scholarly journals Why do we need to empower university staffs and students for tackling the non-communicable diseases?

2021 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 80
Author(s):  
Supriyati Supriyati ◽  
Anggi Lukman Wicaksana ◽  
Esthy Sundari ◽  
Heny Suseani Pangastuti ◽  
Fatwa Sari Tetra Dewi
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Communicable Diseases ◽  
University Staff ◽  
Online Questionnaire ◽  
Poor Knowledge ◽  
Non Communicable Diseases ◽  
Staff Members ◽  
Health Promoting ◽  
The University ◽  
Health Promoting University

Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are a major cause of death in Indonesia and worldwide. Yogyakarta has the highest prevalence of cancer in Indonesia. Besides, Yogyakarta has high prevalence of diabetes mellitus and other NCDs. The prevention and control of NCDs are direly needed in Yogyakarta. Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) is the oldest university in Yogyakarta and has a large number of university staff members and students. This study aimed to empower university staff and students of UGM in the health promotion programs for tackling NCD risk factors through the Health Promoting University initiative. This was a participatory action research that was conducted in UGM, Yogyakarta. A total of 299 respondents (university staff and students in second year) were involved in the need’s assessment survey. Data were collected through online questionnaire and analyzed descriptively. Additionally, advocacy, training, small group discussion, seminars, discussion on WhatsApp group, as well as developing posters for healthy diet, hand washing, physical activities, and smoking behavior were done as the follow-up of the need’s assessment. The need’s assessment showed that most respondents had a poor knowledge on the NCDs and its risk factors (74%), poor knowledge on the smoke free campus (80%), had insufficient vegetables consumption (83%), had insufficient fruit consumption (68%), and had physically inactive behavior (52%). Furthermore, group discussions with the students improved their awareness on the NCD problems among students. Also, training for the university staff members improved their knowledge and skills related to the NCD risk factors’ measurement. The university staff and students’ knowledge and practice concerning the NCD risk factors prevention were poor. Therefore, the Health Promoting University initiative is a good way to empower them about the NCD risk factors prevention.

scholarly journals Knowledge of Non-communicable Disease Risk Factors among Community Health Workers in South Africa

2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 430-437
Author(s):  
Sunday O. Onagbiye ◽  
Lungiswa P. Tsolekile ◽  
Thandi Puoane
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
South Africa ◽  
Community Health ◽  
Community Health Workers ◽  
Health Workers ◽  
Statistical Tests ◽  
Communicable Diseases ◽  
Poor Knowledge ◽  
Non Communicable Diseases ◽  
Education Levels

Introduction: Community Health Workers play an important role in supporting patients with chronic non-communicable diseases (NCDs), therefore they need to be constantly updated with current knowledge to enable them to perform their activities effectively. The purpose of this study was to assess the knowledge of NCDs risk factors among Community Health Workers (CHWs) in South Africa. Methodology: A triple “A” approach (assessment, analysis, and action) was used among 40 CHWs working with patients with chronic non-communicable diseases. All CHWs gave voluntary, informed consent in writing and verbally before they were allowed to participate in the study. For the initial assessment, CHWs completed a questionnaire to assess knowledge about the knowledge of NCDs. The questionnaire was analysed to determine their baseline performance. The findings of the assessment identified shortcomings in the knowledge of CHWs, specifically on diabetes and hypertension knowledge. Feedback was given to the CHWs followed by a short training on healthy living, focusing on the risk factors associated with NCDs (diabetes and hypertension). Training of CHWs was conducted using an adapted national training programme together with CHW prevention of healthy lifestyle modules designed by experts from the School of Public Health, University of the Western Cape. All statistical tests were two-tailed, and p<.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: The majority (97.5%) of the CHWs who had their knowledge assessed were women. Fifty-five percent (55%) were within age 30-45 years, while 45% were between the ages 46-60 years. The majority of the participants had secondary school education (92.5%) and 1-15 years of experience (97.5%) as CHWs. The results of the post-training assessment revealed that 48.5%, 63.6%, 42.4%, 72.7%, 42.5%, 57.6%, and 18.2% had poor knowledge of diabetes, hypertension, diabetes complications, hypertension complications, advice for diabetic patient, advice for hypertension, and nutrition advice of NCDs, respectively. Regression analysis showed that those with higher education levels were significantly highly likely to be knowledgeable about hypertension complications (OR=19.6, CI=1.14, 336.0). Conclusion: There was poor knowledge of risk factors for NCDs among CHWs. An association exists between the knowledge of risk factors for NCDs and education levels among the participants. There is a need for regular refresher training programs for CHWs to upscale their knowledge about NCDs, coupled with frequent review of CHWs program and curriculum.

How do universities implement the Health Promoting University concept?

