scholarly journals Accelerating the Nature Deficit or Enhancing the Nature-Based Human Health during the Pandemic Era: An International Study in Cambodia, Indonesia, Japan, South Korea, and Myanmar, following the Start of the COVID-19 Pandemic

Forests ◽  
2022 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 57
Author(s):  
Ju-hyoung Lee ◽  
Marady Cheng ◽  
Muhammad Nur Syamsi ◽  
Ki Hwan Lee ◽  
Thu Rain Aung ◽  
...  

In modern society, the opportunity to experience nature is separate from everyday life, requiring time and effort. Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, restrictions on freedom of activity and communication around the world have become a crisis, causing a nature deficit by accelerating the process of separation from nature. At the same time, the pandemic has increased people’s motivation to return to nature, providing an opportunity to seek experiences and health recovery in nature. The authors conducted an international cross-sectional study in five Asian countries, investigating changes in the perception of recreational activities and health restoration in the natural environment, one of the many effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on human society. An online survey, completed by 524 respondents, has confirmed the efficacy of the SEM model, which includes COVID-19 stress, increased indoor activity, a preference for the natural environment, and the perception of health recovery. Although the five countries had different response values for each theme, the stress caused by restricted activities and communication during the pandemic was linked to a preference for natural experiences and the motivation to visit natural environments in all five countries, ultimately affecting perceptions of health recovery in nature. This study has shown that the COVID-19 pandemic, a disaster afflicting all human civilization, has changed people’s perceptions by enhancing their preference for natural recreational activities and health. It has accelerated people’s return to nature and fostered a positive perception of nature’s ability to promote good health.

2019 ◽  
Vol 27 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Karin Hammerich ◽  
Kent Stuber ◽  
Sheilah Hogg-Johnson ◽  
Anser Abbas ◽  
Martin Harris ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Patient-centred care is internationally recognized as a foundation of quality patient care. Attitudes of students towards patient-centred care have been assessed in various health professions. However, little is known how chiropractic students’ attitudes towards patient-centred care compare to those of other health professions or whether they vary internationally, and between academic programs. Objective To assess the association of select variables on student attitude towards patient-centred care among select chiropractic programs worldwide. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional study using the Patient-Practitioner Orientation Scale (PPOS) to assess students’ patient-centred attitudes towards the doctor-patient relationship. Eighteen items were scored on a 1 to 6 Likert scale; higher scores indicating more patient-centredness. All students from seven chiropractic educational programs worldwide were invited to complete an online survey. Results were analyzed descriptively and inferentially for overall, sharing and caring subscales. General linear regression models were used to assess the association of various factors with PPOS scores. Results There were 1858 respondents (48.9% response rate). Student average age was 24.7 (range = 17–58) years and 56.2% were female. The average overall PPOS score was 4.18 (SD = 0.48) and average sharing and caring subscale scores were 3.89 (SD = 0.64) and 4.48 (SD = 0.52), respectively. There were small but significant differences in all PPOS scores by gender, age, and program. Year/semester of study within a program typically was not associated with scores, neither was history of previous chiropractic care nor having family members who are health professionals. Conclusion This is the first international study assessing students’ attitudes of patient-centred care in chiropractic educational programs. We found small but significantly different PPOS scores between chiropractic programs worldwide that did not change across year/semester of study. Scores tended to be lower than those reported among medical students. Observed differences may be related to curricular content, extent of patient exposure and/or regional cultural realities.


Author(s):  
David Jungwirth ◽  
Chiara Amelie Weninger ◽  
Daniela Haluza

The COVID-19 pandemic has dramatically impacted human lifestyles across the world. Lockdowns and home confinement decreased prior opportunities for everyday physical activity. To retrospectively assess how the Austrian population coped with these aspects of the crisis, we conducted a cross-sectional online survey from March to September 2021 using a structured questionnaire in German. In total, 1214 participants (56.9% females, mean age 37.0 years) living across Austria shared self-reported information on sociodemographic characteristics, indoor and outdoor physical activity, reasons for being outdoors, and life satisfaction before and after the emergence of the virus. As a result, overall indoor physical activity significantly decreased in a before–during COVID-19 crisis comparison, although exercising at home with online instructions increased by about 63%. Exercising outdoors increased overall, specifically in periurban forests and rural areas, both by about 9%. Life satisfaction decreased significantly by 19.7% (p < 0.001). Outdoor public places and natural environments gained importance due to restrictions affecting access to sport facilities. Further research is needed to evaluate benefits and therapeutic values of outdoor nature for physical and mental health in times of a global pandemic to maintain resilient societies, as it might impact future active living and life satisfaction.


