Social Work in Public Health最新文献

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 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.

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.

Resettled refugees face physical and mental health challenges including the violence and trauma of their displacement. Once resettled in the U.S. refugees face difficulties accessing healthcare. This qualitative study explored refugees' experiences with barriers and facilitators to accessing healthcare. Thirty-four resettled refugee adults from five different countries of origin participated in focus groups. Study results identified logistical and language barriers to accessing healthcare, experiences with discrimination and fear, and the role of integration in promoting access and satisfaction with healthcare. Implications are provided for improving access to healthcare for refugees in the U.S.

A university is a living environment that can influence people's health. This study aims to analyze health and health literacy of Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) students in comparison with students in other study programs. A survey was conducted among all students at the University of Kassel regarding their health and health literacy. The survey evaluated general health status, disability, and health literacy. In this study, BSW students had an adverse health status compared to other students. Only 66.9% of the BSW students rated their general health as very good or good (vs. 79.7% in other study programs). BSW students are also more likely to be moderately or severely limited in daily activities due to chronic health conditions than students in other study programs. In contrast, health literacy levels differ little between BSW students and other students. This study highlights the need for health (literacy) promotion in social work studies.

In Canada, links between social determinants and household food insecurity (HFI) are well-documented, but the influence of political parties remains unclear. This study examines whether political parties predict HFI rates across Canadian provinces and explores the mediating roles of low income and social assistance. Panel data from 2005 to 2014 were obtained from Statistics Canada, with political party strength categorized as left, center, or right. Linear regressions with Driscoll and Kraay standard errors reveal that left-leaning parties are associated with lower HFI rates, right-leaning parties with higher rates, and center parties show no significant effect, controlling for demographic and economic factors. Low income and social assistance fully mediate the effect of left parties but only partially mediate the effect of right parties. These findings provide insights into the politics of food insecurity, with implications for social work in the context of COVID-19.

Burnout in social work is a long-standing professional issue. Social workers work tirelessly to provide empathetic care to clients and communities. However, stressful work conditions can contribute to burnout, vicarious trauma, and compassion fatigue. While burnout has been studied extensively within social work practice, new data is emerging about COVID-19's unique impact on burnout among social workers. This review first discusses general factors that contribute to social workers' experiences of burnout, and then explores how issues related to the COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated burnout for social workers. COVID-19 also provided a learning opportunity for how burnout can be mitigated. The review concludes with a call to action for next steps in both research and policy pertaining to social work and burnout.

The worldwide prevalence of disasters exposes students, staff, and faculty at colleges and universities to multiple disasters, potentially impacting their mental health. This study investigates the influence of cumulative disaster-related stressors on depression among 1,497 higher education participants. Results from modified Poisson regression analyses reveal that individuals exposed to cumulative stressors (COVID-19 and Hurricane Sandy) have a higher prevalence of depression (PR 4.20; 95% CI: 1.45-6.12) compared to those without such exposure. The relationship was confounded when disaster preparedness knowledge factors (specifically, medication and grocery delivery knowledge) were added to the model (PR 3.75; 95% CI: 1.36-5.47). These results underscore the importance of integrating disaster preparedness knowledge into mental health interventions for the higher education community. Adapting interventions based on individual preparedness knowledge levels, especially for students and staff, can be a critical strategy in mitigating the impact of disasters on mental health in higher education settings.

To improve patient health, health care systems are increasingly integrating services that address social needs into medical care. Social workers often catalyze this process, yet the roles and challenges of social workers in integrated health care settings are poorly understood. Using a qualitative phenomenological approach, we employed purposive sampling and conducted semi-structured interviews with twenty social workers who were employed on interdisciplinary teams within integrated health care settings. Three themes emerged: 1) the role of social workers and their unique presence in health care settings; 2) collaboration and the importance of communication for effective collaboration; and 3) the ethical differences among health professionals on integrated health care teams. With greater calls for integrated health care, especially to address patients' unmet social and behavioral needs, the challenges and strategies identified in this paper can assist interdisciplinary teams with improving interprofessional teamwork, interdisciplinary training, and social, behavioral, and holistic care integration in medical settings.

The aim of this study is to describe and understand social workers' experiences of caring for irregular migrants (IMs) in Emergency Care and Referral Centres (ECRCs) during the COVID-19 pandemic. A descriptive qualitative study was designed including 17 in-depth interviews with social workers (SWs) in Spain. The results highlighted three main themes: 1. Protecting ourselves to protect them (IMs); 2. Managing confinement to tackle the health crisis; and 3. Caught between personal commitment and professional development. The COVID-19 pandemic changed the nature of care that SWs provided to IMs in ECRCs; it focused on protection measures, confinement procedures and meeting basic health needs. The changing role of the SW implied a need for training in public health and mediation of the problems that stemmed from confinement. The COVID-19 pandemic led to a clash between SWs' professional empowerment and personal engagement in caring for IMs. Increased professional recognition was accompanied by stigmatization, psychological stress and family problems for SWs.