Prevalence and socioecological correlates of sedentary behaviour among university students in England

Sedentary behaviour (sitting time) holds public health significance as it is associated with detrimental effects on morbidity and mortality. The objective of this thesis was to examine the prevalence and socio-ecological correlates of sedentary behaviour amongst university students, with an emphasis on ethnic minority university students. The socio-ecological model of sedentary behaviour was employed as a theoretical framework to inform a series of regression models that identified the intrapersonal, interpersonal, perceived environmental, behaviour setting and policy-related correlates of sedentary behaviour. These models were estimated using secondary data from the Health Survey of England (HSE) and primary data collected at a London university. In Study 1 there was a focus on measuring the prevalence and intrapersonal correlates of sedentary behaviour in sub-samples of university students drawn from two waves of the HSE (2008 and 2012). Study 1 measured sedentary behaviour with two questions about time spent sitting watching television or for any other activity both on weekdays and weekends. In Study 2, primary data from a sample of 340 students was analysed and there was focus on socio-ecological correlates of sedentary behaviour at a university with a large ethnically diverse student population. Study 2 utilized the Marshall sitting questionnaire that collects data about domain-specific sedentary behaviour that includes: sitting at work, during travel, sitting at university, sitting for leisure time without watching television, sitting at home using computer and watching television both on the weekdays and weekends. Study 1 revealed that students in England spent around six (± 1.4) hours/day sitting, comparable with the general population. The intrapersonal and some interpersonal factors, such as age, ethnicity, physical activity, mental wellbeing and health-related quality of life, were statistically significantly associated with sedentary behaviour. Study 2 found that students at the London university spent on average 11.7 ± 3.3 hours/day sitting (mainly sitting at university or using a computer), nearly twice that of the general population in England. In Study 2, gender, employment status, income, social status and place of residence were statistically significantly associated with sedentary behaviour. In a subgroup analysis of ethnic minority students versus White students, gender, income, and employment status were significantly associated with sedentary time among ethnic minority students, whereas among White students only social class was significantly associated with sedentary time. Overall, the socio-ecological correlates found to be more strongly associated with sedentary behaviour in White and ethnic minority students were intrapersonal and interpersonal factors rather than environmental factors. Interventions and university policies targeting the intrapersonal and interpersonal correlates of sedentary behaviour may prove successful in reducing sedentary time amongst university students

Social, cognitive, behavioural and neighbourhood characteristics associated with sedentary time in men and women living in deprived neighbourhoods

Background Multiple individual and neighbourhood characteristics are theorised to influence adult sedentary behaviour. The aim of this study was to examine associations between individual and neighbourhood-level characteristics in forty deprived neighbourhoods in London, UK. Methods A cross-sectional design was utilised with baseline data from the Well London Cluster Randomised Controlled Trial in forty deprived neighbourhoods in London. Multilevel linear regression was used to examine associations between individual characteristics (measured by household survey), neighbourhood characteristics (neighbourhood audit, GIS and routinely available datasets) and sedentary behaviour (sitting time). Results Individual-level positive mental wellbeing and health behaviours were associated with sedentary time. Individual-level social networks were associated with increased sedentary time in men and reduced sedentary time in women. Neighbourhood-level measures of social networks and perceived neighbourhood quality were associated with reduced sedentary time. Fifteen percent of the variance in sedentary time was attributable to differences at the neighbourhood-level (intra-class correlation coefficient = 0.15). Conclusion These findings suggest that social networks at the individual and neighbourhood-levels, collective perceptions of neighbourhood quality, individual-level positive mental wellbeing and other health behaviours may be important components of interventions developed to reduce sedentary time in deprived populations

COVID-19 Vaccination Hesitancy or Acceptance and Its Associated Factors: Findings from Post-Vaccination Cross-Sectional Survey from Punjab Pakistan.

COVID-19 has posed massive challenges related to health, economy, and the social fabric of the entire human population. To curb the spread of the virus, the Government of Pakistan initiated a vaccination campaign against COVID-19. The objective of this research was to assess the factors associated with COVID-19 vaccine acceptance or hesitancy. The data were collected telephonically using a cross-sectional survey design through a close-ended structured questionnaire from a sample of 1325 vaccinated and non-vaccinated individuals with a response rate of 38%. SPSS v. 26 was used to analyze the data. The study revealed that 73% of the respondents were male, half in the 40-49 age group, 78% living in urban areas, and 45% had a monthly income between 20,001-50,000 Pakistani rupees. People felt reluctant to get vaccinated because of myths and misinformation related to it. The socio-demographic factors including male, age 60-69, middle or higher level of education, marital status, currently employed, from middle socio-economic status, living in urban areas, high access to mass media, history of influenza vaccination, physical activity, and perceived good health status were significantly associated with COVID-19 vaccination uptake. Concerted efforts are needed to achieve vaccine targets for the broader population through understanding and identifying barriers to vaccination

COVID-19 Vaccination Hesitancy or Acceptance and Its Associated Factors: Findings from Post-Vaccination Cross-Sectional Survey from Punjab Pakistan.

