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Schinazi J, Santavicca T, Ngov C, Vanier-Clément A, Touré A, Bolduc E, Rousseau C. The CoVivre Program: Community Development and Empowerment to Address the Inequalities Exacerbated by the COVID-19 Pandemic in the Greater Montreal Area, Canada. Journal of Humanistic Psychology 2022. [DOI: 10.1177/00221678221124654] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic had devastating effects around the world, yet it was not experienced equally by all. The emergence of the virus has been linked with the intensification of discrimination and inequities, as well as other systemic issues already present in society prior to the pandemic. The CoVivre Program was created with the mission to facilitate and accelerate initiatives aimed at reducing socioeconomic and health disparities caused by the COVID-19 pandemic in the Greater Montreal Area. CoVivre aims to inform, protect, and support communities, with an emphasis on communities experiencing marginalization, such as ethnic and religious minorities, refugees, asylum seekers, and precarious workers. This mission is guided by the latest research and CoVivre’s values of community empowerment, partnership, democratic communications, and cultural competency, among others. This article describes the process of planning and implementing the program and its components: Communications, Outreach and Awareness Raising, and Psychosocial Support and Mental Health, with a description of one project per component. It also aims to identify obstacles and facilitators of the program, to reflect on their relation with local and global ecosystems and their relationship to community action, and to examine community mobilization as expressing both resilience and resistance to top-down impositions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joy Schinazi
- Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Tara Santavicca
- Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Cindy Ngov
- Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | | | - Aissata Touré
- Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Emmanuelle Bolduc
- Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Cécile Rousseau
- Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
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Kruglova K, O'Connell SBL, Dawadi S, Gelgoot EN, Miner SA, Robins S, Schinazi J, Zelkowitz P. An mHealth App to Support Fertility Patients Navigating the World of Infertility (Infotility): Development and Usability Study. JMIR Form Res 2021; 5:e28136. [PMID: 34636741 PMCID: PMC8548975 DOI: 10.2196/28136] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2021] [Revised: 07/20/2021] [Accepted: 08/01/2021] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The experience of infertility and its treatment engenders considerable stress and is often described as an emotional rollercoaster. A mobile health (mHealth) app may be a novel solution to address the psychoeducational and psychosocial support needs of fertility patients because of its potential to reduce stress and increase patient empowerment. There are a few fertility-related apps that provide information and support to both men and women undergoing fertility treatment; however, none have documented their development and evaluation process. Objective This study aims to describe the development and evaluation process of a bilingual mHealth app, Infotility, designed to meet the psychoeducational and psychosocial support needs of men and women undergoing fertility treatment. Methods To develop the Infotility app, we adhered to the Medical Research Council guidelines for the development and evaluation of complex interventions. First, we conducted literature reviews and needs assessment surveys of fertility patients and health care providers who informed the content and design of the app. Second, we tested the intervention with a small group of end users who provided feedback on the design and appropriateness of the app’s content. Third, we evaluated the uptake and usability of the app using a pre-post study design. Finally, we updated the app’s content based on participants’ feedback and searched for partners to disseminate the app to the broader public. Results This study is the first to describe the development and evaluation process of an mHealth app for men and women undergoing fertility treatment. The app met its goal in providing fertility patients with a clinician-approved, portable resource for reliable information about medical and psychosocial aspects of infertility and its treatments and a confidential peer support forum monitored by trained peer supporters. Participants rated the engagement, functionality, information, and esthetics of the app positively, with an overall app quality mean score of 3.75 (SD 0.53) and a star rating of 3.43 (SD 0.75), with a total possible score and star rating of 5.00. Conclusions By documenting the systematic development and evaluation of the mHealth app for men and women undergoing fertility treatment, this paper can facilitate the replication of the study intervention and the development of similar mHealth apps.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katya Kruglova
- Lady Davis Institute for Medical Research, Jewish General Hospital, Montreal, QC, Canada.,Department of Psychiatry, Jewish General Hospital, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Siobhan Bernadette Laura O'Connell
- Lady Davis Institute for Medical Research, Jewish General Hospital, Montreal, QC, Canada.,Department of Psychiatry, Jewish General Hospital, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Shrinkhala Dawadi
- Lady Davis Institute for Medical Research, Jewish General Hospital, Montreal, QC, Canada.,Department of Psychiatry, Jewish General Hospital, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Eden Noah Gelgoot
