scholarly journals A Feasibility Study of a Fit Kit School-Based Intervention to Improve the Health of Students and Their Families

Reports ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 4
Author(s):  
Jenna M. Williams ◽  
Tracy Power ◽  
Jamie Stoneham ◽  
Nicole DeGreg ◽  
Robert M. Siegel
Keyword(s):  
Healthy Lifestyle ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Food Selection ◽  
Comprehensive Treatment ◽  
Post Intervention ◽  
Entire Family ◽  
Treatment And Prevention ◽  
Urban Elementary School ◽  
Culturally Adapted ◽  
Shelf Stable

Roberts Academy is an urban elementary school consisting of primarily Hispanic students from lower socioeconomic homes. We were unable to provide weight management and healthy lifestyle counseling for many of the families that were referred to our obesity program, and more broadly were missing the at-risk families. The purpose of the Fit Kit intervention was to improve the health behaviors of the entire family at home and to reduce barriers through this comprehensive treatment and prevention approach. A Fit Kit included a shelf-stable, low-cost, healthy meal for a family of four, a portioned plate, and a soccer beach ball. Families also received monthly educational materials, healthy meal recipes, information about community food and exercise resources, and were invited to attend a culturally adapted cooking experience. No significant differences were seen between pre- and post-intervention survey questions. Post-Fit-Kit surveys showed that the majority of families prepared and liked the meal, found the recipes helpful, and used the portioned plate supplied with the kit. Overall, we conclude this is a feasible method for distributing tangible educational tools to families, but need more information about how it impacts food selection and purchasing behaviors of those families. While the Fit Kit proved to be feasible and acceptable in this test of concept, future studies are needed to further evaluate its impact in a more rigorous scientific manner.

scholarly journals Development of a medical methodology for telemedicine screening of adult health in outpatient settings for population monitoring of chronic noncommunicable diseases

2020 ◽  
pp. 202-209
Author(s):  
P. V. Seliverstov ◽  
S. R. Bakaeva ◽  
V. V. Shapovalov
Keyword(s):  
Healthy Lifestyle ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Decision Rules ◽  
Population Monitoring ◽  
Noncommunicable Diseases ◽  
Final Conclusion ◽  
Steady Increase ◽  
Adult Health ◽  
Treatment And Prevention ◽  
Outpatient Settings

Today, in many countries of the world, there is a steady increase in public spending related to health. One of the promising options for optimizing these costs is the widespread use of telemedicine as a method of remote medical care. It is known that the main contribution to the health of an individual and the population as a whole is made by lifestyle. Effective screening, timely detection of risk factors and diseases at the early stages of their development, medical examinations, universal opening of health centers, prevention offices, health schools – all these measures are aimed at increasing the duration and quality of life of the nation. Despite the availability and relatively low cost of well-known programs for remote screening, it is impossible not to mention their significant disadvantages: the lack of final analytical documents, the coverage of one or more systems, the need for a face-to-face visit to the doctor to calculate risks and determine further patient management tactics. The article proposes a methodology for telemedicine screening of adult health in outpatient settings using a system for analyzing unstructured data for population monitoring of chronic non-communicable diseases. The development is based on risk calculation using the method of “decision rules” as a means of description used in the theory of fuzzy sets. The result of the method developed by the authors is a variant of telemedicine questionnaire screening, which allows determining health risks by specific profiles, forming a final conclusion with recommendations for a healthy lifestyle, further examination, treatment and prevention of chronic diseases. The development can be used in public and private medical institutions. Of particular interest is the possibility of integrating software into medical practice in the current conditions of the pandemic, as well as in the state projects “Lean polyclinic”, “Arctic doctor” and “Zemsky doctor”.

