Search Results (47)

Seaweeds represent a vital yet often understudied component of the diet and cultural heritage of many coastal communities globally. This study investigated seaweed consumption practices in coastal communities of Tawi-Tawi, Philippines, through one-to-one interviews (n = 280) and focus group discussions (n = 7). The study revealed that nearly all (99%) of the population consumes seaweeds, with women comprising the majority of consumers who have done so since childhood (68% female vs. 32% male). These consumers were predominantly married (79%), within the 21–40 age group (53%), with families of 5–7 members (43%), practicing Islam (97%), and belonging to the Sama tribe (71%). A significant portion (48%) had resided in the area for 21–30 years, attained elementary to high school education (66%), and had a monthly income ranging from 1000 to 10,000 Philippine pesos (72%). Seaweed consumption was a family-wide practice (88%), including children, who typically started around 4–8 years old (61%), driven by perceived nutritional benefits (43%), preferred flavor (80%), affordability (19%), ease of preparation (33%), and cultural integration (23%). The primary edible seaweeds identified were Kappaphycus alvarezii (63%), K. striatus (58%), Kappaphycus spp. (47%), Eucheuma denticulatum (57%), Caulerpa lentillifera (64%), Caulerpa spp. (51%), C. cf. macrodisca ecad corynephora (45%), C. racemosa (30%), and Solieria robusta (49%), with less frequent consumption of K. malesianus (8%), Chaetomorpha crassa (3%), Gracilaria spp. (0.72%), and Hydroclathrus clathratus (0.36%). Specific plant parts were preferred for certain species, and preparation predominantly involved raw (75%) or cooked (77%) salads with spices, primarily prepared by mothers (72%). Consumers generally avoided seaweeds showing signs of ice-ice disease (95%), pale coloration (91%), or epiphyte infestation (84%). Consumption frequency was typically 1–3 times per week (45%), with knowledge largely passed down through generations (95%). Seaweed salads were primarily consumed as a viand (92%) at home (97%), with locals perceiving seaweed consumption as contributing to a healthy diet (40%) and overall well-being [e.g., aiding hunger (76%), improving digestion (20%), preventing obesity (14%), and aiding brain development (3%)]. The study’s findings emphasize the significant yet often overlooked role of seaweeds in the food systems and cultural heritage of Tawi-Tawi’s coastal communities. Future efforts should prioritize the sustainable management of wild resources, explore the cultivation of diverse edible species, and enhance nutritional awareness. Further research into traditional seaweed knowledge holds broader value. Full article

Background/Objectives: Falls are a leading cause of morbidity in older adults, particularly those with multiple comorbidities. A multidisciplinary approach addressing physical, psychological, and environmental factors is essential for reducing fall risk and supporting aging in place. This report evaluates the effectiveness of a multidisciplinary, multifactorial approach in managing high fall risk in an older adult with diabetes, hypertension, and osteoporosis. Methods: A 72-year-old woman with a recurrent history of falls participated in an 8-week intervention as part of the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) balance and falls prevention credential program. This study was conducted in Virginia Beach, USA, at the participant’s residence. A single-subject design investigation was conducted, measuring outcomes including the Balance Evaluation Systems Test (BESTest), gait speed, Timed Up and Go (TUG), fear of falling, and balance confidence at baseline and post-intervention. Results: The participant had impaired baseline values across various variables and was classified as a recurrent high-risk faller. After 8 weeks of intervention, clinically meaningful improvements with large effect sizes were observed: self-selected gait speed improved by 25%, BESTest scores improved by 50%, Falls Efficacy—International (FES I) scores improved by 26%, and Activity Balance Confidence (ABC) scores improved by 26%. No falls or adverse events occurred during the intervention period, and the patient reported enhanced mobility and safety at home. Conclusions: A tailored multidisciplinary approach effectively addressed the physical, psychological, and environmental factors contributing to high fall risk. This highlights the importance of patient-centered interventions in managing fall risk and promoting safe aging in place. Continued education, environmental adaptations, and regular follow-up are essential for long-term fall prevention. Full article

