Yuval Krieger, Mai Ofri, Gali Sagi, Hila Moshe-Noach, Pnina Raiden, Yaron Shoham, Amiram Sagi, Anat Reiner Benaim, Eldad Silberstein
{"title":"Long-Term Functional Outcomes and Quality of Life Following Carpal Tunnel Release Surgery","authors":"Yuval Krieger, Mai Ofri, Gali Sagi, Hila Moshe-Noach, Pnina Raiden, Yaron Shoham, Amiram Sagi, Anat Reiner Benaim, Eldad Silberstein","doi":"10.3390/ijerph21091203","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph21091203","url":null,"abstract":"This study investigates the long-term efficacy of carpal tunnel release surgery (CTR) on patient outcomes. We aimed to assess symptom severity, functional limitations, and quality of life in a large cohort (n = 186) at least five years post-surgery via a retrospective cross-sectional design that evaluated participants using the validated Boston Carpal Tunnel Questionnaire (BCTQ) over a phone interview. The BCTQ measures symptom severity, functional limitations, and quality of life specific to carpal tunnel syndrome. Seventy-three percent (73.1%) of patients reported complete resolution of symptoms and functional limitations (BCTQ = 1) with an average follow-up of 11 years. No statistically significant decline in BCTQ scores was observed over time. Univariate analysis revealed a significant association between poorer outcomes and older age at surgery and current unemployment. Carpal tunnel release surgery demonstrates long-term effectiveness in relieving symptoms and improving function in most patients. These findings contribute to the understanding of CTR’s impact on patient well-being beyond short-term outcomes.","PeriodicalId":14044,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health","volume":"24 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-09-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142191887","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"综合性期刊","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Serena C. L. Buchwald, Daniel Gitelman, Dins Smits, Pura E. Rodriguez de la Vega, Noël C. Barengo
{"title":"The Impact of Physical Activity on Memory Loss and Concentration in Adults Aged 18 or Older in the U.S. in 2020","authors":"Serena C. L. Buchwald, Daniel Gitelman, Dins Smits, Pura E. Rodriguez de la Vega, Noël C. Barengo","doi":"10.3390/ijerph21091193","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph21091193","url":null,"abstract":"This cross-sectional study used secondary data from the USA 2020 National Health Interview Survey database. The goal of this study is to outline the impact physical activity has on cognition and mental ability. The reason we chose to pursue this research was a result of the exponentially growing weight of economic and emotional burden caused by cognitive impairments and diseases. The main outcome was whether individuals experienced dementia symptoms such as memory loss and difficulty concentrating. The main exposure was following physical activity guidelines (none, strength only, aerobic only, both). The confounders included age, sex, region, heart disease status, smoking status, drinking status, and depression status. The sample is composed of 30,119 USA adults aged 18 or older. Of those participants, 46% were male and 54% were female. By age, 96% were 18–84 years old, and approximately 4% were 85 and older. Logistic regression analysis was used to calculate odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). There was a statistically significant association between difficulty following physical activity guidelines and cognitive difficulties. Those who met aerobic only increased the odds of cognitive difficulty by 52% (OR 1.52; 95% CI: 1.34–1.74) compared with those who met both criteria. Those who met the strength criteria had 1.7 greater odds of cognitive difficulties (OR 1.70; 95% CI: 1.42–2.02) than those who met both criteria. Those who met neither of these guidelines had almost threefold greater odds of having cognitive difficulties (OR 2.64; 95% CI: 2.36–2.96) than those who met both guidelines. Researchers and healthcare providers should collaborate to encourage meeting these guidelines and addressing barriers preventing people from being physically active, such as physical limitations and access to safe recreational spaces. Future studies should address the health disparities regarding physical activity.","PeriodicalId":14044,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health","volume":"395 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-09-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142191888","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"综合性期刊","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Mélanie Boithias, Thi Thao Truc Le, Emma Guillet-Descas, Alain Belli, Mikko Julin, Michael J. Duncan
{"title":"Physiological and Psychological Effects of Short-Term Recreational Football in Adults 60+","authors":"Mélanie Boithias, Thi Thao Truc Le, Emma Guillet-Descas, Alain Belli, Mikko Julin, Michael J. Duncan","doi":"10.3390/ijerph21091194","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph21091194","url":null,"abstract":"Recreational football has shown growing evidence that it could be played safely in adults aged 60+ and that it is physically beneficial. Less is known about the psychological aspects, except for the lived experiences of players. The aim of the present study was to analyze both physiological and psychological effects of short-term recreational football. Fifteen participants took part in a six-week training program of recreational football played at a walking pace with two sessions of 1 h and 30 m per week. Physical fitness was assessed before and after the training period and psychological questionnaires were given at the same time. Body mass and body mass index were significantly decreased, but no other significant effects were found on physical fitness. Participants experienced less frustration related