Journal Description
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
is a transdisciplinary, peer-reviewed, open access journal published monthly online by MDPI. It covers Global Health, Healthcare Sciences, Behavioral and Mental Health, Infectious Diseases, Chronic Diseases and Disease Prevention, Exercise and Health Related Quality of Life, Environmental Health and Environmental Sciences. The International Society Doctors for the Environment (ISDE) and Italian Society of Environmental Medicine (SIMA) are affiliated with IJERPH and their members receive a discount on the article processing charges.
- Open Access— free for readers, with article processing charges (APC) paid by authors or their institutions.
- High Visibility: indexed within Scopus, PubMed, MEDLINE, PMC, Embase, GEOBASE, CAPlus / SciFinder, and other databases.
- Journal Rank: CiteScore - Q1 (Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health)
- Rapid Publication: manuscripts are peer-reviewed and a first decision is provided to authors approximately 29.6 days after submission; acceptance to publication is undertaken in 3.9 days (median values for papers published in this journal in the second half of 2023).
- Recognition of Reviewers: reviewers who provide timely, thorough peer-review reports receive vouchers entitling them to a discount on the APC of their next publication in any MDPI journal, in appreciation of the work done.
- Testimonials: See what our editors and authors say about IJERPH.
- Sections: published in 7 topical sections.
Latest Articles
A Community-Based Prostate Cancer Screening and Education Program for Asian American Men in Medically Underserved Communities
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2024, 21(4), 415; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph21040415 - 28 Mar 2024
Abstract
This study analyzed data from a community-based prostate cancer (PCa) education and screening program (Prostate Outreach Project; POP) to enhance PCa-related knowledge among medically underserved Asian American men. It also examined PCa screening history, clinical abnormalities based on prostate-specific antigen (PSA) tests and
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This study analyzed data from a community-based prostate cancer (PCa) education and screening program (Prostate Outreach Project; POP) to enhance PCa-related knowledge among medically underserved Asian American men. It also examined PCa screening history, clinical abnormalities based on prostate-specific antigen (PSA) tests and digital rectal examination (DRE) results, and follow-up and PCa diagnosis rates. Participants—521 Asian men (251 Vietnamese, 142 Chinese, and 128 South Asians)—were offered PCa screening using PSA tests and/or DRE and an educational session on PCa. Of these men, 277 completed PCa-related knowledge surveys before and after viewing an educational video. Significant between-group differences in PCa-related knowledge were found at pre-assessment (p < 0.001) but not at post-assessment (p = 0.11), at which time all groups showed improved PCa-related knowledge. Most participants (77.9%) had never received PCa screening, but Vietnamese men had the lowest previous screening rate (17.3%). Chinese men had elevated PSA values and the highest abnormal DRE rates. Of the 125 men with abnormal screening outcomes, only 15.2% had adequate follow-up. Of the 144 men diagnosed with PCa in POP, 11.1% were Asians (seven Chinese, six Vietnamese, and three South Asian). Despite the ethnic heterogeneity among Asian men, a community outreach program may successfully enhance their PCa-related knowledge.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Health Promotion and Quality of Life Improvement among Patients with Prostate Cancer)
Open AccessArticle
Bullying at School, Cyberbullying, and Loneliness: National Representative Study of Adolescents in Denmark
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Katrine Rich Madsen, Mogens Trab Damsgaard, Kimberly Petersen, Pamela Qualter and Bjørn E. Holstein
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2024, 21(4), 414; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph21040414 - 28 Mar 2024
Abstract
Aims: The aim was to examine how loneliness was associated with bullying victimization at school and online. Methods: We used data from the Danish arm of the international Health Behavior in School-aged Children (HBSC) study from 2022. The study population was a nationally
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Aims: The aim was to examine how loneliness was associated with bullying victimization at school and online. Methods: We used data from the Danish arm of the international Health Behavior in School-aged Children (HBSC) study from 2022. The study population was a nationally representative sample of 11–15-year-olds who completed the internationally standardized HBSC questionnaire at school, n = 5382. Multilevel logistic regression was applied to study the associations between bullying victimization and loneliness. Results: The prevalence of reporting loneliness often or very often was 9.0%; 6.3% of the sample experienced habitual bullying victimization at school, and 4.8% incurred cyberbullying. There was a strong and graded association between loneliness and bullying victimization at school and cyberbullying. The associations were significant for boys and girls, and the association between exposure to bullying at school and loneliness was steeper for boys than girls. The gradients were steeper for physical bullying than for cyberbullying. Students exposed to habitual bullying in both contexts had an adjusted OR (95% CI) of 11.21 (6.99–17.98) for loneliness. Conclusion: Exposure to bullying at school and cyberbullying are strongly associated with loneliness. It is important to reduce bullying at school and on the internet and to promote effective interventions to reduce continuing loneliness.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue 2nd Edition: Bullying and Cyberbullying, Mental Health and Behavioral Difficulties)
