Physical Condition and Mental Health Status in Physically Independent
                        Older Women

There exists both a physical and mental deterioration that affects the functional status of elderly people. It is expected to determine the level of physical condition and the mental health status of old physically autonomous women and establish relationships. A sample of thirty women aged 67.52±3.1 was taken. While physical condition was assessed using the Senior Fitness Test (SFT), for the mental health was used the Mini-Mental test. Besides, weight and height were recorded and body mass index was calculated (BMI). Regarding BMI and following World Health Organization’s criteria related to obesity, the sample is not outside the typical limits. Scores of SFT determined that all results were within normal limits except those of the two-minute walk’s test and the flexibility focused on the lower body, balance and agility. The Mini-Mental test results are also within the normal limits. A positive moderate correlation (r=0.67) was obtained from the static equilibrium test thanks to a strength test of the lower extremity. People with more strength in the lower extremity obtained lower scores in the agility test (r=-0.67). There is moderate positive correlation (r=0.62) between the test of agility and speed of travel. Correlations of physical test with the Mini-Mental are low. Definitely, the level of physical fitness and mental health is in the normal range. It has not been found a relationship between the physical fitness and the mental health status.

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Changes in the Mental Health Status of Frail and Pre-Frail Older Adults Over a 1-year Period

10.21203/rs.3.rs-1030756/v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Claudia K. Y. Lai ◽

Justina Y. W. Liu ◽

Daphne S. K. Cheung ◽

Kenny C. W. Chin ◽

Mimi M. Y. Tse

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Mental Health ◽

Older Adults ◽

Health Status ◽

Mental Health Status ◽

Functional Health ◽

World Health ◽

World Health Organization Quality ◽

Frail Older Adults

Abstract Background This prospective observational study examined changes in the mental health status of frail and pre-frail older adults over a 1-year period, a topic lacking in-depth exploration in the literature. Method Fried Frailty Index was used to differentiate frailty status in participants recruited from community centres and residential care facilities in Hong Kong. Demographic and clinical data were collected using face-to-face interview at baseline and repeated after 12 months. Results Physical functioning, comorbidities, and psychological and environment domains (World Health Organization Quality of Life instrument) impacted the cognitive functioning, depressive symptoms, and sense of loneliness in the sample (N=107). Functional health and vision had a significant impact on cognitive status; depression negatively associated with comorbidity, functional health, and quality of life domains (psychological and environment); loneliness was affected by both age and environment. Conclusion The findings showed that frail and pre-frail older adults have complex needs in relation to their mental health even just over a 1-year period. Intervention programs on frailty that focus on physical aspects will not suffice. Programs for frailty also need to incorporate mental health components to enhance health and wellbeing.

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The mental health status of asylum seekers in middle- to high-income countries: a synthesis of current global evidence

British Medical Bulletin ◽

10.1093/bmb/ldaa010 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 134 (1) ◽

pp. 4-20 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Miriam Posselt ◽

Heather McIntyre ◽

Mtho Ngcanga ◽

Thomas Lines ◽

Nicholas Procter

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Health Status ◽

Asylum Seekers ◽

Current Knowledge ◽

Mental Health Status ◽

High Income ◽

World Health ◽

Future Research ◽

Host Countries ◽

The Impact

Abstract Introduction The last 5 years have witnessed a significant increase in the number of people fleeing their countries of origin and seeking refuge in host countries. By the end of 2018, there were 3.5 million asylum seekers awaiting outcomes on their applications, the majority of whom were hosted by middle- to high-income countries. This review aimed to identify and synthesize current knowledge regarding the mental health status of asylum seekers in middle- to high-income countries. Sources of data A search was conducted across various databases for research literature published within the last 5 years (2014–2019). The final review and synthesis included 25 articles. Areas of agreement Findings highlighted significant differences in the mental health status of asylum seekers compared to those with refugee status and permanent residence. Areas of controversy Guidelines from the World Health Organization and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees emphasize the need to understand and address mental health issues. Instead, there have been policy changes in many host countries regarding asylum applications, and the associated effects of these changes have been shown to negatively impact mental health. Growing points The synthesized findings from the present review provide information regarding the current mental health status of asylum seekers hosted by middle- to high-income countries. Areas of intervention and resource allocation were also identified. Areas timely for developing research Future research should consider the impact of large-scale, low-cost interventions to support the mental health of those seeking asylum.