to psychological needs (autonomy and competence). Six weeks were too short to observe significant physical improvements while psychological benefits were already experienced. In this short period, psychological aspects seem predominant. These effects may encourage to long-term adhesion. The activity has the potential to keep adults 60+ exercising, which is important for maintaining good global health and seeing physical changes later.","PeriodicalId":14044,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health","volume":"75 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-09-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142191891","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"综合性期刊","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"A Comparison of an Australian First Nations Primary Healthcare Data Specification with Potentially Preventable Hospitalisations","authors":"Boyd Potts, Christopher M. Doran, Stephen J. Begg","doi":"10.3390/ijerph21091192","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph21091192","url":null,"abstract":"Potentially Preventable Hospitalisations (PPH) is a widely used indicator of the effectiveness of non-hospital care. Specified using the International Classification of Diseases (ICD) coding, PPH comprises a suite of health conditions that could have potentially been prevented with appropriate care. The most recent edition of the National Guide to a Preventative Health Assessment for First Nations People documents the health conditions of interest to providers of primary care, many of which are not represented in PPH. Given the National Guide has been developed specifically with First Nations in mind, the aim of this research is twofold. The first aim is to formally posit the question of whether a summative measure of hospitalisations aligned diagnostically to the National Guide has value either as an alternative or complement to PPH in the context of First Nations primary health information. The second aim is to develop and present a prototype ICD-10 data specification for such a measure, referred to as the First Nations primary healthcare (FNPHC) data specification, and examine the age-standardised hospitalisation rates for FNPHC and PPH for correlations and/or differences. Age-standardised hospitalisation rates from 2016–17 to 2019–20 using both classifications were examined to assess the usefulness and relevance of summative measures of hospitalisations for informing primary care. Rates of FNPHC for principal diagnoses were between 1.5 and 2.5 times higher than those of PPH and approximately between 6 and 12 times higher for additional diagnoses. There was a strong correlation with PPH when rates were compared across all observations: jurisdictions with higher rates of PPH tended to have higher rates of hospitalisations according to the custom specification. Findings support its application as a summary measure for First Nations primary care providers. Given the policy landscape in Australia that aims to close the gap, it is imperative that measures of primary health take advantage of the concepts and application of First Nations data sovereignty and governance. The validity and cultural appropriateness of the First Nations primary health data specification needs to be further researched.","PeriodicalId":14044,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health","volume":"24 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-09-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142191889","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"综合性期刊","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Nuno Pinto de Sousa Lopes, António Miguel Cruz-Ferreira, Diana Torres Lima, Marta Amaral Silva, Luiz Miguel Santiago
{"title":"Athlete Health Implications of Match Injuries in Portuguese Rugby Union","authors":"Nuno Pinto de Sousa Lopes, António Miguel Cruz-Ferreira, Diana Torres Lima, Marta Amaral Silva, Luiz Miguel Santiago","doi":"10.3390/ijerph21091191","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph21091191","url":null,"abstract":"Objective: Our aim was to report time-loss match injuries in Portugal’s “Divisão de Honra” (Portuguese first tier) in the 2022/2023 season, focusing on injury incidence, burden, anatomical region, and type, to assess their impact on athletes’ health and availability to play. Methods: A prospective cohort study was conducted monitoring injuries via an online form filled in by each team’s medical department, categorizing player position, as well as injury type, location, and severity. Incidence and burden were calculated per 1000 player-match-hours. Results: The overall injury incidence was 54.4 injuries per 1000 player-match-hours (95% CI 30.3–96.2). Forwards had higher injury incidence than backs. Lower limbs were the most affected locations—29 injuries/1000 h of exposure (95% CI 13.7–52.0). Sprain/ligaments injuries were the most common type of injury (14.4 injuries/1000 h (95% CI 3.7–30.0), followed by muscle injuries (8.1 injuries/1000 h 95% CI 4.9–11.5). Discussion: Injury incidence was higher than what is reported in amateur competitions and lower than for professionals. Injury severity was similar to that in other studies. Our study suggests a lower injury burden than in other semi-professional and elite leagues. These findings highlight the need for targeted injury prevention strategies in the Portuguese Rugby Union to increase athletes’ availability by decreasing injury incidence and/or burden. Further research with broader participation and training injury data is needed.","PeriodicalId":14044,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health","volume":"5 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-09-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142191892","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"综合性期刊","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"The Effect