Predictors of transportation-related barriers to healthcare access in a North American suburb.

Aim: To identify predictors of transportation-related barriers to healthcare access in a North American suburb. Subject and methods: Data from the 2022 Scarborough Survey were used, comprising n = 528 adults living in Scarborough, which is a subu

Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices towards PrEP from Cisgender Men and Transgender Women Who Have Sex with Men in the Largest Suburban HIV Epidemic.

We conducted a cross-sectional web-based study to assess attitudes and experiences with HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) amongst a multiracial cohort of gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (MSM) and transgender women in Long Island, New York. Participants were recruited through clinical providers and community-based organizations. The survey assessed knowledge and attitudes toward PrEP and factors that facilitate willingness to take it. Of the 189 respondents, most participants were Latinx/Hispanic (57.1%; n = 105), gay-identifying (81.2%; n = 151), and cisgender men (88.7%; n = 165). One in five participants completed high school or lower (19.4%; n = 36). Among those who had never used PrEP (53.4%; n = 101), nearly all participants were willing to use it if it were free or covered as part of their insurance (89.4%; n = 84). The most common barriers to not using PrEP was not knowing where to obtain it (68.3%; n = 69), concerns about side effects (42.1%; n = 35), and concerns about affordability (38.5%; n = 25). This study discusses specific nuances to the suburbs, including cultural norms and structural barriers that should be incorporated in health promotion initiatives in addressing these factors.

Exploring differences in adolescent BMI and obesity-related behaviors by urban, suburban, and rural status.

Data from the nationally representative 2014 Family Life, Activity, Sun, Health, and Eating (FLASHE) study was examined to identify differences in adolescent Body Mass Index (BMI) and obesity-related behaviors by rurality status (i.e., urban, suburban, rural) while accounting for relevant demographics (i.e., sex, race/ethnicity, household income). This secondary, cross-sectional analysis included 1,353 adolescents. Analyses included descriptive statistics, one-way analysis of variance, Chi-squared tests, and multiple linear regression models (reported significance level p < 0.05). Rurality was not associated with BMI when controlling for demographics. However, relative to rural adolescents, suburban adolescents had significantly higher junk food, sugar-sweetened beverages (SSB), sugary food (all ß=+0.2, p ≤ 0.001), and fruit/vegetable intake (ß=+0.1, p ≤ 0.05). Compared to Non-Hispanic White adolescents, Non-Hispanic Black adolescents had significantly higher BMI (ß=+4.4, p ≤ 0.05), total sedentary time (ß=+4.1, p ≤ 0.001), junk food, SSB, and sugary food intake (all ß=+0.2, p ≤ 0.05). Relative to their lower-income household counterparts, adolescents from higher-income households had significantly lower BMI (ß = -9.7, p ≤ 0.001), junk food (ß = -0.2, p ≤ 0.05), and SSB intake (ß = -0.5, p ≤ 0.001). Contrary to literature, rurality was not a significant predictor of adolescent BMI. While suburban status was significantly associated with several diet-related risk factors, it was not in the direction anticipated. Being non-Hispanic Black and from a low-income household had the greatest influence on adolescent BMI. Findings highlight the importance of using a three-category classification for rurality.

A cross-sectional, face-to-face, community survey of mental health and deprivation in post-recession Ireland: a rising tide lifts all boats?

OBJECTIVE: To assess community mental health in suburban Dublin in 2018, 5 years after Ireland's economic recession ended. METHODS: A cross-sectional, face-to-face, household survey was conducted in a random cluster sample of 351 households in Tallaght, a deprived suburb of Dublin. RESULTS: A majority of respondents (61.3%) reported stress over the previous 12 months, with a higher rate in areas of high (66.9%) compared to lower deprivation (55.5%). Deprivation was not related to rates of loneliness (20.2%), feeling depressed (20.2%), loss of interest (19.7%) or anxiety (22.5%). Mean score for positive mental health (59.3/100, with a higher score indicating better mental health) was lower than that reported in a national sample in 2007 (68/100); positive mental health was associated with not living with a person with chronic illness, self-identifying as 'non-Irish' and greater age. Mean score for psychological distress (76.7/100, with a higher score indicating less distress) was also lower than that in 2007 (82/100); less psychological distress was associated with not living with a person with chronic illness or disability, greater age and identifying as non-Irish. The rate of 'probable mental illness' over the previous 4 weeks (13.1%) was higher than in 2007 (7%). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings emphasise the high prevalence of stress, especially in deprived suburban areas; the centrality of carer burden in determining mental wellbeing; and associations between positive mental health on the one hand and greater age and identifying as non-Irish on the other.

