Health
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Exploring socio-ecological factors that influence the use of urban greenspace: a case study of a deprived ethnically diverse community in the UKUrban greenspaces are considered an important health asset associated with improved population health and well-being. However, inequalities in access to and use of the outdoors continue to exist, particularly among low- income and minority ethnic populations. Following a socio-ecological approach, this study aimed to investigate the individual, interpersonal, and environmental factors that influence the use of greenspaces among an ethnically diverse community in the UK and explore strategies to increase use. A mixed-methods cross-sectional community survey was conducted between March and June 2022 with residents of two ethnically diverse towns situated in Southeast England, UK. Data were collected on factors that influence greenspace use alongside demographic information on age, ethnicity, and social deprivation. An open-ended question explored respondents’ views on strategies to increase engagement with greenspaces. The survey was completed by 906 participants aged between 16 and 94 (60.7% female; 94.5% non-white British). The findings revealed that age, gender, perceived importance of using greenspaces, awareness of greenspaces, and the natural environment were all significant predictors of greenspace use. Qualitative evidence supported these findings and provided useful strategies for increasing access. The findings have provided an increased understanding of the factors that influence greenspace use and suggest that to improve access. There is a clear need to improve the quality of the available green spaces, making them safe and visually appealing to the local communities they serve. Increasing awareness and providing more opportunities for social and intergenerational interaction were also considered important strategies for increasing use.
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Barriers to conversations about deceased organ donation among adults living in the UK: a systematic review with narrative synthesisObjectives To explore the barriers to conversations about deceased organ donation among adults living in the UK. Design Systematic review with narrative synthesis. Data sources PubMed, MEDline via OVID, APA PsycInfo via EBSCO, Web of Science via Clarivate and Scopus via Elsevier, covering studies that were published between January 2006 and December 2023. Searches were conducted on 1 December 2023 and completed on 2 February 2024. Eligibility criteria Studies published between January 2006 and December 2023, focusing on barriers to organ donation conversations among adults in the UK. Both qualitative and quantitative studies were included, emphasising cultural and generational factors. Non-English studies and those unrelated to the UK were excluded. Data extraction and synthesis Screening and data extraction were conducted by two independent reviewers using a standardised tool. Quality assessment was performed using Joanna Briggs Institute checklists, evaluating study bias. A narrative synthesis approach was used to integrate findings from heterogeneous studies. Results 11 studies (6 qualitative, 5 quantitative) with a total of 4991 participants were included. Four main thematic barriers emerged: (1) jinx factor—cultural beliefs associating discussion of death with bad luck; (2) generational impact—younger people were more open but cautious of upsetting parents; (3) ethnic disparities in conversations—varied challenges across diverse backgrounds and (4) cues to action—media and personal experiences prompted conversations. Facilitators included culturally tailored communication and community engagement. Conclusion Conversations about death and organ donation are often brief and hindered by cultural taboos surrounding death, generational differences in attitudes and the influence of family dynamics. Further research is needed to understand communication patterns better and to tailor interventions that encourage open discussions about organ donation across different ethnic groups.
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Palin stuttering therapy for school aged children and usual treatment: a randomised controlled trial feasibility studyBackground: Despite a clear need for and evidence-based therapy for some children who stutter aged 8–14, there is no high-level evidence of effectiveness, with Speech and Language Therapists rating knowledge and confidence low. One programme which might address these needs, increase availability of services and improve outcomes, is Palin Stammering Therapy for School aged Children (Palin STSC(8 14)). Aim: To investigate the feasibility of conducting a definitive randomised controlled trial comparing Palin STSC(8 14) with usual treatment. Objectives were to establish: recruitment and retention rates; appropriateness of the outcome measures; acceptability of the research and Palin STSC(8 14) therapy; treatment fidelity; and, appropriateness of the cost-effectiveness measures. Method: A two-arm, cluster-randomised trial, with randomisation of therapists, stratified by service. Children aged 8;0–14;11, and their parent(s), were allocated to therapist and completed questionnaires pre-therapy and six months later. Assessments were selected for their potential to measure or predict therapy outcome. Therapists completed measures at the start and end of the trial. A process analysis was conducted, incorporating semi-structured interviews and treatment fidelity examination. Results: Recruitment targets were exceeded (Children n = 67; SLTs n = 37). Research processes were largely acceptable, as was Palin STSC(8 14) therapy. Treatment fidelity was high, with SLT adherence at 85.7 % Mean number of sessions per child for Palin STSC(8 14) was 6.9 compared to 3.5 for usual treatment. Conclusions: The feasibility targets were met. Based on recruitment, retention and adherence rates and our outcome measures, a full-scale randomised controlled trial appears feasible and warranted to assess the effectiveness of Palin STSC(8 14).
