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Topical Advisory Panel Members' Collection Series: Primary Health Care

A special issue of International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (ISSN 1660-4601). This special issue belongs to the section "Health Care Sciences".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 December 2024 | Viewed by 7921

Special Issue Editors

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

We are pleased to announce this Special Issue titled “Topical Advisory Panel Members' Collection Series: Primary Health Care”. This issue will be a Special Issue of papers from researchers invited by the Topical Advisory Panel Members. This Special Issue aims to provide a venue for networking and communication between IJERPH and scholars in the field of Primary Health Care. All papers will be published with fully open access after peer review.

Dr. Maria Papadakaki
Prof. Dr. Evridiki Kaba
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2500 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • primary health care
  • health promotion
  • public health
  • health services
  • nursing

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Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

15 pages, 1023 KiB  
Article
Health of Family Members of Road Transport Workers: Evaluation of Perceived Stress and Family Effectiveness
by Fernanda Lise, Mona Shattell, Raquel Pötter Garcia, Wilson Teixeira de Ávila, Flávia Lise Garcia and Eda Schwartz
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2024, 21(10), 1315; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph21101315 - 2 Oct 2024
Viewed by 514
Abstract
The health of road transport workers is affected by working conditions and life. However, there is a lack of studies on the level of stress and health of the families of these workers. This study aimed to evaluate the perceived stress level and [...] Read more.
The health of road transport workers is affected by working conditions and life. However, there is a lack of studies on the level of stress and health of the families of these workers. This study aimed to evaluate the perceived stress level and family effectiveness of family members of road transport workers. A quantitative study was carried out with the family members of road transport workers in the southern region of Brazil. For data collection, a sociodemographic form, the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), and the Evaluation of Family Effectiveness Strategies were used. The data were analyzed by simple frequency, Spearman correlation coefficient (ρ) (p < 0.05), and descriptive analysis from the perspective of Systemic Organization. The sample was composed of 49 family members of road transport workers. Perceived stress was higher in family members who had more than nine years of education (p = 0.0403). Family members who scored higher in Family Effectiveness scored high on the targets of Control (p = 0.0353) (Control aims to reduce anxiety and prevent and eliminate events that threaten family stability) and Growth (p = 0.0360) (represented by attitudes that promote new roles in response to critical situations experienced by families, which require re-adaptation processes and adjustments). The Control target was significant (p = 0.0353) in families that had more than three people. The Coherence dimension (concerning self-esteem, body image, personal identity, self-confidence, and sexual identity) presented positive significance (p = 0.0244) in families with health problems and whose income was less than USD 792.00 per month (p = 0.0072). The Individuation dimension (including functions and responsibilities, where talents are reinforced, as well as initiatives that allow for the incorporation of knowledge to assume behaviors against personal/family and environmental pressures), was significant (p = 0.0138) in families with incomes over USD 792.00. The Maintenance System (strategies for decision-making, problem negotiation, ritual and traditional roles, communication patterns, standards, financial management, and approaches to maintaining family harmony) presented positive significance (p = 0.0151) in families where drivers worked as intercity drivers, as did the Stability target (p = 0.0196) (concerning the continuity of routines, structure, organization, traditions, and values assumed by the family and transmitted from generation to generation, which promote unity and the development of values, attitudes, and beliefs). In conclusion, social factors, such as education, income, diseases, type of worker activity in road transport, and number of people in the family, influenced perceived stress and family effectiveness, which demonstrates the need to increase the promotion of health care for the families of road transport workers. Full article
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30 pages, 790 KiB  
Article
Perspectives of Adults with Intellectual Disabilities on Quality of Life: A Qualitative Study
by Pavlos Kapsalakis and Evdoxia Nteropoulou-Nterou
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2024, 21(9), 1186; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph21091186 - 6 Sep 2024
Viewed by 1218
Abstract
Experiences of occupational participation of adults with Intellectual Disabilities (IDs) were explored through the lens of the Model of Occupational Justice (MOJ) and Critical Theory in order to shape and develop an occupation-centered model of quality of life (QoL). This qualitative study involved [...] Read more.
