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Background: Mood and emotions are important aspects of social interactions. In recent years, there has been a growing interest in the participation of these emotional states in the implementation of tasks resulting from specific professions. The aim of the study is to identify the factors that determine the mood and emotions of nurses working in pediatric wards. Methods: The pilot studies presented in the paper were carried out using the diagnostic survey method. The collected data were obtained from the authors’ own questionnaire and the standardized measurement tool “Scale for Measuring Mood and Six Emotions” by Bogdan Wojciszke and Wiesław Baryła. The study included 121 nurses working in hospital pediatric wards. The survey questionnaire results were obtained online using Google Forms. Results: Self-assessment of the health condition of nurses is statistically significantly correlated with all emotions and mood (p < 0.05). The better the self-assessment of health, the greater the positive mood measured by the General Mood Scale (GMS) and Mood Scales (MS). The financial situation showed a statistically significant correlation with guilt (p = 0.048), sadness (p = 0.041), and negative mood (p = 0.035). Single people, regardless of gender, were characterized by a greater experience of love (H = 13.497; p < 0.001). The higher the education, the greater the experience of love (p = 0.009). For people with specialization, the presence of negative emotions such as anger (p = 0.039) and guilt (p = 0.049) turned out to be statistically significant. The better the health of children staying in the ward, the higher the negative mood of nurses (p = 0.035). Conclusions: There was a statistically significant relationship between certain demographic factors, self-assessment of health conditions with the specificity of working in pediatric wards, and the experience of mood and different emotions by nurses working with pediatric inpatients.

Introduction: The emergence and persistence of symptoms after acute COVID-19 is expected to become a major burden on healthcare systems. We assessed the features of the post-COVID-19 Syndrome (Long COVID) burden in a cohort of COVID-19 patients during the fifth major wave in Hong Kong. Methods: A cross-sectional study of 135 patients with confirmed COVID-19 from Feb to Apr 2022 who utilized traditional Chinese medicine telemedicine services was conducted. The COVID-19 Yorkshire Rehabilitation Scale was administered using an online survey 12 weeks after the COVID-19 infection. Prevalence of symptom severity and functional impairments were assessed to identify burdens and patterns. The correlation between symptom severity, functional impairments, patient characteristics, and overall health was evaluated. Results: The mean age was 46.8 years, with 46 (34.1%) males. Symptoms, functional impairments, and overall health worsened significantly when compared to the status prior to the infection. More than 50% reported the following sequelae 12 weeks after the acute infection: breathlessness, laryngeal or airway complications, fatigue, weakness, sleep, cognition, and anxiety. The presence of a single symptom or functional impairment significantly correlated with at least seven other problems positively, except for pain. Severity tended to be higher among vulnerable groups, including those who were chronic disease patients, older, less well educated, female, or had incomplete COVID-19 vaccinations. Conclusions: Long COVID is a significant healthcare burden among telemedicine users in Hong Kong, with complex needs for symptom and functional impairment management. Designing relevant health and rehabilitation services tailored to the needs of these patients is warranted.

Objective: This study aimed to explore the relationship between 24-h activity behavior and Chinese adolescents’ Internet addiction. Methods: A survey of 2045 adolescents (56.5% boys) was conducted, and adolescents’ 24-h movement behavior and Internet addiction were measured via a questionnaire. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze the basic situation of the respondents; chi-square analysis was used to compare gender differences, and logistic regression was used to analyze the relationship between 24-h exercise guide entries and Internet addiction. Results: From the number of 24-h movement behavior guides, 25.3% of the children did not meet the recommended amount of any kind of activity behavior guide, while 50.4% and 21.7% of the children reached the recommended amount of one and two activity behavior guidelines, respectively; only 3.2% of the children met the recommended amount of all three activity behavior guidelines. Adolescents who did not meet the recommended 24-h activity behavior guidelines were more likely to have Internet addiction (OR = 8.46, 95 CI = 3.06–23.36), and were more likely to have one item (OR = 4.50, 95 CI = 1.64–12.39) or two items (OR = 3.12, 95 CI = 1.11–8.74). Conclusions: Physical activity, static behavior, and sleep may all have a greater impact on adolescents’ Internet addiction, among which physical activity has a greater impact on adolescents’ Internet addiction. Different combinations of 24-h movement behavior have different effects on adolescents’ Internet addiction.

This cross-sectional study investigated the relationship between chewing status and fatty liver among Japanese adults. Between April 2018 and March 2021, 450 individuals (352 males, 98 females; mean age 54.7 years) were recruited at the Asahi University Hospital Human Health Center. Chewing status was evaluated using a self-reported questionnaire. Liver/spleen (L/S) attenuation ratio < 0.9 on computed tomography was considered to indicate fatty liver, which was present in 69 participants (15%). Compared with participants without fatty liver, those with fatty liver had higher proportion of 25.0 (kg/m2) ≤ body mass index (BMI) (p < 0.001), higher serum hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) (p < 0.001), higher systolic blood pressure (p < 0.001), higher diastolic blood pressure (p < 0.001), and lower serum high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL cholesterol) (p = 0.011). Significant differences were also found in chewing status (p < 0.001) and eating speed (p = 0.011). Presence of fatty liver was positively associated with BMI (25.0 ≤; odds ratio [OR], 5.048; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.550–9.992), serum HbA1c (OR, 1.937; 95% CI, 1.280–2.930), and chewing status (poor; OR, 8.912; 95% CI, 4.421–17.966) after adjusting for sex, age, BMI, serum HbA1c, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, serum HDL cholesterol, chewing status, and eating speed. Poor chewing status was positively associated with L/S attenuation ratio. These results indicate a positive relationship between poor chewing status and fatty liver diagnosed by L/S attenuation ratio in Japanese adults.

China’s three-child policy was implemented in May 2021 to stimulate a rise in fertility levels. However, few previous studies have explored fertility intentions to have a third child and have only focused on childless or one-child populations, resulting in a gap in findings between fertility intention and fertility behavior. Thus, we conducted a nationwide cross-sectional study on 1308 participants with two children. Results showed that only 9.6% of participants reported planning to have a third child and 80.2% of the population had heard of the policy but had no idea of the detailed contents. Participants with two daughters (OR = 3.722, 95% CI = 2.304–6.013) were willing to have one more child. Instrumental values (OR = 1.184, 95% CI = 1.108–1.265) and policy support (OR = 1.190, 95% CI = 1.124–1.259) were the facilitators. Perceived risk (OR = 0.883, 95% CI = 0.839–0.930) and higher educational level (OR = 0.693, 95% CI = 0.533–0.900) were the leading barriers to having one more child. Therefore, the government should deepen parents’ understanding of the “three-child policy” and devise ways of reducing the negative impacts of having a third child to boost the intention to have more children. Our proposed approach can also be used to better understand the reasons for low fertility rates in other countries.