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Leading evidence-based practice: nurse managers' strategies for knowledge utilisation in acute care settingsThe implementation of evidence-based practice (EBP) in nursing is essential for improving patient care outcomes, yet systemic barriers, leadership challenges, and resource limitations continue to hinder its integration into clinical practice. Nurse managers (NMs) play a crucial role in bridging the gap between policy directives and frontline implementation, yet the dynamic interplay between leadership strategies, knowledge utilisation, and organisational barriers remains underexplored, particularly in resource-constrained settings. This study examines how NMs navigate these challenges to sustain EBP adoption in acute care environments. This collective case study employed a longitudinal qualitative design across two acute care settings in the UK. Data were collected over eight months through semi-structured interviews with NMs, nonparticipant observations, and document analysis of clinical guidelines and internal reports. A thematic analysis approach was used to synthesise findings and provide a nuanced understanding of leadership strategies and systemic factors influencing EBP adoption. Six interconnected themes emerged: (1) Adaptive leadership strategies, where NMs employ a hybrid of directive and collaborative leadership approaches to drive EBP; (2) Overcoming organisational and resource barriers, including staff shortages, financial constraints, and competing priorities; (3) Knowledge utilisation and learning networks, highlighting the role of informal mentorship, structured CPD, and peer learning in sustaining EBP; (4) Digital transformation and EBP, examining the benefits and challenges of integrating digital tools and addressing IT literacy gaps; (5) Patient-centred adaptations, exploring how NMs balance evidence-based interventions with patient preferences and cultural considerations; and (6) Emotional and psychological support, underscoring the importance of managing staff resistance and mitigating change fatigue. Findings of this study emphasise the pivotal role of NMs in driving EBP implementation through adaptive leadership, strategic resource management, and fostering learning networks. Addressing organisational barriers requires multi-level interventions that integrate leadership actions with systemic enablers to promote sustainable, evidence-informed nursing practice. Findings provide critical insights for healthcare policymakers, hospital administrators, and educators in enhancing EBP uptake within resource-limited settings.
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London's Ultra Low Emission Zone and active travel to school: a qualitative study exploring the experiences of children, families and teachersTaking a qualitative approach, we aimed to understand how London's Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) might work to change behaviour and improve health in the context of the school journey. Primary qualitative study embedded within an existing natural experimental study. A population-level health intervention implemented across London. Purposive sampling was used to recruit children (aged 10-11 years) from ethnically and socioeconomically diverse backgrounds within an existing cohort study, Children's Health in London and Luton. In-person and online interviews were conducted with 21 families and seven teachers from the children's schools between November 2022 and March 2023. Verbatim transcripts were analysed drawing on Braun and Clarke's reflexive thematic analysis and guided by realist evaluation principles to identify contexts, mechanisms and outcomes using NVivo. Common context, mechanism, outcome (CMO) configurations were identified reflecting congruent narratives across children, parents and teachers, for example, current active travellers (context) reported reductions in pollution (mechanism) leading to improvements in health, including alleviated symptoms of asthma (outcome). These CMOs were broadly captured by two themes: (i) how you travelled before the ULEZ matters: the impact of travel mode on experiences of the ULEZ and (ii) your context matters: the role of socioeconomic position in experiences of the ULEZ. Participants highlighted the potential for the ULEZ to positively impact their choice of travel mode to school, experiences of the journey and their health. However, the impact of the ULEZ differed inequitably by journey length, travel mode before implementation and access to reliable and affordable public transport. The capacity for the ULEZ to both narrow and exacerbate inequities across different travel contexts suggests when developing such schemes, more emphasis needs to be placed on providing accessible and affordable alternatives to driving.
