scholarly journals Children’s Experiences of Their Journey to School: Integrating Behaviour Change Frameworks to Inform the Role of the Built Environment in Active School Travel Promotion

Author(s):  
Nafsika Michail ◽  
Ayse Ozbil ◽  
Rosie Parnell ◽  
Stephanie Wilkie

Childhood obesity is a public health problem with multiple effects on children’s life. Promoting Active School Travel (AST) could provide an inclusive opportunity for physical activity and shape healthy behaviours. Data for this cross-sectional study were drawn from questionnaires carried out in five primary schools located in Newcastle upon Tyne, UK, in neighbourhoods chosen for their variability in IMD (index of multiple deprivation) and spatial structure of street networks (measured through space syntax measure of integration). A randomly selected and heterogenic sample of 145 pupils (aged 9–10) completed an open-ended questionnaire to state what they like and dislike about their journey to school. Thematic analysis identified four typologies (environmental context, emotions, social influences and trip factors) based on the Theoretical Domains Framework (TDF) and specific themes and sub-themes underlying children’s affective experiences of their journeys to school. This study is the first known to authors to attempt to adapt the Capability, Opportunity and Motivation Behaviour (COM-B) model into AST and children’s experiences and associated behavioural domains with design aspects. Such an insight into children’s attitudes could inform urban planners and designers about how to apply more effective behaviour change interventions, targeting an AST increase among children.

2018 ◽  
Vol 2018 ◽  
pp. 1-5 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohammed Abbas ◽  
Faiza A. Sharif ◽  
Shamselfalah M. Osman ◽  
Abdallah M. Osman ◽  
Sulieman M. El Sanousi ◽  
...  

This study aimed to determine the prevalence of H. pylori infections among schoolchildren and investigate the associations between H. pylori seropositivity and existence of gastrointestinal symptoms. Methods. A prospective cross-sectional study was conducted during a period from January to December 2012 at Kassala state, east of Sudan. Schoolchildren from different primary schools were enrolled in the study. Sociodemographic characteristics and gastrointestinal symptoms were recorded from each child. A rapid immunochromatographic test was performed for the detection of H. pylori IgG antibodies. Data on patient demographic characteristics, clinical diagnosis, and findings of H. pylori infection were analyzed by simple descriptive statistics. Results. Among 431 schoolchildren, H. pylori seropositivity was found to be 21.8%. The majority of children (79; 84%) had BMI below the normal range. The most frequent symptoms associated with H. pylori infections were nausea (25.5%), followed by gastric pain (24.5%) and heart pain (20.2%). There were statistically significant differences in H. pylori seropositivity between boys and girls (p=0.003). Conclusions. The prevalence of H. pylori infection among schoolchildren in Kassala city has been documented. Although the majority of the disease was associated with several gastrointestinal symptoms, the role of infection in the etiology of abdominal symptoms needs further investigations.


Author(s):  
Chasham Mitra ◽  
Mohan Lal ◽  
Tejbir Singh ◽  
S. S. Deepti

Background: Hypertension is a major public health problem in India and its prevalence is high among rural and urban population. All the risk factors of lifestyle are known to cause the early onset and rapid worsening of hypertension.Methods:A cross sectional study was conducted. 1000 participants (500 rural and 500 urban) between the age group of 18-69 years were selected by systematic random sampling method from 5 villages and 5 urban wards of Amritsar city. Out of total, 500 males and 500 females were selected.Results: This study shows that 332 (33.2%) participants were hypertensive out of total 1000. The chances of Hypertension are directly proportional to age and shows peak between 50-59 years of age, 86 (59.72%). The prevalence among males and females was 32.4% and 34% respectively. Hypertension is highest in respondents with body mass index (BMI >30) i.e. 53.43%. The prevalence of hypertension was slightly higher among smokers than non-smokers and among vegetarians than non- vegetarians.Conclusions:Hence, it becomes necessary to adopt a lifestyle with regular physical activity for at-least 30 min a day, for 5 days of the week, to decrease prevalence of obesity and to maintain BMI within normal range. Thus awareness among communities should be raised regarding prevention of the risk factors for hypertension. 


