Effectiveness of interventions to prevent youth violence a systematic review

OBJECTIVES: To identify interventions effective in preventing youth violent behavior and commonalities of effective and ineffective interventions. METHODS: A systematic review of the literature on the effectiveness of youth violence interventions was conducted. Interventions were categorized according to the level of the intervention: primary (implemented universally to prevent the onset of violence), secondary (implemented selectively with youth at increased risk for violence), and tertiary (focused on youth who had already engaged in violent behavior). An intervention was considered effective if one or more violence outcome indicators was reported as significantly different at the p<0.05 level, and ineffective if none of the violence outcome indicators was significantly different at the p<0.05 level. Data collection and analysis were conducted in 2003 and updated in 2006. RESULTS: Forty-one studies were included in the review. Overall, 49% of interventions were effective. Tertiary-level interventions were more likely to report effectiveness than primary- or secondary-level interventions. Effective interventions evaluated by randomized controlled trials included Responding in Peaceful and Positive Ways, Aban Aya Youth Project, Moving to Opportunity, Early Community-Based Intervention Program, Childhaven's Therapeutic Child-Care Program, Turning Point: Rethinking Violence, and a multisystemic therapy program. Differences among programs and within subpopulations could not be assessed because of inadequate data. CONCLUSIONS: Increasing effectiveness was reported as the level of intervention increased from primary to tertiary. Approaches to evaluate prevention interventions need to be clarified and standardized.     

A school-based universal programme to prevent depression and to build up life skills

Aim  

To prevent the development and increase of depressive symptoms in adolescents by empowering adolescents to improve their life skills, to foster their realistic thinking, and to influence school behaviour.     

Interventions to prevent tenant evictions: a systematic review

Tenant evictions are a significant cause of homelessness. As evictions are a traumatic experience for those being evicted and involve high costs, preventing evictions is vital and should be part of local and national policy. In order to develop and implement preventive practices and policies, it is essential to know which interventions are effective in preventing evictions. However, little is known about these interventions. Therefore, a systematic search of the international literature, providing an overview of interventions to prevent evictions published in scientific journals and reporting on their (cost‐)effectiveness, was conducted. Nine electronic databases and Google Scholar were searched for peer‐reviewed and non‐reviewed publications describing research into interventions to prevent tenant evictions published in English between January 1985 and May 2012. Two researchers reviewed titles, abstracts and full‐text articles and eventually seven publications describing eight interventions to prevent tenant evictions were analysed. The eight interventions vary widely in terms of their target population, focus, type of support and duration, which makes comparison of results difficult. Only three effect studies on preventive interventions regarding tenant evictions were found; two researchers assessed their quality. One of these studies was of insufficient quality to assess the effectiveness of the intervention described. Legal assistance and debt advice are promising interventions that seem to be effective in decreasing the risk of eviction. The effectiveness of the other five interventions cannot be determined. More methodologically sound research into the prevention of tenant evictions is needed and future research will have to clarify what works for whom, in which context.     

Combining universal and targeted prevention for school-based eating disorder programs

OBJECTIVE: This study examined a step toward providing a universal prevention program to all students while targeting those at risk. METHOD: Seventy-eight 10th-grade female students were provided an on-line eating disorder prevention program and randomized to participate in (1) a higher risk and higher motivated group, (2) a lower risk or lower motivated group, or (3) a combined group. RESULTS: The students in the first group made significantly fewer negative and more positive comments in the on-line group discussion than the higher risk and higher motivated participants in the combined group. However, there were no differences among groups on outcome measures. DISCUSSION: The results suggest that, because it is relatively easy to provide interventions with separate groups, it seems appropriate to do so, if for no other reason than to minimize the few very negative comments that were posted by students that might have created an adverse environment for the higher risk-participants that the intervention specifically targets.     

