Search

The effects of COVID-19 have resulted in peritraumatic stress experiences within various groups, including teachers. With this study we aimed to determine the prevalence of peritraumatic stress and the factors associated with each level of PTSD among teachers in South Africa. A cross-sectional study was conducted in South Africa among teachers using an online survey. A sample consisted of a total of 1,008 primary and secondary teachers responded to the COVID-19 peritraumatic distress index and the occupation-specific survey. Descriptive and multinomial logistic regression analyses were used to analyse the data. There was evidence of high levels of distress associated with the COVID-19 pandemic among teaching professionals in South Africa. Therefore, there is a need to create mental health awareness among teaching professionals and to create systems that support the uptake of psychological services among the members of this population.

In the study reported on here we investigated the impact of Ubuntu on learner behaviour and academic achievement in secondary schools in the Gweru district of Zimbabwe. The study participants comprised 38 learners and 7 teachers from 4 secondary schools in the Gweru district. Data were collected through focus-group discussions, semi-structured interviews, participant observations and document analysis. We established that teachers and learners had a satisfactory understanding of how upholding values of Ubuntu contributed to academic achievement among learners. The findings reveal that in addition to other factors affecting academic achievement, like the school and home environment, learners who upheld the values of Ubuntu were disciplined, focused on their studies, and thus attained higher levels of academic achievement compared to learners who lacked Ubuntu and engaged in substance abuse, pre-marital sex, and lacked focus on their schoolwork. Based on the study we recommend that a course on Ubuntu be introduced in teacher training complemented by professional development workshops for teachers in the field to equip them with skills of integrating values of Ubuntu into the curriculum and thus foster the same among learners.

The study aimed to investigate the Effect of Academic Stress on Students' Academic Achievements and Its Implications for Their Future Lives. A correlational research design was employed through stratified random sampling (n[subscript i] = 270, where female = 80 and male =190) to collect pertinent data through a questionnaire. Descriptive and inferential statistics were employed. Firstly, academic stress highly affects students' academic achievement, with females being more stressed (65.20%) than males (59.60%), which leads to a high dropout rate and low graduation rate. Secondly, about 69% were accustomed to drinking alcohol, chewing Khat, absenteeism, and smoking whereas about 31% were regularly engaging in unsafe sex, physical fights, smoking shisha, and poor personal sanitation. Thirdly, there were significant positive relationships among sex, age, academic batch, and student's cumulative grade point average. To conclude, academic stress hinders good academic achievement, increases college dropout rates, low graduation rates, and lack of self-confidence. It leads to drinking alcohol, absenteeism, chewing khat, reduced academic morale of students, and failure in completing assignments on time. Therefore, university authorities should ensure a good academic environment for the students and minimize academic stress through appropriate course load, appropriate lecture hours, proper lecture schedules, and non-congested lecture halls.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, students faced increased risk of contracting the virus due to the relaxation of health protocols by the Philippine government and the authorization of face-to-face instruction in schools by the Department of Education. There is little data on basic education school students' awareness of COVID-19 in the Philippines, particularly in Cebu City. A cross-sectional descriptive-correlational research design was utilized to determine junior and senior high school students' knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding COVID-19. In this study, a survey questionnaire was used to compare and attempt to identify relationships between the demographic profile of students and their KAPs regarding COVID-19. This study also investigated the relationships between students' KAPs. JHS and SHS students exhibited outstanding KAPs for COVID-19. Students' demographic characteristics, including grade level and family income, were significantly associated with their KAPs toward the disease. However, their gender was not significantly associated with their KAPs. There was a significant relationship between students' COVID-19 KAPs. It is imperative that the DepEd develop strategies and programs to combat the situation due to pandemic and prepare for similar situations in future. With the aid of curriculum designers, science educators must adapt the science education curriculum to address current and future health concerns.

Students' adjustment and well-being in a cross-cultural context have become important topics in international higher education studies. This study explored the psychological mechanism underlying the impact of perceived discrimination and perceived health status on the subjective well-being of international students. The responses of 358 international students were analyzed using the survey datasets. The results indicated that the perceived health status of international students had a significantly positive impact on their subjective well-being. Conversely, perceived discrimination had a negative impact on subjective well-being and community satisfaction. Notably, community satisfaction mediated the relationship between perceived discrimination and subjective well-being. Furthermore, the results revealed that the effect of community satisfaction on subjective well-being varied between the Asian and non-Asian students. These findings can assist higher education program providers in developing a community-oriented support system for students striving to adjust to cross-cultural environments.

This study investigated the concerns and perceptions associated with COVID-19 and its variants among faculty, students, staff, and administrators at an R2 research university. Participants: n = 189 participants from the university community. A Qualtrics™ survey was used to draw responses from the university community. The results of this study revealed that (1) Approximately 2/3 of survey respondents are concerned about the appearance of Delta and Omicron COVID-19 variants; (2) 53.7% of respondents were inclined to get vaccinated after the new COVID-19 variants surfaced; (3) 22.2% of respondents tested positive for COVID-19 after becoming fully vaccinated; (4) 70.4% of respondents said they would get the booster shot for COVID-19; (5) 77.2% of respondents felt that there would be a new COVID variant identified this year beyond Delta and Omicron; and (6) Less than 20% of survey respondents feel safe on campus during the prevailing COVID-19 pandemic. There remains a general feeling of vulnerability while on campus two years into the COVID-19 pandemic.

