scholarly journals Migrant Communities at the Center in Co-design of Health Literacy-Based Innovative Solutions for Non-communicable Diseases Prevention and Risk Reduction: Application of the OPtimising HEalth LIteracy and Access (Ophelia) Process

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sónia Dias ◽  
Ana Gama ◽  
Ana Catarina Maia ◽  
Maria J. Marques ◽  
Adalberto Campos Fernandes ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Literacy ◽  
Scale Up ◽  
Communicable Diseases ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Local Data ◽  
Non Communicable Diseases ◽  
Service Engagement ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Diverse Communities ◽  
Migrant Groups

The drivers of high prevalence of non-communicable diseases (NCD) among migrants are well-documented. Health literacy is regarded as a potential tool to reduce health inequalities and improve migrant's access to and quality of health care. Yet, little is known about the health literacy needs among these groups and how to address them. This paper outlines the protocol for a migrant community-based co-design project that seeks to optimize health literacy, health promotion, and social cohesion in support of prevention of NCDs among migrants in Lisbon using the OPtismizing HEalth LIteracy and Access (Ophelia) process. This participatory implementation research project starts with a mixed-methods needs assessment covering health literacy strengths, weaknesses and needs of migrants, and local data about determinants of health behaviors, service engagement, and organizational responsiveness. Diverse migrant groups will be engaged and surveyed using the Health Literacy Questionnaire and questions on sociodemographic and economic characteristics, health status, use of health services, and perceived impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Semi-structured interviews with migrants will also be conducted. Based on data collected, vignettes will be developed representing typical persons with diverse health literacy profiles. Migrants and stakeholders will participate in ideas generation workshops for depth co-creation discussions in simulated real-world situations based on the vignettes, to design health literacy-based multisectoral interventions. Selected interventions will be piloted through quality improvement cycles to ensure ongoing local refinements and ownership development. Through a genuine engagement, the project will evaluate the uptake, effectiveness and sustainability of the interventions. This protocol takes a grounded approach to produce evidence on real health literacy needs from the perspective of key stakeholders, especially migrants, and embodies strong potential for effective knowledge translation into innovative, locally relevant, culturally and context congruent solutions for prevention of NCDs among migrants. Given the diverse communities engaged, this protocol will likely be adaptable to other migrant groups in a wide range of contexts, particularly in European countries. The scale-up of interventions to similar contexts and populations will provide much needed evidence on how health literacy interventions can be developed and applied to reduce health inequality and improve health in diverse communities.

scholarly journals Community-based intervention to prevent the incidence of Non-Communicable Diseases in the migrant population: Pilot study in Valencia (Spain)

2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (Supplement_5) ◽  
Author(s):  
A Gil-Salmerón
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Health Literacy ◽  
Health Education ◽  
Host Country ◽  
Health Care Access ◽  
Communicable Diseases ◽  
Community Services ◽  
Migrant Population ◽  
Non Communicable Diseases ◽  
Life Years

Abstract Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) are prevalent in the migrant population with increased years of residency in the host country. In this regard, health education and lifestyle interventions have proven to be cost-effective modifying risk factors. The Spanish pilot of the Mig-HealthCare project directly aims to reduce the prevalence of NCDs reducing the well-known “healthy migrant effect” by increasing the levels of health literacy and also turning the lifestyles of the participants into healthier habits in the host country. The Mig-HealthCare pilot in Spain is a one-month group-based Health Education and Lifestyle Intervention to prevent the incidence of non-communicable diseases in Migrant and refugee populations addressing their Acculturation Process (HELP-MAP). Consequently, the pilot intervention addressing 4 topics: health literacy, physical activity, dietary patterns and strategies for coping with stress. The implementation of the pilot will be carried out in two different community services (i) one NGO providing care and accommodation for asylum seekers and (ii) three social care units within primary health care centres. Furthermore, following the Mig-Healthcare study protocol evaluation will focus on acculturation strategies, level of health literacy, physical exercise, change in diet, use of health care access and Quality-Adjusted life-years (QALY)