Efficacy of an activity tracker-and app intervention to increase physical activity in the entire family: Pilot single-arm intervention study (Preprint)

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephanie Schoeppe ◽  
Jo Salmon ◽  
Susan L. Williams ◽  
Deborah Power ◽  
Stephanie Alley ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Intervention Study ◽  
Post Intervention ◽  
Entire Family ◽  
Physical Activity Guidelines ◽  
Mothers And Fathers ◽  
Activity Tracker ◽  
Activity Trackers ◽  
Family Program ◽  
Intervention Efficacy

BACKGROUND Interventions using activity trackers and smartphone apps have demonstrated their ability to increase physical activity in children and adults. However, they have not been tested in entire families. Further, few family-centred interventions have actively involved both parents, and assessed intervention efficacy separately for children, mothers and fathers. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to examine the short-term efficacy of an activity tracker and app intervention to increase physical activity in the entire family (children, mothers and fathers). METHODS This was a pilot single-arm intervention study with pre-post measures. Between 2017-2018, 40 families (58 children aged 6-10 years, 39 mothers, 33 fathers) participated in the 6-week Step it Up Family program in Queensland, Australia. Using commercial activity trackers combined with apps (Garmin Vivofit Jr for children, Vivofit 3 for adults), the intervention included individual and family-level goal-setting, self-monitoring, performance feedback, family step challenges, family social support and modelling, weekly motivational text messages, and an introductory session delivered face-to-face or via telephone. Parent surveys were used to assess intervention efficacy measured as pre-post intervention changes in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) in children, mothers and fathers. RESULTS Thirty-eight families completed the post intervention survey (95% retention). At post intervention, MVPA had increased in children by 58 min/day (boys: 54 min/day, girls: 62 min/day; all P < .001). In mothers, MVPA increased by 27 min/day (P < .001), and in fathers, it increased by 31 min/day (P < .001). Furthermore, the percentage of children meeting Australia’s physical activity guidelines for children (≥60 MVPA min/day) increased from 34% to 89% (P < .001). The percentage of mothers and fathers meeting Australia’s physical activity guidelines for adults (≥150 MVPA min/week) increased from 8% to 57% (P < .001) in mothers, and from 21% to 68% (P < .001) in fathers. CONCLUSIONS Findings suggest that an activity tracker and app intervention is an efficacious approach to increasing physical activity in entire families to meet national physical activity guidelines. The Step it Up Family program warrants further testing in a larger, randomised controlled trial to determine its long-term impact. CLINICALTRIAL No trial registration as this is not an RCT. It is a pilot single-arm intervention study

scholarly journals Technology-Enhanced Health Promotion for College Students: A Seed Development Project

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 143-151
Author(s):  
Carol A. Fackler ◽  
Nancy Baugh ◽  
Ann A. Lovegren ◽  
Carol Nemeroff ◽  
Janet Whatley Blum
Keyword(s):  
College Students ◽  
Health Promotion ◽  
Adult Students ◽  
Seed Development ◽  
Eating Behaviors ◽  
Healthy Lifestyle ◽  
Vegetable Consumption ◽  
Development Project ◽  
Readiness For Change ◽  
Post Intervention

Obesity is an issue for young adults in the U.S. This population is particularly vulnerable to weight gain as they move from adolescence to young adulthood, especially as they transition from high school to college. Adopting a health promotion approach, a university-based cluster of researchers, community advocates, and a technology partner embarked on a two-year seed development project that focused on development, implementation, and evaluation of a web-based healthy lifestyle intervention for college students. Using a mixed-method design, two convenience samples of residential university students were recruited to participate in a 4-week intervention called Eat, Move, Live, in which they interacted with a newly-created comprehensive website about management of a healthy lifestyle. Participants’ post-intervention readiness for change increased by 15% (eating and life balance behaviors) to 23% (moving behaviors). Participants reported increased awareness of eating behaviors, and feelings of engagement in tracking their fruit and vegetable consumption. Findings suggest that technology may be utilized to enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of achieving students’ individual goals related to healthy living. These preliminary findings have implications for increasing the development and implementation of technological approaches to health promotion for young adult students.

scholarly journals Empowering traditional birth attendants as agents of maternal and neonatal immunization uptake in Nigeria: a repeated measures design