Attitudes are deemed critical psychological variables that can determine end users’ acceptance and adoption of robots. This study explored the heterogeneity of the Chinese public’s attitudes toward robots in healthcare and examined demographic characteristics associated with the derived profile membership. The data were collected from a sample of 428 Chinese who participated in an online survey. Latent profile analysis identified three distinct subgroups regarding attitudes toward robots—optimistic (36.9%), neutral (47.2%), and ambivalent (15.9%). Interestingly, although participants in the ambivalent attitude profile held more negative attitudes toward interaction with or social influence of healthcare robots, their attitudes tended to be positive when it came to emotional interactions with healthcare robots. All the respondents reported negative attitudes toward the social influence of healthcare robots. Multivariable regression analysis results showed that there were significant differences in age, education level, monthly income, experience with computers, experience with wearable devices, and whether to follow robot-related news or not. This study confirmed the heterogeneity of the Chinese public’s attitudes toward robots in healthcare and highlighted the importance of emotional interaction with and social influence of healthcare robots, which might facilitate a better understanding of the needs and expectations of potential end users for robots in healthcare to make them more acceptable in different situations.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) encompasses a broad set of health care practices that are not part of a country’s traditional or conventional medicine and are not fully integrated into the prevailing health care system. The aim of this study is the linguistic and cross-cultural adaptation of the Polish version of the International Questionnaire to Measure Use of Complementary and Alternative Medicine (I-CAM-Q) and the assessment of the occurrence and factors related to CAM among patients in Poland. A methodological model of translation and cross-cultural adaptation of research tools according to Beaton et al. with a Delphi—Technique was used for the linguistic and cultural adaptation of the Polish version of I-CAM-Q. The Delphi consensus was achieved in the scale assessment between the experts in two rounds (with a score of above 80% of expert agreement). Data was collected using an online survey within 38 thematically different groups on Facebook, among 524 participants. Over half (59.7%, n = 313) of the respondents used the services of at least one CAM practitioner. On the other hand, 50.8% (n = 266) of the respondents declared using physician’s advice. The use of herbs and plant products was reported by 84.7% (n = 444), and vitamins and minerals by 88.4% (n = 463) of respondents. The most commonly used self-help practices among the respondents were relaxation techniques (49.6%), praying for one’s health (43.3%) and meditation (41.2%). The consensual methodology of validating the Polish version of the I-CAM-Q scale allowed for creation of a conceptually and linguistically equivalent tool with the original international instrument. A high frequency of CAM use was found among the respondents. Therefore, strategies should be implemented to improve patient-physician communication on the use of CAM in Poland.

Background: School bullying is a major public health problem with a large impact on children’s health. There is an increasing number of cases of school bullying reported in China. Studies have shown that the health consequences of different ways of responding to school bullying may be quite different and that psychological resilience is also closely related to aggressive behaviors. However, there has been little research on whether individuals with different psychological resilience levels respond differently. Objective: To explore the relationship between responses to school bullying and psychological resilience, which may provide new ideas and strategies to better prevent and intervene in school bullying. Methods: A random sample of 5425 primary school students aged 7–14 years were recruited in Luzhou, China. All students completed a questionnaire anonymously. The statistical significance of differences between groups was tested using the χ2 test or t test. Binary logistic regression was conducted to explore the relationship between responses and psychological resilience. Results: Over two-thirds of primary school students in this study reported experiencing bullying in the past year. The rate of positive responses among victims was 69.10% (2596/3757, 95% CI: 67.62~70.58%). There was a positive relationship between psychological resilience and positive responses. This relationship was observed for all victims (OR = 1.605, 95% CI: 1.254~2.055), especially male victims (OR = 2.300, 95% CI: 1.624~3.259). Conclusions: There was a positive relationship between primary school bullying responses and psychological resilience among victims, with differences by sex. Therefore, increasing students’ level of psychological resilience, possibly by improving their responses, is important for preventing school bullying. Meanwhile, effective interventions for school bullying should be developed from multiple perspectives, particularly sex, bullying roles, and psychological resilience.

(1) Background: The Systemic immune-inflammatory index (SII) has been proven to be an effective biomarker of human immune and inflammatory levels and has prognostic significance for most diseases. Handgrip strength (HGS) is a simple and low-cost strength measurement method, which is not only highly correlated with overall muscle strength but also accurately and reliably predicts the risk of multiple chronic diseases and mortality; (2) Purpose: Association between HGS and the SII is unclear. The purpose of this study was to investigate the association between HGS and the SII in American adults; (3) Methods: We used the data from the 2011–2012 and 2013–2014 cycles of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), involving a total of 8232 American adults (aged 18–80 years). The SII was calculated as the Platelet count × Neutrophil count/Lymphocyte count; HGS was recorded as the ratio of the sum of the highest grip-strength values of each hand to body mass index taken as the relative grip strength. A weighted generalized linear regression model and analysis of restricted cubic spline regression, adjusted for confounding factors, were used in this study to assess associations between HGS and the SII in American adults; (4) Results: There was a negative correlation between the HGS and the SII of different sexes (p < 0.05), and there was a significant negative nonlinear relationship between the HGS and the SII in males (p for nonlinear = 0.0035), and the SII showed a downward trend with the increase in the HGS in males (Q2: β = −61.03, p = 0.01; Q3: β = −61.28, p = 0.04, Q4: β = −64.36, p = 0.03, p for trend = 0.04), when the HGS exceeds 3.16, with the HGS increasing, the downward trend of increasing the SII slowed down. The nonlinear relationship between the HGS and the SII in females was not significant (p for nonlinear = 0.1011), and the SII showed a linear downward trend with the increase in the HGS (Q2: β = −24.91, p = 0.25; Q3: β = −62.01, p = 0.03, Q4: β = −74.94, p = 0.03, p for trend = 0.01); (5) Conclusions: HGS is inversely and independently associated with SII levels, and although the limited cubic spline regression analysis showed gender differences, the overall trend of the HGS and the SII in different genders was consistent, with both showing that the SII decreased with increasing the HGS. In addition, HGS has high general applicability based on its ease of measurement; it is possible to understand one’s own grip-strength level through routine grip-strength tests, and to make preliminary predictions on the current level of immunity and inflammation in the body.

