Prevalence of household food insecurity and its predictive role on the health of mothers with children aged under 60 months.

BACKGROUND: Food insecurity can have poor physical and mental health consequences for all family members. The present study investigated the prevalence of household food insecurity and its predictive role on the health of mothers of children aged under 60 months in Qazvin (Iran). METHODS: A cross-sectional study was carried out between January 2019 and December 2020. Participants included all mothers with children aged under 60 months who referred themselves to comprehensive health centers in Qazvin (N = 1750; mean age 30.61 years). Convenience sampling was performed. Data were collected using a demographic information checklist, the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ) and the Household Food Insecurity Access Scale (HFIAS). Data analysis was performed using independent t-tests, one-way analyses of variance, uni-variable and multivariable linear regression with a significance level of p < 0.05. RESULTS: Two-thirds of the participants had a secure food status (68.4%). Household food security status showed a significant, and inverse relationship with general health subscales. General health subscales of depression (standardized mean difference or SMD: -1.24 [95% CI: -1.36; -1.13]), somatic symptoms (SMD: -0.92 [95% CI: -1.03; -0.81]) and anxiety and insomnia (SMD: -0.72 [95% CI: -0.83; -0.61]) were significantly lower among food secure participants vs. food insecure participants. Social dysfunction was not significantly associated with household food security. The regression models demonstrated that household food security was a significant predictor for the health of mothers with children aged under 60 months: uni-variable (ß = -0.38) and multivariable (ß = -0.41). CONCLUSION: Household food security is associated with various aspects of mothers' health. Since the growth and development of a healthy child depends on having a healthy mother, the food security situation of the family and the general health of mother can be assessed as part of providing health service regarding monitoring growth and development of children. This will help in targeting appropriate interventions if needed.

Is alexithymia associated with sleep problems? A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Alexithymia, a difficulty identifying and expressing emotions experienced by oneself or others, measurably harms quality of sleep. Research has observed the association between alexithymia and sleep problems; however, the cumulative effect of this association is still unknown. Therefore, this systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted to present scientific evidence regarding the relationship between alexithymia and sleep quality. Adhering to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guideline, and using relevant keywords, we searched six databases: Scopus, PubMed Central, ProQuest, ISI Web of Knowledge, EMBASE, and Science Direct. We selected observational studies on the association between alexithymia and sleep. We conducted meta-analysis using a random-effect model to calculate the effect size (ES) with Fisher's z transformation. Eligible studies (N = 26) in 24 papers included 7546 participants from 12 countries. The entire ES for the association between alexithymia and sleep was 0.44 (95 % CI: 0.31, 0.56). Additionally, patient populations had a larger ES (ES = 0.55; 95 % CI: 0.30, 0.79) than healthy populations (ES = 0.30; 95 % CI: 0.20, 0.41). The results of the present systematic review and meta-analysis revealed a significant association between alexithymia and sleep problems, especially among people with any medical condition.

Using an integrated social cognition model to predict COVID-19 preventive behaviours.

OBJECTIVES: Rates of novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infections have rapidly increased worldwide and reached pandemic proportions. A suite of preventive behaviours have been recommended to minimize risk of COVID-19 infection in the general population. The present study utilized an integrated social cognition model to explain COVID-19 preventive behaviours in a sample from the Iranian general population. DESIGN: The study adopted a three-wave prospective correlational design. METHODS: Members of the general public (N = 1,718, Mage  = 33.34, SD = 15.77, male = 796, female = 922) agreed to participate in the study. Participants completed self-report measures of demographic characteristics, intention, attitude, subjective norm, perceived behavioural control, and action self-efficacy at an initial data collection occasion. One week later, participants completed self-report measures of maintenance self-efficacy, action planning and coping planning, and, a further week later, measures of COVID-19 preventive behaviours. Hypothesized relationships among social cognition constructs and COVID-19 preventive behaviours according to the proposed integrated model were estimated using structural equation modelling. RESULTS: The proposed model fitted the data well according to multiple goodness-of-fit criteria. All proposed relationships among model constructs were statistically significant. The social cognition constructs with the largest effects on COVID-19 preventive behaviours were coping planning (ß = .575, p < .001) and action planning (ß = .267, p < .001). CONCLUSIONS: Current findings may inform the development of behavioural interventions in health care contexts by identifying intervention targets. In particular, findings suggest targeting change in coping planning and action planning may be most effective in promoting participation in COVID-19 preventive behaviours. Statement of contribution What is already known on this subject? Curbing COVID-19 infections globally is vital to reduce severe cases and deaths in at-risk groups. Preventive behaviours like handwashing and social distancing can stem contagion of the coronavirus. Identifying modifiable correlates of COVID-19 preventive behaviours is needed to inform intervention. What does this study add? An integrated model identified predictors of COVID-19 preventive behaviours in Iranian residents. Prominent predictors were intentions, planning, self-efficacy, and perceived behavioural control. Findings provide insight into potentially modifiable constructs that interventions can target. Research should examine if targeting these factors lead to changes in COVID-19 behaviours over time.