Mental health problems and harmful alcohol consumption have been found to be high among young university students compared to the general population in Australia. This research aimed to investigate ...the association between levels of drinking and mental health problems and academic performance among university students aged 18 to 24 years.
This study used a quantitative cross-sectional design using data that were collected in 2014 as part of the Youth Alcohol Project (YAP). Participants were randomly drawn from a cross sectional sample of 6000 undergraduate students. Included in the study were only students who were within the age of 18-24, undergraduate, and internally enrolled at the main campus. A total of 2518 undergraduate students aged 18 to 24 years who were enrolled internally at Curtin University Bentley campus were randomly recruited. Data were collected through an online survey. Students were invited to participate in the study through their student email address. The email invitations coincided with the release of semester results to increase the likelihood of students accessing their emails. A further 628 students were randomly recruited through face to face intercept survey during the campus market days. Data were collected by trained research assistants. Validated instruments were used to collected data on levels of alcohol consumption, mental health, and academic performance.
A considerable proportion of participants (44%) reported consuming alcohol at hazardous or harmful levels. Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that students who were consuming alcohol at hazardous levels were 1.2 times more likely to report psychological distress than those with lower levels of alcohol consumption (aOR 1.2, 95% CI: 1.1-1.5). In addition, being late for class (aOR 1.7, 95% CI:1.1-2.4), missing classes (aOR = 2.6, 95% CI: 1.9-2.6), inability to concentrate in class (aOR = 2.6, 95% CI: 1.9-3.4), and inability to complete assignments (aOR = 3.5, 95% CI 2.0-6.0) independently predicted for moderate or hazardous alcohol consumption.
The study shows that a considerable proportion of undergraduate students at university consume alcohol at hazardous or harmful levels. In addition, high levels of alcohol consumption are associated with poor academic performance and mental health outcomes among students. The results of the study warrant multi-strategy interventions that focus on policy, organisational, educational, environmental and economic strategies that will help to reduce alcohol related harms among university students.
Celotno besedilo
Dostopno za:
DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
The vital role of evaluation as integral to program planning and program development is well supported in the literature, yet we find little evidence of this in health promotion practice. Evaluation ...is often a requirement for organisations supported by public funds, and is duly undertaken, however the quality, comprehensiveness and use of evaluation findings are lacking. Practitioner peer-reviewed publications presenting evaluation work are also limited. There are few published examples where evaluation is conducted as part of a comprehensive program planning process or where evaluation findings are used for program development in order to improve health promotion practice.
For even the smallest of programs, there is a diverse array of evaluation that is possible before, during and after program implementation. Some types of evaluation are less prevalent than others. Data that are easy to collect or that are required for compliance purposes are common. Data related to how and why programs work which could be used to refine and improve programs are less commonly collected. This finding is evident despite numerous resources and frameworks for practitioners on how to conduct effective evaluation and increasing pressure from funders to provide evidence of program effectiveness. We identify several organisational, evaluation capacity and knowledge translation factors which contribute to the limited collection of some types of data. In addition, we offer strategies for improving health promotion program evaluation and we identify collaboration of a range of stakeholders as a critical enabler for improved program evaluation.
Evaluation of health promotion programs does occur and resources for how to conduct evaluation are readily available to practitioners. For the purposes of program development, multi-level strategies involving multiple stakeholders are required to address the organisational, capacity and translational factors that affect practitioners' ability to undertake adequate evaluation.
Celotno besedilo
Dostopno za:
DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
Abstract Background Despite the extensive benefits associated with the provision of comprehensive sexuality education (CSE) within a school context, many initial teacher training programs ...inadequately prepare pre-service teachers to deliver this content. Programs that do provide such instruction do not routinely share details of their curriculum, syllabi, or evaluation data. Methods This paper outlines the structure of an Australian undergraduate course for pre-service teachers that focuses on instruction in CSE. This course spans twelve teaching weeks, aligns with evidence-based principles for sexuality education, prioritises experiential learning and requires students to complete authentic, practical assessment tasks. Formative, process, and short-term impact evaluation data, based upon five years of delivery, are described. Results Students completing this course reported statistically significant improvements in attitudes associated with CSE and comfort in facilitating all domains of learning (knowledge, attitudes, skills). Conclusions Positive process and short-term impact data provide strong evidence for the provision of CSE to pre-service teachers, regardless of future teaching speciality. Proposed amendments include the creation of a fully online tuition pattern and an expansion of content to incorporate other audiences, such as community-based educators.
Celotno besedilo
Dostopno za:
DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
Those studying nursing are at greater risk for developing mental health problems than other tertiary students. Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) training may assist students to support peers and build ...mental health literacy. Understanding motivation to participate in training can identify factors influencing uptake and completion. This paper explores motivators for university nursing students to participate in MHFA training and uses previous experience and confidence in assisting someone with a mental health problem to triangulate data.
