Environmental health risks perceptions: results from cross-sectional surveys in Southeastern France

International audienceBackground: Arsenic is a toxic metalloid element frequently found in the environment. Chronic arsenic exposure is a critical public health issue in many countries since the identification of arsenic and its compounds as human carcinogens by the World Health Organization. After absorption, inorganic arsenic (iAs) is mainly methylated into monomethylated and dimethylated compounds (MMA, DMA), which are then excreted through the kidney together with unmethylated iAs. Whether the methylation process is to detoxify or potentiate arsenic toxicity, however, remains an ongoing debate. The purpose of this systematic review was to conduct a comprehensive meta-analysis to estimate the association between arsenic exposure and urothelial cancer. Methods: 10 observational studies met the inclusion criteria and were included in the systematic review. IAs%, MMA% and DMA% were extracted from each paper. Weighted Mean Differences with 95% confidence intervals were defined according to Cases minus Controls. Pooled risk estimates from individual studies were assessed using random effects models. Meta-regression analysis was performed to estimate the extent of urothelial cancer risk as a function of iAs%, MMA% and DMA%. Results: Results showed as patients with urothelial cancer presented higher level of urinary iAs% (WMD 2.70, 95%CI 0.64-4.76), MMA% (WMD 2.81, 95%CI 1.43-4.20) and DMA% (WMD-3.44, 95%CI-6.57-0.30). Conclusions: These findings suggest that higher level of iAs% and MMA% and lower level of DMA% were associated with an increased risk of urothelial cancer. Additional population based studies are needed to understand the role of arsenic in cancer development. Understanding the meaning of arsenic metabolism could improve the risk assessment of arsenic toxicity and provide a potential tool for disease prediction and prevention. Key messages: Higher level of iAs%, MMA% and DMA% were associated with an increased risk of urothelial cancer. Understanding the meaning of arsenic metabolism could improve the risk assessment of arsenic toxicity. Background: Heatwaves can lead to increased mortality. Portugal has a Heat-Health Warning System (HHWS) in place (ÍCARO system). Researchers at the Instituto Ricardo Jorge send a daily report with heat-related mortality forecasts to key stakeholders (e.g. Heat-Health Action Plans (HHAP) staff). HHAP practitioners issue warnings and implement measures to prevent heatwaves-related mortality. ICARO is amongst the recommended data sources to assess risk and issue warnings but its use and understanding is unknown. Therefore, we aimed to assess ÍCARO's use and understanding by key HHAP practitioners. Methods: We conducted semi-structured interviews with national and regional HHAP practitioners. Interviews were recorded, transcribed, and analysed using thematic content analysis. Intercoder reliability was applied to a sample of segments from 5 of 6 interviews. Results: We conducted 6 interviews with 9 professionals (mean time 52 minutes). We identified 4 categories: Report's content and presentation, Report's reception and communication, ÍCARO and risk assessment, Other issues. Practitioners use ÍCARO and perceived it as very relevant tool. However, they mentioned several questions on its interpretation. Practitioners also felt their questions were not fully answered, given researchers' use of statistical terms. Finally, practitioners referred the need to assess risk at the local level, information not currently provided. We also identified the need for improved communication and report's clarity. Conclusions: Our study stresses the need for an integrated collaboration between experts within HHWS and HHAP. Despite ICARO's understanding being challenging, practitioners consider it a relevant tool. Researchers should use less statistical language and clarify ÍCARO interpretation. Practitioners' needs should be considered when developing or revising tools. We are currently implementing some of these recommendations in an attempt to close the gap between researchers and practitioners

Study protocol for a pragmatic cluster randomized controlled trial to improve dietary diversity and physical fitness among older people who live at home (the “ALAPAGE study”)

