scholarly journals Emerging responses implemented to prevent and respond to violence against women and children in WHO European member states during the COVID-19 pandemic: a scoping review of online media reports

BMJ Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. e045872
Author(s):  
Isabelle Pearson ◽  
Nadia Butler ◽  
Zhamin Yelgezekova ◽  
Åsa Nihlén ◽  
Isabel Yordi Aguirre ◽  
...  

ObjectivesThis study aims to explore the strategies that governments and civil society organisations implemented to prevent and respond to the anticipated rise in violence against women and/or children (VAWC) during the 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.DesignA scoping review and content analysis of online media reports.SettingWHO European region.MethodsA scoping review of media reports and publications and a search of other grey literature (published from 1 January to 17 September 2020). Primary and secondary outcome measures included measures implemented by governments, public services and non-governmental and civil organisations to prevent or respond to VAWC during the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic.ResultsOur study found that in 52 of the 53 member states there was at least one measure undertaken to prevent or respond to VAWC during the pandemic. Government-led or government-sponsored measures were the most common, reported in 50 member states. Non-governmental and other civil society-led prevention and response measures were reported in 40 member states. The most common measure was the use of media and social media to raise awareness of VAWC and to provide VAWC services through online platforms, followed by measures taken to expand and/or maintain helpline services for those exposed to violence.ConclusionThe potential increase in VAWC during COVID-19-imposed restrictions and lockdowns resulted in adaptations and/or increases in prevention and response strategies in nearly all member states. The strength of existing public health systems influenced the requirement and choice of strategies and highlights the need for sustaining and improving violence prevention and response services. Innovative strategies employed in several member states may offer opportunities for countries to strengthen prevention and responses in the near future and during similar emergencies.

BMJ Open ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. e035157
Author(s):  
Michael T. Lawless ◽  
Amy Marshall ◽  
Manasi Murthy Mittinty ◽  
Gillian Harvey

ObjectiveTo systematically map and synthesise the literature on older adults’ perceptions and experiences of integrated care.SettingVarious healthcare settings, including primary care, hospitals, allied health practices and emergency departments.ParticipantsAdults aged ≥60 years.InterventionsIntegrated (or similarly coordinated) healthcare.Primary and secondary outcome measuresUsing scoping review methodology, four electronic databases (EMBASE, CINAHL, PubMed and ProQuest Dissertation and Theses) and the grey literature (Open Grey and Google Scholar) were searched to identify studies reporting on older adults’ experiences of integrated care. Studies reporting on empirical, interpretive and critical research using any type of methodology were included. Four independent reviewers performed study selection, data extraction and analysis.ResultsThe initial search retrieved 436 articles, of which 30 were included in this review. Patients expressed a desire for continuity, both in terms of care relationships and management, seamless transitions between care services and/or settings, and coordinated care that delivers quick access, effective treatment, self-care support, respect for patient preferences, and involves carers and families.ConclusionsParticipants across the studies desired accessible, efficient and coordinated care that caters to their needs and preferences, while keeping in mind their rights and safety. This review highlights the salience of the relational, informational and organisational aspects of care from an older person’s perspective. Findings are transferable and could be applied in various healthcare settings to derive patient-centred success measures that reflect the aspects of integrated care that are deemed important to older adults and their supporters.


BMJ Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. e043966
Author(s):  
Connor O'Rielly ◽  
Joshua Ng-Kamstra ◽  
Ania Kania-Richmond ◽  
Joseph Dort ◽  
Jonathan White ◽  
...  

