Medical treatment decision-making in rural cancer patients: A qualitative systematic review and meta-synthesis

ObjectiveRural cancer patients have unique care needs which may impact upon treatment decision-making. Our aim was to conduct a qualitative systematic review and meta-synthesis to understand their perspectives and experiences of making treatment decisions.MethodsA systematic search of MEDLINE, PsycINFO, CINAHL and RURAL was conducted for qualitative studies in rural cancer patients regarding treatment decision-making. Articles were screened for relevance, and data from the included articles were extracted and analysed using meta-thematic synthesis.ResultsTwelve studies were included, with 4 themes and 9 subthemes identified. Many studies reported patients were not given a choice regarding their treatment. Choice, if given, was influenced by personal factors such as finances, proximity to social supports, convenience, and their personal values. Patients were also influenced by the opinions of others and cultural norms. Finally, it was reported that patients made choices in the context of seeking the best possible medical care and the patient-clinician relationship.ConclusionsIn the rural context, there are universal and unique factors that influence the treatment decisions of cancer patients.Practical implicationsOur findings are an important consideration for clinicians when engaging in shared decision-making, as well as for policymakers, to understand and accommodate the unique rural perspective.     

我国东、中、西三省六县农村居民体力活动状况及影响因素分析

目的 调查中国农村居民的体力活动状况及其影响因素。方法 采用国际体力活动短问卷对分别代表中国东、中、西部的山东省、山西省和云南省3个省一共6个县的3 834名15岁以上农村居民的体力活动状况进行调查。结果 调查获得有效问卷3 780份，其中山东省1 251人（33.1%），山西省1 256人（33.2%），云南省1 273人（33.7%）。男性1 867人（49.4%），女性1 913人（50.6%）。农村居民高、中、低水平体力活动人数分别为1 691人（44.7%）、1 248人（33%）、841人（22.3%）。多因素非条件logistic回归分析结果显示，性别、年龄、职业、是否患慢性病以及地区是体力活动的影响因素。其中，男性（OR = 0.832,95%CI: 0.704～0.985）、年龄36～59岁的人群（OR = 0.760,95%CI: 0.625～0.925）为农村居民体力活动的保护因素；机关、企事业单位及离退休人员（OR = 1.469,95%CI: 1.017～2.124）、在校学生（OR = 1.925,95%CI: 1.127～3.286）、失业、无业人员（OR = 3.062,95%CI: 2.470～3.796）、患慢性病的人群(OR = 1.366,95%CI:1.133～1.645)为农村居民体力活动不足的危险因素。结论 女性、老年人、机关、企事业单位及离退休人员、在校学生、失业、无业人员、患慢性病的人群发生体力活动不足的可能性更高，针对中国不同地区农村居民体力活动的干预，应重点关注此类人群。     

Rural barriers to early lung cancer detection: Exploring access to lung cancer screening programs in New Hampshire and Vermont

BackgroundRural populations face many health disadvantages compared to urban areas. There is a critical need to better understand the current lung cancer screening landscape in these communities to identify targeted areas to improve the impact of this proven tool.MethodsData from the County Health Rankings of New Hampshire and Vermont was reviewed for population density, distribution of adult smokers, and level of education compared to the distribution of Lung Cancer Screening Facilities throughout these two states.ResultsScreening programs in southern counties of Vermont with lower levels of education have decreased access. In New Hampshire, there are no programs within 30 miles of the areas with the largest distribution of smokers, and decreased access in some areas with the lowest levels of education.ConclusionsImproving equitable access to high-quality screening services in rural regions and the creation of targeted interventions to address decreased access in areas of high tobacco use and low education is vital to decreasing the incidence of latestage presentations of lung cancer within these populations.     

A qualitative assessment of diabetes care access and disease management in Central America

BackgroundDiabetes is a growing concern in low-and middle-income countries. Medical missions play a role in increasing access to care and medicines, but often ignore non-communicable disease prevention and advanced management. Increased knowledge of local community needs and resources can lead to the development and implementation of pharmacist-supported interventions to improve diabetes management in rural areas.ObjectivesThe purpose of this study was to 1) understand the availability of monitoring for diabetes locally; and 2) describe knowledge and health beliefs regarding diabetes management for those with diabetes, and prevention among those at high risk of developing diabetes.MethodsThis qualitative evaluation used semi-structured interviews with key informants in a community in rural Honduras. Participants included those with diabetes, those at-risk for developing diabetes, and community leaders. Data was analyzed using thematic content analysis through an iterative process of coding and theme development.ResultsA total of 35 interviews were conducted with five resulting themes: 1) participants identified multiple barriers to diabetes management including access to monitoring, access to certain medications, and access to advanced levels of care; 2) participants acknowledge the relationship between lifestyle choices and diabetes control, but struggled with adherence to a healthy lifestyle; 3) participants identify that they have limited knowledge of diabetes pathophysiology, diabetes management, and strategies to prevent diabetes; 4) participants felt that opportunities existed within the community to support diabetes education and prevention, and 5) providers should integrate culture, societal norms, and religion in diabetes management.ConclusionThis research identifies challenges and resulting opportunities for managing diabetes in rural Honduras. Health care providers including pharmacy personnel should consider strategies to engage communities around self-care and diabetes education. Further, strategies are needed to enhance access to resources and essential medicines for diabetes management. These themes can guide clinicians in supporting communities to enhance diabetes care.     

