Search

The COVID-19 in the context of healthy ageing is associated with decline in body functional abilities and serious illness in older individuals. Regular assessment of ageing processes, including intrinsic capacity factors, provides an opportunity for better understanding of the individual’s functional abilities and vulnerabilities. Based on the data (2017–2020) from two waves (7 and 8) of the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe (SHARE), an evaluation and comparison of the intrinsic capacity factors of older individuals (50+ years) before and during COVID-19 was conducted, including data from 4422 individuals in Baltic countries (from Latvia – 648, Lithuania – 1079 and Estonia – 2695). Excellent or very good health status before the outbreak reported 35.3% respondents in Latvia, 54.9% in Lithuania and 45.3% in Estonia (p < 0.001). On worsened health status since the outbreak reported 7% respondents in Latvia, 13.8% in Lithuania and 5.9% in Estonia (p < 0.001). Feeling of nervousness, depression and loneliness during COVID-19 outbreak increased among all respondents, regardless of nationality and severity of symptoms before outbreak (p < 0.001). The results indicate that during COVID-19 outbreak respondents were experiencing deterioration in cognitive and psychological health. To maintain the level of individual’s functional abilities during situations like COVID-19 outbreak preventive actions are needed by promoting physical activities and social networks, especially for older individuals.

Medical staff has worked tirelessly throughout the COVID-19 pandemic to test and treat coronavirus patients. However, the focus on the virus has caused huge disruption to healthcare services, resulting in delayed treatment for patients with other serious conditions. Additionally, the reasons for forgoing or abstaining healthcare could also relate to individual decisions. We used data from the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe (SHARE), where the respondents aged 50 and older of the Wave 8, version 0, were asked to answer, among other, questions on delayed, postponed or denied healthcare services during the first wave of COVID-19 pandemic in Latvia. For comparative reasons also Estonian and Lithuanian data were included in the study with 2 473 627 valid weighted cases in total. Due to the large sample size, in order to evaluate statistically significant result for Pearson’s chi-square test, strength of association (f) was provided. The results show that 12.7% of the respondents forwent and 14% postponed medical treatment in Latvia. Appointment was denied to 5.5% of the respondents. Generally, older people in Latvia had better access to health care services compared to the average in the Baltic countries. We found significant age and gender differences, but they varied depending on the type of treatment and reason for not receiving it. However, further studies are necessary to analyse how limited access to the healthcare for other reasons has affected health of the ageing population. Also, more knowledge is needed about how to maintain public health and wellbeing for the growing part of the ageing society.

Malaria continues to be a public health problem in Kenya, with an estimated 37.2 million people at high risk of the disease. The disease burden is compounded by inequalities in health service availability, housing, socioeconomic conditions, and access to education. We aimed to determine the status of community-based, health education interventions. Based on the findings, to develop an educational module for medical students to combat malaria in Kenya. A systematic review was conducted to identify different educational interventions, their successes and limitations, and legal challenges leading to low uptake and adherence to malaria prevention interventions from 2000–2023. Consequently, a 6-week online educational pilot was conducted with healthcare students from Kenya, Japan, the UK, and Cyprus. Despite developing a national malaria strategy and monitoring and evaluation strategies, Kenya has not been able to meet the incidence reduction targets set by the World Health Organisation, underscoring the need for more work in identifying the barriers to implementing strategies and optimising the distribution of public health interventions. Student teams proposed innovative solutions, including two-tier malaria control strategies, maternal malaria clinical education, community awareness through schools and NGOs, and a 10-year health system strengthening and immunisation plan. Public education regarding prevention strategies and increasing their adoption remains a key challenge in combating malaria in Kenya. In this regard, digital tools can facilitate international collaborative health education and exchange of best practices, allowing students and faculty to engage across boundaries and prepare them to be future-ready physicians connected to the global community. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Socialinė Teorija, Empirija, Politika ir Praktika (STEPP) is the property of Vilnius University and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

