Development of theory-based health messages: three-phase programme of formative research

Online health behaviour interventions have great potential but their effectiveness may be hindered by a lack of formative and theoretical work. This paper describes the process of formative research to develop theoretically and empirically based health messages that are culturally relevant and can be used in an online intervention to promote healthy lifestyle behaviours among new university students. Drawing on the Theory of Planned Behaviour, a three-phase programme of formative research was conducted with prospective and current undergraduate students to identify (i) modal salient beliefs (the most commonly held beliefs) about fruit and vegetable intake, physical activity, binge drinking and smoking, (ii) which beliefs predicted intentions/behaviour and (iii) reasons underlying each of the beliefs that could be targeted in health messages. Phase 1, conducted with 96 pre-university college students, elicited 56 beliefs about the behaviours. Phase 2, conducted with 3026 incoming university students, identified 32 of these beliefs that predicted intentions/behaviour. Phase 3, conducted with 627 current university students, elicited 102 reasons underlying the 32 beliefs to be used to construct health messages to bolster or challenge these beliefs. The three-phase programme of formative research provides researchers with an example of how to develop health messages with a strong theoretical- and empirical base for use in health behaviour change interventions

Hospitalised smokers\u27 and staff perspectives of inpatient smoking cessation interventions and impact on smokers\u27 quality of life: An integrative review of the qualitative literature

Aim: To identify, integrate, and appraise the evidence on hospitalised smokers’ and staff perspectives of inpatient smoking cessation interventions and the impact on smokers’ quality of life. Design. The integrative review method was used to present hospitalised smokers’ and staff perspectives of inpatient smoking cessation interventions. Search Method: This integrative review consisted of a comprehensive search on smoking cessation interventions that take place during an inpatient admission to hospital for adults (\u3e age 18 years) of the following online databases: Ovid Medline, Joanna Briggs Institute, APA PsycInfo, CINAHL, Cochrane, Google Scholar, PEDro, and Scopus. The search strategy was inclusive of peer-reviewed studies limited to the English language or translated to English. A search of grey literature and manual searching of reference lists was also conducted to identify further studies not identified in the online database search. All studies that produced any qualitative data (i.e., qualitative, mixed methods, and surveys) on inpatient-initiated smoking cessation programs were included. Outcomes of interest are included but were not limited to education, counselling, and the use of pharmacotherapy. Studies undertaken in the psychiatric, adolescent, and paediatric settings were excluded. Results: The key findings from this integrative review included positive evaluations from both patients and staff involved in inpatient smoking cessation interventions, reporting that hospitalisation was an appropriate opportunity to address smoking cessation. A number of facilitators and barriers to inpatient smoking cessation interventions included creating a supportive patient-centred environment and consideration of the cost of nicotine replacement therapy and time to deliver inpatient smoking cessation interventions. Recommendations/preferences for future inpatient smoking cessation interventions included the use of a program champion and ongoing education to demonstrate the effectiveness of the intervention, and despite the cost of nicotine replacement therapy being identified as a potential barrier, it was identified as a preference for most patients. Although quality of life was only evaluated in two studies, statistically significant improvements were identified in both. Conclusion: This qualitative integrative review provides further insight into both clinician and patient participants’ perspectives on inpatient smoking cessation interventions. Overall, they are seen to produce positive benefits, and staff training appears to be an effective means for service delivery. However, insufficient time and lack of resources or expertise appear to be consistent barriers to the delivery of these services, so they should be considered when planning the implementation of an inpatient smoking cessation intervention

The effect of ambient air pollution on respiratory health of school children: a panel study

Abstract Background Adverse respiratory effects of particulate air pollution have been identified by epidemiological studies. We aimed to examine the health effects of ambient particulate air pollution from wood burning on school-age students in Christchurch, New Zealand, and to explore the utility of urine and exhaled breath condensate biomarkers of exposure in this population. Methods A panel study of 93 male students (26 with asthma) living in the boarding house of a metropolitan school was undertaken in the winter of 2004. Indoor and outdoor pollution data was continuously monitored. Longitudinal assessment of lung function (FEV1 and peak flow) and symptoms were undertaken, with event studies of high pollution on biomarkers of exposure (urinary 1-hydroxypyrene) and effect (exhaled breath condensate (EBC) pH and hydrogen peroxide concentration). Results Peak levels of air pollution were associated with small but statistically significant effects on lung function in the asthmatic students, but not healthy students. No significant effect of pollution could be seen either on airway inflammation and oxidative stress either in healthy students or students with asthma. Minor increases in respiratory symptoms were associated with high pollution exposure. Urinary 1-hydroxypyrene levels were raised in association with pollution events by comparison with low pollution control days. Conclusion There is no significant effect of ambient wood-smoke particulate air pollution on lung function of healthy school-aged students, but a small effect on respiratory symptoms. Asthmatic students show small effects of peak pollution levels on lung function. Urinary 1-hydroxypyrene shows potential as a biomarker of exposure to wood smoke in this population; however measurement of EBC pH and hydrogen peroxide appears not to be useful for assessment of population health effects of air pollution. Some of the data presented in this paper has previously been published in Kingham and co-workers Atmospheric Environment, 2006 Jan; 40: 338–347 (details of pollution exposure), and Cavanagh and co-workers Sci Total Environ. 2007 Mar 1;374(1):51-9 (urine hydroxypyrene data).</p

Scoping review of mobile phone app uptake and engagement to inform digital contract tracing tools for COVID-19

While researchers work to develop an effective COVID-19 vaccination, government and healthcare agencies across the world are developing and testing new ‘digital contact tracing’ technologies to help support the transition from emergency lockdown measures. During this transition phase, it is proposed that people will be able to move more freely, whilst ensuring continual monitoring and rapid action to tackle any new outbreaks of the COVID-19 virus

The effect of ambient air pollution on respiratory health of school children: a panel study-0

Studies occurred after high pollution nights marked with arrows. The New Zealand National Environmental Standard cut-off for high pollution days is marked at 50 μg/m. Details of monitoring sites and positions are given in the Methods section.<p><b>Copyright information:</b></p><p>Taken from "The effect of ambient air pollution on respiratory health of school children: a panel study"</p><p>http://www.ehjournal.net/content/7/1/16</p><p>Environmental Health 2008;7():16-16.</p><p>Published online 14 May 2008</p><p>PMCID:PMC2427023.</p><p></p

Exhaled breath condensate HOlevels on the control and high pollution assessment days

<p><b>Copyright information:</b></p><p>Taken from "The effect of ambient air pollution on respiratory health of school children: a panel study"</p><p>http://www.ehjournal.net/content/7/1/16</p><p>Environmental Health 2008;7():16-16.</p><p>Published online 14 May 2008</p><p>PMCID:PMC2427023.</p><p></p

Exhaled breath condensate pH levels on the control and high pollution assessment days

<p><b>Copyright information:</b></p><p>Taken from "The effect of ambient air pollution on respiratory health of school children: a panel study"</p><p>http://www.ehjournal.net/content/7/1/16</p><p>Environmental Health 2008;7():16-16.</p><p>Published online 14 May 2008</p><p>PMCID:PMC2427023.</p><p></p