ObjectivesTo understand how surgical services have been reorganised during and following public health emergencies, particularly the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the consequences for patients, healthcare providers and healthcare systems.DesignA rapid scoping review.SettingWe searched the MEDLINE, Embase and grey literature sources for documents and press releases from governments and surgical organisations or associations.ParticipantsStudies examining surgical service delivery during public health emergencies including COVID-19, and the impact on patients, providers and healthcare systems were included.Primary and secondary outcome measuresPrimary outcomes were strategies implemented for the reorganisation of surgical services. Secondary were the impacts of reorganisation and resuming surgical services, such as: adverse events (including morbidity and mortality), primary care and emergency department visits, length of hospital and ICU stay, and changes to surgical waitlists.ResultsOne hundred and thirty-two studies were included in this review; 111 described reorganisation of surgical services, 55 described the consequences of reorganising surgical services; and 6 reported actions taken to rebuild surgical capacity in public health emergencies. Reorganisations of surgical services were grouped under six domains: case selection/triage, personal protective equipment (PPE) regulations and practice, workforce composition and deployment, outpatient and inpatient patient care, resident and fellow education, and the hospital or clinical environment. Service reorganisations led to large reductions in non-urgent surgical volumes, increases in surgical wait times and impacted medical training (ie, reduced case involvement) and patient outcomes (eg, increases in pain). Strategies for rebuilding surgical capacity were scarce but focused on the availability of staff, PPE and patient readiness for surgery as key factors to consider before resuming services.ConclusionsReorganisation of surgical services in response to public health emergencies appears to be context dependent and has far-reaching consequences that must be better understood in order to optimise future health system responses to public health emergencies.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brhane Berhe ◽  
Haftom Legese ◽  
Hagos Degefa ◽  
Gebre Adhanom ◽  
Aderajew Gebrewahd ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: Globally, the novel coronavirus is a pandemic disease causing severe human infections. The severe acute respiratory syndrome 2 is causing severe and life-threatening complications. Methods: A scoping review was conducted following the methodological framework. In this scoping review, 70 records as of May 21, 2020, were included and discussed to better understand the current updates of the virus. PubMed, BioRxiv, MedRxiv, Global Health and google scholars were searched comprehensively for articles, preprints, grey literature, reports, conference proceedings and expert information. Studies conducted in human and published in the English language were included in the review. All the findings and statements of the review regarding the outbreak are based on published data.Results: We identified 408 records, of which 70 studies met the inclusion criteria. We synthesized the data from the included records and deep insights were extracted. The impact of the outbreak is worsening due to overcrowding, presence of asymptomatic carriers, scarcity of test kits, the immune escaping ability of the virus and lack of community awareness.Conclusions and recommendations: Due to the fast-spreading nature of the severe acute respiratory syndrome 2 the prevention and control strategies become challenging. It is imposing social, psychological, and socio-economic impacts. Adherence to physical distancing, quarantining suspects, using personal protective equipment, health education and introducing appropriate handwashing practices, avoiding contact with animals, improved control, and prevention strategies are recommended.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dorinda Raphine Borg ◽  
Ashley Hilton Ross ◽  
Kabelo Garosi ◽  
Avenal Jane Finlayson ◽  
Tivani P. Mashamba-Thompson

Abstract Background: The medical aesthetics industry is a very profitable and rapidly growing branch of medicine. Currently, somatologists or beauty therapists who either independently perform or assist medical directors in these aesthetic procedures, are not regulated by a professional body in most countries including South Africa. The absence of a prescribed scope of practice, attributed to absence of formal professional regulation, has resulted in an increase in anecdotal reports of complications and malpractice being referred to medical professionals. Since the mandate of regulatory bodies is to guide the professions and to protect patients and the public, currently, the absence of regulation in the somatology profession exposes patients/clients to unsafe practices predominately in the private sector. The objective of this scoping review is to map evidence on the somatology practices and regulations for non-medical aesthetic treatments. Methods: We will conduct a scoping review using peer reviewed journal articles that present literature on the practice of non-medical aesthetic treatments. Grey literature including media reports, and unpublished theses will be included. Electronic searches of databases and search engines such as Scopus, CINAHL, EBSCOhost, Health Source - Consumer Edition; Health Source: Nursing/Academic Edition, Open Dissertations, Google Scholar and MEDLINE will be undertaken to attain published articles and reports from all study designs. Duplicated documents will be deleted prior to title screening commencing. All retrieved literature will be exported into an Endnote X20 library. The quality of each publication will be appraised using the mixed methods appraisal tool (MMAT) – version 2018.Discussion: We will map the evidence of how non-medical treatments are commonly being performed by non-physicians and somatologists, including identifying which treatments and procedures are more at risk in resulting in adverse reactions if not administered ethically or correctly. Once summarised, the data could be used to develop relevant and current good practice guidelines that could be later integrated into a framework for somatologists performing non-medical aesthetics treatments in South Africa. Systematic review registration: Open Science Framework registration (https://osf.io/4fk8g/)


