Barriers and Facilitators of Physical Activity Participation in Adolescent Girls: A Systematic Review of Systematic Reviews.

Background: Persistent low physical activity (PA) levels among adolescent girls constitute a public health concern that calls for immediate and evidence-based policy action. This systematic review (SR) aimed to summarize evidence from SRs examining the barriers and facilitators of PA participation in adolescent girls. The objectives were to provide a synthesis of the available evidence and identify key areas for fostering gender-responsive action and policy implications. Methods: A comprehensive search of relevant SR and meta-analyses were performed in PubMed and Cochrane Library, until February 2021. Studies were included if they were SRs or meta-analyses, included adolescent girls aged between 10 and 19 years, and described barriers or facilitators of PA. Two independent authors performed the screening of potentially eligible studies and both assessed the methodological quality of included studies using the AMSTAR 2 tool. The barriers and facilitators were synthesized at environmental, interpersonal, and individual levels. Results: A total of eight SRs were included in the qualitative synthesis. The most frequent barriers identified were the lack of support from peers, family, and teachers, and the lack of time. The most reported facilitators were weight loss, and support from peers, family, and teachers. Key areas for action and policy implementation include an inclusive approach to curriculum development to address gender norms; adequate training of professionals so they have a range of skills to ensure inclusion of adolescent girls; environmental changes in and out of schools to stimulate participation, to allow adolescent girls to be active in a safe and attractive environment; multistakeholder support at local, regional, and national level in incorporating a gender-responsive approach toward PA participation. Conclusion: The results highlight a variety of factors that influences the PA participation of adolescent girls. For the attainment of effective policies that increase PA levels in adolescent girls, it is essential to engage several stakeholders at different levels in incorporating a gender-responsive approach toward PA participation. Systematic Review Registration: PROSPERO, identifier: CRD42020204023.

Effects of the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic and the policy response on childhood obesity risk factors: Gender and sex differences and recommendations for research.

Childhood obesity is a public health concern globally, with generally higher prevalence rates in boys compared to girls. Although biological sex is an important determinant, gender roles and norms influence the exposure and vulnerability to risk factors for noncommunicable diseases. Norms and roles might be reinforced or change due to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) related measures as well as the exposure to risk factors for childhood obesity. COVID-19 related changes, such as home confinement, influence a child's risk of obesity. Using Dahlgren and Whitehead's model of the main determinants of health, this paper aims to provide a roadmap for future research on sex, gender, and childhood obesity during the time of COVID-19. It examines how COVID-19 has led to important changes in children's general socioeconomic, cultural, and environmental conditions, social and community networks, and individual lifestyle factors and how these may affect a child's risk for obesity. It focuses on the influence of gender and sex and outlines key considerations and indicators to examine in future studies concerned with promoting health and gender equity and equality. We need to understand the differential impact of COVID-19 related measures on girls' and boys' risk for obesity to adequately react with preventive measures, policies, and programs.

Emerging responses implemented to prevent and respond to violence against women and children in WHO European member states during the COVID-19 pandemic: a scoping review of online media reports.

OBJECTIVES: This study aims to explore the strategies that governments and civil society organisations implemented to prevent and respond to the anticipated rise in violence against women and/or children (VAWC) during the 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. DESIGN: A scoping review and content analysis of online media reports. SETTING: WHO European region. METHODS: A scoping review of media reports and publications and a search of other grey literature (published from 1 January to 17 September 2020). Primary and secondary outcome measures included measures implemented by governments, public services and non-governmental and civil organisations to prevent or respond to VAWC during the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic. RESULTS: Our study found that in 52 of the 53 member states there was at least one measure undertaken to prevent or respond to VAWC during the pandemic. Government-led or government-sponsored measures were the most common, reported in 50 member states. Non-governmental and other civil society-led prevention and response measures were reported in 40 member states. The most common measure was the use of media and social media to raise awareness of VAWC and to provide VAWC services through online platforms, followed by measures taken to expand and/or maintain helpline services for those exposed to violence. CONCLUSION: The potential increase in VAWC during COVID-19-imposed restrictions and lockdowns resulted in adaptations and/or increases in prevention and response strategies in nearly all member states. The strength of existing public health systems influenced the requirement and choice of strategies and highlights the need for sustaining and improving violence prevention and response services. Innovative strategies employed in several member states may offer opportunities for countries to strengthen prevention and responses in the near future and during similar emergencies.

