Sustainable Development of Employability of University Students Based on Participation in the Internship Promotion Programme of Zhejiang Province

In the context of severely restricted employment opportunities, undertaking an internship is an important way for students to enhance their employability and sustainable development. The aim of this study was to judge if the implementation of the Internship Promotion Programme (IPP) at universities in Zhejiang Province, China, could enhance graduates’ employability. We conducted surveys and interviews with 400 students and 100 business executives who participated in the IPP during the past 6 years. Based on the collected data and statistical analysis, the findings show that internships help students to improve their innovative thinking, interpersonal communication abilities (domestic and international), problem-solving skills, value creation and responsibility. Participants in the IPP were compared with students who did not take part. The results demonstrated that the IPP participants exhibited higher capabilities to perform important workplace tasks and that as a result, they became more attractive to employers. The analysis, therefore, demonstrates a positive correlation between the internship experience and employability. As a result, it can be concluded that the IPP improves students’ employability and is beneficial to enhancing the quality of higher education, and hence the sustainable development of students.

Physical Activity Promotion Programmes in Childhood Cancer Patients and Their Impact on Fatigue and Pain: A Systematic Review

Cancer is one of the main causes of death in children, however, the techniques and interventions applied allow the cure of 80% of diagnosed cases. The aim of this review was to determine the benefits of a health and physical activity promotion programme to reduce pain and fatigue symptoms in children and adolescents with cancer. The databases PubMed, Embase, Scopus, Cochrane, Web of Science and PEDro were searched between December 2020 and January 2021 to elaborate this review, using the keywords child, cancer, exercise, fatigue and pain. The review was preregistered in PROSPERO (ID CRD42021262183). Six studies, out of 937 identified at baseline, were finally included in the review: four randomised controlled trials and two quasi-experimental studies. The total sample size of all the included studies was of 474 participants with very different types of cancer and evolution, and outcome variables were pain, fatigue, physical activity level, self-efficacy and quality of life. A health and physical activity promotion programme seems to improve fatigue in paediatric cancer patients and survivors, but no significant results were found related to pain.

Reading Promotion Programme on literature appreciation among the young adults in Sri Lankan Schools Conducted by the Ministry of Education

A pilot reading program as an action research project was introduced by The National Institute of Library & Information Sciences (NILIS) in order to inculcate reading appreciation among young adults in Sri Lankan schools. A sample of 25 school libraries from the Maho Educational Zone was selected for the research study. Each grade nine student studying in the above-selected twenty-five schools was given a young adult literature book to be read within fourteen days, after which the student was required to prepare a portfolio based on the book. The school librarians marked the students' portfolio pieces, and this practice was continued up to the beginning of the third semester, using various literary genres. The students completed the given task within the specified period. According to the students' final portfolio evaluation, it was seen that they had gradually developed their competencies under the affective domain based on the above curriculum. Eventually, the Ministry of Education implemented the above program among all the junior and senior secondary schools in Sri Lanka as “Books are the Best Friends” with the assistance of NILIS.

EFFECTIVENESS OF HEALTH PROMOTION PROGRAMME ON LEVELS OF KNOWLEDGE AND ATTITUDE REGARDING LIFE STYLE MODIFICATION AMONG PATIENTS WITH DIABETES MELLITUS AT GALAXY HOSPITAL

Diabetes mellitus is a chronic condition but people with diabetes can lead a normal life. Life style modification can be a very effective way to keep diabetes under control. The research design used was pre-experimental, one group pre and post-test design.Non probability, purposive sampling was adopted to select 50 samples. Structured questionnaire was used to assess levels of knowledge and attitude regarding life style modification. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used for analysis and interpretation of data. Findingsof the study showed that the pre-test mean value for levels of knowledge was 15.8 and post-test mean value was 32. The mean difference was 16.2. The computed ‘t’ value (‘t’ = 14) was higher than table value (3.66) at p< 0.001 level. The chi-square values of selected demographic variables on post-test levels of knowledge showage, gender, religion, education, occupation, residential area, sources of information were significant at level p<0.05. Marital status, monthly income, type of family, type of food, family history of DM, previous knowledge on DM were notsignificant at p<0.05 level. The pre-test mean value for levels of attitude was 28 and post-test was 41. The mean difference was 13. The computed’ value (‘t’ = 14) was higher than table value (3.66) at p< 0.001 level. The chi-square values of selected demographic variables on post-test levels of attitude were notsignificant at level p<0.05. The study concludes that the most of the patients with diabetes mellitus have improvement in levels of knowledge and attitude after health promotion programme regarding life style modification.

Star Babies: Evaluation of a health visiting initiative for first-time parents in Northern Ireland

Star Babies is an enhancement of the universal Child Health Promotion Programme in Northern Ireland, where first-time parents are offered additional regular health visiting support from the antenatal period until the baby is 12 months of age. This study was carried out to evaluate outcomes of first-time parents who received the core Child Health Programme or the enhanced Star Babies programme to identify the areas where the programmes are successful and to quantitatively assess the magnitude of their impact. First-time parents were invited to participate in the study and were divided into two groups: those in the Star Babies programme (n=189) and those in the core Child Health Promotion Programme (n=125). The study found differences between the two groupings of first-time parents and the evaluation of the health visiting services received in terms of infant feeding, knowledge of preventing home accidents and overall satisfaction varied across the two groups. The findings highlight the positive outcomes from an enhanced health visitor-led programme such as Star Babies, with implications for policy, practice and service development.

