Conference Proceedings of International Conference on Public Health and Well-being

Self-care Behavior and Associated Factors among Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Patients with Peripheral Neuropathy Symptoms: A Mixed-Methods Study

Laode Saltar — 2023-07-10

This study aimed to explore perceptions, experiences, barriers, and support in performing self-care and to find out the factors associated with the self-care behavior of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients with symptoms of peripheral neuropathy. This exploration study used a two-phase sequential mixed-methods approach. A total of 12 participants were involved in Phase 1 (the qualitative study), with data analysis using the Colaizzi model steps. A total of 118 patients with T2DM were involved in Phase 2. Bivariate data analysis used Spearman correlation tests with a 95% confidence interval and significance set at p<0.05. Five themes were found in Phase 1 of the study: perceptions of diabetes self-management, blood sugar control efforts, blood sugar control barriers, perceived disturbances, and social support. A total of 59% of diabetes self-care behaviors were below the median. Significant correlations were found between diabetes self-care behavior and self-efficacy (p =0.000; r =0.662), quality of life (p =0.003; r =0.270), and family support (p =0.000; r =0.490). The self-care behavior of T2DM patients with symptoms of peripheral neuropathy was mostly poor. Self-efficacy, quality of life, and family support were related to self-care behavior. Appropriate, accessible, and sustainable program support is needed from policymakers to improve self-care behavior and related factors in T2DM patients with symptoms of peripheral neuropathy.

Teenage Pregnancy Prevention: An Observational Study

Brooke A. Flinders — 2023-07-10

The Department of Health and Human Services began administering a Teen Pregnancy Prevention (TPP) program through what is now the Office of Population Affairs in 2010 (DHHS, 2021). Via replication of approved, evidence-based programs, sexual education was administered to teens across the country with the goals of preventing teen pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections (DHHS, 2021). One funded program delivered the TPP curriculum in community-based settings across southwestern Ohio for four years, using undergraduate nursing students as facilitators. The program served 1,642 females, ages 15-19. The objectives were to gather data on baseline knowledge, attitudes, behaviors, intentions, and perceptions related to sexual health in a target population and examine trends in knowledge at 12-months post-intervention. Identical surveys were distributed at baseline and 12 months post-intervention. Survey questions from the original instruments were assigned to one of nine categories for a more focused exploration of critical topics. Teens’ perceptions of risk did not align with the risky behaviors reported. Healthcare providers must work to find ways to address feelings of invincibility in teens before other educational efforts may be effective. Implications for Nursing: Ongoing evaluation of target populations is necessary to ensure effective programming.

Analyzing the Effectiveness of Vaccination as a Preventive Measure in Combating COVID-19 and Recommendations for Future Health Emergencies in India

Avani Saraswat — 2023-07-10

In order to mitigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, India launched the world’s most extensive vaccination drive. Almost 1.9 billion vaccination doses were given until May 13, 2022, since the beginning of the drive, with 1 billion people vaccinated for the first dose and 0.87 billion people for the second dose. The objective of the study is to analyze the impact of vaccination on the control of SARS-CoV-2 infection. The secondary data was obtained by the World Health Organization for COVID-19 cases and the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare for vaccination from January 22, 2022, to May 13, 2022. Exponential regression was performed for total cumulative vaccinations (18 years and older received at least one dose) as an independent variable and the rate of COVID infection (0.1million per week) as a dependent variable. The p-value is 0.001, with a negative slope emphasizing that the correlation is significant for the selected time period. Further, the predictive model with R² = 0.96 shows the model is best fitted. The mathematical model supports the role of vaccination in decreasing cases of COVID-19. Predicting the rate of occurrence of infection against the backdrop of a vaccination drive can be a valuable tool for assessing vaccine effectiveness and planning for future actions.

