Impact assessment of mhGAP training: evidence from the Ministry of Health–WHO training programme in Turkey

Over 3300 health professionals in Turkey received training in mental health and psychosocial support topics between 2017 and 2019 in the Mental Health Gap Action Programme (mhGAP), a joint Ministry of Health and WHO initiative. Syrian and Turkish health professionals currently provide mental health and psychosocial services to over 3.6 million Syrians under temporary protection in Turkey. A multicomponent impact assessment of mhGAP training was commissioned (with European Union funding) to determine the usefulness of the training programme in preparation for further mhGAP training from 2020 onwards. The assessment comprised an online survey, pre-/post-tests for trainees, an analysis of health-care utilization by trainees, compliance of trainees with mhGAP service guidelines, and patient exit interviews. The main findings were that trainees were satisfied with mhGAP training and gained significant knowledge that was attributable to the training. Both health service utilization and quality of service provision (in most categories) were improved after training. Finally, patients were highly satisfied with the mental health and psychosocial service provision.

Рекомендации по поддержанию психического здоровья и психосоциального состояния во время вспышки, 18 марта 2020 г

В январе 2020 г. Всемирная Организация Здравоохранения (ВОЗ) объявила вспышку нового коронавирусного заболевания, COVID-19, чрезвычайной ситуацией в области общественного здоровья международного значения. ВОЗ заявил, что существует высокий риск распространения COVID-19 на другие страны по всему миру. В марте 2020 г., после проведенной экспертизы, ВОЗ охарактеризовал ситуацию с COVID-19 как пандемию. ВОЗ и органы здравоохранения по всему миру работают по подавлению пандемии COVID19. . Тем не менее это время кризиса вызывает стресс у населения. Данный документбыл подготовлен Департаментом ВОЗ по охране психического здоровья в виде информационных сообщений для поддержания психического благополучия различных групп населения во время пандемии.

The relationship between psychosocial risk factors and health outcomes of chronic diseases: a review of the evidence for cancer and cardiovascular diseases

This report summarizes the best available evidence for a link between psychosocial factors and morbidity and mortality from cardiovascular diseases and cancer in the WHO European Region. The authors searched a total of 1822 Medline and PubMed articles published in English since January 2000, and identified 37 systematic reviews and meta-analyses. The psychosocial factors repeatedly identified as related to chronic diseases, in and outside work, included: high job demand, low autonomy, low control or high effort–reward imbalance, interpersonal conflicts, and low social support or low trust. The evidence suggests that multiple adverse psychosocial factors are independently associated with a range of chronic diseases throughout adulthood. In addition, the social gradient in health observed throughout adulthood may partly operate through psychosocial factors on the pathway between socioeconomic characteristics and health. Psychosocial factors might therefore become part of complex total risk-reducing interventions focusing on multiple risk factors.

Obesity and psychological traits associated with eating disorders among Cypriot adolescents: comparison of 2003 and 2010 cohorts

Increasing rates of overweight and eating disorders among young people are a concern. The aim of this study was to compare the prevalence of overweight/obesity among Cypriot adolescents between cohorts from 2003 and 2010 and to determine whether body mass index [BMI] was associated with psychological traits linked to eating disorders. Anthropometric measures were done on a representative sample of students aged 10-18 years and the Eating Disorder Inventory-3rd version [EDI-3] and 26-item Eating Attitudes Test [EAT-26] scales were completed by 13-18-year-olds. Mean waist circumference of the 2010 cohort of 10-18-year-olds was 3.6 cm higher in boys and 5.5 cm higher in girls than the 2003 cohort. Mean BMI was higher in 2010 only in the 16-18-year-old age group. More adolescents on the higher end of the weight spectrum had pathological scores on the eating disorder scales. Obesity and maladaptive eating attitudes are common in Cypriot adolescents