DE-PASS Best Evidence Statement (BESt): modifiable determinants of physical activity and sedentary behaviour in children and adolescents aged 5-19 years-a protocol for systematic review and meta-analysis

INTRODUCTION

Physical activity among children and adolescents remains insufficient, despite the substantial efforts made by researchers and policymakers. Identifying and furthering our understanding of potential modifiable determinants of physical activity behaviour (PAB) and sedentary behaviour (SB) is crucial for the development of interventions that promote a shift from SB to PAB. The current protocol details the process through which a series of systematic literature reviews and meta-analyses (MAs) will be conducted to produce a best-evidence statement (BESt) and inform policymakers. The overall aim is to identify modifiable determinants that are associated with changes in PAB and SB in children and adolescents (aged 5-19 years) and to quantify their effect on, or association with, PAB/SB.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS

A search will be performed in MEDLINE, SportDiscus, Web of Science, PsychINFO and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials. Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) and controlled trials (CTs) that investigate the effect of interventions on PAB/SB and longitudinal studies that investigate the associations between modifiable determinants and PAB/SB at multiple time points will be sought. Risk of bias assessments will be performed using adapted versions of Cochrane's RoB V.2.0 and ROBINS-I tools for RCTs and CTs, respectively, and an adapted version of the National Institute of Health's tool for longitudinal studies. Data will be synthesised narratively and, where possible, MAs will be performed using frequentist and Bayesian statistics. Modifiable determinants will be discussed considering the settings in which they were investigated and the PAB/SB measurement methods used.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

No ethical approval is needed as no primary data will be collected. The findings will be disseminated in peer-reviewed publications and academic conferences where possible. The BESt will also be shared with policy makers within the DE-PASS consortium in the first instance.

SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION

CRD42021282874.

P01-01 Assessment of local governments’ involvement in sport and physical activity policy promotion – LoGoPAS project

Background

The involvement of local governments in physical activity (PA) promotion represents a key factor to drive change at grassroots level, based on identified specific needs and solutions, tailored to each local context (needs, resources, etc.). The aim of LoGoPAS, Erasmus + Sport co-financed project (2020-2021), is to assess, promote and support local governments' involvement in PA (policy) promotion.

Methods

A mixed methods approach has been put in place (including thematic document analysis of grey literature, semi-structured stakeholder interviews, group consensus methodologies) to explore and analyze the current legally binding and voluntary activities of local goverments in PA (policy) promotion. The study is being conducted at local level in Finland, France, Germany, Japan and Romania. Already validated instruments to evaluate local PA policy, such as L-PAT (Local Policy Audit Tool), Capla SANTE or TEAviisari will be used to harmonize data collected from each partner country, at local level.

Results

Locally collected data from partner countries reveal significant differences in the organization and delivery of PA related policies with more regulations and structures in the western countries (e.g. Germany or Finland) and more opportunistic and mixed approach (related to the purpose of the PA related projects) in Romania. Also, the currently available instruments for evaluation of local PA policies (those used for data harmonization in our project - see methods section) can benefit from additions in order to capture the complexities of the engagement of local governments in PA promotion.

Conclusion

Although the roles of local governments in PA promotion has been widely acknowledged (e.g. by WHO or the European Comission), there are currently few hands-on instruments for policy-makers and other actors at local level to advance PA promotion agenda and activities. Approaches tailored to local contexts may help engage local governments, while international networking may foster the exchange of experiences and help optimize interventions.

P07-05 Romanian GPs knowledge, attitudes and behavior related to physical activity on prescription

Background

Physical activity on prescription (PAP) - like schemes, have been documented to encourage sustained increases in the levels of physical activity of populations. Although proven effective, these PA promotion schemes have only been implemented high-income countries (eg. Northern/Western Europe). The aim of this study was to explore the opportunity to test PAP (related) schemes in Romania, a developing country.

