scholarly journals The Southside Simple Suppers Scale-Up (S4): Effects of a Family Meals Program on Head Start Caregivers

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. 279-279
Author(s):  
Amy Sharn ◽  
Leah May ◽  
Miranda Westrick ◽  
Ashley Walther ◽  
Carolyn Gunther
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Blood Pressure ◽  
Waist Circumference ◽  
Data Collection ◽  
Head Start ◽  
Perceived Stress ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Family Meals ◽  
Post Test ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Objectives Assess the impact of an 8-week Head Start family meals intervention (Simple Suppers) on participating caregiver's weight status and health outcomes. Methods This is a single arm pre- to post-test study. The intervention is occurring during the 2019–20 school year (fall, winter, and spring sessions) at 3 Head Start sites. Caregiver outcomes include: BMI (kg/m2), waist circumference (cm), blood pressure (mm Hg), and mental health measures (depression (Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9)), perceived stress (Perceived Stress Scale (PSS)), and anxiety (Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7))). Regression models factoring in attendance will be used to examine pre- to post-test changes. Results Nineteen caregivers completed data collection for the fall session. 55.6% of families were low-income and 21.1% had low/very low food security. Mean (SD) caregiver age was 37.6 (12.1) yr, 94.7% were female, and 84.2% were non-Hispanic Black. There were no significant changes in BMI, blood pressure, waist circumference, depression, or perceived stress from pre- to post-test according to attendance level, however anxiety significantly decreased with increasing attendance (P < 0.05). Data collection for the remaining sessions will be completed in spring 2020. Conclusions This study can be expected to have a positive impact by understanding the role of healthy family mealtime routines in caregiver's physical and mental health among racial minorities residing in low-income households. Funding Sources USDA NIFA.

scholarly journals Family Physicians’ Standpoint and Mental Health Assessment in the Light of COVID-19 Pandemic—A Nationwide Survey Study

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (4) ◽  
pp. 2093
Author(s):  
Tina Vilovic ◽  
Josko Bozic ◽  
Marino Vilovic ◽  
Doris Rusic ◽  
Sanja Zuzic Furlan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Perceived Stress ◽  
Depression Scale ◽  
Family Physicians ◽  
Knowledge Score ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Anxiety And Depression ◽  
Event Scale ◽  
The Impact

During the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak, family physicians (FPs) are the backbone of the healthcare system with considerable impact on the general population, and their well-being is of great importance. The aim of this investigation was to assess FPs mental health, as well as knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAPs) regarding the pandemic, and opinions on non-communicable disease (NCD) health care provided to patients. A cross-sectional study was carried out with a sample of 613 FPs. Anxiety and depression levels were estimated with the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, subjective perceived stress with the Perceived Stress Scale, while trauma-related symptoms were assessed using the Impact on Event Scale-COVID19. KAPs toward the pandemic and opinions regarding NCD patients were evaluated with questionnaires accordingly. Results have shown that age (β = −0.02, p = 0.013) and personal risk of COVID‑19 (β = 1.05, p < 0.001) were significant independent correlates of the knowledge score. A total of 87.7% FPs expressed moderate/high perceived stress, 45.2% moderate/severe trauma-related symptoms, 60.4% borderline/abnormal anxiety levels, and 52.4% borderline/abnormal depression levels. Knowledge score was an independent predictor of perceived stress (β = −0.33, p = 0.023) and anxiety (β = −0.31, p = 0.006) levels. Limited accessibility to healthcare services and decreased number of newly-diagnosed NCD cases were mostly agreed on. The pandemic puts a considerable strain on FPs mental health, as well as on public health measures, due to the decreased overall quality of NCD patient health care. Educational programs may bridge the gaps between FPs’ knowledge. Thus lowering anxiety and improving patient care.

scholarly journals Contact With Nature as a Mental Health Buffer for Lower Income Communities During the COVID-19 Pandemic

2021 ◽  
Vol 3 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amber L. Pearson ◽  
Teresa Horton ◽  
Karin A. Pfeiffer ◽  
Rachel Buxton ◽  
Joseph Gardiner ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Perceived Stress ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Longitudinal Research ◽  
Positive Association ◽  
Depression Symptoms ◽  
Health Issues ◽  
Mental Health Issues ◽  
As Stress ◽  
Perceived Access

