scholarly journals Journalism, public health, and COVID-19: some preliminary insights from the Philippines

2020 ◽  
Vol 177 (1) ◽  
pp. 132-138 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jan Michael Alexandre C Bernadas ◽  
Karol Ilagan
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Digital Media ◽  
Private Information ◽  
Well Being ◽  
The Philippines ◽  
Press Freedom ◽  
Public Health Services ◽  
Community Newspapers ◽  
Related Information ◽  
Mental Well Being

In this essay, we engage with the call for Extraordinary Issue: Coronavirus, Crisis and Communication. Situated in the Philippines, we reflect on how COVID-19 has made visible the often-overlooked relationship between journalism and public health. In covering the pandemic, journalists struggle with the shrinking space for press freedom and limited access to information as they also grapple with threats to their physical and mental well-being. Digital media enable journalists to report even in quarantine, but new challenges such as the wide circulation of health mis-/disinformation and private information emerge. Moreover, journalists have to contend with broader structural contexts of shutdown not just of a mainstream broadcast but also of community newspapers serving as critical sources of pandemic-related information. Overall, we hope this essay broadens the dialogue among journalists, policymakers, and healthcare professionals to improve the delivery of public health services and advance health reporting.

scholarly journals Secure Data Transfer over Internet Using Image Steganography: Review

2021 ◽  
pp. 33-52
Author(s):  
Dakhaz Mustafa Abdullah ◽  
Siddeeq Y. Ameen ◽  
Naaman Omar ◽  
Azar Abid Salih ◽  
Dindar Mikaeel Ahmed ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Digital Media ◽  
Private Information ◽  
Data Transfer ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Discrete Wavelet ◽  
Transform Domain ◽  
Least Significant Bit ◽  
Discrete Cosine Transformation ◽  
Hide Information ◽  
Pixel Value

Whether it's for work or personal well-being, keeping secrets or private information has become part of our everyday existence. Therefore, several researchers acquire an entire focus on secure transmitting secret information. Confidential information is collectively referred to as Steganography for inconspicuous digital media such as video, audio, and images. In disguising information, Steganography plays a significant role. Traditional Steganography faces a further concern of discovery as steganalysis develops. The safety of present steganographic technologies thus has to be improved. In this research, some of the techniques that have been used to hide information inside images have been reviewed. According to the hiding domain, these techniques can be divided into two main parts: The spatial Domain and Transform Domain. In this paper, three methods for each Domain have been chosen to be studied and evaluated. These are; Least Significant Bit (LSB), Pixel Value Difference (PVD), Exploiting Modification Direction (EMD), contourlet transform, Discrete Wavelet Transformation (DWT), and, Discrete Cosine Transformation (DCT). Finally, the best results that have been obtained in terms of higher PSNR, Capacity, and more robustness and security are discussed.

scholarly journals Sleep and Mental Health Among Older Adults in the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging

2019 ◽  
Vol 29 (Supplement_4) ◽  
Author(s):  
R Rodrigues ◽  
K Nicholson ◽  
P Wilk ◽  
G Guaiana ◽  
S Stranges ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Mental Health ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Mental Illness ◽  
Sleep Duration ◽  
Sleep Problems ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Health Initiatives ◽  
Mental Well Being ◽  
Health And Well Being

Abstract Background Global studies have demonstrated consistent associations between sleep problems and mental health and well-being in older adults, however Canadian data are lacking. We investigated associations between sleep quantity and quality with both mental illness symptoms and well-being among older adults in Canada. Methods We used cross-sectional baseline data from the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging, a national survey of 30,097 community-dwelling adults aged 45 years and older. Self-reported sleep measures included average past-week sleep duration (short [<6h], normal [6-8h], long [>8h]), and sleep quality (satisfied or dissatisfied vs neutral). Mental illness outcomes included depressive symptoms and psychological distress. Mental well-being outcomes included self-rated mental health and satisfaction with life. We used modified Poisson regression models with adjustment for sociodemographic, behavioural, and clinical factors, and stratification by sex and age to explore effect modification. Results In the unadjusted analysis, short and long sleep duration and sleep dissatisfaction were associated with higher mental illness symptoms and lower well-being across all outcomes. Sleep satisfaction was associated with a lower likelihood of mental illness symptoms and better well-being. Short sleep duration was associated with the largest effects on mental health outcomes. Self-rated mental health and depressive symptoms had the largest associations with sleep measures. Effects were larger in males and the 45 to 54 year age group. Conclusions Preliminary evidence suggests sleep duration and quality are associated with symptoms of depression, psychological distress, and poor mental well-being among older adults. We are unable to determine whether sleep problems are a cause or consequence of poor mental health. Nonetheless, sleep may be an important target for public health initiatives to improve mental health and well-being among older adults. Key messages Our findings contribute further evidence that sleep difficulties are associated with adverse health outcomes including higher mental illness symptoms and lower well-being among older adults. Sleep disturbances are an unmet public health problem, and may be an important target for public health initiatives to improve mental health and well-being among older adults.