Ayurveda Medicinal Herbs and Their Role in Sars-Cov-2 Pandemic’s Positive and Progressive Outcome Manifestation

Bawani Nesamany — 2023-07-10

The massive loss of human lives resulted by the SARS-CoV-2 infection shifted the focus to glaring data that pointed to fatality among humans with poor immunity and comorbidity. In these subjects, the SARS-CoV-2’s pathophysiology manifestation was seen to be significantly alarming than that in subjects who had no comorbidities or major immunity issues. This presented an overdue wake-up call to mankind to actively participate in strengthening immunity, overall wellness maintenance which allows comorbidity management or better, prevention. Food as the major source to serve nutritional needs appears to be a compromised phenomenon. SARS-CoV-2 pandemic presented a harsh reminder that now is the best time to be inclusive of herbs to human lifestyle alongside physical activities and hygiene. This lead to an enlarged worldwide interest in traditional medicine. Traditional Indian medicine, Ayurveda, stands as the most ancient yet living tradition, garnered spotlight for being positively and progressively contributing its therapies aiding SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. This further gains weight with more research and a science-based approach. It is inevitable that it still requires more research and evidence-based efforts to fill the prevalent gap. This review was conducted to gain insight into Ayurveda herbal inclusion to SARS-CoV-2 infection management and the outcomes captured. This review aims to encapsulate the efforts documented and explorative data made available. The hope is for this review to make available the option, probability of an inclusive solution that may be considered to co-stand with allopathy in efforts taken to improve human immunity as a prophylaxis measure, at a larger scale. The review led to a hopeful acceptance of Ayurveda medicinal herbs and their role in SARS-CoV-2 management as positive and reassuring.

The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Child Health: A Case Study in Japan

Noriko Yamano — 2023-07-10

This study examines the impact of COVID-19 on child and parent health and the institutes’ support for children with difficulties during the pandemic in Japan. Two surveys were implemented from October to November 2020. The “Parents and Children” survey included questions about demographic and household characteristics, the impact of COVID-19 on work and daily life, applications for financial support, relations with children and partners, and health conditions. The final sample comprised 2,582 parents with a child aged 0–18 and 1,032 children aged 9–18. The “Institutions” survey included questions about the impact of COVID-19 on services and cooperation with other related institutions. The final sample comprised 2,298 institutions responsible for education or healthcare services. The response rate was relatively high compared with similar surveys: 53.0% for maternal and child health divisions and 56.5% for child consultation centers. The parents’ and children’s survey revealed that around 90% of children felt stressed during the pandemic. The institutions’ survey revealed that child consultation centers received a greater number of inquiries about children’s sexual behavior problems and game addiction. A preventive social work approach is required to give a greater level of support to all children, even in unusual situations like the COVID-19 pandemic.

“It Is Food for The Soul...”: An Investigation on The Malaysian Intensive Care Nurses’ Perceptions of Spiritual Care

Ayuni Asma’ Baharudin — 2023-07-10

Evidence shows that critically ill patients and their family members have spiritual needs in the intensive care unit. Spirituality is an abstract concept in the clinical field. Its subjective nature makes the aspects of care that are provided by the clinicians suboptimal. This article is a preliminary report of a qualitative study that was conducted to explore the perceptions of the intensive care nurses on spirituality and the care that they gave to the patients and their family members. Interviews were conducted with nurses who worked in a 25-bed intensive care unit of a tertiary government hospital in Malaysia. Data from the discussions was recorded and transcribed. Thematic analysis was used to generate codes and themes. A total of 18 nurses were included in this study. The central theme, interfaith connection, emerged through three themes: 1) Spirituality and illness are interconnected to healing; 2) Classification of spiritual care interventions in the intensive care unit; and 3) Intercepting barriers. Conclusions Nurses deemed spiritual care beneficial to critically ill patients and their family members. Barriers to spiritual care can be overcome with a model of spirituality. Further research is needed to explore the experiences of the critically ill patients and their family members in receiving care in the intensive care unit, particularly in addressing their spiritual needs and ensuring their mental health. Further studies should also include the perceptions of other professionals in intensive care in order to develop a concise model of spirituality and spiritual care in the intensive care context.

A Qualitative Study on Burnout and Compassion Fatigue Among Counselors and Therapists

