What is known about the prevalence of household food insecurity in Canada during the COVID-19 pandemic: a systematic review. / État des connaissances au sujet de la prévalence de l'insécurité alimentaire des ménages canadiens durant la pandémie de COVID-19 : revue systématique.

INTRODUCTION: Household food insecurity (HFI) is a persistent public health issue in Canada that may have disproportionately affected certain subgroups of the population during the COVID-19 pandemic. The purpose of this systematic review is to report on the prevalence of HFI in the Canadian general population and in subpopulations after the declaration of the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020. METHODS: Sixteen databases were searched from 1 March 2020 to 5 May 2021. Abstract and full-text screening was conducted by one reviewer and the inclusions verified by a second reviewer. Only studies that reported on the prevalence of HFI in Canadian households were included. Data extraction, risk of bias and certainty of the evidence assessments were conducted by two reviewers. RESULTS: Of 8986 studies identified in the search, four studies, three of which collected data in April and May 2020, were included. The evidence concerning the prevalence of HFI during the COVID-19 pandemic is very uncertain. The prevalence of HFI (marginal to severe) ranged from 14% to 17% in the general population. Working-age populations aged 18 to 44 years had higher HFI (range: 18%-23%) than adults aged 60+ years (5%-11%). Some of the highest HFI prevalence was observed among households with children (range: 19%-22%), those who had lost their jobs or stopped working due to COVID-19 (24%-39%) and those with job insecurity (26%). CONCLUSION: The evidence suggests that the COVID-19 pandemic may have slightly increased total household food insecurity in Canada during the COVID-19 pandemic, especially in populations that were already vulnerable to HFI. There is a need to continue to monitor HFI in Canada.

Beyond BMI: a feasibility study implementing NutriSTEP in primary care practices using electronic medical records (EMRs). / Au-delà de l'IMC : étude de faisabilité de la mise en oeuvre de NutriSTEP dans les établissements de soins primaires au moyen des dossiers médicaux électroniques (DME).

INTRODUCTION: Primary care providers have a role to play in supporting the development of healthy eating habits, particularly in a child's early years. This study examined the feasibility of implementing the NutriSTEP® screen-a 17-item nutrition risk screening tool validated for use with both toddler and preschooler populations-integrated with an electronic medical record (EMR) in primary care practices in Ontario, Canada, to inform primary care decision-making and public health surveillance. METHODS: Five primary care practices implemented the NutriSTEP screen as a standardized form into their EMRs. To understand practitioners' experiences with delivery and assess factors associated with successful implementation, we conducted semi-structured qualitative interviews with primary care providers who were most knowledgeable about NutriSTEP implementation at their site. We assessed the quality of the extracted patient EMR data by determining the number of fully completed NutriSTEP screens and documented growth measurements of children. RESULTS: Primary care practices implemented the NutriSTEP screen as part of a variety of routine clinical contacts; specific data collection processes varied by site. Valid NutriSTEP screen data were captured in the EMRs of 80% of primary care practices. Approximately 90% of records had valid NutriSTEP screen completions and 70% of records had both valid NutriSTEP screen completions and valid growth measurements. CONCLUSION: Integration of NutriSTEP as a standardized EMR form is feasible in primary care practices, although implementation varied in our study. The application of EMR-integrated NutriSTEP screening as part of a comprehensive childhood healthy weights surveillance system warrants further exploration.

Equity reporting: a framework for putting knowledge mobilization and health equity at the core of population health status reporting. / Intégrer la notion d'équité : création d'un cadre d'action pour placer la mobilisation du savoir et l'équité en santé au coeur des rapports sur l'état de santé des populations.

The National Collaborating Centres for Public Health (NCCPH) collaborated on the development of an action framework for integrating equity into population health status reporting. This framework integrates the research literature with on-the-ground experience collected using a unique collaborative learning approach with public health practitioners from across Canada. This article introduces the Action Framework, describes the learning process, and then situates population health status reporting (PHSR) in the current work of the public health sector. This is followed by a discussion of the nature of evidence related to the social determinants of health as a key aspect of deciding what and how to report. Finally, the connection is made between data and implementation by exploring the concept of actionable information and detailing the Action Framework for equity-integrated population health status reporting. The article concludes with a discussion of the importance of putting knowledge mobilization at the core of the PHSR process and makes suggestions for next steps. The purpose of the article is to encourage practitioners to use, discuss, and ultimately strengthen the framework.