COVID-19 has posed massive challenges related to health, economy, and the social fabric of the entire human population. To curb the spread of the virus, the Government of Pakistan initiated a vaccination campaign against COVID-19. The objective of this research was to assess the factors associated with COVID-19 vaccine acceptance or hesitancy. The data were collected telephonically using a cross-sectional survey design through a close-ended structured questionnaire from a sample of 1325 vaccinated and non-vaccinated individuals with a response rate of 38%. SPSS v. 26 was used to analyze the data. The study revealed that 73% of the respondents were male, half in the 40-49 age group, 78% living in urban areas, and 45% had a monthly income between 20,001-50,000 Pakistani rupees. People felt reluctant to get vaccinated because of myths and misinformation related to it. The socio-demographic factors including male, age 60-69, middle or higher level of education, marital status, currently employed, from middle socio-economic status, living in urban areas, high access to mass media, history of influenza vaccination, physical activity, and perceived good health status were significantly associated with COVID-19 vaccination uptake. Concerted efforts are needed to achieve vaccine targets for the broader population through understanding and identifying barriers to vaccination

Community health workers and Covid-19: Cross-country evidence on their roles, experiences, challenges and adaptive strategies

Community health workers (CHWs) are a key part of the health workforce, with particular importance for reaching the most marginalised. CHWs’ contributions during pandemics have received growing attention, including for COVID-19. This paper contributes to learning about CHWs’ experiences during COVID-19, based on evidence from India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Sierra Leone, Kenya and Ethiopia. The paper synthesises evidence from a set of research projects undertaken over 2020–2021. A thematic framework based on the research focus and related literature was used to code material from the reports. Following further analysis, interpretations were verified with the original research teams. CHWs made important contributions to the COVID-19 response, including in surveillance, community education, and support for people with COVID-19. There was some support for CHWs’ work, including training, personal protective equipment and financial incentives. However, support varied between countries, cadres and individual CHWs, and there were significant gaps, leaving CHWs vulnerable to infection and stress. CHWs also faced a range of other challenges, including health system issues such as disrupted medical supply chains, insufficient staff and high workloads, a particular difficulty for female CHWs who were balancing domestic responsibilities. Their work was also affected by COVID-19 public health measures, such as restrictions on gatherings and travel; and by supply-side constraints related to community access and attitudes, including distrust and stigmatization of CHWs as infectious or informers. CHWs demonstrated commitment in adapting their work, for example ensuring patients had adequate drugs in advance of lockdowns, and using their own money and time to address increased transport costs and higher workloads. Effectiveness of these adaptations varied, and some involved coping in a context of inadequate support. CHW are critical for effective response to disease outbreaks, including pandemics like COVID-19. To support CHWs’ contribution and protect their wellbeing, CHWs need adequate resources, managerial support, and motivation

The SOS-framework (Systems of Sedentary behaviours): an international transdisciplinary consensus framework for the study of determinants, research priorities and policy on sedentary behaviour across the life course: a DEDIPAC-study.

BACKGROUND: Ecological models are currently the most used approaches to classify and conceptualise determinants of sedentary behaviour, but these approaches are limited in their ability to capture the complexity of and interplay between determinants. The aim of the project described here was to develop a transdisciplinary dynamic framework, grounded in a system-based approach, for research on determinants of sedentary behaviour across the life span and intervention and policy planning and evaluation. METHODS: A comprehensive concept mapping approach was used to develop the Systems Of Sedentary behaviours (SOS) framework, involving four main phases: (1) preparation, (2) generation of statements, (3) structuring (sorting and ranking), and (4) analysis and interpretation. The first two phases were undertaken between December 2013 and February 2015 by the DEDIPAC KH team (DEterminants of DIet and Physical Activity Knowledge Hub). The last two phases were completed during a two-day consensus meeting in June 2015. RESULTS: During the first phase, 550 factors regarding sedentary behaviour were listed across three age groups (i.e., youths, adults and older adults), which were reduced to a final list of 190 life course factors in phase 2 used during the consensus meeting. In total, 69 international delegates, seven invited experts and one concept mapping consultant attended the consensus meeting. The final framework obtained during that meeting consisted of six clusters of determinants: Physical Health and Wellbeing (71% consensus), Social and Cultural Context (59% consensus), Built and Natural Environment (65% consensus), Psychology and Behaviour (80% consensus), Politics and Economics (78% consensus), and Institutional and Home Settings (78% consensus). Conducting studies on Institutional Settings was ranked as the first research priority. The view that this framework captures a system-based map of determinants of sedentary behaviour was expressed by 89% of the participants. CONCLUSION: Through an international transdisciplinary consensus process, the SOS framework was developed for the determinants of sedentary behaviour through the life course. Investigating the influence of Institutional and Home Settings was deemed to be the most important area of research to focus on at present and potentially the most modifiable. The SOS framework can be used as an important tool to prioritise future research and to develop policies to reduce sedentary time

