Facilitators and barriers to using a DeskCycle as a sedentary behavior intervention in the work environment.

BACKGROUND: Sedentary behavior is a public health threat with extensive health burden on society. High levels of sedentary behavior have been associated with cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, obesity, and cancer. Individuals working in desk-related occupations are more likely to be sedentary for most of the day. Health researchers have responded by implementing and promoting interventions and wellness programs in work environments to reduce this behavior. This study examined the feasibility and experience of using the DeskCycle to reduce sedentary behavior among female workers in an academic office environment. METHODS: This was an intervention study where participants used the DeskCycle in two consecutive eight-week phases and uploaded DeskCycle use data daily. A questionnaire was administered after week 2 and week 8 (pre-post) of DeskCycle use in each phase to assess dimensions of feasibility, including an open-ended question for user experience. RESULTS: The participants (N = 78) had an average age of 44.4 (±11.3) years and were primarily non-Hispanic White (88.5%). DeskCycle daily use varied from Phase I: 84% to 64.9% (weeks 1-7), and 49.4% in week 8, to Phase II: 73.5% to 52.2% (week 1-7), and 40.2% in week 8. In Phase I, 96.6% (week 2) and 87% (week 8) agreed that the DeskCycle decreased sedentary behavior, and in Phase II, 74.3% (week 2) and 76.9% (week 8) agreed. The analysis of open-ended responses found challenges with the desk set up, cycling interfering with typing, and thinking critically, as barriers to DeskCycle use, while enjoying cycling and cycling improving mood were reported as facilitators. CONCLUSIONS: Using a DeskCycle in an academic office environment to reduce sedentary behavior is feasible in female office workers. Consideration should be given to the type of tasks performed while cycling.

Role of perceived social support in COVID-19 vaccine uptake among U.S. adults.

Background: Vaccine uptake concerns in the Unites States were at the forefront of public health discussions during the COVID-19 pandemic. By the end of 2022, approximately 80% of the U.S. population was vaccinated against the virus. This study examined the relationship between perceived social support and COVID-19 vaccine uptake among U.S. adults. Methods: Using nationally representative cross-sectional data on 21,107 adults from the 2021 National Health Interview Survey, we assessed the COVID-19 vaccination rates across individuals with strong, some, and weak levels of social support. Multivariable logistic regression models were estimated to obtain the odds of being vaccinated in adults with different levels of perceived social support for the full sample and sub-samples of age groups. Results: We found that compared to adults with perceived strong social support, adults with weak social support were 21.1% less likely to be vaccinated against COVID-19. Apart from the age 18-24 years group, the lower likelihood of being vaccinated for adults with weak social support was evident in age 24-49 years (AOR=0.66, 95% CI: 0.52-0.85), age 50-64 years (AOR=0.67, 95% CI: 0.50-0.90), and age 65+ years (AOR=0.56, 95% CI: 0.41-0.75) groups. Conclusions: These findings are consistent with a broader literature indicating that social support increases the likelihood of healthy behaviors and decreases risky behaviors. Interventions designed to improve the perception of social support, particularly among those at high risk of mortality from COVID-19 may be a promising tactic for increasing COVID-19 vaccine uptake.

The Effectiveness of the DeskCycle in Reducing Sedentary Behavior Among Female Office Workers.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effectiveness of the DeskCycle in reducing sedentary behavior among female office workers at an educational institution. METHODS: This was a randomized control trial with a crossover design (N = 80). The intervention was conducted in two 8-week phases and included the DeskCycle and an informational handout with benefits and suggestions about the frequency of use. The primary outcome was weekly average nonsedentary time. Secondary outcomes included weight and mood. RESULTS: DeskCycle users reported significantly higher weekly average nonsedentary time compared with nonusers (phase I: 402.3 ± 72.4 vs 169.3 ± 17.5, P < 0.00; phase II: 282 ± 45 vs 216 ± 23, P = 0.00). There were no significant differences in weight or mood. CONCLUSIONS: The DeskCycle is effective in reducing sedentary behavior, suggesting workers in sedentary office occupations could integrate it into their workday, where possible, to prevent negative health outcomes.

Community-Based Approach to Assess Obstructive Respiratory Diseases and Risk in Urban African American Churches.