2018 ◽  
Vol 34 (5) ◽  
pp. 1014-1024 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mónica Suárez-Reyes ◽  
Mónica Muñoz Serrano ◽  
Stephan Van den Broucke
Keyword(s):  
Cluster Analysis ◽  
Systems Approach ◽  
Online Questionnaire ◽  
University Culture ◽  
The World ◽  
Health Promoting ◽  
And Cluster Analysis ◽  
The University ◽  
Whole Systems ◽  
Health Promoting University

Summary The Health Promoting University (HPU) concept encourages universities to incorporate health into the university culture, processes and policies in an effort to promote the health of the university community. Universities worldwide have adopted the approach and a framework for action has been developed to guide universities to become a HPU. However, information on how universities translate the framework into actions is scarce. This study explored the way in which 54 universities from 25 countries across the world implemented the HPU framework. An online questionnaire was used to assess the action areas and items of work addressed by the universities and to determine their adherence to the components of the HPU framework: use of the whole systems approach; multiservice collaboration; recognition by the university authorities; funding availability; membership of a HPU network and evaluation of the initiative. The results showed that these components were addressed by most universities. A Multi Correspondence and cluster analysis identified four types of universities based on the implementation of the components: ‘emerging’ HPUs that are not recognized by the university authorities and tend to not apply the whole systems approach or evaluation of the initiative, and ‘established’ HPUs that are recognized by the authorities, apply the whole systems approach and evaluate the initiative but that differ with regard to funding and membership of a HPU network. These results demonstrate that universities implement the HPU framework for action differently in order to become a Health Promoting University.

scholarly journals The prevalence of risk factors associated with non-communicable diseases in Afghan refugees in southern Iran: a cross-sectional study

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Erfan Taherifard ◽  
Mohammad Javad Moradian ◽  
Ehsan Taherifard ◽  
Abdolrasool Hemmati ◽  
Behnaz Rastegarfar ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Tobacco Smoking ◽  
Physical Inactivity ◽  
Vegetable Intake ◽  
Vegetable Consumption ◽  
Communicable Diseases ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Non Communicable Diseases ◽  
Afghan Refugees ◽  
Southern Iran

Abstract Background Refugees are highly vulnerable to many health-related risks. Monitoring non-communicable diseases (NCDs) is of overriding importance in these populations. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of risk factors for NCDs amongst Afghan refugees in a refugee camp located in southern Iran. Methods This cross-sectional sturdy was conducted in 2018. Risk factors such as inadequate nutrition, physical inactivity, tobacco smoking, obesity and overweight, hypertension (HTN), elevated fasting plasma glucose (FPG), and dyslipidaemia were assessed. Data were gathered with a modified WHO STEPS procedure. Prevalence and age-standardized prevalence and their 95% confidence intervals (CI) were estimated. Results The estimated prevalence were 94% for inadequate fruit/vegetable consumption, 18% for physical inactivity, 9% for tobacco smoking, 3% for FPG, 20% for HTN, 51% for central obesity, 24% for overweight, 19% for obesity, and 69% for dyslipidaemia. Conclusions Except for inadequate fruit and vegetable intake and dyslipidaemia, the prevalence of other NCD risk factors was low among Afghan refugees in Iran. Raising awareness about healthy diet and its importance and the provision of more affordable fruit and vegetables are two effective measures toward improving the health of refugees in Iran.

scholarly journals Effects of Behavioral Risk Factors and Social-Environmental Factors on Non-Communicable Diseases in South Korea: A National Survey Approach

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (2) ◽  
pp. 612
Author(s):  
Nam Jeong Jeong ◽  
Eunil Park ◽  
Angel P. del Pobil
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Environmental Factors ◽  
South Korea ◽  
Communicable Diseases ◽  
Behavioral Risk Factors ◽  
Behavioral Risk ◽  
Non Communicable Diseases ◽  
Path Analyses ◽  
Social Environmental ◽  
Social Environmental Factors

Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are one of the major health threats in the world. Thus, identifying the factors that influence NCDs is crucial to monitor and manage diseases. This study investigates the effects of social-environmental and behavioral risk factors on NCDs as well as the effects of social-environmental factors on behavioral risk factors using an integrated research model. This study used a dataset from the 2017 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. After filtering incomplete responses, 5462 valid responses remained. Items including one’s social-environmental factors (household income, education level, and region), behavioral factors (alcohol use, tobacco use, and physical activity), and NCDs histories were used for analyses. To develop a comprehensive index of each factor that allows comparison between different concepts, the researchers assigned scores to indicators of the factors and calculated a ratio of the scores. A series of path analyses were conducted to determine the extent of relationships among NCDs and risk factors. The results showed that social-environmental factors have notable effects on stroke, myocardial infarction, angina, diabetes, and gastric, liver, colon, lung, and thyroid cancers. The results indicate that the effects of social-environmental and behavioral risk factors on NCDs vary across the different types of diseases. The effects of social-environmental factors and behavioral risk factors significantly affected NCDs. However, the effect of social-environmental factors on behavioral risk factors was not supported. Furthermore, social-environmental factors and behavioral risk factors affect NCDs in a similar way. However, the effects of behavioral risk factors were smaller than those of social-environmental factors. The current research suggests taking a comprehensive view of risk factors to further understand the antecedents of NCDs in South Korea.