Background : Diet and physical activity are key components of healthy aging. Current interventions that promote healthy eating and physical activity among the elderly have limitations and evidence of French interventions’ effectiveness is lacking. We aim to assess (i) the effectiveness of a combined diet/physical activity intervention (the “ALAPAGE” program) on older peoples’ eating behaviors, physical activity and fitness levels, quality of life, and feelings of loneliness; (ii) the intervention’s process and (iii) its cost effectiveness. Methods : We performed a pragmatic cluster randomized controlled trial with two parallel arms (2:1 ratio) among people ≥60 years old who live at home in southeastern France. A cluster consists of 10 people participating in a “workshop” (i.e., a collective intervention conducted at a local organization). We aim to include 45 workshops randomized into two groups: the intervention group (including 30 workshops) in the ALAPAGE program; and the waiting-list control group (including 15 workshops). Participants (expected total sample size: 450) will be recruited through both local organizations’ usual practices and an innovative active recruitment strategy that targets hard-to-reach people. We developed the ALAPAGE program based on existing workshops, combining a participatory and a theory-based approach. It includes a 7-week period with weekly collective sessions supported by a dietician and/or an adapted physical activity professional, followed by a 12-week period of post-session activities without professional supervision. Primary outcomes are dietary diversity (calculated using two 24-hour diet recalls and one Food Frequency Questionnaire) and lower-limb muscle strength (assessed by the 30-second chair stand test from the Senior Fitness Test battery). Secondary outcomes include consumption frequencies of main food groups and water/hot drinks, other physical fitness measures, overall level of physical activity, quality of life, and feelings of loneliness. Outcomes are assessed before the intervention, at 6 weeks and 3 months later. The process evaluation assesses the fidelity, dose, and reach of the intervention as its causal mechanisms (quantitative and qualitative data). Discussion : This study aims to improve healthy aging while limiting social inequalities. We developed and evaluated the ALAPAGE program in partnership with major healthy aging organizations, providing a unique opportunity to expand its reach

Dispensing of anxiolytics and hypnotics in southeastern France: demographic factors and determinants of geographic variations.

International audienceWe examined geographic variations in the dispensing of anxiolytics and hypnotics (AX-HY) and their determinants at the canton level in southeastern France. Data were collected from the 2005 outpatient database of the Southeastern France General Health Insurance Fund, covering more than 70% of the population. We calculated the annual age-adjusted prevalence rates of subjects filling prescriptions for AX-HY at least once (to measure 'overall use') and at least six times ('chronic use'), assessed geographic variations with the extremal quotient and weighted coefficient of variation, and conducted simple and multiple linear regression analysis to study their determinants. Prevalence rates of overall and chronic AX-HY use were 15.5% and 5.9%, respectively, and varied significantly between cantons, by a factor of 3-4. The prevalence of mental illness and that of chronic illness were independently and positively associated with overall and chronic use; unemployment rates and mean family income were positively associated only with overall use. Density of general practitioners did not explain geographic variations. These results provide a basis for targeting interventions to reduce AX-HY use and promoting appropriate discontinuation. Future studies should examine trends in those geographic variations

Trajectories of seasonal influenza vaccination uptake in French people with diabetes from 2006 to 2015

Abstract dans revueInternational audienceIntroductionSeasonal influenza vaccine (SIV) is recommended in France for people aged 65 years or older and those with clinical risk factors, including diabetes. The French National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) can identity these individuals and send them a voucher so they can obtain the vaccine free of charge. Despite this, SIV coverage remains below the target of 75% and has progressively decreased since the 2009 pandemic. We aimed to identify temporal trajectories (T) over a 10-year period of SIV uptake (SIVU) among patients with diabetes and to describe their correlates.MethodsWe identified patients with diabetes in 2006 (n = 17,259) among a representative sample of French NHIF beneficiaries. We followed them from 2006 through 2015, using SIV reimbursement claims and group-based trajectory modeling to identify SIVU-T and drug reimbursement claims to assess diabetes severity and comorbidity status. A multinomial logistic regression allowed us to study characteristics associated with the SIVU-T.ResultsWe found 6 SIVU-T: (1) “never” T (prevalence: 32%): people with quasi null SIVU probabilities (≤ 5%); (2) “late increasing” T (4%): SIVU probability varying from ≤ 10% before 2011/12 to 85% in 2015/16; (3) “early increasing” T (8%): probability varying from ≤ 10% in 2006/07 to ≥ 80% starting in 2009/10; (4) “regular” T (33%): probability always ≥ 95%; (5) “progressively non-vaccinated” T (14%): probability decreasing from 90% in 2006/07 to 20% in 2015/16; (6) “post-pandemic decreasing” T (9%): probability decreasing right after the 2009/10 season.Overall, compared to the “never” T group, people in all other trajectories had poorer health at inclusion and/or over the study period (severe diabetes, high comorbidity score), people in the “late increasing” T group were more likely to have received newly free vaccination vouchers and/or changed general practitioners (GPs) during follow-up, and those in the “early increasing” T more likely to have received newly free vaccination vouchers and to have been hospitalized for an influenza-like illness during the follow-up. Those with “regular” T were slightly older than those with “never” T and less likely to have been hospitalized due to diabetes; those with a “progressively non-vaccinated” T were oldest (mean age at inclusion = 80 ± 7 years versus 65 ± 14 in the study population). Finally, people with a “post-pandemic decreasing” T were more frequently women, more likely to have been hospitalized due to an influenza-like illness, and to have changed GPs during the follow-up.ConclusionsSIVU behavior was stable in most people with diabetes over the study period: one third were vaccinated regularly and another third never. The latter were globally healthier than the other groups and may feel less vulnerable to it, despite their clinical risk. About 25% became less inclined toward vaccination in one of two different patterns: the “progressively non-vaccinated” T may reflect the patient and/or healthcare professional's doubts about the benefits of SIV after a certain age (in part due to immunoscenescence); those in the “post-pandemic decreasing” T may have lost confidence in SIV after controversies in France during the 2009 mass vaccination campaign against the pandemic. About 10% became more likely to be vaccinated during the study period; our results suggest that receiving free vouchers for the first time might have triggered or fostered this behavioral change. Changing GPs and hospitalization for an influenza-like illness were associated with both increasing and decreasing trajectories. These events may represent key opportunities to foster or prevent behavioral changes toward SIV. Further research is needed to better understand the chronology of these events and potential causal pathways. These results should help stakeholders to adapt public health interventions to specific subgroups

