scholarly journals Are Need for Affect and Cognition Culture-Dependent? Implications for Global Public health Campaigns: A Cross-Sectional Study

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Min Zhang ◽  
Bei Zhu ◽  
Chunlan Yuan ◽  
Chao Chao ◽  
Jiaofeng Wang ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: Cultural differences in affective and cognitive intrinsic motivations could introduce challenges to global public health campaigns, which use cognitive or affective goals to evoke desired attitudes and proactive health-promoting actions. This study aimed to demonstrate cross-cultural differences in affective and cognitive intrinsic motivations, and discuss the potential value of this information in public health promotion.Methods: A cross-sectional survey, using cross-culturally validated need for affect (NFA) and need for cognition (NFC) scales, was carried out among 1166 Chinese participants and compared to published data from 980 American participants. Additionally, we assessed a highly prevalent symbolic geriatric health condition, hearing loss, in 500 community-dwelling seniors. MANOVA test and Hedge’s g statistic were employed to compare the NFA and NFC levels between individuals from different countries and between seniors with and without hearing loss. The relation of early healthcare seeking intention to NFA and NFC was also explored.Results: The primary Chinese sample demonstrated decreased NFA and NFC in contrast to their American peers. This difference was preserved in the senior sample. Moreover, seniors with hearing loss had even lower NFA and NFC than those without hearing loss. Intention for early healthcare seeking was low but was associated with intrinsic motivation.Conclusions: There was a general lack of affective and cognitive intrinsic motivation in Chinese individuals, particularly in seniors with hearing loss, compared with their American peers. These differences, point to a potential challenge in framing effective messages for some cultures in the geriatric public health domain. Ideally, recognizing and understanding this challenge will inspire consideration of novel persuasive strategies for these audiences.

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Min Zhang ◽  
Bei Zhu ◽  
Chunlan Yuan ◽  
Chao Zhao ◽  
Jiaofeng Wang ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Cultural differences in affective and cognitive intrinsic motivation could pose challenges for global public health campaigns, which use cognitive or affective goals to evoke desired attitudes and proactive health-promoting actions. This study aimed to identify cross-cultural differences in affective and cognitive intrinsic motivation and discuss the potential value of this information for public health promotion. Methods A cross-sectional survey using cross-culturally validated need for affect (NFA) and need for cognition (NFC) scales was carried out among 1166 Chinese participants, and the results were compared with published data from 980 American participants. Additionally, we assessed a highly prevalent symbolic geriatric health condition, hearing loss, in 500 Chinese community-dwelling seniors. The Chinese NFA scale was developed following the translation-back translation procedure, and the psychometric evaluation was performed by applying confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), exploratory structural equation modeling (ESEM), correlation analysis and multigroup invariance test. MANOVA and Hedge’s g statistic were employed to compare the NFA and NFC levels between individuals from different countries and between Chinese seniors with and without hearing loss. The relation of early hearing intervention intention to NFA and NFC was also explored in the Chinese sample. Results A basic two-factor model of NFA adequately fit the sample data from Chinese and American cultures. The questionnaire demonstrated reasonable invariance of the factor structure and factor loadings across the groups. Those in the primary Chinese sample had lower NFA and NFC than their American peers. This difference held in the senior sample. Moreover, Chinese seniors with hearing loss had even lower NFA and NFC than those without hearing loss. Their early hearing intervention intention was low but was associated with intrinsic motivation. Conclusions The Need for Affect (NFA) construct may be generalized beyond its Western origins. There was a general lack of affective and cognitive intrinsic motivation in Chinese individuals, particularly in seniors with hearing loss, compared with their American peers. These differences point to a potential challenge in framing effective messages for some cultures in the geriatric public health domain. Ideally, recognizing and understanding this challenge will inspire the consideration of novel persuasive strategies for these audiences.


Author(s):  
D Jerome ◽  
M Pietrosanu ◽  
K Dhillon

Abstract Background The Canadian province of Alberta released the ABTraceTogether smartphone app in May 2020 to assist in contact tracing during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. Public engagement with this public health tool has been low, limiting the effectiveness of the intervention. This study examines physician knowledge of the app and practice patterns in relation to the app. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional self-administered online English language survey of physicians and medical students in Alberta, Canada. The survey link was sent to all registered members of the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Alberta and was distributed by other provincial physician organizations and health zone leaders. Results The survey received 317 responses. 96% of participants were aware of the app but only 27% had recommended the app to patients. The most common reason provided for not downloading or recommending the app was that participants had security concerns about the app. 23% of participants indicated they did not believe they had a responsibility to recommend the app to others. Conclusions Our study provides insights into participants’ knowledge and beliefs about the ABTraceTogether app. This information may be valuable to public health officials who wish to engage physicians in future public health campaigns.