Open AccessSystematic Review
Natural Environments in University Campuses and Students’ Well-Being
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Helena Ribeiro, Keila Valente de Souza Santana and Sofia Lizarralde Oliver
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2024, 21(4), 413; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph21040413 - 28 Mar 2024
Abstract
Most recent university campuses follow the North American model, built on city limits or countryside, with large separate buildings in open green spaces. Studies suggest that the prevalence and severity of mental health issues among university students has been increasing over the past
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Most recent university campuses follow the North American model, built on city limits or countryside, with large separate buildings in open green spaces. Studies suggest that the prevalence and severity of mental health issues among university students has been increasing over the past decade in most countries. University services were created to face this growing problem, however individual-based interventions have limited effects on mental health and well-being of a large population. Our aim was to verify if and how the natural environment in campuses is focused on programs to cope with the issue of mental health and well-being among students. A systematic review of literature was undertaken with search in Scopus and LILACS with the keywords “green areas” AND “well-being” AND “Campus”, following PRISMA guidelines. As a result, 32 articles were selected. Research on the topic is recent, mostly in the USA, Bulgaria, and China. Most studies used objective information on campuses’ greenness and/or university students’ perception. Mental health was usually measured by validated scores. Findings of all the studies indicated positive association between campus greenery and well-being of students. We conclude that there is a large potential for use of university campuses in programs and as sites for students’ restoration and stress relief.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Effects of Natural Environments on Human Well-Being)
Open AccessArticle
Association of Food Desert Residency and Preterm Birth in the United States
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Chanell O. Haley, Chelsea R. Singleton, Lily E. King, Lauren Dyer, Katherine P. Theall and Maeve Wallace
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2024, 21(4), 412; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph21040412 - 28 Mar 2024
Abstract
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Introduction: Food deserts are a major public health concern. Inadequate access to healthy food has been associated with poor nutrition and the development of dietary related chronic conditions. Objective: To determine the association between geographic access to nutritious food and preterm birth and
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Introduction: Food deserts are a major public health concern. Inadequate access to healthy food has been associated with poor nutrition and the development of dietary related chronic conditions. Objective: To determine the association between geographic access to nutritious food and preterm birth and whether gestational hypertension mediates this relationship. Methods: Food access data was retrieved from the U.S. Department of Agriculture Food Access Research Atlas (2019) and used to quantify the percentage of Census tracts within each county that were food deserts: low-income tracts with limited access to grocery stores, supermarkets, or other sources of healthy, nutritious foods. These data were merged with US birth records from 2018 to 2019 by using the maternal county of residence (n = 7,533,319). We fit crude and adjusted logistic regression models with generalized estimating equations to determine the association between living in a food desert and the odds of preterm birth. We conducted a secondary within-group analysis by stratifying the fully adjusted model by race for non-Hispanic White and non-Hispanic Black birthing people. Results: In the fully adjusted model, we found a dose–response relationship. As the prevalence of tract-level food deserts within counties increased, so did the likelihood of preterm birth (mid-range: odds ratio (OR) = 1.04, 95% confidence interval (C.I.) 1.01–1.07; high: OR = 1.07, 95% C.I. 1.03–1.11). Similar results were seen in the White–Black stratified models. However, a disparity remained as Black birthing people had the highest odds for preterm birth. Lastly, gestational hypertension appears to mediate the relationship between nutritious food access and preterm birth (natural indirect effect (NIE) = 1.01, 95% CI = 1.00, 1.01). Conclusion: It is salient, particularly for Black birthing people who experience high rates of adverse birth outcomes, that the role of food desert residency be explored within maternal and child health disparities.
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Open AccessCorrection
Correction: Siegel et al. PEN-13: A New Generic 13-Item Questionnaire for Measuring Patient Enablement (German Version). Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health2019, 16, 4867
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Achim Siegel, Anna T. Ehmann, Ingo Meyer, Oliver Gröne, Wilhelm Niebling, Peter Martus and Monika A. Rieger
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2024, 21(4), 411; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph21040411 - 28 Mar 2024
Abstract
In the original publication [...]
