Asia-Pacific Journal of Public Health最新文献

Few longitudinal studies have examined the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on personal behaviors. This study investigated changes in four social behaviors among the Japanese public during and after the COVID-19 pandemic, using four-wave longitudinal data (2020-2023) from the Japan COVID-19 and Society Internet Survey (JACSIS). In total, 8622 respondents continuously participated in the surveys. In JACSIS 2023, the percentage of individuals who always refrained from specific actions decreased compared with 2020: traveling (71.0%-30.9%), non-essential and non-urgent outings (60.6%-24.5%), crowded spaces (62.6%-28.0%), and eating out (49.5%-21.6%). Mixed-effects logistic regression analysis indicated that essential health care workers displayed more cautious behavior than other workers, and respondents were less likely to refrain from these actions in JACSIS 2023 compared with 2020. Understanding behavioral changes is crucial to evaluating the efficacy of COVID-19 prevention measures and improving future pandemic response strategies.

This study investigated the association between COVID-19-related characteristics and oral health in Korean adults. Data from the 2021 Korean Community Health Survey were used (n = 229 242). A total of 26.5% responded that their subjective oral health status was good, and 20.2% experienced chewing discomfort. People less affected by COVID-19 in their daily lives were more likely to have good subjective oral health. Subjective oral health status was more likely to be good in those who had increased physical activity, did not consume instant food, smoked less, and were vaccinated against COVID-19. Those who were concerned about being infected, concerned about being criticized, and worried about economic damage due to COVID-19 were more likely to experience chewing discomfort. People with decreased physical activity, increased instant food consumption, and increased drinking and smoking due to COVID-19 were more likely to experience chewing discomfort. Our findings suggest that COVID-19-related characteristics were associated with oral health status.

Excessive salt or sodium intake is strongly linked to increased blood pressure, which is a major risk factor for cardiovascular diseases. This study aimed to qualitatively explore the views of key stakeholders on salt intake reduction and barriers and facilitators to reducing salt intake in Malaysian schools. The stakeholders in this study were school administrators, food operators, and consumers. Their views were determined using in-depth interviews and focus group discussions, and data collected were analyzed using inductive thematic analysis. Salient barriers identified in this study were a lack of knowledge pertaining to salt intake reduction and foods sold outside the school. Meanwhile, key facilitators of salt reduction included few strategies such as public health campaigns, priority toward salt reduction policies, and school-based education programs, alongside support from other relevant stakeholders. Overall, the barriers and facilitators signal the need for implementing salt reduction programs and the collaborative efforts of different stakeholders.

To determine if gender impacts associations between social relationships, socioeconomic, health, and behavioral factors with resilience among older Taiwanese adults. The data were obtained from a National Mental Health Survey conducted in Taiwan. The sample was created using multistage proportional probability. A questionnaire was used to interview participants at their homes. Study participants were ≥65 years. Predictor variables and the outcome, resilience, were clearly defined followed by statistical analysis. High- and low-resilience outcomes of older adults were determined based on the median value of the Friborg's Resilience Scale. An independent-sample t test, χ², and multivariate logistic regression were used to examine predictors for resilience which were then stratified by gender. Older women were less likely to be resilient than older men. Social relationships, socioeconomic, health, and behavioral factors had both similar and differential impacts on resilience when stratified for gender. The relationships between gender, socioeconomics, health, and social and behavioral factors with resilience provide unique insights into how culture shapes trends in data.

Japan initiated a nationwide oral health promotion movement called the 8020 Campaign in 1989, which promoted oral health via a positive message: let's keep at least 20 teeth when we reach the age of 80. This study aimed to understand Japan's 8020 Campaign in terms of its content, actors, processes, and context. This study used qualitative data collection methods consisting of a literature review and Key Informant Interviews (KIIs). The data were analyzed using the health policy triangle framework. The results showed that the 8020 Campaign promoted oral health for individuals of all ages using a life-course approach and followed the Ottawa Charter framework for its core activities. The major facilitating factors suggested were stable financial support, initiatives led by local governments, the enactment of oral health laws and ordinances, the establishment of the 8020 Promotion Foundation, and increased attention focused on preventive approaches to oral health in Japan.