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1.
J Child Adolesc Trauma ; 17(2): 437-445, 2024 Jun.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38938972

ABSTRACT

Responsive parenting serves an influential role in explaining the link between children's exposure to intimate partner violence (IPV) and children's mental health impairment, but how this occurs is not well elucidated. In some cases, researchers examine parenting as a mediator to explain how IPV leads to maladaptive outcomes (i.e., IPV negatively impacts one's capacity for responsive parenting, which in turn impacts children), whereas others examine moderation in which either the absence of responsive parenting exacerbates adverse outcomes or increased responsive parenting buffers risk. Mediation addresses theoretical questions about how or why IPV leads to maladaptive outcomes, whereas moderation addresses who might be most impacted. However, responsive parenting has rarely, if ever, been tested as both a mediator and moderator of the link between IPV and posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) within the same sample. The current study examined the mediating and moderating role of responsive parenting on physical IPV exposure and child PTSS in a longitudinal sample of 391 children ages 3 to 5 years (M = 4.74, SD = 0.89). Self-report measures of physical IPV exposure, parenting practices, and PTSS were completed by mothers. We found that responsive parenting significantly moderated and mediated the association between physical IPV exposure and child PTSS over time. Studies that include tests of both moderation and mediation are critical for advancing mechanistic insight into the role of parenting in the etiology of mental health impairment in children exposed to IPV.

2.
BMJ Open ; 14(2): e078029, 2024 Feb 12.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38346876

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The ability of digital mental health interventions (DMHIs) to reduce mental health disparities relies on the recruitment of research participants with diverse sociodemographic and self-identity characteristics. Despite its importance, sociodemographic reporting in research is often limited, and the state of reporting practices in DMHI research in particular has not been comprehensively reviewed. OBJECTIVES: To characterise the state of sociodemographic data reported in randomised controlled trials (RCTs) of app-based DMHIs published globally from 2007 to 2022. METHODS: A scoping review of RCTs of app-based DMHIs examined reporting frequency for 16 sociodemographic domains (eg, gender) and common category options within each domain (eg, woman). The search queried five electronic databases. 5079 records were screened and 299 articles were included. RESULTS: On average, studies reported 4.64 (SD=1.79; range 0-9) of 16 sociodemographic domains. The most common were age (97%) and education (67%). The least common were housing situation (6%), residency/location (5%), veteran status (4%), number of children (3%), sexual orientation (2%), disability status (2%) and food security (<1%). Gender or sex was reported in 98% of studies: gender only (51%), sex only (28%), both (<1%) and gender/sex reported but unspecified (18%). Race or ethnicity was reported in 48% of studies: race only (14%), ethnicity only (14%), both (10%) and race/ethnicity reported but unspecified (10%). CONCLUSIONS: This review describes the widespread underreporting of sociodemographic information in RCTs of app-based DMHIs published from 2007 to 2022. Reporting was often incomplete (eg, % female only), unclear (eg, the conflation of gender/sex) and limited (eg, only options representing majority groups were reported). Trends suggest reporting has somewhat improved in recent years. Diverse participant populations must be welcomed and described in DMHI research to broaden learning and the generalisability of results, a prerequisite of DMHI's potential to reduce disparities in mental healthcare.


Subject(s)
Mental Health , Research Design , Child , Female , Humans , Male , Gender Identity , Housing
3.
Vaccine ; 42(4): 879-890, 2024 Feb 06.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38233289

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Influenza vaccination coverage is low among persons with non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in China. Chinese health workers (HWs) do not routinely recommend influenza vaccination despite evidence that recommendations increase vaccine uptake. This study aims to assess whether interventions increased primary care HWs' recommendation for influenza vaccination and measure their impact on influenza vaccine uptake in persons with NCDs. METHODS: We conducted a cluster randomized controlled study in public primary healthcare clinics in Hubei from November 2018 through April 2019. In the intervention clinics, primary care HWs received training on the benefits of influenza vaccination and were asked to recommend influenza vaccine in routine primary healthcare for persons with NCDs. In the control clinics, primary care HWs did not receive training and provided standard services. We conducted questionnaire surveys before and after the intervention to collect information about recommendations made and receipt of influenza vaccines. RESULTS: A total of 896 primary care HWs and 4552 persons with NCDs were included. After intervention, a higher percentage of HWs recommended influenza vaccines in intervention clinics compared to control clinics. Vaccinated primary care HWs were more likely to recommend vaccination. Persons with NCDs reported higher influenza vaccination coverage in intervention than control clinics, and primary care HWs' recommendation increased vaccination uptake among persons with NCDs. CONCLUSIONS: Vaccinated primary care HWs were more likely to recommend influenza vaccination than unvaccinated HWs. Promoting primary care HWs' vaccination and encouraging them to recommend influenza vaccination during routine primary healthcare could increase influenza vaccine receipt among persons with NCDs. Registration number ChiCTR2200067140.