Full article
Open AccessSystematic Review
Effectiveness of Point of Entry Health Screening Measures among Travelers in the Detection and Containment of the International Spread of COVID-19: A Review of the Evidence
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Remidius Kamuhabwa Kakulu, Esther Gwae Kimaro and Emmanuel Abraham Mpolya
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2024, 21(4), 410; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph21040410 - 28 Mar 2024
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COVID-19 remains a communicable disease with the capacity to cause substantial damage to health and health systems. Enhanced health screening at points of entry (POEs) is a public health measure implemented to support early detection, prevention and response to communicable diseases, such as
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COVID-19 remains a communicable disease with the capacity to cause substantial damage to health and health systems. Enhanced health screening at points of entry (POEs) is a public health measure implemented to support early detection, prevention and response to communicable diseases, such as COVID-19. The purpose of this study was to review the available evidence on the effectiveness of POE health screening in the detection and containment of the COVID-19 pandemic. This study was registered under PROSPERO and followed PRISMA guidelines in which the literature between 2019 and 2022 was retrieved from Scopus, PubMed, Web of Science, Global Health, CINAHL, Embase, Google Scholar and international organizations. A total of 33,744 articles were screened for eligibility, from which 43 met the inclusion criteria. The modeling studies predicted POE screening able to detect COVID-19 in a range of 8.8% to 99.6%, while observational studies indicated a detection rate of 2% to 77.9%, including variants of concern depending on the screening method employed. The literature also indicated these measures can delay onset of the epidemic by 7 to 32 days. Based on our review findings, if POE screening measures are implemented in combination with other public health interventions such as rapid tests, they may help detect and reduce the spread of COVID-19.
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Open AccessReview
A Settings and Systems Approach to Promoting the Health and Wellbeing of People with an Intellectual Disability
by
Andrew Joyce
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2024, 21(4), 409; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph21040409 - 28 Mar 2024
Abstract
Research has shown that people with an intellectual disability have higher rates of certain preventable health conditions and a higher rate of avoidable mortality relative to the general population. With respect to health behaviours, they also have lower levels of physical activity and
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Research has shown that people with an intellectual disability have higher rates of certain preventable health conditions and a higher rate of avoidable mortality relative to the general population. With respect to health behaviours, they also have lower levels of physical activity and poorer nutrition. Despite the increased health needs, this population cohort is less likely to have the opportunity to participate in health promotion programs. The interventions that have been delivered are programmatic and individual in focus and have lacked a broader ecological and settings focus, which makes them very difficult to scale. Health promotion programs designed for the general population, such as lifestyle campaigns, rarely reach people with an intellectual disability. This increases the importance of ensuring that the settings in which they live and engage with are as health promoting as possible. Interventions have been particularly absent in the workplace for people with an intellectual disability. This paper highlights gaps in a settings-and-systems-based approach to promoting the health and wellbeing of people with an intellectual disability, particularly with respect to workplace health promotion. The paper concludes with recommendations for a systems approach that integrates approaches across multiple settings to better promote the health of this population cohort.
Full article
Open AccessArticle
Investigation of Underlying Association between Anthropometric and Cardiorespiratory Fitness Markers among Overweight and Obese Adolescents in Canada
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Mario Leone, Hung Tien Bui, Emilia Kalinova, Jean Lemoyne, Dominic Gagnon, Luc Léger, Georges Larivière and Maxime Allisse
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2024, 21(4), 408; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph21040408 - 28 Mar 2024
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Background: Adolescents who experience overweight or obesity commonly persist in these conditions into adulthood, thereby elevating their vulnerability to health issues. The focus of this study is on health risk markers such as body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), waist-to-height ratio (WHtR),
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Background: Adolescents who experience overweight or obesity commonly persist in these conditions into adulthood, thereby elevating their vulnerability to health issues. The focus of this study is on health risk markers such as body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), waist-to-height ratio (WHtR), body surface area (BSA), and cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF). The objectives include updating normative values for BMI, WC, WHtR, and BSA in Canadian adolescents, establishing cardiometabolic risk zones, and developing a composite score considering both anthropometric and CRF markers. Methods: Involving 1864 adolescents, the study used the LMS method to generate percentile norms, stratified by age and sex. Cardiometabolic risk zones were established for each marker based on Z-scores, and a composite score was created. Results: An increase in WC of 5.8 and 7.4 cm for boys and girls, respectively, was observed since 1981. Forward multiple regression analyses were conducted to assess the robustness and validity of the proposed model. The results indicated that the model explained nearly 90% (R2 = 0.890) of the common variance between the composite score and the retained independent variables. Moreover, the model demonstrated a mean absolute error (MAE) of approximately 6 percentiles, confirming its high precision. Furthermore, these analyses yielded key thresholds for identifying adolescents at risk: the 70th percentile for high cardiometabolic risk and the 85th percentile for very-high risk. Conclusions: Individually, WC or WHtR seem to be better markers for evaluating cardiometabolic risk than BMI during adolescence. However, CRF showed comparable importance to anthropometric markers in determining cardiometabolic risk. The simultaneous inclusion of anthropometric and CRF markers provides a better picture of the global cardiometabolic risk in adolescents.