A randomised controlled trial was employed to measure the impact of the course for nursing students at a large Western Australian university. An online survey was administered prior to MHFA training with undergraduate nursing students (n = 140). Thematic analysis of open-ended questions explores motivators to participate and help provided to an individual. Baseline frequencies describe demographics, confidence in helping and exposure to someone with a mental health problem. A Chi Square test compared confidence in helping and exposure to someone with a mental health problem.
More than half of participants reported contact with individuals experiencing mental health problems (55%; n = 77); approximately a third (35.8%) reported limited confidence to assist. Those in previous contact with someone with a mental health problem (71.5%; n = 55) were significantly more likely to feel confident in helping (p = 0.044). Mental health literacy, helping others, career and experiences were described as training motivators.
Exploiting motivators, both intrinsic and extrinsic may increase MHFA training uptake and completion. Tertiary institutions would benefit from policy to embed MHFA training into nursing degrees. The training may have utility for university degrees more broadly.
Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry; ACTRN12614000861651. Registered 11 August 2014 (retrospectively registered).
Issues Addressed: The increasing prevalence among higher-socioeconomic (higher- SES) parents in Perth, Western Australia (WA), to be vaccine-hesitant (VH) is placing herd immunity at risk.
Methods: ...Eighteen one-on-one interviews were conducted; (n = 11) parents who earned >$125 000 pa and expressed ever having concerns surrounding vaccination; (n = 7) health care professionals (HCPs), who provided clinical services. Using grounded theory methodology, data were analysed by constant coding and comparison until themes emerged and an explanatory model was developed.
Results: Four main areas leading to vaccine-hesitancy emerged from the data: We are Educated; We Control our Health; Safe from Disease, At Risk from Vaccines; and What We Want. Parents believed themselves capable of making good vaccination decisions based on their higher education levels and self-sourced vaccination information, yet frequently sought reassurance. Healthism concepts were adopted and parents believed lifestyle factors could control for vaccine-preventable diseases (VPD). Risk perception of disease was low and influenced by the remote geographic location of Perth, whilst perceived negative consequences of vaccination were high. A reduced concept of the social responsibility for vaccination and understanding of herd immunity emerged. Parents called for vaccine contents to be listed and requested more information on why vaccination was necessary.
Conclusion: Four areas of VH emerged and reflected parents' belief that higher educational and socioeconomic status, previous successes in life and where they live would result in positive health outcomes and reduce the risk of contracting VPDs.
So what?: This study provides new research into the perceptions among higher-SES VH parents who live in Perth, WA. It provides a model that fills a significant gap in information that could be used effectively for future health promotion interventions.
Issue addressed: The COVID-19 pandemic has seen evidence and advice evolve quickly. Since the start of the pandemic there has been confusion and concern about breastfeeding and COVID-19, and advice ...for this group has at times been contradictory. The volume of information on social media has exacerbated this. This study aimed to understand breastfeeding-related COVID-19 information sharing on social media during the global and Australian vaccine roll-out.
Methods: The CrowdTangle platform was used to source data from December 2020 to December 2021. Posts were categorised to intent and source and mapped to a timeline of pandemic-related events and announcements. Descriptive analysis was used to understand data distribution patterns and qualitative analysis for post-intent.
Results: A total of 945 posts were included. Post-interactions ranged from 0 to 6500. Vaccine-related posts were the highest in number and increased over time. Non-profit organisations shared the highest number of posts (n equivalent 241), but interactions were highest with personal and government accounts. Peaks in posts and inter-actions mapped to key pandemic-related announcements and events.
Conclusion: These results describe the breastfeeding and COVID-19 related content shared on Facebook over 13 months, and the associated interactions. Breastfeeding is an important public health issue and breastfeeding women have experienced conflicting and confusing breastfeeding-related information during the COVID-19 pandemic. Better understanding of social media usage, and the monitoring of changes in usage, as an emergency unfolds, can help target communications. This article adds to the evidence in understanding user reactions to COVID-19 related breastfeeding information on social media.
So what?: Social listening is an important part of health communication and infodemic management. Understanding how users react to and engage with COVID-19 related breastfeeding information on social media can help to understand how the general public perceives and responds to health advice and other information being shared.
People with comorbid mental illness (MI) and chronic physical illness (CPI) face a range of health and quality of life challenges. The appropriate screening and management of comorbid MI and CPI are ...crucial to improving outcomes for this population. Despite this, there is a dearth of research exploring the health system response to the screening and management of patients with these comorbidities in public primary care settings, in several jurisdictions including Jamaica. This study explored and described the attitudes, perspectives, experiences, and practices of policymakers, primary care physicians, psychiatrists, and mental health nurses regarding screening and management of comorbid MI and CPI.
Twenty-nine participants representing policymakers, primary care physicians, psychiatrists, and mental health nurses took part in semi-structured interviews. Data was collected over the period April to November 2020 and subject to thematic analysis.