of Parents’ Nutrition Literacy on Children’s Oral-Health-Related Quality of Life","authors":"Busra Aslan Gonul, Betul Cicek","doi":"10.3390/ijerph21091190","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph21091190","url":null,"abstract":"Parents can help children adopt good eating habits early in childhood by encouraging them to eat healthy. While parents’ levels of nutritional literacy is known to play a role in children’s healthy nutrition, healthy food is also essential in improving oral-health-related quality of life (OHRQoL). Since the effect of parents’ nutritional literacy on children’s OHRQoL is not yet known, this study aimed to examine the impact of parental nutritional literacy on children’s OHRQoL. This study was conducted with 459 parents of children aged 3–6 living in the Central Anatolia Region of Türkiye. Data collection tools included a sociodemographic form, the Early Childhood Oral Health Impact Scale (ECOHIS) and the Evaluation Instrument of Nutrition Literacy on Adults (EINLA). Data were analyzed in SPSS, using Student’s t-test, Chi-square test, and binary logistic regression models. Parents with higher nutritional literacy tend to have higher levels of education. An increase in total nutritional literacy score, especially in the general nutrition knowledge (GNK) and food label and numerical literacy (FLNL) subscales, was associated with higher child OHRQoL. Increasing parents’ nutritional literacy levels can contribute to OHRQoL by enabling them to be good role models for their children. Therefore, increasing parents’ nutritional literacy can improve OHRQoL by improving children’s nutrition and can be considered a protective factor for oral health.","PeriodicalId":14044,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health","volume":"59 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-09-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142191890","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"综合性期刊","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Lydia Lochhead, Michelle Addison, John Cavener, Steph Scott, William McGovern
{"title":"Exploring the Impact of Stigma on Health and Wellbeing: Insights from Mothers with Lived Experience Accessing Recovery Services","authors":"Lydia Lochhead, Michelle Addison, John Cavener, Steph Scott, William McGovern","doi":"10.3390/ijerph21091189","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph21091189","url":null,"abstract":"Stigmatisation is the process by which an individual is devalued based on their attributes, characteristics, and/or behaviour, with this often leading to prejudice, social and health-related harms, active discrimination, and microaggressions. The aim of this paper is to show how social harms can occur and how stigma is damaging to the health and wellbeing of a person in recovery. To do so, we focus on the harms that arise from the internalisation of labels that mothers who use drugs encounter in a treatment and recovery setting whilst in active recovery, and how this stigmatisation can manifest negative self-beliefs. Qualitative data was used from two semi-structured focus groups involving females with lived experience of substance use (n = 13). A reflexive thematic analysis approach was used to analyse the interview transcripts, and three themes were identified: (1) the enduring nature of stigma; (2) gender disparity and the need for mothers- and women-only spaces; and (3) stigma as a barrier to services and wellbeing. Findings revealed the enduring nature of stigma amongst mothers who were in active recovery, with women feeling judged more harshly than men and experiencing pressure to live up to a “good mother” ideal whilst in recovery. This paper demonstrates that mothers in recovery are still stigmatised and, as a consequence, approach services with increased sensitivity, with stigma often resulting in disengagement or reluctance to access healthcare settings. We conclude that staff in health, social, and primary care settings need to develop a strong therapeutic alliance with mothers in recovery and promote anti-stigma approaches in their practice, in order to mitigate stigma and reduce harms to health and wellbeing.","PeriodicalId":14044,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health","volume":"12 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-09-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142191911","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"综合性期刊","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"The Influence of the Home Food Environment on the Eating Behaviors, Family Meals, and Academic Achievement of Adolescents in Schools in the UAE","authors":"Rahab Sohail, Hayder Hasan, Roba Saqan, Asmaa Barakji, Aisha Khan, Faaiza Sadiq, Shouq Furany, Zaina AlShaikh, Omar Atef Abdelhamid Mahmoud, Hadia Radwan","doi":"10.3390/ijerph21091187","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph21091187","url":null,"abstract":"The eating behavior (EB) and habits developed during adolescence tend to persist into adulthood, with parents and caregivers playing a significant role in shaping their children’s food choices. The home environment is a crucial setting for developing eating behavior during adolescence. This study aimed to explore the influence of the home food environment (HFE) and its correlates on EB, family meals (FMs), and academic achievement among adolescents in schools in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). A cross-sectional study was conducted with 304 school-aged adolescents from the UAE. The questionnaire included sociodemographic data, dietary habits, information related to the HFE (food availability and accessibility), physical activity, sleep patterns, and academic achievement. Several questionnaire items were combined to create an HFE score. These questions included the frequency of weekly family meals, meal preparation practices, and