scholarly journals Developing and evaluating non-invasive healthcare technologies for a group of female participants from a socioeconomically disadvantaged area

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Eman Awad ◽  
Rathi Ramji ◽  
Stefan Cirovic ◽  
Margareta Rämgård ◽  
Anders Kottorp ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Low Income ◽  
Subjective Health ◽  
World Health ◽  
Biomedical Data ◽  
Socioeconomically Disadvantaged ◽  
Disadvantaged Area ◽  
Swedish Population ◽  
World Health Organization Quality ◽  
Objective Health ◽  
Non Invasive

AbstractWhen compared to the general population, socioeconomically disadvantaged communities frequently experience compromised health. Monitoring the divide is challenging since standardized biomedical tests are linguistically and culturally inappropriate. The aim of this study was to develop and test a unique mobile biomedical testbed based on non-invasive analysis, as well as to explore the relationships between the objective health measures and subjective health outcomes, as evaluated with the World Health Organization Quality of Life survey. The testbed was evaluated in a socioeconomically disadvantaged neighborhood in Malmö, which has been listed as one of the twelve most vulnerable districts in Sweden. The study revealed that compared to conventional protocols the less intrusive biomedical approach was highly appreciated by the participants. Surprisingly, the collected biomedical data illustrated that the apparent health of the participants from the ethnically diverse low-income neighborhood was comparable to the general Swedish population. Statistically significant correlations between perceived health and biomedical data were disclosed, even though the dependences found were complex, and recognition of the manifest complexity needs to be included in further research. Our results validate the potential of non-invasive technologies in combination with advanced statistical analysis, especially when combined with linguistically and culturally appropriate healthcare methodologies, allowing participants to appreciate the significance of the different parameters to evaluate and monitor aspects of health.

Developing and Evaluating Non-invasive Healthcare Technologies for a Group of Female Participants from a Socioeconomically Disadvantaged Area

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eman Awad ◽  
Rathi Ramji ◽  
Stefan Cirovic ◽  
Margareta Rämgård ◽  
Anders Kottorp ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Blood Pressure Monitoring ◽  
World Health ◽  
Biomedical Data ◽  
Socioeconomically Disadvantaged ◽  
Disadvantaged Area ◽  
Swedish Population ◽  
World Health Organization Quality ◽  
Non Invasive

Abstract Background When compared to the general population, socioeconomically disadvantaged communities frequently experience compromised health. Monitoring the divide is challenging since in general, standardized biomedical tests are linguistically and culturally inappropriate. The aim of this study was to develop a novel healthcare technology for its usage in socioeconomically disadvantaged areas.Methods A unique mobile biomedical testbed based on non-invasive analysis, accompanied with the World Health Organization Quality of Life survey, was developed. This healthcare approach was used in Lindängen, a socioeconomically disadvantaged neighborhood in Malmö, which has been listed as one of the twelve most vulnerable neighborhoods in Sweden. Results The less intrusive biomedical approach, compared to conventional setups used, e.g., wrist blood pressure monitoring, bioimpedance analysis and cardiovascular diagnostics, non-invasive determination of blood bioanalytes, was highly appreciated by the participants, i.e., 39 female volunteers of Middle Eastern origin. Surprisingly, the collected biomedical data illustrated that the apparent health of the participants from Lindängen was comparable to the general Swedish population. The Quality of Life-BREF survey, used to gather information regarding subjective health perceptions within the cohort, combined with advanced statistical data analysis, revealed statistically significant correlations between perceived health and biomedical data. Even though the dependences found were complex, the recognition of which is essential in further research. Conclusions Our results validate the potential of non-invasive technologies in combination with advanced statistical analysis, especially when combined with linguistically and culturally appropriate healthcare methodologies, allowing participants to appreciate the significance of the different parameters to evaluate and monitor aspects of health.

scholarly journals Breastfeeding Peer Counseling Experiences Among Low-Income Women in the US: A Qualitative Evaluation

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. 806-806
Author(s):  
Elizabeth Rhodes ◽  
Mahrukh Zahid ◽  
Nafeesa Abuwala ◽  
Grace Damio ◽  
Helen LaPlant ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Low Income ◽  
Peer Counseling ◽  
World Health ◽  
Maternal And Newborn Health ◽  
Open Communication ◽  
High Quality ◽  
World Health Organization Quality ◽  
Peer Counselors ◽  
Positive Experiences ◽  
Breastfeeding Counseling

