The impact of wildfires on mental health of residents in a rural area of Greece. A case control population based study

2011 ◽  
Vol 26 (S2) ◽  
pp. 1188-1188 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. Adamis ◽  
V. Papanikolaou ◽  
R.C. Mellon ◽  
G. Prodromitis
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Risk Factors ◽  
Psychological Symptoms ◽  
Adult Population ◽  
Psychiatric Morbidity ◽  
Population Based ◽  
Case Control ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Of Greece

IntroductionPsychopathological disturbances are common in the aftermaths of a disaster. The consequences of these disorders can be long lasting. In August of 2007 an intense and destructive wildfire broke out in the Peloponnesus peninsula in Greece.ObjectivesTo investigate psychological and psychiatric morbidity in individuals who had experienced severe exposure to a wildfire disaster in a part of Greece and to indentify risk factors for the post disaster psychological problems.AimsTo investigate a broader spectrum of mid-term psychological and psychiatric morbidity in victims, to evaluate the proportion of psychopathology that could be accredited to the disaster, to estimate the association of losses with different psychological symptoms, to indentify risk factors for psychopathology.MethodsA Cross sectional case control study of adult population (18–65 years old). Data collected among others were demographic, Symptom Checklist 90-Revised for assessment of psychological difficulties, type and number of losses.ResultsThose damnified from the disaster scored significantly higher (p < 0.05) in the symptoms of somatisation, depression, anxiety, hostility, phobic anxiety, paranoia, and had significantly more symptoms (PST) and were more distressed by them (GSI) compared to controls. In addition risk factors for someone to be a psychiatric case were to be a victim from the fire, to have finished primary school, to be windowed and to have damages to his property.ConclusionsWildfires can cause considerable psychological symptoms in victims and there are reasons for public health policy makers to create services in order to help and improve the mental health of those affected.

scholarly journals Impact of the mass media OBERTAMENT campaign on the levels of stigma among the population of Catalonia, Spain

2016 ◽  
Vol 31 ◽  
pp. 44-51 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Rubio-Valera ◽  
A. Fernández ◽  
S. Evans-Lacko ◽  
J.V. Luciano ◽  
G. Thornicroft ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Illness ◽  
Mass Media ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Adult Population ◽  
Population Based ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
People With Mental Illness ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Intended Behaviour

AbstractReducing public stigma could improve patients’ access to care, recovery and social integration. The aim of the study was to evaluate a mass media intervention, which aimed to reduce the mental health, related stigma among the general population in Catalonia (Spain). We conducted a cross-sectional population-based survey of a representative sample of the Catalan non-institutionalized adult population (n = 1019). We assessed campaign awareness, attitudes to people with mental illness (CAMI) and intended behaviour (RIBS). To evaluate the association between campaign awareness and stigma, multivariable regression models were used. Over 20% of respondents recognized the campaign when prompted, and 11% when unprompted. Campaign aware individuals had better attitudes on the benevolence subscale of the CAMI than unaware individuals (P = 0.009). No significant differences in authoritarianism and support for community mental health care attitudes subscales were observed. The campaign aware group had better intended behaviour than the unaware group (P < 0.01). The OBERTAMENT anti-stigma campaign had a positive impact to improve the attitudes and intended behaviour towards people with mental illness of the Catalan population. The impact on stigma was limited to attitudes related to benevolence. A wider range of anti-stigma messages could produce a stronger impact on attitudes and intended behaviour.

scholarly journals Patterns of multiple lifestyle risk factors and their link to mental health in the German adult population: a cross-sectional study

BMJ Open ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (12) ◽  
pp. e022184 ◽  
Author(s):  
Josefine Atzendorf ◽  
Christian Apfelbacher ◽  
Elena Gomes de Matos ◽  
Ludwig Kraus ◽  
Daniela Piontek
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Risk Factors ◽  
Adult Population ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Lifestyle Risk Factors ◽  
Unhealthy Diet ◽  
Lifestyle Risk ◽  
German Adult