Despite a growing number of research outputs on the importance of nature contact during the COVID-19 pandemic, we know of no longitudinal research conducted prior to and during the pandemic among low-income and minority ethnicity populations, i.e., those that might be most affected. Furthermore, we have scant information about how and to what degree contact with nature might protect mental health or mitigate worsening of mental health during the pandemic. We filled these gaps using a subset of a longitudinal study of n = 86 individuals in low-income, predominantly African American, neighborhoods in Detroit, MI, USA. The study addressed the following research questions: (1) did self-reported use and perceived value of nature change during, vs. prior to, the pandemic; (2) did perceived access to outdoor spaces buffer people against mental health issues such as stress, anxiety and depression symptoms; or (3) did objectively measured quality of nature views from home buffer people against mental health issues, taking into account relevant covariates and pandemic experiences (e.g., loss of employment, death of a friend/relative)? While attitudes to nature improved slightly from pre- to during the pandemic, we also observed significant decreases in most types of outdoor physical activity and passive enjoyment of nature (e.g., smelling plants/rain). We found a positive association between visibility of greenspace and perceived stress and anxiety, which not only contradicts previous research findings, but was especially surprising given that overall there was a decrease in perceived stress from 2019–2020. We did not detect associations between perceived access/use of nature and mental health. However, higher depressive symptoms were associated with exposure to more COVID-19-related stressors (lost employment, death of friends from COVID-19, etc.). Taken together, our results indicate that COVID-19 may serve to prolong or exacerbate mental health issues, rather than create them, in this population and that low quality greenspace may perhaps limit the ability for nature view to buffer mental health during the pandemic.

scholarly journals Attitudes About COVID-19 and Health: A Mixed-Methods Smartphone-App and Online Survey Study (Preprint)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anna M. Hood ◽  
Hanne Stotesbury ◽  
Jennifer Murphy ◽  
Melanie Kölbel ◽  
April Slee ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Mental Health ◽  
Data Collection ◽  
Physical Health ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Smartphone App ◽  
The Uk ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Monthly Survey

BACKGROUND Behavioral mitigation strategies to slow the spread of COVID-19 have resulted in sweeping lifestyle changes, with short and long-term psychological, well-being, and quality of life implications. The Attitudes About COVID-19 and Health (ATTACH) study focuses on understanding attitudes and beliefs whilst considering the impact on mental and physical health and the influence of broader demographic and geographic factors on attitudes, beliefs, and mental health burden. OBJECTIVE In this assessment of our first wave of data collection, we provide baseline cohort descriptives of ATTACH study participants in the United Kingdom (UK), United States of America (USA), and Mexico. Additionally, we assess responses to daily poll questions related to COVID-19 and conduct a cross-sectional analysis of baseline assessments collected in the UK between June 26 and October 31, 2020. METHODS The ATTACH study uses smartphone-app technology and online survey data collection. Participants completed poll questions twice daily related to COVID-19 and a monthly survey assessing mental health, social isolation, physical health, and quality of life. Poll question responses were graphed using 95% Clopper-Pearson (exact) tests with 95% confidence intervals. Pearson correlations, hierarchical linear regression analyses, and generalized linear models assessed relationships, predictors of self-reported outcomes, and group differences, respectively. RESULTS By October 31, 2020, 1405, 80, and 90 participants had consented to participate in the UK, USA, and Mexico, respectively. Descriptive data for the UK daily poll questions indicated that participants were generally following social distancing measures, but worry and negative impacts on families increased as the pandemic progressed. Although participants generally reported feeling that the reasons for current measures had been made clear, there was low trust that the government was doing everything in its power to meet public needs. In the UK, 1282 participants also completed a monthly survey (95% white, 72% female, 21% key or essential workers). Nineteen percent of UK participants reported a pre-existing mental health disorder, 31% reported a pre-existing chronic medical illness, and 35% were over 65. Fifty-seven percent of participants reported being more sedentary since the pandemic began, and 41% reported reduced access to medical care. Those with poorer mental health outcomes lived in more deprived neighborhoods, in larger households (ps < .05), had more pre-existing mental health disorders and medical conditions, and were younger than 65 years (all ps < .001). CONCLUSIONS Communities who have been exposed to additional harm during the COVID-19 pandemic were experiencing worse mental outcomes. Factors including having a medical condition, or living in a deprived neighborhood or larger household were associated with heightened risk. Future longitudinal studies should investigate the link between COVID-19 exposure, mental health, and sociodemographic and residential characteristics.

Abstract 242: Evaluating the Impact and Barriers to a Collaborative Physician-pharmacist Care Model to Control Hypertension in a Low-income Population

2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (Suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kerrilynn C Hennessey ◽  
Carolyn Hickman ◽  
Brianne Krawczyk ◽  
Michelle Opare ◽  
Leslie Churchwell ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Blood Pressure ◽  
Side Effects ◽  
Blood Pressure Control ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Health Workers ◽  
Pressure Control ◽  
Low Income Population ◽  
Early Results ◽  
Patient Reported ◽  
The Impact

