This study evaluated the prevalence and factors associated with perceived racial discrimination among Brazilian schoolchildren. A cross-sectional study used data from Sample 1 of the 2015 National School Health Survey. The prevalence of perceived racial discrimination and its association with individual, socioeconomic, health and school factors were analyzed using prevalence ratios (PR) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Multivariate analysis was performed using Poisson regression, accounting for sample weights from the complex survey design. Of 102,302 valid responses, 2333 students reported experiencing racial discrimination, corresponding to a prevalence of 2.58% (95% CI: 2.40-2.78). In multivariate analysis, perceived racial discrimination was associated significantly with being male (PR 1.69; 95% CI: 1.40-2.04), Black (PR 7.39; 95% CI: 5.49-9.96), Brown (PR 2.07; 95% CI: 1.53-2.80) or Indigenous (PR 4.95; 95% CI: 3.32-7.38); working (PR 1.48; 95% CI: 1.19-1.85); having a mother with no schooling (PR 1.74; 95% CI: 1.25-2.42); reporting frequent loneliness (PR 2.17; 95% CI: 1.67-2.81) and expecting to complete only high school (PR 1.50; 95% CI: 1.24-1.83). Results indicate that perceived racial discrimination among Brazilian adolescents is influenced by gender, socioeconomic status and psychosocial factors, highlighting the need for structural interventions to reduce discrimination in schools.
INTRODUCTION:The celebration of the Olympic Games corresponds to a millenary tradition of humanity. With the advent of modernity, the understanding of the positive effects they have on host cities in terms of urban and economic development has increased. The aim is to reflect on the health legacy that can enhance the development of healthy living habits in the inhabitants of host cities. METHODOLOGY:An integrative review was conducted through a search of the literature available to date in the PubMed, Taylor & Francis and Bireme databases; 11 articles were retrieved from 2012 to 2024, with emphasis on the positive effects and government policies at the level of healthy lifestyle habits and exercise. RESULTS:The Olympic Games provided an ideal platform to promote the importance of exercise and healthy habits in public opinion. The analyzed articles reveal mixed effects of the Olympic Games on sports participation and urban infrastructure, underscoring the need for sustainable policies and inclusive planning to enhance public health benefits. The lack of long-term governmental actions prevented the maintenance of these effects over time. CONCLUSION:It is imperative to establish a cross-cutting action plan that favors the development of healthy lifestyle habits in the population, with emphasis on those in vulnerable situations, through platforms such as the Olympic Games. Implementing long-term strategies can maximize positive health outcomes and foster enduring healthy behaviors in host communities.
OBJECTIVE:To map and analyze the available literature on Health Promoting Universities initiatives and health promotion activities in Colombian universities. METHOD:A scoping review was conducted following the Joanna Briggs Institute methodology, with searches performed in PubMed, BIREME, and Scopus databases. RESULTS:From 1575 initial records identified, 14 studies met the inclusion criteria. The literature described various health promotion activities in Colombian universities, ranging from specific interventions to broader institutional initiatives. The review identified significant knowledge gaps regarding long-term outcomes and implementation frameworks specifically adapted to the Colombian context. CONCLUSIONS:The Colombian literature suggests that a systematic approach for health promotion in Colombian universities should involve continuous evaluation of health programs, interprofessional collaboration, stakeholder engagement from the university community, and strengthening of inter-university networks such as REDCUPS to promote best practice sharing. These strategies could potentially contribute to developing context-appropriate guidelines for Colombian universities.
