{"title":"Vaccination misinformation and social media","authors":"P. R. Vasconcellos-Silva","doi":"10.32920/ihtp.v3i2.1873","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.32920/ihtp.v3i2.1873","url":null,"abstract":"<jats:p>N/A</jats:p>","PeriodicalId":231465,"journal":{"name":"International Health Trends and Perspectives","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-07-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"131389571","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"What would it take? A plea to reassess our hospitality practices as a global health issue","authors":"Stéphanie Larchanché","doi":"10.32920/ihtp.v3i1.1752","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.32920/ihtp.v3i1.1752","url":null,"abstract":"Editorial","PeriodicalId":231465,"journal":{"name":"International Health Trends and Perspectives","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-03-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"130006805","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Teaching planetary health to medical students in the United Kingdom: A snapshot","authors":"A. Gatrad, J. Carless","doi":"10.32920/ihtp.v3i1.1673","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.32920/ihtp.v3i1.1673","url":null,"abstract":"In 2022 a new curriculum for medical students at universities in the U.K. was mandated which included teaching planetary health. In this paper the authors relate their experiences of introducing a sustainability agenda two years before this time, using planetary boundaries as a teaching tool at the Manor Hospital in Walsall, U.K. Planetary health is taught with constant relevance to how it can affect health and society. The content of the teaching material evolved over a few months until very positive feedback from students was received, who also suggested that more should be done to raise awareness of sustainability in their university. Finally challenges to this innovative venture are discussed.\u0000 ","PeriodicalId":231465,"journal":{"name":"International Health Trends and Perspectives","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-03-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"131019427","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
E. Gucciardi, Ani Merzaian, Molly Muck, Johnny Zhao, Annika McDowell, P. Caulford, Paige Alliston, S. Guruge
{"title":"The barriers to healthcare access and their impact on health outcomes for people medically uninsured in Canada: A scoping review","authors":"E. Gucciardi, Ani Merzaian, Molly Muck, Johnny Zhao, Annika McDowell, P. Caulford, Paige Alliston, S. Guruge","doi":"10.32920/ihtp.v3i1.1718","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.32920/ihtp.v3i1.1718","url":null,"abstract":"Objective: The objective of the scoping review was to summarize the current literature on the barriers to healthcare access and its impact on health outcomes for people who are medically uninsured (including those with precarious or no immigration status) in Canada; identify gaps in the existing knowledge; and highlight implications for practice and policy. Methods: We undertook a systematic search in the electronic databases of PsycInfo, MEDLINE (Ovid), CINAHL, ProQuest Nursing and Allied Health, Web of Science and ProQuest Dissertations and Theses Global. Inclusion criteria consisted of articles published in English reporting information about barriers to healthcare access or its impact on health among people with precarious immigration status in Canada. Relevant themes emerging from the included studies were reviewed by the research team and organized into three levels of barriers to accessing healthcare. Results: Ten articles were included in this scoping review. Our review found that individuals living with precarious or no immigration status and being denied public health insurance experienced significant obstructions to accessing healthcare services, the result of policy, interpersonal and intrapersonal-level barriers. These barriers include ineligibility for provincial or federal healthcare insurance, negative interactions with healthcare providers, fear of interacting with public services and lack of sufficient income to pay for out-of-pocket healthcare expenses. This resulted in unmet healthcare needs, negative and worsening health outcomes, avoidance of formal healthcare institutions and reliance on emergency care services caused by delays in help-seeking. Conclusions: People who are medically uninsured in Canada experience avoidable negative health outcomes, including higher risk of death because of barriers to access to healthcare. Provincial healthcare insurance should be available for these vulnerable groups to avoid unnecessary health problems and complications and to reduce the burden on the healthcare system. New (im)migrants should receive education on their right to receive health services, and healthcare providers must receive training on how to best support the health and wellbeing of this population.","PeriodicalId":231465,"journal":{"name":"International Health Trends and Perspectives","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-03-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"129196859","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Health anxiety and academic performance among undergraduate medical students: A correlational study","authors":"Gaurav Urs, Vinay HR.","doi":"10.32920/ihtp.v3i1.1721","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.32920/ihtp.v3i1.1721","url":null,"abstract":"Introduction: Health anxiety is commonly overlooked as a distinct issue and a component of anxiety. Its impact on academic performance in university students has not been examined. The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between anxiety and academic performance among medical students. Methods: A correlational study involving 600 medical undergraduate students was conducted. Results: Of the 510 students involved in the study results indicate females experienced higher levels of health anxiety than males. The prevalence of health anxiety was 13.34%. A significant association (r = -.157; p=0.002) between anxiety (M=15.31; SD=9.86) and academic performance (M=64.87; SD=7.48) was found. Conclusion: The prevalence of health anxiety among study participants was 13.34% and it was negatively associated with academic performance. Based on the study findings, it is recommended that policies and interventions aimed at educating and managing health anxiety among medical students be incorporated into medical school curriculum.","PeriodicalId":231465,"journal":{"name":"International Health Trends and Perspectives","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-03-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"124916103","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
