Social Work in Public Health最新文献

Schizophrenia is a complex disorder with no known single cause which makes family caregivers of patients to develop their own perceptions and interpretations of the condition. We aimed to find out family caregivers' perceptions and how they influence their treatment seeking behavior as well as attitudes of community members toward family caregivers and their patients. Qualitative data were collected from 24 family caregivers, of patients with schizophrenia who were residents of Greater Kampala Metropolitan Area. Findings indicated that family caregivers accepted schizophrenia as a chronic medical condition that could only be treated in a hospital. Community members got used to seeing patients with schizophrenia and accepted them with their family caregivers as part of their community. Study findings provide important information that could be used by social workers, other mental health workers and policy-makers to strengthen service delivery and mobilization of social support for family caregivers and their patients with schizophrenia.

Globally, high sodium intake is the leading dietary risk factor of morality. Most Americans, including children, consume too much sodium compared with the federal guidelines. Socioeconomic and racial disparities place children, many of color, from low-income households and neighborhoods, at higher risk of consuming foods high in sodium. Preferences in sodium levels are determined during childhood and can be challenging to modify in adulthood. Thus, early intervention and health promotion in children's sodium intake is crucial to reducing health consequences and extending the overall life expectancy of Americans. This article highlights innovative health policies and programs that aim to reduce sodium levels in food that American children consume. Additionally, the implications of federal food assistance programs are discussed. Furthermore, the role of social workers is noted regarding providing education and guidance around food selection and eating practices to support the health of American children and families.

The COVID-19 pandemic, and particularly the associated conditions of isolation, has detrimental effects on the mental health of the population that are not yet fully understood. Variables such as individual stress, anxiety, and tolerance to uncertainty may play a role in the ability of individuals to adapt to the isolation situation. In this context, it is necessary to pay attention to population groups that present difficulties in adapting to this situation of uncertainty, such as people with autism. This narrative review of the evidence has as objectives to explore (1) the effect that the autism community has experienced as a result of the lockdown and isolation due to COVID-19; and (2) opportunities for health, educational, and social services providers to support people with autism and their families in isolation in an attempt to ensure that specialized interventions continue as much as possible. We map suggestions regarding information delivery, time management at home, recognition and emotional expression, and some suggestions to maintain support with service providers.

This study aims to examine the accessibility of Community-Based Rehabilitation trainees to public health services in Malaysia. Quantitative data were collected from 290 parents and guardians across 14 CBR locations using multi-stage simple random sampling. Accessibility to health services and facilities was measured in terms of service availability, suitability, convenience, and adequacy. A four-level Likert scale was employed to assess the condition of the health services and facilities. A questionnaire was employed, and data were analyzed using SPSS. Findings revealed high satisfaction with health campaigns (79.0%), preventive services (74.8%), healthy food programs (74.5%), medical treatment (73.8%), equipment/assistive services (74.1%), and rehabilitation/therapy (67.2%). Results demonstrated significant correlations between trainees' self-change and satisfaction with health services. Improved accessibility to health services was shown to positively impact trainees' ability to perform daily activities, highlighting the importance of tailored, accessible health programs in supporting the development and independence of individuals with disabilities.

The phenomenon of attacks on social workers has been documented worldwide, though most of the related research has been conducted in the United States. This study aims to expands the literature, analyzing the prevalence of workplace violence and associated factors among Social Work professionals in Spain. A total of 195 social workers in south-western Spain completed a questionnaire which the following variables: workplace violence, burnout, job satisfaction and anxiety. The results suggest that majority of social workers in Spain have suffered episodes of violence perpetrated by their clients, the most frequent types of violence being verbal attacks (94.9%) and threats (81.5%). A binary logistic regression analysis showed how the prevalence of workplace violence was statistically associated with higher levels of burnout and anxiety resulting from it. As a main conclusion, it is important to raise awareness of this occupational risk problem, as well as to develop strategies to prevent it.