Stress is a multifaceted physiological and psychological response that impacts health in diverse ways. This work introduces an IoT- and ML-based wearable stress detection prototype system for elderly care. The prototype developed utilizes Heart Rate, Skin Temperature, and GSR (Galvanic Skin Response) sensors, integrated with data input for real-time analysis. Among different prediction models, Random Forest was found to achieve the highest performance measured in terms of Accuracy (95.06%), Precision (95.22%), Recall (95.06%) and F1-Score (94.38%) and hence was employed for the stress-prediction purpose. Validated on old age home residents (SHEOWS, New Delhi), the device demonstrated satisfactory performance, enabling personalized care and improved stress management through precise, data-driven insights. This is preliminary research which needs to be extended appropriately in the future for further improvements and will work as an input for stress-reduction techniques for elderly people. Full article

Background: Chronic non-cancer pain (CNCP) is one of the leading causes of disability. The use of strong opioids (SOs) in the management of CNCP is increasing, although evidence supporting their use remains limited. Primary care (PC) plays a key role in this context. Objectives: Our objectives were to determine the prevalence and profile of patients using SOs for CNCP in PC consultations in Valladolid in 2022, and to describe the consumption of SO prescribed for CNCP from 2020 to 2023. Methods: We conducted a descriptive and retrospective study using data extracted from the Pharmaceutical Consumption Information System of Castilla y León. Patients in Valladolid with SO use for more than three months due to CNCP were analyzed. Sociodemographic and clinical characteristics of these patients in 2022 were described. The number of defined daily doses (nº DDDs) and costs from 2020 to 2023 were analyzed. Results: A total of 3642 patients were included (0.7% of the population of Valladolid), 71.8% of whom were women. Of the patients, 62.4% were aged 70 or older, 39.8% lived in rural areas, and 9.9% resided in nursing homes. The most frequently prescribed SOs in nº DDDs were fentanyl and tapentadol. The highest consumption in nº DDDs was in patients who lived in nursing homes, were over 70 years old and were resident in rural areas. The number of DDDs from 2020 to 2023 for SOs in DCNO increased by 41%. Conclusions: In total, 0.7% of the population of Valladolid consumes SOs for CNCP, mostly women and people over 70 years old. The consumption of strong opioids in DDDs grew by 41% from 2020 to 2023. Full article

No hospitalizations or deaths occurred in residents with the COVID-19 infection, treated with antihistamines and azithromycin, of two external nursing homes during the first wave. We assessed whether patients receiving chronic antihistamines in our institution showed better clinical evolution. COVID-19 admissions and related deaths in the public Hospital of Terrassa (n = 1461) during the pandemic period (11 March 2020–5 May 2023) and cases (n = 32,888) during the period of full suspicion diagnosis (1 June 2020–23 March 2022) were referred to as the number of chronic treatments (nT) including or not including antihistamines (AntiHm or NOAntiHm), and their vaccination status before the first infection (VAC or NoVAC) in our assigned population (n = 140,681 at March 2020) was recorded. No deaths occurred in patients treated with up to ≤6 nT in the AntiHm group in all ages. A significant reduction in hospital admission was observed in the 2–7 nT groups either below or over 60 years old [Odds Ratio (OR) NoAntiHm/AntiHm = 1.76–1.32, respectively, in NoVAC or VAC (OR = 2.10 overall] and in the older ≥8 nT group (OR = 2.08 in NoVac]. In conclusion, patients with chronic antihistamine prescriptions, alone or with polypharmacy, showed reduced hospital admission and mortality rates, suggesting the safety of antihistamine treatment and the need to confirm its effectiveness in a prospective trial. Full article

Background: Depression and falls are highly prevalent, interrelated concerns for nursing home (NH) residents. Relationships between depression and falls should guide nurses towards developing evidence-based practices for assessing these conditions together. This study aimed to ascertain NH nurses’ clinical practices and perceptions regarding the assessment of depression and fall risk. Methods: This study was an exploratory descriptive study on the reported practices and perceptions from NH nurses in the canton of Vaud, Western Switzerland. Statistical analyses included descriptive statistics, nonparametric tests and a content analysis of responses to open-ended questions. Results: The mean age of our 116 responding nurses was 44.6 years old (SD = 11.3), 99 were women and their mean work experience in NHs was 13.1 years (SD = 9.2). The reporting showed that 88.8% of nurses relied on mood observation for assessing depression and 88.8% relied on the history of falls to identify fall risk. Only 75.9% and 61.2% of nurses used validated scales to detect depression and fall risk, respectively. Additionally, 56.9% of participants considered depression to be a significant factor in fall risk. Conclusion: Validated tools to assess depression and fall risk in NHs should be used more widely. Health policies must support and enhance NH nurses’ training and skills. Full article