BMJ Open ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. e019367 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elizabeth A Sturgiss ◽  
Nicholas Elmitt ◽  
Emily Haelser ◽  
Chris van Weel ◽  
Kirsty A Douglas

ObjectivesObesity management is an important issue for the international primary care community. This scoping review examines the literature describing the role of the family doctor in managing adults with obesity. The methods were prospectively published and followed Joanna Briggs Institute methodology.SettingPrimary care. Adult patients.Included papersPeer-reviewed and grey literature with the keywords obesity, primary care and family doctors. All literature published up to September 2015. 3294 non-duplicate papers were identified and 225 articles included after full-text review.Primary and secondary outcome measuresData were extracted on the family doctors’ involvement in different aspects of management, and whether whole person and person-centred care were explicitly mentioned.Results110 papers described interventions in primary care and family doctors were always involved in diagnosing obesity and often in recruitment of participants. A clear description of the provider involved in an intervention was often lacking. It was difficult to determine if interventions took account of whole person and person-centredness. Most opinion papers and clinical overviews described an extensive role for the family doctor in management; in contrast, research on current practices depicted obesity as undermanaged by family doctors. International guidelines varied in their description of the role of the family doctor with a more extensive role suggested by guidelines from family medicine organisations.ConclusionsThere is a disconnect between how family doctors are involved in primary care interventions, the message in clinical overviews and opinion papers, and observed current practice of family doctors. The role of family doctors in international guidelines for obesity may reflect the strength of primary care in the originating health system. Reporting of primary care interventions could be improved by enhanced descriptions of the providers involved and explanation of how the pillars of primary care are used in intervention development.


2020 ◽  
Vol 3 ◽  
pp. 14
Author(s):  
Sinéad Kiernan ◽  
David Mockler ◽  
Clíona Ní Cheallaigh ◽  
Julie Broderick

Background: Adults who are experiencing homelessness suffer higher levels of premature mortality and age-related medical conditions compared to the general population, but little is known about physical factors that influence their health experience. This review aimed to evaluate what is known about physical functional limitations and physical activity levels, and how these constructs are measured in adults experiencing homelessness. Methods: This review was conducted in accordance with the Joanna Briggs Institute’s methodology for scoping reviews. Suitable quantitative and qualitative articles were searched using PubMed, CINAHL, EMBASE, PsychInfo, Web of Science and SCOPUS databases using a combination of keywords and medical subject headings  and a grey literature search was also performed. Two reviewers independently screened articles for inclusion. Inclusion criteria were studies that examined physical functional limitations and/or physical activity among homeless adults (with/without co-occurring mental illness, infectious disease, substance use disorder), as a primary or secondary outcome measure. Results: We identified 15 studies for inclusion including 2,018 participants. Studies were primarily quantitative (n=11) and there were 4 qualitative studies. The following physical focused measures were evaluated across studies; mobility levels (n=2), frailty (n=1), flexibility (n=2), strength (n=1), physical symptom burden (n=3), physical activity levels (n=6) and exercise capacity (n=3). The majority of studies reported high levels of functional limitations among participants and low physical activity levels although a spectrum of abilities was noted. Conclusion: This review showed that many adults who are homeless appear to show a high burden of physical functional limitations and low physical activity levels but more objective and consistent measures should be applied to examine these factors in future studies. This will help address and plan future care, physical rehabilitation and housing needs for this vulnerable cohort. This scoping review will help direct research and future systematic reviews in this emerging area.