Experiences of occupational participation of adults with Intellectual Disabilities (IDs) were explored through the lens of the Model of Occupational Justice (MOJ) and Critical Theory in order to shape and develop an occupation-centered model of quality of life (QoL). This qualitative study involved thirteen adults with IDs (N = 13). A semi-structured interview, constructed based on MOJ and Critical Theory principles, was administered to explore perspectives on QoL, as well as injustices regarding occupational participation. The interviews were analyzed using QSR NVivo8 and followed a content analysis methodology. A preliminary model of Occupational Quality of Life (O-QoL), with an everyday occupations core component, has been formed. The model includes three core O-QoL domains: (i) social well-being, (ii) emotional–physical well-being, and (iii) material adequacy. Key indicators of O-QoL were identified as leisure and social activities, while socioenvironmental factors such as occupational deprivation were noted as aggravating. Specific occupations, including leisure activities, physical exercise/sports, art, video games, and vocational training, were found to be beneficial for O-QoL. Moreover, the importance of promoting and supporting the rights of people with IDs for employment, independent living, and sexual expression was highlighted. The model of O-QoL (version 1) could be a valuable alternative conceptual framework of QoL in the field of IDs; however, further research is needed to validate and refine the model. Full article
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16 pages, 366 KiB  
Article
Smartphone Use and Social Media Involvement in Young Adults: Association with Nomophobia, Depression Anxiety Stress Scales (DASS) and Self-Esteem
by Elissavet Vagka, Charalambos Gnardellis, Areti Lagiou and Venetia Notara
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2024, 21(7), 920; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph21070920 - 15 Jul 2024
Viewed by 1879
Abstract
Excessive smartphone use and dependence on social media give rise to multiple issues that negatively affect the overall well-being of individuals. Nomophobia is characterized as a “digital disease” due to the unlimited use of smartphone devices. The aim of this study is to [...] Read more.
Excessive smartphone use and dependence on social media give rise to multiple issues that negatively affect the overall well-being of individuals. Nomophobia is characterized as a “digital disease” due to the unlimited use of smartphone devices. The aim of this study is to examine smartphone use and social media involvement in association with nomophobia and psychological traits (i.e., depression, anxiety, stress, and self-esteem) of young adults. A cross-sectional investigation was conducted on 1408 Greek undergraduate students aged 18 to 25 years, using an anonymous self-reported questionnaire. Study data were collected through the Nomophobia Questionnaire (NMP-Q), Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS-21), and Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSES). Participants’ social media engagement was summarized through four variables: use of social media applications, number of friends, number of followers, and number of messages exchanged daily on social media. High levels of nomophobia were associated with high engagement in social media and, thereby, with a high number of friends. The same applies to participants with high/normal self-esteem compared to those with low. Regarding stress, anxiety and depression were not associated with digital network use, while elevated stress and anxiety seemed to play a negative role in the number of online followers. In addition, high levels of anxiety were correlated to an increased number of messages exchanged through social media applications. Full article
10 pages, 298 KiB  
Article
Advancing Access to Quality LGBTQIA+ Health Care: Gender Discrimination, Socio-Cultural, and Mental Health Issues: A Mixed-Method Study
by Alexandros Argyriadis, Evangelos C. Fradelos, Agathi Argyriadi, Erin Ziegler and Evridiki Kaba
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2023, 20(6), 4767; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20064767 - 8 Mar 2023
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 3427
Abstract
Recent research highlights the lack of knowledge and reduced skills of health care professionals in communicating with people from the LGBTQIA+ community. This often occurs due to reduced continuing education on social issues in the health sector. The purpose of this research was [...] Read more.
Recent research highlights the lack of knowledge and reduced skills of health care professionals in communicating with people from the LGBTQIA+ community. This often occurs due to reduced continuing education on social issues in the health sector. The purpose of this research was to study the readiness of health care professionals to manage the social and mental health issues of the LGBTQIA+ community. In particular, the cultural competence of health care professionals targeted at gender identity, the recognition of the level of mastery of soft skills, and the relevant experiences of the participants were studied. For the purposes of conducting this research, a mixed methodology was used to pursue an in-depth study of human beliefs, attitudes, perceptions, ideas, and experiences. More specifically, a previously validated research tool was used to measure cultural competence and assess soft skills. At the same time, interviews were conducted with health care professionals for a more complete understanding of their skills and attitudes. The study comprised a quantitative study involving 479 health care professionals and a qualitative study involving 20 health care professionals, with results from each study. The results showed that the health care professionals’ knowledge of the LGBTQIA+ community is sufficient, but their skills and attitudes towards gender diversity are limited. In addition, the level of acquisition of soft skills by health care professionals is low, and there is insufficient training for health care professionals with regards to social issues. In conclusion, a targeted and structured educational intervention for health care professionals is required to avoid future unfortunate behaviours, and to ensure that the health care provided to healthy and sick populations, regardless of sexual orientation, is adequate. Full article
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