Palliative care interventions for people who use substances during communicable disease outbreaks: a scoping review

Objectives
When resources are strained during communicable disease outbreaks, novel palliative care interventions may be required to optimally support people who use substances with life-limiting illnesses. Therefore, we asked the question, ‘what is known about communicable disease outbreaks, palliative care and people who use substances?’, such as palliative care interventions that can improve the quality of life of patients with life-limiting illnesses.

Design
We conducted a scoping review that involved comprehensive searches in six bibliographic databases from inception to April 2021 (Medline ALL (Medline and Epub Ahead of Print and In-Process and Other Non-Indexed Citations), Embase Classic+Embase, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trial, PsycInfo all from the OvidSP platform, Scopus from Elsevier) and grey literature searches. We included English and French records about people ≥18 years old with life-limiting illnesses who use substances during communicable disease outbreaks. We identified, summarised and presented the findings about palliative care interventions in figures, tables and narrative descriptions.

Results
We identified 32 records about palliative care interventions for people who use substances during communicable disease outbreaks. The majority focused on palliative care for people who use substances with AIDS during HIV epidemics (n=27, 84.4%), and approximately half were published in the USA (n=15, 46.9%). Most common substances used were alcohol (n=18, 56.3%), opioids (n=14, 43.8%) and cocaine (n=10, 31.3%). Four groups of palliative care interventions were identified: (1) symptom management (n=20, 62.5%), (2) psychosocial support (n=15, 46.9%), (3) advance care planning (n=8, 25.0%) and (4) healthcare provider training (n=6, 18.8%).

Conclusions
Beyond studies on HIV epidemics, there is limited knowledge about palliative care interventions for people who use substances during communicable disease outbreaks. Research and guidance are needed about how best to provide palliative care to this population with complex needs including in resource-limited countries.

Protocol
Buchman DZ, Ding P, Lo S, et al. Palliative care for people who use substances during communicable disease epidemics and pandemics. BMJ Open 2021; 11: e053124

Leggi
Agosto 2022

Factors influencing adults who participate in a physical activity coaching intervention: a theoretically informed qualitative study

Objective
Behaviour change interventions targeting changes in physical activity (PA) can benefit by examining the underlying mechanisms that promote change. This study explored the use of the Capability, Opportunity, Motivation and Behaviour (COM-B) model and the Theoretical Domains Framework (TDF) to code and contextualise the experiences of participants who completed a PA coaching intervention underpinned by motivational interviewing and cognitive–behavioural therapy.

Design
Semistructured interviews were conducted with a purposive sample of participants.

Setting
Interviews were conducted in a tertiary hospital in regional Victoria, Australia.

Participants
Eighteen participants who completed a PA coaching intervention were interviewed. The participants were recruited into the coaching intervention because they were insufficiently physically active at the time of recruitment.

Results
Thirteen (72%) participants were women and the average age of participants was 54 (±5) years. Four participant themes mapped directly onto five components of the COM-B model, and ten of the TDF domains. Increases in PA were influenced by changes in motivation and psychological capability. The autonomy-supportive PA coaching intervention helped to evoke participants’ own reasons (and motives) for change and influenced PA behaviours. Participants reflected on their own social and/or professional strengths, and used these skills to set appropriate PA goals and action plans. The structure of the PA coaching intervention provided clarity on session determinants and a framework from which to set an appropriate agenda. Relational components (eg, non-judgemental listening, collaboration) were continually highlighted as influential for change, and should be considered in future behaviour change intervention design.

Conclusions
We demonstrate the beneficial effect of using theory-informed behaviour change techniques, and delivering them in a style that promotes autonomy and relatedness. The views of participants should be a key consideration in the design and implementation of PA coaching interventions

Trial registration number
ACTRN12619000036112. Post-results analysis.

Leggi
Agosto 2022

How COVID-19 has impacted access to healthcare and social resources among individuals experiencing homelessness in Canada: a scoping review

Objectives
In Canada, individuals experiencing homelessness (IEH) rely on public health and social services for healthcare, food and basic necessities. The COVID-19 pandemic has disproportionately affected marginalised populations, in part by impacting their access to such services. We performed a scoping review to identify from the published literature how access to services has changed for Canadian IEH during the pandemic.

Data sources
OVID Medline, Web of Science, Sociological Abstracts, CINAHL and OVID EmCare databases, and websites for the Salvation Army, Homeless Hub, Canadian Alliance to End Homelessness, Canadian Network for the Health and Housing of People Experiencing Homelessness and BC Centre for Disease Control.