A systematic review of school-based sexual health interventions to prevent STI/HIV in sub-Saharan Africa

Background  

The HIV/AIDS epidemic remains of global significance and there is a need to target (a) the adolescent age-groups in which most new infections occur; and (b) sub-Saharan Africa where the greatest burden of the epidemic lies. A focused systematic review of school-based sexual health interventions in sub-Saharan Africa to prevent HIV/AIDS and Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI) in this age group was therefore conducted.     

Smoking cessation programs targeted to women: a systematic review

The authors of this systematic review aimed to examine tobacco interventions developed to meet the needs of women, to identify sex- and gender-specific components, and to evaluate their effects on smoking cessation in women. The authors searched electronic databases in the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, MEDLINE, PubMed, EBSCO, PsychINFO, CINHAL, and EMBASE; the search was not restricted by publication date. Data was extracted from published peer-reviewed articles on participants, setting, treatment models, interventions, length of follow-up, and outcomes. The main outcome variable was abstinence from smoking. A total of 39 studies were identified. In efficacy studies, therapists addressed weight concerns and non-pharmacological aspects of smoking, taught mood/stress management strategies, and scheduled the quit date to be timed to the menstrual cycle. In effectiveness studies, therapists were peer counselors, provided telephone counseling, and/or distributed gendered booklets, videos, and posters. Among efficacy studies, interventions addressing weight gain/concerns showed the most promising results. If medication can support smoking cessation in women and how it interacts with non-pharmacological treatment also warrant further research. For effectiveness studies, the available evidence suggests that smoking should be addressed in low-income women accessing public health clinics. Further attention should be devoted to identifying new settings for providing smoking cessation interventions to women from disadvantaged groups. Women-specific tobacco programs help women stop smoking, although they appear to produce similar abstinence rates as non-sex/gender specific programs. Offering interventions for women specifically may reduce barriers to treatment entry and better meet individual preferences of smokers. Developing approaches that fully account for the multiple challenges treatment-seeking women face is still an area of research.     

Effectiveness of intervention programs in preventing falls: a systematic review of recent 10 years and meta-analysis

ObjectiveTo examine the reported effectiveness of fall-prevention programs for older adults by reviewing randomized controlled trials from 2000 to 2009.DesignSystematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.Data SourcesA systematic literature search of articles was conducted using 5 electronic databases (Medline, PubMed, PsycINFO, CINAHL, and RefWorks), including articles describing interventions designed to prevent falls, in English with full text availability, from 2000 through 2009.Review MethodsOf a potential 227 studies, we identified 17 randomized controlled trials with a duration of intervention of at least 5 months of follow-up. Inclusion and exclusion criteria were used to assess the methodological qualities of the studies. We excluded unidentified study design, quasi-experimental studies, and/or studies that were nonspecific regarding inclusion criteria.Data ExtractionPrimary outcome measures were number of falls and fall rate. Methodological quality assessment included internal and external validity, reporting, and power. Data were extracted independently by 2 investigators and analyzed using a random-effects model. We analyzed the effectiveness of these fall intervention programs using their risk ratios (RR) in 2 single-intervention versus 15 multifactorial intervention trials, 3 nursing homes versus 14 community randomized controlled trials, and 8 Model 1 (initial intervention with subsequent follow up) versus 9 Model II (ongoing intervention throughout the follow-up) studies.ResultsThe combined RR for the number of falls among 17 studies was 0.855 (z = –2.168; p = .030; 95% CI = 0.742–0.985; Q = 196.204, df = 16, P = .000, I² = 91.845), demonstrating that fall-prevention programs across the studies were effective by reducing fall rates by 14%, but with substantial heterogeneity. Subgroup analysis indicated that there was a significant fall reduction of 14% in multifactorial intervention (RR = 0.856, z = –2.039, P = .041) with no variation between multifactorial and single-intervention groups (Q = 0.002, P = .961), 55% in the nursing home setting (RR = 0.453, z = –9.366, P = .000) with significant variation between nursing home and community groups (Q = 62.788, P = .000), and no significant effect was gained by dividing studies into either in Model I or II. Sensitivity analysis found homogeneity (Q = 18.582, df = 12, P = .099, I² = 35.423) across studies with a 9% overall fall reduction (RR = 0.906, 95% CI = 0.853–0.963, z = –3.179, P = .001), including a fall-reduction rate of 10% in multifactorial intervention (RR = 0.904, z = –3.036, P = .002), 9% in community (RR = 0.909, z = –3.179, P = .001), and 12% in Model I (RR = 0.876, z = –3.534, P = .000) with no variations among all the groups. Meta regression suggested that the model fit explained 68.6% of the relevant variance.ConclusionsThe meta-sensitivity analysis indicates that randomized controlled trials of fall-prevention programs conducted within the past 10 years (2000–2009) are effective in overall reduction of fall rates of 9% with a reduction of fall rates of 10% in multifactorial interventions, 9% in community settings, and 12% in Model I interventions (initial intervention efforts and then subsequent follow-up).     