scholarly journals Non-communicable diseases’ risk factors in Iran; a review of the present status and action plans

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sina Azadnajafabad ◽  
Esmaeil Mohammadi ◽  
Arya Aminorroaya ◽  
Nima Fattahi ◽  
Shahabeddin Rezaei ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Present Status ◽  
Communicable Diseases ◽  
Action Plans ◽  
Non Communicable Diseases

scholarly journals The Implementation of Childhood Obesity Related Policy Interventions in Malaysia—A Non Communicable Diseases Scorecard Project

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (11) ◽  
pp. 5950
Author(s):  
Wilfred Kok Hoe Mok ◽  
Noran Naqiah Hairi ◽  
Caryn Mei Hsien Chan ◽  
Feisul Idzwan Mustapha ◽  
Thamil Arasu Saminathan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Childhood Obesity ◽  
Communicable Diseases ◽  
Overweight And Obesity ◽  
Current Status ◽  
Non Communicable Diseases ◽  
Modified Delphi ◽  
Policy Interventions ◽  
Non Governmental Organizations ◽  
The Government

(1) Background: The prevalence of overweight and obesity among children has increased tremendously in the ASEAN region, including Malaysia. In Malaysia, the National Strategic Plan for Non-Communicable Diseases (2015–2025) provides the overall framework for its response to the non-communicable diseases (NCD) epidemic. Preventing childhood obesity is one of the key strategies for early intervention to prevent NCDs. The objective of this research is to examine the current status of policy interventions in addressing childhood obesity in Malaysia. (2) Methods: A panel of 22 stakeholders and experts from Malaysia, representing the government, industry, academia and non-governmental organizations, were sampled using a modified Delphi technique. Data were collected using a modified NCD scorecard under four domains (governance, risk factors, surveillance and research and health systems response). A heat map was used to measure the success of the four realms of the NCD scorecard. For each domain of the NCD scorecard, the final score was grouped in quintiles. (3) Results: A total of 22 participants responded, comprising of eight (36.4%) males and 14 (63.4%) females. All the domains measured in implementing policies related to childhood obesity were of low progress. Nine governance indicators were reported as 22.5% (low progress), four in the risk factors domain, and two in the surveillance. This shows that timely and accurate monitoring, participatory review and evaluation, and effective remedies are necessary for a country’s surveillance system. (4) Conclusion: Although Malaysia has published several key strategic documents relating to childhood obesity and implemented numerous policy interventions, we have identified several gaps that must be addressed to leverage the whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach in addressing childhood obesity in the country.

‘I think one of the ways they will help is to create awareness’: primary school teachers’ perceptions of cardiovascular diseases in Nigeria

2019 ◽  
Vol 27 (4) ◽  
pp. 24-31
Author(s):  
Kingsley Udeh ◽  
Candidus Nwakasi ◽  
John Fulton
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Cardiovascular Diseases ◽  
Primary School ◽  
Cardiovascular Health ◽  
Communicable Diseases ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
School Teachers ◽  
Primary School Teachers ◽  
Non Communicable Diseases

The increasing incidence and prevalence of non-communicable diseases is a major global health concern. Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) account for the highest percentage of deaths related to non-communicable diseases, and low and middle-income countries (LMIC) face the highest burden of CVDs. Understanding the knowledge and perception of CVDs and their risk factors in an LMIC such as Nigeria may play an important role in cardiovascular health promotion and improvement plans to reduce CVD-related deaths. A qualitative study was conducted using semi-structured interviews to gain an in-depth understanding of some personal and sociocultural views on CVDs and their risk factors. The participants were purposively sampled primary school teachers in South-Eastern Nigeria. Thematic analysis approach was used for data analysis. The study findings include knowledge of heart disease, perceived causes and risk factors of CVDs, spirituality, and the way forward. Overall, the knowledge of CVDs in the setting was found to be related to the psychosocial nature of the participants; the effectiveness of any intervention needs to take these factors into consideration. For example, health policies for CVD health education and awareness should be tailored to address some of the issues of belief, values, and religion, as mentioned in the study.

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