This study aimed to examine and compare the lifestyles of Australian and Thai undergraduates. There were 213 students who participated in the study; 112 were Thai and 101 were Australian. The instrument included a questionnaire containing six lifestyle categories. Cronbach's alpha coefficient revealed that the questionnaire's reliability ranged from 0.71 to 0.92. The data were analyzed using mean, standard deviation, and t-test. The result indicated that the overall lifestyle score of students from both countries was moderate. However, there were differences between the two groups' lifestyles. The Australian participants favored the healthy lifestyle, whereas the Thai participants favored the conservative and homey lifestyles. Interestingly, the Australian participants' trendy lifestyle score was the lowest, while the Thai participants' night going lifestyle score was the highest. Comparing the two groups revealed a statistically significant difference of 0.05. This indicated that the Thai participants' lifestyles were more apparent than those of their counterparts. Only the night going lifestyle and the healthy lifestyle were rated higher by Australians than by Thais. The findings illustrate the differences in lifestyles between two countries, reflecting the complexity of lifestyle development in various dimensions. Understanding this complexity is therefore crucial.

The "health promoting universities" strategy has gained popularity and a presence in the higher education system, particularly in universities. It is imperative for higher education establishments to prioritize the promotion of health within their student body and academic community. By safeguarding and boosting students' wellbeing, a strategy centered on encouraging healthy lifestyles has the potential to boost the university's contribution to health improvement and offer significant value to the community. Universities have the power to improve health promotion through community service and to make policies in this area through research and teaching. In order to investigate student behavior in relation to the standard aspects of the health-promoting lifestyle profile, this project will undertake an intervention study involving 150 students with the goal of promoting a healthy lifestyle. A pretest and post-test control group design was employed in this investigation. The health-promoting lifestyle standard profile II questionnaire was the research instrument, and descriptive statistics and inference were employed for analysis at the 0.05 significant level. The outcomes demonstrated a noteworthy impact on the implemented measures. This study's findings indicated that interventions in learning environments successfully raised student behavior linked to a healthy lifestyle and its components.

In recent years, children and adolescents have spent more time sitting and engaging in less physical activity than recommended by health authorities. Despite widespread efforts to promote physical activity through school-based programs, the impact of specific intervention programs often remains untested. Therefore, in this pilot study, the effects of a national school-based physical activity program were assessed. A sample of 80 first- and second-grade primary school students aged between 7 and 9 years (M = 7.95, SD = 0.44) of eight classes was cluster randomly assigned to either the experimental group (EG; classroom-based physical activity breaks) or the control group (CG; conventional school lessons). Primary outcomes included objective measurements of sedentary behaviour, step counts, and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) during the intervention. Secondary outcomes encompassed assessments of aerobic fitness performance, executive functions, academic achievement, and scholastic well-being before and after the 20-week intervention. The results indicate that students of the EG spent less time sedentary and took more steps during school mornings than their counterparts of the CG. The physical activity program resulted in a 630-step increase and a 10-minute reduction in sitting time daily. However, there were no effects on MVPA level, aerobic fitness performance, or cognitive functions (including executive functions and academic achievement). The implications of these findings are discussed in light of comprehensive school physical activity approaches.

Using National Vital Statistics Birth and Fetal Death Data from 1995 to 2020 linked to county-level information on wildfires, we use variation in wildfire timing to examine how effects of wildfire exposure on infant health vary by maternal education. Results indicate that wildfire exposure increases the likelihood of low birth weight and fetal death, but effects vary by both trimester and maternal education. Mediation analyses suggest the variation by maternal education reflects selective survival and unequal sensitivity, rather than differential parental response to wildfires. In addition, mediation analyses suggest that maternal behaviors explain a greater share of the relationship between wildfire exposure and infant health than air quality. Wildfires may therefore reduce infant health through stress.

Many post-secondary institutions contain organizational values, which describe enduring beliefs that support strategic priorities and guide members of an organization. Relatedly, the adoption of health-promoting frameworks calls on embedding health within post-secondary institutions' core values. The study objective was to map Canada's post-secondary values to determine how health is integrated within value statements. Mixed methods were used to map institutional values, contextualize well-being, and identify thematic messages of health-related content contained within values. Most institutions espoused values (n = 64, 71%), yet only a small proportion of these institutions espoused health within their value statements (n = 7, 11%). Qualitative analysis revealed three thematic messages: (i) health as a descriptor for other institutional priorities, (ii) wellness broadly acknowledged or embedded within non-health values, and (iii) well-being as a core value or commitment. These novel findings suggest more institutions must embed health as a core value to demonstrate institutional commitment.

With the rising demand for virtual learning, districts are establishing virtual schools to offer more flexible education. This study investigates K-12 virtual learner characteristics, examines trends and issues in virtual academies, and outlines opportunities and challenges faced by stakeholders in a southeastern U.S. state. The study used a mixed-method design, combining quantitative survey data and qualitative interviews with virtual academy leaders. Results reveal that virtual learners opt for this mode of schooling due to busy extracurricular schedules, a desire to avoid crowded schools or health concerns. These students include those with special needs and high-achieving individuals. Collaboration between parents and teachers plays a crucial role. Essential factors include reliable internet access, teacher tech proficiency, and diverse curriculum development approaches. However, diverse curricular methods require additional implementation support. Balancing instructional flexibility with accountability poses a significant challenge. Virtual teachers need resources, professional development, and time, especially when transitioning from traditional to digital curriculum. Effective communication and interpersonal interactions are vital. Involving home learning coaches and community partnerships enhances the educational experience. While virtual schools offer flexible and personalized support, they encounter challenges related to resource access, social isolation, and student motivation.

Teachers are at high risk of voice disorders due to the heavy vocal demand of their profession as well as diverse classroom conditions that can stress the voice. Healthy vocal hygiene practices reduce this risk, but many teachers lack knowledge in these areas or have misconceptions about ways to improve their vocal health. This study aimed to identify knowledge deficits among teachers, and directly address topics with poorest performance to better generate vocal health resources for teachers and improve their overall vocal health.

