Individual and environmental correlates of tap water consumption among adolescents in Canada.

The study objective was to identify correlates of tap water consumption among adolescents. French-speaking adolescents from the province of Québec (Canada) were recruited in person and online from March to July 2023 using diverse recruitment strategies. Water consumption was measured using the validated French version of a questionnaire specifically designed to measure adolescents' beverage intake. Participants answered an online survey on their attitude towards tap and bottled water which also measured individual and environmental factors that can influence tap water consumption. A total of 218 adolescents (14-17 years; 55.5% female) completed the survey. On average, 79.2% of adolescents' water intake came from tap and 33.5% of them consumed exclusively tap water. Thinking that bottled water is more convenient than tap water was a significant correlate of adolescents' tap water consumption (OR = 0.70; 95% CI: 0.51, 0.95; p = 0.0219). Adolescents who believed that bottled water is more convenient than tap water were less likely to consume exclusively tap water. Public health interventions aimed at promoting adolescents' tap water should strive to make tap water intake be perceived as convenient as bottled water, such as encouraging teenagers to always carry along a reusable water bottle, installing drinking fountains in popular public areas, and increasing the visibility of such fountains.

Validation d'un questionnaire mesurant la consommation de boissons sucrées, jus et eau auprès d'adolescents francophones.

Purpose: To examine the temporal stability and relative validity of the adapted French version of an English self-reported questionnaire measuring the beverage intake (BEVQ) of adolescents.Methods: The French adaptation of the BEVQ (AF-BEVQ) included conversion from the imperial to the metric system and the adjustment of some formats to those available in Canada. Next, 60 adolescents from two regions in Quebec completed the AF-BEVQ and two web-based 24-hour dietary recalls (R24W) (one for a weekday and one for a weekend day) on two occasions, two weeks apart.Results: The AF-BEVQ had moderate intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) for amounts of sugar-sweetened beverages (ICC: 0.68; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.46-0.81), fruit juice (ICC: 0.54; 95% CI: 0.23-0.72) and water (ICC: 0.66; 95% CI: 0.38-0.81) consumed. The amounts of sugar-sweetened beverages (rs = 0.49; p < 0.0001), fruit juice (rs = 0.38; p = 0.0024) and water (rs = 0.65; p < 0.0001) reported in the AF-BEVQ were significantly correlated with those of both R24Ws.Conclusions: For the most part, the AF-BEVQ had adequate metrological properties. It is an interesting tool to quickly measure the sugar-sweetened beverage, fruit juice and water intake of French-speaking adolescents.

Objectif : Vérifier la stabilité temporelle et validité relative de la version française adaptée d'un questionnaire auto-déclaré en anglais mesurant la consommation de diverses boissons (BEVQ) chez les adolescents.Méthodes : L'adaptation française du BEVQ (AF-BEVQ) comprenait notamment la conversion des unités impériales en unités métriques et l'ajustement de certains formats selon ceux disponibles au Canada. Ensuite, 60 adolescents provenant de deux régions du Québec ont complété l'AF-BEVQ et deux rappels de 24 heures Web (R24W) (un jour de semaine et un de fin de semaine) à deux reprises à deux semaines d'intervalle.Résultats : L'AF-BEVQ avait des coefficients intra-classe (ICC) modérés pour les quantités de boissons sucrées (ICC : 0,68; intervalle de confiance [IC] 95 % : 0,46­0,81), de jus de fruits (ICC : 0,54; IC 95 % : 0,23­0,72) et d'eau (ICC : 0,66; IC 95 % : 0,38­0,81) consommées. Les quantités de boissons sucrées (rs = 0,49; p < 0,0001), de jus de fruits (rs = 0,38; p = 0,0024) et d'eau (rs = 0,65; p < 0,0001) rapportées dans l'AF-BEVQ étaient significativement corrélées à celles des deux R24W.Conclusions : L'AF-BEVQ présentait majoritairement des propriétés métrologiques adéquates. Il est un outil d'intérêt pour mesurer rapidement la consommation de boissons sucrées, de jus de fruits et d'eau d'adolescents francophones.