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Impact of breakfast consumption timing versus breakfast omission on post-lunch glycaemia and insulinaemia in adolescent girls: a randomised crossover trialAdolescent girls often skip breakfast due to time constraints and reduced morning appetite. This study examined the acute impact of breakfast consumption timing versus breakfast omission (BO) on glycaemic and insulinaemic responses to lunch in infrequent breakfast-consuming girls. Fifteen girls (13.1±0.8 years) completed three conditions in a randomised crossover design: early-morning breakfast consumption (EM-BC; 8:30), mid-morning breakfast consumption (MM-BC; 10:30), and BO. A standardised lunch was provided at 12:30, followed by a 2-h post-lunch observation period. Blood and expired gas samples were collected periodically. Linear mixed models with Cohen's d effect sizes compared outcomes between conditions. Pre-lunch glucose and insulin incremental area under the curve (iAUC) were higher in the breakfast conditions versus BO (P≤0.009), with no differences between breakfast conditions. MM-BC reduced post-lunch glucose iAUC by 36% and 25% compared with BO and EM-BC, respectively (P<0.001, d=0.92-1.44). A moderate, non-significant 15% reduction in post-lunch glucose iAUC was seen with EM-BC versus BO (P=0.077, d=0.52). These reductions occurred without changes in post-lunch insulinemia (P≥0.323) and were accompanied by increased post-lunch carbohydrate oxidation compared with BO (P≤0.018, d=0.58-0.75); with no differences between EM-BC and MM-BC. MM-BC lowered glycaemic response over the experimental period compared with BO (P=0.033, d=0.98) and EM-BC (P=0.123, d=0.93), with no difference between EM-BC and BO. Compared with BO, both breakfast conditions lowered post-lunch glycaemic responses with mid-morning breakfast eliciting a greater second-meal effect than early-morning breakfast. These findings indicate the breakfast-to-lunch meal interval may be a crucial factor affecting postprandial glycaemia in infrequent breakfast-consuming girls.
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Health psychology's role within the biopsychosocial sciencesThis chapter focuses on understanding health psychology in the wider system. The main aim is to show the interdisciplinary reach of health psychology and to highlight the importance of interconnectivity and collaborative working. Initially, synergies and differences between health psychology and other practitioner psychology branches will be discussed. The chapter will then focus outwards on the connection of health psychology with the biopsychosocial sciences. A particular focus will be made on behavioural, social, and medical sciences. The chapter will conclude with a discussion on the role health psychology plays and could play in multi-, inter-, and transdisciplinary teams.
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Future directions for the discipline of health psychologyFor the profession of health psychology to continuously evolve, we need to consider our history, roots, and core philosophy. We further need to embrace teachable moments, critically evaluate where we may have missed opportunities to contribute or lead and identify how we can overcome historical challenges for the discipline and profession. In doing so, we can strategically consider where we are heading and how we can work together to achieve great things. This chapter will consider the previous four chapters in this section, and offer a strategic vision of the future direction of health psychology. This will include a global view of the growth of the discipline, linking to research and the paradigms that are drawn upon, education, policy and practice. The relevance of health psychology to achieving national and international goals will be highlighted, and the need for wider funded opportunities, placements, mentoring, career pathways, and connections with stakeholders, employers, and policy will be discussed. The chapter will set the scene for future sections of the book that will discuss these issues in more detail. This chapter will end with a call to action to unite the global ‘divisions’ of health psychology, connecting countries to a central family tree, reducing structural barriers and silos, and optimising opportunities wherever they may lie.
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Health psychology theories and models of behaviourTheories, models, and their application are a crucial part of the development and growth of health psychology. This chapter contextualises health psychology in its foundations of the biopsychosocial model and discusses, non-exhaustively, key theories, models, and concepts used in the field relating to behaviour. The development of theories and models over the decades will be presented, showcasing the movement from cognitive to socio-cognitive, self-regulation to whole systems approaches, and where they are applied, to include individuals, populations, environments, behaviours, and conditions. This chapter will help to situate health psychology in the health and social care system, and critically discuss its contribution to science, education, policy, and practice.
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Professionalisation of health psychologyThe route to the professionalisation of health psychology has had many roads. For those working within health psychology, and for others with an interest in it, professional events, publications, and training assist the advancement of the science and its translation into policy and practice. Professional networks can also strengthen the identity of health psychology, offering a home to those with an interest in the area. This chapter will discuss professional meetings, events, conferences, and networks of health psychology, alongside networks wider than health psychology that have evolved to facilitate interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary working and professionalisation. Key publications, including journals and newsletters, will be evaluated with an international lens on dissemination of health psychology. Training from professional societies and networks in relation to accredited routes in the field and continuing professional development (CPD) will be further discussed, and links to more formalised practice-based organisations such as the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) in the United Kingdom will be explored. The chapter will conclude with a discussion on the challenges to the professionalisation of health psychology, accompanied by potential solutions and examples of successes to date.