Marijuana use and depression are critical issues affecting the well-being of Black male collegians. This study examines the relationship between recent marijuana use and moderately severe to severe depression within this population, emphasizing the role of social determinants of mental health, such as financial stress and racial discrimination. Using data from the Healthy Minds Study (HMS), a cross-sectional web-based survey, 1,599 Black male collegians were analyzed. Logistic regression analysis revealed that recent marijuana use increased the likelihood of experiencing moderately severe to severe depression by 77%. Younger students and those experiencing financial stress or racial discrimination were also at higher risk. These findings highlight the importance of targeted mental health interventions that address substance use and social determinants of mental health. The study underscores the need for culturally tailored approaches to mitigate the adverse mental health effects faced by Black male collegians in higher education settings.

Sex education is a key public health endeavor - preventative for a host of conditions. This study's purpose was to identify barriers to sex education faced by Latinas. We used Qualitative Interpretative Meta-Synthesis to synthesize qualitative studies of Latinas' sex education experiences. We analyzed 13 articles searched from December to July 2022, resulting in five themes: 1. Marianismo and Machismo, 2. Consequences of Following Twisted Versions of Machismo and Marianismo, 3. Not Having Positive Relationships, 4. Harmful Protection, and 5. Lack of Care: The Colonizers Know It All. Results depict clearly how traditional gender roles have been used and continue to be used to hurt members of the Latine community, specifically Latinas. The current study points toward the different cultural dynamics that limit Latina's accessibility to adequate sex education.

The experiences of social and community mental health (SCMH) workers serving in rural communities during the COVID-19 pandemic are understudied. Therefore, nine SCMH workers were interviewed about challenges and strategies for providing mental health services in rural communities in the wake of COVID-19. Through qualitative analyses three primary themes emerged; challenges, needed resources and strategies for addressing mental health needs. Challenges included lack of resources, stigma, and policy barriers, but collaborating with local organizations, providing individualized services, and improving communication were suggested strategies to overcome challenges. The resilience and flexibility of SCMH workers was advantageous in adapting to the changing mental health landscape post-COVID-19, yet advocacy for funding, resources, and training for practitioners in rural mental health is still needed. Findings suggest offering individualized services, forging community connections and maximizing use of existing resources through local collaborations. Moreover, utilizing online mental health services and peer community-building may improve effective services.

Despite evidence linking perceived social isolation (PSI) with substance use disorders (SUDs), limited research has examined its effect on fentanyl use among people who inject drugs (PWID). Cross-sectional data of 350 PWID in Appalachian Kentucky were utilized to examine the association between PSI and lifetime fentanyl use. Study findings highlighted a significant association between PSI and lifetime fentanyl use. Additionally, PWID with higher scores on the PSI scale tend to use fentanyl less frequently, suggesting that social isolation may serve as a protective factor against fentanyl use within our PWID sample. This raises a concern regarding PWID forming support networks that inadvertently contribute to increased fentanyl use rather than promote recovery. Examining networks among at-risk PWID can offer valuable insights into patterns of fentanyl use and related overdoses. This can aid the design of effective policies and interventions to promote behavior change, harm reduction, and SUD treatment engagement among PWID.

Federal initiatives have invested considerable resources to end gun violence. Hospital-based violence intervention programs (HVIPs) are shown to reduce violent injury recidivism and address social needs of trauma-exposed clients. Mental health is a significant need among HVIP clients, yet little research on mental health and HVIPs exists. This community-initiated study utilized a triangulation-convergence mixed-methods design. HVIP programs were recruited for survey development aiming to explore aspects of mental health relevant for populations served by HVIPs, standards of care for mental health care among HVIPs, and the function and utility of community partners. Quantitative surveys (n = 16) of Health Alliance of Violence Intervention (HAVI) members and qualitative interviews (n = 4) were conducted with a sample of HAVI Mental Health Working Group members. Using descriptive statistics and thematic analysis, findings highlight the leading mental health needs of HVIP clients, inform best practices for multidisciplinary HVIP teams to effectively meet mental health needs, including the necessity of strong community partnerships, and address the critical intersection of mental health and social determinants of health.