scholarly journals Validation of a deprivation index for public health: a complex exercise illustrated by the Quebec index

2014 ◽  
Vol 34 (1) ◽  
pp. 12-22 ◽  
Author(s):  
R Pampalon ◽  
D Hamel ◽  
P Gamache ◽  
A Simpson ◽  
MD Philibert

Introduction Despite the widespread use of deprivation indices in public health, they are rarely explicitly or extensively validated, owing to the complex nature of the exercise. Methods Based on the proposals of British researchers, we sought to validate Quebec's material and social deprivation index using criteria of validity (content, criterion and construct validity), reliability and responsiveness, as well as other properties relevant to public health (comprehensibility, objectivity and practicality). Results We reviewed the international literature on deprivation indices, as well as publications and uses of the Quebec index, to which we added factual data. Conclusion Based on the review, it appears that the Quebec index responds favourably to the proposed validation criteria and properties. However, additional validations are required to better identify the contextual factors associated with the index.

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anastasia Zelenina ◽  
Svetlana Shalnova ◽  
Sergey Maksimov ◽  
Oksana Drapkina

Abstract Background: Deprivation index has become a more popular tool to rank levels of deprivation within different geographic areas. It is extensively used for monitoring health inequalities, evaluating health care services, developing and modifying health policies and programs, and allocating health resources equitably. In the current review, we will examine how in different countries deprivation indices were created. This is significant because indices have been used in public health for more than three decades. The first deprivation index was created in the UK in the late 1980s. A stock of knowledge and information about deprivation indices have been accumulated over this period. Our objectives are to explore the relevant literature to describe features of composite deprivation measures; create a list and classification of original deprivation indices. We will develop the classification of indices to systematize knowledge and improve the functional utility of the information. Moreover, the classification will provide an organized framework for planning and following through with the process of developing new deprivation measures.Methods: Any original deprivation index mentioned in peer-reviewed or grey literature documents will be eligible for inclusion if it assesses deprivation at a population level and used in relation to health. The study area will be limited to the geographic areas of North America, Europe, Australia, and New Zealand. PubMed and grey literature databases will be searched to identify all relevant studies, without publication date restriction. Papers published in any language will be included to avoid language bias. Papers will be screened for inclusion by two independent reviewers. Tables and a narrative summary will be used to describe features of deprivation indices. Diagrammatic form will be used to create the classification of deprivation indices.Discussion: The aim of creating a taxonomy is to systematize information related to the methodology for constructing and using deprivation indices in public health research and practice. Practically, the results of this study could facilitate finding a common language among researchers and specialists who create and use deprivation indices, thus helping the development and implementation of appropriate deprivation indices for different countries.


Author(s):  
Angela Furfari ◽  
Sílvio Brito ◽  
Valeria Caggiano

Several studies demonstrate that Schwartz’s (2006) theory of human values is valid in cultures previously beyond its range. We measured the 10 value constructs in the theory with the Portrait Values Questionnaire (PVQ), a new and less abstract method. This study explores the influence of values in a professional choose, focusing on the associations between social and professional background. The findings support the construct validity of the test. The results suggest, there is a matching between values and occupational choose, there are evident differences between gender and age. These results confirm the international literature about different gender and value system’s. Its theoretical meaning in the context of Schwartz’s culture-level value theory is discussed.


Vaccines ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (7) ◽  
pp. 745
Author(s):  
Rob Stephenson ◽  
Stephen P. Sullivan ◽  
Renee A. Pitter ◽  
Alexis S. Hunter ◽  
Tanaka MD Chavanduka

This paper presents data from an online sample of U.S gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (GBMSM), to explore the factors associated with three dimensions of vaccine beliefs: perception of the likelihood of a COVID-19 vaccine becoming available, perception of when a COVID-19 vaccine would become available, and the likelihood of taking a COVID-19 vaccine. Data are taken from the Love and Sex in the Time of COVID-19 study, collected from November 2020 to January 2021. A sample of 290 GBMSM is analyzed, modeling three binary outcomes: belief that there will be a COVID-19 vaccine, belief that the COVID-19 vaccine will be available in 6 months, and being very likely to take the COVID-19 vaccine. In contrast to other studies, Black/African Americans and GBMSM living with HIV had higher levels of pandemic optimism and were more likely to be willing to accept a vaccine. Men who perceived a higher prevalence of COVID-19 among their friends and sex partners, and those who had reduced their sex partners, were more likely to be willing to take a COVID-19 vaccine. There remained a small percentage of participants (14%) who did not think the pandemic would end, that there would not be a vaccine and were unlikely to take a vaccine. To reach the levels of vaccination necessary to control the pandemic, it is imperative to understand the characteristics of those experiencing vaccine hesitancy and then tailor public health messages to their unique set of barriers and motivations.


