Journal of Community Health最新文献

Medical mistrust is an ongoing concern in the United States, with patient confidence in both individual practitioners and institutions decreasing sharply in recent years. Atlantic County, New Jersey has some of the worst health outcomes in the state and is below the national average. This study sought to investigate medical mistrust by recruiting participants to complete a survey and/or health screening at 12 food pantry distribution events throughout Atlantic County (N = 124). The mean score for the Medical Mistrust Index was 19.06 (SD = 5.6) for participants who reported receiving the annual influenza vaccine and 16.05 (SD = 4.7) for participants who did not report receiving the vaccine (p = 0.002). Participants who reported an "Excellent" self-perception of overall (M = 13.7, SD = 4.6) and dental health (M = 14.6, SD = 5.5) had significantly less trust relative to their counterparts. There was no significant difference in self-perception of mental health and trust. While not statistically significant, a positive correlation was observed between trust and the number of healthcare information sources used: participants reporting use of 1 source had the lowest trust (M = 16.82, SD = 5.73), while those using 2 (M = 17.86, SD = 4.48; p =.509), 3 (M = 17.33, SD = 0.87; p =.536), or ≥ 4 sources (M = 19.38, SD = 3.97; p =.086) showed progressively higher trust. Our findings highlight the responsibility of improving medical mistrust falls on both providers and patients to take agency of their care.

Vaping has become very popular among young generations in Jordan. However, less is known about women's awareness and intention to vape. The aim of this study is to assess women's knowledge and beliefs about vaping, with a focus on vaping women's attitudes and practices. This is an observational cross-sectional study. Data were collected from January through March 2024, by using a self-administrated survey inspired from the WHO GATS questionnaire. Among the 923 participating women, 12.4% were vaping. We observed significant variations in knowledge and beliefs among women. Vaping women have a substantially younger age than non-vaping. 57% of vaping women think that vape is safer to use than cigarettes compared to 14% of non-vaping. 61% of vaping women believed that vaping helps to quit cigarette smoking compared to 24% of non-vaping. Vaping women tended to underestimate the health risks associated with it compared to non-vaping women. They are also supporting legislations that allow vaping indoors and in public places. Women vape primarily for enjoyment, to cope with stress, to pass free time, and to hang out with friends. Luckily, many of them believed that smoking increases the risk of cardiovascular and respiratory ailments and limited life expectancy, which supports their future quitting plans. This study revealed misconceptions and knowledge gaps around vaping among women. Emotional demands and social interactions influenced women's vaping use in Jordan, highlighting the need for targeted public health education and legislative measures to promote women's health.

Mpox is a re-emerging zoonotic illness that has raised concerns worldwide because of its outbreak in nonendemic areas, including Kenya. Following the recent outbreak of mpox in Kenya, the Ministry of Health rolled out a public health campaign via social and mainstream media. However, the impact of these campaigns has yet to be assessed. A descriptive cross-sectional study design was adopted, with a total of 5,920 residents randomly selected. A structured and validated questionnaire was used to collect the data. Data were analysed via Stata version 14.0. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize frequencies and proportions, whereas t tests were performed to assess for any significant difference between those exposed to social and mass media campaigns and those not exposed. Regression analysis was used to determine the impact of age, level of education and wealth index on exposure to social and mass media, awareness of the mpox outbreak, knowledge on its preventive measures and reporting channels for suspected cases. A total of 91.1% of the residents in Kiambu County were exposed to at least one social and mass medium, with 62.9% being aware of the mpox outbreak. A total of 54.9% of the residents were aware of at least one correct preventive measure against the disease. 45% knew at least one correct reporting channel for a suspected mpox case. Radio was the greatest source of information and knowledge, at 36.7%. Radio was the best and most effective channel for public health education.

Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is an endemic disease prevalent in many parts of Iran, including Ilam Province. Conducted in Dehloran City from April 12 to 24, 2025, this study aimed to assess the determinants of the disease, particularly among schoolchildren, as the most vulnerable societal stratum. This descriptive-analytical study included 1,302 schoolchildren selected using a random cluster sampling method. Data was collected based on self-reporting using a validated (by an expert panel) and reliable (with a Cronbach's alpha of 78%) questionnaire. The data was analysed using SPSS version 22 software. Approximately 85% of participants had weak to average knowledge scores, with a mean of 1.88 ± 5.46. The average attitudes score of participants was 5.77 ± 20.97, with only 9.52% exhibiting positive preventive attitudes. More than 95% of participants had poor preventive behaviours. Most participants had weak or average knowledge, attitudes, and behaviours towards CL. There is an obvious shortcoming in health education in the elementary education system. Elementary schools should adopt CL educational intervention to control disease. This may be achieved by applying the theory and models of behaviour change.

