Public Health Implications. The findings from this study could suggest several public health implications. If antidepressants truly have a protective effect against seizures when combined with AEDs, then clinicians who treat patients with epilepsy need to be aware of this interaction in order to better treat their patients. This aligns with the literature on epilepsy, which indicates that stress is a risk factor for seizures, so if stress is reduced through the use of antidepressant medications, then the risk of seizure also decreases (Xxxx et al., 2017; Xxxxxx & Xxxxx, 1984). However, due to the small sample size of this study, further research is necessary to investigate the effect of antidepressants in combination with AEDs on seizure activity. These results could also indicate that antidepressant medications are more commonly prescribed to those presenting with multiple seizures. This aligns with previous research, which shows that patients with a history of epilepsy are at an increased risk of developing depression, and that risk increases with increased seizure activity (Xxxxxxxxxx, Xxxxxx, Xxxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxxx, & Xxxxxxxxxxx, 2006). This result shows that people who are prescribed antidepressant medications for MDD have fewer seizures, which is important to providers of people with epilepsy. It is important for providers to be aware of the increased risk of depression among these patients, and to be prepared to treat them with antidepressant medications. On the other hand, patients with multiple seizures could be seen more frequently than patients with fewer seizure events, allowing providers to better detect their depressive symptoms. In order to be included in this analytic sample, patients had to visit Xxxxx Hospital at least four times per year to ensure that they were regularly refilling their prescription medications. The small number of exposed patients in this analytic sample could indicate prescriptions for antidepressant medications are rare in this population, as a whole, as is receiving regular care for epilepsy. Thus, there is a very small sample who have both, as indicated by the small sample size of this study. However, further research is needed to confirm if regular clinician visits are associated with fewer depressive symptoms among people with epilepsy. If this is true, it is important for clinicians to encourage regular appointments for their patients with epilepsy. The results of this study make it clear that future research is necessary in order to furthe...
Public Health Implications. This is in keeping with the following priority health outcomes of the City’s Public Health Plan 2020-2025: Increased physical activity FINANCIAL/BUDGET IMPLICATIONS: Approximately $15,000.00 will be budgeted annually for the next 5 years to pay North Perth Cricket Club a turf wicket subsidy. The amount being capped at 50% of total turf wicket expenditure per season. COMMENTS: The previous three (3) year Turf Wicket Subsidy Agreement has been successful in terms of encouraging North Perth Cricket Club to operate sustainably, especially during the very difficult period of COVID-19. It is very pleasing to see that the Club has increased their membership numbers and actively promoted and established junior and women cricket teams, as well as an intellectual disability team. A new five (5) year agreement is recommended to align with the Property Management Framework timeframes whereby North Perth Cricket Club will sign a new lease arrangement of 5 years to utilise Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxx Pavilion as their clubrooms.
Public Health Implications. This is in keeping with the following priority health outcomes of the City’s Public Health Plan 2020-2025: Increased mental health and wellbeing FINANCIAL/BUDGET IMPLICATIONS: The proposed tenancy fee is $987 per annum excluding GST. The Tools n Things Tool Library is eligible for a 50% community benefit rebate, which means the annual tenancy fee payable is $493. As the proposed term is for a 6 month period, with a further 6 month option at the City’s discretion, the tenancy free payable per term is $246. Administration propose that the initial term 6 months tenancy fee is waived to allow TNTL to establish and build a sustainable operation.
Public Health Implications. This study contributes to the growing body of literature about SRH and women with SMI. Participants answered questions on their level of participation and perceptions of providing SRH care to women living with SMI. Answers to these questions will help to provide context to SRH care in mental health outpatient settings. • Getting psychiatrists involved in SRH may encourage a reduction in stigma surrounding discussions of sex and participation in STI screening. One participant described some of the residents she supervised did not ask patients key SRH questions and that she believed they were uncomfortable discussing sex with patients. In addition, she noted that differences in training via residency programs may contribute to the provisions of SRH care by residents because they may have more experiences with women with SMI because they have completed specific rotations. • This study sheds light on the critical role attending psychiatrist can play on training the resident psychiatrist to provide and connect patients with critical SRH services. The findings show that psychiatrists benefit from attendings modeling behavior, providing evidence for training attendings to include SRH services in their practice. • This research may increase the attention paid to SRH services for women with SMI. The findings indicate that psychiatrists feel a general discomfort with discussing sex with their female patients. Given that women with SMI are less likely to receive critical preventive services, are more likely to suffer from sexually transmitted infections, and mental health care often functions as the main point of access to the health care system, psychiatrists should be better equipped to handle the SRH needs of their patients. These findings shed light on this gap in care. • This research may contribute to a “cultural shift” amongst medical professionals in understanding the importance of SRH care. Several psychiatrists did not feel responsible for the SRH care of their patients, and believe that other subspecialties should provide that care. However, research shows that mental health providers may be the only point of access for patients with SMI (Xx Xxxx, Xxxxx, et al., 2011). • Findings from this study can inform future trainings for medical students, residents, and the content for continuing medical education courses by defining gaps in knowledge and understanding some psychiatrists’ perceptions of SRH care. Several participants reported concerns over inadequate...