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Open AccessSystematic Review
A Systematic Umbrella Review of the Effects of Teledentistry on Costs and Oral-Health Outcomes
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Janneke F. M. Scheerman, Alaa H. Qari, Benoit Varenne, Harmen Bijwaard, Laura Swinckels, Nicolas Giraudeau, Berno van Meijel and Rodrigo Mariño
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2024, 21(4), 407; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph21040407 - 28 Mar 2024
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Teledentistry offers possibilities for improving efficiency and quality of care and supporting cost-effective healthcare systems. This umbrella review aims to synthesize existing systematic reviews on teledentistry and provide a summary of evidence of its clinical- and cost-effectiveness. A comprehensive search strategy involving various
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Teledentistry offers possibilities for improving efficiency and quality of care and supporting cost-effective healthcare systems. This umbrella review aims to synthesize existing systematic reviews on teledentistry and provide a summary of evidence of its clinical- and cost-effectiveness. A comprehensive search strategy involving various teledentistry-related terms, across seven databases, was conducted. Articles published until 24 April 2023 were considered. Two researchers independently reviewed titles, abstracts and full-text articles. The quality of the included reviews was critically appraised with the AMSTAR-2 checklist. Out of 749 studies identified, 10 were included in this umbrella review. Two reviews focusing on oral-health outcomes revealed that, despite positive findings, there is not yet enough evidence for the long-term clinical effectiveness of teledentistry. Ten reviews reported on economic evaluations or costs, indicating that teledentistry is cost-saving. However, these conclusions were based on assumptions due to insufficient evidence on cost-effectiveness. The main limitation of our umbrella review was the critically low quality of the included reviews according to AMSTAR-2 criteria, with many of these reviews basing their conclusions on low-quality studies. This highlights the need for high-quality experimental studies (e.g., RCTs, factorial designs, stepped-wedge designs, SMARTs and MRTs) to assess teledentistry’s clinical- and cost-effectiveness.
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Open AccessSystematic Review
Human Health Effects of Oral Exposure to Chromium: A Systematic Review of the Epidemiological Evidence
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Eleni Sazakli
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2024, 21(4), 406; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph21040406 - 27 Mar 2024
Abstract
The toxicity and carcinogenicity of hexavalent chromium via the inhalation route is well established. However, a scientific debate has arisen about the potential effects of oral exposure to chromium on human health. Epidemiological studies evaluating the connection between ingested chromium and adverse health
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The toxicity and carcinogenicity of hexavalent chromium via the inhalation route is well established. However, a scientific debate has arisen about the potential effects of oral exposure to chromium on human health. Epidemiological studies evaluating the connection between ingested chromium and adverse health effects on the general population are limited. In recent years, a wealth of biomonitoring studies has emerged evaluating the associations between chromium levels in body fluids and tissues and health outcomes. This systematic review brings together epidemiological and biomonitoring evidence published over the past decade on the health effects of the general population related to oral exposure to chromium. In total, 65 studies were reviewed. There appears to be an inverse association between prenatal chromium exposure and normal fetal development. In adults, parameters of oxidative stress and biochemical alterations increase in response to chromium exposure, while effects on normal renal function are conflicting. Risks of urothelial carcinomas cannot be overlooked. However, findings regarding internal chromium concentrations and abnormalities in various tissues and systems are, in most cases, controversial. Environmental monitoring together with large cohort studies and biomonitoring with multiple biomarkers could fill the scientific gap.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue High Chromium Levels in Soils and Waters: Origin, Effects and Treatment)
Open AccessArticle
“Death Is a Possibility for Those without Shelter”: A Thematic Analysis of News Coverage on Homelessness and the 2021 Heat Dome in Canada
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Emily J. Tetzlaff, Farah Mourad, Nicholas Goulet, Melissa Gorman, Rachel Siblock, Sean A. Kidd, Mariya Bezgrebelna and Glen P. Kenny
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2024, 21(4), 405; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph21040405 - 27 Mar 2024
Abstract
Among the most vulnerable to the health-harming effects of heat are people experiencing homelessness. However, during the 2021 Heat Dome, the deadliest extreme heat event (EHE) recorded in Canada to date, people experiencing homelessness represented the smallest proportion of decedents (n = 3,
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Among the most vulnerable to the health-harming effects of heat are people experiencing homelessness. However, during the 2021 Heat Dome, the deadliest extreme heat event (EHE) recorded in Canada to date, people experiencing homelessness represented the smallest proportion of decedents (n = 3, 0.5%)—despite the impacted region (British Columbia) having some of the highest rates of homelessness in the country. Thus, we sought to explore the 2021 Heat Dome as a media-based case study to identify potential actions or targeted strategies that were initiated by community support agencies, individuals and groups, and communicated in the news during this EHE that may have aided in the protection of this group or helped minimize the mortality impacts. Using media articles collated for a more extensive investigation into the effects of the 2021 Heat Dome (n = 2909), we identified a subset which included content on people experiencing homelessness in Canada (n = 274, 9%). These articles were thematically analysed using NVivo. Three main themes were identified: (i) public warnings issued during the 2021 Heat Dome directly addressed people experiencing homelessness, (ii) community support services explicitly targeting this population were activated during the heat event, and (iii) challenges and barriers faced by people experiencing homelessness during extreme heat were communicated. These findings suggest that mass-media messaging and dedicated on-the-ground initiatives led by various organizations explicitly initiated to support individuals experiencing homelessness during the 2021 Heat Dome may have assisted in limiting the harmful impacts of the heat on this community.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Addressing the Health Needs of Individuals Experiencing Homelessness)
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Open AccessReview
Depression Treatment in Pregnancy: Is It Safe, or Is It Not?