Preparing students enrolled in healthcare programs for industry is paramount. While providing administrative and clinical education is essential, students must understand the health literacy levels of the population they serve and work diligently to ensure the population understands and comprehends the health information. Adults with low or limited health literacy levels need help understanding health information and making informed decisions. Research shows that improvements in health literacy result in decreased ER visits, medication errors, increased patient satisfaction, and better health outcomes. Health literacy is an issue throughout the world. This reflection seeks to provide a narrative comparing health literacy concerns in the United States and Spain. The objective is to shed light on the need for all colleges and universities to teach students about health literacy and how to determine patients' health literacy levels. Increasing students' understanding can improve the comprehension and awareness of patients and the population that they serve, thus leading to more appropriate health decisions and outcomes.

As part of the fabric of college students, minority international students undergo specific and unique challenges to their health and wellness. Little is known about how and what constitutes wellness for minoritized international students and the impact of wellness on their university adjustment. Using a systematic grounded theory approach, this study interviewed 12 (8 men & 4 women) middle eastern international students (MEI). Following the constant comparison method and theoretical sensitivity, the study generated a wellness practices model for MEI students. Results showed that wellness had two levels: primary (physical, social, mental, and mindfulness) and secondary (religious, academic, and coping). Results also showed that engaging in wellness practices was key to university adjustment. Individual factors affect how salient a wellness domain is in the student's life, such as optimism, hope, knowledge of self-care habits, and attitudes toward self-care. Implications for helping minoritized international are suggested considering wellness practices model.

The complexity of the reproductive system necessitates instructional media to facilitate comprehension, as its processes unfold internally and are not readily observable. This study aims to assess the viability of booklet sub-materials on fertilization, gestation, and childbirth, derived from the inventory findings of medicinal plants for postpartum care, as educational resources. The research and development used the Borg & Gall model which included identifying potential problems, data collection, product design, design validation, and product revision. The booklet media underwent validation by five validators using validation sheets, while the evaluation criteria encompassed format, content, and language proficiency. The validation data were analyzed using CVR (Content Validity Ratio) and CVI (Content Validity Index). The results of the booklet media validation obtained a CVR value on each criterion of 1.00 with a valid category and a CVI value of 1.00 with a valid category. The booklet on the subject of gestational fertilization and childbirth from the results of the inventory of medicinal plants for postpartum is suitable for use as a learning media.

Each August, Sugpiaq Elders, community members, and educators gather in Cape Alitak to host Akhiok Kids Camp, a week-long culture camp that provides a space for local Sugpiaq youth to learn and carry forward traditional lifeways and promotes youth's self-esteem, identity, and healthy choices. This article traces the legacy of the camp and outlines its ongoing vision and curriculum, including the Indigenous values and principles of education that guide camp activities. Of particular focus is the role of camp in fostering Sugpiaq youth's sense of connectedness to their homelands, waters, community, and culture, a focus that promotes healing, cultural resurgence, and wellbeing for Sugpiaq youth. This description of Akhiok Kids Camp highlights the valuable role that culture camps play in turning Indigenous youth toward the brilliance of their lands and lifeways, and the importance of respecting the knowledge and leadership of Indigenous families in this work.

The aim of this study was to examine the effects of gender, the number of siblings, and grade level on digital game playing motivation and addiction levels in secondary school students and to reveal the relationship between digital game motivation and addiction. A total of 394 students, 168 boys and 226 girls, participated in the study voluntarily. Personal Information Form, Digital Game Playing Motivation Scale, and Digital Play Addiction Scale for Children were used as data collection tools. Digital game playing situation (yes/no) was associated with gender and number of siblings (p<0.05) but not with grade level (p>0.05). The motivation and addiction levels for playing digital games are related to gender and grade level (p<0.05) but not to the number of siblings (p>0.05). There is a positive relationship between motivation and addiction to playing digital games (p<0.05). In light of these findings, more effort should be made to prevent digital addiction in males according to gender and in 8th graders according to grade level.

This paper explores the self-tracking information literacy practices of LGBTQ+ students, how the practices connect to LGBTQ+ identities, and whether these practices are perceived as empowering. Six semi-structured interviews were conducted with students who identified as LGBTQ+ self-trackers. Four previously discovered dimensions of IL in self-tracking framed the design. Collaborative thematic analysis revealed participants find it useful to monitor their physical health and tracking supports mental health, which is experienced as empowering. The heteronormative assumptions of apps influenced their perceived usefulness. There was some distrust about how apps used data, but this risk was accepted, typically because the convenience of the app outweighed privacy concerns. Data sharing took place--restricted due to self-consciousness or fear of judgement--and embraced when there was a feeling of working towards a shared goal. IL in this landscape is related to developing critical awareness of when and how self-tracking can support health goals; the limitations of apps and devices, particularly for those undergoing transition; privacy implications; and the nuances of social sharing.

The Choose Health Action Teens (CHAT) program of Cornell Cooperative Extension engages teens to teach a nutrition curriculum to younger youth, with the goal of enhancing the leadership skills and health behaviors of the teen teachers. Due to COVID-19, an in-person CHAT program in New York City was converted to virtual and implemented online during Summer 2020. Twelve teens, mentored by eight college interns, taught youth virtually in their homes. Quantitative and qualitative assessments demonstrated improvement in teen leadership and facilitation skills and health behaviors, and suggest that converting this type of programming to a virtual environment can be successful.

This study investigates college students' current food safety knowledge and food-handling perceptions and utilized an online survey which designed based on previous studies as method. The questionnaire measured respondents' food safety knowledge and perception, and were divided into knowledge, attitudes and perception categories. The results show that college students significantly lacked in basic food safety knowledge as well as food handling skills and implies a high need to develop enhanced food safety resources for college students, especially on topics related to cross-contamination prevention, correct food preparation procedures, time and temperature control, and awareness of pathogens that cause foodborne illness.

