Bmc Public Health
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Employees in the offshore wind industry are exposed to various job demands, increasing the workers' risk of experiencing strain reactions. However, personal and job resources might play a role in the stressor-strain context. The aim of this study was (1) to examine the link between offshore employees' quantitative demands and stress, and (2) to study the role of personal and job resources (psychological detachment from work, social support, and influence at work) in this stressor-strain relationship. ⋯ The results contribute to the current knowledge on the topic. They can be used to design health promotion interventions aimed at reducing offshore employees' quantitative demands, fostering their ability to mentally detach from work, and enhancing social support at the offshore workplace.
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The use of solid biomass as cooking fuel could be a potential risk factor for chronic bronchitis (CB) and airflow obstruction (AFO) among never-smoking women. The disease burden in India among women is generally underestimated due to limited population-based epidemiological investigations. The aim of the study was to determine the prevalence of CB and AFO among never-smoking women, and its association with household cooking fuel use. ⋯ The study highlights that the estimates of population burden of CB and AFO are much higher than shown in previous epidemiological studies, and that cooking fuel type and time spent on cooking were associated with increased chronic bronchitis as well as decreased lung function as measured by FEV1/FCV ratios. To most accurately understand the current burden of disease and most effectively prevent an escalation in the future disease burden, further epidemiological investigations are warranted.
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Influenza and pneumococcal vaccination can prevent disease and potentially life-threatening complications like sepsis. Elderly people have an increased risk of severe disease and therefore constitute a major target group for vaccination. To increase vaccination coverage, targeted interventions are needed that take theory-based specific determinants of vaccination behaviour into account. Moreover, message and campaign design should consider specific age-related characteristics (e.g., information processing, media use). The aim of this study is (i) to identify the specific informational and interventional needs of this risk group, (ii) to design and implement a targeted intervention aiming to decrease vaccine hesitancy, increase vaccine uptake and decrease the health and economic burden due to the respective diseases, and (iii) to measure the effect of this evidence-informed intervention on various levels. ⋯ The data will add to the body of evidence on the effectiveness of evidence-informed vaccination campaign development as well as on the clinical and economic effects of pneumococcal and influenza vaccination. The effect of the intervention will teach valuable lessons about the principles of campaign development and evaluation, and can motivate a subsequent nationwide intervention.
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Observational Study
Does body mass index early in pregnancy influence the risk of maternal anaemia? An observational study in Indonesian and Ghanaian women.
Anaemia is common among pregnant women, especially in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). While body mass index (BMI) relates to many risk factors for anaemia in pregnancy, little is known about the direct relation with anaemia itself. This is particularly relevant in Southeast Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa where the prevalence of anaemia in pregnancy and the associated adverse outcomes is among the highest worldwide. This study aimed to assess the association between early pregnancy BMI and anaemia at first antenatal care visit in Indonesian and Ghanaian women. In addition, the associations between early pregnancy anaemia and adverse birth outcomes was assessed. ⋯ Higher BMI in early pregnancy is associated with higher haemoglobin levels at antenatal booking and with a reduced risk of anaemia in Indonesian and Ghanaian women.
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Socio-economic inequalities are associated with unequal exposure to social, economic and environmental risk factors, which in turn contribute to health inequalities. Understanding the impact of specific public health policy interventions will help to establish causality in terms of the effects on health inequalities. ⋯ The review does tentatively suggest interventions that policy makers might use to reduce health inequalities, although whether the programmes are transferable between high-income countries remains unclear.