School-Level Poverty and Rurality Associated With Differences in Sexual Risk Behaviors Among U.S. Public High School Students.

PURPOSE: This study examined associations between student sexual behaviors and both school-level socioeconomic status and metropolitan status. METHODS: National Youth Risk Behavior Survey data from 2017 (N = 14,765, response rate = 60%) and 2019 (N = 13,677, 60%) were combined. School-level socioeconomic status (low-, mid-, and high-poverty based on the percentage of students eligible for free or reduced-price meals) and metropolitan status (urban, suburban/town, or rural) were identified for students attending public high schools. Sexual behaviors included currently sexually active, four or more lifetime sexual partners, condom use during the last sexual intercourse, hormonal birth control use during the last sexual intercourse, condom and hormonal birth control use during the last sexual intercourse, and drank alcohol or used drugs before the last sexual intercourse. Adjusted prevalence ratios were calculated using logistic regression models, controlling for sex, race/ethnicity, and grade. RESULTS: Compared to students attending low-poverty schools, high-poverty school students were significantly more likely to be currently sexually active (adjusted prevalence ratio = 1.4 [95% confidence interval = 1.1-1.8]) and have four or more lifetime sexual partners (1.6 [1.0-2.5]), but were significantly less likely to have drank alcohol or used drugs before the last sexual intercourse (.7 [.5-.9]) and have used hormonal birth control during the last sexual intercourse (.7 [.6-1.0]). Compared to students attending rural schools, urban school students were significantly less likely to be currently sexually active (.8 [.7-.9]) and have four or more lifetime sexual partners (.7 [.5-.9]). CONCLUSIONS: School-level socioeconomic status and metropolitan status were associated with differential risk in sexual behaviors.

Percepción de médicos que realizan el Servicio Rural y Urbano-Marginal de salud en Perú sobre el primer nivel de atención / Effect of Rural and Marginal Urban Health Service on the physicians' perception of primary health care in Peru

RESUMEN Objetivo: Determinar la percepción de los médicos que realizan el Servicio Rural y Urbano Marginal de Salud (SERUMS) en Perú sobre el trabajo en el primer nivel de atención (PNA) y sus factores asociados. Materiales y métodos: Se realizó un análisis secundario de datos de una muestra de médicos que realizaron el SERUMS el 2016. Para evaluar la variable de interés se utilizó la escala de «Percepción sobre el trabajo en el PNA¼, cuyos puntajes más altos indican una peor percepción del trabajo en el PNA. Se aplicó una encuesta basal (antes del SERUMS) y una encuesta de seguimiento (8-12 meses de iniciado el SERUMS) y se evaluaron las diferencias en los puntajes. Resultados: De los 780 encuestados, 215 (27,6%) completaron la encuesta basal y de seguimiento. La media del puntaje incrementó considerablemente (de 3,4 a 6,7; p < 0,001), lo que indica una peor percepción del trabajo en el PNA tras iniciar el SERUMS. De los tres dominios de la encuesta, el de las percepciones sobre el médico que trabaja en el PNA y el de las percepciones sobre el trabajo asistencial en el PNA incrementaron los puntajes de percepción sobre el trabajo en el PNA. No se encontraron variables sociodemográficas asociadas al cambio en los puntajes. Conclusiones: La percepción de los médicos sobre el trabajo en el PNA se deteriora luego de iniciar el SERUMS. Se deben promover estrategias que incentiven el interés de los médicos en este nivel de atención.