ObjectivesLifestyle risk factors, such as drinking or unhealthy diet, can expotentiate detrimental health effects. Therefore, it is important to investigate multiple lifestyle risk factors instead of single ones. The study aims at: (1) identifying patterns of lifestyle risk factors within the adult general population in Germany and (2) examining associations between the extracted patterns and external factors.DesignCross-sectional study.SettingGeneral German adult population (aged 18–64 years).ParticipantsParticipants of the 2015 Epidemiological Survey of Substance Abuse (n=9204).Primary outcome measuresLifestyle risk factors (daily smoking, at-risk alcohol consumption, unhealthy diet, low physical activity, weekly use of pharmaceuticals, as well as consumption of cannabis and other illicit drugs).ResultsA latent class analysis was applied to identify patterns of lifestyle risk factors, and a multinomial logistic regression was carried out to examine associations between the extracted classes and external factors. A total of four classes were extracted which can be described as healthy lifestyle (58.5%), drinking lifestyle (24.4%), smoking lifestyle (15.4%) and a cumulate risk factors lifestyle (1.7%). Individuals who were male, at younger age and single as well as individuals with various mental health problems were more likely to show multiple lifestyle risk factors.ConclusionsHealthcare professionals should be aware of correlations between different lifestyle risk factors as well as between lifestyle risk groups and mental health. Health promotion strategies should further focus especially on younger and single men.

scholarly journals Prevalence and Risk Factors for Self-Report Diabetes Mellitus: A Population-Based Study

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (18) ◽  
pp. 6497
Author(s):  
Isabela Silva Levindo de Siqueira ◽  
Rafael Alves Guimarães ◽  
Samira Nascimento Mamed ◽  
Thays Angélica de Pinho Santos ◽  
Suiany Dias Rocha ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Diabetes Mellitus ◽  
Risk Factors ◽  
Adult Population ◽  
Total Sample ◽  
Population Based ◽  
National Health Survey ◽  
Overweight And Obesity ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
West Region

The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence and risk factors for self-reported diabetes mellitus (DM) in the adult population of the Central-West region of Brazil. In 2013, a cross-sectional study using the data from the National Health Survey and comprising 7519 individuals aged ≥18 years from the Central-West region was conducted. Participants were interviewed at their homes about sociodemographic data and risk factors for DM. To verify the risk factors with DM, the Poisson regression model was used. The analyses were performed for the total sample and stratified according to sex. The prevalence of DM was 6.5% (95% confidence interval [95% CI], 5.7–7.3). The diagnosis of self-reported DM was 4.3% in men and 7.5% in women. In the global sample, it was found that age between 40–59 years and ≥60 years, previous smoking (former smoker), self-reported hypertension, self-reported dyslipidemia, overweight, and obesity were independently associated with self-reported DM. In men, risk factors were: Age ≥ 60 years, self-reported hypertension, self-reported dyslipidemia, and obesity. In women, risk factors were: Age 30–39 years, 40–59 years, and ≥60 years, previous smoking (former smoker), self-reported hypertension, self-reported dyslipidemia, overweight, and obesity. Conclusion: The prevalence of DM was 6.5%. DM was associated with advanced age; previous smoking (former smoker), hypertension, dyslipidemia, overweight, and obesity. Some differences in risk factors between men and women were noted.

scholarly journals Prevalence of Major Cardiovascular Risk Factors and Coronary Heart Disease in a Sample of Greek Adults: The Saronikos Study

2016 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 69-80 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aristofanis Gikas ◽  
Vaia Lambadiari ◽  
Alexios Sotiropoulos ◽  
Demosthenes Panagiotakos ◽  
Stavros Pappas
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Coronary Heart Disease ◽  
Heart Disease ◽  
Adult Population ◽  
Target Population ◽  
Population Based ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Geographical Regions ◽  
Region Data