O2-1 Improving diet and physical activity in older adults living at home: protocol for the ALAPAGE cluster randomized controlled trial

International audienceBackground: Adequate nutrition and regular physical activity (PA) are key elements in healthy aging. In France, behavioural interventions promoting healthy eating and PA in older adults consist mainly in collective workshops organised by pension and health insurance funds. After analyzing pre-existing workshops, we designed the co-constructed project ALAPAGE to improve these workshops and assess their impact on diet and PA. Methods: ALAPAGE is a cluster randomized controlled trial; 60 collective workshops in southeastern France will be randomized in a 2:1 (intervention/control) ratio. We will recruit 900 autonomous older adults (? 60 years) living at home and will make specific efforts to recruit socially isolated and/or economically vulnerable people. In the intervention group, collective workshop period will include 7 sessions (1 session/week): 1 introductory, 4 diet and 2 PA (to teach principles of functional dual-task exercise focused on strength, flexibility and physical functioning). During the following 3-months, participants will be recommended to perform exercises as often as possible and will participate in post-workshop activities. The control group will first participate to other types of workshops and then to a diet and PA workshop (waiting-list design). Results: The dietary practices (using experimental economics), physical activity (battery of field test and habitual PA), quality of life, and cost-effectiveness will be assessed at the first and last session, and 3 months later.Conclusion: Results will guide decision-makers to organize actions and their dissemination. Transferability to other regions will be facilitated by the fact that key stakeholders involved in ALAPAGE belong to structured national networks

Unexplained variations in general practitioners’ perceptions and practices regarding vaccination in France

International audienc

Seasonal influenza vaccine uptake among people with disabilities: A nationwide population study of disparities by type of disability and socioeconomic status in France

International audiencePeople with disabilities use various preventive health services less frequently than others, notably because of a lower socioeconomic status (SES). We examined variations of seasonal influenza vaccine uptake according to type/severity of disability and SES. We analyzed (in 2016) data from the 2008 French national cross-sectional survey on health and disability (n=12,396 adults living in the community and belonging to target groups for seasonal influenza vaccination). We defined seasonal influenza vaccine uptake during the 2007–2008 season by the self-reporting of a flu shot between September 2007 and March 2008. We built scores of mobility, cognitive, and sensory limitations, and an SES score based on education, occupation, and income. We performed bivariate analyses and then multiple log-binomial regressions. The prevalence of vaccine uptake was 23% in the 18–64 group and 63% in the ≥65 group. In bivariate analyses, it was higher among people in both age groups who had mobility and/or cognitive limitations and in the ≥65 group among those with sensory limitations. In the multiple regression analyses, only the presence of major mobility limitations in the18–64 group remained significant. The probability of vaccine uptake was higher in the highest SES category than in the lowest. Among at-risk groups, people with disabilities were more frequently vaccinated than others, mainly because of their higher levels of morbidity and healthcare use. Socioeconomic inequalities in access to vaccination persist in France. Future research is needed to monitor the trend in vaccine uptake in institutions

Flu vaccination among patients with diabetes: motives, perceptions, trust, and risk culture - a qualitative survey