Leisure-activity participation to prevent later-life cognitive decline: a systematic review

Objective: A systematic literature review was conducted to characterise the current state of knowledge concerning the definition, categorisation, and operationalisation of leisure activity in studies examining its possible role in preventing later-life cognitive decline. Following PRISMA guidelines for a systematic review, the study examined peer-reviewed empirical research publications focused on leisure activity, cognitive decline, and prevention. Methods: Searches in the PubMed/Medline reSEARCH, CINHAL, Ovid MEDLINE, Embase, Web of Science, PsychoINFO, ERIC Proquest, the Cochrane library, and PsycARTICLES databases for the years 2000 to 2011 identified 52 publications for inclusion. Results: The results are discussed and based on these findings are further interpreted using the Model of Human Occupation, which focuses on key factors identified in the review that are salient to associations between participation in leisure activities and prevention of dementia. Conclusions: While the findings support a growing consensus that participation in leisure activities might significantly contribute to prevention of dementia, it also identifies major hindrances to progress. Important limitations detected include a lack of theoretical underpinnings, and little consensus and standardisation in the measured key variables. The study reinforces the critical need to overcome these limitations to enable health care professionals (e.g. occupational therapists) to make evidence-based recommendations for increased participation in activities as a means of promoting health and preventing cognitive decline.     

Active cutaneous warming systems to prevent intraoperative hypothermia: a systematic review

This study analyzed the evidence available in the literature concerning the effectiveness of different active cutaneous warming systems to prevent intraoperative hypothermia. This is a systematic review with primary studies found in the following databases: CINAHL, EMBASE, Cochrane Register of Controlled Trials and Medline. The sample comprised 23 randomized controlled trials. There is evidence in the literature indicating that the circulating water garment system is the most effective in maintaining patient body temperature. These results can support nurses in the decision-making process concerning the implementation of effective measures to maintain normothermia, though the decision of health services concerning which system to choose should also take into account its cost-benefit status given the cost related to the acquisition of such systems.     

儿童意外伤害影响因素研究进展

目的了解上海市杨浦区中小学生伤害发生现况,为开展防控和干预措施提供依据。方法对2014—2016学年杨浦区全区中小学校学生伤害个案进行分析。结果2014—2016学年,杨浦区中小学校伤害发生率是4.08‰,男女生伤害发生率分别是5.47‰和2.60‰,小学生和中学生的伤害发生率分别是3.11‰和5.15‰,男女生间和中小学生间的差异均具有统计学意义(均P < 0.05),各学年间的伤害发生率具有统计学差异;伤害发生的场所主要是学校,占73%;伤害发生的时间在24 h内的分布,集中在10：00和14：00—15：00;伤害发生原因跌落/跌倒比例最高,占66.7%;伤害发生性质,骨折占62.4%;伤害发生的部位中,腕/手(26.4%)和踝/足(26.4%)的比例最高。结论结合学生伤害发生的特点,对不同性别,不同类型学校学生应开展针对性的防控和干预措施,以有效地控制伤害的发生。     

Interventions to prevent disability in frail community-dwelling elderly: a systematic review

Background  

There is an interest for intervention studies aiming at the prevention of disability in community-dwelling physically frail older persons, though an overview on their content, methodological quality and effectiveness is lacking.     