This study aims to examine the capacity of the Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB) to explain the intention to use social networking sites by older people in two time periods, before and after confinement due to the COVID-19 epidemic, as well as the evolution of effects (paths) over time of TPB’s determinants. Based on interviews from samples of 384 and 383 elderly Chilean adults collected before and after confinement, the evolution of the effects (paths) was analysed using the TPB model applying the PLS-SEM technique. The intention to use social networks and its association with three factors were evaluated: attitude toward the behaviour, subjective norms, and perceived control over the behaviour. The model explains the intention to use social networks by 27% before confinement, increasing its magnitude to 50% after confinement. After the period of confinement, their attitudes become more significant, their perceptions of control become less important, and social pressures remain permanent in predicting the behaviour. In conclusion, better access and greater use of social networks by older people during the lockdown period increased the predictive strength of the attitude towards these technologies.

A significant gap exists between high rates of antenatal care attendance and low uptake of intermittent preventive treatment in pregnancy with sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine (IPTp-SP) in Senegal. This study aims to investigate whether IPTp-SP is delivered per Senegal’s national guidelines and to identify factors affecting the delivery of IPTp-SP at antenatal care visits. A secondary analysis was conducted using the 2014 and 2016 Senegal’s Service Provision Assessment. The study sample consists of 1076 antenatal care across 369 health facilities. Multiple logit regression models were used to estimate the probability of receiving IPTp-SP during the antenatal care visit based on prior receipt of IPTp-SP and gestational age during the current pregnancy. At an antenatal care visit, the probability of receiving IPTp-SP is 84% (95% CI = [83%, 86%]) among women with no IPTp-SP history and 85% (95% CI = [79%, 92%]) among women with one prior dose. Women who visit a facility in the top quintile of the proportion of IPTp trained staff have a nearly 4-fold higher odds of receiving IPTp compared to those who visit a facility in the bottom quintile (95% CI = [1.54, 9.80]). The dose and timing of IPTp-SP provided in antenatal care settings in Senegal did not always conform with the national guideline. More training for providers and patient engagement is warranted to improve the uptake of IPTp-SP in antenatal care visits.

Ambient air pollutants reportedly increase inflammatory responses associated with multiple chronic diseases. We investigated the effects of long-term exposure to ambient air pollution on high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) using data from 60,581 participants enrolled in the Korean Genome and Epidemiology Study-Health Examinees Study between 2012 and 2017. Community Multiscale Air Quality System with surface data assimilation was used to estimate the participants’ exposure to criteria air pollutants based on geocoded residential addresses. Long-term exposure was defined as the 2-year moving average concentrations of PM10, PM2.5, SO2, NO2, and O3. Multivariable linear and logistic regression models were utilized to estimate the percent changes in hs-CRP and odds ratios of systemic low-grade inflammation (hs-CRP > 3 mg/L) per interquartile range increment in air pollutants. We identified positive associations between hs-CRP and PM10 (% changes: 3.75 [95% CI 2.68, 4.82]), PM2.5 (3.68, [2.57, 4.81]), SO2 (1.79, [1.10, 2.48]), and NO2 (3.31, [2.12, 4.52]), while negative association was demonstrated for O3 (−3.81, [−4.96, −2.65]). Elevated risks of low-grade inflammation were associated with PM10 (odds ratio: 1.07 [95% CI 1.01, 1.13]), PM2.5 (1.08 [1.02, 1.14]), and SO2 (1.05 [1.01, 1.08]). The odds ratios reported indicated that the exposures might be risk factors for inflammatory conditions; however, they did not reflect strong associations. Our findings suggest that exposure to air pollutants may play a role in the inflammation process.

Associations between obesity and socio-demographic and behavioral characteristics varybetween populations. Exploring such differences should throw light on factors related to obesity. Weexamined associations between general obesity (GO, defined by body mass index) and abdominalobesity (AO, defined by waist-to-hip ratio) and sex, age, socio-economic characteristics (education,financial situation, marital status), smoking and alcohol consumption in women and men aged40–69 yearsfrom the Know Your Heart study (KYH, Russia,N= 4121, 2015–2018) and the seventhTromsø Study (Tromsø7, Norway,N= 17,646, 2015–2016). Age-standardized prevalence of GO andAO was higher in KYH compared to Tromsø7 women (36.7 vs. 22.0% and 44.2 vs. 18.4%, respectively)and similar among men (26.0 vs. 25.7% and 74.8 vs. 72.2%, respectively). The positive associationof age with GO and AO was stronger in KYH vs. Tromsø7 women and for AO it was stronger inmen in Tromsø7 vs. KYH. Associations between GO and socio-economic characteristics were similarin KYH and Tromsø7, except for a stronger association with living with spouse/partner in KYHmen. Smoking had a positive association with AO in men in Tromsø7 and in women in both studies.Frequent drinking was negatively associated with GO and AO in Tromsø7 participants and positivelyassociated with GO in KYH men. We found similar obesity prevalence in Russian and Norwegianmen but higher obesity prevalence in Russian compared to Norwegian women. Other results suggestthat the stronger association of obesity with age in Russian women is the major driver of the higherobesity prevalence among them compared to women in Norway. CC BY 4.0Correspondence: kamila.k.kholmatova@uit.noFunding: The KYH study was part of the International Project on Cardiovascular Disease in Russia (IPCDR). It was funded by the Wellcome Trust Strategic Award (100217), by funds from UiT The Arctic University of Norway; Norwegian Institute of Public Health; the Norwegian Ministry of Health and Social Affairs. Tromsø7 was funded by UiT The Arctic University of Norway, Northern Norway Regional Health Authority, Norwegian Ministry of Health and Social Services, and Troms County. Contribution of Sofia Malyutina was supported by the Russian Academy of Science, State target (#122031700094).

(1) Background: System-level data on waiting time in the outpatient setting in Hungary is scarce. The objective of the study was to explore self-reported waiting time for an appointment and at a doctor’s office. (2) Methods: An online, cross-sectional, self-administered survey was carried out in 2019 in Hungary among a representative sample (n = 1000) of the general adult population. Chi-squared test and logistic regression analysis were carried out to explore if socioeconomic characteristics, health status, or residence were associated with waiting times and the perception of waiting time as a problem. (3) Results: Proportions of 90%, 41%, and 64% of respondents were seen within a week by family doctor, public specialist, and private specialist, respectively. One-third of respondents waited more than a month to get an appointment with a public specialist. Respondents in better health status reported shorter waiting times, those respondents were less likely to perceive a problem with: (1) waiting time to get an appointment (OR = 0.400) and (2) waiting time at a doctor’s office (OR = 0.519). (4) Conclusions: Longest waiting times were reported for public specialist visits, but waiting times were favorable for family doctors and private specialists. Further investigation is needed to better understand potential inequities affecting people in worse health status.

