Comparing knowledge, accessibility, and use of evidence-based chronic disease prevention processes across four countries

<p>Background: Evidence-based chronic disease prevention (EBCDP) effectively reduces incidence rates of many chronic diseases, but contextual factors influence the implementation of EBCDP worldwide. This study aims to examine the following contextual factors across four countries: knowledge, access, and use of chronic disease prevention processes.</p><p>Methods: In this cross-sectional study, public health practitioners (N = 400) from Australia (n = 121), Brazil (n = 76), China (n = 102), and the United States (n = 101) completed a 26-question survey on EBCDP. One-way ANOVA and Pearson's Chi-Square tests were used to assess differences in contextual factors of interest by country.</p><p>Results: Practitioners in China reported less knowledge of EBCDP processes (p < 0.001) and less use of repositories of evidence-based interventions, than those from other countries (p < 0.001). Academic journals were the most frequently used method for accessing information about evidence-based interventions across countries. When selecting interventions, Brazilian and Chinese practitioners were more likely to consider implementation ease while the Australian and United States practitioners were more likely to consider effectiveness (p < 0.001).</p><p>Conclusions: These findings can help inform and improve within and across country strategies for implementing EBCDP interventions.</p

Developing a survey tool to assess implementation of evidence-based chronic disease prevention in public health settings across four countries

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Developing a Tool to Assess Implementation of Evidence-Based Chronic Disease Prevention in Public Health Settings Across Four Countries

Development of the 26-question survey included, a narrative literature review of extant measures in evidence-based chronic disease prevention (EBCDP); qualitative interviews with 50 chronic disease prevention practitioners in Australia, Brazil, China, and the United States; review by an expert panel of researchers in EBCDP; and test-retest reliability assessment. A convenience sample of practitioners working in chronic disease prevention in each country completed the survey twice (N=165). Overall, this tool produced good to moderately reliable responses. Generally, reliability of responses was higher among practitioners from Australia and the United States than China and Brazil

A qualitative exploration of contextual factors that influence dissemination and implementation of evidence-based chronic disease prevention across four countries

Abstract Background Little is known about the contextual factors affecting the uptake of evidence-based chronic disease interventions in the United States and in other countries. This study sought to better understand the contextual similarities and differences influencing the dissemination and implementation of evidence-based chronic disease prevention (EBCDP) in Australia, Brazil, China, and the United States. Methods Between February and July 2015, investigators in each country conducted qualitative, semi-structured interviews (total N = 50) with chronic disease prevention practitioners, using interview guides that covered multiple domains (e.g., use of and access to EBCDP interventions, barriers and facilitators to the implementation of EBCDP interventions). Results Practitioners across the four countries reported only a few programmatic areas in which repositories of EBCDP interventions were used within their workplace. Across countries, academic journals were the most frequently cited channels for accessing EBCDP interventions, though peers were commonly cited as the most useful. Lack of time and heavy workload were salient personal barriers among practitioners in Australia and the United States, while lack of expertise in developing and implementing EBCDP interventions was more pertinent among practitioners from Brazil and China. Practitioners in all four countries described an organizational culture that was unsupportive of EBCDP. Practitioners in Brazil, China and the United States cited an inadequate number of staff support to implement EBCDP interventions. A few practitioners in Australia and China cited lack of access to evidence. Partnerships were emphasized as key facilitators to implementing EBCDP interventions across all countries. Conclusions This study is novel in its cross-country qualitative exploration of multilevel constructs of EBCDP dissemination and implementation. The interviews produced rich findings about many contextual similarities and differences with EBCDP that can inform both cross-country and country-specific research and practice to address barriers and improve EBCDP implementation among the four countries long-term

Comparing knowledge, accessibility, and use of evidence-based chronic disease prevention processes across four countries

In this cross-sectional study, public health practitioners (N=400) from Australia, Brazil, China, and the United States completed a 26-question survey on EBCDP implementation

Influence of Water on the Structure and Properties of PDMS-Containing Multiblock Polyurethanes

Segmented polyurethane multiblock polymers containing polydimethylsiloxane and polyether soft segments form tough and easily processed thermoplastic elastomers. Two commercially available examples, Elast-Eon E2A (denoted as E2A) and PurSil 35 (denoted as P35), were evaluated for molecular and mechanical stability after immersion in buffered water for up to 52 weeks at temperatures ranging from 37 to 85 °C. Dynamic mechanical spectroscopy experiments, performed in tension and shear, were used to characterize the linear viscoelastic properties of compression-molded (dry) specimens. Small-angle X-ray scattering measurements indicated a disorganized microphase-separated morphology for all test conditions. Upon aging in phosphate buffered saline, samples of E2A and P35 were analyzed by size exclusion chromatography (SEC) and tensile testing as a function of time and temperature. The absolute molar mass of each material prior to aging in water was determined by SEC using a multiangle light scattering detector. Aging at 85 °C and 52 weeks lead to a 67% and 50% reduction in molar mass from the original values for E2A and P35, respectively. We attribute the reduction in molar mass to hydrolysis of the polymer backbone and have evaluated the data using a pseudo-zero-order kinetics analysis. The temperature dependence of the extracted rate data is consistent with an activated (i.e., Arrhenius) process, and thus all the molar mass reduction data can be reduced to a single master curve. Concomitant with the reduction in molar mass, E2A and P35 transformed with aging from strain-hardening to strain-softening materials, characterized by substantially reduced tensile strength (stress at failure) and ultimate elongation (strain at failure) relative to the original properties