Background: Comprehensive data regarding prevalence of coronary heart disease (CHD) and associated factors in different geographical regions are very important to our understanding of global distribution and evolution of CHD. The aim of this study was to assess the current prevalence of self-reported risk factors and CHD in Greek adult population. Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted in May 2014, during an election day, among residents of Saronikos municipality (Attica region). Data were collected from face-to-face interviews. The study sample included 2636 subjects (men, 49.5%; mean age, 50.5; range 20-95 years), with similar age and sex distribution to the target population. Results: The age-standardized prevalence rates of five major risk factors were as follows: type 2 diabetes 11.1%, hypercholesterolemia (cholesterol>240 mg/dl or using cholesterol-lowering medication) 23.8%, hypertension 27.2%, current smoking 38.9% and physical inactivity 43%. Of the participants, only 21% were free of any of these factors. Clustering of two to five risk factors was more frequent among persons aged 50 years and older as compared with younger ones (60% vs 27%, P=0.000). The age-adjusted prevalence of CHD was 6.3% (in men, 8.9%; in women, 3.8%) and that of myocardial infarction was 3.6% (in men, 5.2%; in women, 2.1%). According to multivariate analysis age, gender, education level, obesity, diabetes, hypercholesterolemia, hypertension and ever smoking were strongly associated with CHD. Conclusion: Classic risk factors are highly prevalent and frequently clustered, especially in adults aged 50 years and older. These findings raise concerns about future trends of already increased rates of CHD. Multifactorial and integrated population-based interventions need to be applied to reduce the burden of cardiovascular conditions.

scholarly journals Loneliness in the UK during the COVID-19 pandemic: Cross-sectional results from The COVID-19 Psychological Wellbeing Study

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jenny Groarke ◽  
Emma Berry ◽  
Lisa Graham-Wisener ◽  
Phoebe McKenna-Plumley ◽  
Emily McGlinchey ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Risk Factors ◽  
Emotion Regulation ◽  
Health Outcomes ◽  
Mental Health Outcomes ◽  
Psychological Wellbeing ◽  
Public Health Issue ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
The Uk ◽  
The Impact

Objectives: Loneliness is a significant public health issue. The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in lockdown measures limiting social contact. The UK public are worried about the impact of these measures on mental health outcomes. Understanding the prevalence and predictors of loneliness at this time is a priority issue for research. Design: The study employed a cross-sectional online survey design. Method: Baseline data collected between March 23rd and April 24th 2020 from UK adults in the COVID-19 Psychological Wellbeing Study were analysed (N = 1963, 18-87 years, M = 37.11, SD = 12.86, 70% female). Logistic regression analysis was used to look at the influence of sociodemographic, social, health and COVID-19 specific factors on loneliness. Results: The prevalence of loneliness was 27% (530/1963). Risk factors for loneliness were younger age group (OR: 4.67 – 5.31), being separated or divorced (OR: 2.29), meeting clinical criteria for major depression (OR: 1.74), greater emotion regulation difficulties (OR: 1.04), and poor quality sleep due to the COVID-19 crisis (OR: 1.30). Higher levels of social support (OR: 0.92), being married/co-habiting (OR: 0.35) and living with a great number of adults (OR: 0.87) were protective factors. Conclusions: Rates of loneliness during the initial phase of lockdown were high. Risk factors were not specific to the COVID-19 crisis. Findings suggest that supportive interventions to reduce loneliness should prioritise younger people and those with mental health symptoms. Improving emotion regulation and sleep quality may be optimal initial targets to reduce the impact of COVID-19 regulations on mental health outcomes.

scholarly journals Burden and vulnerability of hypertension in a rural population of Patna, Bihar, India

2013 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 53-58 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rashmi Singh ◽  
Ranjeet K Sinha ◽  
Chandra Mani ◽  
Ritu Singh ◽  
Ranabir Pal
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Sedentary Lifestyle ◽  
Adult Population ◽  
Population Based ◽  
South East Asia ◽  
Community Based ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Sociodemographic Risk ◽  
Male Preponderance ◽  
Blood Pressures