BACKGROUND:Saudi Arabia introduced one of the most significant beverage taxes globally (50% on sugar-sweetened drinks and 100% on energy drinks). This provides a unique opportunity to investigate the impact of taxes on perceptions and attitudes toward sugary drinks and whether consumers are substituting taxed beverages with healthy alternatives. METHODS:A qualitative study using semi-structured interviews with university students in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Interviews were analysed using thematic analysis. RESULTS:A total of 27 participants were interviewed. Four themes were identified from the data: Health is beyond personal choice, The role of food companies in promoting health behaviour, What is excise tax and why do we need it? and The impact of taxation on consumer behaviour. Social factors and the availability and prices of healthy and unhealthy products often restrict the ability to follow a healthy diet. Food companies have a role in facilitating access to nutritious products, and policies should be in place to regulate the process. Many participants needed to be made aware of the implementation of the excise tax and often confused it with the value-added tax. Participants who perceived themselves as light consumers of sugary drinks reported minimal impact of the taxation on their consumption. Those who perceive themselves as heavy consumers have reported being affected by taxation. CONCLUSIONS:This study strengthens the idea that people's perception of the impact of taxation on their purchasing behaviour was influenced by their views regarding their consumption. A comprehensive approach is needed to reduce sugary drinks, including promoting healthy substitutes and enhancing understanding of public health interventions to maximise benefits.
Debates around decolonial global health (DGH) have gathered momentum post COVID-19 pandemic. Although there is disagreement among scholars about the use of the term 'decolonial' due to its usage by anti-democratic forces, it has become a buzzword in funding and scholarship in the Global North. Notwithstanding this disagreement, DGH claims to aim for a more inclusive health system, easy access for marginalised communities, equality and equity for women, minorities and low-economic classes, and the collusion of global health to include humans and non-humans in novel ways of thinking about holistic healthcare. The Eurocentric narrative of DGH by the Global North rooted in colonialism and violence is often followed blindly by the Global South countries, making the goals of equal access to healthcare - one of the primary United Nations Sustainable Development Goals - a distant dream. This paper critically analyses DGH and introduces a multidimensional policy framework for health called 'polysectionality', diversifying the ambit of DGH underlining equal access to health for all by breaking the North-South binary. I argue that the innovative polysectional conceptual framework will take the DGH conversation further in times of 'poly-crisis' by providing a blueprint to implement DGH policies effectively.
BACKGROUND:Disseminating the details and processes involved in a participatory-based selection, adaptation, and implementation of evidence-based interventions (EBI) in support of refugee families in resettlement is paramount for an equitable, trauma-informed, public health approach to promoting family health and resilience. We describe the participatory cultural adaptation of EBIs to establish a multigenerational mindfulness-based and resilience enhancing family program for war-affected families with adolescent youth. METHODS:The study team integrated conceptual and pragmatic approaches to the adaptation and implementation of an intervention program composed of two well-supported interventions to target intergenerational trauma in war-affected refugee families. The integration and adaptation of the program described in this report was conducted in partnership with members of the Karen refugee community (originating from Burma in Southeast Asia and resettled in the United States). RESULTS:Based on three adaptation models and a FRAME-IS reporting structure, the process produced a focused set of contextual, content, and implementation adaptations. Most modifications were contextual, such as considering culturally responsive familial dynamics and selecting community-preferred delivery settings and facilitation. Content changes were limited and involved a careful examination of word choice and phrasing, and emphasized emotion-regulation and parenting strategies aligned with existing community practices. Implementation adaptations refined facilitator guidance and strengthened Community Health Worker Interventionist training. Iterative input from community experts enhanced relevance and feasibility while preserving the core intervention elements. CONCLUSION:Engaging members of a Community Leadership Board and Community Health Worker Interventionists in training, practice and feedback sessions informed the adaptation of evidence-supported interventions into a mindfulness-based family intervention to disrupt intergenerational trauma transmission in war-affected Karen families. We provide transparent intervention and program development documentation and guidance for other teams considering adaptations of health and resilience oriented EBIs for refugee families. The adapted program has the potential to be translated to other refugee populations.