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Vitalba Gallitelli, Rita Franco, Sofia Guidi, Ludovica Puri, Marco Parasiliti, Annalisa Vidiri, Georgios Eleftheriou, Federica Perelli and Anna Franca Cavaliere
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2024, 21(4), 404; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph21040404 - 26 Mar 2024
Abstract
Prenatal depression carries substantial risks for maternal and fetal health and increases susceptibility to postpartum depression. Untreated depression in pregnancy is correlated with adverse outcomes such as an increased risk of suicidal ideation, miscarriage and neonatal growth problems. Notwithstanding concerns about the use
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Prenatal depression carries substantial risks for maternal and fetal health and increases susceptibility to postpartum depression. Untreated depression in pregnancy is correlated with adverse outcomes such as an increased risk of suicidal ideation, miscarriage and neonatal growth problems. Notwithstanding concerns about the use of antidepressants, the available treatment options emphasize the importance of specialized medical supervision during gestation. The purpose of this paper is to conduct a brief literature review on the main antidepressant drugs and their effects on pregnancy, assessing their risks and benefits. The analysis of the literature shows that it is essential that pregnancy be followed by specialized doctors and multidisciplinary teams (obstetricians, psychiatrists and psychologists) who attend to the woman’s needs. Depression can now be treated safely during pregnancy by choosing drugs that have no teratogenic effects and fewer side effects for both mother and child. Comprehensive strategies involving increased awareness, early diagnosis, clear guidelines and effective treatment are essential to mitigate the impact of perinatal depression.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Anxiety and Depressive Disorders among Pregnant and Breastfeeding Women)
Open AccessArticle
Study on Psychological Stress Perceived among Employees in an Italian University during Mandatory and Voluntary Remote Working during and after the COVID-19 Pandemic
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Loreta Tobia, Pierpaolo Vittorini, Giulia Di Battista, Simona D’Onofrio, Giada Mastrangeli, Pietro Di Benedetto and Leila Fabiani
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2024, 21(4), 403; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph21040403 - 26 Mar 2024
Abstract
Objective of the Study: This cross-sectional study examined the perceived psychological well-being of administrative/technical employees and researchers/lecturers at the University of L’Aquila (Italy) during the COVID-19 pandemic. The study was carried out in two different periods of 2022: April 2022, when remote working
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Objective of the Study: This cross-sectional study examined the perceived psychological well-being of administrative/technical employees and researchers/lecturers at the University of L’Aquila (Italy) during the COVID-19 pandemic. The study was carried out in two different periods of 2022: April 2022, when remote working was still mandatory, and December 2022, when the pandemic emergency had ended and, in Italy, remote working had become voluntary for two days a week and exclusively for administrative staff. Materials and Methods: Perceived psychological well-being was investigated using the GHQ-12 (Global Health Questionnaire, short-form with 12 items), a self-administered questionnaire created on Google Forms and sent via email to all the employees of the University of L’Aquila. Statistical analysis was conducted using means, standard deviations, and frequency tables for the descriptive analysis of socio-demographic data, while the t-test or Wilcoxon test and the Χ2 test were used to verify the statistical difference and association between categorical variables. Results: Overall, 365 employees, including 118 administrative/technical and 247 research/teaching staff, participated in the survey in April 2022 when remote working was mandatory. Among them, 219 (52.8%) were female and 196 (47.2%) were male. In December 2022, 266 employees engaged in voluntary remote working, including 184 (69.2%) women and 82 (30.8%) men, took part in the study. The most represented age group was 50–59 years old (36.3% of study participants). During mandatory remote working, 83.4% of lecturers reported a perceived level of psychological distress ranging from moderate to severe versus 69.5% of technicians. The percentage of self-reported psychological distress was higher among the technicians forced to work from home (n. 118–42.9%) vs. the technicians working from home on a voluntary basis (n. 157–57.1%), with GHQ score being >14 in 65.5% of enforced remote workers vs. 62.3% of voluntary remote workers. During mandatory remote working, there was a significant difference in the GHQ-12 score between administrative and research staff, particularly related to items such as loss of self-confidence, emotional pressures, and diminished productivity. Moreover, from the comparison between the group of administrative staff engaged in mandatory remote working and those in voluntary remote working for specific GHQ-12 items, a statistically significant difference emerged concerning the perception of not being able to overcome difficulties; the GHQ-12 score was higher in the first group. Significant differences in the overall GHQ-12 score were evident between male and female lecturers, as the latter reported higher levels of