- Lady Davis Institute for Medical Research, Jewish General Hospital, Montreal, QC, Canada.,Department of Psychiatry, Jewish General Hospital, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Skye A Miner
- Lady Davis Institute for Medical Research, Jewish General Hospital, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Stephanie Robins
- Lady Davis Institute for Medical Research, Jewish General Hospital, Montreal, QC, Canada.,Department of Psychiatry, Jewish General Hospital, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Joy Schinazi
- Lady Davis Institute for Medical Research, Jewish General Hospital, Montreal, QC, Canada.,Department of Psychiatry, Jewish General Hospital, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Phyllis Zelkowitz
- Lady Davis Institute for Medical Research, Jewish General Hospital, Montreal, QC, Canada.,Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
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O'Connell SBL, Gelgoot EN, Grunberg PH, Schinazi J, Da Costa D, Dennis CL, Rosberger Z, Zelkowitz P. 'I felt less alone knowing I could contribute to the forum': psychological distress and use of an online infertility peer support forum. Health Psychol Behav Med 2021; 9:128-148. [PMID: 34104553 PMCID: PMC8158233 DOI: 10.1080/21642850.2021.1884556] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Feelings of loss, shame and stigmatization, reduced quality of life, isolation and loneliness are common among men and women with infertility. Fertility patients may seek peer mentoring and support, specifically through the use of online forums, to fulfil their needs for shared experience and guidance through the fertility treatment process. Objective To assess the use and benefits of an online fertility-related peer support forum through two research questions: (1) do socio-demographics, stress, and anxiety differ between posters on the forum, lurkers who read messages but did not post, and people who chose not to use it?; and (2) how did forum users describe their experiences? Design A sample of 220 male and female fertility patients aged 23–54 years old (M = 35.51, SD = 4.94) were recruited at fertility clinics in Montreal and Toronto, Canada, to test a mobile application called ‘Infotility’. They answered questionnaires before and after being given access to Infotility for eight weeks. The peer support forum was accessible through the Infotility dashboard. Main Outcome Measures Psychological distress was measured through the 4-item Perceived Stress Scale and the Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item Scale. Experiences using the forum were assessed through open-ended questions and in-depth interviews. Results Participants with heightened psychological distress were more likely to become posters rather than lurkers or non-users and reported less distress after using the forum. Forum users appreciated the opportunity to share their experiences with others in similar situations. Conclusion The forum reduced loneliness and allowed participants to learn new ways to manage stress. It was particularly beneficial for those with heightened psychological distress.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Eden Noah Gelgoot
- Sir Mortimer B. Davis Jewish General Hospital, Montreal, Canada.,Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, Montreal, Canada
| | - Paul Henry Grunberg
- Sir Mortimer B. Davis Jewish General Hospital, Montreal, Canada.,Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, Montreal, Canada
| | - Joy Schinazi
- Sir Mortimer B. Davis Jewish General Hospital, Montreal, Canada
| | - Deborah Da Costa
- Department of Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, Canada.,Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, Canada
| | - Cindy-Lee Dennis
- Lawrence S Bloomberg Faculty of Nursing, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada.,Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, St Michael's Hospital, Toronto, Canada
| | - Zeev Rosberger
- Lady Davis Institute for Medical Research, Montreal, Canada.,Departments of Oncology, Psychology and Psychiatry, McGill University, Montreal, Canada
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Thombs BD, Benedetti A, Kloda LA, Levis B, Riehm KE, Azar M, Cuijpers P, Gilbody S, Ioannidis JPA, McMillan D, Patten SB, Shrier I, Steele RJ, Ziegelstein RC, Tonelli M, Mitchell N, Comeau L, Schinazi J, Vigod S. Diagnostic accuracy of the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) for detecting major depression in pregnant and postnatal women: protocol for a systematic review and individual patient data meta-analyses. BMJ Open 2015; 5:e009742. [PMID: 26486977 PMCID: PMC4620163 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2015-009742] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2015] [Accepted: 09/24/2015] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Studies of the diagnostic accuracy of depression screening tools often used data-driven methods to select optimal cut-offs. Typically, these studies report results from a small range of cut-off points around whatever cut-off score is identified as most accurate. When published data are combined in meta-analyses, estimates of accuracy for different cut-off points may be based on data from different studies, rather than data from all studies for each cut-off point. Thus, traditional meta-analyses may exaggerate accuracy estimates. Individual patient data (IPD) meta-analyses synthesise data from all studies for each cut-off score to obtain accuracy estimates. The 10-item Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) is commonly recommended for depression screening in the perinatal period. The primary