scholarly journals The role and attitude of senior leaders in promoting group-based community physical activity: a qualitative study

2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hiroko Komatsu ◽  
Kaori Yagasaki ◽  
Yuko Oguma ◽  
Yoshinobu Saito ◽  
Yasuhiro Komatsu
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Physical Activity ◽  
Older People ◽  
Local Community ◽  
Health Workers ◽  
Healthcare Providers ◽  
Senior Leaders ◽  
Group Leaders ◽  
Mutual Help ◽  
Healthy Longevity

Abstract Background In the context of worldwide public health, it is very important to promote physical activity among the older people. This study explored the roles and attitudes of senior leaders in promoting group-based exercise in their local communities, specifically to determine the level and extent to which to elderly participation was encouraged. Methods This study conducted semi-structured face-to-face in-depth interviews and employed a subsequent thematic analysis. Participants included 10 club leaders and five sub-leaders who were working at senior clubs in Fujisawa-city, Kanagawa, Japan, from July to September 2018. Results Four themes emerged from the interview responses, including “unwavering attitude/conviction in relation to the vision,” “leaders must set an example,” “a search for balance in delegating responsibilities to members,” and “creating and fostering culture and environment of mutual help.” Further, each participant outlined several aims, including “achieving healthy longevity for the entire local community,” “having older people promote healthy activities among the older people,” and “creating a pro-health town.” Conclusions Findings indicate that policymakers, public health workers, and healthcare providers should recognize the pivotal roles that senior group leaders play in promoting healthy activities for the older people. These efforts should be strongly considered when developing policies and strategies designed to promote overall healthy longevity from a general community perspective.

scholarly journals Strategies Older New Zealanders Use to Participate in Day-To-Day Occupations

2011 ◽  
Vol 74 (11) ◽  
pp. 509-516 ◽  
Author(s):  
Clare Hocking ◽  
Juanita Murphy ◽  
Kirk Reed
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Physical Activity ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
New Zealand ◽  
Older People ◽  
Exploratory Study ◽  
Occupational Therapists ◽  
Falls Prevention ◽  
Public Health Messages ◽  
The Impact

Aim: This exploratory study aimed to uncover the strategies that older adults employ to ameliorate the impact of impairments and barriers to participation. Method: Eight participants were interviewed in their own homes, in a town or city in New Zealand. Findings: Inductive analysis of data revealed four main categories of strategies: strategies to keep safe, to recruit and accept help, to meet social and biological needs (nutritional and medical), and to conserve financial, material and bodily resources. Discussion: The study supports some previous findings of strategies used by older people, and demonstrates that enquiring into the strategies that older people devise and adopt into their own lives is a productive line of inquiry. The strategies described differ from those that occupational therapists recommend, and do not incorporate public health messages about the benefits of physical activity or recommendations about falls prevention. Conclusion: The findings suggest that asking older clients about the strategies that they use will uncover valuable information for therapists giving advice or issuing equipment to help older adults to manage in the community.

The life and contribution of Professor David Sanders through his publications

2020 ◽  
Vol 105 (4) ◽  
pp. 406-407
Author(s):  
Tony Waterston
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Social Change ◽  
Child Health ◽  
Primary Healthcare ◽  
Local Community ◽  
Health Workers ◽  
Social Conditions ◽  
Top Down ◽  
Grass Roots ◽  
The Social

Professor David Sanders died in August 2019. He leaves a long legacy of analysis and teaching on global child health and public health particularly in relation to poverty and the roots of ill health, and how to tackle them. Sanders believed that the determinants of health lay in the social conditions of the population and that these had to be improved by social change and working at the grass roots rather than by top-down medical treatment with drugs; he was a strong proponent of primary healthcare as originally established by WHO and supported the appointment of community health workers who would be responsible to the local community. His work is covered in this article through a review of significant books of which the best known is The Struggle for Health and his research in the field.

scholarly journals Multiple interventions to strengthen immunization services in an Angolan district

2019 ◽  
Vol 29 (Supplement_4) ◽  
Author(s):  
M Fattorini ◽  
G Raguzzoni ◽  
C Cuccaro ◽  
N Nante ◽  
C Quercioli ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Local Community ◽  
Health Workers ◽  
Local Level ◽  
Health Department ◽  
Health Staff ◽  
Continuous Training ◽  
District Health ◽  
Immunization Services ◽  
Multiple Interventions