Study design
We used the scoping review methodology developed by the Joanna Briggs Institute framework and defined access to healthcare and social services using the 10-component Levesque framework. Academic databases and grey literature searches were used, with the final searches for each taking place 24 May and 1 June 2021, respectively. Data were compiled into an Excel spreadsheet. Title and abstract screening and full-text review were completed by two independent reviewers (RG and MM). Data extraction was completed by MM and cross checked by RG.

Results
In total, 17 academic and grey literature articles were included. Positive and negative changes in service access were reported in the literature. During the COVID-19 pandemic, access to social and healthcare resources was generally reduced for Canadian IEH. A new component of access, digital connectivity, was identified. Unexpectedly, coordination and collaboration of services improved, as did the number of outreach services.

Conclusions
Positive changes to service access such as improved coordination of services should be scaled up. Further work should be done to improve access to digital technologies for IEH.

Leggi
Agosto 2022

The Impending Crisis of Access to Safe Abortion Care in the US

If the recently leaked ruling from the US Supreme Court in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization is any indication of the future of abortion care in the US, Roe v. Wade will soon no longer be the law of the land, and access to care will be determined by state laws. It is estimated that about half of states will ban abortion, putting an essential, time-sensitive component of comprehensive health care out of reach.

Leggi
Agosto 2022

Correlates of access to sanitation facilities and benefits received from the Swachh Bharat Mission in India: analysis of cross-sectional data from the 2018 National Sample Survey

Objective
Equitable and affordable access to improved sanitation facilities is linked to health and is among the priority areas of development programmes in a country like India. This study assesses the level of different sanitation facilities accessed by households and attempts to understand the socioeconomic characteristics of the households that received financial benefits from the Swachh Bharat Mission (Swachh Bharat Abhiyan), a Government of India flagship programme.

Design
Cross-sectional study.

Setting and participants
The study extracted data from the 76th round (2018) of the National Sample Survey, consisting of 106 837 households in India.

Outcome measures
Sanitation services and benefits received from the Swachh Bharat Mission in the last 3 years preceding the survey were the two outcome variables of this study. Bivariate and multinomial logistic regression analysis were performed to identify factors associated with the outcome variables.

Results
Findings show the existence of state and regional disparities, along with rural–urban gaps, in the accessibility of sanitation facilities. Half of the households (52%, n=55 555) had access to safely managed sanitation facilities, followed by basic services (14.8%, n=15 812), limited services (11.4%, n=12 179) and unimproved services/open defecation (21.8%, n=23 290). Limited and unimproved facilities decreased significantly (p

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Luglio 2022

Effect of home-based interventions on basic activities of daily living for patients who had a stroke: a systematic review with meta-analysis

Objectives
To investigate the effectiveness of home-based interventions in improving the ability to do basic activities of daily living in patients who had a stroke.

Methods
Randomised controlled trials were searched through MEDLINE, Embase and CINAHL from their inception to 31 December 2021. We included studies involving home-based intervention prescribed by professionals and implemented at patients’ homes. The characteristics of these studies were collected. Risk of bias of individual study was assessed by Physiotherapy Evidence Database scale. Meta-analyses were performed where studies reported comparable interventions and outcomes.

Results
In total, 49 studies were included in the systematic review and 16 studies had sufficient data for meta-analyses. The short-term effect of home-based intervention showed no significant difference when compared with institution-based intervention (standardised mean difference (SMD)=0.24, 95% CI –0.15 to 0.62, I2=0%). No significant difference was found between home-based intervention and usual care for long-term effect (SMD=0.02; 95% CI –0.17 to 0.22; I2=0%). Home-based rehabilitation combined with usual care showed a significant short-term effect on the ability to do basic daily activities, compared with usual care alone (SMD=0.55; 95% CI 0.22 to 0.87; p=0.001; I2=3%).

Conclusion
Home-based rehabilitation with usual care, which varied from no therapy to inpatient or outpatient therapy, may have a short-term effect on the ability to do basic activities of daily living for patients who had a stroke compared with usual care alone. However, the evidence quality is low because of the limited number of studies and participants included in the meta-analysis and the possible publication bias. Future research is needed to investigate the effectiveness of home-based rehabilitation in groups with stratification by stroke severity and time since stroke onset, with elaboration of details of the home-based and the control interventions. Moreover, more high-quality studies are required to prove the cost-effectiveness of newly developed strategies like caregiver-mediated rehabilitation and telerehabilitation.

The primary source of funding
The Medical Research Fund of Guangdong Province (No: A2021041).