2016 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 1
Author(s):  
Taimi Nauiseb ◽  
Joan.M Kloppers

Although there are many ‘health days’ to promote important public health issues, many of which are supported by different institutions. Global public health campaigns offer great potential to raise awareness and understanding about health issues. There are many world days observed throughout the year related to specific health issues or conditions.The School of Public Health conducted yearly a health day in the beginning of March or April of each year. According to Clinicians handbook (1998) explains check -up as a clinical preventive services usually delivered by primary health care clinicians to persons with no signs and symptoms of illness as part of a routine health care process. Central to the periodic health examination.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adina Coroiu ◽  
Chelsea Moran ◽  
Tavis Campbell ◽  
Alan Geller

This cross-sectional study collected data from 2013 participants recruited via social media. The study was conducted during a period of well-enforced regulations about social distancing. Adherence to social distancing recommendations was relatively high for most behaviours, but not nearly close to 100%. The study identified key modifiable barriers and facilitators of adherence to social distancing: strongest facilitators included wanting to protect the self, feeling a responsibility to protect the community, and being able to work/study remotely; strongest barriers included having friends or family who needed help with running errands, socializing in order to avoid feeling lonely, and seeing many people in the streets. Future interventions to improve adherence to social distancing measures should couple individual-level strategies targeting key barriers to social distancing identified herein, with effective institutional measures and public health interventions. Public health campaigns should continue to highlight compassionate attitudes towards social distancing.


Author(s):  
Ronald Olum ◽  
Felix Bongomin

ABSTRACTObjectives(1) To examine the usage of social media and other forms of media among medical students (MS) and healthcare professionals (HCPs) in Uganda. (2) To assess the perceived usefulness of social media and other forms of media for COVID-19 public health campaigns.DesignA descriptive WhatsApp messenger-based cross-sectional survey in April 2020.SettingMakerere University Teaching Hospitals (MUTH) and 9 of the 10 medical schools in Uganda.ParticipantsHCPs at MUTH and MS in the 9 medical schools in Uganda.Main outcome measuresWe collected data on sociodemographic characteristics, sources of information on COVID-19, preferences of social media platform and perceived usefulness of the different media platforms for acquisition of knowledge on COVID-19.ResultOverall, response rate was 21.5% for both MS and HCPs. In total, 877 (HCPS [136, 15.5%], MS [741, 85.5%]) were studied. Majority (n=555, 63.3%) were male with a median age of 24 (range: 18-66) years. Social media was a source of information for 665 (75.8%) participants. Usage was similar among MS and HCPs (565/741 (76.2%) vs. 100/136 (73.5%), p=0.5). Among the MS, commonly used social media were: WhatsApp (n=705, 95.1%) Facebook (n=405, 54.8%), Twitter (n=290, 39.1%), Instagram (n=178, 24.0) and Telegram (n=80, 10.8%). Except for WhatsApp, male MS we more likely to use the other social media platforms (p= <0.001 − 0.01). Mass media (television and radio) and social media were preferred the most useful tools for dissemination of COVID-19 related information.ConclusionMore than two-thirds of MS and HCPs are routinely using social media in Uganda. Social media platforms may be used for dissemination of information as well as a research tool among MS and HCPs. Social media alongside other media platforms can also be used as sources of reliable information on COVID-19 as well as for dissemination of research findings and guidelines.Strengths and limitationsThis is the first study in sub Saharan Africa on the use of social media for research during the COVID-19 pandemic.The study also explores perceived usefulness of different media for COVID-19 public health campaigns.Diversity of the participants consisting both healthcare professionals and medical students.A relatively large sample size was enrolled in the survey despite a low response rate.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 509-519
Author(s):  
Marin Golčić ◽  
Ilijan Tomaš ◽  
Aleksandra Stevanović ◽  
Goran Golčić ◽  
Renata Dobrila-Dintinjana ◽  
...  

Since smoking accounts for around 30% of all cancer deaths, public health campaigns often focus on smoking cessation as a means of primary prevention. However, smoking after cancer diagnosis is also associated with a higher symptom burden and lower survival rate. As data regarding smoking cessation vary dramatically between different populations, we aimed to analyze smoking prevalence in cancer patients, smoking cessation after ancer diagnosis, and the factors associated with smoking cessation in the setting of a developing country. We performed a cross-sectional survey on 695 patients in two clinical hospital centers. After cancer diagnosis, 15.6% of cancer patients stopped smoking. Male gender, younger age, and smoking-related cancer were the main factors associated with greater smoking cessation (p < 0.05). A total of 96% of breast cancer pa-tients continued to smoke after cancer diagnosis and, compared to lung and colorectal cancer pa-tients, exhibited a lower reduction in the number of cigarettes smoked (p = 0.023). An alarming rate of smoking prevalence was recorded in younger patients (45.6% at the time of cancer diagno-sis) suggesting a future rise in smoking-related cancers and complications. These results should guide anti-smoking public health campaigns in transitional countries with a critical focus on younger and breast cancer patients.


