HRB open research最新文献

{"title":"The economic impact of living with a rare disease for children and their families: a scoping review protocol.","authors":"Niamh Buckle, Orla Doyle, Naonori Kodate, Suja Somanadhan","doi":"10.12688/hrbopenres.13765.2","DOIUrl":"10.12688/hrbopenres.13765.2","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Rare diseases are an often chronic, progressive and life-limiting group of conditions affecting more than 30 million people in Europe. These diseases are associated with significant direct and indirect costs to a spectrum of stakeholders, ranging from individuals and their families to society overall. Further quantitative research on the economic cost for children and their families living with a rare disease is required as there is little known on this topic. This scoping review aims to document the extent and type of evidence on the economic impacts of living with a rare disease for children and their families.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This scoping review will follow the PRISMA-ScR and Joanna Briggs Institute guidelines and follow the six-stage methodology for scoping reviews: (1) identifying the research question, (2) identifying relevant studies, (3) study selection, (4) charting the data, (5) collating, summarising and reporting results and (6) knowledge user consultation. Key inclusion criteria have been developed according to the Population-Concept-Context (PCC) framework. The databases EconLit, ABI/Inform, MEDLINE, PubMed, CINAHL, and Scopus will be searched for possible articles for inclusion. Two independent reviewers will screen titles and abstracts of potential articles using a dual review process to ensure all relevant studies are included. All included articles will be assessed using a validated quality appraisal tool. A panel of patient and public involvement representatives experiencing rare diseases and knowledge users will validate the review results.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>This scoping review will map the current literature on the economic impact of paediatric rare diseases to understand how these impacts affect children living with rare diseases and their families. This evidence has the potential to influence policy and future research in this area and will support further research on the economic impact of rare diseases on families.</p>","PeriodicalId":73254,"journal":{"name":"HRB open research","volume":"6 ","pages":"41"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-04-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11187531/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141433566","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Participation in physical activity by adolescents with physical disability: Protocol for a national participation snapshot and Delphi consensus study (“Youth Experience Matters”)","authors":"K. Brady, D. Kiernan, Elaine McConkey, Eva O'Gorman, Claire Kerr, Suzanne M. McDonough, Jennifer Ryan, A. Malone","doi":"10.12688/hrbopenres.13741.2","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.12688/hrbopenres.13741.2","url":null,"abstract":"Young people with physical disability experience challenges to being physically active. To attain the health benefits of physical activity (PA) and sustain engagement, it is essential that participation is meaningful and enjoyable. This study aims to describe current participation in PA by adolescents with physical disability in Ireland, and to establish consensus on their priorities for enhancing physical activity participation. A parallel convergent mixed methods study will be undertaken, comprising a national cross-sectional quantitative assessment of PA participation (“Participation Snapshot”) and Delphi consensus study (“Delphi”). Adolescents (n=100) aged 13–17 years with a physical disability will be invited to take part. The Participation Snapshot primary outcome is the Children’s Assessment of Participation and Enjoyment (CAPE). Contextual factors including underlying medical diagnosis, demographics, mobility (Functional Mobility Scale), hand function (Manual Ability Classification System) and health related quality of life (Child Health Utility 9D) will also be collected. The Delphi will comprise two to four survey rounds, until consensus is reached. Round 1 consists of a bespoke survey, designed and piloted with a public and patient involvement (PPI) panel, with open-ended questions and Likert scales inviting contributions from adolescents on their prior experience and ideas to enhance participation. Responses will be analysed using inductive thematic analysis to construct items and themes, which will then be deductively mapped to the “F-words” and the family of Participation-Related Constructs frameworks. These items will be presented back to participants in subsequent rounds for selection and ranking, until consensus is achieved on the “top 10 priorities” for enhancing PA participation. The project team and PPI panel will then co-design dissemination material and identify targets for dissemination to relevant stakeholder or policy groups. The findings will provide a basis for developing interventions aiming to enhance future PA participation for adolescents with physical disability.","PeriodicalId":73254,"journal":{"name":"HRB open research","volume":"16 