Surviving “Risk Factor Frenzy”: The Perils of Incorrectly Applying Epidemiological Research in Health Education and Promotion

2002 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
pp. 83-100 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jonathan I. Robison ◽  
Gregory Kline
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Risk Factor ◽  
Health Education ◽  
Health Professionals ◽  
Lifestyle Change ◽  
Negative Consequences ◽  
Epidemiological Research ◽  
Health Practitioners ◽  
Health Education And Promotion

In health education and promotion, “risk factors” for disease gathered from epidemiological research form the basis from which the majority of recommendations to individuals for lifestyle change are made. Unfortunately, many health practitioners are unaware that this type of research was never intended to be applied to individuals. The result is ongoing public confusion and anxiety concerning health recommendations and a loss of credibility for health professionals. This article: 1) briefly reviews the most commonly encountered limitations inherent in epidemiological research; 2) explores the problems and potential negative consequences of incorrectly applying epidemiological research in health education and promotion; and 3) makes recommendations to help health practitioners more skillfully interpret and incorporate into their work findings from epidemiological research.

General, Interpersonal, and Gender Role Specific Risk Factors of Postpartum Depressive Symptoms in Fathers

2019 ◽  
Vol 38 (7) ◽  
pp. 545-567
Author(s):  
Hanne N⊘rr Fentz ◽  
Marianne Simonsen ◽  
Tea Trillingsgaard
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Risk Factor ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Gender Role ◽  
Postnatal Depression ◽  
Negative Consequences ◽  
Postnatal Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Specific Risk ◽  
Paternal Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Study Results

Introduction: Paternal postnatal depression has significant negative consequences for the family and child. Still, only little attention has been paid to potential unique risk factors of depression in fathers and the theoretical grounding of such research is sparse. Method: This study examined prenatal risk factors derived from three theoretical models: the cognitive vulnerability-stress model, the interpersonal model, and the gender role risk model of paternal postnatal depression. The sample consisted of 211 expectant fathers, of whom 5.7% scored above the clinical cut-off on the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale, and 235 mothers were included as a reference group. Participants filled in questionnaires during pregnancy and four months postpartum. Results: The study results suggest that prenatal depressive score is the strongest risk factor for both paternal and maternal postnatal depressive symptoms. In addition, childhood separation from parents, unemployment, financial strain, and doubts about having the child were unique risk factors for paternal depressive symptoms, while lower marital satisfaction was a unique risk factor for maternal depression. Discussion: These findings highlight that beyond the strong role of prenatal depressive symptoms for both genders, specific risk factors for father depression exist. This may be informative to health care professionals in increasing the reach and prevention of depression in new fathers.

A Study of Clinical Features and Risk Factors of Self-Referring Emergency Department Headache Patients: A Comparison with Headache Center Outpatients

2020 ◽  
Vol 83 (1) ◽  
pp. 34-40
Author(s):  
Alessandro Viganò ◽  
Ersilia Savastano ◽  
Barbara Petolicchio ◽  
Massimiliano Toscano ◽  
Rita De Sanctis ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Emergency Department ◽  
Risk Factor ◽  
Clinical Features ◽  
Statistical Models ◽  
Function Analysis ◽  
Time Interval ◽  
Emergency Setting ◽  
Negative Consequences ◽  
Headache Patients

Background: Nonlife-threatening headaches account for 3% of emergency department (ED) admissions, with social and economic negative consequences. We aim to investigate clinical features and risk factors of nonlife-threatening headache patients referring to ED versus those referring to headache outpatient clinics. Methods: During 6 months, we promptly reevaluated in our headache unit (HU) patients discharged from ED. We compared the clinical characteristics of patients who referred to ED with those of HU outpatients visited in the same time interval. Discriminant Function Analysis and Correspondence Analysis were used to determine risk factors for ED referral. Results: We recruited 49 post-ED patients and 126 outpatients. The main reasons for ED admission were poor response to acute treatment and aura-related symptoms. Headache diagnoses made in ED were generally not confirmed later (overall concordance of 47%), except for cluster headache (CH) and migraine with aura (MA). ED patients complained higher headache intensity, longer duration, and prolonged aura compared to outpatients. Aura was the main risk factor associated with ED admission on statistical models, while less prominent risk factors were sex, age, and years from migraine onset. Conclusions: ED patients presented a more severe headache clinical phenotype compared with outpatients. Headache diagnosis remains difficult in the emergency setting and is more easily achieved for the headache forms with standout features, such as MA or CH. According to statistical models, the aura is the most important risk factor for ED admissions.