Leggi
Luglio 2022

Association of cognitive reserve with stroke outcome: a protocol for a systematic review

Introduction
The concept of cognitive reserve (CR) was introduced to account for individual differences in the clinical manifestation of neurodegenerative diseases. Though several mechanisms and risk factors are shared between neurodegeneration and stroke, the effect of CR on poststroke functional outcome has been poorly addressed. This systematic review aims to synthesise the available research evidence on the association of CR with stroke outcome, in order to implement the understanding of interindividual variability in stroke outcome and to improve its prediction.

Methods and analysis
Cochrane Library, Embase, PubMed, Web of Science and reference lists of relevant literature will be searched for publications on CR proxies (eg, education, years of education, occupational attainment, premorbid intelligence) and stroke outcome, published between 1 January 1980 and 10 March 2022. Two reviewers will independently perform the study selection, data extraction and quality assessment. Disagreements between reviewers will be resolved by a third independent reviewer. The Quality In Prognosis Studies tool will be used to assess the quality of each included study. The primary outcome will be functional outcome after stroke assessed with modified Rankin Scale, activities of daily living (eg, Barthel Index), National Institute of Health Stroke Scale, dichotomised as favourable versus not favourable as well as reported as continuous or ordinal variables. Qualitative and quantitative findings will be summarised and, if possible, data will be synthesised using appropriate meta-analytical methods. The quality of evidence will be assessed using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation framework.

Ethics and dissemination
No ethical approval is required as it is a protocol for a systematic review and the data used will be extracted from published studies. The findings from this systematic review will be disseminated in a peer-reviewed scientific journal and presented at conferences. The data will be made freely available.

PROSPERO registration number
CRD42021256175.

Leggi
Luglio 2022

Examining the effectiveness of psychological interventions for marginalised and disadvantaged women and individuals who have experienced gender-based violence: protocol for a scoping review

Introduction
Exposure to gender-based violence (GBV) has devastating psychological outcomes for victims/survivors. Particularly in conditions where GBV intersects with multiple forms of oppression, the negative impacts of violence are more challenging to overcome and potential pathways for recovery become less accessible. However, evidence regarding the availability and effectiveness of mental health interventions for GBV survivors from marginalised and disadvantaged communities has yet to be systematically integrated and synthesised. The proposed scoping review will examine the relevant literature regarding the availability and effectiveness of psychological interventions for survivors of GBV from marginalised and disadvantaged backgrounds. This review will (i) document what psychological interventions have been available and empirically established for marginalised and disadvantaged women and individuals with experiences of GBV, (ii) provide a narrative examination of the treatment outcomes of identified interventions regarding their effectiveness and (iii) examine the degree to which GBV interventions in selected sources are designed and applied with a recognition of the social determinants of mental health.

Methods and analysis
The search for the proposed scoping review will include five electronic databases: PsycINFO, Scopus, Web of Science, Ovid Medline, and CINAHL. The database search will be completed in June 2022. An additional search will be conducted before the completion of the study in December 2022. The search will target research studies published after 2010. The primary eligibility criterion for study selection is having a focus on psychological interventions for GBV survivors from marginalised and disadvantaged groups. Two reviewers will conduct screening and data extraction. The data will be evaluated to map the treatment outcomes of interventions and their effectiveness. Implications for clinical services will be discussed.

Ethics and dissemination
No ethical consideration is foreseen for this scoping review. The dissemination will be done through a publication in a top-tier open access journal and conference presentations.

Leggi
Luglio 2022

Mobile application adjunct to the WHO basic emergency care course: a mixed methods study

Objectives
The WHO developed a 5-day basic emergency care (BEC) course using the traditional lecture format. However, adult learning theory suggests that lecture-based courses alone may not promote long-term knowledge retention. We assessed whether a mobile application adjunct (BEC app) can have positive impact on knowledge acquisition and retention compared with the BEC course alone and evaluated perceptions, acceptability and barriers to adoption of such a tool.

Design
Mixed-methods prospective cohort study.

Participants
Adult healthcare workers in six health facilities in Tanzania who enrolled in the BEC course and were divided into the control arm (BEC course) or the intervention arm (BEC course plus BEC app).

Main outcome measures
Changes in knowledge assessment scores, self-efficacy and perceptions of BEC app.

Results
92 enrolees, 46 (50%) in each arm, completed the BEC course. 71 (77%) returned for the 4-month follow-up. Mean test scores were not different between the two arms at any time period. Both arms had significantly improved test scores from enrolment (prior to distribution of materials) to day 1 of the BEC course and from day 1 of BEC course to immediately after BEC course completion. The drop-off in mean scores from immediately after BEC course completion to 4 months after course completion was not significant for either arm. No differences were observed between the two arms for any self-efficacy question at any time point. Focus groups revealed five major themes related to BEC app adoption: educational utility, clinical utility, user experience, barriers to access and barriers to use.

