Background One of the key elements to enhance the uptake of evidence in public health policies is stimulating cross-sector collaboration. An intervention stimulating collaboration is a policy game. ...The aim of this study was to describe the design and methods of the development process of the policy game ‘In2Action’ within a real-life setting of public health policymaking networks in the Netherlands, Denmark and Romania. Methods The development of the policy game intervention consisted of three phases, pre intervention, designing the game intervention and tailoring the intervention. Results In2Action was developed as a role-play game of one day, with main focus to develop in collaboration a cross-sector implementation plan based on the approved strategic local public health policy. Conclusions This study introduced an innovative intervention for public health policymaking. It described the design and development of the generic frame of the In2Action game focusing on enhancing collaboration in local public health policymaking networks. By keeping the game generic, it became suitable for each of the three country cases with only minor changes. The generic frame of the game is expected to be generalizable for other European countries to stimulate interaction and collaboration in the policy process.
Learning from games Spitters, H.P.E.M.; van de Goor, L.A.M.; Lau, C. Juel ...
Journal of public health (Oxford, England),
03/2018, Letnik:
40, Številka:
suppl_1
Journal Article
Recenzirano
Odprti dostop
Since public health problems are complex and the related policies need to address a wide range of sectors, cross-sectoral collaboration is beneficial. One intervention focusing on stimulating ...collaboration is a ‘policy game’. The focus on specific problems facilitates relationships between the stakeholders and stimulates cross-sectoral policymaking. The present study explores stakeholders’ learning experiences with respect to the collaboration process in public health policymaking. This was achieved via their game participation, carried out in real-life stakeholder networks in the Netherlands, Denmark and Romania. The policy game (In2Action) was developed and implemented as a 1-day roleplay. The data consisted of: (i) observations and evaluation notes during the game and (ii) participant questionnaire after the game. All three countries showed similar results in learning experience during the collaboration processes in local policymaking. Specific learning experiences were related to: (i) the stakeholder network, (ii) interaction and (iii) relationships. The game also increased participant’s understanding of group dynamics and need for a coordinator in policymaking. This exploratory study shows that the game provides participants with learning experiences during the collaboration process in policymaking. Experiencing what is needed to establish cross-sectoral collaboration is a first step towards enhancing knowledge exchange and more effective public health policies.
Background and Objectives: A cross-sectional survey of sexually transmitted disease (STD) patients assessed sexual activity and condom use during the time between STD symptom onset and clinic ...attendance. Study Design: Patients were asked to report sexual activity and condom use while STD symptoms were present. Medical records were abstracted for diagnoses. Results: The study population (n = 3025) was predominately African American (75.3%) and male (63.5%), with a mean age of 28.1 years. Sexual activity while experiencing STD symptoms was reported by 39.7% of 2,508 symptomatic patients, 17.2% of whom reported always using a condom. Logistic regression models identified the significant independent determinants of sexual intercourse while symptomatic were duration of symptoms before clinic visit 0-7 days versus 8 or more days, OR = 5.9; race African American versus other races (primarily Hispanics), OR = 2.1; and gender men versus women, OR = 1.5. Older age ⩾30 years versus 18-29 years, OR = 1.5 and higher education attainment ⩾high school versus > high school, OR = 1.5 were the significant factors associated with reporting always using a condom. Conclusion: These data suggest patient groups with behaviors likely to enhance STD transmission could be targeted for educational messages.
Objective: To assess patterns of self-treatment and its effects on the duration of sexually transmitted disease (STD) symptoms before medical care. Methods: A cross-sectional interview survey in ...public STD clinics (7 U.S. cities). Patients, seeking treatment for STD symptoms or having a known infected sexual contact, reported selftreatment behaviors and symptom duration. Additional data were abstracted from medical charts. Results: Self-treatment, primarily over-the-counter topical medications (54.8%), was reported by 21.8% of 2,508 symptomatic patients. Self-treaters were significantly more likely to be African-American (odds ratio OR = 1.8), female (OR = 1.7), over age 30 (OR = 1.3), report >1 symptom (OR = 1.4), and report a genital lesion (OR = 2.1). Symptom duration was 2 days longer among self-treaters (p < 0.01). African-Americans (OR = 1.5), men (OR = 1.2), and self-treaters of symptoms other than genital lesions (OR = 1.4) had a significantly longer time from symptom onset to receiving medical care. Conclusions: Self-treatment is common among patients with STDs. Self-treatment of a genital lesion, unlike certain demographic factors and self-treatment of other STD symptoms, did not prolong the time to medical treatment.
To assess patterns of self-treatment and its effects on the duration of sexually transmitted disease (STD) symptoms before medical care.
A cross-sectional interview survey in public STD clinics (7 ...U.S. cities). Patients, seeking treatment for STD symptoms or having a known infected sexual contact, reported self-treatment behaviors and symptom duration. Additional data were abstracted from medical charts.
Self-treatment, primarily over-the-counter topical medications (54.8%), was reported by 21.8% of 2,508 symptomatic patients. Self-treaters were significantly more likely to be African-American (odds ratio OR = 1.8), female (OR = 1.7), over age 30 (OR = 1.3), report > 1 symptom (OR = 1.4), and report a genital lesion (OR = 2.1). Symptom duration was 2 days longer among self-treaters (p < 0.01). African-Americans (OR = 1.5), men (OR = 1.2), and self-treaters of symptoms other than genital lesions (OR = 1.4) had a significantly longer time from symptom onset to receiving medical care.
Self-treatment is common among patients with STDs. Self-treatment of a genital lesion, unlike certain demographic factors and self-treatment of other STD symptoms, did not prolong the time to medical treatment.
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