Abstract Background Vaccination against seasonal influenza (SIV) is recommended for patients with diabetes, but their vaccination coverage is unsatisfactory in France and elsewhere. This qualitative survey of people with diabetes sought to explore 1) the extent to which SIV-related behaviour is more or less automatic; 2) reasons they choose/reject SIV; 3) their trust/distrust in authorities, science, and medicine. Methods We conducted semi-structured in-depth interviews of 19 adults with diabetes in 2014. We recruited them through physicians or patient associations and implemented an analysis of thematic content. Results Eight patients were vaccinated against flu in the preceding flu season and 11 were not. SIV uptake and refusal were stable over time and justified by multiple arguments. Coupons for free vaccines and regular doctor visits contributed to the habit of vaccination. Vaccination decisions were frequently anchored in past experiences of influenza and its vaccine. Patients often justified non-vaccination with attitudes of trivialisation/relativisation of influenza-associated risks and the perception that these can be controlled by means other than vaccination (e.g., through the avoidance of exposure). Some misbeliefs (e.g., SIV causes influenza) and doubts about SIV effectiveness and safety also existed. Several patients reported increased mistrust of SIV since the A/H1N1 pandemic in 2009. Patients trusted their doctors strongly regardless of their SIV behaviour, but unvaccinated patients had little trust in the government and pharmaceutical companies. Some discordances were found between perceptions and behaviour (e.g., remaining vaccinated despite doubts about SIV effectiveness or remaining unvaccinated despite feelings of vulnerability towards influenza complication), suggesting the existence of some vaccine hesitancy among patients. Conclusion This study among patients with diabetes suggest that SIV uptake is stable, thanks to a favourable environment. Nonetheless, SIV refusal is also stable over time. Unvaccinated patients used multiple arguments to justify SIV refusal, including compensatory health beliefs. Physicians should take every opportunity to recommend SIV. The necessary individualised patient education regarding SIV requires better physician training in patients priorities. While almost all patients strongly trust their doctors, unvaccinated patients distrust distal stakeholders: it is absolutely essential to restore trust in them and to develop new more effective influenza vaccines

Alcohol and cancer: risk perception and risk denial beliefs among the French general population

International audienceBackground: Worldwide, millions of deaths each year are attributed to alcohol. We sought to examine French people’s beliefs about the risks of alcohol, their correlates, and their associations with alcohol use. Methods: Data came from the 2010 Barome` tre Cancer survey, a random cross-sectional telephone survey of the French general population (n = 3359 individuals aged 15–75 years). Using principal component analysis of seven beliefs about alcohol risks, we built two scores (one assessing risk denial based on self-confidence and the other risk relativization). Two multiple linear regressions explored these scores’ socio-demographic and perceived information level correlates. Multiple logistic regressions tested the associations of these scores with daily drinking and with heavy episodic drinking (HED). Results: About 60% of the respondents acknowledged that alcohol increases the risk of cancer, and 89% felt well-informed about the risks of alcohol. Beliefs that may promote risk denial were frequent(e.g. 72% agreed that soda and hamburgers are as bad as alcohol for your health). Both risk denial and risk relativization scores were higher among men, older respondents and those of low socioeconomic status. The probability of daily drinking increased with the risk relativization score and that of HED with both scores. Conclusions: Beliefs that can help people to deny the cancer risks due to alcohol use are common in France and may exist in many other countries where alcoholic beverages have been an integral part of the culture. These results can be used to redesign public information campaigns about the risks of alcohol

Social Differentiation of Sun-Protection Behaviors The Mediating Role of Cognitive Factors

International audienceINTRODUCTION: Adherence to sun-protection guidelines in developed countries is low, especially among people of low SES. Mechanisms underlying this social differentiation are poorly understood. This study aimed to examine the social differentiation of sun-protection behaviors and of two cognitive factors (knowledge about both sun health and behavioral risk factors for cancer) and to determine if these cognitive factors mediate the association between SES and sun-protection behaviors.METHODS: Data came from the 2010 Baromètre Cancer survey (analyzed in 2014), a random cross-sectional telephone survey conducted among the French general population (n=3,359 individuals aged 15-75 years). First, bivariate associations between a composite individual SES indicator (based on education level, occupation, and income) and both sun-protection behaviors and cognitive factors were tested with chi-square tests and ANOVA. Then, confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modeling were used to test the mediating role of cognitive factors with a multiple mediation model including four latent variables.RESULTS: In bivariate analyses, the individual SES indicator was positively associated with sun-protection behaviors and both cognitive factors. Multiple mediation analyses showed that both cognitive factors partially mediated the effect of individual SES on sun-protection behaviors. The overall proportion of mediated effects was 48%. The direct effect of SES remained significant.CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that interventions aimed at modifying the knowledge and perceptions of people of low SES might help to reduce social differentiation of sun-protection behaviors. Further qualitative research is needed to better understand these cognitive factors and develop suitable prevention messages