Methods

In the timeframe May-June 2018 we conducted a transversal study, using an online questionnaire adressed at general practitioners (GPs) in the county of Cluj. The instrument had 4 sections: 1. attitudes/opinions regarding role of GP in PA promotion; 2. GPs (current) behavior related to PA promotion in their practice; 3. Knowledge regarding the recommended PA levels for children, youth and adults; and 4. Socio-professional information.

Results

A number of 84 GPs (out of 350) have completed the questionnaire, for a response rate of aproximatelly 25%, the sample being representative of the population - considering gender distribution and workplace location, urban/rural. The majority of the GPs (78%) stated that their role in PA promotion is limited to broadly disscussing this topic with their patients. The more consultations they have (less time available), the more they are prone to promote PA in their practice (contrary to current literature). Only 1 in 5 GPs have reported the correct number of minutes of PA for both adults and children & youth. The lower measured knowledge, the higher were the self-assessed levels of knowledge regarding PA benefits they report.

Conclusion

Romanian GPs knowledge, attitudes and behavior related to PA prescription/recommendation are strongly influenced by lack of proper information, incentives and/or enforcement. Before attempting to introduce PAP in Romania, more education, awareness and financial/structural resources should be allocated to improve acceptability and feasibility of such PA promotion scheme.

Stakeholder analysis in a policy game process in Tunisia

This paper discusses the policy game methodology and design that will be used in a simulation that aims to assess and understand the public health policy making in Tunisia. The policy game aims to analyzes the interactions, alliances and networks formed by the institutions and stakeholders during a policy game intervention that will be organized in Tunis, in which policy makers, civil servants, researchers and practitioners will simulate the use of evidence in real life policy making. The simulation has been realized within the Erasmus+ CONFIDE project focused on enhancing transnational partnerships and building capacity to inform evidence-based policies in Tunisia. This capacity building project and policy game is built on the collaboration of four Tunisian universities, from Tunis, Sfax, Sousse and Monastir, and three universities from the European Union, from Romania, Denmark and Slovakia. The policy game will focus on the drafting and implementation of a national strategy for fighting the increase of drug consumption among the Tunisian youth, a phenomenon which is rather new in Tunisia and spreading rapidly. The policy game will be followed by an analysis aiming to explore the impact of the intervention in enhancing cross-sector collaboration and the use of local stakeholder network regarding drug policy making. The preliminary results showed that the stakeholders approached this problem in a collaborative way and were willing to up-take evidence-based measures in the creation of a national strategy to fight drug consumption. This exercise has also shown that the policy game can be an effective tool in enhancing the use of scientific arguments in policy making and encourage stakeholders to approach policy making in a cross-sector way.

Key messages

Policy game can be an effective tool in enhancing the use of scientific arguments in policy making and encourage stakeholders to approach policy making in an interdisciplinary way. Stakeholders approached this problem in a collaborative way and were willing to up-take evidence-based measures in the creation of a national strategy to fight drug consumption.

Good practice criteria for childhood obesity prevention in kindergartens and schools-elaboration, content and use

Background

In accordance with the policy actions that address childhood overweight and obesity at European level and as a contribution to the EU Action Plan on Childhood Obesity 2014-20, a Joint Action on Nutrition and Physical Activity (JANPA) was established. As part of JANPA work package 6, an evaluation framework to identify good practices, targeting childhood obesity prevention in kindergartens and schools, was developed. This article describes the WP 6 JANPA framework of good practice criteria and its development, compares it to other frameworks and discusses its potential for future use.

Methods

Based on the analysis of scientific literature, a set of 47 potential good practice criteria was drafted, that was then revised and complemented through a series of online Delphi consultations.

Results

A final list of 48 good practice criteria (9 of which were rated as core criteria) was developed and grouped into three categories: intervention characteristics (n = 17), implementation (n = 17) and monitoring and evaluation (n = 14).

Conclusion

The identified JANPA framework of good practice criteria complements the existing frameworks by focussing on kindergarten- and school-based initiatives and provides guidance for evaluators, programme planners and decision makers bearing in mind that a one-size-fits-all approach is inadequate. To ensure the effectiveness of future practices, programme planners should endeavour to meet at least the nine JANPA core criteria.