Subject(s)
Influenza Vaccines , Influenza, Human , Noncommunicable Diseases , Humans , Influenza, Human/prevention & control , Vaccination , China , Primary Health Care
4.
JMIR Public Health Surveill ; 9: e46383, 2023 08 31.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37651182

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Avian influenza (AI) virus detections occurred frequently in 2022 and continue to pose a health, economic, and food security risk. The most recent global analysis of official reports of animal outbreaks and human infections with all reportable AI viruses was published almost a decade ago. Increased or renewed reports of AI viruses, especially high pathogenicity H5N8 and H5N1 in birds and H5N1, H5N8, and H5N6 in humans globally, have established the need for a comprehensive review of current global AI virus surveillance data to assess the pandemic risk of AI viruses. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to provide an analysis of global AI animal outbreak and human case surveillance information from the last decade by describing the circulating virus subtypes, regions and temporal trends in reporting, and country characteristics associated with AI virus outbreak reporting in animals; surveillance and reporting gaps for animals and humans are identified. METHODS: We analyzed AI virus infection reports among animals and humans submitted to animal and public health authorities from January 2013 to June 2022 and compared them with reports from January 2005 to December 2012. A multivariable regression analysis was used to evaluate associations between variables of interest and reported AI virus animal outbreaks. RESULTS: From 2013 to 2022, 52.2% (95/182) of World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) Member Countries identified 34 AI virus subtypes during 21,249 outbreaks. The most frequently reported subtypes were high pathogenicity AI H5N1 (10,079/21,249, 47.43%) and H5N8 (6722/21,249, 31.63%). A total of 10 high pathogenicity AI and 6 low pathogenicity AI virus subtypes were reported to the WOAH for the first time during 2013-2022. AI outbreaks in animals occurred in 26 more Member Countries than reported in the previous 8 years. Decreasing World Bank income classification was significantly associated with decreases in reported AI outbreaks (P<.001-.02). Between January 2013 and June 2022, 17/194 (8.8%) World Health Organization (WHO) Member States reported 2000 human AI virus infections of 10 virus subtypes. H7N9 (1568/2000, 78.40%) and H5N1 (254/2000, 12.70%) viruses accounted for the most human infections. As many as 8 of these 17 Member States did not report a human case prior to 2013. Of 1953 human cases with available information, 74.81% (n=1461) had a known animal exposure before onset of illness. The median time from illness onset to the notification posted on the WHO event information site was 15 days (IQR 9-30 days; mean 24 days). Seasonality patterns of animal outbreaks and human infections with AI viruses were very similar, occurred year-round, and peaked during November through May. CONCLUSIONS: Our analysis suggests that AI outbreaks are more frequently reported and geographically widespread than in the past. Global surveillance gaps include inconsistent reporting from all regions and human infection reporting delays. Continued monitoring for AI virus outbreaks in animals and human infections with AI viruses is crucial for pandemic preparedness.


Subject(s)
Influenza A Virus, H5N1 Subtype , Influenza A Virus, H7N9 Subtype , Influenza in Birds , Animals , Humans , Influenza in Birds/epidemiology , Disease Outbreaks , Pandemics
5.
JMIR Form Res ; 7: e40104, 2023 Mar 06.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-36877553