Three overarching themes emerged from the data related to: 1) Policies and Protocols; 2) Clinical Practice; and 3) Personnel. The interplay of these themes illustrated fragmentation and gaps between national policies and guidelines and clinical practice. The findings also identified factors related to personnel, including barriers that limit clinicians' abilities to adequately screen and manage this patient population.
There is a need for the continued development and revision of policies and protocols that support integrated care for patients with comorbid MI and CPI in primary care settings in Jamaica. Additionally, programs and strategies to improve clinicans knowledge, skills and access to resources are necessary to help them offer improved quality of care around screening and management for this patient population.
Celotno besedilo
Dostopno za:
DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
Background. The prevalence of childhood and adolescent obesity has increased dramatically and poses a major public health threat globally. In the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), the main cause of ...adolescent obesity is an increase in physical inactivity and unhealthy eating habits due to lifestyle changes. This study reports on factors associated with physical activity (PA) prior to and during the coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19) among middle school students in Jeddah, KSA. Method. A cross-sectional online survey was conducted in Jeddah, KSA among 1500 middle school students aged 11 to 15 years. Sociodemographic characteristics; PA knowledge, attitude, and behaviours; and information about the impact of COVID-19 on PA were collected. Knowledge, attitude, and behaviours of PA before and during COVID-19 restrictions and between gender were compared. Regression analyses were conducted to assess the determinants of PA. Results. Female students were significantly more likely to report better knowledge of PA compared to males (p<0.001). However, males were significantly more likely to participate in PA compared to females (p<0.001). Approximately 60% of students reported their PA decreased during COVID-19 isolations. Most students did not participate in the recommended levels of daily PA during COVID-19 lockdowns and school closures. After adjusting for demographics, knowledge, and attitude, students who did not usually participate in school sports (p=0.017) and as members of clubs (p=0.002) were less likely to be active during COVID-19 lockdown. Conclusions. Efforts to enhance PA should be implemented through coordinated school and community-based programs to achieve the recommended PA among adolescents at home and in schools. Policy to ensure students receive PA opportunities at school is recommended.
: Early preventive interventions may support adolescent mothers' mental health during the perinatal period. However, adolescent maternal mental health interventions have received little empirical ...research attention. This scoping review maps the evidence on interventions appropriate for adolescent mothers during the perinatal period in Sub-Saharan African countries.
: The process was guided by the Joanna Briggs Institute's methodology for scoping reviews. Five databases, MEDLINE, EMBASE, PsycInfo, CINAHL, Google Scholar, and ProQuest, were searched for citations of studies published from 2000. The reporting is according to Preferred Reporting for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analysis (PRISMA).
: The initial search of databases resulted in 2 757 records. After duplicates were removed, 311 records were screened, and eight records included. Interventions included five key strategies: cognitive behavioural therapy; group problem-solving; psychoeducation; psychosocial group counselling; and integrated mothers and babies course and early childhood development group-based intervention. None of the interventions specifically targeted adolescent mothers, however.
There is limited evidence of interventions specific to adolescent mothers. There is a need for the development, implementation and evaluation of specific interventions relevant to this population group.
Along with physical benefits, community-based sport provides opportunities to enhance connectedness, an important protective factor of social and emotional health. However, young Australians ...participating in sport have been found to drink alcohol at higher levels than their non-sporting peers, and many clubs serve unhealthy food and beverages. This study explored the association between the dependent variable, level of alcohol consumption (AUDIT-C) and connectedness to club and other health behaviours among young people aged 18-30 years who play club sport in Western Australia.
An online cross sectional survey measured levels of alcohol consumption (AUDIT-C), alcohol-related harm, connectedness (including volunteering and team cohesion), mental wellbeing, healthy food options and club sponsorship among young adults aged 18-30 years involved in sports clubs in Western Australia (n = 242). Relationships and association between the dependent variable (AUDIT-C) and independent variables were assessed.
Male sportspeople were more likely to drink alcohol at high-risk levels than females (p < .001), and respondents belonging to a club that received alcohol-related sponsorship were more likely to drink at high-risk levels (p = .019). Females were significantly more likely to want healthy food and beverage options provided at their clubs (p = 0.011). When all factors were considered team cohesion (p = 0.02), alcohol expectations (p = < .001), occurrences of experienced alcohol-related harm (p = <.001) and length of club membership (p = 0.18) were significant predictors of high-risk AUDIT-C (R
= .34, adjusted R
= .33, F (4, 156) = 20.43, p = <.001). High-risk AUDIT-C and club connectedness predicted strong team cohesion (R
= .39, adjusted R
= .39, F (2, 166) = 53.74, p = <.001).
Findings from this study may inform policy and practice to enhance healthy behaviours among young adults participating in community sports clubs in Australia and other countries.
Celotno besedilo
Dostopno za:
DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
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