Project description:Research shows that mindfulness practice can alter the expression of genes associated with energy metabolism, telomere maintenance, inflammatory and stress response. The aim of this study was to determine if mindfulness awareness practice (MAP) or health education program (HEP) might reverse cognitive impairment and/or prevent further cognitive decline in 60 subjects (aged 60-90). We investigated the gene expression changes in subject with mild cognitive impairment randomized to either group after 9 months. We used Affymetrix GeneChip Human Genome U133 Plus 2.0 array to determine the differential gene expression between Pre- and Post-treatment samples from MAP and HEP group.
Project description:BACKGROUND:Lack of knowledge and poor attitude are barriers to colorectal cancer screening participation. Printed material, such as pamphlets and posters, have been the main approach in health education on disease prevention in Malaysia. Current information technology advancements have led to an increasing trend of the public reading from websites and mobile apps using their mobile phones. Thus, health information dissemination should also be diverted to websites and mobile apps. Increasing knowledge and awareness could increase screening participation and prevent late detection of diseases such as colorectal cancer. OBJECTIVE:This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of the ColorApp mobile app in improving the knowledge and attitude on colorectal cancer among users aged 50 years and older, who are the population at risk for the disease in Kedah. METHODS:A quasi-experimental study was conducted with 100 participants in Kedah, Malaysia. Participants from five randomly selected community empowerment programs in Kota Setar district were in the intervention group; Kuala Muda district was the control group. Participants were given a self-administered validated questionnaire on knowledge and attitudes toward colorectal cancer. A mobile app, ColorApp (Colorectal Cancer Application), was developed as a new educational tool for colorectal cancer prevention. The intervention group used the app for two weeks. The same questionnaire was redistributed to both groups after two weeks. The mean percentage scores for knowledge and attitude between groups were compared using repeated measure ANCOVA. RESULTS:There was no significant difference in age, sex, highest education level, current occupation, and diabetic status between the two groups. The number of smokers was significantly higher in the intervention group compared with the control group and was controlled for during analysis. The intervention group showed a significantly higher mean knowledge score compared with the control group with regards to time (Huynh-Feldt: F1,95=19.81, P<.001). However, there was no significant difference in mean attitude scores between the intervention and control groups with regards to time (F1,95=0.36, P=.55). CONCLUSIONS:The ColorApp mobile app may be an adjunct approach in educating the public on colorectal cancer.
Project description:BackgroundHealth misinformation on social media is a persistent public health concern that requires the proper skill set for interpreting and evaluating accurate information. This study aimed to determine the effects of a mobile app-based educational intervention on media health literacy (MHL) development among Iranian adults.MethodsThis study was a quasi-experimental design conducted in 2022 that included 100 Iranian adults aged 18 to 65 years old. The inclusion criteria for participation were ownership of an Android smartphone, no prior training in MHL, and membership in at least one virtual social media app. As the primary outcome of the study, MHL was assessed using the validated MeHLit questionnaire with two follow-up time points (immediately after program completion and 12 weeks after program completion) in addition to a pre-test. Participants were divided into an experimental group that received the mobile app-based training program and a control group that received none.ResultsThe repeated measures test revealed a significant effect of the group-time interaction on the mean MHL score in both the intervention and control groups. Within the intervention group, the follow-up test indicated a significant increase in mean MHL scores for post-test 1 (63.54±12.57) and post-test 2 (65.72±7.97) compared to the pre-test phase (55.14±12.04), with these increases being statistically significant (P<0.001). No significant difference was observed within the control group.ConclusionThe results of this study suggest that the mobile app-based educational intervention was effective in improving MHL among Iranian adults. These findings highlight the potential of mobile app-based interventions for promoting MHL and addressing health misinformation on social media.
Project description:BackgroundIn dentistry, the reporting of panoramic radiographs is particularly challenging, as many structures are depicted in one image and pathologies need to be identified completely. To enhance the learning process for these interpretations, the advantages of the increasingly popular education method of mobile learning could be used. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the effectiveness of learning to report panoramic radiographs using an application (app) on a mobile device.MethodsThe existing e-learning programme 'PantoDict' was further developed into a mobile app with a new training section. Participants of a dental radiology course were divided into two groups, one of which additionally had the chance to practise reporting panoramic radiographs using the app. A test to assess the knowledge gained was conducted at the end of the semester; the course and the app were also evaluated.ResultsThe group that used the app showed significantly better results in the test than the control group (p < 0.05). Although the app group approved a high satisfaction using the app as an additional supplement to the course, this did not result in a higher overall satisfaction with the course. Further, these students observed that the traditional face-to-face seminar could not be replaced by the app.ConclusionBy using the PantoDict app, students were offered better training options for writing reports on panoramic radiographs, which resulted in significantly better test results than the results of the control group. Therefore, the mobile app is a useful supplement to classical education formats within the context of a blended learning approach.
