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Background
The WHO’s Health Promoting Schools (HPS) framework is based on an understanding of the reciprocal relationship between health and education, and the need to take a holistic approach to health promotion in schools. We aim to clarify the degree to which the HPS framework is reflected in the national policies of eight target countries and the issues surrounding its successful implementation.
Methods
Date were collected through two expert workshops with participants from eight Asian countries: Cambodia, China, Japan, Korea, Lao PDR, Nepal, the Philippines, and Thailand. In the first workshop, data collected on national policy was mapped against the HPS framework. From this, key issues were identified, and follow-up data collection was conducted in each country for a second workshop.
Results
We identified a policy shift toward the HPS framework in six out of the eight countries. Neither Japan nor Korea had changed their national policy frameworks to reflect an HPS approach; however, in the latter, model programs had been introduced at a local level. We identified various barriers to successful implementation, especially in relation to mental health and wellbeing.
Conclusion
Given the recent shift toward the HPS approach in six out of the eight countries in this study, there is a need to conduct research to assess the impact of this framework on the health and wellbeing of students and school staff. At the same time, we call for more dialog in the context of Japan to explore the possible benefits of introducing the HPS framework into schools.
International Comparison of Depression During the COVID-19 Pandemic Among University Students in 13 Countries: A Web-Based Cross-Sectional Survey
연구목적: 본 연구는 코로나19 대유행으로 인한 한국 고등학생의 우울감에 미치는 영향 요인을 파악하고, 이를 통해 정부의 학교방역 조치 마련의 기초자료를 제공하는 데 목적이 있다.
연구방법: 본 연구는 코로나19 유행 시기(2020년 7월), 전국 고등학생 202명을 대상으로 우울감에 영향을 미치는 요인을 파악하기 위해 온라인 조사를 활용한 단면조사연구(Web-based cross-sectional study)이다.
결과: 연구대상자의 우울감에 미치는 영향을 파악하기 위해 위계적 다중회귀분석(Hierarchical Multiple Regression Analysis)을 시행하였다. 결과를 살펴보면, 여자 고등학생이 남자 고등학생보다 높은 수준의 우울감을 경험할 가능성이 있었으며, 수도권에 거주하는 학생이 비수도권에 거주하는 학생보다 코로나19로 인한 우울감을 더 느낄 가능성이 있었다. 코로나19 예방행위를 항상 실천하는 학생이 그렇지 않다고 응답한 학생에 비해 우울감이 통계적으로 유의하게 낮았으며, 코로나19에 대한 공포감을 많이 느끼는 학생들이 더 우울감을 경험할 가능성이 있었다. 마지막으로, 학교방역 조치에 대한 신뢰도 점수가 낮을수록 학생들의 우울감이 높아지는 것으로 나타났다.
결론: 첫째, 우울증을 경험하기 쉬운 여자 고등학생 등의 취약계층과 우울증 고위험군 학생들을 위한 새로운 형태의 학생 정신건강 지원 프로그램 개발을 모색할 필요가 있다. 둘째, 청소년을 대상으로 코로나19 방역교육 및 보건교육을 할 때 정확한 정보를 전달하여 막연한 공포감, 불안감 등을 극복하도록 교육 내용을 구성할 필요성이 있다. 셋째, 코로나19로 인해 발생하는 학생들의 우울감을 낮추기 위해 정부의 학교방역 조치에 대한 학생들의 신뢰도를 높이고, 회복탄력적인 시스템을 만드는 것이 필요할 것이다.
Abstract: Official responses to the COVID?19 pandemic have prioritized information disclosure.
Timely and comprehensive information released by the authorities is conveyed mainly through
dashboards, which can better inform the public and help them prepare for the pandemic. However,
there is limited evidence regarding the COVID?19 dashboard data presentation for South Korea,
China, and Japan. This study aimed to describe the current COVID?19 situation in the three
countries and compare the information disclosure content on their COVID?19 dashboards. Based on
the COVID?19 data released and updated by each country’s official authorities, two dashboard
websites used by many people in each country were selected. We conducted content analysis and
developed a checklist (39 items in five categories: cases, testing, vaccines, health information, and
additional items) based on the structure of each country’s COVID?19 dashboard website to assess
COVID?19 information disclosure. Japan experienced the worst outbreak among the three countries.
They all provided basic dynamic data displayed on the dashboard, while the performance in key
categories varied substantially between the countries (South Korea: 30/39 items; China: 25/39 items;
Japan: 30/39 items). Moreover, as part of the publicly accessible information recorded by each nation,
there were differences in the key indicators published and important facts disclosed. Improvement
in reporting techniques and disclosure methods will help countries communicate more effectively
with the public and conduct more efficient public health research.