Public Health Implications. Increased prepregnancy BMI and excess GWG are important independent risk factors for fetal macrosomia, which should be clinically addressed to help reduce the risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes among AI/AN women. Although both exposures are modifiable, the timing of interventions to address prepregnancy BMI and GWG will differ. The healthcare provider who will deliver care will also differ between BMI and GWG. A survey in 2004 found that only one in six obstetricians/gynecologists or family physicians provided both preconception care and prenatal care to the majority of the woman they serve.65 Many of the risk factors that can cause adverse pregnancy outcomes occur early in gestation, possibly even before the woman knows she is pregnant. Many providers who deliver preconception care, such as primary care physicians, do not focus on pregnancy in particular. However, these providers will be treating women during their preconception period and need to incorporate regulation of pregnancy-related risk factors into their practice, including weight regulation to control BMI. Other examples of preconception care that require attention include folic acid supplementation to prevent neural tube defects, which is optimal three months prior to conception, and early pregnancy exposures to alcohol, tobacco, and illicit drug use that may lead to fetal developmental problems and pregnancy complications.65 On the other hand, obstetricians/gynecologists who provide prenatal care would be responsible for counseling and monitoring behaviors to regulate GWG, especially among diabetic pregnancies where glucose control is important. BMI needs to be addressed before conception to help women enter pregnancy within the normal weight range. Interventions to address prepregnancy obesity during preconception care often involve lifestyle behavioral changes and include combinations of calorie restriction, physical activity, behavioral strategies, and frequent monitoring of weight.66 Ideally obesity addressed during childhood or adolescences could help reduce the body weight of women to help them enter pregnancy within the normal weight range. Interventions that address multiple pregnancy-related risk factors, such as obesity, smoking, and alcohol misuse, have not been systemically evaluated and are seen less often in clinical practice.65 Preconception monitoring of body weight is especially important since entering pregnancy at higher BMI’s is also associated with other problems such as ...
Public Health Implications. Close to 27 million children are born in India every year, about 50 every minute. [39] Work focused on early childhood development and school readiness will positively impact the lives of many, if not all, of these children. This paper shows the importance of both maternal and child access to health services in impacting school readiness of children. The ICDS system plays an active role in the health of both the mother and child and yet, the results here show that not all the services provided by ICDS are contributing to improved school readiness. This should change. The community health services through ICDS should be carefully evaluated and changed based on results so all services are in some capacity improving health, whether it is through ECD and school readiness or in another capacity. It is not only the education and development of the child that prepares them for formal schooling. The first 6-8 years of a child’s life are impacted by what stimulates the child but also by the mother’s health and access to community health services. India has an incredibly promising future, but it will only be achieved if everything is done to keep our caregivers and children healthy. To reach this goal, the health, education, public, and private sectors must all be mobilized. This paper focused on public and government services that can contribute to improved ECE and school readiness, but it is critical to engage all stakeholders, caregivers, community health workers, government sectors, the private sector and NGOs, if we hope to meet our millennium development goals in India and help increase the number of children in who are able to develop to their full potential.
Public Health Implications. There is a gap of knowledge about immunization service delivery in Indonesia’s private sector. Using data collected in eastern Indonesia from the 2012 Indonesian Family Life Survey East, this analysis showed differences in vaccination coverage between children who seek outpatient care at private health facilities compared to those who use public sector care. Reasons for lower coverage in children with recent visits to private providers should be explored further. Information presented in this thesis suggests a focus on the development of strategies and interventions aimed to bridge the gap between private and public sector immunization delivery, improve immunization service delivery and coverage, and ultimately decrease vaccine-preventable disease morbidity and mortality in Indonesia. Tables
Public Health Implications. Bangladesh is still considered to be a classic patriarchy with strict limitations around the behaviors and activities of women (Head, 2015). These limitations create circumstances under which the barriers to agency and empowerment are such that most women struggle to attain it, even with support through interventions or NGOs. Therefore, the overarching public health implications point towards policy changes that seek to provide women with educational and vocational opportunities, as well as to support them in their agriculture-based endeavors at home, so that interventions such as FAARM become less necessary. Developing a system which supports women and girls will ultimately produce a generation of Bangladeshi women who face fewer barriers and greater opportunities to exercise agency and develop goals. As access to resources such as education, employment, mobility, and social networks increases, interventions aimed at women will be better able to reach their empowerment outcomes, and women without access to interventions or NGO assistance would be better able to navigate their own pathways to empowerment and improved life circumstances.
Public Health Implications. The findings of this study have implications in regard to global routine vaccination coverage. The data found supports previous findings that there are major gaps in vaccination coverage, especially in the African Region. It would be prudent to continue to expand vaccination programs in this region to increase the total population protected from measles, mumps, and rubella. Another finding of importance is the overall increase of rubella IgG titer after vaccination. This suggests retaining life-long immunity for rubella might not always be the case. If MMR vaccine coverage declines, even slightly, there could be a dramatic impact on public health due to an increased risk of large outbreaks. If vaccination coverage drops below 90%, the protection of herd immunity will disappear leaving populations very vulnerable towards these vaccine preventable diseases. As shown in this study’s population, vaccination coverage in Zambia is too low to rely upon herd immunity but providing the MMR vaccine caused coverage to increase. More vaccinations must be given to increase coverage across the African region.
Public Health Implications. Results from this study indicate an association between family, thoughts of the future, academics, and pressure with mental health wellness. Results also showed that factors such as stigma in the community and family, a busy schedule, lack of information, and finances act as barriers to accessing mental health services and supports. AshaUSA’s current programming includes having a few meetings a year to discuss mental health wellness in the community that are geared towards adults, an annual film festival that shows movies with the message that “mental health matters”, and a one time workshop geared towards opening communication between adults and their children regarding mental health wellness (AshaUSA, 2016). Recommendations for improved public health practices and policies expand upon AshaUSA’s current programming. Policies and programs targeting mental health wellness through raising awareness and destigmatizing mental health in the community, incorporating culture and language, creating awareness about resources in the community, and creating resources and awareness on how to deal with pressure are essential to improving students’ mental health wellness in Minnesota. Recommendations fall under the broader branches of education, social marketing and media engagement, community engagement, social leadership, and advocacy and support.