Time in Nature Associated with Decreased Fatigue in UK Truck Drivers

Heavy goods vehicle (HGV) driving is recognised as a highly hazardous occupation due to the long periods of sedentary behaviour, low levels of physical activity and unhealthy food options when working. These risk factors combine with shift work and concomitant irregular sleep patterns to increase the prevalence of fatigue. Fatigue is closely linked with stress and, subsequently, poor physiological and psychological health. In parallel, a wealth of evidence has demonstrated the health and wellbeing benefits of spending time in nature. Here, we sought to examine whether spending time in nature was associated with lower levels of fatigue, anxiety and depression in HGV drivers. 89 long-distance drivers (98.9% male, mean ± SD age: 51.0 ± 9 years, body mass index: 29.8 ± 4.7 kg/m2) participating in a wider health promotion programme reported time spent in nature (during and before the Covid-19 pandemic) and symptoms of occupational fatigue, depression and anxiety. After controlling for covariates, truck drivers who visited nature at least once a week exhibited 16% less chronic fatigue prior to the pandemic, and 23% less chronic fatigue and 20% less acute fatigue during the pandemic. No significant differences were observed for either anxiety or depression. As fatigue has a range of physical and mental health sequelae, we propose that increased exposure to natural settings may make a valuable contribution to interventions to promote the health and wellbeing of this underserved group.

How can a coordinated regional smoking cessation initiative be developed and implemented? A programme logic model to evaluate the ‘10,000 Lives’ health promotion initiative in Central Queensland, Australia

ObjectiveThis study used a programme logic model to describe the inputs, activities and outputs of the ‘10,000 Lives’ smoking cessation initiative in Central Queensland, Australia.DesignA programme logic model provided the framework for the process evaluation of ‘10,000 Lives’. The data were collected through document review, observation and key informant interviews and subsequently analysed after coding and recoding into classified themes, inputs, activities and outputs.SettingThe prevalence of smoking is higher in the Central Queensland region of Australia compared with the national and state averages. In 2017, Central Queensland Hospital and Health Services set a target to reduce the percentage of adults who smoke from 16.7% to 9.5% in the Central Queensland region by 2030 as part of their strategic vision (‘Destination 2030’). Achieving this target is equivalent to 20,000 fewer smokers in Central Queensland, which should result in 10,000 fewer premature deaths due to smoking-related diseases. To translate this strategic goal into an actionable smoking cessation initiative, the ‘10,000 Lives’ health promotion programme was officially launched on 1 November 2017.ResultThe activities of the initiative coordinated by a senior project officer included building clinical and community taskforces, organising summits and workshops, and regular communications to stakeholders. Public communication strategies (e.g., Facebook, radio, community exhibitions of ‘10,000 Lives’ and health-related events) were used to promote available smoking cessation support to the Central Queensland community.ConclusionThe ‘10,000 Lives’ initiative provides an example of a coordinated health promotion programme to increase smoking cessation in a regional area through harnessing existing resources and strategic partnerships (e.g., Quitline). Documenting and describing the process evaluation of the ‘10,000 Lives’ model is important so that it can be replicated in other regional areas with high prevalence of smoking.

Weight loss, hypertension and mental well-being improvements during COVID-19 with a multicomponent health promotion programme on Zoom: a service evaluation in primary care

BackgroundObesity is a risk factor for complications from SARS-CoV-2 infection, increasing the need for effective weight management measures in primary care. However, in the UK, COVID-19 restrictions have hampered primary care weight management referral and delivery, and COVID-19 related weight gain has been reported. The present study evaluated outcomes from a multicomponent weight loss and health promotion programme in UK primary care, delivered remotely due to COVID-19 restrictions.MethodPatients with obesity, type 2 diabetes or pre-diabetes attended six 90 min sessions over 10 weeks on Zoom. The dietary component comprised a low-carbohydrate ‘real food’ approach, augmented with education on physical activity, intermittent fasting, gut health, stress management, sleep and behaviour change. Anthropometric and cardiometabolic data were self-reported. Mental well-being was assessed with the Warwick Edinburgh Mental Wellbeing Scale. Subjective outcomes and participant feedback about the programme were collected with an anonymous online survey.ResultsTwenty participants completed the programme. Weight loss and improvements in body mass index, waist circumference, systolic and diastolic blood pressure and mental well-being achieved statistical and clinical significance. Mean weight loss (5.8 kg) represented a 6.5% weight loss. Participants’ subjective outcomes included weight loss without hunger (67%) and increased confidence in their ability to improve health (83%). All participants reported the usage of Zoom to access the programme as acceptable with 83% reporting it worked well.ConclusionA multicomponent weight loss and health promotion programme with a low-carbohydrate dietary component, clinically and statistically significantly improved health outcomes including weight status, blood pressure and mental well-being in a group of primary care patients when delivered remotely. Further research is warranted.