Beliefs of women of childbearing age on healthy sleep habits: a reasoned action approach elicitation study.

There is little information on the determinants of healthy sleep habits (HSH) among women of childbearing age (WOCBA). The objective was to identify WOCBA's beliefs on HSH based on the Reasoned Action Approach. Thirty WOCBA (18-41 years) were randomly assigned to answer questions regarding one of three HSH: avoiding screen use in bed; avoiding caffeine, alcohol and cigarettes before bedtime; and having a regular bedtime and wake up time even on weekends. A content analysis was performed independently by two experts to identify the most important beliefs using a 75% cumulative frequency of mention. Participants reported that adopting the HSH would improve sleep, avoid side effects, help them relax before bedtime and make them feel like they were missing out on things. Adopting the HSH was associated with feeling relaxed and satisfied, but also qualified as unpleasant and abnormal. WOCBA mentioned their parents, partner, siblings and children would approve/disapprove if they adopted the HSH and were the most/least likely to adopt them. Barriers were having activities in the evening and social situations. Facilitating factors were putting their electronic devices away from bed, having alternatives and a regular schedule. These results can guide the development of interventions promoting HSH among WOCBA.

Correlates of sugar-sweetened beverages consumption among adolescents.

OBJECTIVE: To identify correlates and underlying beliefs regarding the adolescents' intention to abstain from consuming sugar-sweetened beverages (SSB) and the consumption of ≤1 daily portion of SSB. DESIGN: Correlational study. SETTING: Region of Chaudière-Appalaches in the province of Quebec, Canada. PARTICIPANTS: 311 adolescents aged 13-18 years completed a self-administrated online questionnaire based on the Reasoned Action Approach. Frequency and quantity of different types of SSB within the past month were measured. RESULTS: Total mean SSB intake was 882·6 ml/d (654·0 kJ/d ). Only 11·3 % abstained from SSB within the last month. Intention to abstain from SSB was explained by identification as SSB abstainers (ß = 0·47), perceived norm (ß = 0·32), attitude (ß = 0·30), age 13-14 years (ß = -0·27) and perception of the school environment (ß = 0·14), which explained 66 % of the variance. Consumption of ≤1 daily portion of SSB was explained by the intention to abstain (OR = 1·55; 95 % CI 1·14, 2·11), perceived behavioural control to abstain (OR = 1·80; 95 % CI 1·29, 2·52), sex (girls v. boys: OR = 2·34; 95 % CI 1·37, 3·98) and socio-economic status (advantaged v. disadvantaged school: OR = 2·08; 95 % CI 1·21, 3·56). Underlying beliefs (i.e. more energy, decreased risk of addiction and friends' approval) associated with intention as well as perceived barriers (e.g. access to SSB, after an activity that makes you thirsty), and facilitating factors (e.g. access to water) linked to SSB consumption were identified. CONCLUSIONS: The results can inform public health interventions to decrease SSB consumption and their associated health problems among adolescents.

Individual Correlates of Sleep Among Childbearing Age Women in Canada.

Objective/Background: Women of childbearing age (WOCBA) may be at high risk for short or poor sleep. Yet few studies have focused on this population. The study objective was to identify individual correlates of sleep duration and quality among WOCBA. Participants: The sample consisted of 9,749 WOCBA aged 18-44 years from the Canadian Community Health Survey 2011-2014. Methods: All variables were self-reported. Sleep duration was dichotomized as insufficient (< 7 hr/night) or adequate (≥ 7 hr/night). A composite score of sleep quality was dichotomized as having sleeping problems none/little or some/most/all the time. Age, ethnicity, level of education, household income, mood disorders, parity, geographical location, fruit and vegetable (FV) intake, physical activity, smoking and alcohol consumption were tested as correlates of sleep duration or quality using hierarchical logistic regression. Results: Ethnicity, parity, geographical location and smoking were correlates of sleep duration; this model discriminated 56.9% of WOCBA. Ethnic minorities, WOCBA with many children, living in urban areas and smoking were associated with lower odds of having adequate sleep duration. Ethnicity, level of education, mood disorders, geographical location, FV intake, and alcohol consumption were correlates of sleep quality; this model discriminated 59.0% of WOCBA. Ethnic minorities, lower level of education, mood disorders, living in urban areas, low FV intake, and alcohol consumption were associated with lower odds of having quality sleep. Conclusions: Some WOCBA may be more at risk for short or poor sleep based on their demographics and health behaviors. This can be used to identify which WOCBA are most in need of sleep interventions.