Abstract Background Immunization represents one of the most effective intervention in public health. In the Sustainable Development Goals era, adequate vaccination services are still crucial for the prevention of infectious diseases and the reduction of under-5 mortality. However, in 2017 WHO estimated that children <1 year who did not receive the third dose of Diphtheria-Tetanus-Pertussis (DTP3) vaccine were 19.2 million globally, and 600000 of these were located in Angola, a Sub-Saharan country with an estimated DTP3 coverage of 52%. Since 2000, Italian Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) Doctors with Africa CUAMM supports the activity of the hospital of Chiulo in the commune of Mucope (district of Ombadja, south of Angola). Aim of the study is to describe the interventions implemented to strengthen the immunization services performed by the hospital Public Health Staff (PHS). Methods In May 2018 the NGO started to implement multiple interventions to enhance the number of vaccine doses administered. Firstly, outreach immunization sessions were reorganized and reinforced, for example involving local Community Health Workers in the identification of villages with a high burden of unvaccinated children. Other actions were the continuous training of the PHS in data collection and the increased collaboration with the Ombadja District Health Department in order to develop a more efficient vaccine supply chain at local level. Results In 2018, among children <1 year the PHS administered 19746 doses, with a 22.3% growth compared to 2017 (15349 doses). Doses administered during outreach sessions increased by 35.4% (6597 versus 4259 doses). Estimated DTP3 coverage in Mucope commune was 71% (2017, 59%). Conclusions The WHO “Reaching Every Community” strategy emphasizes the importance of high quality immunization services in hard-to-reach areas. The organisation of well-functioning immunization services requires a multifaceted approach by the involved stakeholders. Key messages In 2017, globally 19.2 million of children <1 year did not receive the recommended three DTP doses. Six-hundred thousand were located in Angola. To obtain and sustain an adequate vaccination coverage, especially in hard-to-reach areas, multiple and well-coordinated actions should be implemented by all the involved stakeholders.

scholarly journals The Effect of COVID-19 Illness on Pregnant Patients With Rheumatic Disease: Early Reassuring Data

2021 ◽  
pp. jrheum.211050
Author(s):  
Lisa R. Sammaritano
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Risk Factors ◽  
Health Workers ◽  
Healthcare Providers ◽  
World Health ◽  
Novel Therapies ◽  
Serious Illness ◽  
The World ◽  
Public Health Workers ◽  
Health Organization

As of September 20, 2021, the World Health Organization (WHO) reported 228,206,384 cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), with over 4.5 million deaths worldwide.1 International responses by healthcare providers (HCPs), medical and pharmacologic researchers, and public health workers identified risk factors for serious illness and developed novel therapies and vaccines in real time, even as new variants emerge.

scholarly journals Health Educator Participation in Virtual Micro-Credentialing Increases Physical Activity in Public Health Competencies

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anna Dysart ◽  
Laura E. Balis ◽  
Bryce T. Daniels ◽  
Samantha M. Harden
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Physical Activity ◽  
Training Program ◽  
Program Implementation ◽  
Cooperative Extension ◽  
Health Workers ◽  
Rank Test ◽  
Extension Agents ◽  
Activity Levels ◽  
Cooperative Extension Agents

Background: Physical activity is an important component of leading a healthy life. Public health is one of the nine major sectors for disseminating information about physical activity and increasing the physical activity of the general public.Purpose: Increase competency among Cooperative Extension agents (i.e., public health workers) on selecting, delivering, and evaluating physical activity programs through a theory-based online training program.Methods: Cooperative Extension agents from two states were invited to participate via statewide listservs. Participants were invited to attend sessions, complete competency checks, and between-session assignments each week. The study was conducted using a video conferencing platform. The intervention was 9 weeks from June to July 2020 and had 130 participants. Pre- and post-program surveys included physical activity competencies and validated scales for flourishing and physical activity status. Data for competencies pre and post were analyzed using the Wilcoxon signed rank test, p < 0.01. Physical activity and flourishing pre and post were compared using t-tests, p < 0.05.Results: Physical activity in public health competency increased significantly (p < 0.00) as did agents' personal physical activity levels (p < 0.05). Changes in flourishing were not significant (p < 0.09) but trended in the hypothesized direction.Conclusions: The online competency-based training program significantly improved Cooperative Extension agents' knowledge of physical activity guidelines and physical activity program implementation. Future work is needed related to the scalability of the training program.

scholarly journals Sentinel Case of COVID-19 at Fort Stewart, GA in a National Guard Soldier Participating in Annual Training: A Case Report

2020 ◽  
Vol 185 (11-12) ◽  
pp. e2158-e2161 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jonathan D Kline ◽  
Andrew E Donovan
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Risk Mitigation ◽  
National Guard ◽  
Survival Rates ◽  
Healthcare Providers ◽  
Senior Leaders ◽  
Scarce Resources ◽  
Appropriate Treatment ◽  
Public Health Officials ◽  
Novel Coronavirus