6","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-04-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140743818","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":"Healthcare workers' perspectives on barriers and facilitators to referral and recruitment to diabetes prevention programmes: a systematic review protocol.","authors":"Clair Haseldine, Gráinne O'Donoghue, Patricia M Kearney, Fiona Riordan, Sarah Cotterill, Sheena McHugh","doi":"10.12688/hrbopenres.13702.2","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.12688/hrbopenres.13702.2","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Diabetes is a growing global health problem. International guidelines recommend identification, screening, and referral to behavioural programmes for those at high risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Diabetes prevention programmes (DPPs) can prevent type 2 diabetes in those at high risk, however many eligible participants are not referred to these programmes. Healthcare workers (HCWs) are pivotal to the referral and recruitment processes. This study aims to identify, appraise and synthesise the evidence on barriers and facilitators to referral and recruitment to DPPs from the perspective of HCWs.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A \"best fit\" framework synthesis method will synthesise qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods evidence on factors that affect HCWs referral and recruitment to DPPs, with the Theoretical Domains Framework (TDF) as the <i>a priori</i> framework. MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, PsychINFO, Web of Science and Scopus will be searched for primary studies published in English. Year of publication will be restricted to the last 26 years (1997-2023). Quality will be assessed using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool. A mix of deductive coding using the TDF and inductive coding of data that does not fit the TDF will be synthesised into themes representing the whole dataset. The relationships between the final set of themes will be explored to create a new model to understand HCWs' perspectives on referral and recruitment to DPPs. Sensitivity analysis will be carried out on this conceptual model. Confidence in the synthesised findings will be assessed using the GRADE-CERQual approach. One author will screen, extract, appraise the literature while a second author will independently verify a 20% sample at each stage.</p><p><strong>Discussion: </strong>Participation in DPPs is key for programme impact. HCWs typically identify those at risk and refer them to DPPs. Understanding HCWs' perspectives on the barriers and facilitators to referral and recruitment will inform future implementation of DPPs.</p>","PeriodicalId":73254,"journal":{"name":"HRB open research","volume":"6 ","pages":"23"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-03-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11004599/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140872426","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Association between intrapartum fetal pulse oximetry and adverse perinatal and long-term outcomes: a systematic review and meta-analysis protocol.","authors":"Jill M Mitchell, Siobhan Walsh, Laura J O'Byrne, Virginia Conrick, Ray Burke, Ali S Khashan, John Higgins, Richard Greene, Gillian M Maher, Fergus P McCarthy","doi":"10.12688/hrbopenres.13802.2","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.12688/hrbopenres.13802.2","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Current methods of intrapartum fetal monitoring based on heart rate, increase the rates of operative delivery but do not prevent or accurately detect fetal hypoxic brain injury. There is a need for more accurate methods of intrapartum fetal surveillance that will decrease the incidence of adverse perinatal and long-term neurodevelopmental outcomes while maintaining the lowest possible rate of obstetric intervention. Fetal pulse oximetry (FPO) is a technology that may contribute to improved intrapartum fetal wellbeing evaluation by providing a non-invasive measurement of fetal oxygenation status.</p><p><strong>Objective: </strong>This systematic review and meta-analysis aims to synthesise the evidence examining the association between intrapartum fetal oxygen saturation levels and adverse perinatal and long-term outcomes in the offspring.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>We will include randomised control trials (RCTs), cohort, cross-sectional and case-control studies which examine the use of FPO during labour as a means of measuring intrapartum fetal oxygen saturation and assess its effectiveness at detecting adverse perinatal and long-term outcomes compared to existing intrapartum surveillance methods. A detailed systematic search of PubMed, EMBASE, CINAHL, The Cochrane Library, Web of Science, ClinicalTrials.Gov and WHO ICTRP will be conducted following a detailed search strategy until February 2024. Three authors will independently review titles, abstracts and full text of articles. Two reviewers will independently extract data using a pre-defined data extraction form and assess the quality of included studies using the Risk of Bias tool for RCTs and Newcastle-Ottawa Scale for observational studies. The grading of recommendations, assessment, development, and evaluation (GRADE) approach will be used to evaluate the certainty of the evidence. We will use random-effects meta-analysis for each exposure-outcome association to calculate pooled estimates using the generic variance method. This systematic review will follow the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-analyses and MOOSE guidelines.