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Individuals enrolling in the Veterans Health Administration frequently report symptoms consistent with insomnia disorder. Cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) is a gold standard treatment for insomnia disorder. While the Veterans Health Administration has successfully implemented a large dissemination effort to train providers in CBT-I, the limited number of trained CBT-I providers continues to restrict the number of individuals who can receive CBT-I. Digital mental health intervention adaptations of CBT-I have been found to have similar efficacy as traditional CBT-I. To help address the unmet need for insomnia disorder treatment, the VA commissioned the creation of a freely available, internet-delivered digital mental health intervention adaptation of CBT-I known as Path to Better Sleep (PTBS). OBJECTIVE: We aimed to describe the use of evaluation panels composed of veterans and spouses of veterans during the development of PTBS. Specifically, we report on the methods used to conduct the panels, the feedback they provided on elements of the course relevant to user engagement, and how their feedback influenced the design and content of PTBS. METHODS: A communications firm was contracted to recruit 3 veteran (n=27) and 2 spouse of veteran (n=18) panels and convene them for three 1-hour meetings. Members of the VA team identified key questions for the panels, and the communications firm prepared facilitator guides to elicit feedback on these key questions. The guides provided a script for facilitators to follow while convening the panels. The panels were telephonically conducted, with visual content displayed via remote presentation software. The communications firm prepared reports summarizing the panelists' feedback during each panel meeting. The qualitative feedback described in these reports served as the raw material for this study. RESULTS: The panel members provided markedly consistent feedback on several elements of PTBS, including recommendations to emphasize the efficacy of CBT-I techniques; clarify and simplify written content as much as possible; and ensure that content is consistent with the lived experiences of veterans. Their feedback was congruent with previous studies on the factors influencing user engagement with digital mental health interventions. Panelist feedback influenced multiple course design decisions, including reducing the effort required to use the course's sleep diary function, making written content more concise, and selecting veteran testimonial videos that emphasized the benefits of treating chronic insomnia symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: The veteran and spouse evaluation panels provided useful feedback during the design of PTBS. This feedback was used to make concrete revisions and design decisions consistent with existing research on improving user engagement with digital mental health interventions. We believe that many of the key feedback messages provided by these evaluation panels could prove useful to other digital mental health intervention designers.

6.
Psychol Trauma ; 15(Suppl 1): S172-S182, 2023 May.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-36848057

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: The current study examines dynamic, bidirectional associations between parent and adolescent symptom improvement in response to children's therapy for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). METHOD: Data were collected from a racially and ethnically heterogeneous sample of 1,807 adolescents (age 13-18 years old; 69% female) and a parent participating in Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) at a community outpatient behavioral health clinic. Parents self-reported their depressive symptoms and youth self-reported their PTSD and depressive symptoms at the onset of treatment and every three months for up to nine months. Using a bivariate dual change score model (BDCSM) we examine: (a) individual dyad members' change in symptoms and (b) the bidirectional associations between changes in the parent's and youth's symptoms across treatment. RESULTS: Parents' and adolescents' symptoms at the start of treatment were correlated and both parents' and adolescents' symptoms decreased over the course of treatment. Parents' elevated depressive symptoms at each time point contributed to smaller decreases in their children's PTSD and depressive symptoms at the subsequent time point. Adolescents' elevated symptoms at each time point contributed to greater decreases in their parents' symptoms at the subsequent time point. CONCLUSIONS: These findings highlight the impact that parents and children have on each other's response to children's trauma-focused psychotherapy. Notably, parents' depressive symptoms appeared to slow their children's progress in treatment, suggesting that attending to parents' symptoms and providing them with supportive services may be an important adjunct to children's interventions. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved).


Subject(s)
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy , Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic , Child , Humans , Adolescent , Female , Male , Parents/psychology , Psychotherapy , Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic/therapy , Parent-Child Relations
7.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-36767297

ABSTRACT

Almost 40% of US adults provide informal caregiving, yet research gaps remain around what burdens affect informal caregivers. This study uses a novel social media site, Reddit, to mine and better understand what online communities focus on as their caregiving burdens. These forums were accessed using an application programming interface, a machine learning classifier was developed to remove low information posts, and topic modeling was applied to the corpus. An expert panel summarized the forums' themes into ten categories. The largest theme extracted from Reddit's forums discussed the personal emotional toll of being a caregiver. This was followed by logistic issues while caregiving and caring for parents who have cancer. Smaller themes included approaches to end-of-life care, physical equipment needs when caregiving, and the use of wearables or technology to help monitor care recipients. The platform often discusses caregiving for parents which may reflect the age of Reddit's users. This study confirms that Reddit forums are used for caregivers to discuss the burdens associated with their role and the types of stress that can result from informal caregiving.