perceived stress during mandatory remote working. Discussion: The results confirm that remote working could be associated with a better psychological state of administrative university staff, especially in the case of voluntary remote working. During mandatory remote working, a difference was observed between teaching and administrative staff, with higher stress in the first group and among women. Therefore, our sample appears fragmented in the self-assessment of psychological well-being during remote working, possibly due to profound differences in the organization of work activities between lecturers and administrative employees. Additionally, the increased perception of stress by female lecturers compared to males may reflect gender disparities, as women working from home during the pandemic experienced an increased workload including domestic activities. Conclusions: Remote working is a type of working that has both advantages and disadvantages. An advantage is undoubtedly a better work–life balance; however, the risks of technostress, workaholism, increased sedentary behaviour, and social isolation are negative aspects. This study provides an indicative overview of the psychological state related to remote working in a university setting during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. The study might therefore serve as a starting point for further research on the impact of remote working on self-reported psychological well-being, especially in the university environment.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Work-Related Safety and Health: Safeguard the Safety, Health, and Well-Being of the Workforce)
Open AccessArticle
Revisiting Urban Street Planning and Design Factors to Promote Walking as a Physical Activity for Middle-Class Individuals with Metabolic Syndrome in Cairo, Egypt
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Hisham Abusaada and Abeer Elshater
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2024, 21(4), 402; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph21040402 - 26 Mar 2024
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This paper revisits the planning and design factors of “pedestrianized” and “walkable” urban streets to encourage physical activity, focusing on their prioritization according to public health and smart growth. The aim is to create a conceptual framework for urban planners and designers to
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This paper revisits the planning and design factors of “pedestrianized” and “walkable” urban streets to encourage physical activity, focusing on their prioritization according to public health and smart growth. The aim is to create a conceptual framework for urban planners and designers to encourage walking and reduce metabolic syndrome (MetS) risks. Through a scoping review, the study found that while pedestrianized and walkable streets share many planning and design factors, they have different objectives. The study explores how urban planning and design can reduce MetS risk among middle-class individuals using online video storytelling for 30 participants in three districts of Cairo, Egypt: El Zamalek, Old Cairo, and Heliopolis. It identifies three factors to address MetS symptoms for middle-class individuals: strategic, design-oriented, and technical. Practitioners and policymakers can use this framework to evaluate the impact of their work. This study is particularly relevant for cities in the Global South that are facing similar challenges.
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Open AccessArticle
The Associations of Physical Activity and Health-Risk Behaviors toward Depressive Symptoms among College Students: Gender and Obesity Disparities
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Samantha Moss, Xiaoxia Zhang, Ziyad Ben Taleb and Xiangli Gu
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2024, 21(4), 401; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph21040401 - 26 Mar 2024
Abstract
Engaging in health-risk behaviors (HRBs) may be correlated with depressive symptoms among college students, but these relationships require more research. The purpose of this study was to examine the associations of physical activity levels (i.e., light [LPA] and moderate–vigorous [MVPA]) and HRBs (i.e.,
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Engaging in health-risk behaviors (HRBs) may be correlated with depressive symptoms among college students, but these relationships require more research. The purpose of this study was to examine the associations of physical activity levels (i.e., light [LPA] and moderate–vigorous [MVPA]) and HRBs (i.e., sedentary behavior [screen-based and non-screen-based behavior] and cigarette and e-cigarette tobacco use) with depressive symptoms in a sample of college students. Physical activity levels and HRBs were assessed through validated questionnaires. In total, 366 students participated (Mage = 22.59 ± 3.54; 60.1% female; 52.9% normal weight). E-cigarette use in males (β = 0.23, p < 0.05) and screen-based sedentary behavior in females (β = 0.14, p < 0.05) showed significant predictive utility toward depressive symptoms. In the overweight/obese group, screen-based sedentary behaviors (β = 0.19, p < 0.05) and e-cigarette use (β = 0.23, p < 0.01) showed significant predictive utility toward depressive symptoms. Females reported higher levels of depressive symptoms (Mfemale = 18.23 vs. Mmale = 14.81; η2 = 0.03) and less MVPA (Mmale = 52.83 vs. Mfemale = 41.09; η2 = 0.06) than males. Enhancing mental health by improving physical activity and eliminating HRBs should be tailored toward at-risk demographics.