Author(s):  
Nikolaus Lindner ◽  
Martin Riesenhuber ◽  
Thomas Müller-Uri ◽  
Anita Elaine Weidmann

AbstractBackground Austrian pharmacists are not authorised to administer immunisations, and evidence about their willingness to immunise is lacking. Aim The aim of this study is to investigate Austrian community pharmacists’ willingness to administer immunisations in the future. Method This study is designed as a cross-sectional online survey based on the theoretical domains framework (TDF). The validated and piloted questionnaire obtained ethical approval by Robert Gordon University. Outcome measures included pharmacists’ willingness to immunise, service requirements, barriers and education needs. Results The questionnaire was sent out to 3086 community pharmacists of which 380 responses were included in the final analysis (12.3%). Willingness to administer immunisations after appropriate training and legislative regulation was stated by 82.6% (n = 314) of participants. It was demonstrated that pharmacists willing to immunise were significantly younger than their counterpart (38 [IQR 31–49] years vs. 45 [IQR 37.5–54] years; OR 1.06; 1.03–1.09, 95% CI; p < 0.001). ‘Legal liability’ was considered the most critical barrier to service implementation, ‘seeing blood’ and ‘close patient contact’ as least critical. Pharmacists not willing to immunise showed a higher probability to evaluate personnel resources (OR 2.98; 1.35–6.58, 95% CI; p = 0.007), close patient contact (OR 2.79; 1.46–5.34, 95% CI; p = 0.002) and management of side effects (OR 2.62; 1.21–5.67, 95% CI; p = 0.015) as (highly) critical. The majority assessed the ‘right timing for training’ to be after the foundation training with a 2-yearly renewal. Conclusion Austrian community pharmacists show a strong willingness to administer immunisations while highlighting important requirements and barriers towards service implementation.


Author(s):  
Rekha S. Sonavane ◽  
Ramesh H. Mayappanavar ◽  
Ananthachari K. R. ◽  
Subarna Roy ◽  
Venkateswara Prasad U. ◽  
...  

Background: Iodine deficiency is the major preventable cause of irreversible mental retardation in the world with nearly 2 billion people with iodine deficiency disorders (IDD).In India district level surveys conducted in 2006 in 324 districts have revealed that IDD is a major public health problem in 263 districts that is total goitre prevalence rate of more than 10% in the population. Methods: The survey was conducted from November 2016 to January 2017, after obtaining permission from Institutional Ethical Committee, using population proportionate to size (PPS) sampling method among of 6-12 years children. In the selected villages, primary schools were visited and a sample of 90 children was selected and was examined after consent from school authority. Prevalence of goitre was assessed and graded by standard palpation method. In few selected children urine and house hold salts are examined. Results: The prevalence of goitre among the 6 to 12 years children was found to be 22.78%. There was not much difference in prevalence of goitre in females compared to males in all the age groups and prevalence of goitre was observed to increase with age, which was found to be statistically significant (p=0.00001). Conclusions: Prevalence of iodine deficiency is significantly high and higher prevalence was found with increasing age. 


2019 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ruth Nabwire Wangia ◽  
David Peter Githanga ◽  
Jia-Sheng Wang ◽  
Omu Aggrey Anzala

