Journal of Public Health Research最新文献

Background: There is little consensus on what public health survey administration methods are better (data generation and cost-wise) for collecting data on knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs (KAB). We compare random digit dialing (RDD) and internet panel sampling methods for gathering KAB data on chronic disease etiology and nutrition policy.

Design and methods: We collected survey data from residents of Alberta and Manitoba in 2017, using population-based samples generated through: RDD and an internet panel. We calculated response rate and cost for each mode. To compare missing data and straightlining, we used linear regression. We used Chi-squared tests to compare sociodemographic characteristics between the two modes and to the 2016 Canadian Census data. KAB responses were also compared between modes using Chi-squared tests.

Results: The internet panel was less expensive and had more missing data than the RDD. Straightlining was comparable across modes. Both modes tended to oversample specific population groups (e.g. older adults); while undersampling others (e.g. Indigenous people) compared to the Canadian Census. RDD had more females and older respondents than the internet panel respondents. Internet panel respondents were less supportive of nutrition policy options, and agreed more with individual responsibility and blame for obesity, compared to RDD respondents.

Conclusions: Both modes present advantages and disadvantages. Differences in sociodemographics and KAB responses between modes indicate sampling methods for public health surveys may be considered in survey design and administration. Researchers should discuss their findings vis-a-vis the specific limitations of each method they employed and adopt strategies to mitigate them.

Background: The misuse of antibiotics is fueling antimicrobial resistance (AMR), a critical public health threat. In settings of severe economic crisis, these challenges are often amplified, impacting public access to and appropriate use of medications. This study assessed the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) of the Lebanese population regarding antibiotic use and AMR, contextualized within the nation's ongoing economic crisis.

Design and methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from July to December 2023 using an anonymous questionnaire distributed online and in-person across Lebanon. Data were analyzed using t-tests, ANOVA, and Pearson correlation.

Results: Among 409 participants, significant knowledge gaps and common misconceptions were evident: only 44.74% knew antibiotics are ineffective against viruses, just 24.69% recognized the lethality of AMR, and many incorrectly used antibiotics for a fever (36%) or cough (26.41%). Critically, these knowledge gaps translated into high-risk behaviors shaped by the economic crisis; 42.06% reported financial constraints influenced their antibiotic use, leading to cost-avoiding practices like using leftover medications (41.81%) and sharing them (31.05%). Demographically, higher educational levels and female gender were associated with better knowledge (p = 0.043 and 0.010, respectively). Statistically, a moderate positive correlation was found between knowledge and practice (r = 0.455, p < 0.001), linking lower knowledge to riskier behaviors.

Conclusions: This study reveals a dual challenge in Lebanon: widespread misconceptions about antibiotics are compounded by economic pressures that shape patient behavior. Our findings indicate that financial constraints directly influence antibiotic access and self-medication practices. Therefore, effective interventions require a two-pronged approach: strengthening public health education to address knowledge gaps, while simultaneously developing policy solutions to ensure equitable antibiotic access and mitigate the impact of economic hardship on appropriate use and the fight against AMR.

Background: Herbal medicines are widely used globally; however, public awareness of their appropriate use and potential adverse effects remains limited. This study aimed to assess the knowledge and awareness of herb-drug interactions among the general population in Saudi Arabia, a context where research in this area is scarce.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted using an electronic questionnaire disseminated through social media platforms. Data were analyzed with SAS® version 9.4, and multiple linear regression analyses were performed to identify factors associated with participants' knowledge scores.

Results: A total of 834 respondents participated in the study. The majority were female (64.4%) and married (48.7%). More than half of the participants (57%) demonstrated moderate knowledge of herb-drug interactions. Age and region were negatively associated with knowledge levels, whereas female gender and prior use of herbal products were positively associated.

Conclusions: The findings reveal a moderate level of public knowledge regarding herb-drug interactions in Saudi Arabia. Targeted educational initiatives and public health interventions are urgently needed to improve awareness and promote safe practices.