Asthma, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are significant health problems that have disparate effects on many Americans. Misdiagnosis and underdiagnosis are common and lead to ineffective treatment and management. This study assessed the feasibility of applying a two-step case-finding technique to identify both COPD and adult asthma cases in urban African American churches. We established a community-based partnership, administered a cross-sectional survey in step one of the case-finding technique and performed spirometry testing in step two. A total of 219 surveys were completed. Provider-diagnosed asthma and COPD were reported in 26% (50/193) and 9.6% (18/187) of the sample. Probable asthma (13.9%), probable COPD (23.1%), and COPD high-risk groups (31.9%) were reported. It is feasible to establish active case-finding within the African American church community using a two-step approach to successfully identify adult asthma and COPD probable cases for early detection and treatment to reduce disparate respiratory health outcomes.

Colorectal cancer screening utilization among breast, cervical, prostate, skin, and lung cancer survivors.

PURPOSE: To examine whether sociodemographic characteristics, access to care, risk behavior factors, and chronic health conditions were associated with colorectal cancer (CRC) screening utilization among breast, cervical, prostate, skin, and lung cancer survivors. METHODS: We analyzed the 2020 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) data on 9780 eligible cancer survivors. Descriptive statistics and multivariable logistic regression models were applied to assess the association between guideline-concordant CRC screening and the mentioned characteristics. RESULTS: Overall, 81.9%, 65%, 88%,78.1%, and 80.1% of breast, cervical, prostate, skin, and lung cancer survivors received CRC screening, respectively (p-value < 0.001). In multivariable analysis, breast, cervical, and skin cancer survivors aged 60 years or older were associated with higher odds of receiving CRC screening. Respondents that had their recency of routine checkup two or more years before had lower odds of having CRC screening among cervical (OR = 0.06; 95% CI, 0.02-0.22), prostate (OR = 0.26; 95% CI, 0.14-0.49), and skin cancer (OR = 0.50; 95% CI, 0.36-0.70) survivors. The presence of chronic diseases was also associated with guideline-concordant CRC screening among breast, prostate, and skin cancer survivors. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings provide important evidence on potential factors that are associated with guideline-concordant CRC screening utilization across different cancer survivors, which include older age, recency of routine checkup, and multiple chronic diseases. Moreover, variation in CRC screening utilization across cancer survivors may highlight missed opportunities for secondary cancer prevention. IMPLICATIONS FOR CANCER SURVIVORS: Establishing clear CRC screening guidelines and including patient-provider communication on recommendation in cancer survivorship care may increase adherence to CRC screening.

Health-related quality of life in current smokers with COPD: factors associated with current smoking and new insights into sex differences.

Findings from studies that examined the association between health-related quality of life (HRQOL) and smoking status among COPD patients have been mixed. Moreover, factors associated with current smoking in COPD patients and differences by sex have not been fully elucidated. Data from the 2011 and 2012 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System was used in this study. Four HRQOL indicators were examined in this study: general health, physical health, mental health, and activity limitations. General health was dichotomized into two groups: "excellent/very good/good" and "fair/poor", and the other three HRQOL indicators were dichotomized into <14 (infrequent) and ≥14 (frequent) unhealthy days in the past 30 days. To examine HRQOL indicators in association with current versus former smoking and identify factors associated with current smoking, logistic regression models were used. Sex differences were explored. In COPD patients, current smokers compared to former smokers had significantly poor HRQOL on all subdomains: "fair/poor" general health (adjusted odds ratio [AOR]: 1.2 [95% confidence interval {CI}: 1.1-1.5]); poor physical health (AOR: 1.3 [CI: 1.1-1.5]); poor mental health (AOR: 1.8 [CI: 1.4-2.2]); and poor activity limitations (AOR: 1.5 [CI: 1.3-1.9]). HRQOL subdomains affected by current smoking differed by sex except activity limitations. General health (AOR: 1.5 [CI: 1.1-2.0]) and activity limitations (AOR: 1.6 [95% CI: 1.2-2.2]) in males and physical health (AOR: 1.3 [CI: 1.0-1.6]), mental health (AOR: 2.1 [CI: 1.7-2.6]), and activity limitations (AOR: 1.5 [CI: 1.2-1.9]) in females were significantly impaired due to current smoking. Factors associated with current smoking differed by sex except being unmarried and having less than a college degree, which were associated with current smoking in both males and females. These findings have important implications for health care providers in designing more effective interventions which tailor to and target specific subgroups for smoking cessation.