Abstract Background Aflatoxins (AFs) are naturally occurring fungal metabolites produced by the Aspergilla species of fungi. The staple food grain, maize (Zea mays), is highly susceptible to AF contamination. In Kenya, contamination of maize supplies by AFs is a recognized public health problem which has resulted in over 600 human deaths. Human exposure to AFs can occur in utero, via breast milk, through weaning foods, and throughout an individual’s lifetime. Recent epidemiological studies have shown that exposure to AFs in early life through diet is a contributing factor to immune suppression, micronutrient deficiency, possible vaccine interference, and impaired growth in children. However, these results remain inconsistent and inconclusive due to lack of randomized controlled studies. Methods A randomized school-based cross-sectional study was designed to study AF exposure levels and associated health effects in children between ages 6 and 12 years. Participants were recruited from primary schools within Siaya and Makueni Counties of Kenya, East Africa. The Joint Ethics Committee of the University of Nairobi and Kenyatta National Hospital in Kenya approved the research protocol and procedures for the study. Both parental consent and child assent were obtained before enrollment in the study. Parents were requested to provide household grain samples and fill out questionnaires detailing their sociodemographic information, household dietary patterns, farming practices, and knowledge of AF contamination. Blood samples were collected from children participants, and sera were prepared for analysis of AFB1-lysine which is one of the validated biomarkers for AF exposure. Discussion This protocol describes a school-based, cross-sectional study whose objective is to comparatively evaluate the role of AF exposure on adverse health outcomes in children. Specifically, effects of cumulative AF exposure on nutritional status, immune markers, and growth parameters will be assessed. Trial registration This study is not a clinical trial, rather a cross-sectional study aimed at providing baseline data on AF exposures in children who live in presumably high versus low AF exposure regions. Results from the study can be used to design interventions and/or prospective cohort studies aimed at studying adverse health effects associated with cumulative AF exposure through diets. The study reference number is P741/12/2017 and registered with KNH-UoN Ethics and Research Committee.


Author(s):  
Abishamala Kingsly ◽  
Anna Timperio ◽  
Jenny Veitch ◽  
Jo Salmon ◽  
Rajendra Pradeepa ◽  
...  

Active School Travel (AST) is an important domain for physical activity among adolescents; however, few studies in India have explored barriers or correlates of AST. This was a cross-sectional study of 324 adolescents aged 12–17 years recruited via households and schools from diverse areas of Chennai, India. Adolescents reported their mode of travel to school, neighbourhood correlates, and the barriers for AST. Adolescents were considered to be using AST to/from school if they walked/cycled ≥once/week during an average week. Half the adolescents usually performed AST (≥1 trip/week). School being too far was associated with 75% lower odds and parents not allowing their child to walk or cycle was associated with 82% lower odds of the adolescent performing AST to or from school at least once/week. AST among adolescents should be encouraged and there is considerable scope for improvement. Parental restriction and distance to school were the two strongest barriers for AST.


2020 ◽  
Vol 35 (2) ◽  
pp. 100-104
Author(s):  
Maksudur Rahman ◽  
Mohammad Abdullah Al Mamun ◽  
MAK Azad Chowdhury ◽  
Abu Sayeed Munsi

Background: Recently it has been apprehended that sildenafil, a drug which has been successfully using in the treatment of PPHN and erectile dysfunction in adult, is going to be withdrawn from the market of Bangladesh due to threat of its misuses. Objective: The aim of this study was to see the extent of uses of sildenafil in the treatment of PPHN and importance of availability of this drugs in the market inspite of its probable misuses. Methods: This cross sectional study was conducted in neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), special baby care unit (SCABU) and cardiac intensive care unit (CICU) of Dhaka Shishu (Children) Hospital from June, 2017 to May 2018. Neonates with PPHN were enrolled in the study. All cases were treated with oral sildenefil for PPHN along with others management according to hospital protocol. Data along with other parameters were collected and analyzed. Results: Total 320 patients with suspected PPHN were admitted during the study period. Among them 92 (29%) cases had PPHN. Male were 49(53 %) cases and female were 43(47%) cases. Mean age at hospital admission was 29.7±13.4 hours. Based on echocardiography,13(14%) cases had mild, 38 (41%) cases moderate and 41(45%) cases severe PPHN. Mean duration of sildenafil therapy was 11.9±7.1 days. Improved from PPHN were 83 (90%) cases. Mortality was 10% (9). Conclusion: In this study it was found that the incidence of PPHN is 29% among the suspected newborns. Sildenafil is successfull in improving the oxygenation of PPHN and to decrease the mortality of neonates. DS (Child) H J 2019; 35(2) : 100-104


2012 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 345-350
Author(s):  
Dr. Girish.L Dandagi ◽  
◽  
Venkat kalyana kumar. P ◽  
Dr. Dr.Isaac Mathew ◽  
Dr. Dr.G S Gaude Dr. Dr.G S Gaude

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