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Chinedu Anthony Iwu ◽  
Kenechi Uwakwe ◽  
Uche Oluoha ◽  
Chukwuma Duru ◽  
Ernest Nwaigbo
Keyword(s):  
Rural Communities ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Repeated Measures ◽  
Average Length ◽  
Traditional Birth Attendants ◽  
Post Intervention ◽  
Repeated Measures Design ◽  
Birth Attendants ◽  
Culturally Adapted ◽  
Workshop Intervention

Abstract Background Adequate immunization coverage in rural communities remain a challenge in Nigeria. Traditional birth attendants (TBAs) form an integral part of the social, cultural and religious fabric in most rural communities in Nigeria. Despite their limitations in handling the complications of childbirth, TBAs are widely accepted and patronized, especially in rural areas. The objectives of the project were to empower TBAs and assess the use of a culturally adapted audio-visual workshop intervention to change their knowledge, attitude and willingness to promote immunization uptake. Methods A repeated-measures design that used a convenience sampling technique to select 90 TBAs from the three geopolitical zones of Imo State, Nigeria. The TBAs were engaged through a culturally adapted audio-visual workshop. Data were collected before and immediately after intervention using a pretested questionnaire. Chi square test was done to determine any significant association with the zone of practice and paired sample t-test analysis to determine any significant pre and post intervention change. Level of significance was set at p ≤ ·05. Results More than half of the TBAs had at most, a secondary level of education (54·4%). The average length of time they practiced as TBAs was 16 years with an average of ten birth deliveries per month. After the intervention, all the respondents (100%) reported a willingness to always promote immunization uptake and also, there was a statistically significant increase in Knowledge (p < ·000). Similarly, the level of knowledge in the post intervention period appeared to be significantly associated with the zone of practice (p = ·027). Conclusion The workshop intervention empowered the TBAs irrespective of their zones of residence by successfully improving their knowledge, though at varying levels; and consequently, their willingness to always promote immunization uptake.

scholarly journals Parental Participation in a Healthy Lifestyle Program for Middle Schoolers Improves Their Family Meal Patterns and Social Support and Self-Regulation for Healthy Eating (P16-041-19)

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Henna Muzaffar ◽  
Cassandra Nikolaus ◽  
Sharon Nickols-Richardson
Keyword(s):  
Social Support ◽  
Healthy Lifestyle ◽  
Self Regulation ◽  
Parental Participation ◽  
Post Intervention ◽  
Meal Patterns ◽  
Family Meal ◽  
Lifestyle Program ◽  
Post Assessment ◽  
Healthy Lifestyle Program

Abstract Objectives The development and dissemination of appropriate integrated curricula for parents represent a critical need and a novel approach in the obesity prevention field. Our objective was to assess if parental participation in a healthy lifestyle program (PAWS [Peer-education About Weight Steadiness] Club) for middle school students would improve parental anthropometrics, social cognitive theory (SCT) mediators of dietary behavior, and family mealtime frequency and environment. Methods A total of 42 parents participated in five weekly 1.5-hour sessions, delivered four times from 2015–2017. The sessions were led by a trained research assistant; focused on family fitness, meal planning, family mealtimes, label reading, energy balance, making healthy choices and simple recipes, self-reflection and goal setting. Data on anthropometrics, blood pressure (BP), SCT mediators (social/family support, self-efficacy, self-regulation, and outcome expectations) of eating, and family meal patterns (frequency and environment) was collected from the parents at pre-and post-intervention. Wilcoxon Signed Rank test was used to determine any changes from baseline to post assessment for SCT mediators of dietary behavior and family meal patterns. Paired t-test was used to determine any changes from pre-to post-intervention for anthropometric and BP measurements. Significance was set at P < 0.05. Results Of the 42 participants, 67% were females (mothers); 33% self-reported White and 33% self-reported African American race/ethnicity. Participants significantly improved in their self-regulation for reducing unhealthy foods (P = 0.011), social support for balancing calories (P = 0.007), and family mealtime patterns (P = 0.003) from pre- to post-assessment. No significant changes were observed for anthropometric and BP measures. Conclusions Parental participation in a healthy lifestyle program can potentially improve family mealtime environment and frequency and increase self-regulation and social support for dietary behaviors of the family. These results have implications for planning future health programs with adolescents in schools. Funding Sources Supported by the National Institute of Food and Agriculture, U.S. Department of Agriculture, under award number 2012-68001-22032.

