Interpersonal Violence Is Associated with Self-Reported Stress, Anxiety and Depression among Men in East-Central Sweden: Results of a Population-Based Survey.

Background and Objectives: Interpersonal violence is a social and public health problem globally, and though it is related to poor health outcomes across all genders, most research has been directed towards violence against women. As a result, the health consequences of men's victimization may be underreported and unaddressed. The purpose of this study was to assess the relationship between interpersonal violence and the psychological health outcomes of self-reported stress, anxiety, and depression among men. Materials and Methods: The study used data from the male sample (n = 2597) of the 2018 Health on Equal Terms Survey conducted in Gävleborg County in East-Central Sweden. Regression analysis was carried out to study the relationship between interpersonal violence and self-reported stress, anxiety, and depression. Results: The bivariate analysis showed that there was a statistically significant association between interpersonal violence and self-reported stress (OR 2.35; CI 1.45-3.81), anxiety (OR 1.54; CI 1.06-2.25), and depression (OR 2.30; CI 1.48-3.57). Controlling for other variables in the multivariate analysis removed the statistically significant relationship and reduced the odds ratios for stress (OR 1.46; CI 0.57-3.74), anxiety (OR 0.86; 0.40-1.84), and depression (OR 1.40; CI 0.67-3.32) respectively. Conclusions: The study found that interpersonal violence among men was associated with stress, anxiety and depression which was largely explained by demographic, socioeconomic, and health/behavior-related factors. The findings suggest the need for longitudinal studies to assess causal links between male victimization and psychological health outcomes at the county level.

The Association between Fear of Crime, Educational Attainment, and Health.

Fear of crime is an important public health problem that impacts people's quality of life, health, and wellbeing, and causes mental health ailments (e.g., anxiety). This study aimed to determine whether there was an association between fear of crime, educational attainment, and self-rated health and anxiety among women residing in a county in east-central Sweden. A sample (n = 3002) of women aged 18-84 years surveyed in the Health on Equal Terms survey carried out in 2018 was included in the study. Bivariate and multivariate regression analysis was performed on the relationship between the composite variables fear of crime, educational attainment, and self-rated health and anxiety. Women with primary education or similar who reported fear of crime had increased odds of poor health (odds ratio (OR) 3.17; 95% confidence interval (CI) 2.40-4.18) compared with women with primary education/similar and no fear of crime (OR 2.90; CI 1.90-3.20). A statistically significant relationship persisted in the multivariate analysis after controlling for other covariates, although the odds were reduced (OR 1.70; CI 1.14-2.53 and 1.73; CI 1.21-2.48, respectively). Similarly, in the bivariate analysis, women who reported fear of crime and who only had primary education had statistically significant odds of anxiety (OR 2.12; CI 1.64-2.74); the significance was removed, and the odds were reduced (OR 1.30; CI 0.93-1.82) after adjusting for demographic, socioeconomic, and health-related covariates. Women with only primary education or similar who reported fear of crime had higher odds of poor health and anxiety compared with those with university education or similar, with and without fear of crime. Future studies (including longitudinal ones) are warranted-on the one hand, to understand possible mechanisms of the relationship between educational attainment and fear of crime and its consequences to health, and on the other, to explore low-educated women's own perceptions regarding factors underlining their fear of crime (qualitative studies).

Perceptions of Health and Wellbeing Among Employees in a Work Integration Social Enterprise in Sweden.

Background: Work Integration Social Enterprises (WISEs) constitute an important vehicle for providing employment opportunities for disadvantaged groups. Objective: The goal of this qualitative case study is to explore perceptions of health and wellbeing among employees working in a WISE located in the Gävleborg region, in east central Sweden. Methods: Data were gathered using 16 in-depth, semi-structured interviews with the social enterprise employees. Results: Findings were categorized into three main categories: the importance of financial independence and societal benefits; team spirit and a sense of belonging; and improved quality of life and wellbeing. Conclusion: The participants perceived that working in the WISE gave them a feeling of freedom and increased their self-esteem because of the possibility to earn an income. Also, they were satisfied with their job (e.g., with regard to work quality and flexibility) and believed that their work contributed to society. Moreover, through working in a WISE, the participants felt a sense of belonging and togetherness through interaction with co-workers and managers, and an improved quality of life for themselves and their families.

Determinants of Utilization of Institutional Delivery Services in Zambia: An Analytical Cross-Sectional Study.

Institutional delivery at birth is an important indicator of improvements in maternal health, which remains one of the targets of sustainable development goals intended to reduce the maternal mortality ratio. The purpose of the present study was to identify the determinants of utilization of institutional delivery in Zambia. A population-based cross-sectional study design was used to examine 9841 women aged 15-49 years from the 2018 Zambia Demographic and Health Survey. A multiple logistic regression was applied to calculate odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) to identify determinants of utilization of institutional delivery. Sociodemographic factors were significantly associated with institutional delivery: woman's (OR: 1.76; 95% CI: 1.04-2.99) and husband's (OR: 1.83; 95% CI: 1.09-3.05) secondary/higher education, higher wealth index (OR: 2.31; 95% CI: 1.27-4.22), and rural place of residence (OR: 0.55; 95% CI: 0.30-0.98). Healthcare-related factors were also significantly associated with institutional delivery: 5-12 visits to antenatal care (OR: 2.33; 95% CI: 1.66-3.26) and measuring blood pressure (OR: 2.15; 95% CI: 1.32-2.66) during pregnancy. To improve institutional delivery and reduce maternal and newborn mortality, policymakers and public health planners should design an effective intervention program targeting these factors.

Corporate social responsibility and external stakeholders' health and wellbeing: A viewpoint.

In recent years there has been increased interest in the role played by business corporate social responsibility (CSR) strategies in promoting the health and wellbeing of internal and external stakeholders. However, the sparse public health research to date has mainly focused on the health and wellbeing of internal stakeholders. This viewpoint article aims to ignite discussion of how CSR strategies need to also target external stakeholders beyond the workplace. Businesses have an opportunity to help address the most important societal challenges, especially the social determinants of health which are the root causes of inequities in health. However, while advancing a new agenda for promoting external stakeholders' health, businesses need to take into account potential challenges that might arise from ethical conflicts when trying to balance their CSR initiatives against their business operations.

Experiences of unemployment and well-being after job loss during economic recession: Results of a qualitative study in east central Sweden.

Introduction: Several studies have revealed an association between unemployment and ill health, and shown that unemployment can affect people differently. This study aimed to provide an understanding of the experiences of unemployment and perceptions of wellbeing among persons who involuntary lost their work during the recent economic recession in Gävle Municipality. Methods: Sixteen unemployed men and women aged 28-62 were interviewed face-to-face. A purposeful sampling strategy was used in order to suit the research question and to increase the variation among informants. The interview texts were analysed using thematic analysis. Results: Six different themes emerged from the accounts: The respondents perceived work as the basis for belonging, and loss of work affected their social life and consumption patterns due to changes in their financial situation. They also expressed feelings of isolation, loss of self-esteem, and feelings of hopelessness, which affected their physical well-being. Longer duration of unemployment increased the respondents' negative emotions. The respondents reported activities, structure, and affiliation in other contexts as part of their coping strategy against poor mental health. Conclusions: After job loss, the respondents experienced feelings of loss of dignity and belonging as a human being. They also felt worry, insecurity, and stress due to their changed financial situation, which in turn led to isolation and loss of self-esteem. Social support and having other activities gave the respondents structure and meaning.