Associations between obesogenic risk and depressive symptomatology in Australian adolescents: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Depression and obesity are significant health concerns currently facing adolescents worldwide. This paper investigates the associations between obesity and related risk behaviours and depressive symptomatology in an Australian adolescent population. METHODS: Data from the Australian Capital Territory It's Your Move project, an Australian community-based intervention project were used. In 2012, 800 students (440 females, 360 males) aged 11-14 years (M=13.11 years, SD=0.62 years), from 6 secondary schools were weighed and measured and completed a questionnaire which included physical activity, sedentary behaviour and dietary intake. Weight status was defined by WHO criteria. A cut-off score ≥10 on the Short Mood and Feelings Questionnaire indicated symptomatic depression. Logistic regression was used to test associations. RESULTS: After controlling for potential confounders, results showed significantly higher odds of depressive symptomatology in males (OR=1.22, p<0.05) and females (OR=1.12, p<0.05) who exceeded guidelines for daily screen-time leisure sedentary activities. Higher odds of depressive symptoms were seen in females who consumed greater amounts of sweet drink (OR=1.18, p<0.05), compared to lower female consumers of sweet drinks, and males who were overweight/obese also had greater odds of depressive symptoms (OR=1.83, p<0.05) compared to male normal weight adolescents. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates the associations between obesogenic risks and depression in adolescents. Further research should explore the direction of these associations and identify common determinants of obesity and depression. Mental health outcomes need to be included in the rationale and evaluation for diet and activity interventions.

Constraints, challenges and prospects of public-private partnership in health-care delivery in a developing economy.

BACKGROUND: In Nigeria, concerns on the quality and financing of health-care delivery especially in the public sector have initiated reforms including support for public-private partnerships (PPP) at the Federal Ministry of Health. Likewise, Enugu State has developed a draft policy on PPP since 2005. However, non-validation and non-implementation of this policy might have led to loss of interest in the partnership. AIM: The aim of this study was to provide evidence for planning the implementation of PPP in Enugu State health system via a multi-sectoral identification of challenges, constraints and prospects. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Pre-tested questionnaires were administered to 466 respondents (251 health workers and 215 community members), selected by multi-stage sampling method from nine Local Government Areas of Enugu State, Nigeria, over a study period of April 2011 to September 2011. Data from the questionnaires were collated manually and quantitative data analyzed using SPSS version 15 (Chicago, IL, USA). RESULTS: Only 159 (34.1%, 159/466) of all respondents actually understood the meaning of PPP though 251 (53.9%) of them had claimed knowledge of the concept. This actual understanding was higher among health workers (57.8%, 145/251) when compared with the community members (6.5%, 14/215) (P < 0.001). Post-PPP enlightenment reviews showed a more desire for PPP implementation among private health-care workers (89.4%, 101/113) and community leaders/members (55.4%, 119/215). CONCLUSION: PPP in health-care delivery in Enugu State is feasible with massive awareness, elaborate stakeholder's engagements and well-structured policy before implementation. A critical challenge will be to convince the public sector workers who are the anticipated partners to accept and support private sector participation.

Constraints; Challenges and Prospects of Public-Private Partnership in Health-Care Delivery in a Developing Economy

Background: In Nigeria; concerns on the quality and financing of health-care delivery especially in the public sector have initiated reforms including support for public-private partnerships (PPP) at the Federal Ministry of Health. Likewise; Enugu State has developed a draft policy on PPP since 2005. However; non-validation and non-implementation of this policy might have led to loss of interest in the partnership. Aim: The aim of this study was to provide evidence for planning the implementation of PPP in Enugu State health system via a multi-sectoral identification of challenges; constraints and prospects. Subjects and Methods: Pre-tested questionnaires were administered to 466 respondents (251 health workers and 215 community members); selected by multi-stage sampling method from nine Local Government Areas of Enugu State; Nigeria; over a study period of April 2011 to September 2011. Data from the questionnaires were collated manually and quantitative data analyzed using SPSS version 15 (Chicago; IL; USA). Results: Only 159 (34.1; 159/466) of all respondents actually understood the meaning of PPP though 251 (53.9) of them had claimed knowledge of the concept. This actual understanding was higher among health workers (57.8; 145/251) when compared with the community members (6.5; 14/215) (P 0.001). Post-PPP enlightenment reviews showed a more desire for PPP implementation among private health-care workers (89.4; 101/113) and community leaders/members (55.4; 119/215). Conclusion: PPP in health-care delivery in Enugu State is feasible with massive awareness; elaborate stakeholder's engagements and well-structured policy before implementation. A critical challenge will be to convince the public sector workers who are the anticipated partners to accept and support private sector participation