INTRODUCTION:This study explored factors associated with sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) and water consumption among adults in a small community in rural Mexico. METHODS:We conducted a cross-sectional survey using door-to-door sampling in an unincorporated community. Measures included self-reported consumption of beverages, personal preference, behavioral, and social environmental factors. Hierarchical multivariate linear regression models tested associations between social environmental factors and beverage consumption. RESULTS:Participants (n = 89) reported consuming high amounts of sugar-sweetened beverages, averaging 29.9 oz (884.2 mL) per day. Daily water intake was approximately 33.9 oz (1002.5 mL) per day. Personal preference (β = 1.58; 95% CI 1.20, 2.04), behavioral (β = 1.38; 95% CI 1.10, 1.74), and social environmental factors (β = 1.38; 95% CI 1.02, 1.86) were associated with greater daily consumption of SSBs. CONCLUSIONS:Adults reported consuming high amounts of SSBs and low amounts of water. These behaviors correlated with personal preference, behavioral, and social environmental factors. A multidimensional approach that considers personal, behavioral, and social environmental factors could reduce SSB consumption and improve health outcomes in rural Mexican communities.
This study examines the pre-program knowledge levels, needs and expectations of preschool teachers and parents regarding disasters, first aid and psychological resilience, with a view to informing the development of an early childhood disaster resilience education program. The study was conducted using a qualitative case study design, with data being collected through semi-structured interviews with 17 preschool teachers and 48 parents. The collected data were analysed using both descriptive and content analysis methods, with the MAXQDA software. Both teachers and parents emphasised the importance of educating children about natural disasters in an age-appropriate and psychologically safe manner. While teachers focused on drills, safety behaviours and emotional regulation, parents highlighted disaster kit preparation and communication strategies. The use of art was seen as a critical tool for emotional expression and psychological recovery by both groups. The results indicate that preschool teachers and parents perceive a strong need and express support for the development of a developmentally appropriate and holistic disaster resilience education program for early childhood.
La Estrategia de Promoci & oacute;n de la Salud, considerada clave para el desarrollo humano sostenible, ha sido reconocida globalmente desde la Conferencia de Ottawa en 1986. En las Am & eacute;ricas, la Organizaci & oacute;n Panamericana de la Salud (OPS) ha liderado iniciativas como las Escuelas Promotoras de Salud (EPS) y las Universidades Promotoras de Salud (UPS), orientadas a la creaci & oacute;n de entornos acad & eacute;micos saludables. Las Instituciones de Educaci & oacute;n Superior (IES), como actores estrat & eacute;gicos, pueden ejercer un rol transformador mediante el compromiso institucional con pol & iacute;ticas, metodolog & iacute;as y programas que promuevan acciones integrales y sostenibles en salud, tanto en el & aacute;mbito universitario como en sus entornos sociales. La Red Latinoamericana y la posterior Red Iberoamericana de Universidades Promotoras de la Salud (RIUPS) han impulsado este movimiento a trav & eacute;s de la cooperaci & oacute;n internacional, promoviendo una cultura universitaria centrada en el bienestar y la mejor calidad de vida. El marco normativo internacional refuerza el derecho a la salud y a la educaci & oacute;n como pilares del desarrollo humano. No obstante, la falta de pol & iacute;ticas p & uacute;blicas s & oacute;lidas, la escasa asignaci & oacute;n de recursos y la ausencia de sistemas internacionales de evaluaci & oacute;n, certificaci & oacute;n y acreditaci & oacute;n han limitado avances significativos. En este contexto, el Sistema de Evaluaci & oacute;n de Acreditaci & oacute;n y Seguimiento (SIEVAS) emerge como una herramienta innovadora que permite evaluar la calidad de las UPS y las EPS, promoviendo la mejora continua de las Estrategias de Promoci & oacute;n de la Salud en el & aacute;mbito de la educaci & oacute;n superior.
This study examines the relationship between income inequality and mental well-being, conceptualized as the relative absence of psychological distress. Focusing on data from the 2021 International Social Survey Programme, the analysis explores how country-level income inequality, measured by the Gini index, is associated with individual mental well-being in both high-income (Global North) and low- to middle-income (Global South) countries. Multilevel analyses reveal a significant negative association between income inequality and mental well-being in the Global South. In contrast, this association was not statistically significant in the Global North. These findings suggest that higher income inequality is linked to poorer mental well-being, particularly in contexts of greater economic disparity. The study underscores the importance of considering macroeconomic factors like income inequality in public health strategies aimed at promoting mental well-being.