Abstract Objectives Positive experiences with breastfeeding counseling is a key, but often overlooked aspect of high-quality, person-centered, and equitable breastfeeding services. We explored the experiences of women enrolled in the Breastfeeding Heritage and Pride program (BHP), an evidence-based breastfeeding peer counseling program serving predominately low-income minority women in Connecticut and Massachusetts throughout pregnancy and up to one year postpartum. Methods In-depth interviews were conducted with a purposive sample of 28 women receiving counseling from BHP peer counselors, community health workers who have successfully breastfed and completed specialized training on lactation management. Women were asked to describe their experiences with BHP and to share examples of when good quality counseling was and/or was not provided. Each interview was conducted in the woman's preferred language (English or Spanish), audio-recorded, and transcribed verbatim. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis, and findings were organized according to the World Health Organization quality of care framework for maternal and newborn health, which describes three domains important for promoting positive experiences: effective communication; respect and dignity; and emotional support. Results Peer counselors were described as “friendly,” “warm,” and “genuine” in their interactions, which encouraged open communication. Peer counselors provided timely, credible breastfeeding information and used everyday words that facilitated understanding. Women appreciated that peer counselors respected their infant feeding decisions, including choices to supplement breast milk with infant formula or stop breastfeeding, and did not raise their voices, use rude language, or make judgmental comments that would constitute “mom shaming.” Women felt peer counselors gave them the “strength” to continue breastfeeding through consistent encouragement, especially when they lacked support from friends and family. Conclusions Positive experiences with BHP were valued by women and empowered them to meet their breastfeeding goals, suggesting that efforts to expand access to high-quality breastfeeding peer counseling should measure and promote positive breastfeeding counseling experiences. Funding Sources NIH/NHLBI; CDC; W.K. Kellogg Foundation.

scholarly journals Quality of Life and Depressive Symptomatology in Mothers of Individuals with Autism

Psico-USF ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 20 (3) ◽  
pp. 505-515 ◽  
Author(s):  
Josieli Piovesan ◽  
Silvana Alba Scortegagna ◽  
Ana Carolina Bertoletti De Marchi
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Depressive Symptomatology ◽  
Depression Scale ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Therapeutic Interventions ◽  
World Health ◽  
World Health Organization Quality

Abstract This study aimed to investigate the Quality of Life (QOL) and the presence of the depressive symptoms in mothers of individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Participants included 40 women, between 28 and 72 years old, married, with medium-low income and education levels, and with children between 10 and 40 years old. The instruments used were a social demographic and health characterization questionnaire, the World Health Organization Quality of Life (WHOQOL-Bref) questionnaire, the Beck Depression Inventory and Beck Hopelessness Scale (BDI-II and BHS), and the Baptista Depression Scale Adult Version (EBADEP A). The quality of life and the presence of depressive symptoms in mothers did not show significant correlation with the child's age. However, there was high and negative correlation between the quality of life and high levels of depressive symptoms and moderate correlation between environment and income. It concludes the necessity of preventive and therapeutic interventions for these mothers.

scholarly journals Physical activity participation is associated with higher quality of life scores in men with alcohol use disorders: a study from Uganda

2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (3) ◽  
pp. 1407-1415
Author(s):  
Davy Vancampfort ◽  
Mats Hallgren ◽  
Byamah Brian Mutamba ◽  
Tine Van Damme ◽  
Michel Probst ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Physical Activity ◽  
Alcohol Use ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Alcohol Use Disorders ◽  
Life Assessment ◽  
World Health ◽  
Future Research ◽  
World Health Organization Quality

Background: There is a growing recognition of the importance of encouraging people with alcohol use disorders (AUD) to become more active as an achievable strategy to reduce the disability-associated burden. Objective: We investigated whether physical activity and sedentary behaviour in men with AUD contribute to their quality of life (QoL). Methods: Fifty male Ugandan inpatients with AUD (33.0±10.7 years) completed the World Health Organization Quality of Life Assessment brief version, Simple Physical Activity Questionnaire and the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test while waist circumference, body mass index and blood pressure were assessed. Linear multiple regression analysis explored the total variance in QoL explained by all predictor variables. Results: SIMPAQ walking and SIMPAQ exercise explained 46% of the variability in physical QoL, 45% of the variability in psychological QoL, and 40% of the variability in environmental QoL. The SIMPAQ walking score predicted 37% of the variability in social QoL. Conclusion: The current findings suggest that higher levels of walking and exercising are associated with a better QoL. Our study therefore provides a platform for future research to investigate the role of physical activity on QoL levels in people with AUD, also in low resourced settings in low-income countries such as Uganda. Keywords: Physical activity; exercise; alcohol; quality of life.