scholarly journals Conversations with families about reducing the risk of sudden infant death syndrome

2019 ◽  
Vol 7 (5) ◽  
pp. 226-231
Author(s):  
Anna Pease ◽  
Peter S Blair ◽  
Jenny Ingram ◽  
Peter Fleming
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Risk Factor ◽  
Health Professionals ◽  
Communication Strategies ◽  
Sudden Infant Death ◽  
Sudden Infant ◽  
Viable Option ◽  
Sleeping Position ◽  
Infant Deaths ◽  
Potential Impact

Inequalities in the burden of sudden and unexpected deaths in infancy make targeted action by health professionals a viable option for intervention. Most of the deaths that now occur have at least one known modifiable risk factor present, so the potential impact of supporting families with implementing safer sleep strategies is great and may bring about a further reduction in infant deaths. This article describes the latest evidence for action on three of the major risk factors for SIDS: sleeping position; smoking; and co-sleeping. It will go on to discuss how to translate this evidence into effective communication strategies for families, including giving information about why or how the messages increase safety for sleeping babies.

Awareness of eye diseases and risk factors: identifying needs for health education and promotion in Canada

2006 ◽  
Vol 41 (5) ◽  
pp. 617-623 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kukuh Noertjojo ◽  
David Maberley ◽  
Ken Bassett ◽  
Paul Courtright
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Health Education ◽  
Eye Diseases ◽  
Health Education And Promotion

Increasing Our Advocacy Capacity Through HIV Community Mobilization

2016 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
pp. 11-14 ◽  
Author(s):  
Irene Ovalle ◽  
Oralia Loza ◽  
David Peralta-Torres ◽  
Jacob Martinez ◽  
Kristen Hernandez ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Health Education ◽  
Health Professionals ◽  
El Paso ◽  
Community Mobilization ◽  
Policy Advocacy ◽  
Work Settings ◽  
Public Health Professionals ◽  
Health Practitioners ◽  
Public Health Practitioners

In this commentary, six public health practitioners and researchers discuss how their participation in the El Paso HIV Community Mobilization effort has contributed to their professional development and increased their collective capacity to advocate for practice and policy improvements that contribute to health equity in general and within the context of HIV prevention. Like previous commentaries in this department that have highlighted the value of the Certified Health Education Specialist credential ( http://www.nchec.org/health-education-credentialing ) and the importance of gaining experience in policy advocacy, this article is relevant for public health professionals in diverse work settings. The authors hope that their experience will encourage others to participate in community mobilization efforts, and they welcome communication and collaboration with anyone interested in learning more about the HIV Community Mobilization efforts discussed in this commentary.

CHANGING

PEDIATRICS ◽  
1977 ◽  
Vol 59 (6) ◽  
pp. 826-826
Author(s):  
N. Milio
Keyword(s):  
Health Education ◽  
Health Professionals ◽  
Lifestyle Change ◽  
Consumer Health ◽  
Low Fat ◽  
Health Related ◽  
Life Pattern ◽  
Almost All ◽  
Health Field ◽  
Do So

It is a paradox that health professionals, in their efforts to improve people's health-related practices, seem to expect more of the ordinary consumer than they do of themselves. Almost all patient and consumer health education assumes, explicitly, that if people know what is most healthful, they will do it. Perhaps the most obvious test of this assumption is to look at health professionals themselves. If knowing what is health-generating were directly related to doing, then surely we in the health field would be among the most robust in the nation, slim, agile, nonsmoking, temperate eaters of complementary protein, low fat and cholesterol, low-sucrose, and nonrefined carbohydrate foods, avoiders of drugging levels of alcohol and other artificial moodchangers, evenly paced in our daily patterns. This picture is obviously nonexistent. Nor do we expect it to exist. Most will recognize that it is not much more likely for a physician earning $85,000 a year to change his life pattern than for a $6,000-a-year hospital aide to do so. However, the potential for lifestyle change, the array of options available to these two individuals, may differ considerably.