BACKGROUND:Health promoting schools (HPS) is an effective approach to promote children's health and development. Standards and indicators for HPS are essential to guide its implementation and sustainment but have not been established in Canada. We describe the methodological approach to develop standards and indicators for HPS that are up to date, achievable, acceptable, and feasible in the Canadian settings. METHODS:We conducted a rapid review of the literature to create a comprehensive inventory of statements related to existing standards and indicators for HPS. We identified and screened 490 relevant peer-reviewed and grey literature publications. From the 23 publications that were classified as 'high quality' and 4 classified as 'medium quality', in addition to 8 key reports for HPS, we extracted 1005 statements related to HPS standards and indicators. After de-duplication, 147 unique statements were retained and grouped into 42 standard components and 105 indicators. Two panels appraised, updated, split, merged, and reworded these standard components and indicators in three rounds of the Delphi survey. RESULTS:Overall, 53 experts completed the first round of the Delphi survey, 48 completed the second round, and 46 completed the final round. Consensus was reached on all standard components and 87 (83%) of indicators. After mapping to nine standards, categorized into four distinctive domains (i.e. the health promoting schools, enablers, Canadian values, and quality improvement), the final set included 37 standard components and 100 indicators. CONCLUSION:We provide the rationale and methodological underpinnings for establishing Canadian standards and indicators for HPS. These will guide policy and practice to promote equity and improve children's learning, health and wellbeing.
Introducci & oacute;n: los huertos escolares pueden ser concebidos como instrumentos pedag & oacute;gicos, como espacios que fortalecen el trabajo colectivo y que tambi & eacute;n pueden favorecer la participaci & oacute;n y el protagonismo infantil en la promoci & oacute;n de una alimentaci & oacute;n adecuada y sostenible.Objetivo: explorar las narrativas maternas para identificar el alcance del huerto escolar integrado en el traslado de las experiencias alimentarias desde el & aacute;mbito escolar al dom & eacute;stico.Metodolog & iacute;a: estudio de corte cualitativo inspirado en la Teor & iacute;a Fundamentada y la Pesquisa Narrativa que describe y analiza entrevistas a un grupo de 30 mujeres cuyos hijos e hijas participaron en el huerto escolar integrado. El grupo se conform & oacute; por conveniencia, el an & aacute;lisis de la informaci & oacute;n se realiz & oacute; por triangulaci & oacute;n entre las investigadoras.Resultados: en las voces maternas se identifica el papel protag & oacute;nico de las infancias en el traslado y resignificaci & oacute;n de las experiencias de promoci & oacute;n de una alimentaci & oacute;n saludable, mediante tres rutas: meter las manos en la tierra; modificaci & oacute;n del gusto y las preferencias alimentarias, y poner en pr & aacute;ctica en casa lo experimentado en la escuela, por lo cual se constituyen en agentes de cambio. La preparaci & oacute;n y el consumo colectivo dimensionan las actividades del huerto escolar integrado como un hecho social total.Conclusiones: las pr & aacute;cticas de las infancias para tomar iniciativas y pedir apoyo muestran saberes relativos a la adquisici & oacute;n, limpieza, preparaci & oacute;n y consumo de alimentos saludables, espec & iacute;ficamente a la noci & oacute;n de lo que denominamos efecto ensalada, que es el m & aacute;s significativo y probablemente el que queda m & aacute;s asentado en las pr & aacute;cticas alimentarias familiares.