Author(s):  
Sunil Kumar Patnaik ◽  
Haritha Polimati ◽  
Rajeswara Rao Pragada

It has been estimated that currently over 150 million men worldwide suffer from erectile dysfunction (ED) and by 2025, the figure will increase beyond 322 millions. ED is the inability to achieve, and/or maintain penile erection sufficient for satisfactory sexual intercourse, and was previously regarded as the part of aging. It is associated with certain diseases and life style habits with a cause-effect relationship, including diabetes mellitus, hypertension, dyslipidemia, and cigarette smoking. Internationally, most of the men with ED fail to pursue treatment due to the complex nature of sexuality, taboos, cultural restrictions, and acceptance of ED as a normal sequel of aging. In this review, we discussed the physiology, diagnosis, and risk factors associated with ED and current treatment strategies for ED.Keywords: Erectile dysfunction, Diabetes, Penile erection, Phosphodiesterase inhibitors.


2018 ◽  
Vol 54 (1) ◽  
pp. 39-45 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bruce Wallace ◽  
Mary Clare Kennedy ◽  
Thomas Kerr ◽  
Bernie Pauly

Vaccines ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (12) ◽  
pp. 1384
Author(s):  
Emil Syundyukov ◽  
Martins Mednis ◽  
Linda Zaharenko ◽  
Eva Pildegovica ◽  
Ieva Danovska ◽  
...  

Due to the severe impact of COVID-19 on public health, rollout of the vaccines must be large-scale. Current solutions are not intended to promote an active collaboration between communities and public health researchers. We aimed to develop a digital platform for communication between scientists and the general population, and to use it for an exploratory study on factors associated with vaccination readiness. The digital platform was developed in Latvia and was equipped with dynamic consent management. During a period of six weeks 467 participants were enrolled in the population-based cross-sectional exploratory study using this platform. We assessed demographics, COVID-19-related behavioral and personal factors, and reasons for vaccination. Logistic regression models adjusted for the level of education, anxiety, factors affecting the motivation to vaccinate, and risk of infection/severe disease were built to investigate their association with vaccination readiness. In the fully adjusted multiple logistic regression model, factors associated with vaccination readiness were anxiety (odds ratio, OR = 3.09 [95% confidence interval 1.88; 5.09]), feelings of social responsibility (OR = 1.61 [1.16; 2.22]), and trust in pharmaceutical companies (OR = 1.53 [1.03; 2.27]). The assessment of a large number of participants in a six-week period show the potential of a digital platform to create a data-driven dialogue on vaccination readiness.


PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. e0246085
Author(s):  
Muhammad Riaz ◽  
Ghazala Shah ◽  
Muhammad Asif ◽  
Asma Shah ◽  
Kaustubh Adhikari ◽  
...  

Background High blood pressure is an important public health concern and the leading risk factor for global mortality and morbidity. To assess the implications of this condition, we aimed to review the existing literature and study the factors that are significantly associated with hypertension in the Pakistani population. Methods We conducted several electronic searches in PubMed, ISI Web of Science, PsycINFO, EMBASE, Scopus, Elsevier, and manually searched the citations of published articles on hypertension from May 2019 to August 2019. We included all studies that examined factors associated with hypertension regardless of the study design. To assess the quality of the research, we used the Newcastle-Ottawa Quality Assessment Scale. We also conducted meta-analyses using the DerSimonian & Laird random-effects model to collate results from at least three studies. Results We included 30 cross-sectional and 7 case-control studies (99,391 participants country-wide) in this review and found 13 (35.1%) to be high-quality studies. We identified 5 socio-demographic, 3 lifestyle, 3 health-related, and 4 psychological variables that were significantly associated with hypertension. Adults aged between 30–60 years who were married, living in urban areas with high incomes, used tobacco, had a family history of hypertension, and had comorbidities (overweight, obesity, diabetes, anxiety, stress, and anger management issues) were positively associated with hypertension. On the other hand, individuals having high education levels, normal physical activity, and unrestricted salt in their diet were negatively associated with hypertension. Conclusion We found several socio-demographic, lifestyle, health-related, and psychological factors that were significantly (positively and negatively) associated with hypertension. Our findings may help physicians and public health workers to identify high-risk groups and recommend appropriate prevention strategies. Further research is warranted to investigate these factors rigorously and collate global evidence on the same.


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