scholarly journals Applying quality improvement principles to improve accident and emergency department overcrowding and flow in Rwanda: a case study

2015 ◽  
Vol 4 (5) ◽  
pp. 47 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jean Claude Byiringiro ◽  
Rex Wong ◽  
Caroline Davis ◽  
Jeffery Williams ◽  
Joseph Becker ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Emergency Department ◽  
Quality Improvement ◽  
Success Factors ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Post Intervention ◽  
Triage System ◽  
Accident And Emergency ◽  
Number Of Patients ◽  
Accident And Emergency Department ◽  
The Impact

Few case studies exist related to hospital accident and emergency department (A&E) quality improvement efforts in lowerresourced settings. We sought to report the impact of quality improvement principles applied to A&E overcrowding and flow in the largest referral and teaching hospital in Rwanda. A pre- and post-intervention study was conducted. A linked set of strategies included reallocating room space based on patient/visitor demand and flow, redirecting traffic, establishing a patient triage system and installing white boards to facilitate communication. Two months post-implementation, the average number of patients boarding in the A&E hallways significantly decreased from 28 (pre-intervention) to zero (post-intervention), p < .001. Foot traffic per dayshift hour significantly decreased from 221 people to 160 people (28%, p < .001), and non-A&E related foot traffic decreased from 81.4% to 36.3% (45% decrease, p < .001). One hundred percent of the A&E patients have been formally triaged since the implementation of the newly established triage system. Our project used quality improvement principles to reduce the number of patients boarding in the hallways and to decrease unnecessary foot traffic in the A&E department with little investment from the hospital. Key success factors included a collaborative multidisciplinary project team, strong internal champions, data-driven analysis, evidence-based interventions, senior leadership support, and rapid application of initial implementation learnings. Results to date show the application of quality improvement principles can help hospitals in resource-limited settings improve quality of care at relatively low cost.

Testing the feasibility and acceptability of a culturally adapted physical activity intervention for adult Somali women

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kate E Murray ◽  
Veronica Anne Hellier Villafana ◽  
Amina Sheik Mohamed ◽  
Sarah Linke ◽  
Deborah J Bowen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Physical Activity Intervention ◽  
Preliminary Evidence ◽  
Outcome Evaluation ◽  
Community Research ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Post Intervention ◽  
Culturally Adapted ◽  
The Usa ◽  
Somali Women

Abstract Despite growing numbers in the USA, immigrant populations are underrepresented in existing physical activity (PA) research, in particular Muslim immigrant women. The current study is a pilot evaluation of a culturally adapted evidence-based PA intervention for adult Somali women. Stratified randomization was used to assign participants from a sample of 27 Somali women, aged 18 to 65, to a PA group or a waitlist control group. Bicultural Somali community research team members delivered a 12-week culturally adapted intervention available in English and Somali in a community-based setting. Process and outcome evaluation assessed changes in PA, self-efficacy for PA, access to PA resources, and wellbeing as well as feasibility and satisfaction with the program. Participants in the PA group increased their moderate to vigorous PA significantly more than those from the waitlist group from baseline to post-intervention (2 (SD = 15) to 100 (SD = 53) vs 12 (SD = 21) to 32 (SD = 44) minutes per week). Participants in the PA group had significantly greater scores in wellbeing at post-intervention compared to the waitlist group though there was no significant change from pre- to post-intervention for either group. Participants reported a high level of satisfaction with the program and preliminary evidence supports the general feasibility and acceptability of the program. Findings show that a culturally adapted intervention increased engagement in PA and was feasible and acceptable within a pilot sample of Somali women.