Background
According to the World Health Organization, the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has created situations that have a negative effect on people and threaten their mental health. Paraguay announced the Estado de Emergencia Sanitaria (Presidential Decree No. 3456) on March 16, 2020, which was followed by the imposition of a 24-h restriction on movement order on March 21. Self-quarantine at home may have been the most effective method of preventing the spread of infectious diseases; however, with the global pandemic becoming more prolonged and the consequent lengthening of the 24-h self-quarantine period, it is highly probable that both physical and psychological problems will arise.
Methods
In this study, a web-based cross-sectional method was used to analyze the factors influencing COVID-19-induced depressive feelings in Paraguayan public officials.
Results
Public officials reported a high level of depressive symptoms with a high level of apprehension in early stage of COVID-19. In addition, this study identified that when the self-quarantine period increased, levels of depressive feelings also increased. Since self-quarantine is characterized by the requirement that individuals endure an undetermined period within a confined area, it may have caused stress and anxiety, as well as the consequent experience of depressive feelings.
Conclusions
Paraguayan government should develop a program for the delivery of mental health care and services to public officials in COVID-19 Pandemic period. Moreover, a program is required for people facing deteriorating mental health due to social isolation and loneliness caused by social distancing during the prolonged period of self-quarantine. Finally, mental health care programs should be organized in a community-focused way by utilizing online systems to enhance the effectiveness of mental health recovery.
Background: Older adults?classified as a high-risk group?are highly likely to experience increased loneliness due to the implementation of various policies designed to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Accordingly, this study aims to examine the effects of a pilot social prescribing project for elderly people in rural area of South Korea during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Methods: Using the PRECEDE-PROCEED model, the effectiveness of the pilot project was verified through pre- and post-impact and outcome evaluation.
Results: According to the results of the impact evaluation, loneliness reduced significantly, while the social participation attitude score increased. Although the average score of self-efficacy increased, it was not statistically significant. Moreover, it was found that self-esteem increased significantly. In the outcome evaluation, depression reduced considerably.
Conclusion: To conclude, the pilot social prescribing project was effective in reducing depression and loneliness for the elderly in rural areas of Korea. It was also confirmed that there is potential to develop a new health promotion project that can improve the self-esteem of the elderly, and expand their social activities. Second, the pilot project was carried out in an integrated manner by utilizing resources in communities with good accessibility. Therefore, it is expected to be used as a new “Integrated community care model” to improve the mental health of the elderly in rural areas. Third, during the COVID-19 pandemic, the elderly tend to experience increasing feelings of depression, isolation, and loneliness due to “social distancing.” Therefore, it is expected that social prescribing programs for the elderly in rural areas would become a new alternative for relieve mental disorder of the seniors.
Objectives: This study aimed to identify the effectiveness of community gardening, one of the prescribed pilot social programs conducted on elderly people living in rural areas. Methods: This study used experiences that were extractedfrom focus group interviews of 12 elderly people
and analyzed using Colaizzi’ phenomenological method. Results: Three categories and a set of seven theme clusters of the meaning of fatigue were derived. The three categories are: opportunities for sharing, building and strengthening social networks, and opportunities for social participation. Conclusion: First, this study suggests that rather than providing new health promotion programs or services to the elderly living in rural areas, daily activities familiar to them should be included in the community-centered programs or services. Second, this study suggests that services should be established in connection with the elderly living in rural areas within the community. Third, it is expected that community gardening is conducted as part of Social Prescribing Pilot Project. Therefore, it is possible to present a plan to utilize gardening in the Community integrated care service policy currently implemented in Korea.
Objectives: This study aimed 1) to investigate high school students’ reliability on COVID-19 responses in schools and private academies and 2) to identify the differences in COVID-19 prevention practice.
Methods: This cross-sectional survey collected data from 200 high school respondents, using an anonymous online questionnaire designed by the Yonsei Global Health Center, from July 2 to 17, 2020 in this study. Chi-square tests were conducted to analyze the differences in preventative practices and practice rates between schools and private academies. Binary logistics regression analysis was conducted to identify the factor affecting the reliability of COVID-19 response.
Results: These high school students reliabilityed the schools’ COVID-19 response more than the private academy. In addition, students who studied only at school did more COVID-19 prevention practices than students who studied both at school and academy. There was a significant difference in avoiding public transportation (p=.028), sitting in one row while having a meal (p=.011) in the practice rates depending on the schools’ COVID-19 response. A significant difference in Covering the mouth when coughing and sneezing (p-.041) was also found in the practice rates depending on the private academies’ COVID-19 response.
Conclusion: The reason why schools were more reliable than private academies was that there are health teachers. Because schools are supervised by the ministry of education, the Ministry of education and local government need to work together to manage and monitor the COVID-19 response in the academies through cooperation between two organizations. In addition, it is necessary to arrange a temporary circulation health teacher who will provide the COVID-19 prevention education at the academies.