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History of health psychologyThis chapter gives an overview of the history of health psychology, covering the development of the discipline across a number of countries, including the United States of America (USA), Europe, the United Kingdom (UK), Japan, Africa, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. It takes a look at the key influences on its development, changes to job opportunities, discussions on the need for training models to accommodate standardised skill sets, core journals and books that were published to assist knowledge transfer of this new discipline, and how the growth in countries where health psychology is well-established such as the UK, differ from less developed countries. It includes extracts from interviews with 53 Health Psychologists (mainly trained in the UK) as part of the Royal Society–funded Oral History of Health Psychology (OHHP) in the UK Project (funded 2016–2018), many of whom were involved in European and international developments. New oral testimony from this project, interviewed by the authors, is presented in this chapter for the first time, highlighted by the date on which people were interviewed as part of this historical work. The chapter concludes with practical tips to ensure that history continues to be able to be captured in the future on an international platform through good documentation at annual meetings and as part of professional network events, conferences, and peer-reviewed journals.
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An exploration of the relationship between ineffective modes of mentalization and difficulties related to borderline personality disorder: a network approachBackground: The mentalization-based perspective of Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) underscores fluctuating interpersonal functionality, believed to arise from suboptimal mentalization modes, including hyper- and hypomentalizing. The connection between ineffective mentalizing and specific BPD challenges remains ambiguous. Network theory offers a unique means to investigate the hypothesis that distinct yet interconnected mental challenges (‘symptoms’) construct ‘disorders’ through their continuous mutual interactions. This study aimed to probe the pairwise interrelations between ineffective mentalizing and BPD challenges and to distinguish these relations between individuals with (clinical group) and without (community group) a BPD diagnosis using a network analysis approach. Methods: Through a cross-sectional secondary data analysis, a moderated Mixed Graphical Model was employed on data from 575 individuals (350 clinical, 225 community). The study evaluated associations between ineffective mentalization modes (hypermentalization, hypomentalization, and no mentalization) gauged by the MASC and self-reported BPD-associated challenges, using BPD diagnosis as the moderating variable. Results: The analysis confirmed the presence of significant links between ineffective mentalizing and specific interpersonal BPD challenges, which were moderated by BPD diagnosis. It implied that hypermentalization and hypomentalization might simultaneously shape BPD-associated challenges. Conclusions: The results offer fresh insights into the interplay between hypermentalization, hypomentalization, and BPD-related difficulties.
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Community readiness to address disparities in access to cancer, palliative and end-of-life care for ethnic minoritiesBackground Inequalities in cancer, palliative, and end-of-life care services remain a significant challenge, particularly for ethnic minorities who face systemic barriers such as limited awareness, cultural stigmas, and language differences. These disparities hinder equitable access to essential services and contribute to poorer health outcomes for affected communities. Addressing these challenges requires targeted, culturally sensitive initiatives that promote both awareness and uptake of care. Community readiness is a critical factor in the success of such interventions, as it reflects the willingness and capacity of a community to engage with and support change. Methods A mixed-methods approach was used, combining individual interviews and two focus groups with key informants (N = 14). This study, conducted in the ethnically and geographically diverse region of Bedfordshire, Luton, and Milton Keynes in southeast England, aimed to assess community readiness to embrace initiatives designed to reduce health inequalities in cancer, palliative, and end-of-life care. The key informants, including faith leaders and professional stakeholders, rated community readiness on five anchored scales: Knowledge of efforts, Leadership, Knowledge of the issue, Community Climate, and Resources. The focus groups facilitated a discussion of the ratings, providing deeper insights into community dynamics and barriers. Results Overall, the community was identified as being at the pre-planning stage of readiness to address disparities in cancer, palliative, and end-of-life care for ethnic minorities. Quantitatively, faith and religious leaders assessed readiness at the vague awareness stage (mean: 3.88), while professional stakeholders rated it at the pre-planning stage (mean: 4.87). Qualitative findings highlighted limited community knowledge, passive leadership with potential for ‘community champions’ to foster openness, a positive climate influenced by younger generations, widespread misconceptions, language barriers, and resource constraints affecting service accessibility. Conclusions The Community Readiness Model provides an insight into the community’s position regarding disparities in access to cancer, palliative and end-of-life services. In order to ensure that continuing efforts are successful in addressing existing inequalities rather than exacerbating them, this study emphasises how critical it is to evaluate the readiness of the community in order to avoid widening inequalities in access and use of services.