scholarly journals Should social enterprises complement or supplement public health provision?

2019 ◽  
Vol 15 (4) ◽  
pp. 495-518
Author(s):  
Sammia Poveda ◽  
Melinda Gill ◽  
Don Rodney Junio ◽  
Hannah Thinyane ◽  
Vanessa Catan
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Mental Health ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Health Outcomes ◽  
Self Regulation ◽  
Skills Training ◽  
Well Being ◽  
The Philippines ◽  
Social Enterprises ◽  
Content Type

Purpose This paper aims to explore how stable employment, company culture and tailored health, digital and core skills training provided by a social enterprise (SE) in the Philippines affect survivors of exploitation. Research shows survivors experience adverse social conditions and physical and mental health outcomes caused by their exploitative experience. Stable, decent employment has been identified as critical to their recovery and reintegration. This paper discusses the SE’s impact on the employees’ physical, mental and social health and behaviour. Based on our findings, the authors discuss the contribution of SE in improving health outcomes and providing health services and conclude that SEs should not replace but complement public health government programmes. Design/methodology/approach This paper uses mixed methods, presenting data from a longitudinal survey (household income, mental health and social well-being) and a follow-up qualitative study, which uses in-depth interviews and participatory videos to explore survey findings. Findings The quantitative analysis demonstrates positive, but gradual, changes in sexual and reproductive health behaviour; personal empowerment; and trauma, anxiety and depressive symptoms. The qualitative findings show how improvements in executive functioning, self-regulation and self-esteem occur incrementally over time. As their self-efficacy improves, employees need to avoid being overly dependent on the SE, to support their autonomy; therefore, access to complementary public health services is fundamental. Originality/value This paper focusses, to the authors’ knowledge, on a unique SE, which hires survivors of exploitation, without losing their competitiveness in the market.

scholarly journals Silver Linings Reported by Australians Experiencing Public Health Restrictions during the First Phase of the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Qualitative Report

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (21) ◽  
pp. 11406
Author(s):  
Narelle Campbell ◽  
Sandra C. Thompson ◽  
Anna Tynan ◽  
Louise Townsin ◽  
Lauren A. Booker ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Qualitative Research ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Rapid Identification ◽  
National Study ◽  
The Public ◽  
Health Measures ◽  
Negative Impacts ◽  
Mental Well Being

This national study investigated the positives reported by residents experiencing the large-scale public health measures instituted in Australia to manage the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. Most Australians had not previously experienced the traditional public health measures used (social distancing, hand hygiene and restriction of movement) and which could potentially impact negatively on mental well-being. The research design included qualitative semi-structured phone interviews where participants described their early pandemic experiences. Data analysis used a rapid identification of themes technique, well-suited to large-scale qualitative research. The ninety participants (mean age 48 years; 70 women) were distributed nationally. Analysis revealed five themes linked with mental well-being and the concept of silver linings: safety and security, gratitude and appreciation, social cohesion and connections, and opportunities to reset priorities and resilience. Participants demonstrated support for the public health measures and evidence of individual and community resilience. They were cognisant of positives despite personal curtailment and negative impacts of public health directives. Stories of hope, strength, and acceptance, innovative connections with others and focusing on priorities and opportunities within the hardship were important strategies that others could use in managing adversity.

scholarly journals The Effects of Stigma on Determinants of Mental Health Help-Seeking Behaviors Among Male College Students: An Application of the Information-Motivation-Behavioral Skills Model