Efficacy of school-based interventions aimed at decreasing sugar-sweetened beverage consumption among adolescents: a systematic review.

OBJECTIVE: To verify the efficacy of school-based interventions aimed at reducing sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) consumption among adolescents in order to develop or improve public health interventions. DESIGN: Systematic review of interventions targeting adolescents and/or the school environment. SETTING: The following databases were investigated: MEDLINE/PubMed, PsycINFO, CINAHL and EMBASE. Proquest Dissertations and Theses was also investigated for unpublished trials. SUBJECTS: Adolescents were defined as individuals between the ages of 12 and 17 years. RESULTS: A total of thirty-six studies detailing thirty-six different interventions tested among independent samples (n 152 001) were included in the review. Twenty interventions were classified as educational/behavioural and ten were classified as legislative/environmental interventions. Only six interventions targeted both individuals and their environment. Over 70 % of all interventions, regardless of whether they targeted individuals, their environment or both, were effective in decreasing SSB consumption. Legislative/environmental studies had the highest success rate (90·0 %). Educational/behavioural interventions only and interventions that combined educational/behavioural and legislative/environmental approaches were almost equally effective in reducing SSB consumption with success rates of 65·0 and 66·7 %, respectively. Among the interventions that had an educational/behavioural component, 61·5 % were theory-based. The behaviour change techniques most frequently used in interventions were providing information about the health consequences of performing the behaviour (72·2 %), restructuring the physical environment (47·2 %), behavioural goal setting (36·1 %), self-monitoring of behaviour (33·3 %), threat to health (30·6 %) and providing general social support (30·6 %). CONCLUSIONS: School-based interventions show promising results to reduce SSB consumption among adolescents. A number of recommendations are made to improve future studies.

Validity and reliability of a brief self-reported questionnaire assessing fruit and vegetable consumption among pregnant women.

BACKGROUND: Short instruments measuring frequency of specific foods, such as fruit and vegetable (FV), are increasingly used in interventions. The objective of the study was to verify the validity and test-retest reliability of such an instrument among pregnant women. METHODS: Pregnant women from the region of Quebec City, Quebec, Canada, were recruited through e-mails sent to female students and employees of the local university from October 2014 to April 2015. To assess the validity of the fruit and vegetable questionnaire (FVQ) developed by Godin et al. (Can J Public Health 99: 494-498, 2008), pregnant women were asked in a first mailing to complete the FVQ assessing FV intake over the past 7 days and a 3-day estimated food record. A subsample (n = 33) also gave a fasting blood sample and completed a validated semi-quantitative FFQ administered by a trained registered dietitian during a visit at the research center. FV intakes for all instruments were calculated in terms of servings of FV based on Canada's Food Guide definition of a serving of fruit or vegetable. In order to assess its test-retest reliability, respondents were asked to complete the FVQ 14 days later in a second mailing. RESULTS: Forty-eight pregnant women from all three trimesters completed the questionnaires in the first mailing. FV intake assessed using the FVQ was correlated to FV consumption measured using the food record (r = 0.34, p = 0.0180) and the FFQ (r = 0.61, p = 0.0002). Results were similar when controlling for energy intake and the experience of nausea in the past month. Only ß-cryptoxanthin was significantly correlated to FV intake assessed by the FFQ when adjusted for the presence of nausea (r = 0.35, p = 0.0471). Data on the test-retest reliability was available for 44 women and the intra-class coefficient for the FVQ was 0.72 at a mean 28-day interval. CONCLUSIONS: The FVQ has acceptable validity and test-retest reliability values, but seems to underestimate FV servings in pregnant women. It represents an interesting alternative for researchers or clinicians interested in estimating quickly FV intake among pregnant women, such as in large trials or during prenatal visits. The FVQ should however be coupled with other self-reported measures, such as a food record, for assessing precise individual FV intake.