Alexithyme Patientenmerkmale und Lebensqualität – Eine Querschnittsstudie an 79 ambulanten Patienten mit Angststörungen

2013 ◽  
Vol 61 (1) ◽  
pp. 17-26 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katrin Leenen ◽  
Michael Rufer ◽  
Hanspeter Moergeli ◽  
Hans-Jörgen Grabe ◽  
Josef Jenewein ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
World Health ◽  
Life Questionnaire ◽  
World Health Organization Quality ◽  
Fand Sich ◽  
Quality Of Life Questionnaire ◽  
Organization Quality ◽  
Health Organization ◽  
Tas 20

Aus Untersuchungen in der Normalbevölkerung ist bekannt, dass Menschen mit erhöhten Alexithymiewerten eine verminderte Lebensqualität (LQ) aufweisen. Für Patienten mit psychischen Störungen wurde dieser Zusammenhang jedoch kaum untersucht. Ziel dieser Studie war es, den möglichen Zusammenhang zwischen alexithymen Patientenmerkmalen und der LQ bei Patienten mit Angststörungen zu überprüfen. Bei 79 ambulanten Patienten mit Angststörungen wurden alexithyme Charakteristika mit der Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20), die LQ mit der Kurzversion des World Health Organization Quality of Life Questionnaire 100 (WHOQOL-BREF) erfasst. Darüber hinaus fand eine Erhebung der psychischen Symptombelastung (SCL-90-R) und depressiven Symptomatik (MADRS) statt. Mittels hierarchischer Regressionsanalysen wurde der Zusammenhang zwischen der alexithymen Charakteristika und den unterschiedlichen LQ-Domänen berechnet. Die Patienten zeigten eine im Vergleich zur Normalbevölkerung deutlich verminderte LQ. Als Hauptergebnis fand sich, auch nach Kontrolle von Depression, Ängstlichkeit und Geschlecht, ein signifikanter Zusammenhang zwischen den beiden TAS-20 Subskalen Schwierigkeiten, Gefühle zu identifizieren und zu beschreiben und vor allem der psychischen LQ. Unsere Ergebnisse sprechen dafür, bei der Diagnostik und Therapieplanung von Patienten mit Angststörungen alexithyme Merkmale einzubeziehen. Im Falle von ausgeprägten alexithymen Merkmalen sollten psychotherapeutische Interventionen zur Verbesserung der Schwierigkeiten Gefühle wahrzunehmen und zu kommunizieren in Betracht gezogen werden.

Glittre ADL test in eutrophic, overweight and obese elderly

2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
pp. 49
Author(s):  
Augusto Baumhardt Guidoti ◽  
Ângelo Pereira Cattani ◽  
Cintia Laura De Araujo ◽  
Fernanda Beatriz Costa Delacoste ◽  
Guilherme Scotta Hentschke ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Functional Capacity ◽  
Elderly Women ◽  
Handgrip Strength ◽  
Exercise Intolerance ◽  
World Health ◽  
Chronic Obstructive ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
World Health Organization Quality

The Glittre ADL-test (TGlittre) has been designed and validated to measure functional capacity during daily living activities in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) but is now used in several other situations. The aim of this study was to evaluate the applicability of TGlittre in a sample of overweight and obese eutrophic elderly. This was an experimental and cross-sectional study, which included 21 elderly women, allocated by BMI, in eutrophic (n = 8), overweight (n = 6) and obese (n = 7) groups. They were assessed for functional capacity (TGlittre and 6MWT), quality of life (QOL) with the questionnaire World Health Organization Quality of Life for Older People (WHOQOL-OLD) and handgrip strength (HGS). TGlittre correlated with age (p = 0.0040) and with 6MWT (p = 0.0086), but no statistical difference was found in TGlittre's performance time and the distance covered in 6MWT between groups. TGlittre did not correlate with HGS (p = 0.1493) and WHOQOL-Old (p = 0.0905). The data obtained in the present study corroborate that TGlittre is used as a functional measurement variable in the elderly population.Keywords: aged, obesity, exercise intolerance.­­­

scholarly journals Quality of life in patients with narcolepsy: a WHOQOL-bref study

2008 ◽  
Vol 66 (2a) ◽  
pp. 163-167 ◽  
Author(s):  
Heloísa Rovere ◽  
Sueli Rossini ◽  
Rubens Reimão
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Patient Group ◽  
World Health ◽  
Control Group ◽  
World Health Organization Quality ◽  
Severe Impairment ◽  
Perception Of Quality ◽  
Social Domains ◽  
Health Organization