Subject(s)
Caregiver Burden , Social Media , Adult , Humans , Caregivers/psychology
8.
Vaccine ; 41(3): 694-701, 2023 01 16.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-36526503

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: We estimated symptomatic and asymptomatic influenza infection frequency in community-dwelling unvaccinated pregnant persons to inform risk communication. METHODS: We collected residue sera from multiple antenatal-care blood draws during October 2016-April 2017. We determined influenza infection as seroconversion with ≥ 4-fold rise in antibody titers between any two serum samples by improved hemagglutinin-inhibition assay including ether-treated B antigens. The serology data were linked to the results of nuclei acid testing (rRT-PCR) based on acute respiratory illness (ARI) surveillance. RESULTS: Among all participants, 43 %(602/1384) demonstrated serology and/or rRT-PCR evidenced infection, and 44 %(265/602) of all infections were asymptomatic. ARI-associated rRT-PCR testing identified only 10 %(61/602) of total infections. Only 1 %(5/420) of the B Victoria cases reported ARI and had a rRT-PCR positive result, compared with 33 %(54/165) of the H3N2 cases. Among influenza ARI cases with multiple serum samples, 19 %(11/58) had seroconversion to a different subtype prior to the illness. CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of influenza B infection in unvaccinated pregnant persons is under-estimated substantially. Non-pharmaceutical intervention may have suboptimal effectiveness in preventing influenza B transmission due to the less clinical manifestation compared to influenza A. The findings support maternal influenza vaccination to protect pregnant persons and reduce consequent household transmission.


Subject(s)
Herpesviridae Infections , Influenza Vaccines , Influenza, Human , Humans , Female , Pregnancy , Influenza, Human/epidemiology , Influenza, Human/prevention & control , Influenza A Virus, H3N2 Subtype , Influenza B virus , Vaccination
9.
Int J Drug Policy ; 111: 103934, 2023 Jan.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-36549200

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Shifting political contexts can significantly alter drug policy approaches and available supports for People Who Use Drugs (PWUD). The purpose of this study was to explore how shifts in provincial drug policy approaches, specifically the replacement of a Safe Consumption Site (SCS) with a smaller mobile Overdose Prevention Site (OPS) in Lethbridge, Alberta Canada, impacted PWUD' access to and experiences with harm reduction services. METHODS: We conducted semi-structured interviews with 50 PWUD in the City of Lethbridge, Canada. Through traditional fieldwork, we recruited participants within, and just outside of, downtown Lethbridge. Using a standardized general prompt guide to begin interviews, participants were asked a variety of questions about their experiences with and perceptions of SCS access and changes to SCS provisions. Interviews were audio recorded, then transcribed, coded, and analyzed. RESULTS: Participants reported regular and frequent access and overall positive experiences with the SCS, despite also noting certain operational barriers (e.g., long wait times). By contrast, participants reported more limited use of the new OPS compared to the SCS because of three main reasons: (1) concerns about location; (2) smoking room elimination; and (3) lack of social space and activities. Overall, changes to SCS provision produced a range of negative consequences for PWUD in Lethbridge. These relate to perceived increases in drug-related harms (e.g., increased overdoses) as well as negative social impacts (e.g., lack of place to meet other people). CONCLUSION: Findings from this study provide preliminary indications of the importance of understanding how contextual and locally-specific elements (location, limits on permitted route administration, and social aspects) can work together to facilitate SCS uptake and even overcome traditional SCS barriers. Conversely, the absence of such elements can hinder SCS uptake. Results show that the value of SCS might differ across locations, pointing to the need for further locally-grounded examinations of harm reduction service uptake and experience.


Subject(s)
Drug Overdose , Humans , Canada , Drug Overdose/prevention & control , Cities , Harm Reduction , Policy
10.
Emerg Infect Dis ; 28(13): S26-S33, 2022 12.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-36502434

ABSTRACT

A network of global respiratory disease surveillance systems and partnerships has been built over decades as a direct response to the persistent threat of seasonal, zoonotic, and pandemic influenza. These efforts have been spearheaded by the World Health Organization, country ministries of health, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, nongovernmental organizations, academic groups, and others. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention worked closely with ministries of health in partner countries and the World Health Organization to leverage influenza surveillance systems and programs to respond to SARS-CoV-2 transmission. Countries used existing surveillance systems for severe acute respiratory infection and influenza-like illness, respiratory virus laboratory resources, pandemic influenza preparedness plans, and ongoing population-based influenza studies to track, study, and respond to SARS-CoV-2 infections. The incorporation of COVID-19 surveillance into existing influenza sentinel surveillance systems can support continued global surveillance for respiratory viruses with pandemic potential.