Улучшение показателей по неинфекционным заболеваниям: барьеры и возможности систем здравоохранения: страновая оценка – Туркменистан

В Туркменистане высокий уровень преждевременной смертности от неинфекционных заболеваний (НИЗ). Вероятность преждевременной смерти (в возрасте 30–69 лет) от одного из основных НИЗ составляет 26,9%. Значительные социально-экономические последствия этой ситуации для развития страны обусловливают необходимость срочного укрепления потенциала системы здравоохранения для эффективного реагирования на растущее бремя НИЗ. В Туркменистане в этом направлении уже достигнут значительный прогресс, например, в решении проблемы распространенности поведенческих факторов риска и в модернизации инфраструктуры медицинских учреждений, имеется также политическая приверженность, однако показатели по контролю НИЗ все еще нуждаются в улучшении.В настоящем докладе приведен обзор проблем и возможностей системы здравоохранения Туркменистана применительно к наращиванию основных услуг профилактики, ранней диагностики и лечения НИЗ. Также освещены примеры передовой практики борьбы против табака. По результатам оценки сформулированы рекомендации для дальнейших действий.

Better noncommunicable disease outcomes: challenges and opportunities for health systems: Turkmenistan country assessment

Premature mortality due to noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) is high in Turkmenistan. The probability of dying prematurely (between the ages of 30 and 70 years) from one of the major NCDs is 26.9%. This has significant socioeconomic consequences for the development of the country and calls for immediate strengthening of the health system to respond to the growing burden of NCDs. Despite political commitment and significant progress, for example in reducing the prevalence of behavioural risk factors and in upgrading the health facility infrastructure, the outcomes of NCDs could still be improved.This report reviews the challenges and opportunities of the health system in Turkmenistan for scaling up core services for the prevention, early diagnosis and management of NCDs. The report also provides examples of good practice in tobacco control. Policy recommendations are made for further action, based on the assessment.

Укрепление здоровья мужчин в Ирландии: наращивание потенциала среди работников здравоохранения первой линии контакта для вовлечения мужчин в заботу о своем здоровье: информационный обзор по передовому опыту

Неинфекционные заболевания являются ведущей причиной смертности и инвалидности среди мужчин в Ирландии, и обусловливаются менее здоровым образом жизни мужчин и недостаточным использованием ими услуг здравоохранения. Национальная политика Ирландии в области здоровья мужчин (2008-2013) выделила наращивание потенциала среди поставщиков услуг первой линии в качестве крайне важного, но обделенного вниманием компонента разработки эффективных стратегий вовлечения мужчин в заботу о собственном здоровье. Для решения этого дефицита в области гендерно-чувствительного предоставления услуг мужчинам, была разработана программа ENGAGE (вовлечение, англ.), Ирландская национальная программа обучения в области здоровья мужчин. Этот комплексный однодневный тренинг основан на подходе эмпирического научения и рефлективной практики, в комбинации с механизмами для обратной связи и коллегиальной поддержки во время тренинга, и за его пределами. ENGAGE улучшил знания, навыки и потенциал поставщиков услуг в области вовлечения и работы с мужчинами и предоставления более гендерно-компетентных услуг и программ здравоохранения; усилил общественные кампании по охвату приоритетных групп мужчин; и повлиял на развитие гендерно-чувствительного предоставления услуг.

Improving men’s health in Ireland: building capacity among front-line health workers to engage men: good practice brief

Noncommunicable diseases are the leading cause of death and disability among men in Ireland and are underpinned by men’s poorer lifestyle behaviours and underutilization of health services. Ireland’s National Men’s Health Policy (2008–2013) identified building capacity among front-line service providers as an essential but neglected component of developing effective strategies for engaging men in self-care.In order to tackle this deficit in gender sensitive service provision for men, ENGAGE, Ireland’s National Men’s Health Training programme, was developed. The comprehensive one day training is based on an experiential learning and reflective practice approach, combined with mechanisms for feedback and peer support during and beyond training. ENGAGE has improved service providers’ knowledge, skills and capacity to engage and work with men and to deliver more gender-competent health services and programmes; boosted community outreach programmes to priority groups of men; and influenced the development of gender sensitive service provision.