Psychosocial determinants of nurses' intention to practise euthanasia in palliative care.

BACKGROUND: Most studies on euthanasia fail to explain the intentions of health professionals when faced with performing euthanasia and are atheoretical. RESEARCH OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to identify the psychosocial determinants of nurses' intention to practise euthanasia in palliative care if it were legalised. RESEARCH DESIGN: A cross-sectional study using a validated anonymous questionnaire based on an extended version of the Theory of Planned Behaviour. PARTICIPANTS AND RESEARCH CONTEXT: A random sample of 445 nurses from the province of Quebec, Canada, was selected for participation in the study. ETHICAL CONSIDERATIONS: The study was reviewed and approved by the Ethics Committee of the Centre hospitalier universitaire de Québec. FINDINGS: The response rate was 44.2% and the mean score for intention was 4.61 ± 1.90 (range: 1-7). The determinants of intention were the subjective (odds ratio = 3.08; 95% confidence interval: 1.50-6.35) and moral (odds ratio = 2.95; 95% confidence interval: 1.58-5.49) norms. Specific beliefs which could discriminate nurses according to their level of intention were identified. DISCUSSION: Overall, nurses have a slightly positive intention to practise euthanasia. Their family approval seems particularly important and also the approval of their medical colleagues. Nurses' moral norm was related to beneficence, an ethical principle. CONCLUSION: To our knowledge, this is the first study to identify nurses' motivations to practise euthanasia in palliative care using a validated psychosocial theory. It also has the distinction of identifying the ethical principles underlying nurses' moral norm and intention.

Effectiveness and Content Analysis of Interventions to Enhance Oral Antidiabetic Drug Adherence in Adults with Type 2 Diabetes: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

OBJECTIVES: To estimate the pooled effect size of oral antidiabetic drug (OAD) adherence-enhancing interventions and to explore which of the behavior change techniques (BCTs) applied in the intervention groups modified this pooled intervention effect size. METHODS: We searched relevant studies published until September 3, 2013, on MEDLINE, Embase, PsycInfo, the Cochrane Library, CINAHL, Current Contents Connect, and Web of Science. Selected studies were qualitatively synthesized, and those of at least medium quality were included in the meta-analysis. A random-effects model was used to pool effectiveness (Hedges's g) and to examine heterogeneity (Higgins I(2)). We also explored the influence on the pooled effectiveness of unique intervention BCTs (those delivered to the intervention groups but not control groups in a trial) by estimating their modifying effects. RESULTS: Fourteen studies were selected for the qualitative synthesis and 10 were included in the meta-analysis. The pooled effectiveness of the interventions was 0.21 (95% confidence interval -0.05 to 0.47; I(2) = 82%). Eight unique BCTs were analyzed. "Cope with side effects" (P = 0.003) and "general intention formation" (P = 0.006) had a modifying effect on the pooled effectiveness. The pooled effectiveness of the interventions in which "cope with side effects" was applied was moderate (0.64; 95% confidence interval 0.31-0.96; I(2) = 56%). CONCLUSIONS: The overall effectiveness of OAD adherence-enhancing interventions that have been tested is small. Helping patients cope with side effects or formulate desired treatment outcomes could have an impact on the effectiveness of OAD adherence-enhancing interventions. Only those interventions that include helping patients to cope with side effects appear to be particularly effective in improving OAD adherence.

Psychosocial determinants of physicians' intention to practice euthanasia in palliative care.