objective of this IPD meta-analysis is to determine the diagnostic accuracy of the EPDS to detect major depression among women during pregnancy and in the postpartum period across all potentially relevant cut-off scores, accounting for patient factors that may influence accuracy (age, pregnancy vs postpartum). METHODS AND ANALYSIS Data sources will include Medline, Medline In-Process & Other Non-Indexed Citations, PsycINFO, and Web of Science. Studies that include a diagnosis of major depression based on a validated structured or semistructured clinical interview administered within 2 weeks of (before or after) the administration of the EPDS will be included. Risk of bias will be assessed with the Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies-2 tool. Bivariate random-effects meta-analysis will be conducted for the full range of plausible cut-off values. Analyses will evaluate data from pregnancy and the postpartum period separately, as well as combining data from all women in a single model. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION This study does not require ethics approval. Dissemination will include journal articles and presentations to policymakers, healthcare providers and researchers. SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION PROSPERO 2015:CRD42015024785.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brett D Thombs
- Departments of Psychiatry, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Department of Epidemiology, Biostatistics, and Occupational Health, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Department of Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Department of Educational and Counselling Psychology, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Department of Psychology, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- School of Nursing, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Lady Davis Institute for Medical Research, Jewish General Hospital, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Andrea Benedetti
- Department of Epidemiology, Biostatistics, and Occupational Health, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Department of Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Respiratory Epidemiology and Clinical Research Unit, McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Lorie A Kloda
- Library, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Brooke Levis
- Department of Epidemiology, Biostatistics, and Occupational Health, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Lady Davis Institute for Medical Research, Jewish General Hospital, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Kira E Riehm
- Lady Davis Institute for Medical Research, Jewish General Hospital, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Marleine Azar
- Department of Epidemiology, Biostatistics, and Occupational Health, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Lady Davis Institute for Medical Research, Jewish General Hospital, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Pim Cuijpers
- Department of Clinical, Neuro, Developmental Psychology, VU-University, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Simon Gilbody
- Psychological Medicine and Health Services Research, Department of Health Sciences, Hull York Medical School University of York, York, UK
| | - John P A Ioannidis
- Department of Medicine, Department of Health Research and Policy, Department of Statistics, Stanford Prevention Research Center, Stanford School of Medicine, Stanford University School of Humanities and Sciences, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Dean McMillan
- Psychological Medicine and Health Services Research, Department of Health Sciences, Hull York Medical School University of York, York, UK
| | - Scott B Patten
- Departments of Psychiatry and Community Health Sciences, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Ian Shrier
- Department of Epidemiology, Biostatistics, and Occupational Health, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Lady Davis Institute for Medical Research, Jewish General Hospital, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Russell J Steele
- Lady Davis Institute for Medical Research, Jewish General Hospital, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Department of Mathematics and Statistics, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Roy C Ziegelstein
- Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Marcello Tonelli
- Department of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Nicholas Mitchell
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Liane Comeau
- Institut national de santé publique du Québec and Université de Montréal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | | | - Simone Vigod
- Department of Psychiatry, Women's College Hospital and Women's College Research Institute, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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Abstract
This study examined psychosocial risk factors for depressive symptomatology in a community sample of pregnant immigrant women in Montreal, Canada. One hundred and nineteen participants were recruited through hospitals and responded to questionnaires assessing depression, somatic symptoms, functional status, social support, stressful life events and marital adjustment. Forty-two percent of participants scored above the cut-off for depression. Depressive symptoms were associated with poorer functional status and more somatic symptoms. Depressed women reported a lack of social support, more stressful life events and poorer marital adjustment. Transitions associated with migration may place pregnant immigrant women at high risk for depression.
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