Development of measurable indicators to enhance public health evidence-informed policy-making

BACKGROUND

Ensuring health policies are informed by evidence still remains a challenge despite efforts devoted to this aim. Several tools and approaches aimed at fostering evidence-informed policy-making (EIPM) have been developed, yet there is a lack of availability of indicators specifically devoted to assess and support EIPM. The present study aims to overcome this by building a set of measurable indicators for EIPM intended to infer if and to what extent health-related policies are, or are expected to be, evidence-informed for the purposes of policy planning as well as formative and summative evaluations.

METHODS

The indicators for EIPM were developed and validated at international level by means of a two-round internet-based Delphi study conducted within the European project 'REsearch into POlicy to enhance Physical Activity' (REPOPA). A total of 82 researchers and policy-makers from the six European countries (Denmark, Finland, Italy, the Netherlands, Romania, the United Kingdom) involved in the project and international organisations were asked to evaluate the relevance and feasibility of an initial set of 23 indicators developed by REPOPA researchers on the basis of literature and knowledge gathered from the previous phases of the project, and to propose new indicators.

RESULTS

The first Delphi round led to the validation of 14 initial indicators and to the development of 8 additional indicators based on panellists' suggestions; the second round led to the validation of a further 11 indicators, including 6 proposed by panellists, and to the rejection of 6 indicators. A total of 25 indicators were validated, covering EIPM issues related to human resources, documentation, participation and monitoring, and stressing different levels of knowledge exchange and involvement of researchers and other stakeholders in policy development and evaluation.

CONCLUSION

The study overcame the lack of availability of indicators to assess if and to what extent policies are realised in an evidence-informed manner thanks to the active contribution of researchers and policy-makers. These indicators are intended to become a shared resource usable by policy-makers, researchers and other stakeholders, with a crucial impact on fostering the development of policies informed by evidence.

Learning from games: stakeholders' experiences involved in local health policy

Since public health problems are complex and the related policies need to address a wide range of sectors, cross-sectoral collaboration is beneficial. One intervention focusing on stimulating collaboration is a 'policy game'. The focus on specific problems facilitates relationships between the stakeholders and stimulates cross-sectoral policymaking. The present study explores stakeholders' learning experiences with respect to the collaboration process in public health policymaking. This was achieved via their game participation, carried out in real-life stakeholder networks in the Netherlands, Denmark and Romania. The policy game (In2Action) was developed and implemented as a 1-day role-play. The data consisted of: (i) observations and evaluation notes during the game and (ii) participant questionnaire after the game. All three countries showed similar results in learning experience during the collaboration processes in local policymaking. Specific learning experiences were related to: (i) the stakeholder network, (ii) interaction and (iii) relationships. The game also increased participant's understanding of group dynamics and need for a coordinator in policymaking. This exploratory study shows that the game provides participants with learning experiences during the collaboration process in policymaking. Experiencing what is needed to establish cross-sectoral collaboration is a first step towards enhancing knowledge exchange and more effective public health policies.

Determinants of evidence use in public health policy making: Results from a study across six EU countries

The knowledge-practice gap in public health is widely known. The importance of using different types of evidence for the development of effective health promotion has also been emphasized. Nevertheless, in practice, intervention decisions are often based on perceived short-term opportunities, lacking the most effective approaches, thus limiting the impact of health promotion strategies. This article focuses on facilitators and barriers in the use of evidence in developing health enhancing physical activity policies. Data was collected in 2012 by interviewing 86 key stakeholders from six EU countries (FI, DK, UK, NL, IT, RO) using a common topic guide. Content analysis and concept mapping was used to construct a map of facilitators and barriers. Barriers and facilitators experienced by most stakeholders and policy context in each country are analysed. A lack of locally useful and concrete evidence, evidence on costs, and a lack of joint understanding were specific hindrances. Also users' characteristics and the role media play were identified as factors of influence. Attention for individual and social factors within the policy context might provide the key to enhance more sustainable evidence use. Developing and evaluating tailored approaches impacting on networking, personal relationships, collaboration and evidence coproduction is recommended.