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The Health Outcome Assessment of Healthcare Workers Engaged in SARS-CoV2 Pandemic Services: A Survey-Based Study

International Journal of Research and Review ◽

10.52403/ijrr.20211288 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 8 (12) ◽

pp. 724-728

Author(s):

Suraiya Khanam Ansari ◽

Prashant Tripathi

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Health Care ◽

Health Status ◽

Health Care Workers ◽

Healthcare Workers ◽

Online Survey ◽

Mental Health Problems ◽

Mental Health Status ◽

World Health ◽

Care Workers

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic adversely hit India and its economy recently and is associated with the increasing uncertainty among the mental health status of health care workers. When the World Health Organization focus has mostly on testing and finding a vaccine, healthcare workers are passing with a myriad of mental health problems. The present study decided to conduct an online survey for assessing health status. Aims and Objective: To assess the health of healthcare workers engaged in SARS-CoV-2 duties. Methods: From 4th July 2020 to 4th October 2020 an online Google Form, a survey was conducted among healthcare workers. The survey collected data on socio-demographic and health variables especially during COVID-19 duties in the form of questionnaires. Results: There were a total of 196 responses from different provinces of India collected. The mean age of the respondents was around 41 years with 62.3% males and 37.7% females. The study showed that most HCWs showed a change in the sleeping habit. Conclusions: The present study concluded that there is a need for holistic interventions among health care workers and more systematic and longitudinal evaluations of mental health status further needed. Keywords: SARS-CoV-2; Health; Health care workers; COVID-19; Mental Health; Stress.

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Mental health status and quality of life in close contacts of COVID-19 patients in the post-COVID-19 era: a comparative study

Translational Psychiatry ◽

10.1038/s41398-021-01623-0 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Yan-Jie Zhao ◽

Shu-Fang Zhang ◽

Wen Li ◽

Ling Zhang ◽

Teris Cheung ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Mental Health ◽

Health Status ◽

Traumatic Stress ◽

Mental Health Status ◽

World Health ◽

Post Traumatic Stress ◽

Post Traumatic ◽

Close Contacts

AbstractClose contacts of those with COVID-19 (CC) may experience distress and long-lasting mental health effects. However, the mental health status and quality of life (QOL) in CC have not been adequately examined. This study examined the mental health status and QOL in CC during the post-COVID-19 period. This cross-sectional study comprised 1169 CC and 1290 who were non-close contacts (non-CC). Demographic data were collected; depression, fatigue, post-traumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) and QOL were assessed using the Patient Health Questionnaire - 9 items (PHQ-9), fatigue numeric rating scale, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Checklist - 17 items (PCL-17), and the World Health Organization Quality of Life Questionnaire - brief version (WHOQOL-BREF), respectively. Analysis of covariance was used to compare depressive symptoms, QOL, fatigue, and PTSS between the CC and non-CC groups. Multiple logistic regression analyses were performed to determine the independent correlates for depression, fatigue, PTSS, and QOL in the CC group. Compared to the non-CC group, the CC group reported significantly more severe depression (F(1, 2458) = 5.58, p = 0.018) and fatigue (F(1, 2458) = 9.22, p = 0.002) in the post-COVID-19 period. No significant differences in PTSS and QOL between the CC and non-CC groups were found (F(1, 2458) = 2.93, p = 0.087 for PTSS; F(1, 2458) = 3.45, p = 0.064 for QOL). In the CC group, younger age, financial loss due to COVID-19, and perception of poor or fair health status were significantly associated with depression and fatigue, while frequent use of mass media was significantly associated with fatigue. In conclusion, close contacts of COVID-19 patients experienced high levels of depression and fatigue in the post-COVID-19 period. Due to the negative effects of depression and fatigue on daily functioning, early detection and timely interventions should be provided to this neglected population.

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Comparison of physical fitness and mental health status among school-age children with different sport-specific training frequencies

PeerJ ◽

10.7717/peerj.10842 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 ◽

pp. e10842

Author(s):

Ruichen Jiang ◽

Chun Xie ◽

Jilong Shi ◽

Xuechen Mao ◽

Qin Huang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Health Status ◽

Physical Fitness ◽

Mental Health Status ◽

School Age Children ◽

School Age ◽

Specific Training ◽

Frequency Group ◽

Training Frequency ◽

Rope Skipping

This cross-sectional study compared the physical fitness and mental health status of 140 school-age children who participated in sport-specific training with 180 age-matched peers. All the participants were grouped by sport-specific training frequencies in extracurricular time into the following: (i) high sports training frequency group (HFG): training three to five times per week (n = 77, mean [SD] age: 9.60 [0.12] years); (ii) low sports training frequency group (LFG): training once per week (n = 63, mean [SD] age: 9.88 [0.14] years); and (iii) control group (CG): maintaining routine life (n = 180, mean (SD) age: 9.77(0.09) years). Physical fitness status, including body composition (body mass index), endurance (vital capacity; 50 × 8 round trip), speed and agility (50 m sprint), flexibility (sit-and-reach), coordination (1-min rope skipping), and core strength (1-min sit-ups) as well as mental health status was measured. Overall, the results showed that Grade 3 to 4 HFG students showed better total physical fitness scores than the LFG and CG students. Grade 2 and 5 participants in the three groups showed no significant difference in the total physical fitness score. Children in HFG performed better in several PF indicators (i.e., cardiopulmonary function, flexibility, core strength, and coordination) than those in LFG and CG, and children in LFG got a higher score than those in CG on a testing item of 1-min rope skipping. The mental health test results showed that HFG performed better than LFG and CG. The results indicated that participating in sport-specific training 3–5 times per week was beneficial for children’s physical and mental health. Additionally, there was a weak and negative correlation between physical fitness and mental health in LFG and CG, while no correlation was found between physical fitness and mental health in HFG.

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