K. Senevirathna, N. U. Jayawardana, Chandrika Udumalagala Gamage, Unil Perera, R. Jayasinghe, B. Seneviratne
{"title":"Use of oral squamous cell carcinoma: A discussion paper","authors":"K. Senevirathna, N. U. Jayawardana, Chandrika Udumalagala Gamage, Unil Perera, R. Jayasinghe, B. Seneviratne","doi":"10.32920/ihtp.v3i1.1676","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.32920/ihtp.v3i1.1676","url":null,"abstract":"Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is one of the most common epithelial malignancies of multifactorial etiology linked with considerable mortality and morbidity. Generally, OSCC arises from pre-existing oral lesions quoted as oral potentially malignant disorders. Early diagnosis of OSCC is an attractive strategy to increase the survival rate of patients. Despite the accessibility of prominent diagnostic tools, many factors restrain the successful application of these approaches. The discovery of novel alternative methods to diagnose cancer definitively with higher selectivity and sensitivity has aroused scientific interest. Metabolomics is an unbiased analytical approach for qualitative and quantitative analyses of different metabolites in cells, tissues, or biological fluids and their alterations in response to pathophysiological stimuli. Several coupled techniques, together with chromatographic platforms, have facilitated metabolic profiling and, at the same time, detected cancer biomarkers, which are crucial for an effective treatment process. This overview discusses some of the most recent technological advances in metabolomics and focuses on their application to reveal the underlying causes of OSCC and their potential implications for personalised medicine.","PeriodicalId":231465,"journal":{"name":"International Health Trends and Perspectives","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-03-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"133798778","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Vanessa Daufenback, S. Rigon, Rúbia Formiguieri, Cecília Rocha, C. M. Bógus
{"title":"Perceptions of food insecurity and access to programs among elderly females living in Colombo, Brazil: Qualitative investigation","authors":"Vanessa Daufenback, S. Rigon, Rúbia Formiguieri, Cecília Rocha, C. M. Bógus","doi":"10.32920/ihtp.v3i1.1705","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.32920/ihtp.v3i1.1705","url":null,"abstract":"Vulnerable women, especially those who are responsible for their households, often face difficulties in reaching food security in developing countries when compared to men, especially in Africa, Latin America and Caribbean countries. Data from Brazil between 2017 and 2018 reveals the lack of equity between men and women concerning food insecurity, with a higher percentage among women-headed households in contrast to male-headed households. To mitigate this situation, Brazil has developed many food security programs focused on vulnerable groups. In this paper, we report the results of research conducted with women who reside in a low-income, urban community in Colombo, southern Brazil. The study aimed at highlighting the women’s perceptions of the main factors leading to food insecurity, as well as the main barriers and facilitators in accessing food security programs in their community. Methodology involved a mixed-method triangulation approach. 30 women were interviewed through an instrument protocol with opened and closed-ended questions about their health profile, food practices, food insecurity perceptions and participation on food security programs. Results revealed that low income, associated with domestic violence, work overload, less years of study were perceived as barriers to achieve appropriate income and food security. Facilitators to this group’s participation in food security programs were associated with family support, living with relatives, culinary skills and being enrolled with health and social care. As barriers, the study found that living alone, being an older woman with disabilities or younger and low-educated WHH without family financial support, with insufficient comprehension about food security programs dynamics, not pursuing adequate home space to store recyclables were factors that prevented this group´s. It can be concluded that these programs increased the quality and variety of food practices and worked as a mitigating factor for inequalities in food and health.","PeriodicalId":231465,"journal":{"name":"International Health Trends and Perspectives","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-03-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"123015358","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
E. Weeratunga, C. Senadheera, M. Hettiarachchi, B. Perera