‘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.

scholarly journals Communicative health literacy in patients with non-communicable diseases in Ethiopia: a cross-sectional study

2021 ◽  
Vol 49 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Desalew Tilahun ◽  
Abebe Abera ◽  
Gugsa Nemera
Keyword(s):  
Health Literacy ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Communicable Diseases ◽  
Source Population ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Non Communicable Diseases ◽  
Health Literacy Level ◽  
Literacy Level

Abstract Background Health literacy plays a prominent role in empowering individuals for prevention as well as management of non-communicable diseases (NCDs). However, there is paucity of information on the health literacy of patients with non-communicable diseases in Ethiopia. Therefore, this study aimed to assess communicative health literacy and associated factors in patients with NCDs on follow-up at Jimma Medical Center (JMC), Ethiopia. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted from 4 May 2020 to 4 July 2020 with 408 randomly selected adult patients, attending outpatient department of JMC in Ethiopia. The final sample size was obtained by using single population proportion formula. All patients with NCDs who were on follow-up at chronic illness clinic, JMC, were used as a source population. All eligible patients with NCDs who fulfilled the inclusion criteria were included in this study. A simple random sampling technique was used to recruit study participants. Data were collected through structured interviewer administered questionnaires on the six of nine health literacy domains using Health Literacy Questionnaire (HLQ) containing 30 items, socio-demographic and socio-economic characteristics, disease-related factors, and health information sources. Multivariable logistic regression was executed to determine the associations. Result Descriptive analysis shows more than half of the respondents in four of the six health literacy domains had high communicative health literacy level (CHLL). The proportion of people with high CHLL across each of the domains was as follows: health care provider support (56.1%), social support for health (53.7%), active engagement with a healthcare provider (56.1%), and navigating healthcare system (53.4%). We found educational status was significantly associated with five of six health literacy domains whereas number of sources was associated with four of six health literacy domains. Conclusion The overall findings of the current study indicate that health literacy levels vary according to socio-demographic and disease characteristics of patients. Thus, healthcare professionals should assess patients’ health literacy level and tailor information and support to the health literacy skills and personal context of their patients.

Health Literacy in Non-Communicable Diseases

2021 ◽  
pp. 257-297
Author(s):  
Christina Zarcadoolas ◽  
Barbara K. Kondilis
Keyword(s):  
New York ◽  
Health Literacy ◽  
Communicable Diseases ◽  
Behavior Changes ◽  
Non Communicable Diseases ◽  
Case Examples ◽  
Education Material ◽  
Short And Long Term ◽  
Patient Outreach

The chapter highlights some of the methods used to embed health literacy principles into patient outreach and education materials about non-communicable diseases: chronic conditions including mental health conditions. A person's or population's understanding and engagement with health represents its health literacy. Health literacy is a form social capital. The authors use an ecological, socially contextualized model of health literacy and demonstrate how it guides the structure and content of health education material in case examples from New York City, United States, and Greece in Europe. While the specific methods used in these cases vary, the essential principal is that it is critical to identify and build on information about an individual's health literacy contextualized in the individual's or group's socio-cultural and lived experiences. Only this way can an individual's or group's health literacy be advanced so that they can engage in behavior changes for both short- and long-term health outcomes.

scholarly journals Qualitative Evaluation of the General Practitioner Chronic Non-Communicable Diseases Training Programme

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chunyu Zhang ◽  
Fang Fang ◽  
Mingqiang Peng ◽  
Ying Zhao ◽  
Ruixue Liu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
General Practitioner ◽  
General Practitioners ◽  
Outpatient Clinic ◽  
Qualitative Evaluation ◽  
Training Programme ◽  
Communicable Diseases ◽  
Interview Data ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Non Communicable Diseases ◽  
Practitioner Training