Frequency of Stress Urinary Incontinence in Pregnant Females

Background: Stress urinary incontinence (SUI) is the most common type of urinary incontinence (UI) in pregnant women and is known to have detrimental effects on the quality of life. The objective of this study was to determine frequency of stress-induced urinary incontinence in pregnant females. Methodology: A Cross-sectional survey was conducted among 600 pregnant females selected via non probability purposive sampling technique from January to June 2018. Data was collected from major cities of Pakistan using validated questionnaires; International consultation on incontinence questionnaire” (ICIQ-SF) and self-structured questions assessing the referrals of pregnant women to physiotherapy, for stress urinary incontinence. Statistical analysis was done using SPSS. Frequency of qualitative variables was determined. Association of urinary incontinence with pregnancy related characteristics was determined by chi-square test. Results: Out of 600 females, 84.3% (506/600) had experienced stress urinary incontinence in pregnancy with 64.5% reported among multigravida. 35.5% of the participants complained of increased urinary incontinence during the 9th month. Quality of life was moderately affected by stress urinary incontinence. Only 6.2% of the participants were referred to a physiotherapist for exercise. There was statistically significant difference between primigravida and multigravida in having urinary incontinence (p< .001). Conclusion: Frequency of stress urinary incontinence was high in pregnant women especially during the 9th month. Referral to physiotherapy for urinary incontinence in pregnancy was extremely low

COVID-19 Vaccination Hesitancy or Acceptance and Its Associated Factors: Findings from Post-Vaccination Cross-Sectional Survey from Punjab Pakistan

COVID-19 has posed massive challenges related to health, economy, and the social fabric of the entire human population. To curb the spread of the virus, the Government of Pakistan initiated a vaccination campaign against COVID-19. The objective of this research was to assess the factors associated with COVID-19 vaccine acceptance or hesitancy. The data were collected telephonically using a cross-sectional survey design through a close-ended structured questionnaire from a sample of 1325 vaccinated and non-vaccinated individuals with a response rate of 38%. SPSS v. 26 was used to analyze the data. The study revealed that 73% of the respondents were male, half in the 40–49 age group, 78% living in urban areas, and 45% had a monthly income between 20,001–50,000 Pakistani rupees. People felt reluctant to get vaccinated because of myths and misinformation related to it. The socio-demographic factors including male, age 60–69, middle or higher level of education, marital status, currently employed, from middle socio-economic status, living in urban areas, high access to mass media, history of influenza vaccination, physical activity, and perceived good health status were significantly associated with COVID-19 vaccination uptake. Concerted efforts are needed to achieve vaccine targets for the broader population through understanding and identifying barriers to vaccination

COVID-19 Vaccination Acceptance in the Context of the Health Belief Model: Comparative Cross-Sectional Study in Punjab, Pakistan.

One of the models that could be used to understand the adoption of vaccine uptake is the Health Belief Model (HBM). The aim of this study is to assess the role of HBM constructs and Perceived Health Status (PHS) on the vaccination status of individuals and to understand the role of socio-demographic variables on HBM scoring. A comparative cross-sectional telephone survey was conducted among 1325 vaccinated (60.0%) and non-vaccinated (40.0%) individuals aged 40 years and above in July 2021 in Punjab province, Pakistan. A higher level of education was the strongest predictor of positive HBM. All constructs of HBM, PHS and cues-to-action were significant predictors of COVID-19 vaccination uptake, with perceived benefits as the strongest predictor. In order to expand the vaccination coverage, double-pronged interventions utilizing both information and communication technology and human resources should be designed that address each barrier perceived by individuals and understandably communicate the benefits of COVID-19 vaccination to the broader population

CHW cadres referred to in this paper.

CHW cadres referred to in this paper.</p