2021 ◽  
Vol 30 (3) ◽  
pp. 355-380
Author(s):  
Ruth Lightbody ◽  
Oliver Escobar

In Scotland, innovative designs for community engagement have been developed by national and local governments, public authorities, and civil society organisations, leading to a wealth of literature and research. This evidence review of 79 articles and reports, explores the intersection between community engagement and inequality in Scotland. We find that the ways in which equality must be supported within community processes are often overlooked. Community engagement must be placed in the context of broader democratic innovation and citizenship at regional, national and global scale in order to become future proof. Appropriate resources are required to avoid replicating systemic inequalities as well as to support the development of a variety of institutions, processes and methods that cater for groups often mislabelled as ‘hard to reach’ but that are perhaps best seen as ‘easy to ignore’ ( Matthews et al. 2012 ). The paper highlights key learning and strategic considerations to inform practice in Scotland and beyond. The findings and recommendations are of relevance to reformers, innovators, researchers, practitioners and policymakers working across diverse policy areas and levels of governance.


2012 ◽  

This report is the first independent, substantive and public assessment of the progress of the African Union. Towards a People-Driven African Union: Current Obstacles and New Opportunities analyses the preparations of African Union member-states, the AU Commission and civil society organisations for the twice-yearly AU summits. The main finding is that despite some welcome new opportunities for participation, the African Union's vision of 'an Africa driven by its own citizens' remains largely unfulfilled. Detailed recommendations are offered to help deliver on this vision in future. Published by AFRODAD, AfriMAP and Oxfam, this report is endorsed by more than a dozen other organisations in Africa and elsewhere, and is based on interviews with more than 50 representatives of member-states, the AU Commission and civil society organisations in eleven African countries.


2017 ◽  
Vol 20 (4) ◽  
pp. 534-548
Author(s):  
Leesa Hooker ◽  
Jacqui Theobald ◽  
Karen Anderson ◽  
Paulina Billet ◽  
Paula Baron

Violence against women is globally prevalent and harmful to women’s health and well-being. Younger women are at higher risk of abuse, especially those from non-urban areas who may face specific barriers to disclosure and support. The aim of this review was to map the breadth and nature of the “violence against women” literature particular to young non-urban Australian women and identify research gaps to inform future research with young people. A comprehensive scoping review methodology, as outlined by Arksey and O’Malley, was adopted. English language, peer-reviewed articles were identified from five databases between January 2000 and July 2015. Grey literature was also examined. Inclusion criteria for the review included young women (15–24 years) from non-urban areas of Australia. Twenty-four full-text articles were included in this review. Themes identified include prevalence and type of abuse, experiences and response to violence, and the consequences of abuse. Recommendations from the review which are relevant to a global audience include the need for improved service access, improved data collection on the prevalence of violence, and a focus on more research with young women in non-urban areas. There is limited research on violence against young women living in non-urban areas of Australia. Evidence to date consists of predominantly quantitative data generated from general population surveys. There is a lack of qualitative research on this topic, and we argue that more is needed to gain a better understanding of the violence that young women experience.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ugochinyere Ijeoma Nwagbara ◽  
Emmanuella Chinonso Osuala ◽  
Rumbidzai Chireshe ◽  
Obasanjo Afolabi Bolarinwa

Abstract Background: Recent statistics and studies have shown the adverse effects of the novel coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) on population health and how knowledge, attitude, perception and practice (KAP) towards the virus can be the main key to limiting its spread in the absence of a vaccine. Thus, this study aims at mapping evidence on the KAP towards COVID-19 in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) using scoping review.Methods: The study will employ a systematic scoping review to identify, describe, and map literature on the KAP towards COVID-19 in SSA. The primary search will include peer-reviewed and grey literature. The search will be performed using the EBSCOhost platform and a keyword search from the following electronic databases will be conducted: PubMed/MEDLINE, Google Scholar, Science Direct, World Health Organization (WHO) library, and grey literature. The study selection will be guided by the inclusion and exclusion criteria. A data charting table will be used to extract information from the included studies. Data will be analysed using NVIVO version 10 and a thematic content analysis will be used to present narrative account of the review.Discussion: We anticipate finding relevant literature on the KAP towards COVID-19 in SSA. The results of this study will help reveal research gaps in KAP towards COVID-19 and this will guide future research and highlight the new concepts discovered. Systematic review protocol registration: Open Science Framework https://osf.io/sdm46/.


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