Subject(s)
COVID-19 , Influenza, Human , Humans , Pandemics/prevention & control , COVID-19/epidemiology , Influenza, Human/epidemiology , Influenza, Human/prevention & control , SARS-CoV-2 , World Health Organization
11.
Contemp Clin Trials Commun ; 29: 100994, 2022 Oct.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-36111174

ABSTRACT

Background: Long-term benzodiazepine dependence carries significant health risks which might be reduced with low-cost patient self-management interventions. A booklet version of one such intervention (Eliminating Medications Through Patient Ownership of End Results; EMPOWER) proved effective in a Canadian clinical trial with older adults. Digitizing such an intervention for electronic delivery and tailoring it to different populations could expand its reach. Accordingly, this article describes the protocol for a randomized controlled trial to test the effectiveness of an electronically-delivered, direct-to-patient benzodiazepine cessation intervention tailored to U.S. military veterans. Methods: Design: Two-arm individually randomized controlled trial. Setting: US Veterans Health Administration primary care clinics. Participants: Primary care patients taking benzodiazepines for three or more months and having access to a smartphone, tablet or desktop computer. Intervention and comparator: Participants will be randomized to receive either the electronically-delivered EMPOWER (EMPOWER-ED) protocol or asked to continue to follow provider recommendations regarding their benzodiazepine use (treatment-as-usual). Measurements: The primary outcomes are complete benzodiazepine cessation and 25% dose reduction, assessed using administrative and self-report data, between baseline and six-month follow-up. Secondary outcomes are self-reported anxiety symptoms, sleep quality, and overall health and quality of life, measured at baseline and 6-month follow-up, and benzodiazepine cessation at 12-month follow-up. Comments: This randomized controlled trial will evaluate whether the accessibility and effectiveness of a promising intervention for benzodiazepine cessation can be improved through digitization and population tailoring.

12.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-36078218

ABSTRACT

In recent years, police violence has amassed notable international attention from the public, practitioners, and academics alike. This paper explores experiences and perceptions of police violence in Canada, documenting the impacts of direct and vicarious experiences of police violence on inner-city residents. The study employed semi-structured interviews with 45 community members across three Toronto inner-city neighbourhoods. Using a general interview prompt guide, participants were asked a range of questions about their experiences with and perceptions of police, and particularly, of police violence in their community. The interviews were audio recorded, transcribed, thematically coded, and analyzed. All participants reported direct and/or vicarious experiences of police violence, and most described experiencing long-standing, and continual fear that police contact would result in harm to them. Further, participants described a variety of serious and negative outcomes associated with experiencing and/or witnessing police violence. Police violence in Canada is a public health issue that requires an integrated public health policy approach to address the negative outcomes associated with direct and vicarious police violence exposure.


Subject(s)
Police , Violence , Humans , Public Health , Residence Characteristics , Social Environment
13.
Res Child Adolesc Psychopathol ; 50(12): 1619-1628, 2022 12.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-35763123

ABSTRACT

Although concurrent associations between parent and child posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) have been well-documented, few longitudinal studies have examined bidirectional influences by modeling the effects of both parent and child PTSS simultaneously over time. The current study examines patterns of PTSS in children and their mothers beginning in preschool and continuing through elementary school age (ages 4-9 years) in a large, heterogeneous sample (N = 331 mother-child dyads). Mothers reported on their own and their child's posttraumatic stress symptoms. A random intercept cross-lagged panel model (RI-CLPM) was used to examine associations between symptoms across six time points. Results indicated that maternal and child symptoms were associated with each other at concurrent time points and tended to fluctuate in a synchronized manner relative to their overall mean symptom levels. Longitudinal cross-lagged paths were significant from mother to child, but non-significant from child to mother, suggesting that mothers' symptom fluctuation at one time point predicted significant fluctuation in children's symptoms at the subsequent time point. The concurrent co-variation of maternal and child symptoms and the predictive nature of maternal symptom flare-ups have important implications for both maternal and child mental health interventions and underscore the importance of attending to mothers' symptomatology early in treatment.