{"title":"Development and validation of a Religious and Spiritual Support Scale in Sri Lanka: A psychometric study","authors":"E. Weeratunga, C. Senadheera, M. Hettiarachchi, B. Perera","doi":"10.32920/ihtp.v3i1.1717","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.32920/ihtp.v3i1.1717","url":null,"abstract":"Introduction: Religious and spiritual support reduces distress in patients with cancer. Accurate and reliable data on religious and spiritual support received and perceived by patients with cancer would assist health authorities in planning health promotion strategies targeted at patients with cancer. In this study, a new measurement tool of religious and spiritual support for patients with cancer in Sri Lanka was developed and validated. Methods: A new tool, the Religious and Spiritual Support Scale (RSSS) was developed based on the previous questionnaire and evaluated using 40 patients with cancer. Cross-cultural adaptation was made using WHO guidelines. Reliability was checked using Cronbach’s alpha. Intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC) was used to examine the test-retest reliability of the tool. Convergent and divergent validity of the tool was examined using the World Health Organization-Quality of Life-Brief scale (WHOQOL-BREF) and the Centre for Epidemiological Studies–Depression scale (CES-D). Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) was performed to test the construct validity of the RSSS. Results: The RSSS showed a high internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha-0.874). The test-retest reliability of the scale was good (ICC = 0.981). As expected, the overall RSSS score correlated negatively with CES-D (r= - 0.338, p<0.05) and positively with overall QoL scores of the WHOQOL-BREF; (r=0.421, p<0.001), confirming satisfactory divergent and convergent validity of the RSSS. EFA revealed a structure comprised of two factors: Religious practice and religious support. Conclusions: The RSSS is a reliable and valid scale to assess religious and spiritual support received and perceived by patients with cancer in Sri Lanka.","PeriodicalId":231465,"journal":{"name":"International Health Trends and Perspectives","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-03-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"122873683","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Christian Hui, Madeline McQueen, Rawan Nahle, A. Karataş, F. Şekercioğlu
{"title":"Impact of COVID-19 on travel, mobility, and transportation preferences: A mixed method descriptive study","authors":"Christian Hui, Madeline McQueen, Rawan Nahle, A. Karataş, F. Şekercioğlu","doi":"10.32920/ihtp.v3i1.1711","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.32920/ihtp.v3i1.1711","url":null,"abstract":"This study aimed to identify the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on travel, mobility, and transportation preferences as well as on the perceived air quality in Toronto during the lockdown period in 2020. An online survey collected results from a diverse sample of Toronto residents (N=2,367). The study results revealed that most residents noticed a temporary improvement in Toronto’s air quality, perceived a relationship between traffic and air quality, and recognized the benefits of using active transportation. While Torontonians reduced their daily travel time/trip frequencies and increased their use of green transportation during the lockdown, they also observed a reduction in the use of public transportation and an increase in the number of single-driver vehicles, taxis, and ride services. Toronto residents viewed air quality improvement as a collective responsibility and recommended the use of green travel, purchasing, consumption, and policy tools, as well as the use of an equity lens in city planning to improve air quality in the city.","PeriodicalId":231465,"journal":{"name":"International Health Trends and Perspectives","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-03-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"125982348","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Factors supporting settlement among Syrian refugee women: A longitudinal participatory action research study","authors":"Shahin Kassam, J. O’Mahony, N. Clark","doi":"10.32920/ihtp.v3i1.1727","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.32920/ihtp.v3i1.1727","url":null,"abstract":"Introduction: Over 13 million Syrians have been forcibly displaced since the start of the Syrian civil war in 2011. In response to this humanitarian crisis, several high-income countries have settled thousands of Syrian refugees. In Canada, over 50,000 Syrian refugees have resettled through varying resettlement programs. Half of the refugees are women who are mothers or of child-bearing age, and who experience numerous health disparities. This article reports findings from a larger, Canadian-based study inquiring into the factors supporting and shaping the settlement and integration experiences among women who are Syrian refugees and mothering. Methods: A longitudinal intersectionality-framed participatory action approach was initiated through multiple meetings with a diverse range of non-profit community organizations focused on refugee health and settlement. Through these meetings, sustainable relationships were formed, and trust was built toward further engaging with the Syrian refugee mothering women population. A core group of 4 women were employed as peer research assistants and were integrated across research processes. Results: In total, 40 Syrian refugee mothering women participated in this study. Six themes emerged from data analysis of their lived experiences of resettlement. Four of these themes are published elsewhere. We focus this article on two of the six key findings: harnessing strength-based capabilities, and peer research assistant experiences. Conclusions: The two findings described in this article convey facilitators that add to understanding influences on the mental well-being of Syrian refugee mothering women. Unique to this study is the novel integration of peer research assistants and a model of support which contributes to an ethical and inclusive approach to understanding lived experiences among refugee women. This article highlights how this model benefits the peer research assistant and promotes community engagement among women.\u0000 ","PeriodicalId":231465,"journal":{"name":"International Health Trends and Perspectives","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-03-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"134028904","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}