BACKGROUND: Euthanasia remains controversial in Canada and an issue of debate among physicians. Most studies have explored the opinion of health professionals regarding its legalization, but have not investigated their intentions when faced with performing euthanasia. These studies are also considered atheoretical. The purposes of the present study were to fill this gap in the literature by identifying the psychosocial determinants of physicians' intention to practice euthanasia in palliative care and verifying whether respecting the patient's autonomy is important for physicians. METHODS: A validated anonymous questionnaire based on an extended version of the Theory of Planned Behavior was mailed to a random sample of 445 physicians from the province of Quebec, Canada. RESULTS: The response rate was 38.3% and the mean score for intention was 3.94 ± 2.17 (range: 1 to 7). The determinants of intention among physicians were: knowing patients' wishes (OR = 10.77; 95%CI: 1.33-86.88), perceived behavioral control-physicians' evaluation of their ability to adopt a given behavior-(OR = 4.35; 95%CI: 1.44-13.15), moral norm-the appropriateness of adopting a given behavior according to one's personal and moral values-(OR = 3.22; 95%CI: 1.29-8.00) and cognitive attitude-factual consequences of the adoption of a given behavior-(OR = 3.16; 95%CI: 1.20-8.35). This model correctly classified 98.8% of physicians. Specific beliefs that might discriminate physicians according to their level of intention were also identified. For instance, physicians' moral norm was related to the ethical principle of beneficence. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, physicians have weak intentions to practice euthanasia in palliative care. Nevertheless, respecting patients' final wishes concerning euthanasia seems to be of particular importance to them and greatly affects their motivation to perform euthanasia.

Motivations of physicians and nurses to practice voluntary euthanasia: a systematic review.

BACKGROUND: While a number of reviews have explored the attitude of health professionals toward euthanasia, none of them documented their motivations to practice euthanasia. The objective of the present systematic review was to identify physicians' and nurses' motives for having the intention or for performing an act of voluntary euthanasia and compare findings from countries where the practice is legalized to those where it is not. METHODS: The following databases were investigated: MEDLINE/PubMed (1950+), PsycINFO (1806+), CINAHL (1982+), EMBASE (1974+) and FRANCIS (1984+). Proquest Dissertations and Theses (1861+) was also investigated for gray literature. Additional studies were included by checking the references of the articles included in the systematic review as well as by looking at our personal collection of articles on euthanasia. RESULTS: This paper reviews a total of 27 empirical quantitative studies out of the 1 703 articles identified at the beginning. Five studies were in countries where euthanasia is legal and 22 in countries where it is not. Seventeen studies were targeting physicians, 9 targeted nurses and 1 both health professionals. Six studies identified the motivations underlying the intention to practice euthanasia, 16 the behavior itself and 5 both intention and behavior. The category of variables most consistently associated with euthanasia is psychological variables. All categories collapsed, the four variables most frequently associated with euthanasia are past behavior, medical specialty, whether the patient is depressed and the patient's life expectancy. CONCLUSIONS: The present review suggests that physicians and nurses are motivated to practice voluntary euthanasia especially when they are familiar with the act of euthanasia, when the patient does not have depressive symptoms and has a short life expectancy and their motivation varies according to their medical specialty. Additional studies among nurses and in countries where euthanasia is legal are needed.

Psychosocial determinants of healthy sleep habits in adults with type 1 and type 2 diabetes.