Comparative Study of Effect of Resistance Exercises versus Aerobic Exercises on Exercise Performance and Pulmonary Function in Adult Chronic Smokers

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. 312-317
Author(s):  
Ketki Ponde –Ponkshe ◽  
Ronika Agrawal ◽  
Shimaz Khan
Keyword(s):  
Pulmonary Function ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Exercise Program ◽  
Vascular Diseases ◽  
Premature Death ◽  
Good Health ◽  
Vo2 Max ◽  
Post Intervention ◽  
Resistance Exercises ◽  
Group B

Background: Cigarette smoking is the major cause of premature death. It accounts for 28% of all cardio vascular diseases and 40% of respiratory diseases as it is associated with impaired pulmonary function. Exercise is an effective and low cost of treatment which can promote good health of a smoker. Research indicates that individuals who maintain an exercise program are more likely to give up smoking than those who quit exercising. Methodology: 150 subjects were included in the study and divided into two groups Group A (resistance exercises) and Group B (Walking). The exercises protocol was given for six weeks. Pre post PEFR and VO2 max was calculated. Results: both the groups showed improvement post intervention (p<0.05) whereas resistance group showed better improvement than the walking group (p<0.05). Conclusion: Aerobic and Resistance exercises both showed significant improvement in PEFR and VO2 max in smokers, however the resistance exercises showed better improvement in the cardiovascular and pulmonary function. Key words: Smoking, Aerobic exercises, Resistance exercises, Theraband.

scholarly journals Empowering Traditional Birth Attendants as Agents of Maternal and Neonatal Immunization Uptake in Nigeria: a repeated measures design.

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chinedu Anthony IWU ◽  
Kenechi Uwakwe ◽  
Uchechukwu Raphael Oluoha ◽  
Chukwuma Duru ◽  
Ernest Nwaigbo
Keyword(s):  
Rural Communities ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Repeated Measures ◽  
Average Length ◽  
Traditional Birth Attendants ◽  
Post Intervention ◽  
Repeated Measures Design ◽  
Birth Attendants ◽  
Culturally Adapted ◽  
Workshop Intervention

Abstract Background: Adequate immunization coverage in rural communities remain a challenge in Nigeria. Traditional birth attendants (TBAs) form an integral part of the social, cultural and religious fabric in most rural communities in Nigeria. Despite their limitations in handling the complications of childbirth, TBAs are widely accepted and patronized, especially in rural areas. The objectives of the project were to empower TBAs and assess the use of a culturally adapted audio-visual workshop intervention to change their knowledge, attitude and willingness to promote immunization uptake. Methods: A repeated-measures design that used a convenience sampling technique to select 90 TBAs from the three geopolitical zones of Imo State, Nigeria. The TBAs were engaged through a culturally adapted audio-visual workshop. Data were collected before and immediately after intervention using a pretested questionnaire. Chi square test was done to determine any significant association with the zone of practice and paired sample t-test analysis to determine any significant pre and post intervention change. Level of significance was set at p ≤ ·05.Results: More than half of the TBAs had at most, a secondary level of education (54·4 %). The average length of time they practiced as TBAs was 16 years with an average of ten birth deliveries per month. After the intervention, all the respondents (100%) reported a willingness to always promote immunization uptake and also, there was a statistically significant increase in Knowledge (p<·000). Similarly, the level of knowledge in the post intervention period appeared to be significantly associated with the zone of practice (p= ·027). Conclusion: The workshop intervention empowered the TBAs irrespective of their zones of residence by successfully improving their knowledge, though at varying levels; and consequently, their willingness to always promote immunization uptake.

scholarly journals The Impact of a Short-Term Walking Intervention to Decrease Perceived Stress

2020 ◽  
Vol 34 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Katie J. Fischer
Keyword(s):  
Perceived Stress ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Private University ◽  
Upper Midwest ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Post Intervention ◽  
University Employees ◽  
Walking Intervention ◽  
The Impact

This study examined a short-term, low-cost walking intervention developed and implemented at a small, private university in the upper Midwest. Results showed a significant decrease in perceived stress (pre-intervention PSQ mean = 0.41 ± 0.16 versus post-intervention PSQ mean = 0.30 ± 0.14, p <0.001), and a significant increase in daily steps (pre-intervention mean = 6,810 ± 2,544 versus post-intervention mean = 9,352 ± 2,825, p < 0.001). These results provide support for the effectiveness of a short-term walking intervention to increase daily steps and decrease perceived stress for university employees.

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