Background: The environment of semiconductor facilities and exposure status has undergone changes. To identify changes in the work environment, health status, and risk factors, a qualitative and cross-sectional study was conducted. Methods: For the qualitative study, 38 current and retired workers who worked for at least 10-years were studied; for the cross-sectional study, 306 current workers who worked for at least 5-years based on JEM strata from Samsung Electronics were selected. Participants were asked about occupational history, cancer-relating risk factors during the working period, medical history, dietary habits for the past year, and hematological cancer-relating infection. Results: In the qualitative study, fabrication workers reported bladder cystitis, dermatitis in hands, gastritis/ulcer, and dry eye as frequent symptoms during work environment changes (manual to automatic process). In the cross-sectional study, there were no abnormal findings for infection biomarkers related to hematological cancer and spontaneous abortion, and their general health status was no different from the general population. Also, questionnaire feasibility was evaluated for the applicability in the prospective cohort. Conclusion: Current semiconductor workers’ health status was good compared to other populations. For lifelong health assessment, a cohort study is needed which considers health worker effects and current environments.

This study aimed to investigate the association between blood glucose control and subjective cognitive decline in adult patients with diabetes. Using the 2018 data from the community health survey, we included 18,789 patients with diabetes aged ≥50 years who had complete responses recorded. Blood glucose control was the independent variable, and subjective cognitive decline was the dependent variable. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to analyze the association between blood glucose control and subjective cognitive decline. Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that blood glucose control was inversely associated with subjective cognitive decline in patients with diabetes. Patients with uncontrolled blood glucose levels had higher odds of subjective cognitive decline than those with controlled blood glucose levels (odds ratio = 1.22; 95% confidence interval: 1.10, 1.34). Our findings suggest that patients with diabetes may demonstrate subjective cognitive decline if their blood glucose levels are not well-controlled.

Lack of knowledge often leads to nonchalant attitudes and improper practices that expose people to greater risks during a pandemic. Therefore, improving the general public’s knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) concerning coronavirus disease (COVID-19) can play a pivotal role in reducing the risks, especially in a country such as Indonesia with its scarcity of health resources for testing and tracing. Using the case of Malang District, this study set out to evaluate KAP regarding COVID-19 and its risk factors immediately after the Malang health authorities implemented various preventive measures. A population-based survey involving 3425 individuals was carried out between 1 May and 20 May 2020. Our findings revealed that less than half of the respondents demonstrated accurate knowledge (25.3%), positive attitudes (36.6%), or frequent best practices (48.8%) with regard to COVID-19 prevention. The results of logistic regression analyses showed that more accurate knowledge was associated with more positive attitudes and more frequent best practices (OR = 1.603, p-value < 0.001; OR = 1.585, p-value < 0.001, respectively). More positive attitudes were also associated with more frequent best practices (OR = 1.126, p-value < 0.001). The level of KAP varied according to sociodemographic characteristics, access to the services of community health workers, and mobile health technology for COVID-19 screening. Some global health proposals to improve health behaviors among the general public in the context of the scarcity of health resource settings are suggested based on the study findings.

Depression among childless middle-aged and elderly people is a serious social problem in Korea. However, few studies examine the influence of life satisfaction on the depression of spouses as actors and partners. Hence, this study analyzes the influence of life satisfaction (a positive factor childless married couples may have) on depression. This cross-sectional study employed data on couples to analyze the effect of life satisfaction on the depression of childless married couples as actors and partners via the actor–partner interdependence model. The Korea Longitudinal Study of Aging was employed to investigate life satisfaction and depression among 207 childless middle-aged and elderly couples. Regarding actor effects, wives’ (β = −0.285, p = 0.004) and husbands’ (β = −0.403, p < 0.001) life satisfaction significantly affected individual depression. Regarding partner effects, husbands’ life satisfaction (β = −0.255, p = 0.011) significantly affected wives’ depression, and the wives’ life satisfaction (β = −0.375, p < 0.001) significantly affected husbands’ depression. A childless actor’s life satisfaction affected own and partner’s depression. Thus, spouses should work together to improve their life satisfaction, thereby improving their depression.

(1) Introduction: The available studies on the association between type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and menopause report conflicting results. (2) Objective: This study aimed to investigate the association of menopausal status, age at menopause, and length of the reproductive period with T2DM. (3) Methods: This cross-sectional study is part of the ‘China Eastern Cohort Study’, which is a community-based cohort study. Multistage, stratified, clustered sampling was used to recruit the study participants in Shanghai, China. Age at menarche and menopause was recorded, and reproductive period was calculated. Weighted logistic regression was used to calculate the prevalence ratios (PRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of T2DM. Restricted cubic splines were used to assess the relationship between age at menopause, reproductive period, and T2DM. (4) Results: A total of 20,128 women were included. The prevalence of T2DM was 13.7%. Postmenopausal women exhibited a higher prevalence of T2DM than premenopausal women (p < 0.001) and an unfavorable metabolic profile, including higher body mass index, hypertension, and hyperlipidemia. A higher risk of T2DM was observed in postmenopausal women (PR2.12, 95%CI: 1.79–2.51, p < 0.001) compared with premenopausal women, independently of confounding factors. After adjustment for confounding factors, age at menopause and reproductive period were not significantly associated with T2DM. (5) Conclusions: Postmenopausal status is associated with T2DM, while menopausal age and reproductive period are not associated with T2DM. Menopausal status should be considered during T2DM screening.

This study aimed to characterize cognitive function examined using Cognitive-related Behavioral Assessment (CBA) in activities of daily living (ADLs). According to CBA severity at discharge, 791 patients were assigned to five groups (most severe, severe, moderate, mild, and normal). The total scores for Functional Independence Measure (FIM) motor items were compared for each group. Multiple logistic regression analysis was performed to clarify the association between CBA severity and independence in ADL items. Independence in each ADL according to CBA severity was 0–4.8%, 26.8–45.0%, 84.3–91.0%, and 97.2–100% for all ADLs in the most severe to severe, moderate, mild, and normal groups, respectively. Significant differences were found in the FIM motor score according to CBA severity between the groups (p < 0.01). A mild or normal CBA was associated with a higher odds ratio (OR) for dressing the upper body (OR = 21.90; 95% confidence interval (CI), 13.50–35.70), bladder management (OR = 11.60; 95% CI, 7.21–18.60), transfers to the bed/chair/wheelchair (OR = 18.30; 95% CI, 11.40–29.40), transfers to the toilet (OR = 18.30; 95% CI, 11.40–29.30), and walking (OR = 6.60; 95% CI, 10.60–26.10). A CBA severity greater than mild (23 points) was associated with independence in ADLs that are important for discharge to home.