Abstract For healthcare providers, specifically military and federal public health personnel, prompt and accurate diagnosis and isolation of SARS-CoV-2 novel coronavirus patients provide a two-fold benefit: (1) directing appropriate treatment to the infected patient as early as possible in the progression of the disease to increase survival rates and minimize the devastating sequelae following recovery and remission of symptoms; (2) provide critical information requirements that enable commanders and public health officials to best synchronize policy, regulations, and troop movement restrictions while best allocating scarce resources in the delicate balance of risk mitigation versus mission readiness. Simple personal protective measures and robust testing and quarantine procedures, instituted and enforced aggressively by senior leaders, physicians, and healthcare professionals at all levels are an essential aspect of the battle against the COVID-19 pandemic that will determine the success or failure of the overall effort. As consideration, the authors respectfully submit this vignette of the first confirmed positive COVID-19 case presenting to the Emergency Department at Winn Army Community Hospital, Fort Stewart, Georgia.

scholarly journals Spatial distribution analysis of dentists, dental technicians, and dental therapists in Indonesia

F1000Research ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 ◽  
pp. 220
Author(s):  
Nanda Rachmad Putra Gofur ◽  
Achmad Zam Zam Aghasy ◽  
Aisyah Rachmadani Putri Gofur
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Spatial Distribution ◽  
Spatial Autocorrelation ◽  
Health Workers ◽  
Healthcare Providers ◽  
Health Centers ◽  
Distribution Analysis ◽  
Access To Health Services ◽  
Unequal Distribution ◽  
The Public

Background: Access to health services is needed around the world, from healthcare providers to doctors. One of the needs in public health is a system that is accessible for everyone, but, unequal distribution of healthcare provider and health workers, especially in dentistry fields is still a main problem in several countries, including Indonesia. The aim of this study is to analyze the spatial distribution of dentists, dental technicians, and dental therapists. Methods: This spatial analysis study was conducted after obtaining secondary data in Indonesia. All data were collected between September 1st, 2020 and October 1st, 2020 from open access sources of de-identified data. The data of dentists per area, dental technicians per area, and dental therapists per area were calculated for analysis. A spatial distribution map was prepared using the Quantum Geographic Information System (QGIS Desktop, version 3.10.6). Results: The results of this study found a ratio of dentists to members of the population in Indonesia of 1:17,105. The average number of dental technicians that work in the public health centers in each province (dental technicians per area) in Indonesia was calculated to be 0.13. The average number of dental therapists that work in the public health centers in each province (dental therapists per area) in Indonesia was calculated to be 0.40. This spatial autocorrelation illustrates that there is a relationship between values of dentists per area and dental therapists per area between provinces in Indonesia, and shows geographic clustering relationships or patterns that are grouped and have similar characteristics in adjacent locations. This spatial autocorrelation did not occur in the value of dental technicians. Conclusions: From this study we can conclude that there is an unequal distribution of dental personnel in Indonesia.

scholarly journals Guidelines for Pregnancy Management During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Public Health Conundrum

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (21) ◽  
pp. 8277
Author(s):  
Caroline Benski ◽  
Daria Di Filippo ◽  
Gianmarco Taraschi ◽  
Michael R. Reich
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
At Risk ◽  
Maternal Health ◽  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Royal College ◽  
Health Workers ◽  
Healthcare Providers ◽  
Management Guidelines ◽  
Limited Knowledge ◽  
The Impact

Pregnant women seem to be at risk for developing complications from COVID-19. Given the limited knowledge about the impact of COVID-19 on pregnancy, management guidelines are fundamental. Our aim was to examine the obstetrics guidelines released from December 2019 to April 2020 to compare their recommendations and to assess how useful they could be to maternal health workers. We reviewed 11 guidelines on obstetrics management, assessing four domains: (1) timeliness: the time between the declaration of pandemics by WHO and a guideline release and update; (2) accessibility: the readiness to access a guideline by searching it on a common browser; (3) completeness: the amount of foundational topics covered; and (4) consistency: the agreement among different guidelines. In terms of timeliness, the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG) was the first organization to release their recommendation. Only four guidelines were accessible with one click, while only 6/11 guidelines covered more than 80% of the 30 foundational topics we identified. For consistency, the study highlights the existence of 10 points of conflict among the recommendations. The present research revealed a lack of uniformity and consistency, resulting in potentially challenging decisions for healthcare providers.

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