(1) Background: Frailty in older adults is a condition that involves an interaction of psychological, biological, and social factors. This study aimed to assess the frailty status of older adults (65 years old and above) who receive home care services. Additionally, this work aimed to explore the key factors that have a statistically significant impact on the frailty of this vulnerable population. (2) Methods: This study represents the first phase of an intervention trial involving individuals aged 65 and over who received primary healthcare services and resided in the municipality of Archanes-Asterousia in Crete, Greece. Frailty was assessed using the SHARE-Frailty Instrument, while nutritional status was evaluated with the Mini Nutritional Assessment. Diet-related factors were analyzed, including health factors (oral hygiene, depression, cognitive decline, impaired functioning, quality of life), social factors (educational attainment, marital status, type of work before the age of 60), and lifestyle factors (smoking, alcohol consumption, diet). (3) Results: A total of 730 older adults were evaluated (31.5% male), with an average age (±SD) of 76.83 (±6.68) years. The frailty status analysis revealed 108 (14.8%) to be frail, 249 (34.1%) to be pre-frail, and 373 (51.1%) to be non-frail. Statistically significant associations were found between the MNA and Barthel scores (rs = 0.822, p < 0.001). Higher nutritional evaluations (MNA) were revealed in non-frail adults (mean (±SD); 26.97 ± 1.96) compared to pre-fail (mean (±SD); 19.37 ± 3.36) and frail adults (mean (±SD); 13.08 ± 3.16), as well as in pre-fail compared to frail adults (F = 1338.08, p < 0.001). Functional independence (Barthel) significantly differed with the frailty status of older adults (H = 521.98, p < 0.001; median for non-frail: 20.00, pre-fail: 19.00, frail adults: 15.00). (4) Conclusions: This study demonstrated that good nutritional status, good oral health, functional independence, and good quality of life are strongly correlated with lower frailty. Additionally, having chronic conditions is positively associated with one’s frailty status. Educational programs for both healthcare personnel and older adults are recommended. Full article

With the growing numbers of people living in old age, a system that sustains autonomy, dignity and freedom of movement for people living with dementia (PwD) needs to be installed. However, due to the cognitive constraints in the cohort of PwD, traditional qualitative methods of inquiry, such as interviews, are often not a good match. This study aimed to use creative qualitative assessment tools to assess the values and opinions of PwD in nursing homes on freedom and safety. Twenty-two nursing home residents with memory problems participated in this study. Important themes related to freedom and safety were identified using a diverse set of methodologies. Overall, residents had a similar view on ‘safety’, relating this to having a homely environment where people look out for you, with a good balance between busy and quiet areas and being able to retain cognitive and physical function. Values around freedom were more diverse. Residents who were still capable of logical speech generally voiced a wish for independence, making one’s own decisions and wanting to go outside. For residents who no longer spoke, freedom seemed to be experienced more through the connection to other people. These results show that PwD still have distinct personal values concerning freedom and safety, which should be given due consideration in decision-making regarding nursing home policy, thereby potentially improving the quality of life of PwD. Full article

Malnutrition in older people has been considered as a health concern associated with a range of implications for health and functional ability. However, evidence of nutrition and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) among older people is limited. The aim of this study was to study the associations between nutritional status and HRQoL among home-dwelling older adults aged 75 years. In this cross-sectional study, we studied 75-year-old home-dwelling residents who participated in PORI75 preventive health screenings in 2020 and completed the full Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA). The participants’ HRQoL was measured using the 15D instrument. Altogether, 462 participants (60% women) were included. Of these, 11% had decreased nutritional status (MNA score < 24); 12.7% were women and 8.6% were men, with no difference between the sexes (p = 0.17). A relationship was found between HRQoL and the MNA: a decreased MNA score was associated with decreased HRQoL (p < 0.001, r = 0.45, 95% CI: 0.38 to 0.53). All 15 HRQoL dimensions (except hearing) were associated with the MNA score. Among the men, the association was stronger compared to the women, especially when the MNA score was <24, indicating decreased nutritional status. In conclusion, impaired nutritional status seems to be associated with impaired HRQoL among 75-year-old people living at home, especially among men. Full article