ABSTRACT Objective: To determine the effect of the Rural and Marginal Urban Health Service (SERUMS) on the physicians' perception of work in the primary health care (PHC) setting and its associated factors. Materials and methods: A secondary data analysis of a sample of physicians who performed the SERUMS in 2016 was carried out. To evaluate the variable of interest, the scale "Perception of work in the PHC setting" was used, higher scores indicated a negative perception of work in the PHC setting. A baseline survey (before the SERUMS) and a follow-up survey (8-12 months after starting the SERUMS) were applied and differences in both scores were evaluated. Results: Of the 780 respondents, 215 (27.6%) completed the baseline and follow-up survey. The average score increased considerably (from 3.4 to 6.7; p < 0.001), which shows a negative perception of work in the PHC setting after participating in the SERUMS. Of the three parts of the survey, the one regarding perceptions by the physicians working in the PHC and the one about perceptions of medical work in the PHC setting increased the perception scores. No sociodemographic variables were found to be associated with the change in scores. Conclusions: Physicians' perception about work in the PHC setting deteriorated after participating in the SERUMS. Therefore, strategies to encourage physicians' interest in working at this level of healthcare should be promoted.

Concussion Knowledge and Reporting Behavior Differences Between High School Athletes at Urban and Suburban High Schools.

BACKGROUND: We determined differences in knowledge of concussion and reporting behaviors of high school athletes attending urban and suburban high schools, and whether a relationship exists between underreporting and access to an athletic trainer in urban schools. METHODS: High school athletes (N = 715) from 14 high schools completed a validated knowledge of concussion survey consisting of 83 questions. The independent variable was school type (urban/suburban). We examined the proportion of athletes who correctly identified signs and symptoms of concussion, knowledge of concussion and reasons why high school athletes would not disclose a potential concussive injury across school classification. Data were analyzed using descriptive, non-parametric, and inferential statistics. RESULTS: Athletes attending urban schools have less concussion knowledge than athletes attending suburban schools (p < .01). Athletes attending urban schools without an athletic trainer have less knowledge than urban athletes at schools with an athletic trainer (p < .01) There was no significant relationship between reporting percentage and school type (p = .73); however, significant relationships exist between AT access at urban schools and 10 reasons for not reporting. CONCLUSION: Concussion education efforts cannot be homogeneous in all communities. Education interventions must reflect the needs of each community.

Situación de salud en asentamientos precarios / The health situation of precarious settlements

OBJETIVO: Conocer la situación de salud de los miembros del Campamento Manuel Bustos, en la región de Valparaíso, considerando sus características socioeconómicas y ambientales y la autopercepción del estado de salud. Material y MÉTODO: Se realizó una investigación cuantitativa, descriptiva y no experimental. Se aplicó un cuestionario a través de una entrevista semiestructurada a una muestra de 89 familias del campamento. RESULTADOS: Las familias del campamento se caracterizan principalmente por ser jóvenes, asistir a controles (principalmente el Niño Sano y EMPA), estar casi en su totalidad inscritos en un CESFAM. Las viviendas poseen irregular eliminación de excretas y un 40% de los hogares tiene algún miembro con hipertensión arterial. En promedio, los residentes valoran su estado de salud con nota 5 en una escala de 1 a 7.CONCLUSIÓN: Se observó que la situación de salud de los habitantes del campamento presenta aspectos positivos vinculados a la inscripción en CES-FAM y la asistencia a controles. No obstante, la alta presencia de hipertensión arterial, las precarias condiciones de eliminación de excretas y la presencia de basurales cercanos son factores de riesgo para la salud, que deberán ser atendidas por los organismos gubernamentales y no gubernamentales que trabajan en este territorio.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the health status of members of the Manuel Bustos Settlement, in the region of Valparaiso, in terms of socioeconomic and environmental characteristics and their self-perceived health status. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A descriptive and non-experimental quantitative study was conducted. A questionnaire was applied through semistructured interviews to 89 families in the settlement. RESULTS: Families of the settlement are characterized principally by their young age, for attending regular health appointments (mainly the Well Child check ups and preventative annual physical exam for adults), and, in the case of the majority, for being enrolled in a local community health center. Their houses have irregular human waste disposal and 40% of households have a member with hypertension. On average, the residents valued their health status with a grade of 5, on a scale from 1 to 7. CONCLUSIONS: The health situation of the inhabitants of the settlement presents positive as-pects related to health center enrollment and regular attendance of controls. However, the high prevalence of hypertension, the precarious conditions of eliminating human waste, and the pre-sence of nearby landfills are risk factors for health that must be addressed by government and nongovernmental organizations, which work in this territory.