Abstract Background: In China, general practitioners have limited ability to provide care for common chronic non-communicable diseases because they lack postgraduate training. In an attempt to improve general practitioners’ skills in this regard, the present authors previously launched the Chronic Non-Communicable Diseases Training Programme. The present study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of this programme.Methods: Thirty-nine trainee general practitioners who participated in the programme underwent semi-structured interviews, which explored how they performed the training, what they achieved from the programme, and their suggestions for future programmes. The interview data were analysed using a thematic analysis approach.Results: Under the guidance of supervisors, the thirty-nine trainee general practitioners completed the structured but individualised training plan, which comprised a four-day basic theory class, three months practicing in a ward, and six months assisting in an outpatient clinic. They reported an improvement in their ability to provide care for chronic non-communicable diseases and perform two-way referral, as well as their communication with patients. They also reported that, since returning to their communities, they had become more confident, were building better relationships with their patients, and had changed their clinic behaviours from copying prescriptions to making medical decisions independently. Their principal suggestion for the training programme was to alter the order of the training, as they preferred to practice in the ward before assisting in the outpatient clinic.Conclusion: The course comprised a learner-centred, practice- and apprenticeship-based, general-practitioner training programme. Given the participants’ progress and the beneficial effects of the programme reported in the interview data, it appears to be worthwhile to extend the General Practitioner Chronic Non-Communicable Diseases Training Programme.

scholarly journals Qualitative evaluation of the general practitioner chronic non-communicable diseases training programme

2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Chunyu Zhang ◽  
Fang Fang ◽  
Mingqiang Peng ◽  
Ying Zhao ◽  
Ruixue Liu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
General Practitioner ◽  
General Practitioners ◽  
Outpatient Clinic ◽  
Qualitative Evaluation ◽  
Training Programme ◽  
Communicable Diseases ◽  
Interview Data ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Non Communicable Diseases ◽  
Practitioner Training

Abstract Background In China, general practitioners have limited ability to provide care for common chronic non-communicable diseases because they lack postgraduate training. In an attempt to improve general practitioners’ skills in this regard, the present authors previously launched the Chronic Non-Communicable Diseases Training Programme. The present study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of this programme. Methods Thirty-nine trainee general practitioners who participated in the programme underwent semi-structured interviews, which explored how they performed the training, what they achieved from the programme, and their suggestions for future programmes. The interview data were analysed using a thematic analysis approach. Results Under the guidance of supervisors, the thirty-nine trainee general practitioners completed the structured but individualised training plan, which comprised a four-day basic theory class, 3 months practising in a ward, and 6 months assisting in an outpatient clinic. They reported an improvement in their ability to provide care for chronic non-communicable diseases and perform two-way referral, as well as their communication with patients. They also reported that, since returning to their communities, they had become more confident, were building better relationships with their patients, and had changed their clinic behaviours from copying prescriptions to making medical decisions independently. Their principal suggestion for the training programme was to alter the order of the training, as they preferred to practice in the ward before assisting in the outpatient clinic. Conclusion The course comprised a learner-centred, practice- and apprenticeship-based, general-practitioner training programme. Given the participants’ progress and the beneficial effects of the programme reported in the interview data, it appears to be worthwhile to extend the General Practitioner Chronic Non-Communicable Diseases Training Programme.

scholarly journals Policy, toxicology and physicochemical considerations on the inhalation of high concentrations of food flavour

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Vlad Dinu ◽  
Azad Kilic ◽  
Qingqi Wang ◽  
Charfedinne Ayed ◽  
Abdulmannan Fadel ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Communicable Diseases ◽  
Inhalation Toxicity ◽  
Non Communicable Diseases ◽  
Prior Approval ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Toxicological Data ◽  
Regulatory Bodies ◽  
Biological Substrates ◽  
High Concentrations ◽  
New Strategies