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Reviewing perceptions and attitudes towards the existing Misuse of Drugs Act 1971: public perceptions of drug legislationReviewing perceptions and attitudes towards the existing Misuse of Drugs Act 1971. PROSPERO 2024 CRD42024608647 The key aim of this systematic review is to explore the attitudes and perceptions of existing Misuse of Drugs Use Act (MDA, 1971) and consequences and policy implications.
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Healthcare professionals' responses to complaints: a qualitative interview study with patients, carers and healthcare professionals using the Theoretical Domains Framework and COM-B modelPatient complaints in healthcare settings can provide feedback for monitoring and improving healthcare services. Behavioural responses to complaints (e.g., talking or apologising to a patient) can influence the trajectory of a complaint for instance, whether a complaint is escalated or not. We aimed to explore healthcare professional (HCP) and service user (patient and carer) views on complaints' management and the perceived factors influencing responses to complaints within a healthcare setting by applying behavioural frameworks. A qualitative study was conducted using online or phone-based interviews with eleven HCPs and seven patients or carers. All participants (N = 18) had experience responding to or submitting a formal complaint in secondary and tertiary public healthcare settings in the United Kingdom. The interviews were structured using the Capability-Opportunity-Motivation-Behaviour (COM-B) Model. We analysed the transcripts using inductive thematic analysis. Then, themes were deductively mapped onto the COM-B Model and the more granular Theoretical Domains Framework (TDF). Ten themes were generated from the analysis representing the influences on HCPs' responses to complaints from HCP and patient/carer perspectives. This included (with TDF/COM-B in brackets): 'Knowledge of complaint procedure' (Knowledge/Capability), 'Training and level of skill in complaints handling' (Skills/Capability), 'Regulation of emotions associated with complaints' (Behavioural regulation/Capability), 'Confidence in handling complaints' (Beliefs about capabilities/Motivation), 'Beliefs about the value of complaints' (Beliefs about consequences/Motivation) and 'Organisational culture regarding complaints' (Social influences/Opportunity). Staff highlighted strong support systems and open discussions as part of positive organisational cultures regarding complaints (Social influences/Opportunity), and a lack of certainty around when to treat issues raised by patients as a formal complaint or informal feedback (Knowledge/Capability). Our study findings highlight the importance of strong support systems and organisational openness to patient feedback. These findings can be used to design targeted interventions to support more effective responses and enhance patient-centred approaches to complaints management in healthcare settings. Patient and public involvement (PPI) was integral in this research. The NIHR PRU in Behavioural and Social Sciences had a dedicated PPI strategy group consisting of six external representatives from the patient and public community (Newcastle University, 2024). These six PPI members actively participated in shaping the research by reviewing and providing feedback on all questionnaire items before the data collection. They were actively involved in supporting participant recruitment by advertising this study on their PPI platform, The VoiceR,1 and through their online social networks. During the analysis stages of the research, preliminary findings were discussed with the PPI group to support 'sense checking' and interpretation of the results.
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Successful co-production can help tackle inequalities in maternal health outcomes [Opinion]The experience from this project in an ethnically diverse socially disadvantaged community in England showed the power of co-production in fostering inclusivity, engagement, shared understanding and a fair balance of power while developing solutions to tackle maternal health inequalities. While co-production approaches are helpful in ensuring that women from ethnically diverse and socially disadvantaged backgrounds have a voice in their care to maximise positive health outcomes for themselves and their babies, the project demonstrated that the success of the approach depends on a number of factors both in the underlying ethos and the methodology.
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Professionals’ perspectives on barriers for timely antenatal care for ethnic minority women in the United Kingdom and The NetherlandsBackground Antenatal care (ANC) is important to promote health and well-being of women and babies. Women from ethnic minority backgrounds are likely to start ANC later and to attend fewer appointments than recommended compared to white women. These women and their babies are more likely to experience negative health outcomes. This study explored the perspectives of maternity care professionals on barriers for timely ANC initiation for ethnic minority women in the UK (UK) and The Netherlands. Methods We conducted qualitative semi structured in-depth interviews with 19 healthcare professionals (eight and eleven from the UK and The Netherlands respectively) including nurses, midwives, general practitioners and obstetricians. All interviews were conducted virtually on Teams or Zoom and were recorded, transcribed and analysed using a thematic approach using ATLAS.ti version 9 software. Results Maternity care professionals in the UK and The Netherlands perceived more or less similar barriers for ethnic minority women for timely ANC initiation. As reflected in the accounts, these barriers operated at individual and health system levels, and included negative interactions with antenatal care providers, women’s and community’s lack of trust in the health system, differences in spoken language between women and professionals, cultural differences, role of family and wider networks, and difficulties in reaching care. Perceived measures to facilitate access included skill development of healthcare professionals; educating women and building awareness in the community about how to navigate the healthcare system; integration of preventative psychosocial care into maternity services and continuity of care. Conclusions Similarity in perceived barriers and mitigation measures indicated the potential for developing and implementing targeted cross-country interventions to facilitate timely ANC initiation for ethnic minority women in high-income European countries. Key messages • Maternity care professionals in the UK and The Netherlands perceived similar barriers for ethnic minority women for timely ANC initiation. • There is potential for developing targeted cross-country programmes and services to support mothers from ethnic minority backgrounds to start antenatal care on time.