Population based studies on hypertension from rural Bihar have not been reported earlier. We conducted a study to find the prevalence and the risk factors of hypertension in a rural adult population. In this cross-sectional community based study, 1083 men and women, aged 30 years and above, residing at 10 randomly selected villages of Phulwarisarif Block of Patna District of Bihar were recruited. Using house to house interviews with a semi-structured pretested schedule, the sociodemographic risk factors were recorded. Hypertension and pre-hypertension were classified using JNC-VII criteria. Overall prevalence of hypertension was 23.73%; among them mean systolic and diastolic blood pressures were 144.8±17.14 and 89.04±9.25 mm of Hg respectively. Among those who were hypertensive, the age cluster was higher (50.6±12.7 years) than those who were normotensive (43.8±12.4 years) with a significant male preponderance. Hypertension was significantly associated with a higher body mass index, waist-to-hip ratio, along with the sedentary lifestyle. However, there was not an association with consumption of alcohol and smoking. The study highlighted the need for initiation of high risk hypertension screening in rural Bihar as the awareness on and its risk factors was very low. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/seajph.v1i1.13221 South East Asia Journal of Public Health 2011:1:53-58

scholarly journals Ethno-cultural disparities in mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic: a cross-sectional study on the impact of exposure to the virus and COVID-19-related discrimination and stigma on mental health across ethno-cultural groups in Quebec (Canada)

BJPsych Open ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Diana Miconi ◽  
Zhi Yin Li ◽  
Rochelle L. Frounfelker ◽  
Tara Santavicca ◽  
Jude Mary Cénat ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Risk Factors ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Cultural Group ◽  
Cultural Groups ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Public Health Authorities ◽  
Health Related ◽  
The Impact

Background Although social and structural inequalities associated with COVID-19 have been documented since the start of the pandemic, few studies have explored the association between pandemic-specific risk factors and the mental health of minority populations. Aims We investigated the association of exposure to the virus, COVID-19-related discrimination and stigma with mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic, in a culturally diverse sample of adults in Quebec (Canada). Method A total of 3273 residents of the province of Quebec (49% aged 18–39 years, 57% women, 51% belonging to a minority ethno-cultural group) completed an online survey. We used linear and ordinal logistic regression to identify the relationship between COVID-19 experiences and mental health, and the moderating role of ethno-cultural identity. Results Mental health varied significantly based on socioeconomic status and ethno-cultural group, with those with lower incomes and Arab participants reporting higher psychological distress. Exposure to the virus, COVID-19-related discrimination, and stigma were associated with poorer mental health. Associations with mental health varied across ethno-cultural groups, with exposed and discriminated Black participants reporting higher mental distress. Conclusions Findings indicate sociocultural inequalities in mental health related to COVID-19 in the Canadian context. COVID-19-related risk factors, including exposure, discrimination and stigma, jeopardise mental health. This burden is most noteworthy for the Black community. There is an urgent need for public health authorities and health professionals to advocate against the discrimination of racialised minorities, and ensure that mental health services are accessible and culturally sensitive during and in the aftermath of the pandemic.

scholarly journals Loneliness, physical activity and mental health during Covid-19: a longitudinal analysis of depression and anxiety in adults over 50 between 2015 and 2020