Abstract Food flavour ingredients are required by law to obtain prior approval from regulatory bodies, such as the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) or the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) in terms of toxicological data and intended use levels. However, there are no regulations for labelling the type and concentration of flavour additives on the product, primarily due to their low concentration in food and generally recognised as safe (GRAS) status determined by the flavour and extract manufacturers’ association (FEMA). Their status for use in e-cigarettes and other vaping products challenges these fundamental assumptions, because their concentration can be over ten-thousand times higher than in food, and the method of administration is through inhalation, which is currently not evaluated by the FEMA expert panel. This work provides a review of some common flavour ingredients used in food and vaping products, their product concentrations, inhalation toxicity and aroma interactions reported with different biological substrates. We have identified several studies, which suggest that the high concentrations of flavour through inhalation may pose a serious health threat, especially in terms of their cytotoxicity. As a result of the wide range of possible protein-aroma interactions reported in our diet and metabolism, including links to several non-communicable diseases, we suggest that it is instrumental to update current flavour- labelling regulations, and support new strategies of understanding the effects of flavour uptake on the digestive and respiratory systems, in order to prevent the onset of future non-communicable diseases.

scholarly journals The Role of Health Literacy and Social Networks in Arthritis Patients' Health Information-Seeking Behavior: A Qualitative Study

2012 ◽  
Vol 2012 ◽  
pp. 1-6 ◽  
Author(s):  
Janette Ellis ◽  
Judy Mullan ◽  
Anthony Worsley ◽  
Nagesh Pai
Keyword(s):  
Social Network ◽  
Health Literacy ◽  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Health Information ◽  
Information Seeking ◽  
Health Information Seeking ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Information Seeking Behaviour ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Selection Of

Background. Patients engage in health information-seeking behaviour to maintain their wellbeing and to manage chronic diseases such as arthritis. Health literacy allows patients to understand available treatments and to critically appraise information they obtain from a wide range of sources. Aims. To explore how arthritis patients' health literacy affects engagement in arthritis-focused health information-seeking behaviour and the selection of sources of health information available through their informal social network. Methods. An exploratory, qualitative study consisting of one-on-one semi-structured interviews. Twenty participants with arthritis were recruited from community organizations. The interviews were designed to elicit participants' understanding about their arthritis and arthritis medication and to determine how the participants' health literacy informed selection of where they found information about their arthritis and pain medication. Results. Participants with low health literacy were less likely to be engaged with health information-seeking behaviour. Participants with intermediate health literacy were more likely to source arthritis-focused health information from newspapers, television, and within their informal social network. Those with high health literacy sourced information from the internet and specialist health sources and were providers of information within their informal social network. Conclusion. Health professionals need to be aware that levels of engagement in health information-seeking behaviour and sources of arthritis-focused health information may be related to their patients' health literacy.

Health Literacy in Non-Communicable Diseases

2018 ◽  
pp. 32-72
Author(s):  
Christina Zarcadoolas ◽  
Barbara K. Kondilis
Keyword(s):  
New York ◽  
Health Literacy ◽  
Communicable Diseases ◽  
Behavior Changes ◽  
Non Communicable Diseases ◽  
Case Examples ◽  
Education Material ◽  
Short And Long Term ◽  
Patient Outreach

The chapter highlights some of the methods used to embed health literacy principles into patient outreach and education materials about non-communicable diseases: chronic conditions including mental health conditions. A person's or population's understanding and engagement with health represents its health literacy. Health literacy is a form social capital. The authors use an ecological, socially contextualized model of health literacy and demonstrate how it guides the structure and content of health education material in case examples from New York City, United States, and Greece in Europe. While the specific methods used in these cases vary, the essential principal is that it is critical to identify and build on information about an individual's health literacy contextualized in the individual's or group's socio-cultural and lived experiences. Only this way can an individual's or group's health literacy be advanced so that they can engage in behavior changes for both short- and long-term health outcomes.

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