BMJ Open ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. e033405 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ravina Barrett

ObjectivesTo evaluate the readiness to implement the Falsified Medicines Directive (FMD) by community pharmacies in England. Eight secondary objectives were assessed.SettingCommunity/retail pharmacies.ParticipantsWe invited pharmacists from 501 pharmacies to complete a survey. Non-contractors, non-pharmacists or pharmacists practising abroad were excluded. We randomly selected addresses, ensuring that they were nationally representative.InterventionsWe mailed the survey in October 2018 with a single follow-up in January 2019. Respondents were invited to provide self-reported answers. A prepaid self-addressed envelope was provided. We received favourable ethical approval.Results102 responses (20.44% response rate) were received. Readiness to implement was poor: 4 (3.9%) said very much, while 40 (39.2%) said not at all and 29 (28.4%) said not really. Increased workload and reduced profitability were anticipated, accompanied with improved patient safety. Prevalence of ‘substandard and falsified (SF) medical products’ was estimated at 1%–5%, with erectile dysfunction at greatest risk of falsification. Different packaging would raise suspicions. Five (4.9%) had identified SFs (p<0.001 one-sample binomial test). Of these, three (2.9%) informed the medicines agency. None had been involved in any public health campaigns. Confidence and self-efficacy was low. Strategies to reduce SFs reaching the public are described. Pharmacist’s role in combating SFs was elucidated. SFs were identified in deprived areas 4 (9%) more often than in affluent areas 1 (2%).ConclusionsMany pharmacies are not ready to implement FMD, potentially not capturing anticipated benefits of the directive, with greatest risk of harm in deprived area. We further validated a confidence scale. Limited public health campaigns may result in a lack of awareness among pharmacy professionals and patients. Limited awareness of technologies to identify falsified medicines exist, though further training is welcome. A worrying trend of under-reporting maybe prevalent. A larger sample study using this survey would be valuable.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Leonardo w Heyerdahl ◽  
Muriel Vray ◽  
Benedetta Lana ◽  
Nastassia Tvardik ◽  
Nina Gobat ◽  
...  

The COVID-19 vaccine rollout in recent months offers a powerful preventive measure that may help control SARS-CoV-2 transmission. Nevertheless, long-standing public hesitation around vaccines has heightened public health concerns that vaccine coverage may not achieve desired public health impacts.This cross-sectional survey was conducted online in December 2020 among 7000 respondents (aged 18 to 65) in Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Sweden, and Ukraine. The survey included open text boxes for fuller explanation of responses. Projected COVID-19 vaccine coverage varied and may not be sufficiently high among certain populations to achieve herd immunity. Overall, 56.9% would accept a COVID-19 vaccine, 19.0% would not, and 24.1% did not know or preferred not to say. By country, between 44% (France) and 66% (Italy) of respondents would accept a COVID-19 vaccine. Respondents expressed conditionality in open responses, voicing concerns about vaccine safety and mistrust of authorities. Public health campaigns must tackle these safety concerns.


2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (Supplement_5) ◽  
Author(s):  
M Ramic ◽  
M Jovanovic ◽  
M Nikolic ◽  
M Ramic ◽  
K Nikolic

Abstract Background Dietary supplements use continues to increase in many countries. They are often used without a full understanding of the potential benefits and risks associated with their use, and without consultation with a health care professional. This study aimed to explore health beliefs and patterns of dietary supplement usage among fitness club participants. Methods This cross-sectional study was conducted in fitness clubs of the city of Nis, Serbia. Male adults, age 18-45 years, participated. Data from participants were collected through an original structured, self-administered questionnaire describes the prevalence and type of supplements used, the reasons for using and the information source. Results The prevalence of dietary supplement intake among participants was 85.86%. Most participants were between the age of 20 and 40 years, had a college degree (57.1%), non-smokers (80.5%), without chronic disease (86%), perform exercise at least thrice weekly (76.2%) and 63% had at least1 hour. The percentage of participants who had favorable health views on dietary supplements was significantly higher among the supplement users than among the non-users (P &lt; 0.0001). Most participants (76.19%) perform exercise from 3 to 5 times weekly and 82.85% had from 1 to 2 hours exercise duration. The percentage of subjects who think supplements have side effects was significantly higher among the supplement non-users than among the users (p &lt; 0 .05). Proteins (83.33%), amino acids (63.09%) and creatine (52.38%) were the most commonly reported supplements used. The places of buying dietary supplements most mentioned were specialized supplement store (78.57%), online (11.9%) and pharmacy (9.52%). Conclusions Male fitness club member are large consumers of dietary supplements. Public health campaigns could be useful to educate Serbian population regarding using dietary supplements during fitness activities. Key messages Male fitness club members are large consumers of dietary supplements in Serbia. Public health campaigns are needed to educate fitness participants about using dietary supplements.


2020 ◽  
Vol 27 (suppl 1) ◽  
pp. 13-28
Author(s):  
James Webb Jr.

Abstract The subdiscipline of historical epidemiology holds the promise of creating a more robust and more nuanced foundation for global public health decision-making by deepening the empirical record from which we draw lessons about past interventions. This essay draws upon historical epidemiological research on three global public health campaigns to illustrate this promise: the Rockefeller Foundation’s efforts to control hookworm disease (1909-c.1930), the World Health Organization’s pilot projects for malaria eradication in tropical Africa (1950s-1960s), and the international efforts to shut down the transmission of Ebola virus disease during outbreaks in tropical Africa (1974-2019).


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