Dr. Anjali Grewal — 2023-07-10

Therapists and counselors are at high risk of developing secondary trauma, burnout, and compassion fatigue. Continuous exposure to the trauma and pain of patients can have a negative impact on the wellbeing of therapists. Burnout is a state of mental, physical, and emotional exhaustion brought on by accumulated stress. Compassion fatigue is a condition in which someone becomes numb to the suffering of others and is unable or less able to display empathy towards them. The World Health Organization defines burnout as an occupational phenomenon that should not be applied to describe experiences in other areas of life. Burnout is included in the International Classification of Diseases 11 as an occupational phenomenon resulting from unmanaged, chronic workplace stress. Professional burnout is a multidimensional condition that includes exhaustion, detachment, and professional efficiency (Maslach burnout inventory). When counselors and therapists experience burnout, their patients are also negatively affected. Understanding the extent and incidence of burnout and compassion fatigue among therapists and counselors is the study's principal goal. A qualitative method-based study including therapists and counselors based in Bangalore, India. Detailed, semi-structured face-to-face (online) interviews were conducted through open ended questions with the help of an interview guide based on social situation, economic situation, and personal characteristics. A thematic analysis was undertaken. The majority of them explained difficulties faced in compartmentalizing work and personal life in the initial years of work, economic and family responsibilities associated with burnout, empathizing with clients more due to similar personal experiences, increased workload, and the Jesus complex.

Environmental Health Risk Assessment Carcinogen and Non-Carcinogen Analysis: Arsenic in Rice

Dian Islamiati — 2023-07-10

Rice is the staple food of most Indonesian people. The process of planting rice using pesticides can cause contamination, one of which is arsenic contamination. Arsenic is a heavy metal that can cause various health problems such as disorders of the nervous system, respiratory system, digestive system, cardiovascular and kidney. This study aims to assess the health risks of both carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic risks due to consumption of rice containing arsenic. This research uses environmental health risk analysis method. The sample in this study amounted to 9 samples of rice which were analyzed by the Inductively Coupled Plasma (ICP) method. The sample of respondents was 96 people who were taken by purposive sampling method. Through this study, it was found that the average concentration of arsenic was 0.01 mg/kg, the respondent's body weight was 45.74 kg, the frequency of exposure was 365 days, the intake rate of 200 grams and the duration of exposure adjusted for each respondent's exposure. The final result of the calculation of the carcinogenic analysis (ECR) was 1.02 X 10^-4 and the non-carcinogenic analysis (RQ) was 0.29. The results of these two analyzes indicate that the consumption of rice containing arsenic is still within safe limits. Continuous efforts should be made to keep arsenic concentrations within safe limits.

Breastfeeding Practices: Positioning, Attachment, and Awareness of Colostrum Feeding among Postnatal Mothers: A Hospital-Based Mixed Methods Study

Subha R — 2023-07-10

One of the most effective ways to ensure a child’s health and survival is breastfeeding. Colostrum feeding, positioning, and attachment play an important role in breastfeeding whereas poor breastfeeding technique leads to premature discontinuation of breastfeeding, poor milk transfer, Breast engorgement and the absence of colostrum during feeding might lead to an increase in the risk of infection. The current study aimed to assess positioning and attachment during breastfeeding among postnatal mothers, create awareness of colostrum feeding, and identify the factors associated with improper positioning and poor attachment. A Hospital-based mixed-methods study was conducted in August 2022 and September 2022 for 2 months in a tertiary hospital in Karur District, Tamil Nadu. In the quantitative phase, 114 Postnatal mothers breastfeeding techniques were continuously observed based on the World Health Organization’s Baby-friendly hospital initiative, and Infant and young child feeding (IYCF) criteria were adopted and grades were given. In the qualitative phase, 40 staff nurses and 12 pediatricians were selected to state the action points to improve poor breastfeeding practices. The mean rank and Kendall’s Concordance coefficient were used to calculate the data. Around 20.5% and 21.4% of Postnatal mothers demonstrated improper positioning and poor attachment, respectively. Primipara mothers, less than 15-day-old infants, and failure to receive breastfeeding counseling were associated with poor breastfeeding practices. They deserve more attention, support, and direction for effective breastfeeding. Awareness of colostrum feeding should be created through poster displays, and its importance should be stressed by healthcare workers to postnatal mothers. The action points need to be prioritized and implemented to achieve a baby friendly hospital in the district.