This paper presents an exploratory evaluation of pilot nutrition education programs, Plan Shop Save Cook (PSSC). Behavior change between two nutrition education programs, Buy Eat Live Healthy (BELH; n=92 and PSSC; n=42), was examined using pre- and post-program questionnaire responses. Both programs resulted in significant improvement in food resource management (FRM) behaviors; however, there was no significant difference in the amount of change between the programs. Qualitative data suggests participants perceived label reading as the most useful information provided in the PSSC programs. The current findings suggest short-term behavior change can be achieved with a limited dose program.

Objectives: This study aimed to assess the impact of an educational intervention on middle-aged women's knowledge and behaviour regarding various aspects of a healthy lifestyle. Design: Quasi-experimental study involving 150 middle-aged women (divided into experimental and control groups). Setting: Participants were selected from health centres of Tehran, Iran. Method: Data collection included demographic information, knowledge of a healthy lifestyle and healthy lifestyle behaviour. Participants in both the intervention and control groups completed the questionnaires before and 2 months after the educational intervention. The intervention involved 10 minutes of face-to-face training followed by distribution of training booklets provided by the Ministry of Health in Iran. Statistical analyses were conducted using SPSS. Results: Within the intervention group, significant differences were observed in total healthy lifestyle knowledge and subscales for physical activity knowledge, anthropometry knowledge, healthy diet knowledge, and smoking knowledge, between the pre- and post-intervention periods. Other than for smoking behaviour, there was no significant difference in healthy behaviours pre- and post-intervention for the experimental and also the control group. Conclusion: While there was an increase in knowledge about healthy lifestyles following the intervention, this knowledge increase was not associated with a change in healthy lifestyle behaviours. Attention should therefore be given to other influences including socio-economic factors, mental health status, environmental factors, cultural influences, duration of the intervention and psychological factors if changes in healthy behaviour are to be achieved

Introduction: The burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) is a major challenge for countries, regardless of their level of development. Social branding is an emerging approach to health promotion for NCD prevention. In this paper, the process of social branding is documented as a case study to help researchers develop similar kinds of interventions in the settings in which they work. Methods: The process of developing a social brand is documented through conversations with the project team, observations in the field, interaction with community local members, and information gathered through photographs, videos and newspaper clippings. Results: The social brand focused upon in this study was named the "Aarogyachi Vaari" (Health Pilgrimage) inspired by the "Pandrapur Wari," a religious pilgrimage undertaken in the state of Maharashtra, India. Various stakeholders from self-help groups, panchayat raj institutions and schools from the local village collaborated successfully to implement the health event in a manner similar to the way in which diverse religious groups come together for the Pandrapur Wari religious pilgrimage. The Aarogyachi Vaari took the form of a strategically planned health event consisting of various health promotion stalls, many developed by local villagers themselves. The organisation of the event was aided by resource mobilisation within the local community. Discussion: Social branding can be an effective tool for health promotion in community settings. Studying people's cultural preferences and what makes them feel connected and excited can lay the foundations for the creation of a social brand that reflects their choices and helps them take up healthy behaviours on their own. It is possible to mobilise a community for health through social branding that is culturally relevant and connected to the interests and priorities of local people.

Background: Dengue is a viral infection that spreads from mosquitoes to people. It is especially prevalent in tropical and subtropical regions of the world. To address the challenges posed by dengue in countries such as Thailand, effective prevention and control to strengthen health literacy at the community level is needed. One way of achieving this goal is to work with village health volunteers (VHVs). This article documents the use of VHVs for dengue fever prevention in Mueang district, Khon Kaen province, northeast Thailand. Method: A quasi-experimental study was conducted. The experimental group comprised 45 people who received a programme that aimed to enhance health literacy through the provision of knowledge and social support by community-based volunteers accompanied by a short drama programme. A group of 45 people receiving health services without the drama programme comprised the comparison group. The duration of the activity was 12 weeks. Data were collected by means of a pre- and post-test survey and were analysed using descriptive statistics and a comparison of mean health literacy and practice scores before and after the intervention. Results: Following programme delivery, the experimental group had a mean health literacy score which was significantly higher than that of the comparison group, while the mean practice score of the experimental group was also higher than that of the comparison group. Conclusion: The results suggest that a health literacy programme which includes a short drama programme could be effective in bringing about desired changes with respect to dengue fever prevention. The programme provided in this study was effective and easy to understand. The model developed here could also be useful in other villages in epidemic areas.

Background: Research suggests that people with intellectual disabilities have a higher risk for cardiovascular disease than the general population. The aim of this study was to identify barriers for the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of cardiovascular disease for people with intellectual disabilities. Method: We conducted individual interviews with relatives and general practitioners and focus group interviews with staff working at an assisted home facility, a cardiac ward, an obesity clinic and two rehabilitation centres (n = 33) in Norway. Inductive approach and thematic analysis were used to analyse the data. Results: We identified barriers on an individual and a structural level. The underlying reason for these barriers is that health problems, such as cardiovascular disease, are regularly overlooked as the condition of intellectual disability "overshadows" other possible diagnoses. Conclusion: This focus on intellectual disability rather than other explanations leads to shortcomings in the prevention, diagnoses, and treatment of cardiovascular disease in this group.