Subject(s)
Mother-Child Relations , Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic , Humans , Female , Child, Preschool , Child , Mother-Child Relations/psychology , Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic/diagnosis , Symptom Flare Up , Infectious Disease Transmission, Vertical , Mothers/psychology
15.
Int J Drug Policy ; 104: 103671, 2022 06.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-35413583

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Police presence near Supervised Consumption Services (SCS) and other harm reduction services has been shown to hamper access to these critical facilities for People Who Use Drugs (PWUD). However, few studies document the empirical nuances of these contextually dependant police-PWUD relationships, and how PWUD' experiences and perceptions of policing near harm reduction services shape SCS access. If the goal is to increase SCS uptake, understanding the complexities of PWUD-police relations near SCS is imperative for guiding both formal policy and informal best-practices. METHODS: We report findings from a larger qualitative study on PWUD' experiences with SCS in two Canadian cities. Data were collected through 75 face-to-face interviews and observations with street-involved PWUD near local SCS in Edmonton and Calgary, Alberta. RESULTS: Participants' perceptions of and experiences with policing varied across jurisdictions. Participants in Calgary reported concentrated police presence in and near SCS, in addition to harassment, negative encounters, fears about getting arrested, and experiences of being displaced from the area. Participants in Edmonton, despite also reporting heavy police presence near SCS, reported feeling relatively safe from police intervention and harassment, within SCS and the surrounding area. CONCLUSION: Rather than the presence/absence and quantity of policing near SCS, our findings show that the quality of policing experienced in the community shapes PWUD' perceptions, experiences, and willingness to access SCS.


Subject(s)
Harm Reduction , Police , Canada , Cities , Humans , Qualitative Research
16.
Psychiatr Serv ; 73(7): 805-808, 2022 07.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-35139654

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: Development of smartphone apps for mental health care has outpaced research on their effectiveness. This pilot study tested Moving Forward, an app designed to support problem-solving therapy (PST). METHODS: Thirty-three veterans seeking mental health care in U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs primary care clinics were randomly assigned to receive six sessions of PST accompanied by either the Moving Forward app (N=17) or a workbook (N=16). Participants completed measures of anxiety, depression, stress, problem-solving style, satisfaction, and between-session practice at baseline and 6- and 12-week follow-ups. Qualitative interviews were used to elicit feedback. RESULTS: Participants in both groups reported high satisfaction and reductions in depression, anxiety, and stress. Veterans who used the app reported skills practice, and qualitative data indicated that patients perceived the app as valuable, with the potential to reduce barriers to care. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides preliminary evidence to support the ability of the Moving Forward app to augment brief psychotherapy in primary care clinics.


Subject(s)
Mobile Applications , Veterans , Humans , Pilot Projects , Psychotherapy , Smartphone , Veterans/psychology
17.
J Med Internet Res ; 24(1): e29559, 2022 01 13.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-35023846

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: eHealth tools have the potential to meet the mental health needs of individuals who experience barriers to accessing in-person treatment. However, most users have less than optimal engagement with eHealth tools. Coaching from peer specialists may increase their engagement with eHealth. OBJECTIVE: This pilot study aims to test the feasibility and acceptability of a novel, completely automated web-based system to recruit, screen, enroll, assess, randomize, and then deliver an intervention to a national sample of military veterans with unmet mental health needs; investigate whether phone-based peer support increases the use of web-based problem-solving training compared with self-directed use; and generate hypotheses about potential mechanisms of action for problem-solving and peer support for future full-scale research. METHODS: Veterans (N=81) with unmet mental health needs were recruited via social media advertising and enrolled and randomized to the self-directed use of a web-based problem-solving training called Moving Forward (28/81, 35%), peer-supported Moving Forward (27/81, 33%), or waitlist control (26/81, 32%). The objective use of Moving Forward was measured with the number of log-ins. Participants completed pre- and poststudy measures of mental health symptoms and problem-solving confidence. Satisfaction was also assessed post treatment. RESULTS: Automated recruitment, enrollment, and initial assessment methods were feasible and resulted in a diverse sample of veterans with unmet mental health needs from 38 states. Automated follow-up methods resulted in 46% (37/81) of participants completing follow-up assessments. Peer support was delivered with high fidelity and was associated with favorable participant satisfaction. Participants randomized to receive peer support had significantly more Moving Forward log-ins than those of self-directed Moving Forward participants, and those who received peer support had a greater decrease in depression. Problem-solving confidence was associated with greater Moving Forward use and improvements in mental health symptoms among participants both with and without peer support. CONCLUSIONS: Enrolling and assessing individuals in eHealth studies without human contact is feasible; however, different methods or designs are necessary to achieve acceptable participant engagement and follow-up rates. Peer support shows potential for increasing engagement in web-based interventions and reducing symptoms. Future research should investigate when and for whom peer support for eHealth is helpful. Problem-solving confidence should be further investigated as a mechanism of action for web-based problem-solving training. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03555435; http://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03555435.