Author(s):  
Paula Rodríguez-Fernández ◽  
Josefa González-Santos ◽  
Mirian Santamaría-Peláez ◽  
Raúl Soto-Cámara ◽  
Jerónimo J. González-Bernal

(1) Background: A balanced life is related to good health in young people, one of the groups most affected by confinement and social distancing measures during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study aims to explore the occupational balance of young adults during home confinement and its association with different sociodemographic factors. (2) Methods: A cross-sectional study was designed, and an online survey was disseminated to collect sociodemographic and occupational balance data, using the Occupational Balance Questionnaire (OBQ). The statistical analysis was performed using the SPSS statistical software package version 24.0. (3) Results: 965 young adults between 18 and 30 years old participated in the study. A predictive model showed that the main predictors of a lower occupational balance were a negative self-perception (β= 0.377; p = <0.0001), student status (β = 0.521; p = 0.001), not receiving enough information (β = 0.951; p = 0.001) and long periods of quarantine (β = 0.036; p = 0.007). (4) Conclusions: Considering people’s occupational health and related factors could lessen many of the psychosocial consequences of isolation and contribute to the well-being of young people.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Breanne Kunstler ◽  
Peter Slattery ◽  
Emily Grundy ◽  
Denise Goodwin ◽  
Alexander K Saeri

BACKGROUND:Participating in physical activity (PA) and minimising time spent sedentary is important to achieve and maintain good health. Time spent being physically active and sedentary could be negatively influenced by the 2019 global pandemic where home confinement restrictions are commonplace internationally. The aim of this study was to identify the percentage of Australian adults meeting the PA and sedentary behaviour guidelines during the COVID-19 pandemic.METHODS:Australian adults participated in a cross-sectional online survey examining PA and sedentary behaviours during April, 2020. Descriptive statistics were produced for demographic, PA and sedentary behaviour variables.RESULTS:1,084 Australian adults responded to the survey. The majority of respondents did not meet the aerobic (n=756,70%) or strength (n=649,60%) components of the guidelines. The majority of respondents (n=609,58%) participated in low sedentary time (&lt;9hr/day). CONCLUSION:Compared to previous studies and national data, the percentage of Australian adults meeting the strength component of the guidelines increased while the percentage meeting the aerobic and sedentary time components decreased. The reduction in activity and increase in sedentary time could be due to the enforcement of home confinement restrictions. It is important to provide opportunities for people to maintain activity during pandemics to avoid poor health outcomes.


Crisis ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (2) ◽  
pp. 82-88 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bob Lew ◽  
Ksenia Chistopolskaya ◽  
Yanzheng Liu ◽  
Mansor Abu Talib ◽  
Olga Mitina ◽  
...  

Abstract. Background: According to the strain theory of suicide, strains, resulting from conflicting and competing pressures in an individual's life, are hypothesized to precede suicide. But social support is an important factor that can mitigate strains and lessen their input in suicidal behavior. Aims: This study was designed to assess the moderating role of social support in the relation between strain and suicidality. Methods: A sample of 1,051 employees were recruited in Beijing, the capital of China, through an online survey. Moderation analysis was performed using SPSS PROCESS Macro. Social support was measured with the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support, and strains were assessed with the Psychological Strains Scale. Results: Psychological strains are a good predictor of suicidality, and social support, a basic need for each human being, moderates and decreases the effects of psychological strains on suicidality. Limitations: The cross-sectional survey limited the extent to which conclusions about causal relationships can be drawn. Furthermore, the results may not be generalized to the whole of China because of its diversity. Conclusion: Social support has a tendency to mitigate the effects of psychological strains on suicidality.


2018 ◽  
Vol 39 (2) ◽  
pp. 76-87 ◽  
Author(s):  
Buaphrao Raphiphatthana ◽  
Paul Jose ◽  
Karen Salmon

Abstract. Grit, that is, perseverance and passion for long-term goals, is a novel construct that has gained attention in recent years ( Duckworth, Peterson, Matthews, & Kelly, 2007 ). To date, little research has been performed with the goal of identifying the antecedents of grit. Thus, in order to fill this gap in the literature, self-report data were collected to examine whether mindfulness, a mindset of being-in-the-present in a nonjudgmental way, plays a role in fostering grittiness. Three hundred and forty-three undergraduate students completed an online survey once in a cross-sectional study, and of these, 74 students completed the survey again 4.5 months later. Although the cross-sectional analyses identified a number of positive associations between mindfulness and grit, the longitudinal analysis revealed that the mindfulness facets of acting with awareness and non-judging were the most important positive predictors of grit 4.5 months later. This set of findings offers implications for future grit interventions.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kristin Natal Riang Gea