The current review aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of behavior-analytic procedures in increasing face mask-wearing in autistic individuals. This comes following recommended guidance during the COVID-19 pandemic. A systematic review and meta-analysis were completed of peer-reviewed and grey literature. Six databases were searched and seven studies using single-case experimental designs met the eligibility criteria which were then quality appraised. Data were extracted on participant characteristics, study design, independent and dependent variables, fidelity, generalization, maintenance, and social validity outcomes. Both the non-overlap of all pairs and Baseline Corrected TAU were used to estimate effect size. Two studies were rated strong and borderline strong quality and five were rated as adequate or below. All studies showed positive outcomes for mask-wearing, with an average of 0.92 for non-overlap of all pairs and 0.47 for Baseline Corrected Tau effect sizes. The most common and effective procedures for increasing mask-wearing were graded exposure and differential and positive reinforcement. Factors such as mode of delivery, implementer, and setting did not appear to influence study outcomes. Procedures were found to be rated as acceptable by parents and professionals in five of the studies. The existing literature on increasing face mask-wearing in autistic individuals provides promising findings to add to existing literature around increasing tolerance to medical equipment and hygiene practices in autistic populations. However, these findings are based on a small sample size, with six of the studies taking place in the United States with varying study quality.

Sustained motivation for Daily Mile participation at higher physical activity intensities may contribute to the attainment of children's daily moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) targets and long-term health benefits. However, individual variability exists in the amount of MVPA accumulated by children during the Daily Mile. The current study explored children's motivation for participating in the Daily Mile at MVPA intensity, using a theory of planned behaviour framework. Twenty-five children (mean age = 10.07 ± 0.60 years) from the Northwest of England were recruited to the study; 52% were female and 88% were White. Participants completed a questionnaire, with an open-ended response format, probing behavioural, control, and normative beliefs for participation in the Daily Mile at MVPA intensity. Template analysis was conducted independently by two researchers to identify main themes and subthemes. Findings showed that children possessed a range of behavioural, control, and normative beliefs about MVPA participation during the Daily Mile. Prominent behavioural beliefs included fitness enhancement, implications for concentration and learning, positive affective states, and pain and discomfort. Key control beliefs included weather, space and health restrictions, and distractions from peers. Finally, peers and parents were salient normative beliefs. Children possessed a range of modal beliefs in relation to MVPA participation during the Daily Mile. Implications of the findings, and methods for practitioners seeking to maximise the contribution of the Daily Mile to children's daily MVPA targets are discussed.

This study aimed to examine the efficacy of school-based e-cigarette preventive interventions via a systematic review and meta-analysis. We searched Medline, Embase, PsycINFO, Scopus, CINAHL, Cochrane, and clinical trial registries for studies published between January 2000 and June 2023 using keywords for e-cigarettes, adolescents, and school. Of 1566 double-screened records, 11 met the criteria of targeting adolescents, evaluating an e-cigarette preventive intervention, being conducted in a secondary school, using a randomized controlled trial (RCT), cluster RCT, or quasi-experimental design, and comparing an intervention to a control. Pre-specified data pertaining to the study design, outcomes, and quality were extracted by one reviewer and confirmed by a second, and where necessary, a third reviewer. Meta-analyses found no evidence that school-based interventions prevented e-cigarette use at the longest follow-up, which ranged between 6 and 36 months post-intervention (OR = 0.43, 95% CI = 0.16, 1.12; p = 0.09). However, subgroup analyses identified significant effects at post-test and when studies with < 12-month follow-up were omitted. No effect was found for tobacco use at the longest follow-up (OR = 1.01, 95% CI = 0.65, 1.59, p = 0.95); however, reductions in past 30-day tobacco use (OR = 0.59, 95% CI = 0.39, 0.89, p = 0.01) which encompassed e-cigarettes in some studies were identified. Narrative synthesis supported these mixed results and found some school-based interventions prevented or reduced e-cigarette and/or tobacco use; however, some increased use. School-based interventions were also associated with improved knowledge (SMD = - 0.38, 95% CI = - 0.68, - 0.08, p = 0.01), intentions (SMD = - 0.15, 95% CI = - 0.22, - 0.07, p = 0.0001), and attitudes (SMD = - 0.14, 95% CI = - 0.22, - 0.06; p = 0.0007) in the short term. Overall, the quality of evidence was low-to-moderate. School-based interventions hold the potential for addressing e-cigarette use, however, can have null or iatrogenic effects. More high-quality research is needed to develop efficacious interventions, and schools must be supported to adopt evidence-based programs. This is the first systematic review and meta-analysis to examine the efficacy of school-based preventive interventions for e-cigarette use. It provides crucial new knowledge about the efficacy of such interventions in preventing e-cigarette use and improving other outcomes (e.g., tobacco use, knowledge, intentions, attitudes, and mental health) among adolescents and the key characteristics associated with efficacious interventions. Our findings have important practical implications, highlighting future research directions for the development and evaluation of e-cigarette preventive interventions, along with the need to provide support to schools to help them identify and adopt evidence-based programs.

Families are key in the healthy development of Latinx sexual minority youth (Latinx SMY), a group that experiences behavioral, mental, and sexual health disparities. Despite this, there are no family-based interventions for Latinx SMY and their families to prevent drug use, sexual risk behaviors, and depressive symptoms. The purpose of this pilot study was to evaluate the preliminary impact (i.e., estimated effect sizes) of "Familias con Orgullo" (FcO) and examine its feasibility and acceptability among 30 Latinx SMY and their parents. Parents and adolescents were randomized to FcO or a control condition and assessed pre/post-intervention. Feasibility was measured based on session completion and effect sizes. Focus groups were conducted to evaluate intervention acceptability. Findings showed promising effects favoring FcO on parent-adolescent communication (d = 0.46) and parental involvement (d = 0.34). There were also promising effects favoring FcO on suicidal thoughts (OR = 0.75) and depression symptoms (OR = 0.69). Finally, 100% of the adolescents in FcO either continued to remain drug-free or transitioned from current use to no use (from baseline to post-intervention) compared to 74% in the control. Effect sizes for condomless sex, parental monitoring, and positive parenting were small. Session completion (above 80%) and focus group findings indicated strong feasibility and acceptability. FcO holds promise for reducing drug use and depressive symptoms and improving family functioning among Latinx SMY.

