BACKGROUND

As social media continue to grow as popular and convenient tools for acquiring and disseminating health information, the need to investigate its utilization by laypersons encountering common medical issues becomes increasingly essential.

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to analyze the content posted in Facebook groups for Glucose-6-Phosphate Dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency and how these engage the members of the group.

METHODS

This study employed an inductive content analysis of user-posted content in both public and private Facebook groups catering specifically to G6PD deficiency. The G6PD Facebook groups with 10 or more posts within the past 12 months were selected for this study. Data were harvested from posts and comments using ExportComment.

RESULTS

A total of 46 G6PD-related Facebook groups were identified. Of which, 19 were public and 27 were private groups, with an average membership of 5000-6000 accounts. After eligibility based on criteria and authorization for private groups, 3 public and 3 private groups were included, with the majority of these groups focused on sharing information. Five main themes of posted content were identified: diagnosis, management, beliefs, psychosocial factors, and medical requirements. “Diagnosis”-related posts referred to conversations about the causes and symptoms of G6PD, “management” referred to medication or diet, “beliefs” involved traditional or lay perceptions, “psychosocial factors” referred to posts that disclosed how psychosocial factors influenced G6PD deficiency practices, and “medical requirements” referred to documentation regarding the condition. The bulk of these posts used three strategies for communication: information-requesting, self-disclosure, and promotion of products/services. Information requests were the most common.

CONCLUSION

The results of the study showed opportunities and challenges in health education on G6PD, especially in evaluating the credibility and accuracy of the information given and received. Looking at the content and manner of communicating information noted, the newborn screening program may improve its advocacy and education campaign, and may develop targeted educational materials and effective dissemination strategies that could clarify, explain, or refute information and beliefs mostly shared on these platforms.

Glucosephosphate Dehydrogenase Deficiency ; Self-help Groups ; Social Media

Background: As social media continue to grow as popular and convenient tools for acquiring and disseminating health information, the need to investigate its utilization by laypersons encountering common medical issues becomes increasingly essential. Objectives: This study aimed to analyze the content posted in Facebook groups for Glucose-6-Phosphate Dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency and how these engage the members of the group. Methods: This study employed an inductive content analysis of user-posted content in both public and private Facebook groups catering specifically to G6PD deficiency. The G6PD Facebook groups with 10 or more posts within the past 12 months were selected for this study. Data were harvested from posts and comments using ExportComment. Results: A total of 46 G6PD-related Facebook groups were identified. Of which, 19 were public and 27 were private groups, with an average membership of 5000-6000 accounts. After eligibility based on criteria and authorization for private groups, 3 public and 3 private groups were included, with the majority of these groups focused on sharing information. Five main themes of posted content were identified: diagnosis, management, beliefs, psychosocial factors, and medical requirements. “Diagnosis”-related posts referred to conversations about the causes and symptoms of G6PD, “management” referred to medication or diet, “beliefs” involved traditional or lay perceptions, “psychosocial factors” referred to posts that disclosed how psychosocial factors influenced G6PD deficiency practices, and “medical requirements” referred to documentation regarding the condition. The bulk of these posts used three strategies for communication: information-requesting, self-disclosure, and promotion of products/services. Information requests were the most common. Conclusion The results of the study showed opportunities and challenges in health education on G6PD, especially in evaluating the credibility and accuracy of the information given and received. Looking at the content and manner of communicating information noted, the newborn screening program may improve its advocacy and education campaign, and may develop targeted educational materials and effective dissemination strategies that could clarify, explain, or refute information and beliefs mostly shared on these platforms.
Glucosephosphate Dehydrogenase Deficiency ; Self-Help Groups

PURPOSE: The aim of the study was to investigate associations of spiritual well-being, attitude toward death, and quality of life among Alcoholics Anonymous (AA). METHODS: This study was cross-sectional and descriptive in design. The data was collected from August to September 2018 with 133 AA members drawn from two provinces of South Korea. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, independent t-tests, one-way ANOVA with Turkey tests, Pearson's correlation coefficients, and hierarchical multiple linear regression analyses using SPSS/WIN 20.0 program. RESULTS: The existential spiritual well-being (β=.52, p<.001), attitude toward death (β=.24, p<.001), dual diagnosis (β=−.17, p=.003), occupation (β=.12, p=.035) of the participants were significant factors, which explained 63.7% of the variance of quality of life. CONCLUSION: The study findings highlight the need to develop psychological nursing strategies to enhance the spiritual well-being and improve a positive attitude toward death based on the job and dual diagnosis among AA members to improve their better quality of life.
Alcohol-Related Disorders ; Alcoholics Anonymous ; Alcoholics ; Attitude to Death ; Diagnosis, Dual (Psychiatry) ; Humans ; Korea ; Linear Models ; Nursing ; Occupations ; Quality of Life ; Spirituality ; Turkey