AbstrakKeselamatan pasien merupakan dasar dari pelayanan kesehatan yang baik. Pengetahuan tenaga kesehatan dalam sasaran keselamatan pasien terdiri dari ketepatan identifikasi pasien, peningkatan komunikasi yang efektif, peningkatan keamanan obat yang perlu diwaspadai, kepastian tepat lokasi, prosedur, dan tepat pasien operasi, pengurangan risiko infeksi, pengurangan risiko pasien jatuh. Tujuan penelitian untuk mengetahui hubungan antara pengetahuan dengan penerapan keselamatan pasien pada petugas kesehatan di Puskesmas Kedaung Wetan Kota Tangerang. Metode Penelitian menggunakan deskriptif korelasi menggunakan pendekatan cross sectional. Populasi sebanyak 50 responden. Teknik pengambilan sampel menggunakan total sampling. Instrumen yang digunakan berupa lembar kuesioner. Teknik analisa diatas menggunakan analisa Univariat dan Bivariat. Hasil Penelitian ada Hubungan Pengetahuan dengan Penerapan Keselamatan Pasien pada Petugas Kesehatan, dengan hasil, p value sebesar 0,013 &lt; 0,05 maka dapat disimpulkan bahwa ada Hubungan Pengetahuan dengan Penerapa Keselamatan Pasien pada Petugas Kesehatan. Kesimpulan penelitian ada Hubungan Pengetahuan dengan Penerapan Keselamatan Pasien.. AbstrackPatient safety is the basis of good health services. Knowledge of health personnel in patient safety targets consists of accurate patient identification, increased effective communication, increased safety of the drug that needs to be watched, certainty in the right location, procedure, and precise patient surgery, reduction in risk of infection, reduction in risk of falling patients. The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between knowledge and the application of patient safety to health workers in the Kedaung Wetan Health Center, Tangerang City. The research method uses descriptive correlation using cross sectional approach. The population is 50 respondents. The sampling technique uses total sampling. The instrument used was a questionnaire sheet. The analysis technique above uses Univariate and Bivariate analysis. The results of the study there is a Relationship of Knowledge with the Implementation of Patient Safety in Health Officers, with the result, p value of 0.013 &lt;0.05, it can be concluded that there is a Relationship between Knowledge and Patient Safety Implementation in Health Officers. The conclusion of the study is the Relationship between Knowledge and the Implementation of Patient Safety.Keywords Knowledge, Patient safety, Health workers


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sylvia Niehuis

Issues in applied survey research, including minimizing respondent burden to encourage survey completion and the increasing administration of questionnaires over smartphones, have intensified efforts to create short measures. We conducted two studies to examine the psychometric properties of single-item measures of four close-relationship variables: satisfaction, love, conflict, and commitment. Study 1 was longitudinal, surveying an initial sample of 121 college-age dating couples at three monthly phases. Romantic partners completed single- and multi-item measures of the four constructs, along with other variables, to examine test-retest reliability and convergent (single-item measures with their corresponding multi-item scales), concurrent, and predictive validity. Our single-item measures of satisfaction, love, and commitment exhibited impressive psychometric qualities, but our single-item conflict measure performed somewhat less strongly. Study 2, a cross-sectional online survey (n = 280; mainly through Facebook), showed strong convergent validity of the single-item measures, including a .60 correlation between single- and multi-item conflict measures.


2020 ◽  
Vol 70 (suppl 1) ◽  
pp. bjgp20X711293
Author(s):  
Sarah Garnett ◽  
Hajira Dambha-Miller ◽  
Beth Stuart

BackgroundEmpathy is a key health care concept and refers to care that incorporates understanding of patient perspective’s, shared decision making, and consideration of the broader context in which illness is experience. Evidence suggests experiences of doctor empathy correlate with improved health outcomes and patient satisfaction. It has also been linked to job satisfaction, and mental wellbeing for doctors. To date, there is a paucity of evidence on empathy levels among medical students. This is critical to understand given that it is a key point at which perceptions and practices of empathy in the longer term might be formed.AimTo quantify the level of empathy among UK undergraduate medical studentsMethodAn anonymised cross-sectional online survey was distributed to medical students across three universities. The previously validated Davis’s Interpersonal Reactivity Index was used to quantify empathy. The survey also collected information on age, sex, ethnicity, year of medical school training and included a free-text box for ‘any other comments’.ResultsData analysis is currently underway with high response rates. Mean empathy scores by age, sex, year of study and ethnic group are presented. A correlation analysis will examine associations between age and year of study, and mean empathy sores.ConclusionThese data will help to provide a better understanding of empathy levels to inform the provision of future empathy training and medical school curriculum design. Given previous evidence linking experiences of empathy to better health outcomes, the findings may also be significant to future patient care


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