To explore whether the personal assistance (PA) activities provided by the Swedish Act concerning Support and Service for Persons with Certain Functional Impairment in 2010 and 2015 promote participation in society according to Article 19 of the United Nations' Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD). Register data and data from two questionnaires were used (N = 2565). Descriptive statistics and chi-square (McNemar's test) were used to describe the basic features of the data. Mixed binominal logistic regression was used to examine correlation between gender and hours of PA between 2010 and 2015. Despite an increase in the number of PA hours, more care activities and a reduction of most PA activities representing an active life were found. The result was especially evident for women, older people, and for a particular person category. The results offer evidence of a shift to a medical model and indicate a risk of social exclusion due to fewer activities representing an active life. An increase on average of 16 h of PA over the period studied does not guarantee access to an active life and may indicate a marginal utility. The noted decline of PA for participation in society enhances the importance of monitoring content aspects to fulfil Article 19 of the UNCRPD. Personal assistance (PA) in Sweden is a supportive measure for persons with disabilities; however, there are few studies to show whether PA activities are fulfilling disability rights of participation in society. The results show that PA activities are used more for medical care and home-based services over the five-year period. The study highlights the importance of monitoring aspects of content to ensure that the activities of PA comply with the policy objectives of the LSS legislation and Article 19 of the United Nations' Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), i.e., full participation in society. Monitoring efforts should include individualised planning and follow-up, moreover, ensure compliance with social service capacity at PA providers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Pedagogy Studies / Pedagogika is the property of Vytautas Magnus University and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Abstract Background Having secure employment, in contrast to being unemployed, is regarded as an important determinant of health. Research and theories about the negative health consequences of unemployment indicated that transition from unemployment to a paid job could lead to improved health. The objective of this study was to test the hypothesis that obtaining permanent employment after being in an unstable labour market position protects mental health. Methods A 14-year follow-up of all graduates from compulsory school in an industrial town in northern Sweden was performed at ages 16, 18, 21 and 30 years. Complete data on the cohort were collected for 1044 individuals with the aid of a comprehensive questionnaire. The response rate was 96.4%. The health measurement used in this study was the psychological symptoms analysed by multivariate logistic regression. Those who obtained permanent employment were the focus of the analysis. This group consisted of people who were in an unstable labour market position for a year or more between the ages of 25 and 29, and who had acquired a permanent job one year before and at the time of the investigation. Results After controlling for gender as well as for an indicator of health-related selection, possible confounders and mediators, an association was found between the lower probability of psychological symptoms and obtaining permanent employment (OR = 0.35, 95% CI 0.19–0.63) as well as having permanent employment (OR = 0.22, 95% CI 0.10–0.51). Conclusion Our findings suggest that transition from an unstable labour market position to permanent employment could be health-promoting, even after controlling for possible confounders and mediators, as well as for an indicator of health-related selection. However, as there are few studies in the field, there is a need for more longitudinal studies in order to further analyse the relationship and to examine possible explanations. The policy implication of our study is that the transformation of unstable labour market positions into permanent employment could contribute to better public health.