This study aimed to examine recent trends and educational inequality in smoking prevalence among Vietnamese adults between 2020 and 2024, providing evidence to inform targeted tobacco control interventions. Data were obtained from three rounds of the Provincial Global Adult Tobacco Surveys (PGATS) conducted in Vietnam (2020, 2022-2023, and 2024), involving nationwide samples totaling 69,776, 61,763, and 74,962 participants aged 25 or older, respectively. Current smoking and daily smoking rates were estimated. Absolute (Slope Index of Inequality, SII) and relative inequalities (Relative Index of Inequality, RII) of current smoking and daily smoking were analyzed using the Poisson regression-based method in regard of educational level. Overall smoking prevalence among those aged 25 and older declined from 24.4% in 2020 to 20.8% in 2024, with the male smoking rate of 47.3% and 41.1%, respectively. Daily smoking showed a similar trend (19.8% in 2020 to 16.6% in 2024). The smoking prevalence among men was consistently higher than among women, and rural residents, married individuals, and lower educational groups exhibited higher smoking rates across all years. The substantial educational inequalities persisted. Absolute inequalities slightly decreased for current smoking (SII: 18.5% in 2020 to 14.3% in 2024) and daily smoking (SII: 18.1-15.0%), yet relative inequalities remained stable (RII from 0.47 to 0.51 for current smoking; approximately 0.40 for daily smoking). While Vietnam has experienced a moderate decline in smoking prevalence, significant educational inequalities persist. To effectively address tobacco-related disparities, targeted interventions focusing on socioeconomically disadvantaged groups are necessary, underscoring the need for equity-oriented tobacco control policies.

Investing in a diverse public health workforce has implications for strengthening cultural humility and addressing health inequities within minoritized populations. First-generation (FG) students pursuing graduate level degrees are an important population with the potential to strengthen such efforts in their transition into the public health workforce. However, research on the factors influencing job satisfaction and job decisions is limited. The main objective of this study was to examine how personal, social, and economic resources influence job satisfaction among public health master's and doctoral level graduates, and to explore differences across education generation and racial/ethnic background. Drawing on Conservation of Resource and Intersectionality theories, we conducted secondary analysis using a recent national survey investigating factors that are associated with public health career choices (n = 751). Adjusted and weighted linear regression models, both with and without interaction terms, were analyzed to examine the associations between resource domains and job satisfaction. Our findings revealed significant moderating effects of FG status across personal, social, and economic resource domains in shaping job satisfaction, both within the full sample and among specific racial and ethnic subgroups. Further analysis revealed stronger influence of these resources among Black FG, White FG and total FG groups compared to non-FG groups, suggesting these resources may play a role in influencing job satisfaction among first-generation individuals. Therefore, public health graduate level academic programs and employers should consider strategies that improve access to resources to better support first-generation individuals' completion of degrees and transition into the workforce.

Betel quid chewing is a culturally-rooted oral health risk behavior that is prevalent in many Southeast Asian communities. Among Malaysia's indigenous community, particularly in isolated areas, data on betel quid chewing remain limited. This study investigated the influencing factors and health perceptions of betel quid use among 180 adults from a Proto-Malay Orang Asli community in Peninsular Malaysia. A validated questionnaire adapted from national health survey gathered data on demographics, betel quid chewing habits, and knowledge and attitude on betel quid use. Descriptive statistics determined prevalence and health behavior, while bivariate and multivariate logistic regressions identified associated factors. The prevalence of current betel quid chewing was 75.9%. Chewing was more common among individuals aged ≥ 40, those with lower education, and those with strong family traditions of chewing. Multivariate analysis showed that older age (AOR = 1.126; 95% CI: 1.071-1.183; p < 0.001) significantly predicted current use. The findings highlight the need for culturally sensitive oral health strategies tailored to each indigenous communities.