Adolescents and young adults (AYA) in Kenya face numerous structural and sociocultural barriers to accessing health services, including stigma, low health literacy, and lack of adolescent-friendly services. Peer navigation-where trained individuals with shared experiences provide education, psychosocial support, and system navigation-has emerged as a promising strategy to address these challenges. While widely implemented in adult HIV and maternal care programs across sub-Saharan Africa, the role of adolescent peer navigators remains under defined. This qualitative study aimed to explore perspectives on the role of adolescent peer navigators in health service delivery in Uasin Gishu County, Kenya, and to develop a conceptual framework grounded in the Information-Motivation-Behavioral Skills (IMB) model. Through convenience sampling, data were collected in 16 focus group discussions with 127 AYA aged 10-24 years and 40 in-depth interviews with healthcare providers, caregivers, community leaders, policymakers, and peer navigators. Mixed deductive and inductive thematic analysis, theme organization, and framework development was guided by the IMB model, which revealed strong support for the integration of peers into AYA health services. Participants identified three key functions for adolescent peer navigators aligned with the IMB model: (1) delivering accurate and relatable health information; (2) fostering motivation through shared identity and emotional support; and (3) facilitating behavioral skills and system navigation through accompaniment, referral, and logistical guidance. Trust, confidentiality, age appropriateness, and adequate training were highlighted as essential to program acceptability and effectiveness. Findings demonstrate the acceptability of peer navigators in health education, counseling, and service navigation and reinforce the need for clearly defined roles supported by comprehensive training and supervision. The resulting Adolescent Peer Navigator-Based Health Services Framework provides a novel model for integrating peer support into adolescent health service delivery. Grounded in the IMB model, this framework can guide the design and implementation of peer navigation programs to improve AYA engagement in care in low-income settings.'
BACKGROUND:The highest alcohol consumption in South Korea, which has a strong cultural and social meaning, is reflected in Korean dramas (K-dramas) that have gained large global audiences in recent years. Media depictions of alcohol can shape public health perceptions and influence behavior, therefore, the present study examined attitudes toward alcohol risk and harm reduction messages in K-dramas and their association with alcohol consumption in audiences from Indonesia and Israel. METHODS:A questionnaire was administered to 638 K-drama viewers aged 18+ years, including 383 (60%) from Indonesia and 255 (40%) from Israel. RESULTS:Viewers had relatively strong negative attitudes toward alcohol consumption messages and strong positive attitudes toward alcohol harm reduction messages in K-dramas. Significant correlations were found, with higher negative attitudes toward alcohol consumption messages being associated with more positive attitudes toward alcohol harm reduction. Significant group differences were revealed, with Indonesians displaying higher negative attitudes toward alcohol consumption messages and higher positive attitudes toward alcohol harm reduction messages than Israelis. Three logistic regression models were found to be significant, with 23-45% of the variance being explained by alcohol consumption. Being an Israeli participant, having visited South Korea, and holding more positive attitudes toward alcohol consumption in K-dramas were related to higher odds of drinking Soju (the traditional Korean drink), drinking in the preceding three months, and binge drinking in the preceding 12 months. CONCLUSION:K-dramas reflect and shape societal drinking attitudes and behaviors. Findings highlight the need for responsible media representation to support alcohol harm reduction and promote public health.
INTRODUCTION:Samoa faces a high burden of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs). Understanding health literacy can support more effective interventions. This pilot study aimed to culturally adapt the European Health Literacy Survey Questionnaire (HLS-EU-Q16) to the Samoan context (HLS-Samoa-Q24) and conduct a preliminary assessment of its psychometric properties and user feasibility. METHODS:A non-probability purposive cluster sampling approach was used to recruit 73 adult respondents. The HLS-EU-Q16 was adapted by adding eight culturally relevant items, resulting in the 24-item HLS-Samoa-Q24. Items were scored on a 4-point Likert scale. Participants completed the instrument and provided feedback through six group interviews. RESULTS:The health literacy level was defined as inadequate for 63 (84%), problematic for seven (12%) and adequate for three individuals (4%). The mean score was 3.90 (SD = 3.87; 95% CI 3.00-4.81), indicating inadequate health literacy. Internal consistency was high (Cronbach's alpha = 0.92; Omega = 0.91). Due to the small, gender-imbalanced sample, confirmatory factor analysis was not feasible, and construct validity remains to be tested. User feasibility of HLS-Samoa-Q24 detailed comprehensibility, relevance of the added items, and an average completion time of 25 minutes. CONCLUSION:The HLS-Samoa-Q24 shows promise as a culturally adapted instrument for assessing health literacy in Samoa. However, the findings are preliminary and not generalizable. Further validation with a larger, representative sample is needed to confirm its psychometric robustness.