Despite well-established health disparities between transgender and cisgender youth, state bills restricting gender-inclusive school supports and health care have dramatically expanded since 2019. While parental support for transgender youth strengthens healthy development, unsupportive parents contribute to suicidality and homelessness. This study examines (1) whether school climate and health gender inequities hold in Wisconsin, a politically contested state without nondiscrimination or bullying legislative protections for transgender youth, and (2) gender differences among adolescents who sought help when depressed or anxious.

Objective: Psychoactive substance use is prevalent among young people in Nigeria. However, the dearth of accessible and good-quality treatment for substance use disorders in Nigeria creates a treatment gap. This study evaluated the effectiveness of a substance use prevention education programme (SUPEP) for young people in Nigeria. Design: A quasi-experimental study using a pre- post-test was conducted. The experimental group (n = 100) and comparison group (n = 100) comprised students in four senior secondary schools. Data were collected using a validated self-report questionnaire and the WHO Alcohol, Smoking, and Substance Involvement Screening Test (ASSIST) version 3.0. Paired sample t-tests, analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) and generalised and linear mixed models (GLMM) were used for data analysis. Setting: Two hundred young people aged 14-20 years prone to substance use participated in SUPEP in four secondary schools in Enugu State, Southeast, Nigeria. Results: Students' psychoactive substance knowledge and substance use attitudes in the experimental group (p < 0.001) improved significantly post-intervention. ANCOVA results showed that the mean psychoactive substance knowledge score increased significantly between the time points, F(1, 123) = 8.89, p = 0.003. In contrast, mean psychoactive substance use attitudes reduced significantly between the same time points, F(1, 123) = 12.390, p = 0.001. However, no significant difference between the groups was observed in the mean psychoactive substance use behaviour post-intervention. Conclusion: The school-based SUPEP increases psychoactive substance knowledge and improves attitudes. However, the intervention did not reduce substance use among adolescents.

Objectives: More than 2.5 million middle and high school students in the United States reported current use of e-cigarettes in 2022. With continued curiosity and initiation of e-cigarette use among youth, it is critical to explore new and innovative ways to communicate about the dangers of e-cigarettes. The purpose of this study was to determine youth never-user and ever-user interpretations of a novel, educational comic book, 'The Villainous Vape'. Method: A 43-question survey was distributed to a convenience sample of middle and high school students across Kentucky. Results: Of the 76 respondents, 85.5% (n = 65) reported having never using e-cigarettes and 14.5% (n = 11) reported having tried e-cigarettes at least once in their lifetime. Never-users were more likely to say that the comic book would be an effective method of e-cigarette education for their peers, compared with ever-users. In addition, never-users were more likely to report that the comic book deterred them from using e-cigarettes. Conclusion: Further research is needed to determine how perceptions of story-based education through novel comics affect young people's health decisions regarding e-cigarette use.

Objective: Despite public health efforts, most children in the USA do not meet nutrition and physical activity guidelines. Moreover, there are nutrition-related health disparities between non-Hispanic and Hispanic communities. Caregivers are critical role models that shape health behaviours in children. To promote healthy behaviours, health promotion interventions must consider the entire family unit. This study aimed to assess the impact of parent's health behaviours on children's health behaviours in a sample of non-Hispanic and Hispanic low-income parents. Design: A mixed-methods design was used to identify how parent health behaviours including fruit and vegetable intake, beverage intake, physical activity, and screen time influence corresponding child health behaviours. In addition, the study aimed to investigate whether the strength of association between parent and child health behaviours varied as a function of ethnicity. Survey data and semi-structured qualitative interviews were utilised for the analyses. Setting: The study was a part of the Culture of Wellness in Preschools Programme, a multi-level obesity prevention programme. The data were obtained from the parent wellness workshops, a direct education intervention aimed at increasing fruit and vegetable consumption and physical activity among parents and their children. Data Analysis: The quantitative analyses utilised survey data from the Family Wellness pre-survey. Hierarchical linear regression models assessed the relationship between parent-child-health behaviours. Interaction terms were created to understand if this relationship varied as a function of ethnicity. Data from qualitative interviews were analysed using thematic analysis to gain an in-depth understanding of the relationship between parent and child health behaviours. Results: Parent health behaviours significantly predicted child health behaviours across all models, and these relationships did not vary as a function of ethnicity. The quantitative data were supported by the qualitative analysis: parents modelled health behaviours and thus influenced their child's health behaviour through a variety of mechanisms. Conclusion: Future efforts to promote a healthy lifestyle in children should engage with both family practices and the wider social context.

Background: The most effective approach to food allergy management is to avoid consuming the specific allergens that trigger an allergic reaction. It is crucial to make school environments prepared for the potential of food allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis, which is a rare but documented outcome. The high prevalence of anaphylactic reactions in children makes food allergy and anaphylaxis management important topics in schools. Aim: This study aimed to determine the effects of food allergy and anaphylaxis management education on teachers' food allergy and anaphylaxis management self-efficacy and level of knowledge in Türkiye. Methods: This study used a random experimental design with a pre-test and post-test group. The study was conducted with 84 teachers who worked in kindergartens (school year prior to starting Grade 1) and primary schools in a city centre in eastern Turkey between September 2022 and January 2023. Data were collected through a socio-demographic form and the Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Management Self-Efficacy Scale for School Personnel. Data analysis was performed using t-tests for independent groups, Chi-square tests and McNamara analyses. Results: The average age of the teachers was 31.08 ± 6.70 years, and the average years of experience in the profession was 6.68 ± 6.99 years. All the teachers wanted to learn about food allergy and anaphylaxis management, 59.5% did not know whether their schools had an emergency action plan for food allergy and anaphylaxis, 63.1% reported not having the necessary emergency treatment medicine for anaphylaxis in their school and 57.1% reported having no educated school personnel to administer the first intervention in case of a serious allergic reaction at school. While the mean scale score of the experimental group was 25.88 ± 7.26 before the training, it was 30.78 ± 6.98 after the training. While no differences were detected between the experimental and control groups' pre-test scale mean scores, the experimental group's post-test scale mean score was found to be statistically significantly higher (d = 0.79, p < 0.05). The results also indicate that the rates of providing correct responses to questions regarding what the most common symptom in a student with a food allergy is, and what the first intervention should be when a serious reaction develops in a student, increased significantly level. Conclusions: This study found that the health education given to teachers led to an increase in teachers' food allergy and anaphylaxis management self-efficacy.