Project description:Genital warts (GWs) are highly prevalent among Iranian women. GWs are not only highly infectious but are also followed by severe adverse effects, including the development of cervical cancer. Therefore, the present study aimed to explore the effect of an educational intervention based on the health belief model (HBM) on the adoption of GWs preventive behaviors by married women in Bandar Abbas, a city in the south of Iran. A quasi-experimental intervention was conducted between 2019 and 2020 among 150 women participants (75 as the intervention and 75 as the control group). The sampling method was multi-stage clustering. The required data was collected using a reliable and valid tripartite questionnaire which explored demographic information, awareness, and HBM constructs. A total number of 15 educational sessions were held, each 90 min long. The control group received only one 90-min session. The final follow-up was completed three months after the intervention in November 2020. The two research groups had no statistically significant differences in terms of awareness, perceived susceptibility, severity, benefits, barriers, and self-efficacy before the intervention (in the pre-test) (p > .05). After the educational intervention, the two groups showed statistically significant differences in all constructs except for the perceived benefits (p < .001). In the intervention group, in the pretest (before the intervention), the behavior score was 2.77 ± 2.59, which was increased to 3.73 ± .52 after the intervention (p < .001). In the control group, however, the difference was not statistically significant (p = 0.227). The present findings showed that the educational intervention based on the HBM can improve the prevalence of GWs preventive behaviors in women. This education should be provided by experts at regular intervals in all healthcare centers.
Project description:BackgroundInterprofessional education (IPE) encompasses integration, communication, mutual trust and shared decision-making with a common goal of improved patient care and safety. Despite its crucial role, IPE has not gained its anticipated popularity. This study aims to determine the impact of an online educational intervention about IPE on medical, dental and health sciences students in the University of Sharjah (UoS).MethodsThis quasi-experimental research was conducted in three phases; a pre-intervention phase where the Readiness for Interprofessional Learning Scale (RIPLS) inventory was administered online to the medical, dental and health sciences students of UoS; an intervention phase where an online workshop was organized via Microsoft Teams®; and a post-intervention phase where RIPLS was used to gather the students' attitudes towards IPE. The independent t test was used to compare the responses between genders and junior and senior students. A paired sample t test was used to determine the impact of the intervention on the students' understandings and attitudes about IPE.ResultsOut of 800 invited students, 530 students responded to the pre-intervention RIPLS survey. A comparison of the pre-post intervention for the RIPLS subscales of teamwork and collaboration, professional identification, and professional roles showed a significant improvement of students' attitudes with p-values 0.03, 0.00 and 0.00, respectively. All workshop moderators scored a median of 4 or 5 to the essential elements of IPE during intervention except for a median of 3 for group dynamics.ConclusionThe present data, derived from the application of a brief online educational intervention, underpins the readiness and positive attitudes of undergraduate medical students towards IPE. The positive impact of online intervention necessitates the development of a structured and unified IPE curriculum to enhance the receptiveness and application of IPE in the medical field.
Project description:BackgroundOvercrowding in public hospitals, a common issue in many countries, leads to a range of negative outcomes, such as insufficient access to medical services and patient dissatisfaction. Prior literature regarding solutions to reducing hospital overcrowding primarily focuses on organizational-level operational efficiency. However, few studies have investigated the strategies from the individual patient perspective. Specifically, we considered using mobile health and fitness apps to promote users' health behaviors and produce health benefits, thereby reducing hospital visits.ObjectiveThis study estimated the causal effect of health and fitness app adoption on hospital visits by exploiting the staggered timing of adoption. We also investigated how the effect varied with users' socioeconomic status and digital literacy. This study provides causal evidence for the effects of health apps, extends the digital health literature, and sheds light on mobile health policies.MethodsThis study used a data set containing health and fitness app use and hospital-related geolocation data of 267,651 Chinese mobile phone users from January to December 2019. We used the difference-in-differences and difference-in-difference-in-differences designs to estimate the causal effect. We performed a sensitivity analysis to establish the robustness of the findings. We also conducted heterogeneity analyses based on the interactions of postadoption indicators with users' consumption levels, city tiers, and digital literacy.ResultsThe preferred model (difference-in-difference-in-differences) showed a significant decrease in hospital visits after the adoption of health and fitness apps. App adoption led to a 5.8% (P<.001), 13.1% (P<.001), and 18.4% reduction (P<.001) in hospital visits 1, 2, and 3 months after adoption, respectively. In addition, the moderation analysis shows that the effect is greater for users with high consumption levels, in high-tier cities, or with high digital literacy.ConclusionsThis study estimated the causal effect of health and fitness app adoption on hospital visits. The results and sensitivity analysis showed that app adoption can reduce users' hospital visits. The effect varies with users' consumption levels, city tiers, and digital literacy. These findings provide useful insights for multiple stakeholders in the Chinese health care context.