Adults with severe mental ill health may have specific attitudes toward physical activity. To inform intervention development, we conducted a survey to assess the physical activity patterns, preferences, barriers, and motivations of adults with severe mental ill health living in the community. Data were summarised using descriptive statistics, and logistic regressions were used to explore relationships between physical activity status and participant characteristics. Five-hundred and twenty-nine participants (58% male, mean age 49.3 years) completed the survey. Large numbers were insufficiently active and excessively sedentary. Self-reported levels of physical activity below that recommended in national guidelines were associated with professional inactivity, consumption of fewer than five portions of fruit and vegetables per day, older age, and poor mental health. Participants indicated a preference for low-intensity activities and physical activity that they can do on their own, at their own time and pace, and close to home. The most commonly endorsed source of support was social support from family and friends. Common motivations included improving mental health, physical fitness, and energy levels. However, poor mental and physical health and being too tired were also common barriers. These findings can inform the development of physical activity interventions for this group of people.

Context: There is a general health decline among farmers and the leading cause of death in this population remains cardiovascular (CV) diseases. The situation is similar in the Guianese general population, with a preoccupying increase in CV diseases. However, there are no data on farmers’ health. Methods: A cross-sectional study analyzed data from the “Novembre Vert” action conducted in 2018 in French Guiana. Beneficiaries and farmers affiliated to the Mutualité Sociale Agricole who completed the survey were included. The objective was to assess their CV risk. Results: 603 farmers were included. The sex-ratio was 1.6 and the median age was 52. Over 70% of the participants had a Body Mass Index ≥ 25, with a greater risk of obesity in the female population. High blood pressure (HBP) affected 53.1% of farmers and 80.1% were diagnosed during screening. About 13.5% had diabetes. Overall, 27% of participants were at high or very high CV risk. CV risk was 3 times greater in men. Conclusion: HBP (53.1%), obesity (30.3%) and diabetes (13.5%) prevalence are particularly worrying and underline the importance of policies to reduce cardiovascular morbimortality among farmers.

The metabolic score for insulin resistance (METS-IR) was recently proposed as a non-insulin-based, novel index for assessing insulin resistance (IR) in the Western population. However, evidence for the link between METS-IR and prediabetes or type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) among the elderly Chinese population was still limited. We aimed to investigate the associations between METS-IR and prediabetes or T2DM based on large-scale, cross-sectional, routine physical examination data. In a total of 18,112 primary care service users, an increased METS-IR was independently associated with a higher prevalence of prediabetes (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 1.457, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.343 to 1.581, p < 0.001) and T2DM (aOR = 1.804, 95%CI: 1.720 to 1.891, p < 0.001), respectively. The aOR for prediabetes in subjects with the highest quartile of METS-IR was 3.060-fold higher than that in those with the lowest quartile of METS-IR. The aOR for T2DM in subjects with the highest quartile of METS-IR was 6.226-fold higher than that in those with the lowest quartile of METS-IR. Consistent results were obtained in subgroup analyses. Our results suggested that METS-IR was significantly associated with both prediabetes and T2DM. The monitoring of METS-IR may add value to early identification of individuals at risk for glucose metabolism disorders in primary care.

School enrolment rates have increased globally, making the school environment a unique setting to promote healthy nutrition and eating outcomes among early adolescents. In this cross-sectional study, we describe the food and health environment of junior secondary schools in Ouagadougou (Burkina Faso, West Africa). We evaluated the food and health environment using three components: (1) the implementation of health-related policies or guidelines in the schools, (2) the provision of health, nutrition and water, sanitation & hygiene (WASH) services in the schools, and (3) the quality of the school food environment, including foods sold by vendors. We used stratified random sampling to recruit 22 junior secondary schools from the five Ouagadougou districts in 2020. Trained fieldworkers collected standardized questionnaire data from 19 school administrators, 18 food vendors, and 1059 in-school adolescents. We report that only 7 out of 19 school administrators were aware of existing health-related policies and guidelines at their school and only 3 schools had a school health and nutrition curriculum in place. The overall provision of health, nutrition and WASH services was low or inadequate. Likely because of the lack of school canteens, 69% of the students bought snacks and unhealthy foods from food vendors. There is a critical need to improve the food and health environment of junior secondary schools in urban Burkina Faso.

Type 2 diabetes is a global epidemic, and many people feel stigmatized for having this disease. The stigma is a relevant barrier to diabetes management. However, evidence in this regard is scarce in Latin America. This study aimed to analyze the level of stigma surrounding type 2 diabetes in the Colombian population and its relationships with sociodemographic, clinical, psychosocial variables and behaviors related to management of the disease (self-management behaviors). This cross-sectional study included 501 Colombian adults with type 2 diabetes. We estimated the relation between stigma and selected variables through linear regression models. Additionally, we analyzed the mediator role of psychosocial variables in the relationship between stigma and self-management behaviors through structural equation models. A total of 16.4% of patients showed concerning levels of stigma. The time elapsed since diagnosis (β = −0.23) and socioeconomic status (β = −0.13) were significant predictors of the level of stigma. Stigma was negatively correlated with self-efficacy (β = −0.36), self-esteem (β = −0.37), and relationship with health care provider (β = −0.46), and positively correlated with stress (β = 0.23). Self-efficacy, self-esteem, and the relationships with health care providers had a mediation role in the relationship between stigma and self-management behaviors. These variables would be part of the mechanisms through which the perception of stigma harms self-management behaviors. The stigma of type 2 diabetes is frequent in the Colombian population and negatively associated with important aspects of disease management.

Transport planning and public health have been intertwined historically. The health impact of public transport services, such as social exclusion, is a widely discussed research topic. Social exclusion is a paramount concern for older adults&rsquo, health in the wake of emerging global challenges. However, there remains a significant research gap on how psychosocial barriers faced by older adults in using public transport services influence the social exclusion behavior. The present research provides empirical evidence and shows the impact of certain psychosocial barriers of public transportation on older adults&rsquo, social exclusion. A total of 243 Pakistani older adults (aged 60&ndash, 89 years old) voluntarily participated in this cross-sectional study. The participants provided self-reports on their psychosocial barriers (including perceived norms, attitude, personal ability, habits, neighborhood social constraints, and intention) and the corresponding social exclusion. Partial Least Square Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) was utilized for the data analysis. The structural path model supported the significant associations between psychosocial barriers and social exclusion. Except for perceived descriptive norms, all other psychosocial barriers predicted older adults&rsquo, social exclusion. The research portrays the significance of the psychosocial factors to examine social exclusion and offers practical implications for urban and transport planners. The concerned policymakers can use the research findings to develop age-sensitive, socially sustainable, and healthy cities.