Objectives: Physician-pharmacist collaborative practice models have emerged as an effective model for managing hypertension (HTN). We implemented this model in a low-income, hospital-based cardiology clinic and sought to identify programmatic features necessary to control HTN in this vulnerable population. Methods: Patients with persistently elevated blood pressure (>130/80) were referred by their primary cardiologist. Patients were excluded if they were pregnant, had acute kidney injury, or acute cardiovascular complaints including anginal chest pain, decompensated heart failure, or unstable arrhythmia. The initial pharmacist appointment occurred within 2 weeks of referral, with the goal of bi-weekly visits for 6 weeks or until blood pressure was controlled. Patients were prescribed home blood pressure cuffs and given specific instructions for home-based monitoring. Telehealth visits were made available to interested patients. During each encounter, pharmacists assessed response and side effects to medication, adherence, lifestyle behaviors, stressors, and social barriers to blood pressure control. Clinical management and barriers to HTN control were reviewed at standing weekly staff meetings that included cardiologists and pharmacists. Early results: Among 35 people referred, 22 patients attended at least one pharmacist visit. A total of 139 reminder or follow-up calls were made for these 22 patients. Among the first 35 referrals (mean age 58; 57% male; 65% African American or Latinx), 26% have documented substance use disorders, 34% have a mental health comorbidity, 20% were not taking their medications as prescribed on intake, and 17% had side effects from 2 or more prior antihypertensive medications. Medications adjustments were made in 21/43 patient visits (49% of visits). In 8/43 visits more than 1 medication change was made. The most common patient reported barriers to care include transportation (20%) and language barriers (11%). Discussion and Future Direction: Managing HTN in a low-income population requires attention to the social and contextual factors impacting blood pressure control. We plan to: 1) support the uptake of telehealth to address issues of transportation and access; 2) pilot blue-tooth connected blood pressure cuffs to facilitate home monitoring and management; and 3) partner with community health workers to assess best practices for capturing and addressing social determinants of health in the clinical setting.

scholarly journals The impact of confinement in the psychosocial behaviour due COVID-19 among members of a Brazilian university

2020 ◽  
pp. 002076402097131
Author(s):  
Heloísa Monteiro Amaral-Prado ◽  
Filipy Borghi ◽  
Tânia Maron Vichi Freire Mello ◽  
Dora Maria Grassi-Kassisse
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Graduate Students ◽  
Coping Strategies ◽  
Perceived Stress ◽  
Depression Symptoms ◽  
University Environment ◽  
Final Exams ◽  
And Coping ◽  
The University ◽  
The Impact

Background: The current situation due COVID-19 may cause an eminent impact on mental health because the confinement restrictions. Aims: The aim of this study was to analyze and compare perceived stress, resilience, depression symptoms and coping strategies on the members of University of Campinas, in Brazil, before and during the outbreak of the COVID-19. Methods: Volunteers over 18 years of both sexes, members of the University of Campinas (Unicamp) in Brazil answered instruments related to perceived stress, depression, resilience and coping strategies during final exams at the end of semester during 2018 to 2020. Results: We obtained 1,135 responses (893 before COVID-19 and 242 during COVID-19). The volunteers did not show significant differences for perceived stress, depressive signs and resilience before and during the pandemic. In both periods, men exhibited lower scores for perceived stress and depression and higher scores for resilience when compared to women. Undergraduate and graduate students exhibited higher perceived stress scores, more pronounced depressive signs and lower resilience, and employees and professors presented lower scores for perceived stress, depressive signs and greater resilience. Conclusions: These first months of confinement did not directly affect the scores of perceived stress, depression and resilience, however, each subgroup adapted to the new routine by changing the coping strategy used. This study suggests the importance of monitoring the mental health of member in the university, especially in times of epidemic, in the search for policies that aim to improve the resilience of the population and seek positive and effective coping strategies within the university environment.

scholarly journals FEASIBILITY OF MOBILE HEALTH FOR LOW-INCOME MINORITY HISPANIC PATIENTS WITH A STROKE

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S334-S334
Author(s):  
Stuti Dang ◽  
Kasra Sarhadi ◽  
Sonjia Kenya ◽  
Chuanhui Dong ◽  
Natalie Ferras ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Blood Pressure ◽  
Patient Education ◽  
Mobile Health ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Health Knowledge ◽  
Randomized Study ◽  
Response Rates ◽  
Text Messages ◽  
Stroke Patients ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Stroke is a leading cause of death and functional impairment that disproportionately impacts Hispanics. Several studies have supported the feasibility of mobile health interventions (mHealth) to provide health monitoring and patient education for improving chronic disease management, but none have focused on Latino stroke patients. The Hispanic Secondary Stroke Prevention Initiative is a randomized study of 200 stroke patients designed to evaluate the impact of a 12-month multi-modal Community Health Worker (CHW) and mHealth intervention on blood pressure control. Eligible participants were Latinos who experienced a mild-moderate stroke within the last five years. The CHW component included home visits, telephone calls, and daily text messages to obtain home blood pressure readings and provide patient navigation and health education. Feasibility was defined as the proportion of patients that responded to at least half the messages. Pre-post paired t-tests assessed improvements in question accuracy while correlation coefficients highlighted improvements in response rates. Among the 65 participants randomized to the intervention, the response rate was as follows: 37% - &gt;50% response, 21% - 25-50%, 19% - 10-25%, and 23% - &lt;10%, This finding suggests that mHealth interventions may be challenging in this population. However, the proportion of questions answered correctly increased from 63% to 84% in the intervention period’s last two months (p&lt;0.05). There was a positive correlation between increased response rates and response accuracy to patient education assessments (r=0.82, p&lt;0.05). These improvements in health knowledge suggest that a subset of patients may benefit from mHealth interventions, and the benefit correlates with use.