Background and objectives: Russian military aggression in Ukraine has exposed children to extremely high levels of acute and chronic stressors that are incomparable to stress levels in peaceful countries. Such stressors can impact children’s eating behavior, for example, by altering the psychological climate within families. We aimed to determine the prevalence of war-induced, stress-related disruptions in the eating behavior of Ukrainian children. Methods: We used a cross-sectional survey to determine stress-related disordered eating behavior among school-aged children under conditions of stress caused by the war in Ukraine. A total of 5162 parents or guardians used an electronic questionnaire to report changes in the children’s eating behavior (EB) in various stressful conditions, including being in close proximity to the combat zone, residing in occupied or peaceful territories, displacement from homes, abroad, and other. 311 (6%) of participants did not report the age of the child or reported on behalf of a child who was younger than 5 years or older than 17 years, and were thus excluded. Thus, the final sample included 4854 (94%) parents. Results: of the guardians, 63% reported changes in children’s EBs during the war, with the highest frequency observed among 5 to 10-year-olds. The most common EB changes observed during wartime included food cravings (38%), food fussiness (37%), aversion to certain foods (29%), and decreased appetite (24%). 40% of the reported EB changes were long-term, lasting over a month and related to altered attitudes towards food. Food insecurity, residing in occupied territories, and displacement emerged as the most influential determinants of EB changes. Discussion: The findings underscore a significant and robust association between various war-related exposures and an increased risk of frequent eating behavior changes. As healthy eating behaviors are learned during childhood and have been shown to track into adulthood, the identified disruptions in eating behavior may have significant long-term consequences for the physical and mental health of the Ukrainian children. More research is needed to determine whether the intensity of the identified changes in children’s eating habits is linked to the severity of the stressors. Full article

This study aimed to investigate the impact of dental caries and tooth loss on oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) in socioeconomically disadvantaged people. A population-based, cross-sectional survey was conducted in 28 cities at social risk in Northeast Brazil. All permanent residents aged 12, 15–19, 35–44, and 65–74 years were eligible, and 3063 were included. Participants answered a questionnaire on socioeconomic status, beliefs, and behaviors. Trained local dentists performed oral clinical examinations during home visits. Caries and tooth loss were evaluated using the decayed, missing, and filled teeth (DMFT) index and OHRQoL was evaluated using the Oral Health Impact Profile-14 (OHIP-14). Poisson regression analysis was performed to assess the relationship between individual domains, OHIP-14 scores, dental caries, tooth loss, and socioeconomic/demographic characteristics. Mean DMFT (standard deviation) scores were 2.68 (4.01), 4.84 (4.30), 15.35 (7.26), and 26.72 (8.03) for groups aged 12, 15–19, 35–44, and 65–74 years, respectively. Most participants (70%) were partially edentulous and 13% were completely edentulous. Caries and tooth loss significantly increased with age and impacted OHRQoL. Physical pain (5.8%) and psychological discomfort (5.8%) were the most commonly reported on the OHIP-14. Untreated caries (prevalence ratio (PR), 1.54; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.37–1.72) and edentulism (PR, 1.29; 95% CI, 1.08–1.53) had a significant negative impact on OHRQoL. Income, level of education, sex, age, and oral hygiene habits were also related to OHRQoL. There was a high prevalence of dental caries and edentulism in all age groups except 12-year-olds. OHRQoL was negatively impacted by these oral conditions across the lifespan, with a trend towards more negative scores and higher impact in older adults. Full article