Background: Religious institutions play a crucial role in health promotion and hold significant influence in the public health field. Aim: The aim of this review is to examine outcomes of health-promoting interventions involving the use of mosques as the intervention venue, its role in promoting health behavior change, and the role of theory in each intervention. Methods: A scoping review was conducted across 17 databases for relevant publications published up to and including August 2023 that involved the use of mosques as the intervention venue. Fourteen articles met inclusion criteria and were reviewed. Results: The studies featured a wide range of interventions. However, only eight of these studies integrated theoretical frameworks into their approaches, indicating a need for more structured guidance in this field. These theoretical frameworks included Participatory Action Research (PAR), the theory of planned behavior, behavior-change constructs, the patient-centered outcomes research (PCOR) framework, and prolonged exposure techniques within Islamic principles. The review identified three main health-focused intervention categories: mental health, prevention, and communication, each providing valuable insights into initiatives within Muslim communities. Conclusions: This review underscores the significance of inclusive and culturally sensitive health interventions, emphasizing the effectiveness of faith-based approaches in improving health outcomes, promoting positive health behaviors, and addressing communication and cultural barriers. The reviews findings stress the need for further research that incorporates theoretical frameworks and tailored interventions to meet the specific cultural needs of these communities, ultimately contributing to enhanced well-being within them.

Fluoride hesitancy is a growing public health challenge and interventions to address it may need to be tailored for minoritized subgroups to address oral health inequities. The goals of this qualitative study were to investigate the extent to which an existing conceptual model on topical fluoride hesitancy is applicable to Latino parents and whether applicability differed between Spanish-speaking Latino (SL) and English-speaking Latino (EL) parents. We conducted semi-structured one-on-one interviews with non-Latino English-speaking parents (N = 50), SL parents (n = 8), and EL parents (n = 8). We coded the transcripts deductively and compared our findings both qualitatively and quantitatively to an existing model on topical fluoride hesitancy comprising 21 categories classified into six domains. We compared frequencies across model domains and categories for Latino versus non-Latino parents as well as for SL versus EL parents. Latino parents were represented across all six domains and 21 categories of the conceptual model. Comparing Latino and non-Latino parents, representation was similar across Domains 1 to 3 (necessity, chemicals, and harm); Latino parents were more highly represented in Domains 4 to 6 (uncertainty, pressure, and choice) compared with non-Latino parents. A larger proportion of EL parents thought a healthy diet was more important than fluoride (Category 1d) and a larger proportion of SL parents felt they did not know enough about fluoride (Category 4a). An existing conceptual model on topical fluoride hesitancy was generally a good fit for SL and EL parents. However, differential representation across model categories suggests that fluoride-related communication and intervention approaches may need to be tailored to Latino parents based on language preference.

The Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine can prevent 90% of cancers caused by HPV. Health care provider recommendations affect vaccine uptake, yet there are a lack of studies examining the impact of the school nurse (SN) in vaccine recommendations. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of adding a SN HPV recommendation to the standard vaccination letter sent to parents/guardians. The rate of vaccination between the intervention and control schools was not statistically significant (Estimate (Std. Error) = -0.3066 (0.2151), p = 0.154). After controlling for age, sex, race, insurance type, and medical practice type, there was no significant difference in the likelihood to receive the HPV vaccine (OR = 1.53, 95% CI: 0.563-4.19 in 2018; OR = 1.34, 95% CI: 0.124-14.54 in 2019. Further work is needed to clarify how school nurses can better promote HPV vaccine, and which adolescent demographic groups (e.g., race, insurance type, provider type) face barriers to HPV vaccine uptake.

School nurses are critical components of school-based interdisciplinary teams supporting student behavioral health. The purpose of the present study is to understand the extent to which school nurses in New Mexico across grade levels manage emergencies related to behavioral health, violence, and trauma. The study also seeks to identify which topics the school nurses received continuing education (CE) for, and which topics they consider to be important to their practice. Analyses of 2019 statewide survey data show a considerable number of school nurses in New Mexico provide management for behavioral health, violence, and trauma-related emergencies, and nurses in secondary schools are significantly more likely than nurses in primary schools to report managing these emergencies and to have received CE on behavioral health topics. Our findings reaffirm the essential role of school nurses in addressing emergent student health issues and underscore the need for practice- and competency-based behavioral health CE opportunities.

Handwashing is a vital skill for maintaining health and hygiene. For individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), such as autism spectrum disorder, evidence-based strategies, such as prompting and task analysis, may be effective in teaching these skills. Due to the shortage of experts who teach individuals with IDD skills such as handwashing, staff working with children need a means of ensuring these instructional strategies are implemented with fidelity. This study examined the effects of a tablet-based application that used artificial intelligence (GAINS®) on four behavior technicians' implementation of least-to-most prompting, total task chaining, and time delay during an acquisition of handwashing program with young children with autism. All four technicians increased fidelity immediately upon using GAINS and all four technicians reached mastery criteria within the shortest number of sessions possible. One child participant met mastery criteria, two showed some gains, and one demonstrated a high degree of variability across sessions. Limitations of the least-to-most prompting procedure, user design, considerations and directions for future research and practice are discussed.