Conclusion
The BEC app was well received, but no differences in knowledge retention and self-efficacy were observed between the two arms and only a very small number of participants reported using the app. Technologic-based, linguistic-based and content-based barriers likely limited its impact.

Leggi
Luglio 2022

Effect of folic acid supplementation on diminished ovarian reserve: study protocol of a single-centre, open-label, randomised, placebo-controlled clinical trial

Introduction
The prevalence of diminished ovarian reserve (DOR), a common gynaecological disorder, is approximately 10% across the world. Failure in early diagnosis and treatment may result in continuous decreases in ovarian function and the resultant loss in an opportunity of pregnancy, which greatly affects the happiness of the women’s family and women’s physical and mental health. Nevertheless, there has been no effective treatment for such a disorder until now. Folic acid, a member of the vitamin B family, is involved in one-carbon cycle and methylation regulation. It has been found that folic acid affects the whole period of pregnancy, and folic acid supplementation has shown effective to remarkably reduce the incidence of fetal neural tube defects and decrease plasma homocysteic acid levels, thereby resulting in a decline in the incidence of abortion. In addition, folic acid is reported to mediate ovarian functions. It is therefore hypothesised that folic acid may improve DOR.

Methods and analysis
A single-centre, open-label, randomised, placebo-controlled clinical trial is designed. We plan to recruit 140 women with DOR at ages of 30–35 years. All participants will be randomised into the folic acid group and placebo group, and each subject will be given a tablet with the same appearance daily for 6 months. The primary outcome is antral follicle count, and the secondary outcomes are ovarian reserve markers, ovarian low-dose stimulation responses and safety.

Ethics and dissemination
This study was approved by the Ethics Review Committee of Nanping First Hospital Affiliated to Fujian Medical University on 10 February 2021 (approval number: NPSY202002042). Written informed consent was obtained from all participants prior to randomisation, following a detailed description of the purpose of the study. The results of this clinical trial will be presented at scientific conferences and submitted to a peer-reviewed journal.

Trial registration number
Chinese Clinical Trial Registry, ChiCTR2100047410.

Leggi
Luglio 2022

Technology to improve reliable access to oxygen in Western Uganda: study protocol for a phased implementation trial in neonatal and paediatric wards

Introduction
Oxygen is an essential medicine for children and adults. The current systems for its delivery can be expensive and unreliable in settings where oxygen is most needed. FREO2 Foundation Australia has developed an integrated oxygen system, driven by a mains-powered oxygen concentrator, with the ability to switch automatically between low-pressure oxygen storage device and cylinder oxygen in power interruptions. The aim of this study is to assess the clinical impact and cost-effectiveness of expanding this system to 20 community and district hospitals and level IV facilities in Western Uganda.

Methods and analysis
This will be a phased implementation with preintervention and postintervention comparison of outcomes. Standardised baseline data collection and needs assessment will be conducted, followed by implementation of the FREO2 Oxygen System in combination with pulse oximetry in 1–2 facilities per month over a 16-month period, with a total 23-month data collection period. The primary outcome will be the proportion of hypoxaemic children receiving oxygen pre and post oxygen system. Secondary outcomes will assess clinical, economic and technical aspects. Pre and post oxygen system primary and secondary outcomes will be compared using regression models and standard tests of significance. Useability will be quantitatively and qualitatively evaluated in terms of acceptability, feasibility and appropriateness, using standardised implementation outcome measure tools.

Ethics and dissemination
Ethics approval was obtained from Mbarara University of Science and Technology (MUREC 1/7) and the University of Melbourne (2021-14489-13654-2). Outcomes will be presented to the involved facilities, and to representatives of the Ministry of Health, Uganda. Broader dissemination will include publication in peer-reviewed journals and academic conference presentations.

Trial registration number
ACTRN12621000241831.

Leggi
Giugno 2022

What happens when you stop using the combined contraceptive pill? A qualitative study protocol on consequences and supply needs for women who discontinued the combined contraceptive pill in Germany

Introduction
For more than 60 years, contraceptive pills have been prescribed to mostly healthy biological women. An emerging body of research concerning the possible physiological and psychological side effects of hormonal contraception has been published over the past two decades. Consequently, discontinuing combined oral contraceptives (COCs) as a conscious decision for reasons other than desired pregnancy has become increasingly common for menstruating individuals. The question remains as to what physical and psychological consequences can be observed after discontinuing COCs. In addition, the consequent healthcare needs and situations of affected individuals in Germany have not been explored. This study aims to gain greater insight into the relationship between discontinuation of COCs and (1) possible health consequences, and (2) to explore the supply situation for affected women within the German healthcare system.