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-21
Author(s):  
Byron Creese ◽  
Zunera Khan ◽  
William Henley ◽  
Siobhan O’Dwyer ◽  
Anne Corbett ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Physical Activity ◽  
Risk Factors ◽  
Negative Binomial ◽  
Negative Binomial Regression ◽  
Population Based ◽  
Annual Data ◽  
Activity Levels ◽  
Social Distancing ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Objective: Loneliness and physical activity are important targets for research into the impact of COVID-19 because they have established links with mental health, could be exacerbated by social distancing policies and are potentially modifiable. In this study we aimed to identify whether loneliness and physical activity were associated with worse mental health during a period of mandatory social distancing in the UK. Design: Population-based observation cohort study. Setting: Mental health data collected online during COVID-19 from an existing sample of adults aged 50 and over taking part in a longitudinal study of ageing. All had comparable annual data collected between 2015 and 2019. Participants: 3,281 participants aged 50 and over. Measurements: Trajectories of depression (measured by PHQ-9) and anxiety (measured by GAD-7) between 2015 and 2020 were analyzed with respect to loneliness, physical activity levels and a number of socioeconomic and demographic characteristics using zero-inflated negative binomial regression. Results: In 2020, PHQ-9 score for loneliness, adjusted for covariates, was 3.23 (95% CI: 3.01-3.44), an increase of around one point on all previous years in this group and 2 points higher than people not rated lonely, whose score did not change in 2020 (1.22, 95% CI: 1.12-1.32). PHQ-9 was 2.60, 95% CI: 2.43-2.78 in people with decreased physical activity, an increase of 0.5 on previous years. In contrast, PHQ-9 in 2020 for people whose physical activity had not decreased was 1.66, 95% CI: 1.56-1.75, similar to previous years. A similar relationship was observed for GAD-7 though the absolute burden of symptoms lower. Conclusion: After accounting for pre-COVID-19 trends, we show that experiencing loneliness and decreased physical activity are risk factors for worsening mental health during the pandemic. Our findings highlight the need to examine policies which target these potentially modifiable risk factors.

scholarly journals Concerns, Perceived Impact, Preparedness in Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) Pandemic and Health Outcomes among Italian Physicians: A Cross-Sectional Study

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
pp. 215013272110002
Author(s):  
Igor Portoghese ◽  
Federico Meloni ◽  
Maura Galletta ◽  
Ilenia Piras ◽  
Ernesto D’Aloja ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Risk Factors ◽  
Job Stress ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Snowball Sampling ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Perceived Impact ◽  
Job Role ◽  
The Impact

Background: Health care workers (HCWs) are among the professionals at serious risk for the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on their mental health. In this sense, the next public health challenge globally will be to preserving healthy HCWs during this pandemic. Aim: The present study has the aim of investigating the relationship among concerns, perceived impact, preparedness for the COVID-19 pandemic and the mental health of Italian physicians. Methods: From March 29th to April 15th 2020, we conducted an online survey using snowball sampling techniques through Limesurvey platform. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and multiple binary logistic regressions. Results: Multivariate analysis showed that the risk factors for perceived job stress were concerns about catching COVID-19 (OR = 3.18 [95% CI = 2.00-5.05] P < .001), perceived impact on job demands (OR = 1.63 [95% CI = 1.05-2.52] P < .05), perceived impact on job role (OR = 2.50 [95% CI = 1.60-3.90] P < .001), and non-working concerns (OR = 1.86 [95% CI = 1.15-3.03] P < .05). With respect to the risk factors for rumination about the pandemic emerged concerns about catching COVID-19 (OR 1.74, [95% CI = 1.12-2.71] P < .05), perceived impact on job role (OR = 1.68 [95% CI = 1.12-2.52] P < .05), and impact on personal life (OR = 2.04 [95% CI = 1.08-3.86] P < .05). Finally, the risk factors for crying at work were perceived impact on job role (OR = 2.47, [95% CI = 1.20-5.09] P < .05), rumination about the pandemic (OR = 3.027 [95% CI = 1.27-7.19] P < .01), watching colleagues crying at work (OR = 3.82 [95% CI = 1.88-7.77] P < .01), and perceived job stress (OR = 3.53 [95% CI = 1.24-10.07] P < .05). Conclusion: In general, our results highlighted that being concerned about being infected/infecting other people, carrying out new and unusual tasks, and witnessing colleagues crying at work were important risk factors for physicians’ well-being. Additional data are necessary to advance understanding of these risk factors in a long-term perspective.

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