University student life is an important transformation stage with many potential factors that can impact negatively on the Quality of Life (QOL) and the adoption of unhealthy behaviors. Health literacy (HL), Health Behaviors (HBs), and Body Mass Index (BMI) have been found to be essential components in influencing QOL, in addition to socioeconomic determinants. To identify the influential factors of QOL, we performed a cross-sectional survey in a university, and 955 undergraduate students were enrolled as respondents. We measured two different aspects of HL, i.e., Comprehensive Health Literacy (CHL) and Functional Health Literacy (FHL). Overall, QOL scores in four domains did not differ, regarded as medium with averages ranging from 57.00–63.98, and no significant difference between male and female students. In multivariate analysis, CHL had a significant positive influence on all domains, while FHL only affected the psychological and environmental domains with negative associations. Academic performance had a significant positive association with physical and psychological domains. Students from education majors had higher QOL in the psychological and social domains. Moreover, students with normal or underweight BMI status had better psychological QOL, and physical exercise had a positive association with the social relationship and environmental domains. The findings confirmed that CHL and FHL had significant associations with QOL domains in different ways that should be addressed accordingly. Public health practitioners should carefully empower students to use both CHL and FHL as decision-making skills by incorporating them into related curricula.

Sex practices among heterosexuals are not well studied. We aimed to explore sexual practices among heterosexuals attending a sexual health clinic. This cross-sectional survey was conducted at Melbourne Sexual Health Centre between March and April 2019. Data were collected on kissing, oral sex (fellatio or cunnilingus), vaginal sex, anal sex and rimming in the previous 3 months. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed to examine the associations between engaging in anal sex and other sex practices. There were 709 participants (333 men; 376 women) who were eligible and completed the survey (response rate was 24.6%). In the past 3 months, most participants had had vaginal sex (n = 677; 95.5%), with a mean of 3.0 (standard deviation (SD): 3.9) vaginal sex partners, and half reported engaging in condomless vaginal sex in the past 3 months (n = 358; 50.1%). A total of 135 (19.0%) participants had had anal sex, with a mean of 1.3 (SD: 1.0) anal sex partners, with 63.5% (n = 94) engaging in any condomless anal sex in the past 3 months. Most participants (n = 637, 89.8%) had received oral sex in the past 3 months; this proportion did not differ by age group or gender. Women (n = 351, 93.4%) were more likely to perform oral sex than men (n = 275; 82.6% men) (p < 0.001) and to have received rimming (26.6% women vs. 12.6% men; p < 0.001). Men were more likely to have performed rimming (25.5% men vs. 9.3% women; p < 0.001). After adjusting for age, number of partners and sexual practice, anal sex was associated with being ≥35 years (adjusted odds ratio (aOR): 2.3; 95% CI: 1.2–4.2), receiving rimming (aOR: 3.8; 95% CI: 2.4–6.0) and performing rimming (aOR: 2.8; 95% CI: 1.8–4.6). Rimming and anal sex are practiced by one-fifth or more of heterosexuals. Older heterosexuals were more likely to engage in anal sex and to perform rimming. Future research should consider the benefits of testing extragenital sites where appropriate.

Asthma in children poses a significant clinical and public health burden. We examined the association between reported neighborhood traffic (a proxy for traffic-related air pollution) and asthma among 855 multi-racial children aged 4&ndash, 8 years old who participated in the Environmental Influences on Child Health Outcomes (ECHO) cohort. We hypothesized that high neighborhood traffic density would be associated with the prevalence of asthma. Asthma/asthma-like symptoms (defined as current and/or past physician diagnosed asthma, past wheezing, or nighttime cough or wheezing in the past 12 months) was assessed by parental report. The relationship between neighborhood traffic and asthma/asthma-like symptoms was assessed using logistic regression. The prevalence of asthma/asthma-like symptoms among study participants was 23%, and 15% had high neighborhood traffic. Children with significant neighborhood traffic had a higher odds of having asthma/asthma-like symptoms than children without neighborhood traffic [adjusted OR = 2.01 (95% CI: 1.12, 3.62)] after controlling for child&rsquo, s race-ethnicity, age, sex, maternal education, family history of asthma, play equipment in the home environment, public parks, obesity and prescribed asthma medication. Further characterization of neighborhood traffic is needed since many children live near high traffic zones and significant racial/ethnic disparities exist.

In general, the perception of behavior change may be associated with habitual exercise. However, this association might not be well-understood due to the state of emergency of the COVID-19 pandemic. This study collected data from 1499 internet users aged 20–86 years living in Japan who participated in the online survey from 26 to 27 February 2021. Having a perception of behavior change was defined as preparation, action, and maintenance of the transtheoretical model. The habitual exercise was defined as 600 metabolic equivalent min/week or more based on the International Physical Activity Questionnaire. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to calculate the odds ratio of habitual exercise and a 95% confidence interval was estimated after adjusting for related factors. We found that perception of behavior change was positively associated with habitual exercise (adjusted odds ratio = 2.41, 95%CI = 1.89–3.08), and similar associations were found in states of emergency (2.69, 1.97–3.69) and non-emergency (2.01, 1.34–3.01). Moreover, women were negatively associated in all analyses with habitual exercise compared to men (0.63, 0.49–0.80; 0.65, 0.44–0.96; 0.62, and 0.45–0.84, respectively). Thus, the perception of behavior change may be involved in the implementation of habitual exercise, suggesting that women face difficulties in engaging in habitual exercise.

Many countries chose to establish social distancing as lockdowns after the COVID-19 outbreak. Households had to adapt their day-to-day lifestyles to new circumstances, affecting routines and time dedication to tasks. This national study was carried out to find out how the confinement by COVID-19 affected Spanish households on the perceived habit changes during this period, in relation to their socio-demographic characteristics and household composition. An online questionnaire was launched during the COVID-19 lockdown, from 30 April to 22 June 2020. Descriptive statistics were analyzed, stratified by gender, on time dedication, routine, home leaving, and habit change variables. Chi-square tests were used to explore the relations of significance with socio-demographic characteristics and home composition. All contrast analyses were performed for a 95% confidence level (significance considered for p &lt, 0.05). In total, 1673 respondents participated from different age groups, educational level, employment status and household composition. Sixty percent of respondents maintained their routines. A third tried to establish a new one, being related to women, young people, not a university student, and living with others, including minors. Regarding dedication to tasks, adults aged 35–54 years, with more cohabitants, especially women, devoted themselves intensively to the home or to care, while those under 35 were dedicated more to rest, leisure, television or reading. People with university studies were more related to teleworking. The frequency of going outside was related to gender, age, educational level and living with elders, specifically for grocery shopping and taking out garbage. Changes in habits, routines and time dedication in confinement were strongly linked to the sociodemographic and coexistence conditions in Spanish homes. The greatest impacts were suffered by women, people with children, and adults between 35–54 years of age, especially on care and domestic chores.