accessibility to healthy and unhealthy food products and snacks at home. The HFE score was dichotomized into favorable and unfavorable HFE scores. Similarly, EB and FM scores were generated by combining responses to various related questions. The participants’ weights and heights were measured. The findings reported that more than half (55%) of the adolescents were either overweight or obese. The majority of the participants had favorable HFE (57.2%), EB (69.1%), and FM scores (58.2%). The significant correlates to the HFE were as follows: male participants whose parents attended college (OR: 0.31; 95% CI: 0.15–0.62; p < 0.001), high academic achievers (OR: 1.98; 95% CI: 1.02–3.82; p = 0.043), and those who were physically active (OR: 1.80; 95% CI: 1.14-2.85; p = 0.012), were more likely to have favorable HFE. Moreover, the HFE score showed a highly significant positive correlation with the EB score (r = 0.573, p < 0.001) and the FM score (r = 0.384, p < 0.001). These results underscore the critical role of a healthy HFE in shaping healthy positive eating behaviors and food choices among adolescents. They provide a foundation for developing effective, evidence-based policies that can impact the health and academic success of adolescents in the UAE.","PeriodicalId":14044,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health","volume":"15 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-09-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142191910","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"综合性期刊","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Perspectives of Adults with Intellectual Disabilities on Quality of Life: A Qualitative Study","authors":"Pavlos Kapsalakis, Evdoxia Nteropoulou-Nterou","doi":"10.3390/ijerph21091186","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph21091186","url":null,"abstract":"Experiences of occupational participation of adults with Intellectual Disabilities (IDs) were explored through the lens of the Model of Occupational Justice (MOJ) and Critical Theory in order to shape and develop an occupation-centered model of quality of life (QoL). This qualitative study involved thirteen adults with IDs (N = 13). A semi-structured interview, constructed based on MOJ and Critical Theory principles, was administered to explore perspectives on QoL, as well as injustices regarding occupational participation. The interviews were analyzed using QSR NVivo8 and followed a content analysis methodology. A preliminary model of Occupational Quality of Life (O-QoL), with an everyday occupations core component, has been formed. The model includes three core O-QoL domains: (i) social well-being, (ii) emotional–physical well-being, and (iii) material adequacy. Key indicators of O-QoL were identified as leisure and social activities, while socioenvironmental factors such as occupational deprivation were noted as aggravating. Specific occupations, including leisure activities, physical exercise/sports, art, video games, and vocational training, were found to be beneficial for O-QoL. Moreover, the importance of promoting and supporting the rights of people with IDs for employment, independent living, and sexual expression was highlighted. The model of O-QoL (version 1) could be a valuable alternative conceptual framework of QoL in the field of IDs; however, further research is needed to validate and refine the model.","PeriodicalId":14044,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health","volume":"43 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-09-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142191893","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"综合性期刊","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Zemenu Yohannes Kassa, Vanessa Scarf, Sabera Turkmani, Deborah Fox
{"title":"Impact of COVID-19 on Maternal Health Service Uptake and Perinatal Outcomes in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Systematic Review","authors":"Zemenu Yohannes Kassa, Vanessa Scarf, Sabera Turkmani, Deborah Fox","doi":"10.3390/ijerph21091188","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph21091188","url":null,"abstract":"Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) is a major global public health threat that has impeded health infrastructures in low- and middle-income countries. This systematic review examines the impact of COVID-19 on maternal health service uptake and perinatal outcomes in Sub-Saharan Africa. We searched four databases in August 2020 and updated the search on 22 December 2023: PubMed/MEDLINE, CINAHL, Maternity and Infant Care, and EMBASE. Data extraction was performed using a standardised Joana Briggs Institute data extraction format for the eligibility of articles, and any discrepancies were solved through discussion and consensus. This systematic review includes 36 studies that met the inclusion criteria. Antenatal care attendance and institutional childbirth significantly decreased during the COVID-19 pandemic, and home births increased. Fear of contracting the virus, a lack of transport, a shortage of logistic supplies, a lack of personal protective equipment, lockdown policies, economic and food security, stigmatisation of sick persons, long waiting times in the hospital, and health system weakness were barriers to accessing maternity care. The findings of this review showed a significant decrease in antenatal care attendance and institutional birth during the COVID-19 pandemic. Based on our findings, we recommend that stakeholders ensure the availability of essential medical supplies in the hospital.","PeriodicalId":14044,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health","volume":"162 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-09-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142191909","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"综合性期刊","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}