Dental professionals’ views on motivational interviewing for the prevention of dental caries with adolescents in central Norway

Background Establishing positive oral health behaviours during adolescence should be a key priority to improve lifelong oral health. However, changing adolescent behaviours is known to be a challenge. Motivational interviewing (MI) is a method of working with patients to activate their motivation for change and has shown promising results within the dental setting. Yet, little is known about the actual experiences and perspectives of Norwegian dental health professionals in delivering motivational interviewing as part of routine care to their young patients. The overall aim of the present study was to explore the implementation of motivational interviewing by dentists and dental hygienists, employed by the Norwegian Public Dental Service, for their adolescent patients. Methods As part of the larger #Care4YoungTeeth <3 project, a Norwegian Research Council funded four-year Collaborative Project to Meet Societal and Industry-related Challenges, an online survey was developed and administered to dental personnel (n = 168) in one region of Central Norway. Data were analysed by descriptive statistics and two-sample tests of proportions at the 95% confidence level. Results A total of 98 dental personnel responded to the survey (response rate 58.3%), of which 37 were dental hygienists (response rate 72.5%) and 61 were dentists (response rate 52.1%). A greater proportion of hygienists reported implementing this intervention compared to dentists (78.4% versus 50.8%; p = 0.007). Similarly, a greater proportion of hygienists (83.8%) stated that they had received training in MI compared to dentists (65.6%; p = 0.051). About 80% of dentists and 90% of dental hygienists felt that they understood the principles of MI. However, only about 45% and 60%, respectively, felt confident in its use. Dental hygienists found MI more usable in their work (p = 0.052), to a greater extent want to use MI (p = 0.002) and found that using MI works well (p < 0.001), as compared to dentists. Conclusions A high proportion of dental professionals working within a Norwegian public dental service have received training in MI. However, barriers to implementation for adolescent patients and differences in practice between dentists and hygienists warrant further enquiry

Contraceptive consultations: A cross-sectional study of Norwegian Women's experiences and opinions

INTRODUCTION: Access to contraceptive consultations and the content of these consultations are important to achieve a safe and satisfying sexual life and successful reproduction when desired. The aim of this study was to investigate Norwegian women’s experiences of and opinions on contraceptive consultations. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional study with a questionnaire distributed via Facebook with 1917 respondents of age ≥15 years. Descriptive analyses were used. RESULTS: Few women found it hard to access consultations (5%). Across all age groups, side effects were the most common topic that women (69%) wanted more information about. Concern about side effects was also the most frequent reason given (27%) for not using hormonal contraceptives. Among women aged 25–34 years, 54% wanted to know more about different available contraceptives. The majority of women deemed issues of sexual wellbeing important to address during a contraceptive consultation. Few women reported that these topics had been raised. Just under half of the women found it appropriate to see a midwife for contraceptive/sexual health consultations. Only one-third knew that midwives can prescribe and administer long-acting reversible contraceptives (LARCs). CONCLUSIONS: Women want contraceptive consultations to include more information on side effects and available hormonal contraceptives. Women want to be asked about their sexual health and wellbeing during contraceptive consultations. Women should be made aware that midwives can provide contraceptive services including LARCs

Norwegian women's experiences and opinions on contraceptive counselling: A systematic textcondensation study

Introduction: Contraception plays a pivotal role in most women’s lives, from teenage years to the menopause. Contraception and sexual wellbeing are closely related. Ideally, women should be able to access contraception and discuss issues concerning their sexual life during a contraceptive counselling session. Previously, only doctors conducted contraceptive consultations. Increasingly, other healthcare workers are providing contraceptive care. The aim of this study is to explore women’s experiences and opinions related to contraceptive counselling. Methods: An electronic questionnaire was distributed in 2017–2018. The texts of 308 women’s written responses to open-ended questions were analyzed using systematic text-condensation. Results: The analysis resulted in four themes: 1) Women-centered care, 2) Side-effects of hormonal contraceptives, 3) Non-hormonal methods and male involvement, and 4) Counsellors’ professional background. Women wished for a consultation that would lead to the best choice of contraception for them, taking into account their medical history, personal preference and living circumstances. Side-effects of hormonal products were under-communicated, as were non-hormonal methods. Respondents had contradicting opinions about midwives as contraceptive counsellors and were unfamiliar with them in this role. Conclusions: The quality of contraceptive counselling in Norway needs to be improved. Women require individualized follow-up, sufficient information and a choice of methods to find the most suitable alternative for them. A good relationship with a health provider they trust could improve contraceptive consultation. Midwives’ knowledge and competence in this area need to be made more widely known

Presentation 1: Scoping review of cost-effectiveness evidence for interventions in peripartum depression

Background Prevention, screening and treatment strategies for peripartum depression (PPD) include building blocks to develop mental health status lifelong. Increasingly, more emphasis is being placed on the results of economic analysis to support decision makers. Objectives In this study, we consider how economic evaluation, including cost-effectiveness analysis, cost-utility analysis and related techniques, can inform the development of mental health policy strategies and guidelines, and provide implications for preventive, screening and treatment strategies for PPD. Methods The Population-Intervention-Outcome-Study Design (PIOS) framework was used to guide study selection and align the eligibility criteria with the aims of this review. A comprehensive and systematic search strategy appropriate for a scoping review was constructed by adapting strategies from previous studies on PPD and/or economics coupled with input from the project team. Results A total of 5806 studies were screened for eligibility; after deduplication, 3351 were screened at title/abstract level. This led to 191 studies screened at full text level and, ultimately, 43 studies included for extraction and evaluation. Specific results will be presented regarding cost-effectiveness, prevention, screening and treatment. Discussion There is a growing literature on health economics in PPD. Psychoeducational interventions were found to be potentially cost effective as preventive strategies for PPD. Stand-alone universal screening of PPD seems to be not cost effective, but the literature is inconsistent. Treatment strategies such as in home-CBT and video conferencing (VC) added to usual care were cost effective or cost saving, guided self-help was potentially cost effective. When screening and treatment are applied consecutively, they are highly cost effective