Youth-led interventions are increasingly recognized as vital in advancing global tobacco control, yet their ethical and strategic dimensions remain underexplored. Building on the study by Karki et al., which demonstrated that youth-led awareness and advocacy interventions can positively influence adolescents' attitudes toward tobacco products in Nepal, this letter highlights two key considerations. First, youth participation must move beyond symbolic engagement toward genuine power-sharing within decision-making structures, ensuring that adolescents are treated as co-governors rather than temporary campaigners. Second, attitudinal change should be situated within broader structural dynamics, particularly the influence of the tobacco industry. Without enforceable reforms such as taxation, advertising restrictions, plain packaging, and protection from industry interference, youth empowerment risks being undermined. We argue for an integrated approach that combines empowerment, governance, and structural reform to transform short-term attitudinal shifts into sustained intergenerational public health gains.

Plastic packaging is produced through a process called polymerization, where monomers (the building blocks) are linked together. Usually, monomers are stable in the polymer chain; however, the presence of low molecular weight substances, such as LDPE, prevents the monomers from being packaged closely. This leads to their spread to food through various means, such as contact, penetration, gas-phase diffusion, condensation, and set-off migration. Although their quantity is lower in the packaging, after consumption, their concentration increases to levels that can be detrimental to human health.

Background: Community-based health insurance services (CBHI) are important for supporting families in accessing affordable health services in government health institutions in Ethiopia. However, beneficiaries and health professionals have been challenged with accessing and delivering these services, respectively. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the community-based health insurance-related satisfaction of beneficiaries and the experiences of both beneficiaries and health professionals.

Design and methods: A convergent parallel mixed-method study design was employed, combining a quantitative cross-sectional study with an exploratory qualitative case study. Descriptive statistics and bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used. SPSS version 26 was used for quantitative data analysis. We analyzed the qualitative data manually after verbatim transcription and translation. Variables with p-values of less than 0.25 in the bivariate analysis were candidates for multivariate logistic regression analysis, and variables with p-values of less than 0.05 were considered as significant.

Results: We collected data on 414 community-based health insurance beneficiaries, with a 98.1% response rate. Five beneficiaries and three health professionals were also included in the qualitative inquiry. The magnitude of beneficiaries' community-based health insurance service satisfaction was 65.7%. The length of enrollment, availability of prescribed drugs, availability of adequate medical equipment, participation in CBHI-related meetings, and CBHI-related knowledge of respondents were factors associated with satisfaction with CBHI services.

Conclusion: The degree of community-based health insurance service satisfaction is still low. There are multiple experiences faced by both beneficiaries and health professionals related to community-based health insurance that urge the need for large community awareness programs for sustainability.

Background: Early cancer detection is crucial for improving patient prognosis and survival. However, in Latin America, the implementation of screening programs faces economic and logistical barriers.

Design and methods: This study evaluates the utility of an early detection program in a private clinic in Peru. A prospective study was conducted at the clinic's Oncology Center between 2017 and 2019. The sample comprised 31,057 patients who underwent routine examinations, including mammograms, biopsies, and blood tests. Patients with a previous diagnosis of primary cancer were excluded. Data collected were analyzed using descriptive statistics and the Chi-squared test to assess the effectiveness of the early detection service.

Results: The annual prevalence of cancer diagnosis among apparently healthy patients was 0.7%. Breast cancer was the most frequently diagnosed type (40.7%), with a significant difference observed between cases with positive (50.0%) and negative (2.3%) screening results. Most cases were in early clinical stages (stages 0 and 1, 58.4%), with a homogeneous distribution across groups (p = 0.570).

Conclusions: The preventive service proved to be highly effective in early detection of cancer, especially in patients with no apparent symptoms. However, limitations were identified, such as the incidence of false negatives in some tests.

Background: Hay fever cases, driven by factors such as global warming, are increasing globally, with Japanese cedar (JC) pollen being the primary allergen in Japan. While pharmacological therapies are available, their success heavily depends on patients' preventive behaviors, which remain poorly documented. This study examines the relationship between symptom severity and preventive behaviors during the JC pollen season.