RÉSUMÉ: Les centres de collaboration nationale en santé publique (CCNSP) ont collaboré à l'élaboration d'un cadre d'action visant à intégrer la notion d'équité dans les rapports sur l'état de santé des populations (RESP). Ce cadre d'action rassemble les comptes rendus de recherche et une expérience de terrain fondée sur une approche originale d'apprentissage collaboratif faisant appel aux praticiens en santé publique du Canada. Dans cet article, nous présentons le cadre d'action, nous décrivons le processus d'apprentissage et nous situons les RESP au sein des travaux en cours dans le secteur de la santé publique. Nous analysons ensuite la nature des données probantes sur les déterminants sociaux de la santé à titre de dimension clé pour déterminer sur quoi portent les rapports et comment ces données y sont intégrées. Enfin, nous établissons le lien entre les données et la mise en oeuvre en explorant le concept de renseignements exploitables et en détaillant le cadre d'action visant à intégrer la notion d'équité dans les RESP. Nous concluons sur l'importance de placer la mobilisation du savoir au coeur du processus d'élaboration des RESP et nous apportons des suggestions pour les prochaines étapes. Notre objectif est d'encourager les praticiens à utiliser le cadre d'action, à en discuter et, ultimement, à le renforcer.

"Thinking outside the pack": examining physically active smokers and implications for practice among Ontario residents.

INTRODUCTION: It is estimated that tobacco use kills more than 5 million people annually; it is the leading cause of preventable deaths. Recent public health interventions have likely contributed to a steady decline in rates of smoking over the past decade. Nevertheless, innovative and cost-effective approaches to smoking cessation remain a public health priority. The purpose of this study was to profile physically active smokers. METHOD: Data from the Canadian Community Health Survey 2007-2008-Ontario Sharing File were used. Responses from 41,800 persons aged 12 years and older were assessed to compare (a) the sociodemographic characteristics of physically active smokers to physically active nonsmokers in Ontario and (b) the types of leisure-time physical activities that are more commonly practiced among active Ontario smokers to active nonsmokers. RESULTS: Pearson χ(2) and independent samples t tests revealed that active smokers were more likely to be male, younger, single, and less educated and to have lower income than active nonsmokers. Active smokers were also more likely to report inexpensive, low-intensity, and solitary leisure-time physical activities. CONCLUSION: Our findings have important implications for physical activity promotion among smokers. Physical activity interventions for smokers need to be tailored differently than for nonsmokers.

Differences in occupational, transportation, domestic, and leisure-time physical activities: do geographical location and socio-cultural status matter?

BACKGROUND: Researchers have recently expressed their concern for the health of Francophones and rural dwellers in Canada. Their levels of physical activity may explain part of the observed differences. However, little is known about the physical activity levels of these 2 groups. The purpose of this study was to assess levels of physical activity among a sample of Francophones and rural dwellers. The study also assessed the associations of various types of physical activity to measures of health status. METHODS: A quota-based convenience sample of 256 adults from Northern Ontario was surveyed using the IPAQ and the SF-12. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in activity levels between language groups (P = .06) or geographical groups (P = .22) on the combined dependent variables based on MANOVA. Leisure-time physical activity scores were consistently associated to better physical component summary scores of the SF-12. CONCLUSIONS: Implications for practice include that leisure-time physical activities have been at the forefront of public health promotion, and our findings support this approach. Further, population specific interventions are indeed important, however, within this Canadian context when identifying target groups one must look beyond sociocultural status or geographical location.

Women with postpartum depression: "my husband" stories.

BACKGROUND: The research on Postpartum Depression (PPD) to date suggests that there is a knowledge gap regarding women's perception of their partners' role as carer and care activities they perform. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to describe women's understanding of their partners' or husbands' involvement in the midst of PPD. METHODS: This study used interview data from a larger study of northern and rural Ontario women's stories of help-seeking for PPD. The interpretive description approach was used to illustrate the complexity of women's spousal connections in PPD. Data from a purposive community sample of 27 women who self-identified as having been diagnosed with PPD was used. From the verbatim transcribed interviews a number of data excerpts were identified and labeled as "my husband" stories. Narrative analysis was employed to examine these stories. RESULTS: During this time of vulnerability, the husbands' physical, emotional and cognitive availability positively contributed to the women's functioning and self-appraisals as wife and mother. Their representations of their husbands' 'doing for' and/or 'being with' promoted their well-being and ultimately protected the family. CONCLUSION: Given that husbands are perceived to be central in mitigating women's suffering with PPD, the consistent implementation of a triad orientation, that includes woman, child and partner rather than a more traditional and convenient dyadic orientation, is warranted in comprehensive postpartum care. Finally, this study contributes a theoretical understanding of responsive as well as reactive connections between women and family members during the postpartum period.