Background: Many adults with type 1 (T1D) and type 2 diabetes (T2D) have inadequate sleep increasing their risk of hyperglycemia and developing complications. The objective was to identify psychosocial determinants of healthy sleep habits (HSH) among adults with T1D and T2D. Methods: The two HSH were: avoiding screen use in bed and having sleep regularity. Adults (≥18 years) with T1D and T2D were invited to complete an anonymous online survey. The questionnaires were based on the Reasoned Action Approach and formative qualitative research previously conducted in 56 adults with T1D and T2D. Habit was included as an additional variable for screen use in bed. Results: In total, 320 adults with diabetes (T1D: 39%; T2D: 61%) completed the questionnaires (screen use in bed: 174; sleep timing: 146). Close to 75% of participants reported screen use in bed and close to 90% reported sleep timing variability in the last month. Perceived behavioral control (PBC) to avoid screen use in bed (ß = -0.4486, p < 0.0001), habit of using screens in bed (ß = 0.4002; p < 0.0001), and age (ß = -0.0202; p = 0.0086) were determinants of screen use in bed, and this model explained 71% of the variance. PBC for sleep regularity (ß = -0.2909; p = 0.0004) and being female (ß = 0.5057; p = 0.0069) were determinants of sleep timing variability, and this model explained 28% of the variance. The most important beliefs associated with each HSH were identified to obtain information to design targeted interventions. Conclusions: Few adults with diabetes have HSH. Screen use in bed was strongly influenced by habit and the results suggest that both HSH are not easy to adopt among adults with diabetes. Younger adults with diabetes should be prioritized for screen use in bed, while females with diabetes should be prioritized for sleep timing variability. Adults with diabetes should have access to behavior change interventions to encourage them to adopt HSH.

Association between Beverage Consumption and Sleep Quality in Adolescents.

The objective of this study was to verify if the consumption of different beverages (such as water, 100% pure fruit juice, and sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs)) is associated with adolescents' sleep quality. French-speaking adolescents were recruited in person and online throughout the province of Québec (Canada) from the end of March to early July 2023. Beverage consumption and sleep quality were measured using French versions of validated questionnaires specifically designed for adolescents. A total of 218 adolescents (14-17 years; 55.5% female) completed the online survey. Among caffeinated SSBs, energy drink (rs = -0.16; p = 0.0197) and sugar-sweetened coffee (rs = -0.33; p < 0.0001) intake was correlated with adolescents' sleep quality. Energy drink consumption (ß = -0.0048; p = 0.0005) and being male (ß = 0.6033; p < 0.0001) were associated with adolescents' sleep quality. There was an interaction between sugar-sweetened coffee intake and biological sex that was associated with adolescents' sleep quality (p = 0.0053). Sugar-sweetened coffee consumption was correlated with adolescent girls' abilities to go to bed (rs = -0.21; p = 0.0203) and fall asleep (rs = -0.28; p = 0.0020), while in boys, it was only significantly correlated with their abilities to go to bed (rs = -0.27; p = 0.0069). Public health interventions aimed at adolescent boys should primarily target lowering energy drink consumption, while those aimed at girls should prioritize sugar-sweetened coffee intake to possibly improve their sleep quality.

Prevalence of insomnia and use of sleep aids among adults in Canada.

OBJECTIVES: To estimate the prevalence of insomnia and the use of sleep aids among Canadian adults. METHODS: Data were derived from a phone interview conducted (April to October 2023) with a stratified, population-based sample of 4037 adults (57.6 % females; mean age 50.6 ± 18.4; range 18-102 years old) living in Canada. Post-stratified survey weights were included in the analysis to ensure the representativity of the adult Canadian population. RESULTS: The prevalence estimate of insomnia disorder was 16.3 % (95 % CI 15.1-17.6), with higher rates in females (risk ratio [RR] 1.24, 95 % CI 1.06-1.45), Indigenous peoples (RR 1.77, 95 % CI 1.27-2.47), and individuals with poorer mental or physical health. Overall, 14.7 % of respondents reported having used prescribed sleep medications in the previous 12 months, 28.7 % used natural products or over-the-counter (OTC) sleep aids, 15.6 % used cannabis-derived products and 9.7 % used alcohol for sleep in the last 12 months. Higher proportions of females used prescribed medication (RR 1.79, 95 % CI 1.31-2.43) and natural products or OTC medication (RR 1.41, 95 % CI 1.16-1.71), while more males used cannabis (RR 1.33, 95 % CI 1.03-1.72) and alcohol (RR 1.67, 95 % CI 1.16-2.33) for sleep. Higher proportions of older adults (≥65 years) were taking prescribed medications, while more young adults (18-35 years) used natural products or OTC medications, cannabis, and alcohol as sleep aids. CONCLUSIONS: Insomnia is a highly prevalent condition in Canada and there is widespread and increasing use of various medications and substances to cope with this health issue. These findings highlight the need for public health interventions to promote healthy sleep and for wider dissemination of evidence-based treatments for insomnia, such as cognitive behavioral therapy which is the first-line treatment for insomnia in practice guidelines, to reduce sleep health disparities.