Full article
Open AccessArticle
Smoking, Lung Cancer Stage, and Prognostic Factors—Findings from the National Lung Screening Trial
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Junjia Zhu, Steven Branstetter, Philip Lazarus and Joshua E. Muscat
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2024, 21(4), 400; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph21040400 - 26 Mar 2024
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Background: Low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) increases the early detection of lung cancer. Identifying modifiable behaviors that may affect tumor progression in LDCT-detected patients increases the likelihood of long-term survival and a good quality of life. Methods: We examined cigarette smoking behaviors on lung
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Background: Low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) increases the early detection of lung cancer. Identifying modifiable behaviors that may affect tumor progression in LDCT-detected patients increases the likelihood of long-term survival and a good quality of life. Methods: We examined cigarette smoking behaviors on lung cancer stage, progression, and survival in 299 ever-smoking patients with low-dose CT-detected tumors from the National Lung Screening Trial. Univariate and multivariate Cox models were used to estimate the hazard ratio (HR) for smoking variables on survival time. Results: Current vs. former smokers and early morning smokers (≤5 min after waking, i.e., time to first cigarette (TTFC) ≤ 5 min) had more advanced-stage lung cancer. The adjusted HR for current vs. former smokers was 1.3 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.911–1.98, p = 0.136) for overall survival (OS) and 1.3 (0.893–1.87, p = 0.1736) for progression-free survival (PFS). The univariate hazard ratios for TTFC ≤ 5 min vs. >5 min were 1.56 (1.1–2.2, p = 0.013) for OS and 1.53 (1.1–2.12, p = 0.01) for PFS. Among current smokers, the corresponding HRs for early TTFC were 1.78 (1.16–2.74, p = 0.0088) and 1.95 (1.29–2.95, p = 0.0016) for OS and PFS, respectively. In causal mediation analysis, the TTFC effect on survival time was mediated entirely through lung cancer stage. Conclusion: The current findings indicate smoking behaviors at diagnosis may affect lung cancer stage and prognosis.
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Open AccessArticle
Investigating the Risk of Patient Manual Handling Using the Movement and Assistance of Hospital Patients Method among Hospital Nurses in Botswana
by
Kagiso Kgakge, Paul Kiprono Chelule, Morris Kahere and Themba Geoffrey Ginindza
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2024, 21(4), 399; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph21040399 - 26 Mar 2024
Abstract
Background: Evidence on the prevalence of lower back pain (LBP) among nurses is widespread in the literature, with several risk factors being reported. These include manual handling of patients, repetitive bending and twisting movements, and long working hours. It is reported that LBP
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Background: Evidence on the prevalence of lower back pain (LBP) among nurses is widespread in the literature, with several risk factors being reported. These include manual handling of patients, repetitive bending and twisting movements, and long working hours. It is reported that LBP has negative health outcomes and causes poor work performance among healthcare workers (HCWs). The magnitude of ergonomic risks associated with these healthcare activities has not been adequately investigated in Botswana. Thus, this study aimed to investigate the ergonomic risk levels associated with the manual handling of patients and its association with the prevalence of LBP among nurses in Botswana. Methods: This was an observational cross-sectional hospital-based study conducted in a Botswana public tertiary hospital from March to April 2023. The Movement and Assistance of Hospital Patients (MAPO) tool was used to collect data on ergonomic risk levels. Data on the demographic characteristics of participants were collected using a tool adapted from the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire (NMQ). Odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals were estimated to determine the association between ergonomic risk levels and the prevalence of LBP. Results: A total of 256 nurses participated and completed the study. The self-reported prevalence of LBP in this study was 76.6%. The risk of acquiring LBP was high (90.5%) based on the MAPO index. Although the frequencies of self-reported LBP were high among nurses, these did not show any significant association with the MAPO index data. This could be partly due to the small sample size. Conclusions: There was a high prevalence of LBP in this study, which was corroborated by the MAPO index data. This has demonstrated the value of the MAPO index in forecasting the risk of patient manual handling. The findings might help Botswana formulate policies intended to address ergonomic preventive measures, directed towards reducing the MAPO index score by addressing the single risk determinants.