Project description:Abstract Limited research has evaluated the mental health effects during compounding disasters (e.g., a hurricane occurring during a pandemic), and few studies have examined post‐disaster mental health with alternative data sources like crisis text lines. This study examined changes in crisis help‐seeking for individuals in Louisiana, USA, before and after Hurricane Ida (2021), a storm that co‐occurred during the COVID‐19 pandemic. An interrupted time series analysis and difference‐in‐difference analysis for single and multiple group comparisons were used to examine pre‐and post‐changes in crisis text volume (i.e., any crisis text, substance use, thoughts of suicide, stress/anxiety, and bereavement) among help‐seeking individuals in communities that received US Federal Emergency Management Agency individual and public assistance following a presidential disaster declaration. Results showed a significant increase in crisis texts for any reason, thoughts of suicide, stress/anxiety, and bereavement in the four‐week, three‐month, and four‐month post‐impact period. Findings highlight the need for more mental health support for residents directly impacted by disasters like Hurricane Ida. Key Points This study examines changes in crisis help‐seeking among those exposed to Hurricane Ida in Louisiana, USA Ida led to a sustained increase in stress/anxiety, thoughts of suicide, and bereavement Findings support the need for crisis text lines in post‐disaster mental health support and surveillance efforts
Project description:ObjectivesHistorically, departures at New York City's LaGuardia airport flew over a large sports complex within a park. During the US Open tennis games, flights were diverted to fly over a heavily populated foreign-born neighbourhood for roughly 2 weeks out of the year so that the tennis match was not disturbed (the 'TNNIS' departure). In 2012, the use of the TNNIS departure became year-round to better optimise flight patterns around the metropolitan area.MethodsWe exploited exogenously induced spatial and temporal variation in flight patterns to examine difference-in-difference effects of this new exposure to aircraft noise on the health of individual residents in the community relative to individuals residing within a demographically similar community that was not impacted. We used individual-level Medicaid records, focusing on conditions associated with noise: sleep disturbance, psychological stress, mental illness, substance use, and cardiovascular disease.ResultsWe found that increased exposure to aeroplane noise was associated with a significant increase in insomnia across all age groups, but particularly in children ages 5-17 (OR=1.64, 95% CI=1.12 to 2.39). Cardiovascular disease increased significantly both among 18-44-year-old (OR=1.45, 95% CI=1.41 to 1.49) and 45-64-year-old Medicaid recipients (OR=1.15, 95% CI=1.07 to 1.25). Substance use and mental health-related emergency department visits also increased. For ages 5-17,rate ratio (RR) was 4.11 (95% CI=3.28 to 5.16); for ages 18-44, RR was 2.46 (95% CI=2.20 to 2.76); and for ages 45-64, RR was 1.48 (95% CI=1.31 to 1.67).ConclusionWe find that increased exposure to aeroplane noise was associated with an increase in diagnosis of cardiovascular disease, substance use/mental health emergencies and insomnia among local residents.
Project description:BackgroundBeing digitally literate allows health-based science students to access reliable, up-to-date information efficiently and expands the capacity for continuous learning. Digital literacy facilitates effective communication and collaboration among other healthcare providers. It helps to navigate the ethical implications of using digital technologies and aids the use of digital tools in managing healthcare processes. Our aim in this study is to determine the digital literacy level and awareness of our students receiving health-based education in our university and to pave the way for supporting the current curriculum with courses on digital literacy when necessary.MethodStudents from Acibadem University who were registered undergraduate education for at least four years of health-based education, School of Medicine, Nutrition and Dietetics, Nursing, Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation, Psychology, Biomedical Engineering, Molecular Biology, and Genetics were included. The questionnaire consisted of 24 queries evaluating digital literacy in 7 fields: software and multimedia, hardware and technical problem solving, network and communication/collaboration, ethics, security, artificial intelligence (A.I.), and interest/knowledge. Two student groups representing all departments were invited for interviews according to the Delphi method.ResultsThe survey was completed by 476 students. Female students had less computer knowledge and previous coding education. Spearman correlation test showed that there were weak positive correlations between the years and the "software and multimedia," "ethics," "interest and knowledge" domains, and the average score. The students from Nursing scored lowest in the query after those from the Nutrition and Dietetics department. The highest scores were obtained by Biomedical Engineering students, followed by the School of Medicine. Participants scored the highest in "network" and "A.I." and lowest in "interest-knowledge" domains.ConclusionIt is necessary to define the level of computer skills who start health-based education and shape the curriculum by determining which domains are weak. Creating an educational environment that fosters females' digital knowledge is recommended. Elective courses across faculties may be offered to enable students to progress and discuss various digital literacy topics. The extent to which students benefit from the digital literacy-supported curriculum may be evaluated. Thus, health-based university students are encouraged to acquire the computer skills required by today's clinical settings.RegistrationThis study was approved by Acıbadem University and Acıbadem Healthcare Institutions Medical Research Ethics Committee (ATADEK) (11 November 2022, ATADEK registration: 2022-17-138) All methods were carried out in accordance with relevant guidelines and regulations. Informed consent was obtained from the participants.