Hospital-acquired infections (HAIs) contribute to increased length of hospital stay, higher mortality and higher health-care costs. Prevention and control of HAIs is a critical public health concern. This study assessed the knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) of standard infection control precautions among health-care workers (HCWs) in Qassim, Saudi Arabia. A cross-sectional online survey among HCWs was conducted using a structured questionnaire. Predictors of KAP were investigated using multivariate logistic regression analyses and independent sample t-tests. A total of 213 HCWs participated in the survey. The prevalence of good (≥80% correct response) knowledge, attitude, and practice were 67.6%, 61.5%, and 73.2%, respectively. The predictors of good knowledge included the age of the HCWs (&gt, 34 years) (adjusted odds ratio: 30.5, p &lt, 0.001), and training (13.3, p &lt, 0.001). More than 6 years of work experience was a significant predictor of having a positive attitude (5.5, p &lt, 0.001). While the predictors of good practice were having &gt, 6 years of experience (2.9, p &lt, 0.01), previous exposure to HAIs (2.5, p &lt, 0.05), and training (3.5, p &lt, 0.01). However, being female (0.22, p &lt, 0.001) and older (&gt, 34 years) (0.34, p &lt, 0.01) were negatively associated with knowledge. Results indicate that arranging training for HCWs might be useful in improving their knowledge of standard infection control precautions and is also expected to facilitate positive attitude and practice.

Air pollutants can potentially affect the development of children. However, data on the effect of exposure to air pollution during pregnancy and developmental outcomes in school children are rare. We investigated the link between prenatal exposure to particulate matters smaller than 10 microns (PM10) and the development of school-age children in multiple domains. Cross-sectional data were collected in Italy between 2013 and 2014. Children aged between 5 and 8 years (n = 1187) were assessed on cognitive, communication, socio-emotional, adaptive, and motor developmental domains using the Developmental Profile 3 questionnaire. The monthly average concentration of PM10 during the entire fetal period was linked to the municipality of residence of the children. The increase in the prenatal PM10 was associated with a decrease in the cognitive score during the second (+13.2 µg/m3 PM10 increase: −0.30 points, 95%CI: −0.12–−0.48) and third trimesters of pregnancy (−0.31 points, 95%CI: −0.11–−0.50). The communicative domain was also negatively influenced by PM10 increases in the second trimester. The development of cognitive and communicative abilities of children was negatively associated with the exposure to PM10 during the period of fetal development, confirming that exposure to air pollution during pregnancy can potentially hinder the development of the brain.

Lifestyle medicine (LM) is a rapidly emerging clinical discipline that focuses on intensive therapeutic lifestyle changes to treat chronic disease, often producing dramatic health benefits. In spite of these well-documented benefits of LM approaches to provide evidence-based care that follows current clinical guidelines, LM practitioners have found reimbursement challenging. The objectives of this paper are to present the results of a cross-sectional survey of LM practitioners regarding lifestyle medicine reimbursement and to propose policy priorities related to the ability of practitioners to implement and achieve reimbursement for these necessary services. Results from a closed, online survey in 2019 were analyzed, with a total of n = 857 included in this analysis. Results were descriptively analyzed. This manuscript articulates policy proposals informed by the survey results. The study sample was 58% female, with median age of 51. A minority of the sample (17%) reported that all their practice was LM, while 56% reported that some of their practice was LM. A total of 55% of practitioners reported not being able to receive reimbursement for LM practice. Of those survey respondents who provided an answer to the question of what would make the practice of LM easier (n = 471), the following suggestions were offered: reimbursement overall (18%), reimbursement for more time spent with patients (17%), more support from leadership (16%), policy measures to incentivize health (13%), education in LM for practitioners (11%), LM-specific billing codes and billing knowledge along with better electronic medical record (EMR) capabilities and streamlined reporting/paperwork (11%), and reimbursement for the extended care team (10%). Proposed policy changes focus on three areas of focus: (1) support for the care process using a LM approach, (2) reimbursement emphasizing outcomes of health, patient experience, and delivering person-centered care, and (3) incentivizing treatment that produces disease remission/reversal. Rectifying reimbursement barriers to lifestyle medicine practice will require a sustained effort from health systems and policy makers. The urgency of this transition towards lifestyle medicine interventions to effectively address the epidemic of chronic diseases in a way that can significantly improve outcomes is being hindered by current reimbursement policies and models.

Background: Plagiarism (Plg) is an unacceptable practice since it affects the integrity of scientific literature. Aim and objectives: To seek students’ knowledge and attitude regarding Plg and solicit suggestions to prevent Plg in our institute. The specific objectives of the study were to ascertain whether students’ knowledge and attitudes about Plg differ by their demographic characteristics and academic years. Methodology: A 32 item questionnaire was given to all the undergraduate (UG) students of the College of Medicine and Dentistry, Jouf University, KSA. The research questions focused on demographic information, knowledge and attitude regarding Plg, and suggestions to curb Plg. Results: A total of 134 UG students filled out the survey. The samples consisted of 97 males and 37 females. Most of the students displayed adequate knowledge regarding Plg in terms of copying words or ideas, quoting references, and copying words without changing the matter. As compared to female students, male students had better awareness regarding meaningful and harmful effects of practicing Plg (p < 0.05). Additionally, our results indicate that as students climb the academic ladder, their awareness on Plg tends to rise. Common reasons for plagiarizing are discussed here together with suggestions to combat Plg. Conclusion: The results of this study can be mainly taken as an eye opener which demonstrates the vital factors pertaining to the level of students’ knowledge about Plg, and to eradicate the problem, there is a need for more discussions and training on this topic for students.

COVID-19; Encuesta en línea; Resistencia COVID-19; Online survey; Resistance COVID-19; Enquesta en línia; Resistència COVID-19 vaccines are essential to limit and eliminate the infectious disease. This research aims to identify strong vaccination resistance profiles and/or hesitation considering health, psychosocial, and COVID-related variables. A cross-sectional online survey (N = 300) was conducted in the context of strict COVID-related gathering and mobility restrictions (January–March 2021). Data collected were vaccine acceptance, hesitancy and resistance rates, general psychosocial status, and preventive practices and beliefs regarding COVID-19 and its vaccination, among other factors. Logistic regression was applied to a real-world data set and a significant model (χ2 (7, N = 278) = 124.548, p < 0.001) explaining 51.3% (R2 Nagelkerke) of attitudes towards vaccination was obtained, including the following predictors for acceptance: to have greater confidence in the COVID vaccine security (OR = 0.599) and effectiveness (OR = 0.683), older age (OR = 0.952), to be a healthcare professional (OR = 0.363), to have vulnerable individuals in charge (OR = 0.330), and sustain the belief that the vaccine will end the pandemic situation (OR = 0.346) or not being sure but give some credence to that belief (OR = 0.414). Findings could help understand the rate and determinants of COVID-19 vaccine resistance/hesitancy among a Spanish population sample and facilitate multifaceted interventions to enhance vaccine acceptance. This research did not receive any specific grant from funding agencies in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors.

