed more smear tests than women in the other groups. Many of the irregular participants or non-participants underwent opportunistic screening, often initiated before the age of 50. The reasons for non-participation in breast cancer OS were mainly medical or participation in opportunistic screening.
CONCLUSION
There is no fundamental opposition to participation in breast cancer screening. However, it remains of the utmost importance that women should be better informed about OS and its benefits.
Topics: Female; Humans; Middle Aged; Breast Neoplasms; Mammography; Early Detection of Cancer; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms; Mass Screening
PubMed: 36779309
DOI: 10.1097/CEJ.0000000000000777 -
International Journal For Equity in... Jan 2023Increasing evidence suggests that participation proportions in longitudinal health research vary according to sex/gender, age, social class, or migration status....
BACKGROUND
Increasing evidence suggests that participation proportions in longitudinal health research vary according to sex/gender, age, social class, or migration status. Intersectionality scholarship purports that such social categories cannot be understood in isolation and makes visible the co-dependent nature of the social determinants of health and illness. This paper uses an intersectionality-informed approach in order to expand the understanding of why people participate in health research, and the impact of intersecting social structures and experiences on these attitudes.
METHODS
A sample of 80 respondents who had previously either accepted or declined an invitation to participate in the German National Cohort (NAKO) participated in our interview study. Interviews were semi-structured and contained both narrative elements and more structured probes. Data analysis proceeded in two steps: first, the entire data set was analysed thematically (separately for participants and non-participants); second, key themes were compared across self-reported sex/gender, age group and migration status to identify differences and commonalities.
RESULTS
Respondents' attitudes towards study participation can be categorised into four themes: wanting to make a contribution, seeking personalised health information, excitement and feeling chosen, and seeking social recognition. Besides citing logistical challenges, non-participants narrated adverse experiences with or attitudes towards science and the healthcare system that deterred them from participating. A range of social experiences and cultural value systems shaped such attitudes; in particular, this includes the cultural authority of science as an arbiter of social questions, transgressing social categories and experiences of marginalisation. Care responsibilities, predominantly borne by female respondents, also impacted upon the decision to take part in NAKO.
DISCUSSION
Our findings suggest that for participants, health research constitutes a site of distinction in the sense of making a difference and being distinct or distinguishable, whereas non-participants inhabited an orientation towards science that reflected their subjective marginalisation through science. No clear relationship can thereby be presumed between social location and a particular attitude towards study participation; rather, such attitudes transgress and challenge categorical boundaries. This challenges the understanding of particular populations as more or less disadvantaged, or as more or less inclined to participate in health research.
Topics: Humans; Female; Intersectional Framework; Emotions; Data Analysis; Narration; Self Report
PubMed: 36721141
DOI: 10.1186/s12939-022-01807-0