Dataset Information

B!RTH: a mixed-methods survey of audience members' reflections of a global women's health arts and science programme in England, Ireland, Scotland and Switzerland.

ABSTRACT: OBJECTIVE:Public engagement and science communication are growing as an important forum in the design and dissemination of research. The B!RTH programme is a partnership that uses theatre in combination with scientific expert panel discussions to raise awareness about the global inequality in women's health and access to healthcare. As part of this project, we assessed the views and experiences of audiences participating in B!RTH events. DESIGN:We conducted a multi-site mixed-methods survey using paper-based questionnaires. SETTINGS:Data were collected at four B!RTH theatre and science events: Dublin (Ireland), Edinburgh (Scotland), Geneva (Switzerland) and Liverpool (England) after the performance of four plays and three expert panel discussions. PARTICIPANTS:All audience members. METHODS:Descriptive analysis was conducted for the responses to the closed-ended survey questions, and thematic analysis was used for written free text provided. RESULTS:The estimated response rate was 42%; 363 members of the audiences responded. Most respondents had been emotionally moved by the performances (92.8%) and felt challenged and provoked (80.7%). Many respondents (73.6%) agreed that their eyes had been opened by new ideas. Five themes emerged from the free-text analysis: (1) an expression of thanks and positive feedback on the content and performance of the plays, (2) the benefit of and innovative use of art and science, (3) personal feelings in response to the plays and panel discussions, (4) the need for action and (5) suggestions for use of the plays and panel discussions in schools and universities to 'bring to life the human story behind the statistics'. CONCLUSIONS:The B!RTH programme highlights how art and science can be used in partnership and is an effective tool to engage the public, to deliver key messages and to raise awareness about inequalities in global maternal and reproductive healthcare issues.

SUBMITTER: McCauley M

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6955564 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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B!RTH: a mixed-methods survey of audience members' reflections of a global women's health arts and science programme in England, Ireland, Scotland and Switzerland.

McCauley Mary M Thomas Joanne J Connor Cristianne C van den Broek Nynke N

BMJ open 20191230 12

<h4>Objective</h4>Public engagement and science communication are growing as an important forum in the design and dissemination of research. The B!RTH programme is a partnership that uses theatre in combination with scientific expert panel discussions to raise awareness about the global inequality in women's health and access to healthcare. As part of this project, we assessed the views and experiences of audiences participating in B!RTH events.<h4>Design</h4>We conducted a multi-site mixed-meth ...[more]

PMID: 31892641

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Project description:BackgroundChanging population-level exposure to modifiable risk factors is a key driver of changing cancer incidence. Understanding these changes is therefore vital when prioritising risk-reduction policies, in order to have the biggest impact on reducing cancer incidence. UK figures on the number of risk factor-attributable cancers are updated here to reflect changing behaviour as assessed in representative national surveys, and new epidemiological evidence. Figures are also presented by UK constituent country because prevalence of risk factor exposure varies between them.MethodsPopulation attributable fractions (PAFs) were calculated for combinations of risk factor and cancer type with sufficient/convincing evidence of a causal association. Relative risks (RRs) were drawn from meta-analyses of cohort studies where possible. Prevalence of exposure to risk factors was obtained from nationally representative population surveys. Cancer incidence data for 2015 were sourced from national data releases and, where needed, personal communications. PAF calculations were stratified by age, sex and risk factor exposure level and then combined to create summary PAFs by cancer type, sex and country.ResultsNearly four in ten (37.7%) cancer cases in 2015 in the UK were attributable to known risk factors. The proportion was around two percentage points higher in UK males (38.6%) than in UK females (36.8%). Comparing UK countries, the attributable proportion was highest in Scotland (41.5% for persons) and lowest in England (37.3% for persons). Tobacco smoking contributed by far the largest proportion of attributable cancer cases, followed by overweight/obesity, accounting for 15.1% and 6.3%, respectively, of all cases in the UK in 2015. For 10 cancer types, including two of the five most common cancer types in the UK (lung cancer and melanoma skin cancer), more than 70% of UK cancer cases were attributable to known risk factors.ConclusionTobacco and overweight/obesity remain the top contributors of attributable cancer cases. Tobacco smoking has the highest PAF because it greatly increases cancer risk and has a large number of cancer types associated with it. Overweight/obesity has the second-highest PAF because it affects a high proportion of the UK population and is also linked with many cancer types. Public health policy may seek to mitigate the level of harm associated with exposure or reduce exposure levels-both approaches may effectively impact cancer incidence. Differences in PAFs between countries and sexes are primarily due to varying prevalence of exposure to risk factors and varying proportions of specific cancer types. This variation in turn is affected by socio-demographic differences which drive differences in exposure to theoretically avoidable 'lifestyle' factors. PAFs at UK country level have not been available previously and they should be used by policymakers in devolved nations. PAFs are estimates based on the best available data, limitations in those data would generally bias toward underestimation of PAFs. Regular collection of risk factor exposure prevalence data which corresponds with epidemiological evidence is vital for analyses like this and should remain a priority for the UK Government and devolved Administrations.

Dataset Information

B!RTH: a mixed-methods survey of audience members' reflections of a global women's health arts and science programme in England, Ireland, Scotland and Switzerland.

Publications

B!RTH: a mixed-methods survey of audience members' reflections of a global women's health arts and science programme in England, Ireland, Scotland and Switzerland.

Similar Datasets

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