Methods and analysis
Qualitative episodic interviews with women who discontinue COC therapy will explore possible health consequences, and their current healthcare needs and situations in Germany. The interviews will be transcribed verbatim, coded, and in-depth thematic interpretation will be conducted. Subsequently, expert interviews with health professionals who work with women who discontinue COCs will also be conducted. The expert interviews will be analysed according to the documentary method. Overarching themes will represent the perspectives of women and health professionals on the discontinuation of COCs.

Ethics and dissemination
Ethical approval for this study has been granted by the Ethics Review Committee of Martin Luther University, Halle-Wittenberg (Germany), reference number 2021-34. The findings will be disseminated via peer-reviewed publications, posting via social media and presentations at conferences. This study is registered on the OSF platform under the following number: https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/JYWXM.

Leggi
Giugno 2022

Preferences and access to community-based HIV testing sites among men who have sex with men (MSM) in Cote dIvoire

Objective
Measuring access and preferences to Men who have Sex with Men focused community-based HIV testing sites (MSM-CBTS) in Côte d’Ivoire.

Design
A respondent-driven sampling telephone survey.

Setting
National survey conducted in 2018 in Côte d’Ivoire.

Participants
518 MSM aged over 18 years old.

Primary and secondary outcome measures
Knowledge, practices, satisfaction and preferences regarding MSM-CBTS. Factors associated with MSM-CTBS access or knowledge and with HIV testing venue preferences were examined.

Results
Only half of the respondents (47%) reported knowing of an MSM-CBTS. Of these, 79% had already attended one. Both knowing of and ever visiting an MSM-CBTS were significantly associated with a higher number of HIV tests performed in the past 12 months and having disclosed sexual orientation to one family member.
In terms of preferences, 37% of respondents said they preferred undifferentiated HIV testing sites (ie, ‘all patients’ HIV testing sites), 34% preferred MSM-CBTS and 29% had no preference.
Those who reported being sexually attracted to women, being bisexual and those who did not know an MSM non-governmental organisation were less likely to prefer MSM-CBTS. MSM who preferred undifferentiated HIV testing sites mentioned the lack of discretion and anonymity of community-based sites and the desire to avoid the gaze of others.

Conclusion
Community-based HIV testing is well suited for MSM who identify as homosexual and those close to the MSM community, while maintaining undifferentiated HIV testing is essential for others. Both types of activities need to be maintained and developed. Healthcare professionals in undifferentiated HIV testing sites need to be properly trained in the non-judgemental reception of MSM.

Leggi
Giugno 2022

Treating common mental disorder including psychotic experiences in the primary care improving access to psychological therapies programme (the TYPPEX study): protocol for a stepped wedge cluster randomised controlled trial with nested economic and process evaluation of a training package for therapists

Introduction
At least one in four people treated by the primary care improving access to psychological therapies (IAPT) programme in England experiences distressing psychotic experiences (PE) in addition to common mental disorder (CMD). These individuals are less likely to achieve recovery. IAPT services do not routinely screen for nor offer specific treatments for CMD including PE. The Tailoring evidence-based psychological therapY for People with common mental disorder including Psychotic EXperiences study will evaluate the clinical and cost-effectiveness of an enhanced training for cognitive behavioural therapists that aims to address this clinical gap.

Methods and analysis
This is a multisite, stepped-wedge cluster randomised controlled trial. The setting will be IAPT services within three mental health trusts. The participants will be (1) 56–80 qualified IAPT cognitive behavioural therapists and (2) 600 service users who are triaged as appropriate for cognitive behavioural therapy in an IAPT service and have PE according to the Community Assessment of Psychic Experiences—Positive 15-items Scale. IAPT therapists will be grouped into eight study clusters subsequently randomised to the control-intervention sequence. We will obtain pseudonymous clinical outcome data from IAPT clinical records for eligible service users. We will invite service users to complete health economic measures at baseline, 3, 6, 9 and 12-month follow-up. The primary outcome will be the proportion of patients with common mental disorder psychotic experiences who have recovered by the end of treatment as measured by the official IAPT measure for recovery.

Ethics and dissemination
The study received the following approvals: South Central—Berkshire Research Ethics Committee on 28 April 2020 (REC reference 20/SC/0135) and Health Research Authority (HRA) on 23 June 2020. An amendment was approved by the Ethics Committee on 01 October 2020 and HRA on 27 October 2020. Results will be made available to patients and the public, the funders, stakeholders in the IAPT services and other researchers.

Trial registration number
ISRCTN93895792.

Leggi
Giugno 2022