Crisis and continuity: Rural health care students respond to the COVID-19 outbreak

The COVID-19 outbreak in Winter (2020) has caused widespread disruption for health sciences students undergoing clinical placements—vital periods of experiential learning that cannot be substituted with distance alternatives. For students placed in rural areas, already coping with isolation, precarious supply chains and shortages of essential personnel, the effects of the COVID-19 outbreak may have far-reaching implications for psychosocial wellness, self-efficacy and clinical judgment. Four nursing and eight medical students (n = 12) supplied photographs and commentary documenting the experience of withdrawing suddenly from clinical sites in rural Alberta. Collaborative, thematic analysis revealed continuities between pre- and post-outbreak life, both for the students and their rural hosts. Social determinants of health such as seclusion, environmental hazards, and health-seeking behaviors carried over and compounded the effects of the outbreak on the placement communities and clinical sites. Other continuities included the reliance on technology for clinical and social connectivity, and capitalizing on natural settings to cope with isolation and confinement. Prolonged liminality, lack of closure, and the loss of team identity were the greatest stressors brought on by the suspension of clinical activities. However, the participants felt well equipped to deal with these circumstances through the resilience, adaptability, and community ethos acquired during their placements.     

Prévalence des troubles mentaux dans une communauté rurale à Parakou au nord Bénin

BackgroundThe burden of mental disorders is high in sub-Saharan Africa but the reliable epidemiological data for its prevalence are too scarce in this setting. We aimed to determine the prevalence of major mental disorder in a rural community in northern Benin.MethodsIt was a cross-sectional study with a door-to-door survey and included all people aged more than 18 years in the Tourou rural community in northern Benin. The face-to-face interview were done with respect the confidentiality. The French version of Composite International Diagnostic Interview (CIDI) was used for the screening of mental disorders. The data were analyzed by using EPI-INFO 7.1 software. The prevalence of each disorders were determined and their 95% confidence interval.ResultsA total of 603 subjects were included, including 62.23% of men and 18 to 77 years old with an average of 27.29 years ± 9.24 years. Among them, 327 subjects had at least one mental disorder with an overall prevalence of 54.22% [95% CI: 41.56–69.14]. The prevalences of the major mental disorders were for the current major depressive episode (MDE) 32.34% [28.65–36.26%]; past MDE 11.61% [9.22–14.50%]; current social phobia 14.26% [11.62–17.37%]; Current Obsessive Compulsive Disorders 20.73% [17.61–24.23%]; generalized anxiety 9.62% [7.44–12.33%]; psychotic syndrome whole life 30.18% [26.57–34.05%]; antisocial personality disorders 5.47% [7.44–12.33%]; alcohol dependence 3.98% and drug dependence 1.33%.ConclusionThese findings suggest an increased incidence of mental illness in rural community in northern Benin and calls for urgent prevention and community care.     

湖北农村女性打麻将和看手机行为与抑郁状况的相关性

  目的   分析湖北农村女性打麻将和看手机行为与抑郁状况的关系, 为改善农村女性身心健康提供建议。   方法   采用分层整群抽样方法调查湖北7个县/市8个行政村1 367例成年妇女, 抑郁状况的测量采用流调中心抑郁自评量表(Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale-10, CESD-10), 并进行百分数转化。分值越高, 抑郁程度越低, 心理健康状况越好。   结果   15~44岁的妇女的CESD-10得分(77.63±13.95)高于45-64岁(73.17±17.01)和≥65岁(69.25±18.16)的得分(P < 0.001)。多元线性回归结果显示, 每天看手机时间与农村妇女抑郁状况之间的相关有统计学意义(均有P < 0.05), 尤其对45-64岁女性抑郁状况的影响具有显著统计学意义(均有P < 0.05), 看手机时间越长, 抑郁程度越高; 打麻将对各年龄段妇女抑郁状况影响均没有统计学意义(均有P > 0.05)。   结论   看手机行为与湖北农村女性抑郁状况之间存在相关性, 减少农村女性特别是中年妇女的手机使用是今后健康教育与妇联工作中值得重视的。