Hookah use is a growing global health concern, particularly among young adults, with significant misconceptions about its safety. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of hookah use and its association with knowledge of harmful substances and future susceptibility among university students in Iran. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 561 undergraduate students from Golestan University of Medical Sciences in Iran between April and June 2024. Data were collected using a questionnaire assessing demographics, hookah and cigarette use patterns, future susceptibility, and knowledge of harmful substances in hookah versus cigarettes. Statistical analyses included descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, and logistic regression. The lifetime prevalence of hookah use was 44.4%, with 16% reporting use in the past month. A significant portion of students (38.7%) were susceptible to future hookah use. Most participants demonstrated good knowledge regarding the harmful substances in hookah compared to cigarettes. However, knowledge of carbon monoxide and heavy metal content was associated with a lower risk of future hookah use susceptibility (AOR = 0.498 and AOR = 0.490, respectively). Prior hookah use (lifetime, past year, past month) was significantly associated with increased susceptibility to future use (p < 0.0001). Hookah use is prevalent among Iranian university students, and prior use significantly predicts future susceptibility. While knowledge of hookah's harmful effects is relatively high, it does not fully mitigate the risk of future use. Interventions should focus on addressing attitudes and social influences that promote hookah use, alongside enhancing knowledge about specific harmful components.

This study aimed to comprehensively understand how children engaged with physical activity in after-school programs developed through a university-community partnership initiative. The program was designed to enhance physical activity opportunities for elementary school students by offering a variety of structured and unstructured activities, facilitated by physical education teacher education (PETE) major students serving as mentors. A mixed-methods approach was employed, using both quantitative and qualitative data. Seventy children completed the Physical Activity Enjoyment Scale (PACES) before and after participating in a 12-week program. Additionally, 68 children participated in focus group interviews, and 32 physical education major students provided written reflections. Data were collected during the spring semester of 2025 from four elementary schools. Quantitative findings indicated an increase in children's enjoyment of physical activity from pre- to post-test. Qualitative analysis revealed four central themes: (a) enjoyment of the after-school program, (b) engagement in physical activity, (c) learning through play, and (d) positive relationships with mentors. This study demonstrates that prioritizing enjoyment, autonomy, social connection, and authentic learning within playful physical activity in after-school programs is paramount for fostering children's long-term engagement. The university-community partnerships create a synergistic "win-win" environment, where the involvement of PETE major students as mentors not only enriched children's experiences but also provided valuable teaching practice for university students. Such partnerships are essential for building high-quality after-school programs that equip children with lifelong healthy habits and foster their overall well-being.

The Harijan sanitary workers are the most vulnerable group in our society and suffer from several kinds of occupational health problems due to their low level of education, dirty jobs and misunderstanding of occupational health concerns. The purpose of this study was to determine the level of awareness about personal hygiene and occupational health to assess the impact of the occupational health intervention on the Harijan sanitary workers in the Rajshahi district of Bangladesh. A pre-post mixed-methods study was conducted from January to June 2025 in four sweeper colonies of Rajshahi to measure how a culturally adapted health education initiative influenced Harijan sanitary workers' knowledge, attitudes, and practices. Data gathered from 110 participants, along with qualitative inputs from FGDs, KIIs, and in-depth interviews, offered both numerical insights and real-life context. Statistical and thematic analyses using SPSS and NVivo examined shifts in safety habits and skin-related issues, reinforced through cross-validation of findings across multiple qualitative sources. A total of 110 Harijan sanitary workers (52.7% male, 47.3% female) in Rajshahi averaged 6.7 years of service and 6.8 household members, with over 30% lacking formal education and only 6.4% completing secondary school. After the awareness program, pulmonary symptoms showed mixed, non-significant changes and skin disease rates trended downward without statistical significance, while organ pain complaints (back and muscle) significantly declined (χ²=11.64, p = 0.003). Occupational health knowledge scores nearly doubled from 6.8 to 13.2 (94.1% increase, p < 0.001) three months after training. Attitudes toward PPE use and self-care improved by 27.7% (from 27.1 to 34.6, p < 0.001), and adoption of safety practices-glove use, mask wearing, boots, handwashing, and sanitizer-rose substantially (all p < 0.001). Years of service showed no meaningful correlation with gains in knowledge, attitude, or practice, underscoring the importance of structured training regardless of experience. The study revealed that the Harijan sanitary workers of Rajshahi benefited from occupational health interventions that raised their knowledge levels and may influence their health-related behaviours.