scholarly journals Hypertension Risk Factor Control Effort In Post Stroke Patients

2022 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 639-644
Author(s):  
Yosi Suryarinilsih ◽  
Hendri Budi ◽  
Netti Netti ◽  
Wiwi Sartika
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Risk Factor ◽  
Health Education ◽  
Stroke Risk ◽  
Recurrent Stroke ◽  
Stroke Patients ◽  
Post Stroke ◽  
Stroke Risk Factors ◽  
Breathing Exercises ◽  
Significant Difference

Post-stroke patients have risk factors for recurrent stroke. The main risk factor is hypertension. The purpose of this community service activity is to improve the ability of the community, especially post-stroke patients, to control hypertension as a risk factor for recurrent stroke through identification of risk factors, health education and the application of light activity and deep breathing exercises. Before education is given, post-stroke patients and their families are given prestest first and after education, posttest returns to evaluate the patient's understanding. The results of the activity, there was a significant difference between the knowledge before and after being given education to post-stroke patients and their families with p value <0.05. To the head of the room and the neuroscientific nurse, dr. M. Djamil Padang can continue the activity of identifying recurrent stroke risk factors and health education related to control of recurrent stroke risk factors in post-stroke patients by involving the Health Promotion (Promkes) department of Dr. M. Djamil Padang.

Risk Factors of Delirium after Cardiac Surgery: A Systematic Review

2011 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 197-204 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sandra Koster ◽  
Ab G. Hensens ◽  
Marieke J. Schuurmans ◽  
Job van der Palen
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Cardiac Surgery ◽  
Risk Factor ◽  
Postoperative Delirium ◽  
Risk Model ◽  
Early Recognition ◽  
Red Blood Cell Transfusion ◽  
Cochrane Library ◽  
Negative Consequences ◽  
Increased Risk

Background: Delirium or acute confusion is a temporary mental disorder that occurs frequently among hospitalized elderly patients, but also in younger patients a delirium can develop. Patients who undergo cardiac surgery have an increased risk of developing delirium that is associated with many negative consequences. Therefore, prevention of delirium is essential. Despite the high incidence of delirium, a paucity of data on risk factors for delirium exists. Aim: The aim of this study was to summarize the available information concerning these risk factors. Methods: A literature research was performed using the PubMed, Cinahl, and Cochrane Library databases and was limited to the last 10 years. Results: Our review revealed 27 risk factors; 12 predisposing and 15 precipitating factors for delirium after cardiac surgery. The most established predisposing risk factors were atrial fibrillation, cognitive impairment, depression, history of stroke, older age, and peripheral vascular disease. The most established precipitating risk factor was a red blood cell transfusion. An abnormal albumin level was reported as the most established precipitating risk factor among blood values tested. A low cardiac output and the use of an Intra Aortic Balloon Pump or inotropic medication seem to be the most relevant risk factors associated with a postoperative delirium. Conclusion: A multifactorial risk model should be applied to identify patients at an increased risk of developing delirium following elective cardiac surgery. In these patients, if possible, preventative interventions can be taken and early recognition of delirium can be realized. This could potentially decrease the incidence of delirium and negative consequences caused by a postoperative delirium.

Hemmkörperentwicklung bei Hämophilie-Patienten nach Präparate wechsel

2012 ◽  
Vol 32 (S 01) ◽  
pp. S39-S42 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Kocher ◽  
G. Asmelash ◽  
V. Makki ◽  
S. Müller ◽  
S. Krekeler ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Risk Factor ◽  
Observational Study ◽  
Retrospective Observational Study ◽  
Frequent Change ◽  
Patient Age ◽  
Treatment Regimens ◽  
Patient Âgé ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Observation Period

SummaryThe retrospective observational study surveys the relationship between development of inhibitors in the treatment of haemophilia patients and risk factors such as changing FVIII products. A total of 119 patients were included in this study, 198 changes of FVIII products were evaluated. Results: During the observation period of 12 months none of the patients developed an inhibitor, which was temporally associated with a change of FVIII products. A frequent change of FVIII products didn’t lead to an increase in inhibitor risk. The change between plasmatic and recombinant preparations could not be confirmed as a risk factor. Furthermore, no correlation between treatment regimens, severity, patient age and comorbidities of the patients could be found.

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