Introduction: Menstrual hygiene is a critical issue encountered by women and girls of reproductive age that negatively affects their health and empowerment. It is still deemed a taboo subject in several parts of the world, and girls hesitate to discuss menstruation with their family members, friends, or schoolteachers, which creates hurdles when they experience their menarche. Girls residing in rural areas encounter more problems, since they lack proper resources and knowledge to manage their menstruation in school as well as at home. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding the menstrual hygiene of girls residing in rural areas of Gilgit, Pakistan. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional design was used to assess the study questions. The consecutive sampling technique was applied to recruit 300 female participants from remote areas of Gilgit, Pakistan, who were 13 to 22 years old. A pre-tested questionnaire was utilized to collect the data, and SPSS version 21.0 was used to analyze them. Results: The study found that more than half of the participants had a poor level of knowledge and practices and negative attitudes towards menstrual hygiene. This could be due to many cultural and social factors associated with menstrual hygiene. Conclusions: The study concluded that the study participants were not knowledgeable about menstrual hygiene. They had poor practices and attitudes regarding menstrual hygiene. Hence, it is recommended that frequent sessions should be conducted by healthcare workers to enhance the knowledge of parents, teachers, and young girls, to increase their positive attitudes and practices regarding menstrual hygiene. Full article

Ever since baby boomers started turning 65 years old in 2020, Korea is set to become a super-aged society by 2025. This makes it the world’s fastest-aging society. Aging in place (AIP) has become a policy direction to prepare for an aging society and improve older adults’ quality of life. It refers to the ability of older adults to remain in their homes and communities as they age, allowing them to reside in their place of preference and access the services they require to promote their quality of life. A cross-sectional study design was employed using data sampled from the 2020 National Survey of Older Koreans. In total, 9930 older adults (aged between 65 and 99 years old) participated. The results confirmed that the intention to pursue AIP is related to personal factors (education, income, house ownership, smoking, exercise, depression), interpersonal and communal factors (unmet healthcare needs, need for home care services, family contact), and policy level factors (basic pension beneficiary, long-term care services) using an ecological model. The findings may promote individual health behaviors and help fill the gap between unmet healthcare needs and community care services that positively influence older adults’ AIP. Full article

Background: The city of Vienna, Austria, has a gradually aging population. Elderly people, over 65 years old and living at home or in nursing homes, frequently use Emergency Medical Services (EMS). However, there is no previous data comparing the EMS utilization of elderly- and non-elderly patients in Vienna. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed all EMS incidents in Vienna from 2012 to 2019. Transport- and emergency physician treatment rates, annual fluctuations, and the number of non-transports were compared between elderly (≥65 years) and non-elderly (18–64 years) patients. Results: Elderly people accounted for 42.6% of the total EMS responses in adult patients, representing an annual response rate of 223 per 1000 inhabitants ≥ 65 years. Compared to 76 per 1000 inhabitants in patients 18–64 years old, this results in an incidence rate ratio (IRR) of 2.93 [2.92–2.94]. Elderly people were more likely (OR 1.68 [1.65–1.70]) to need emergency physicians, compared to 18–64 year-olds. Nursing home residents were twice (OR 2.11 [2.06–2.17]) as likely to need emergency physicians than the rest of the study group. Non-transports were more likely to occur in patients over 65 years than in non-elderlies (14% vs. 12%, p < 0.001). Conclusions: The elderly population ≥ 65 years in Vienna shows higher EMS response rates than younger adults. They need emergency physicians more often, especially when residing in nursing homes. The economical and organizational strain this puts on the emergency response system should trigger further research and the development of solutions, such as specific response units dedicated to elderly people. Full article

(1) Background: Nursing Home (NH) residents are a population with health and social vulnerabilities, for whom emergency department visits or hospitalization near the end of life can be considered a marker of healthcare aggressiveness. With the present study, we intend to identify and characterize acute care transitions in the last year of life in Portuguese NH residents, to characterize care integration between the different care levels, and identify predictors of death at hospital and potentially burdensome transitions; (2) Methods: a retrospective after-death study was performed, covering 18 months prior to the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic, in a nationwide sample of Portuguese NH with 614 residents; (3) Results: 176 deceased patients were included. More than half of NH residents died at hospital. One-third experienced a potentially burdensome care transition in the last 3 days of life, and 48.3% in the last 90 days. Younger age and higher technical staff support were associated with death at hospital and a higher likelihood of burdensome transitions in the last year of life, and Palliative Care team support with less. Advanced Care planning was almost absent; (4) Conclusions: The studied population was frail and old without advance directives in place, and subject to frequent hospitalization and potentially burdensome transitions near the end of life. Unlike other studies, staff provisioning did not improve the outcomes. The results may be related to a low social and professional awareness of Palliative Care and warrant further study. Full article