</p><p><strong>Prospero registration: </strong>CRD42023457368 (04/09/2023).</p>","PeriodicalId":73254,"journal":{"name":"HRB open research","volume":"6 ","pages":"63"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-03-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11019289/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140862079","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Overview of Molecular Diagnostics in Irish Clinical Oncology","authors":"Tyler Medina, Seán O. Hynes, Maeve Lowery, Paddy Gillespie, Walter Kolch, Cathal Seoighe","doi":"10.12688/hrbopenres.13822.1","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.12688/hrbopenres.13822.1","url":null,"abstract":"Background Molecular diagnostics are critical for informing cancer patient care. In Ireland, the National Cancer Control Programme (NCCP) develops cancer therapy regimens, which include relevant information on molecular indications. Here, we present a collated overview of the current molecular indications of all NCCP systemic anti-cancer therapy regimens and the funding statuses of their associated drugs. Furthermore, we also provide estimates for the scale of required molecular testing in cancer therapy and for the clinical genetic sequencing capacity of Ireland, and provide a summary of current cancer clinical trials in Ireland which have molecular components. Methods Through a combination of web scraping, keyword search, and manual review, we performed a full review of all 757 indications included in the 476 therapy regimens published to date by the NCCP to identify therapy indications with explicit molecular criteria. For all cancer types identified in these indications, we obtained incidence rates in Ireland from National Cancer Registry Ireland to predict the number of patients yearly who stand to benefit from a molecular test. We then applied molecular subtype rates from published literature to estimate the number of patients who would then qualify for a relevant molecularly guided therapy. Results We identified 210 indications for 148 NCCP therapy regimens that include molecular criteria. These 210 molecular indications encompassed 85 genetic criteria, 137 cellular biomarker criteria, 57 molecularly informed drugs, and over 20 cancer types. We estimated that up to approximately 50% of cancer patients in Ireland could qualify for a molecular test and that the majority of tested patients would qualify for a treatment informed by a molecular test. Conclusions As personalised cancer medicine continues to develop in Ireland, this study will provide a baseline understanding of current practices. We anticipate that work such as this will help to inform planning in the healthcare system.","PeriodicalId":73254,"journal":{"name":"HRB open research","volume":"122 5","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-03-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140380882","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":"Hearing and vision support in people with dementia living at home: Outcomes  from the intervention development programme for the European SENSE-Cog Trial","authors":"Iracema Leroi, JP Connelly, W. Yeung, Catherine Molony","doi":"10.12688/hrbopenres.13869.1","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.12688/hrbopenres.13869.1","url":null,"abstract":"Background Hearing and vision loss are among the most common and disabling comorbidities in dementia and may worsen the trajectory of decline. Improving sensory function may be an accessible and cost-effective means of improving quality of life (QoL) and other outcomes for people with dementia (PwD). Here we describe the outcome of a multi-step intervention development programme for the components and implementation of a cross-national intervention to support hearing and vision in PwD in community settings. Methods We used the process of ‘intervention mapping’ and a set of mixed method sub-studies to develop the intervention for PwD with hearing and/or vision loss. This involved scoping the gaps in understanding, awareness, and service provision, modelling a prototype intervention, refining the prototype into a draft intervention, and finally field trialling the draft intervention for feasibility, acceptability, and tolerability. Input from the ‘patient and public voice’ (PPV) was interlinked with each step of the development programme (Miah et al., 2017). This paper synthesises the results of sub-studies leading to a description and logic model of the intervention which was then evaluated in a fully powered definitive trial. The sub-studies of the programme took place in participants’ own homes and in university or clinic settings in four EU countries: Cyprus, France, Greece, and the UK. The Expert Reference Group took place in Athens, Greece. We used quantitative and qualitative approaches to analyse the data from the different sub-studies. Results A multi-component psychosocial home-based ‘sensory intervention’ designed to optimise hearing and vision in PwD to improve QoL and other dementia-related