Subject(s)
Internet-Based Intervention , Veterans , Feasibility Studies , Humans , Mental Health , Pilot Projects
18.
J Cancer Educ ; 37(5): 1532-1539, 2022 10.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-33822316

ABSTRACT

Educational print materials for young women breast cancer survivors (YBCS) are supplemental tools used in patient teaching. However, the readability of the text coupled with how well YBCS understand or act upon the material are rarely explored. The purpose of this study was to assess the readability, understandability, and actionability of commonly distributed breast cancer survivorship print materials. We used an environmental scan approach to obtain a sample of breast cancer survivorship print materials available in outpatient oncology clinics in the central region of a largely rural Southern state. The readability analyses were completed using the Flesch-Kincaid (F-K), Fry Graph Readability Formula (Fry), and Simple Measure of Gobbledygook (SMOG). Understandability and actionability were analyzed using Patient Education Materials Assessment Tool for Printable Materials (PEMAT-P). The environmental scan resulted in a final sample of 14 materials. The mean readability of the majority of survivorship materials was "difficult," but the majority scored above the recommended 70% in both understandability and actionability. The importance of understandability and actionability may outweigh readability results in cancer education survivorship material. While reading grade level cannot be dismissed all together, we surmise that patient behavior may hinge more on other factors such as understandability and actionability. Personalized teaching accompanying print material may help YBCS comprehend key messages and promote acting upon specific tasks.


Subject(s)
Breast Neoplasms , Cancer Survivors , Health Literacy , Comprehension , Female , Humans , Internet , Smog , Teaching Materials
19.
Influenza Other Respir Viruses ; 16(1): 14-23, 2022 01.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-34323381

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Data on influenza incidence during pregnancy in China are limited. METHODS: From October 2015 to September 2018, we conducted active surveillance for acute respiratory illness (ARI) among women during pregnancy. Nurses conducted twice weekly phone and text message follow-up upon enrollment until delivery to identify new episodes of ARI. Nasal and throat swabs were collected ≤10 days from illness onset to detect influenza. RESULTS: In total, we enrolled 18 724 pregnant women median aged 28 years old, 37% in first trimester, 48% in second trimester, and 15% in third trimester, with seven self-reported influenza vaccination during pregnancy. In the 18-week epidemic period during October 2015 to September 2016, influenza incidence was 0.7/100 person-months (95% CI: 0.5-0.9). In the cumulative 29-week-long epidemic during October 2016 to September 2017, influenza incidence was 1.0/100 person-months (95% CI: 0.8-1.2). In the 11-week epidemic period during October 2017 to September 2018, influenza incidence was 2.1/100 person-months (95% CI: 1.9-2.4). Influenza incidence was similar by trimester. More than half of the total influenza illnesses had no elevated temperature and cough. Most influenza-associated ARIs were mild, and <5.1% required hospitalization. CONCLUSIONS: Influenza illness in all trimesters of pregnancy was common. These data may help inform decisions regarding the use of influenza vaccine to prevent influenza during pregnancy.


Subject(s)
Influenza Vaccines , Influenza, Human , Pregnancy Complications, Infectious , Adult , China/epidemiology , Female , Humans , Incidence , Influenza, Human/diagnosis , Influenza, Human/epidemiology , Influenza, Human/prevention & control , Male , Pregnancy , Pregnancy Complications, Infectious/epidemiology , Pregnancy Complications, Infectious/prevention & control
20.
Fem Criminol ; 16(4): 403-423, 2021 Oct.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-34650383

ABSTRACT

Despite the plethora of research on inner-city policing, little is known about how women experience and make sense of involuntary police encounters. Based upon interviews with women who had their homes raided by police in Toronto's inner-city, this paper explores how these marginalized women perceive, navigate, and resist normative gender expectations in their interactions with police officers during raids. Our findings demonstrate that women believed officers treated them according to gendered stereotypes, and in response, women strategically deployed gendered presentations in an effort to resist, negotiate, and temper anticipated raid related harms. However, participants' positionality constrained their efforts.

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