2018 ◽  
Vol 12 (5) ◽  
pp. 1286-1296 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rita DiGioacchino DeBate ◽  
Amy Gatto ◽  
Gregor Rafal
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Mental Health ◽  
College Students ◽  
Help Seeking ◽  
Well Being ◽  
College Campuses ◽  
Behavioral Skills ◽  
Help Seeking Behaviors ◽  
Male College ◽  
Mental Well Being

Considered a public health issue, the prevalence and severity of poor mental well-being on college campuses has continued to rise. While many college campuses offer mental health counseling services, and utilization rates are increasing, their proportional usage is low especially among males, who often deal with poor mental well-being by adopting unhealthy coping strategies. The purpose of this study was to use the Information-Motivation-Behavioral Skills (IMB) model to assess the relationship between the determinants as factors that may impact help-seeking behaviors in a large sample ( n = 1,242) of male college students. Employing a cross-sectional study design, a 71-item online survey assessed information via total mental health literacy (MHL), motivation via attitudes toward mental health and subjective norms regarding mental health, and behavioral skills via intentions regarding help-seeking behaviors, and stigma. Results revealed correlations between information and motivation ( r = .363, p < .01), information and behavioral skills ( r = .166, p < .01), and motivation and behavioral skills ( r = .399, p < .01). Multiple regression was used to determine stigma is a mediator for all relationships. These findings represent an opportunity to take a public health approach to male mental health through developing multilayered interventions that address information, motivation, behavioral skills, and stigma.

scholarly journals A look at the first quarantined community in the United States: Response of religious communal organizations and implications for public health during the COVID-19 pandemic

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah L. Weinberger-Litman ◽  
Leib Litman ◽  
Zohn Rosen ◽  
David H. Rosmarin ◽  
Cheskie Rosenzweig
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
United States ◽  
Jewish Community ◽  
Community Organizations ◽  
Well Being ◽  
The United States ◽  
Federal State ◽  
Accurate Information ◽  
Religious Institutions ◽  
Related Information

The current study examined anxiety and distress among members of the first community to be quarantined in the United States due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition to being historically significant, the current sample was unusual in that those quarantined were all members of a Modern Orthodox Jewish community and were connected via religious institutions at which exposure may have occurred. We sought to explore the community and religious factors unique to this sample, as they relate to the psychological and public health impact of quarantine. Community organizations were trusted more than any other source of COVID 19-related information, including federal, state, and other government agencies, including the CDC, WHO and media news sources. This was supported qualitatively with open-ended responses in which participants described the range of supports organized by community organizations. These included tangible needs (i.e. food delivery), social support, virtual religious services, and dissemination of COVID-19 related information. The overall levels of distress and anxiety were elevated and directly associated with what was reported to be largely inadequate and inconsistent health related information received from local departments of health. In addition, the majority of participants felt that perception of or concern about future stigma related to a COVID-19 diagnosis or association of COVID-19 with the Jewish community was high and also significantly predicted distress and anxiety. The current study demonstrates the ways in which religious institutions can play a vital role in promoting the well-being of their constituents. During this unprecedented pandemic, public health authorities have an opportunity to form partnerships with religious institutions in the common interests of promoting health, relaying accurate information and supporting the psychosocial needs of community members, as well as protecting communities against stigma and discrimination.

Resilience and well-being

2018 ◽  
pp. 503-512
Author(s):  
Sarah Stewart-Brown
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Self Regulation ◽  
Well Being ◽  
The Self ◽  
Relational Support ◽  
Infancy And Childhood ◽  
The Face ◽  
Resilient Response ◽  
The Life Course ◽  
Mental Well Being

Resilience and well-being are relatively new to public health and psychiatry, and the research that underpins the concepts is often found in the publications of other disciplines—psychology, neuroscience, physiology, and philosophy. This chapter argues, using ideas from a range of disciplines, that resilience and well-being are integrally linked in that resilience is a product, a marker, and a developer of mental well-being. A level of well-being commensurate with a particular challenge enables a resilient response, and by enabling development in the face of the challenge, resilience enhances well-being. Both resilience and well-being are developmental and the key to successful development is a sensitive, attuned, and trusting relationship, which conditions the self-regulation response. Approaches to enhancing resilience and well-being are therefore very similar. They start with relational support in infancy and childhood, and carry on throughout the life course, with activities and programmes that support the development of self–regulation.

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