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(This article belongs to the Special Issue Occupational Health & Safety Management—Risk Identification and Assessment)
Open AccessArticle
Barriers Affecting Breastfeeding Practices of Refugee Mothers: A Critical Ethnography in Saskatchewan, Canada
by
Shela Akbar Ali Hirani
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2024, 21(4), 398; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph21040398 - 25 Mar 2024
Abstract
Refugee mothers are vulnerable to cultural stereotyping and socioeconomic hardships when they migrate to a new country. This vulnerability often has a negative impact on refugee mothers’ breastfeeding practices. Saskatchewan is one of the growing provinces in Canada that has a noticeable increase
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Refugee mothers are vulnerable to cultural stereotyping and socioeconomic hardships when they migrate to a new country. This vulnerability often has a negative impact on refugee mothers’ breastfeeding practices. Saskatchewan is one of the growing provinces in Canada that has a noticeable increase in refugee population with young children and limited availability of healthcare settings with baby-friendly status. Considering existing gaps in knowledge, this critical ethnographic study aimed to explore barriers that impede the breastfeeding practices of refugee mothers in Saskatchewan. After seeking ethics approval, data were collected using multiple methods, including in-depth interviews undertaken with 27 refugee mothers with young children of age range 1 day to 24 months, a review of media communications and field observations of community-based services/facilities available to refugee mothers. Findings suggest that psychosocial barriers, healthcare barriers, environmental barriers, and maternal and child health-related barriers impede the breastfeeding practices of refugee mothers in Saskatchewan. Breastfeeding practices of refugee mothers can be promoted through healthcare support, culturally appropriate services, interpretation services in healthcare settings, implementation of baby-friendly initiatives, hospital and community-based breastfeeding campaigns, and follow-up services. Collaborative efforts by healthcare settings, healthcare providers, policymakers, public health agencies, service providers, and governments are essential to support the breastfeeding practices of refugee mothers.
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(This article belongs to the Special Issue Cultural Diversity, Migrants, Refugees and Health)
Open AccessArticle
Improving Retention in Mental Health and Psychosocial Support Interventions: An Analysis of Completion Rates across a Multi-Site Trial with Refugee, Migrant, and Host Communities in Latin America
by
Isabella Fernández Capriles, Andrea Armijos, Alejandra Angulo, Matthew Schojan, Milton L. Wainberg, Annie G. Bonz, Wietse A. Tol and M. Claire Greene
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2024, 21(4), 397; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph21040397 - 25 Mar 2024
Abstract
Research on mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) interventions within refugee and migrant communities has increasingly focused on evaluating implementation, including identifying strategies to promote retention in services. This study examines the relationship between participant characteristics, study setting, and reasons for intervention noncompletion
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Research on mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) interventions within refugee and migrant communities has increasingly focused on evaluating implementation, including identifying strategies to promote retention in services. This study examines the relationship between participant characteristics, study setting, and reasons for intervention noncompletion using data from the Entre Nosotras feasibility trial, a community-based MHPSS intervention targeting refugee, migrant, and host community women in Ecuador and Panama that aimed to promote psychosocial wellbeing. Among 225 enrolled women, approximately half completed the intervention, with varying completion rates and reasons for nonattendance across study sites. Participants who were older, had migrated for family reasons, had spent more time in the study community, and were living in Panamá (vs. Ecuador) were more likely to complete the intervention. The findings suggest the need to adapt MHPSS interventions to consider the duration of access to the target population and explore different delivery modalities including the role of technology and cellular devices as reliable or unreliable source for engaging with participants. Engaging younger, newly arrived women is crucial, as they showed lower completion rates. Strategies such as consulting scheduling preferences, providing on-site childcare, and integrating MHPSS interventions with other programs could enhance intervention attendance.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Community-Based Mental Health Promotion and Psychosocial Support)
Open AccessArticle
“My Mother Persuaded Me to Have More Children”, Understanding the Influence of Social Network on Fertility Behavior in Sub-Saharan Africa
by
Stephen Okechukwu Chukwudeh and Akpovire Oduaran
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2024, 21(4), 396; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph21040396 - 24 Mar 2024
Abstract
Introduction: Despite the adoption of an antenatal demographic transition model in sub-Saharan Africa, population growth continues to soar in the region. The reasons for population growth are nebulous and should be approached from different perspectives. Inadequate attention has been paid to how social
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Introduction: Despite the adoption of an antenatal demographic transition model in sub-Saharan Africa, population growth continues to soar in the region. The reasons for population growth are nebulous and should be approached from different perspectives. Inadequate attention has been paid to how social pressures shape reproductive behavior. Thus, this study examines the association between social networks and fertility behavior in sub-Saharan Africa. Methods: This study used a cross-sectional design that employed a qualitative method to conduct 28 in-depth interviews among married women. Data was collected in 2023. Thematic analyses were utilized to interpret the results. Results: Parental pressure, the desire for more children, the desire for male children, values placed on children, norms, and pronatalist culture were associated with high fertility in sub-Saharan Africa. Conclusions: Thus, there is a need for more awareness of family planning and contraceptive use in order to reduce fertility in sub-Saharan Africa.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Global Health)
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