Cost Analysis of the Blood Collection at the Patient’s Home Compared with the Blood Collection at the Hospital

Tarit Taerakul — 2023-07-10

The cost data of the home blood collection project was compared with the current blood collection service. Using direct and indirect cost data from full cost data, including output data for the number of outpatient services, and assessing the cost per unit cost or average cost of services together with the standard costing method of calculating the cost of medical services. Only the cost per unit of medical technology services, medical record and statistics services, and finance and accounting services were calculated. The cost per visit for blood collection services was 21.37 USD. The direct non-medical costs of the blood collection service at the hospital were 30.62 USD. The cost structure of the blood collection at the hospital is mostly fixed (95% of the total cost) and only 5 percent is variable, while the home service can save the cost by about 50% (the cost at the hospital is 30.62 USD, compared to 15.34 USD at home). So, the blood collection at home can reduce the patient's cost burden by 50 percent and the hospital’s cost by 5 percent, as well as being able to respond to the policy of reducing congestion in hospitals during the pandemic situation.

Factors Related to Anemia Prevalence among Women of Childbearing Age in the Arena of the Global Pandemic

Muhammad Hammad — 2023-07-10

Health authorities in Pakistan, in collaboration with local and foreign NGO’s, are working hard to achieve the targets set by WHO in 2012, to reduce anemia prevalence and its related factors, but due to the prevailing COVID-19 crisis, all resources and attention are paid towards it, which leads to ignorance of exciting basic health issues. The study illustrated anemia prevalence and its related factors among women of childbearing age in the arena of the global pandemic. A time-lagged, cross-sectional survey was conducted among 1,702 volunteer women of aged between 15 and 49 years across five major cities of Pakistan, from January 2021 to June 2021 by using the nonprobability consecutive sampling technique. Blood sample results were analyzed, to determine prevalence and anemia severity. Chi square and multiple logistic regression were performed to examine the relationship and effect of related factors on hemoglobin levels, using SPSS version 26. Among the 1,702 participants, 788 (46.3%) were non-anemic, and 914 (53.7%) were anemic. Anemia prevalence in Karachi was slightly greater (n=294, 55.48%) compared to other cities, and the mean hemoglobin level was 11.98 ± 0.92 g/dl. The chi-square and multiple logistic regression indicated that respondent’s employment status, mother’s profession, family income, living conditions, chronic health conditions, use of iron and folic acid supplements, junk food, source of drinking water, and knowledge about anemia and its preventive measures were significantly associated with anemia. Results confirmed that anemia is a multifactor health problem that was totally ignored during the COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore, more attention should be given to anemia surveillance and awareness programs and the mobilization of community health workers and volunteers to reach a wide range of populations, including women of childbearing age, even during an emerging pandemic.

Braving Uncertainty in the Quest for a Cure: Cancer Care Access During the COVID-19 National Lockdown

Kuru Dindi — 2023-07-10

This paper examines cancer care access during the nationwide lockdown due to COVID-19 in two states of India’s northeast. A semi-structured interview was conducted by purposive sampling of fifteen participants with cancers of the oral, lungs, stomach, breast and cervix, six key informant oncologists and four Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) facilitating cancer services. Ethical clearances were received from the study institutes. The data was coded and transcribed verbatim on emerging themes. The emerging themes were treatment delay, financial constraint, alternative medicine and bridging gaps by NGOs. Whereas, if financial status hampered access, harassment on availing care was encountered with choosing herbal medication in fear of chemotherapy, surgery and testimonials of relatives. However, support through NGO collaborations enhanced care efficiency for the health systems and cancer patients alike during the challenging times due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Lessons learnt during the COVID-19 pandemic extend beyond the functioning of a robust health system. Collaboration via sectors became pronounced during this uncertainty, thus, emerging resource pooling and zeal to take charge of one’s health. Cancer institutes could magnify these lessons on strengthening health systems for combating unforeseen pandemics.

Assessing Health Care Students' Knowledge, Attitude, and Preparedness Towards Monkeypox

Jalaja Reddy — 2023-07-10

During the covid-19 pandemic, many people don’t know the causes, effects, and modes of transmission of the new virus, and the entire world is in a panic state. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), monkeypox is currently on the rise and has spread to Africa. An orthopoxviral based zoonotic illness known as monkeypox causes a smallpox-like vesicular pustular illness in humans. The evolution of monkeypox, epidemiology, with a focus on the number of confirmed, likely, and/or potential cases, age at presentation, mortality, and geographic distribution of cases across West and Central Africa, has been discovered through systematic analysis of the research and published literature. Healthcare practitioners worldwide are attempting to become familiar with the varied clinical manifestations and therapy for this infection, and public health organizations are also seeking to contain the current outbreak.