工作场所母乳喂养支持研究进展

目的 引进母乳喂养支持的员工感知问卷（EPBS-Q）进行翻译及修订,评价中文版问卷的信效度。 方法 汉化EPBS-Q,并通过专家评定、预调查和认知访谈对中文版问卷进行修订,在郑州市两所三甲医院儿童预防保健门诊,便利抽取产后返岗的346名职业母亲,发放中文版EPBS-Q,评价其信度和效度。 结果 中文版EPBS-Q共包含30个条目,5个维度,总的Cronbach′s α 系数为0.917,5个维度的Cronbach′s α 系数为0.817～0.946,组合信度为0.835～0.994。I-CVI均 > 0.80,S-CVI/Ave为0.99。每个维度的AVE值较高,AVE的算数平方根均大于每个维度之间的相关系数,收敛效度、区别效度和结构效度均较好。 结论 中文版母乳喂养支持的员工感知问卷适用于中国的文化背景,具有良好的信度和效度。     

Effectiveness of email-based reminders to increase vaccine uptake: a systematic review

BackgroundIn times of vaccine hesitancy and decreasing immunization coverage, it is crucial to exploit the potential of digital solutions to support immunization programmes and ultimately increase vaccine uptake. Scant evidence exists on the impact of email-based immunization reminders. In particular, while email communication is exponentially increasing at the global level, its use for health communication is still sporadic and limited data exists on its application to immunization programmes. The objective of this study is to systematically retrieve and critically appraise the available literature on the effectiveness of email-based reminders to increase vaccine uptake, with the ultimate aim to inform and encourage its integration in the implementation of immunization programmes.MethodsWe conducted a systematic review of literature following the PRISMA. We included studies providing quantitative comparative data on any measure of vaccine uptake. We extracted data on study design, study population, vaccine type and details of email-based interventions; data were pooled by type of comparison (no reminders, traditional reminders, other digital reminders).ResultsEleven studies were included, 90% with experimental study designs. While email communication succeeds in increasing vaccine uptake when compared with no intervention, weak and heterogeneous data exist supporting the superiority of email reminders, as compared to traditional methods or other digital reminders. Encouraging evidence report the effectiveness of reminder methods combining different strategies and tailored to target populations’ preferences.ConclusionsTheoretically, email communication offers many advantages: it is cheaper and faster, it can be automated and linked to electronic immunization registries, and reach people on the move. As we urge the need for further research to prove email communication impact on vaccine uptake in different settings, we underline the importance of identifying how to best integrate email communication in vaccine delivery equipping immunization programmes with technical infrastructures and normative frameworks suitable to embrace innovation.     

Interventions to prevent back pain and back injury in nurses: a systematic review

A systematic literature review was undertaken to assess the effectiveness of interventions that aim to prevent back pain and back injury in nurses. Ten relevant databases were searched; these were examined and reference lists checked. Two reviewers applied selection criteria, assessed methodological quality and extracted data from trials. A qualitative synthesis of evidence was undertaken and sensitivity analyses performed. Eight randomised controlled trials and eight non-randomised controlled trials met eligibility criteria. Overall, study quality was poor, with only one trial classified as high quality. There was no strong evidence regarding the efficacy of any interventions aiming to prevent back pain and injury in nurses. The review identified moderate level evidence from multiple trials that manual handling training in isolation is not effective and multidimensional interventions are effective in preventing back pain and injury in nurses. Single trials provided moderate evidence that stress management programs do not prevent back pain and limited evidence that lumbar supports are effective in preventing back injury in nurses. There is conflicting evidence regarding the efficacy of exercise interventions and the provision of manual handling equipment and training. This review highlights the need for high quality randomised controlled studies to examine the effectiveness of interventions to prevent back pain and injury in nursing populations. Implications for future research are discussed.