Youth Mentor Dietary Outcomes and Waist Circumference Improvement: Camp NERF Study Findings

2019 ◽  
Vol 21 (6) ◽  
pp. 962-971
Author(s):  
Laura C. Hopkins ◽  
Alison Webster ◽  
Julie A. Kennel ◽  
Kelly M. Purtell ◽  
Carolyn Gunther
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Waist Circumference ◽  
Child Nutrition ◽  
Intervention Strategy ◽  
Health Impact ◽  
Primary Objective ◽  
Positive Role ◽  
Sugar Sweetened Beverage ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Depth Interviews

Background. The health impact of youth mentors serving in the delivery of child nutrition and physical activity (PA) interventions on youth mentors themselves has been understudied. Objective. The primary objective of the current study was to examine the impact of engaging youth mentors in the delivery of a summertime childhood obesity prevention intervention on youth mentors’ behavioral health. Method. Data were collected at baseline and postintervention. A survey of validated nutrition, mental health, PA, and psychosocial questionnaires was administered. Diet was assessed via 24-hour recall. Height, weight, and waist circumference (WC) were measured. In-depth interviews were conducted with youth mentors. Results. Eleven youth mentors enrolled: 60% were female, mean age was 16.1 ± 0.38 years, and 100% were Black. Mean kilocalories ( p = .05), sugar-sweetened beverage intake ( p = .08), and waist circumference ( p = .04) decreased. In-depth interviews were conducted with 11 youth mentors, and three themes emerged: perceived improvement in nutrition, PA, and mental health-related behaviors; formation of a positive role modeling relationship with the child campers; and strengthening of higher education goals and future career aspirations. Conclusions. Youth mentor staffing may be an important intervention strategy for changing health behaviors among youth mentors. Results from this study can be used to inform utilization of youth mentors in the delivery of this and similar health behavior interventions in the future.

scholarly journals The Effect of Simple Suppers, A Family Meal Program, on The Relationship between Children's Food Preparation Skills and Their Involvement in Meal Preparation

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. 1360-1360
Author(s):  
Ashley Walther ◽  
Leah May ◽  
Amy Sharn ◽  
Miranda Westrick ◽  
Carolyn Gunther
Keyword(s):  
Head Start ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Pearson Correlation ◽  
Preschool Age ◽  
Family Meals ◽  
Food Preparation ◽  
Family Meal ◽  
Meal Preparation ◽  
Child Involvement ◽  
The Relationship

Abstract Objectives Examine the relationship between children's food preparation skills and their involvement in meal preparation with their caregiver among families participating in a Head Start family meals program (Simple Suppers). Methods Simple Suppers is an 8-week family meals program tailored to low-income caregivers and their preschool age child(ren). The study design is a single arm pre- to post-test, and the intervention is occurring during the 2019–2020 school year (fall, winter, and spring sessions) at 3 Head Start sites. Caregiver lessons focus on overcoming family meal barriers (i.e., meals on a budget, time saving strategies) through interactive group discussions and goal setting. Child lessons focus on age-appropriate food preparation skills through experiential learning. Children's food preparation skills are assessed via a 9-item questionnaire. Questions are situated on a 4-pt Likert scale (1 = strongly disagree (1pt); 4 = strongly agree (4pt)). Child involvement in meal preparation is assessed with a single item scalar question (0–7 times per week). Pearson correlation was used to examine the relationship between child food preparation skills and involvement in meal preparation. Significance was set at P &lt; 0.05. Results 19 families completed data collection for the fall session. 55.6% were low-income according to federal poverty guidelines, mean (SD) caregiver age was 37.6 (12.1), 94.7% were female, and 84.2% were non-Hispanic Black. Mean (SD) child age was 3.4 (0.5) and 47.6% were female. There was a significant association between the change in child food preparation skills and the level of child involvement in meal preparation with their caregiver (r = 0.62, P &lt; 0.01). Conclusions Preliminary data from this study demonstrate that children's food preparation skills influence the extent to which they are involved in preparing family meals with their caregivers. Funding Sources USDA NIFA CYFAR.

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