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the factors associated with the supportive care needs of gynecologic cancer patients, and to provide basic data for patient-centered care. METHODS: The data were collected from 153 patients with ovarian/cervix/uterine cancer in 2016. For the data collection, the Korean version of the Supportive Care Needs Scale-gyne and electronic charts were used. T-test, one-way ANOVA, and logistic regression were used to analyze the data. RESULTS: The standardized scores for the supportive care needs of patients ranged from 19.45 to 35.66. The supportive care need in the psychological domain was the highest, followed by the emotional, physical, and information domains. The ten highest frequency items consisted of 5 items in information, 3 in psychological, 1 item each in the emotional and spiritual domain. Patients under 45 years old have more fear about treatment and disability, and uncertainty about their future. College graduates had higher needs for information about support groups and self-care. Patients with recurrence felt more bored and meaningless. CONCLUSION: Patients with gynecologic cancer have various supportive care needs according to their characteristics. In order to fulfil their needs, a more intensive and patient-centered individualized approach based on the patient's characteristics should be introduced.
Data Collection ; Female ; Genital Neoplasms, Female ; Humans ; Logistic Models ; Needs Assessment ; Patient-Centered Care ; Quality of Life ; Recurrence ; Self Care ; Self-Help Groups ; Uncertainty

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study is to determine the impact of negative affect (defined in terms of lack of optimism, depressogenic attributional style, and hopelessness depression) on the quality of life of women with type 1 diabetes mellitus. METHODS: Participants (n = 177) completed either an online or paper questionnaire made available to members of Australian diabetes support groups. Measures of optimism, attributional style, hopelessness depression, disease-specific data, and diabetes-related quality of life were sought. Bivariate correlations informed the construction of a structural equation model. RESULTS: Participants were 36.3±11.3 years old, with a disease duration of 18.4±11.2 years. Age and recent glycosylated hemoglobin readings were significant contextual variables in the model. All bivariate associations involving the components of negative affect were as hypothesized. That is, poorer quality of life was associated with a greater depressogenic attributional style, higher hopelessness depression, and lower optimism. The structural equation model demonstrated significant direct effects of depressogenic attributional style and hopelessness depression on quality of life, while (lack of) optimism contributed to quality of life indirectly by way of these variables. CONCLUSION: The recognition of negative affect presentations among patients, and an understanding of its relevance to diabetes-related quality of life, is a valuable tool for the practitioner.
Depression ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1* ; Female ; Hemoglobin A, Glycosylated ; Humans ; Optimism ; Quality of Life* ; Reading ; Self-Help Groups

Objective: To evaluate the intervention effects of peer support education mode for type 2 diabetes control in rural residents. Methods: A random cluster sampling method has been used, including 300 rural residents aged above 18 years old from three villages (184 in control group, 116 in intervention group), in order to proceed the physical check-up and health education programs. Unchanged rate, transfer rate of patients, rate of impaired glucose tolerance, turn normal rate and other biochemical indicators of patients and people with impaired glucose tolerance from control group and intervention group were analyzed, to evaluate the intervention effects of peer support education mode. Results: The glycemic control rate of intervention group for patients and people with impaired glucose tolerance (72.2% and 71.4%) were higher than control group (43.6% and 26.7%), but the unchanged rate of intervention group (13.9% and 0.0%) were lower than control group (42.3% and 73.3%). Patients with diabetes or glucose intolerance in the education group improved significantly in waist-to-hip ratio, uric acid, total cholesterol and HDL-C. Glycemic hemoglobin level also improved significantly in diabetes patients of the education group. Conclusion: Peer support for education intervention seemed beneficial for diabetic control. The combination of education and effect evaluation was important in the evaluation of diabetes prevention and control. Peer support education also benefited the blood glucose control in general population.
Adolescent ; Blood Glucose/analysis* ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/therapy* ; Glucose Intolerance ; Health Education ; Humans ; Patient Education as Topic/methods* ; Peer Group ; Rural Population ; Self-Help Groups