Implementation intentions intervention among temporarily deferred novice blood donors.

BACKGROUND: Approximately 12% to 15% of blood donors are temporarily deferred from giving blood because they fail relevant medical criteria. Temporary deferral has a profound negative impact on subsequent donation. To our knowledge, an implementation intentions intervention has never been tested among temporarily deferred donors. We hypothesized that return rates would be higher among participants exposed to an implementation intentions intervention compared to those in a control condition that is mere measurement of related cognitions. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Participants were assigned to implementation intentions or mere measurement conditions; whether or not participants received a temporary interdiction on giving blood was measured. A total of 956 novice donors were temporarily deferred (n = 490, in the implementation intentions condition; n = 466, in the mere measurement condition). Participants in the implementation intentions condition formed if-then plans to overcome three common barriers to blood donation: forgetting to attend, fitting the opportunity to give blood into one's schedule, and organizing transportation to the donation venue. Participants in the mere measurement condition did not form plans. RESULTS: Participants in the implementation intentions condition had a 19% greater chance of returning to give blood again within the 4 years after their first lifetime donation compared to participants in the mere measurement condition (p = 0.04) when controlling for sex and attempt at which participants were deferred. CONCLUSION: The results of this study indicate that implementation intentions could be a useful strategy for promoting donor return among temporarily deferred novice blood donors.

Beliefs about Healthy Sleep Habits in Adults with Diabetes Compared to Adults without Diabetes: A Reasoned Action Approach Elicitation Study.

Objective Sleep is part of a healthy lifestyle and in adults with diabetes, inadequate sleep is associated with risks of developing complications. The objective was to compare beliefs about healthy sleep habits (HSHs) in adults with versus without diabetes based on the Reasoned Action Approach. Methods A total of 56 adults with and 98 without diabetes answered open-ended questions regarding their beliefs about: avoiding screen use in bed; having a regular sleep schedule; or avoiding caffeine, alcohol, and cigarettes before bedtime. A qualitative content analysis was used to identify the most important beliefs, similarities, and differences between both groups. Results Both groups reported that adopting HSHs could improve sleep. Having a regular sleep schedule was perceived to facilitate diabetes management in adults with diabetes. Negative consequences specific to adopting each HSH were identified in both groups. Adopting HSHs was associated with mainly negative emotions (e.g., stress, anxiety, fear) in both groups. Avoiding screen use in bed was associated with anxiety of not knowing blood glucose levels at night in adults with diabetes. Partners, parents, and friends were considered the most important individuals who would approve of adopting HSHs, but they were often perceived as unlikely to adopt HSHs themselves in both groups. Adults with diabetes perceived more barriers to adopting HSHs. Facilitating factors for both groups included removing triggers of unhealthy sleep habits, behavior substitution, using reminders, time management, and social support. Discussion These beliefs can guide the development of behavioral sleep interventions, including interventions specifically for adults with diabetes.

Association between Recreational Screen Time and Sleep Quality among Adolescents during the Third Wave of the COVID-19 Pandemic in Canada.

The study objective was to verify whether recreational screen time was associated with sleep quality among adolescents during the third wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in Canada. Data collection took place in four high schools in the region of Chaudière-Appalaches (Quebec, Canada) from the end of April to mid-May 2021. Recreational screen time and sleep quality were measured using the French versions of validated questionnaires specifically designed for adolescents. A total of 258 adolescents (14−18 years; 66.3% girls) answered the online survey. Adolescent boys had a higher total mean recreational screen time (454.3 ± 197.5 vs. 300.5 ± 129.3 min/day, p < 0.0001) and a higher total mean sleep quality score (4.2 ± 0.9 vs. 3.9 ± 0.8, p = 0.0364) compared to girls. Recreational screen time (ß = −0.0012, p = 0.0005) and frequency of concurrent screen use (sometimes: ß = −0.3141, p = 0.0269; often: ß = −0.4147, p = 0.0048; almost always or always: ß = −0.6155, p = 0.0002) were negatively associated with sleep quality while being a boy (ß = 0.4276, p = 0.0004) was positively associated with sleep quality and age (p = 0.6321) was not. This model explained 16% of the variance in adolescents' sleep quality. Public health interventions during and after the COVID-19 pandemic should target recreational screen time, concurrent screen use and especially girls to possibly improve sleep quality and promote adolescents' physical and mental health.