and care partner-related outcomes. Conclusion This intervention represents the output of the iterative development of a complex intervention to fulfil an unmet need for PwD and sensory loss.","PeriodicalId":73254,"journal":{"name":"HRB open research","volume":"120 9","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-03-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140378897","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":"Development of a Health Impact Assessment Implementation Model: Enhancing Intersectoral Approaches in Tackling Health Inequalities- A Mixed Methods Study Protocol","authors":"M. O'Mullane, Tara Kenny, Kirsty Nash, Sheena McHugh, Paul Kavanagh, Katherine Smith","doi":"10.12688/hrbopenres.13873.1","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.12688/hrbopenres.13873.1","url":null,"abstract":"Public health research presents compelling evidence that health is socially determined. To address structural inequalities and inequities in health, public policies require intersectoral development and implementation. Health Impact Assessment (HIA) is an established approach for analysing potentially detrimental health impacts of policies, programmes, and projects, as well as potentially positive impacts and opportunities. National public health policy, Healthy Ireland (2013–2025), endorses an intersectoral whole-of-system approach to ensure that health is a central part of all relevant policy areas. HIA is endorsed in this policy as one way to drive this agenda. Synergising with this policy commitment for HIA, the all-island Institute of Public Health Ireland produced revised HIA guidance in 2021. Two HIAs will be carried out as part of this project, including one at a local policy level, addressing the Cork City Development Plan (2022–2028), and the second HIA at a national policy level, addressing the Irish Government’s Climate Action Plan (2024). The updated HIA guidance will be used in the conduct of these HIAs. This research project involves a co-creation of a Health Impact Assessment Implementation Model by employing an action research approach with implementation science frameworks to the conduct of the two HIAs. Therefore, the process of doing the HIAs will form the basis for the research study. In order to enhance meaningful community involvement in HIA in Ireland, the project will co-create a Community Engagement Toolkit for HIA. This Model will strengthen researcher, policy actor, practitioner, community, and voluntary sector capacity to collaboratively develop and implement intersectoral and equitable policy responses to major population health issues.","PeriodicalId":73254,"journal":{"name":"HRB open research","volume":"12 2","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-03-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140224669","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":"Understanding the determinants of the gender gap in physical activity and sports participation among young adults: a mixed-methods study","authors":"Hannah Cummins, Molly Byrne","doi":"10.12688/hrbopenres.13827.1","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.12688/hrbopenres.13827.1","url":null,"abstract":"Background An underexplored gender gap in physical activity (PA) and sport participation (SP) exists in those aged 18–24 in Ireland, with females less active than males. This research explored the determinants of PA and SP in both males and females through the lens of the Capability-Opportunity-Motivation-Behaviour (COM-B) model and the Theoretical Domains Framework (TDF), to enhance our understanding of the gender gap. A mixed methods design was employed involving (1) a quantitative secondary analysis of existing data from the Irish Sports Monitor (ISM) 2019, an evaluation of Irish SP and PA conducted biennially by Sport Ireland, the governing body for sport development in the country, and (2) qualitative semi-structured interviews to explore determinants of PA and SP, using a framework analysis approach. Methods A secondary analysis of existing ISM 2019 data from 158 individuals was conducted to explore gender differences in PA and SP behaviours in relation to capability, opportunity, and motivation. To further explore these differences, individuals (n = 16, 75% female) aged 18–24 were then invited to take part in semi-structured interviews to better understand determinants of their PA and SP behaviours and explore their experiences of the gender gap. Results Despite the gender gap identified through the ISM 2019, a secondary analysis found no significant difference between genders on predictors of PA and SP based on overall COM-B scores. However, semi-structured interviews suggested gender differences regarding self-reported determinants of PA and SP, particularly within the domain of social influence. Conclusions Social influence may be an important factor to target, particularly in relation to perceived support and encouragement, to increase female engagement in PA and SP. More research is required to explore this potentiality.","PeriodicalId":73254,"journal":{"name":"HRB open research","volume":"50 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-03-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140258718","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":"Protocol for a systematic review and critical discourse analysis