Despite strong evidence in favor of physical activity (PA), adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are not meeting established PA guidelines to engage in at least 150 min of moderate to vigorous PA per week. Barriers to daily PA engagement include limited access to health services, transportation, and reduced self-determined motivation. Telehealth provides a potential alternative to deliver PA programming in a more accessible platform for adults with ASD. This pilot randomized controlled trial (RCT) assessed the preliminary efficacy of a 10-week PA intervention program called Physical Activity Connections via Telehealth (PACT) that utilized telehealth and remote technology, including Fitbit wearable device use, peer-guidance, and individualized home exercise program among adults with ASD. Primary health outcomes, collected at baseline before randomization and post-intervention, included self-determined motivation assessment via Behavioral Exercise Regulation Scale (BREQ-2), self-report PA via Godin-Shephard Leisure-Time Physical Activity Questionnaire (GSLT-PAQ), steps per day PA via Fitbit device, body mass index (BMI), and waist-to-height ratio (WtHR). A total of 18 adults, 11 males, with a mean age of 26.4 years, with a primary diagnosis of ASD participated in the study. Although there were no changes in BMI or WtHR at post-intervention, participants receiving PACT, significantly increased both their self-report PA scores (GSLT-PAQ) from 26 to 68, (p = 0.002), and steps per day from 5,828 to 7,443, (p = 0.015) with a moderate effect size (d = 0.72). The results of this pilot study support peer supported telehealth-based PA intervention for adults with ASD to increase PA.

Several meta-analyses have demonstrated that bullying prevention programs are successful in reducing bullying. However, scant research addresses if and how such anti-bullying efforts affect long-term internalizing health problems and even less on later use of pharmacotherapy and psychotherapy. This study explores how the school-based Olweus Bullying Prevention Program (OBPP) affects the likelihood of being prescribed antidepressant drugs, anxiolytics, hypnotics, and sedatives, using a difference-in-difference design with population-wide Norwegian register data, including the Norwegian Prescription Database. Generally, we find that student cohorts from schools with a higher proportion of victimized students have more prescribed drugs at ages 17-22. Although OBPP substantially reduces victimization, and, hence, assumedly internalizing problems, our results indicate that the OBPP increased the likelihood of being prescribed drugs for internalizing problems between ages 17 and 19. Our interpretation of these findings is that the OBPP had increased awareness of bullying in school and its damaging consequences, and thereby reduced the mental and attitudinal barriers that often prevent students from seeking help for internalizing problems. It should be noted, however, that the victimization data in our study were linked to schools only and not to register data for individual students. Accordingly, we were restricted to studying average program effects at the school level. The power to detect long-term effects would have been better with student-linked data for both the victimization and register variables.

Cyberbullying is a serious problem, and research on associations between different types of interpersonal violence and cyberbullying victimization is limited. The purpose of this study was to examine how the frequency of physical dating violence (PDV), sexual dating violence (SDV), and forced sexual intercourse (FSI) is associated with cyberbullying, and whether sex modified these associations among a nationally representative sample of US youth. 2017 and 2019 Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System (YRBSS) survey data from 14,655 students were used. Youth reported the frequency of PDV, SDV, and FSI in a self-administered questionnaire, with aggregate categories of 0 times, 1 time, 2-3 times, or 4 or more times. Cyberbullying was also self-reported using a single-item measure. Multivariate logistic regression was used to calculate odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of the PDV, SDV, FSI-cyberbullying associations. Stratified analyses were used to determine if sex was an effect modifier of the PDV, SDV, and FSI-cyberbullying associations. Approximately 16% of students reported having been cyberbullied in the last 12 months. After adjustment, there was a statistically significant dose-response relationship between the frequency of SDV and cyberbullying (1 time: OR = 2.97, 95% CI: 2.30, 3.84; 2-3 times: OR = 3.53, 95% CI: 2.54, 4.93; [greater than or equal to] 4 times: OR = 4.46, 95% CI: 2.86, 6.95; referent 0 times). A similar dose-response relationship was observed for both PDV and FSI. Stratified analysis results suggest that sex may modify these associations. These results underscore the need to address youth dating violence as early as possible, with special attention to sex, as this may also prevent other types of victimization, like cyberbullying.

This study reports on a five-year data set about the deaths of 599 individuals in New South Wales Australia, who at the time of their death were living in out-of-home care. Analysis aimed to: i) gain a clearer understanding of place of death for people with intellectual disability; and ii) identify and analyse associated variables to investigate how well they predict place of death for this population. Hospital admissions, polypharmacy and living situation were the strongest standalone predictors of place of death. A hospital death was more likely if the target population were subject to polypharmacy, lived in a group home, had a moderate intellectual disability or had GORD. Death, and place of death, is an issue requiring individual consideration. This study has identified some of the variables that need attention when supporting people with intellectual disability to have a good death.

Individuals with Down syndrome (DS) experience increased risk of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Recent studies suggest that a vaccine against AD may be forthcoming. Parental buy-in is critical to the success of any intervention in this population, as adults with DS often rely on familial support. This study aims to characterize parents' perceptions of a hypothetical vaccine to prevent AD in individuals with DS. A mixed-methods, anonymous survey was distributed via social media. Participants were asked about their experiences with DS and reactions to proposed interventions. Open-ended responses were thematically analyzed using NVivo 12. Of 1,093 surveys initiated, 532 were completed. Of the parents sampled (N = 532), a small majority (54.3%), supported the proposed AD vaccine. All expressed the need for extensive pre-enrollment education and minimal risk. For many, limited research and long-term sequelae were concerns.