Psychosocial Correlates of Recreational Screen Time among Adolescents.

The study objective was to identify the psychosocial correlates of recreational screen time among adolescents. Data collection took place in four high schools from the Chaudière-Appalaches region (Quebec, Canada) from late April to mid-May 2021. A total of 258 French-speaking adolescents (69.8% between 15 and 16 years and 66.3% girls) answered an online questionnaire based on the Reasoned Action Approach. Recreational screen time was measured using the French version of a validated questionnaire. Adolescents reported a mean of 5 h and 52 min/day of recreational screen time. Recreational screen time was associated with being a boy (ß = 0.33; p < 0.0001) and intention to limit recreational screen time to a maximum of 2 h/day (ß = -0.15; p = 0.0001); this model explained 30% of the variance in behavior. Intention to limit recreational screen time to a maximum of 2 h/day in the next month was associated with attitude (ß = 0.49; p < 0.0001), self-identity (ß = 0.33; p < 0.0001), being a boy (ß = -0.21; p = 0.0109), perceived behavioral control (ß = 0.18; p = 0.0016), and injunctive norm (ß = 0.17; p < 0.0001); this model explained 70% of the variance in intention. This study identified avenues to design public health interventions aimed at lowering recreational screen time among this population.

Prevalent, incident, and persistent insomnia in a population-based cohort tested before (2018) and during the first-wave of COVID-19 pandemic (2020).

STUDY OBJECTIVES: High rates of sleep and mental health problems have been reported during the COVID-19 pandemic, but most of the evidence is retrospective without pre-pandemic data. This study documented rates of prevalent, incident, and persistent insomnia and psychological symptoms during the COVID-19 pandemic (2020) compared to pre-pandemic data (2018). METHODS: Data were derived from a longitudinal, population-based study of insomnia in Canada. When the first lockdown started in the province of Quebec, a subsample of participants who had completed the latest 2018 follow-up were surveyed (April to May 2020) about their sleep, insomnia, and psychological symptoms since the beginning of the pandemic. Prevalence, incidence, and persistence rates of insomnia, and severity of stress, anxiety, and depressive symptoms were estimated, as well as their associations with confinement, loneliness, social support, use of electronics, and other lifestyle changes occurring during the pandemic. A sleep/health survey and validated questionnaires of insomnia, sleep quality, stress, fatigue, anxiety, and depression were administered at both assessments. RESULTS: The sample consisted of 594 adults (mean age: 48.3 ± 13.1 years; 64.0% women). Prevalence of insomnia increased from 25.4% to 32.2% (symptoms) and from 16.8% to 19% (syndrome) from 2018 to 2020, for an overall 26.7% increase in insomnia rates. Of those classified as good sleepers in 2018 (n = 343), 32.6% (n = 112) had developed new insomnia during the COVID-19 pandemic. Among participants who had insomnia in 2018, the persistence rate was 76.5% 2 years later. There was a significant worsening of sleep quality, fatigue, anxiety, and depression (all ps < .005) during the COVID-19 pandemic compared to 2018. Significant associations were found between sleep and psychological symptoms and with living alone and being in confinement, lower social support, increased time using electronic devices, reduced physical exercise, and higher financial stress. CONCLUSIONS: The COVID-19 pandemic is associated with significant increases in insomnia and psychological symptoms compared to the pre-pandemic period. Large scale public sleep and mental health intervention programs should be prioritized during and after a pandemic such as the COVID-19.