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the perception of Quality of Life (QL) in Brazilian patients with narcolepsy. METHOD: 40 adult patients aged between 20 and 72 years (mean=41.55; SD=14.50); (28 F; 12M), with the diagnosis of chronic narcolepsy were followed up at the outpatient clinic (Patient Group). The Control Group was composed of 40 adults. The instrument utilized was the World Health Organization Quality of Life (WHOQOL-BREF). RESULTS: The two groups were homogeneous and no difference was found with regards to age, sex, and demographic characteristics. The perception of QL in physical, psychological and social domains showed lower scores in those patients with narcolepsy than in the control group (p<0.05). Concerning physical domain, all the aspects evaluated were significantly impaired, in patient group, including sleep satisfaction (p<0.001); energy for daily activities (p=0.039); capacity to perform activities (p=0.001); and capacity to work (p=0.001). CONCLUSION: The perception of QL showed severe impairment in patients with narcolepsy for physical, psychological and social domains.

scholarly journals Health Status of Healthcare Professionals Working in an Institute for Chronically Ill Psychiatric Patients

2015 ◽  
Vol 66 (1) ◽  
pp. 43-52
Author(s):  
Katalin Nagyváradi ◽  
Zsuzsa Mátrai
Keyword(s):  
Health Status ◽  
Working Conditions ◽  
Healthcare Professionals ◽  
Psychiatric Patients ◽  
Chronically Ill ◽  
Subjective Health ◽  
The State ◽  
State Of Health ◽  
Subjective Health Status ◽  
Objective Health

AbstractSeveral research works in the related international literature on sociology and health sciences deal with the state of health in one selected population. In these studies, the chosen sample is often connected with special jobs, especially with healthcare professionals and their working conditions. These studies predominantly examine the self-rated subjective health status using questionnaires. There are others that assess the state of health based not only on self-rated subjective indicators, but also using objective data gained by measuring. Considering the international experiences, we chose a special population in our research – healthcare professionals working in an institute for chronically ill psychiatric patients. Our choice was influenced by the fact that we wanted to include their unique working conditions when exploring and assessing their health status. Moreover, our approach was to assess the objective state of health alongside the subjective factors, as our hypothesis was that the majority of the indicators presumably coincided. The data were collected with the help of three questionnaires and some indicators of the objective health statuses were measured. The findings were processed using the SPSS 17.0 mathematical-statistical software package. Following the descriptive statistics, we applied hierarchic cluster-analysis based on results of the WHOQOLD-BREF26 life-quality questionnaire, the WHO WBI-5 Well Being Index, and on the body composition analysis. The results show the objective and subjective health status of population and the factors that influenced it; the working conditions and the interpersonal contacts in the workplace. The conclusion was that in the examined population the subjective and objective health status doesn’t coincide.

Comparisons of physical activity and sedentary behavior between owners and non-owners of commercial wearable devices

2021 ◽  
Vol 141 (2) ◽  
pp. 89-96
Author(s):  
Hsin-Yen Yen ◽  
Hao-Yun Huang
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Sleep Quality ◽  
Sedentary Behavior ◽  
Sedentary Time ◽  
Short Form ◽  
Wearable Devices ◽  
Wearable Device ◽  
World Health ◽  
World Health Organization Quality ◽  
Quality Of Life Scale

Aims: Wearable devices are a new strategy for promoting physical activity in a free-living condition that utilizes self-monitoring, self-awareness, and self-determination. The main purpose of this study was to explore health benefits of commercial wearable devices by comparing physical activity, sedentary time, sleep quality, and other health outcomes between individuals who used and those that did not use commercial wearable devices. Methods: The research design was a cross-sectional study using an Internet survey in Taiwan. Self-administered questionnaires included the International Physical Activity Questionnaire–Short Form, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, Health-Promoting Lifestyle Profile, and World Health Organization Quality-of-Life Scale. Results: In total, 781 participants were recruited, including 50% who were users of wearable devices and 50% non-users in the most recent 3 months. Primary outcomes revealed that wearable device users had significantly higher self-reported walking, moderate physical activity, and total physical activity, and significantly lower sedentary time than non-users. Wearable device users had significantly better sleep quality than non-users. Conclusion: Wearable devices inspire users’ motivation, engagement, and interest in physical activity through habit formation. Wearable devices are recommended to increase physical activity and decrease sedentary behavior for promoting good health.

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