To understand the mental health status of Chinese postgraduate students during the COVID-19 pandemic, we used three online questionnaires: self-rating anxiety (SAS) scale, self-rating depression (SDS) scale, and social avoidance and distress (SAD) scale. A total of 3137 postgraduate students from different regions of China participated in our study. We explored the relationship between participant characteristics and mental health using an analysis of variance (ANOVA). We found that the proportions of respondents with severe, mild, and moderate depression were 1.4%, 10.48%, and 21.99%, respectively, and the corresponding proportions of respondents with anxiety were 1.56%, 4.65%, and 14.69%, respectively. A one-way ANOVA revealed that the mental health statuses of the participants were different between the subgroups based on majors, classes, degree types, and the method of communication with advisors and students. A two-way ANOVA revealed significant effects on interaction and the method of communication with advisors and peers. These findings suggest that the mental health of postgraduate students should be monitored during the pandemic, especially when they are unable to communicate directly with their advisors or peers, and targeted psychological counselling must be focused on anxiety and depression.

Lumbar instability (LI) comprises one subgroup of those with chronic low back pain (CLBP), it indicates the impairment of at least one of the spinal stabilizing systems, and radiographic criteria of translation and rotation are used for its diagnosis. Previous studies have developed and tested a screening tool for LI where patients with sub-threshold lumbar instability (STLI) were detected in the initial stage of lumbar pathology using radiographs as a gold standard for diagnosis. The radiographic measurement in STLI lies between the range of translation and rotation of the LI and asymptomatic lumbar motion. However, there are no studies indicating the validity and cut-off points of the screening tool for STLI. The current study aimed to determine the validity of an LI screening tool to support the diagnostic process in patients with STLI. This study design was cross-sectional in nature. A total of 135 participants with CLBP, aged between 20 and 60 years, who had undergone flexion and extension radiographs, answered a screening tool with 14 questions. The cut-off score for identifying STLI using the screening tool was at least 6/14 positive responses to the LI questions. The findings suggested that the LI screening tool we tested is effective for the detection of STLI. The tool can be used in outpatient settings.

To prevent the spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), desk workers in Japan have been encouraged to work from home. Due to rapidly increased working from home, working in environments that are not properly designed and working with poor posture can affect low back pain (LBP). This study aimed to examine the relationship between increased work from home during the COVID-19 pandemic and LBP among Japanese desk workers. Using study data from the Japan COVID-19 and Society Internet Survey 2020 conducted from August to September 2020, 4227 desk workers who did not have LBP before the COVID-19 pandemic were analyzed out of 25,482 total respondents. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for LBP were calculated by multivariable logistic regression, adjusting for covariates such as socioeconomic factors. During the COVID-19 pandemic, 31.3% of desk workers with an increased chance of working from home, and 4.1% had LBP. Desk workers with increased working from home were more likely to have LBP (OR: 2.00 (95% CI, 1.36–2.93)). In this large-scale study, increased work from home was associated with LBP among desk workers during the COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore, preparing an appropriate work environment for desk workers working from home can improve productivity, leading to positive effects.

Nurses with depression are not only likely to suffer themselves, but it may have an impact on their coworkers and potentially the quality of care they provide. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of depression and its association with burnout in cardiac nurses. A group of 400 cardiac nurses (361 women and 39 men) was enrolled. The standardized tools such as Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), and Patient Health Questionaire-9 (PHQ-9) were used. A high level of professional burnout regarding emotional exhaustion was observed in 53.3% of nurses, high depersonalization in 52.5%, and low personal accomplishment in 72.8%. PHQ-9 and BDI were shown to correlate significantly and positively with all three MBI subscales (p &lt, 0.05). High depressive symptoms and occupational burnout were correlated with depression (p &lt, 0.05). In conclusion, nurses were found to have high levels of depression and professional burnout, which may have resulted in a negative impact on the quality of patient care. Identification of burnout in cardiac nurses is necessary to consider interventions to prevent stress and depression.

This cross-sectional study aimed to characterize the physical activity (PA) of older adults with pre-frail status by examining sedentary behavior (SB) and PA using triaxial accelerometer data, with non-frail older adults as the control group. In this study, we divided the study participants into older adults who regularly participated in self-initiated citizen group exercise activities and those who did not. Data were collected between September and December 2017. We analyzed data from 256 older adults (women: 86.3%) aged ≥65 years. The interaction effect of participation status (participation and non-participation group) and frailty status (pre-frail and non-frail group) for moderate-to-vigorous PA (F = 9.178, p = 0.003) and daily mean number of steps (F = 9.351, p = 0.002) was significant. For the participation group, there was no difference between pre-frail older adults and non-frail older adults regarding length of SB and PA time, indicating that PA level was maintained in the participating pre-frail older adults. In contrast, moderate-to-vigorous PA and daily mean number of steps were low in pre-frail older adults who did not participate in the activities. The opportunity to participate in self-initiated group exercise activities and other PAs in the community may help pre-frail older adults maintain their PA.

The main objective of the research was to examine the associations between problematic alcohol use, tobacco use and cannabis use among Czech and Slovak university students during the early COVID-19 pandemic. The research sample consisted of 1422 participants from the Czech Republic (CZ) and 1677 from the Slovak Republic (SK). The analyses included university students who drank alcohol in the past year (CZ: 1323 (93%); SK: 1526 (91%)). Regarding the analysed measures, the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) and its subscales, the Glover-Nilsson Smoking Behavioral Questionnaire (GN-SBQ) and the Cannabis Abuse Screening Test (CAST) were selected to identify substance-related behaviour. Age, gender and residence were included in the analyses as socio-demographic variables. Correlation and regression analyses were used to achieve the main objective of the research. The main results revealed that the use of tobacco and cannabis were positively associated with alcohol use disorders among Czech and Slovak university students. Additionally, males were more likely to report alcohol use disorders. In the Czech Republic, it was found that students living in dormitories were characterized by a lower AUDIT score. The opposite situation was found in the Slovak Republic. Czech and Slovak policy-makers are encouraged to develop alcohol use prevention programs for university students in line with these findings. © 2021 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland., Vedecká Grantová Agentúra MŠVVaŠ SR a SAV, VEGA: 1/0797/20; Univerzita Tomáše Bati ve Zlíně: RO/2020/05, Internal Grant Agency of FaME Tomas Bata University [RO/2020/05]; Scientific Grant Agency of the Ministry of Education, Science, Research, and Sport of the Slovak Republic; Slovak Academy Sciences [VEGA 1/0797/20]