In Latvia, as in many other countries, during the first wave of Covid-19, the elderly had limited access to healthcare services, putting the older populations at an increased risk of morbidity and mortality. The aim of this study was to analyze the health and psychological wellbeing of the elderly during the first wave of Covid-19 epidemic to understand what public health measures are needed to improve survival, to provide more healthy years of life, and to reduce the public burden of providing care to the elderly. This article is based on an interdisciplinary study which resulted in a reliable and widely applicable database on lifestyle and health indicators for the elderly residents of Latvia. The analyses include the assessment of the impact of Covid-19 on health, health care consumption, social contact and social support. The study is on a population above the age of 50 and uses data from the longitudinal international comparative “Survey on health, ageing and retirement in Europe” (SHARE). The results of the study demonstrated that older people are at increased risk of additional disease exacerbation, related to both aggravated psycho-emotional status and ageing. The deterioration of the state of health during the first wave of Covid-19 is more attributable to health determinants and demographic indicators, the impact of which may be significantly reinforced by the unavailability of health care services for every fourth resident of Latvia over the age of 50. In addition, the lack of timely care may seriously threaten the safety of the elderly, not only at home, but also after discharge from hospital. In the 50+ group, nearly a fifth of respondents have experienced the effects of the Covid-19 crisis on mental health. The results of SHARE demonstrate that reducing social contacts and limiting the availability of social support during the crisis can lead to increased social isolation, increased risks of psycho-emotional disorders and the development of mental diseases. According to previous studies, deteriorating mental health also contributes to an increase in an exaggerated demand for health services. It is still unknown how long the epidemiological constraints of Covid-19 and the social isolation they create, will last so its impact on the physical and psychological health of older individuals is not predictable. For these reasons, it is particularly important during the Covid-19 pandemic to continue to provide social support, and assistance through volunteers to reduce loneliness, isolation and associated mental health deterioration, and to implement strategies at national level to reduce anxiety among seniors. Initiatives should also be taken to improve the ability of older people to cope with social isolation, by strengthening social contacts through internet applications, video chatting, telephone support lines and support groups, lifestyle changes (regular sleep and waking cycles), physical activity, better nutritional habits and cognitive stimulation (use of mobile apps to stimulate mental exercise). These activities are particularly important for those who have had cognitive impairment in the past. By the end of the pandemic, ageing will have accelerated for many individuals, regardless of Covid-19 infection. Regular assessment and monitoring of the ageing processes of older people, including their mental health will provide an opportunity to better understand the functional capabilities and vulnerability of each individual, particularly during the pandemic. The number of people with increasing health and social care needs should also be considered. This may pose not only economic but also human resource challenges in the near future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To examine how the right to participation according to Article 19 of the United Nations' Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) is promoted by personal assistance use in Sweden across age, gender and eligible person categories. Method: Register data and data from a questionnaire were used (N=15,289). Principal component analysis was performed and the internal consistency was tested. Descriptive statistics (χ² test) were used across age, gender and eligible person categories and components. Results: An uneven distribution of personal assistance across the components Health and Care; Home, Leisure and Social Interaction; and Daily Occupation was found. Significant differences in personal assistance reported were found between children and adults, men and women and between the three eligible person categories. Conclusions: The discrepancy between reported and expected outcome of personal assistance indicates that Article 19 of the UNCRPD has not been met. The unequal access to participation across age, gender and eligible person categories would seem to further signify that the Act concerning Support and Service for Persons with Certain Functional Impairments is promoting activities of a caring nature rather than fulfilling Article 19 of the UNCRPD, i.e. ensuring full participation in society. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Having secure employment, in contrast to being unemployed, is regarded as an important determinant of health. Research and theories about the negative health consequences of unemployment indicated that transition from unemployment to a paid job could lead to improved health. The objective of this study was to test the hypothesis that obtaining permanent employment after being in an unstable labour market position protects mental health. Methods: A 14-year follow-up of all graduates from compulsory school in an industrial town in northern Sweden was performed at ages 16, 18, 21 and 30 years. Complete data on the cohort were collected for 1044 individuals with the aid of a comprehensive questionnaire. The response rate was 96.4%. The health measurement used in this study was the psychological symptoms analysed by multivariate logistic regression. Those who obtained permanent employment were the focus of the analysis. This group consisted of people who were in an unstable labour market position for a year or more between the ages of 25 and 29, and who had acquired a permanent job one year before and at the time of the investigation. Results: After controlling for gender as well as for an indicator of health-related selection, possible confounders and mediators, an association was found between the lower probability of psychological symptoms and obtaining permanent employment (OR = 0.35, 95% CI 0.19-0.63) as well as having permanent employment (OR = 0.22, 95% CI 0.10-0.51). Conclusion: Our findings suggest that transition from an unstable labour market position to permanent employment could be health-promoting, even after controlling for possible confounders and mediators, as well as for an indicator of health-related selection. However, as there are few studies in the field, there is a need for more longitudinal studies in order to further analyse the relationship and to examine possible explanations. The policy implication of our study is that the transformation of unstable labour market positions into permanent employment could contribute to better public health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]