PURPOSE: The aim of this study is to investigate and elucidate actual experiences of alcoholics' spouses using familial social gatherings. METHODS: A total of nine women whose alcoholic husbands were attending Al-Anon meetings held in Y Cathedral in S District of Seoul were included in this study. Data collection of this study was conducted through in-depth interviews with participants from September 24 to November 30, 2015. Data analysis was conducted at the same time as the data collection, and analysis was performed according to the method suggested by Colaizzi(1978). RESULTS: We categorized the participants' experiences into five themes including ‘Trapped in a Deep Dark Tunnel’, ‘Life of Walking in an Endless Tunnel’, ‘Reaching a Dead End’, ‘Walking towards a Ray of Light’, ‘Finding Oneself on a Strange Path’. CONCLUSION: The results of this study provide an understanding of the essential structure of the life experiences of alcoholic spouses using familial social gatherings.
Alcoholics ; Alcoholics Anonymous ; Alcoholism ; Data Collection ; Female ; Humans ; Life Change Events ; Methods ; Seoul ; Spouses ; Statistics as Topic ; Walking

BACKGROUND: There is a perceived need among policymakers and other actors in the local health system to better address the challenges in financing healthcare, in general, and chronic or debilitating conditions, in particular, in order to develop appropriate policy and program responses.
OBJECTIVE: This paper aimed to present perceived issues and challenges in financing schizophrenia and colorectal cancer in the Philippine context, as identified by stakeholders.
METHODS: Verbatim transcription of the proceedings of a moderated discussion of stakeholders in schizophrenia and colorectal cancer care was analyzed for themes on challenges and recommendations in the financing of the two conditions in the local setting.
RESULTS: A total of 28 stakeholders representing healthcare providers, professional organizations, health maintenance organizations, patient support groups, and government participated in the meeting. Three main issues on financing debilitating conditions were identified by participants: a) government support for the two conditions is currently limited; b) coverage by third-party payors for schizophrenia or colorectal cancer is either absent or restricted; and c) the process of accessing medicines or alternative modes of financing for healthcare was perceived to be disparate and inconvenient for patients and their caregivers. Participants also provided recommendations in improving the mechanism of healthcare financing.
CONCLUSION: The general picture that emerged from this moderated discussion pointed to limitations in the prevailing mechanisms for financing schizophrenia and colorectal cancer in the Philippines. Improvements in the current financing mechanisms, and identification of alternative modes, is necessary to ensure universal health coverage.

Human ; Healthcare Financing ; Health Maintenance Organizations ; Caregivers ; Universal Coverage ; Delivery Of Health Care ; Insurance, Health, Reimbursement ; Government ; Self-help Groups ; Colorectal Neoplasms ; Schizophrenia

The case presented multifactorial facets of depression and diabetes leading to noncompliance to both medical and psychiatric treatment resulting in suicide. A biopsychosocial approach was done to elucidate the complexity of the case, factoring in the adolescent storm, vicious cycle of diabetes and depression and effect of enmeshed attachments. Management involved short-term and long-term goals, focusing on psychoeducation about the nature and course of depression, psychiatric impact of depression leading to noncompliance, suicide precaution and treatment plans through psychopharmacology and psychoterapy, family therapy, liaison with the Pediatric Endocrinology and Nutrition service and support group involvement.

Human ; Female ; Depression ; Insulin--administration & Dosage ; Family Therapy ; Psychopharmacology ; Suicide ; Depressive Disorder ; Psychotherapy ; Patient Compliance ; Diabetes Mellitus ; Self-help Groups

The case presented multifactorial facets of depression and diabetes leading to noncompliance to both medical and psychiatric treatment resulting in suicide. A biopsychosocial approach was done to elucidate the complexity of the case, factoring in the adolescent storm, vicious cycle of diabetes and depression and effect of enmeshed attachments. Management involved short-term and long-term goals, focusing on psychoeducation about the nature and course of depression, psychiatric impact of depression leading to noncompliance, suicide precaution and treatment plans through psychopharmacology and psychoterapy, family therapy, liaison with the Pediatric Endocrinology and Nutrition service and support group involvement.

Human ; Female ; Adolescent ; Depression ; Family Therapy ; Psychopharmacology ; Goals ; Suicide ; Depressive Disorder ; Psychotherapy ; Patient Compliance ; Diabetes Mellitus ; Self-help Groups