of research on HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis programme use among gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men","authors":"David Comer, C. Noone","doi":"10.12688/hrbopenres.13841.1","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.12688/hrbopenres.13841.1","url":null,"abstract":"Background HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is a pill that prevents the transmission of HIV from sexual partners living with HIV; it is frequently taken by gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (gbMSM). PrEP is often provided through formal PrEP programmes. Research on these programmes may employ discourses shaped by heteronormativity and homophobia. Given that expert language influences how HIV prevention is understood and delivered, problematic discourses in research likely extends into PrEP programme implementation. This review will use critical discourse analysis (CDA) to explore research on PrEP programme implementation for gbMSM. Within this literature, we will identify interpretive repertoires used to discuss gbMSM; the subject positions afforded to gbMSM; and the implications of these interpretive repertoires and subject positions for gbMSM engaging with HIV PrEP programmes. Methods Relevant articles will be identified through timebound searching (2012-present) in ProQuest ASSIA, EBSCOhost PsycInfo, OVID Medline, OVID Embase, and EBSCOhost CINAHL, with forward and backward citation searching of included studies. Grey literature will be identified through ProQuest and Google Scholar. Screening will be conducted by two independent reviewers, who will conduct double screening for titles, abstracts, and full texts. Data will be analysed and synthesised using CDA informed by critical realism (CR). CDA focuses on relationships between language and power, including how language enables inequality. The analytic process will explore the background of included studies, identify overarching themes, analyse external and internal relations in included studies, and interpret the meaning of identified themes and relations. Conclusions Highlighting issues with discourses in PrEP implementation may enhance reflective engagement with assumptions underlying this research, preventing further stigmatisation of gbMSM’s sexual and protective practices. As PrEP programmes become more common globally, more diverse and inclusive perspectives in PrEP programme research may inform interventions that enhance their acceptability and ultimately their implementation.","PeriodicalId":73254,"journal":{"name":"HRB open research","volume":"12 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-02-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140415149","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 influencing the likelihood of accessing healthcare during the COVID-19 pandemic in Ireland: lessons for the future","authors":"Padraig Buggy, Mary Joyce, Ivan J. Perry, Mary R. Cahill","doi":"10.12688/hrbopenres.13829.1","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.12688/hrbopenres.13829.1","url":null,"abstract":"Background Implementation of public health measures during the first wave of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, including travel restrictions and physical distancing, may have impacted population behaviour in seeking medical care. Identifying barriers to accessing healthcare is important, especially for vulnerable groups. Methods Data were collected through a nationally representative cross-sectional telephone survey during the first period of easing of COVID-19 restrictions in May and June 2020. Secondary data analysis of the dataset was carried out to examine the factors influencing the likelihood of individuals avoiding General Practitioner (G.P.) and hospital-based care. Poisson regression analyses were conducted to estimate risk ratios with robust variance estimation of the association between selected demographic and self-reported health factors and the risk of avoiding G.P. and hospital-based healthcare. Results Of the 969 participants, 152 (15.7%) deliberately avoided contacting their G.P. about non COVID-19 related concerns while 81 (8.4%) reported avoiding hospitals. Three groups, women (Rate Ratio (RR): 1.75, 95% Confidence Interval (CI): 1.28 – 2.40), individuals who reported experiencing an adverse life event within the last 3 months (RR: 1.79, 95% CI: 1.33 – 2.40), and those at an increased risk of infection (RR: 1.65, 95% CI: 1.06 – 2.58) were more likely to avoid contact with their G.P. Individuals at a higher risk of avoiding hospital-based care were those aged 50 – 59 years (RR: 2.27, 95% CI: 1.03 – 4.98) and 70 years+ (RR: 2.73, 95% CI: 1.24 – 6.01), individuals at an increased risk of infection (RR: 2.07, 95% CI: 1.20 – 3.56), smokers (RR: 1.68, 95% CI: 1.02 – 2.77) and those who agreed they were “likely to catch COVID-19” (RR: 2.80, 95% CI: 1.25 – 6.25). Conclusion These findings highlight the importance of public health awareness and education regarding accessing healthcare during a pandemic and should be considered in future pandemic preparedness.","PeriodicalId":73254,"journal":{"name":"HRB open research","volume":"21 5","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-02-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140430041","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}