Design and methods: This single-center, observational study included 161 new patients diagnosed with JC pollen allergy from January to March 2017. Patient data were collected through interviews and analyzed for severity using a five-point symptom scale and total Nasal Symptom Scores. Preventive behaviors, including preemptive antihistamine use, allergen immunotherapy, and pre-season consultations, were evaluated. Time-series analysis assessed trends in severe cases over the pollen season.

Results: Patients who sought pre-season consultations were predominantly male (p = 0.006) and more likely to use preemptive antihistamines (p < 0.001) or allergen immunotherapy (p = 0.006). Severe symptoms were recorded in 38 patients, none of whom engaged in preventive behaviors, and only 10.5% sought pre-season consultations. Time-series analysis showed a daily increase of 6% severe cases after pollen season onset (p = 0.0064). Early preventive behaviors, such as preemptive antihistamine use (p = 0.007) and pre-season consultations (p < 0.001), significantly reduced severe cases.

Conclusions: The study highlights the importance of early preventive measures to reduce symptom severity and improve patient outcomes. Promoting preventive behaviors could alleviate the growing economic burden of hay fever and enhance public health strategies globally.

Background: Early childhood is a critical period for preventing malnutrition and ensuring adequate nutrient intake. While various feeding approaches exist, no consensus has been reached on the ideal one. Baby-Led Weaning (BLW) is an emerging method that involves the direct introduction of finger foods to children. However, limited evidence exists on health professionals' (HP) perspective. We aim to translate and validate an instrument to assess the knowledge and attitudes of HP toward BLW method in European Portuguese.

Design and methods: A methodological study was conducted with a nonprobability sample of 118 HPs working in primary care settings. The instrument underwent translation, back-translation, and review by an expert panel to ensure semantic and conceptual equivalence. The content validity index (CVI) and exploratory factor analysis (EFA) were employed to assess content and construct validity, respectively. Internal consistency was measured using Cronbach's alpha. The instrument was available online.

Results: The adapted instrument showed high content validity, with CVI values of 0.89 for practice-related items and 0.87 for knowledge and attitude items. EFA revealed three distinct factors: positive child-centered contributions, positive parent-centered contributions, and BLW constraints, explaining 67.46% of total variance. The model's suitability was confirmed by Bartlett's test of sphericity (χ²(66) = 665.735; p < 0.001) and the KMO index (0.829). All dimensions demonstrated good internal consistency (Cronbach's α > 0.7).

Conclusions: The validated instrument is a reliable tool for assessing HPs' knowledge and attitudes toward BLW. Findings support the need for targeted education to better equip professionals in guiding parents on BLW practices.

Background: The study investigates Chinese healthcare professionals' attitudes toward patient-initiated audio-recordings of medical consultations, a growing practice aimed at improving patient comprehension, while also presenting legal, ethical, and clinical challenges.

Design and methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted from March to September 2022 as a pilot study. Physicians from various specialties across China were invited to complete an anonymous online questionnaire. The survey assessed demographic data, attitudes toward patient-led recordings, and the reasons behind these attitudes. Statistical analyses, including chi-square and Fisher's exact tests, were applied to identify significant differences, with a p-value of <0.05 considered statistically significant.

Results: Out of 968 valid responses, 36.8% of physicians supported patient-initiated recordings, while 63.2% were opposed. Significant differences were observed based on gender, age, years of practice, and professional title, but not on education level or hospital type. Supporters cited enhanced communication and respect for patient autonomy as key reasons, while opponents expressed concerns about potential legal risks, reduced medical efficiency, and damage to trust in the doctor-patient relationship.

Conclusions: The majority of participating physicians in our study remain cautious about patient-initiated recordings, reflecting a need for clearer regulatory frameworks and protections. This caution highlights the complexity of balancing patient engagement with the practicalities of clinical work.

Practice implications: Establishing standardized guidelines and offering training for healthcare professionals on managing recorded consultations could alleviate concerns and foster a more collaborative doctor-patient relationship.