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Stakeholder perspectives on supplemental milk for infants under six months with growth falteringBackground Growth faltering is a significant public health issue among infants aged <6 months (m). Supplemental milk is commonly used for infants with growth faltering, with variations in type and duration. We synthesized qualitative evidence on stakeholder perspectives about equity, feasibility, and acceptability of the type and duration of supplemental milk for infants aged <6m with growth faltering. Methods We conducted a comprehensive search of six electronic databases in addition to manual searches to identify all qualitative studies published during January 2000-June 2022. Identified articles were screened in two stages against an inclusion criteria with titles and abstract screened first followed by full-text screening. Included studies were quality appraised using the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme checklist. The primary outcome was equity, feasibility, and acceptability of various supplemental milk for infants <6mwith growth faltering. Results Eighteen studies, reporting perspectives of mothers, fathers, grandmothers and healthcare providers were included. Studies were conducted in North America (9), Africa (5) and Asia (3) and South Australia (1). Donor human milk (DHM) (13) and infant formula(9) were the main supplementary milk reported followed by cow/goat milk (2). Key sub-themes derived were: education/awareness, socio-economic status (SES), race and religion, practicality, availability of resources, sustainability, cost, affective attitude, perceived effectiveness and ethicality. Maternal/caregiver SES was a key sub-theme across all three supplemental milk feeds, acting either as a barrier or facilitator for uptake. Conclusions DHM and infant formula were the most commonly reported supplemental feed for infants aged <6m with growth faltering. Maternal/care giver factors were perceived as key to ensure equity, feasibility, and acceptability with respect to type and duration of supplemental milk for infants aged <6m with growth faltering. Key messages • Stakeholders perceived donor human milk and infant formula as main supplemental milk for infants aged <6 months with growth faltering. • Maternal/care giver factors are key to ensure equity, feasibility, and acceptability of supplemental milk for infants aged <6 months with growth faltering.
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A qualitative study exploring barriers and facilitators in deceased organ donation process among transplant coordinators in IndiaAlthough India's organ donation rate is less than 1 per million population, significant disparities exist between the regions and centres within the country, leading to varying consent rates among different organ donation centres. Therefore, this study aimed to understand the experience of transplant coordinators and their barriers and facilitators in the deceased organ donation process across various organ donation centres in India. A phenomenological study using interviews was conducted among fourteen transplant coordinators purposefully recruited from public and private organ donation centres in India, with experience between six years and more than a decade. Audio recordings were transcribed and analysed using framework analysis. Five themes were identified namely: (1) supportive management policies, (2) infrastructure for the deceased organ donation process, (3) delays in the processing time, (4) active involvement in the identification process, and (5) explaining the concept of brain death. The study id
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Exploring the perceptions and experiences of older people on the use of digital technologies during the COVID-19 pandemic: a qualitative studyPhysical inactivity is an ongoing problem throughout the lifespan. For older people, inactivity has a negative impact on wellbeing, which worsened during the COVID-19 pandemic. Digital technologies can be employed to encourage uptake of social and physical activity through remotely delivered interventions to improve wellbeing, however, we need to understand older people's perceptions and experiences of using digital technologies before implementing these interventions. To explore the perceptions and experiences of older people on the use of digital technologies during the COVID-19 pandemic. Qualitative semi-structured interviews were conducted with 16 community dwelling older people from Hertfordshire, United Kingdom who were all programme participants in a remotely delivered mind-body physical activity programme called Positive Movement. Interviews were conducted before programme participation. The audio recorded interviews were transcribed and analysed using thematic analysis. Four themes emerged from the d