Unravelling networks in local public health policymaking in three European countries - a systems analysis

BACKGROUND

Facilitating and enhancing interaction between stakeholders involved in the policymaking process to stimulate collaboration and use of evidence, is important to foster the development of effective Health Enhancing Physical Activity (HEPA) policies. Performing an analysis of real-world policymaking processes will help reveal the complexity of a network of stakeholders. Therefore, the main objectives were to unravel the stakeholder network in the policy process by conducting three systems analyses, and to increase insight into the similarities and differences in the policy processes of these European country cases.

METHODS

A systems analysis of the local HEPA policymaking process was performed in three European countries involved in the 'REsearch into POlicy to enhance Physical Activity' (REPOPA) project, resulting in three schematic models showing the main stakeholders and their relationships. The models were used to compare the systems, focusing on implications with respect to collaboration and use of evidence in local HEPA policymaking. Policy documents and relevant webpages were examined and main stakeholders were interviewed.

RESULTS

The systems analysis in each country identified the main stakeholders involved and their position and relations in the policymaking process. The Netherlands and Denmark were the most similar and both differed most from Romania, especially at the level of accountability of the local public authorities for local HEPA policymaking. The categories of driving forces underlying the relations between stakeholders were formal relations, informal interaction and knowledge exchange.

CONCLUSIONS

A systems analysis providing detailed descriptions of positions and relations in the stakeholder network in local level HEPA policymaking is rather unique in this area. The analyses are useful when a need arises for increased interaction, collaboration and use of knowledge between stakeholders in the local HEPA network, as they provide an overview of the stakeholders involved and their mutual relations. This information can be an important starting point to enhance the uptake of evidence and build more effective public health policies.

An evaluation of equity and equality in physical activity policies in four European countries

Background

There is strong research evidence on the importance of health equity and equality for wellbeing in societies. As chronic non-communicable diseases are widespread, the positive impact of physical activity (PA) on health has gained importance. However, PA at the population level is far from optimal. PA depends not only on individual factors, but also on policies for PA in sport, health, transport, education and other sectors, on social and cultural factors, and on the environment. Addressing health inequalities and inequities in PA promotion policies could benefit from policy development processes based on partnership and collaboration between various sectors, researchers, practitioners and policy makers (= cross-sectoral, evidence-informed policy making). The objective of this article is to describe how equity and equality was addressed in PA policies in four EU member states (Denmark, Finland, Romania and England), who were partners in the REPOPA project (www.repopa.eu, EC/FP7/Health Research/GA 281532).

Methods

Content analysis of 14 PA policies and 61 interviews were undertaken between 2012 and 2013 with stakeholders involved in developing PA policies in partner countries.

Results

Even though specific population subgroups were mentioned in the policy documents analysed, they were not necessarily defined as vulnerable populations nor was there a mention of additional emphasis to support such groups from being marginalised by the policy due to inequity or inequality. There were no clear objectives and activities in the analysed policies suggesting commitment of additional resources in favour of such groups. Addressing equity and equality were often not included in the core aims of the policies analysed; these aspects were mentioned in the background of the policy documents analysed, without being explicitly stated in the aims or activities of the policies. In order to tackle health inequities and inequalities and their consequences on the health status of different population subgroups, a more instrumental approach to health equality and equity in PA promotion policies is needed. Policies should include aims to address health inequalities and inequities as fundamental objectives and also consider opportunities to allocate resources to reduce them for identified groups in this regard: the socially excluded, the remote, and the poor.

Conclusions

The inclusion of aspects related to health inequalities and inequities in PA policies needs monitoring, evaluation and transparent accountability if we are to see the best gains in health of socially disadvantaged group. To tackle health inequities and inequalities governance structures need to take into consideration proportionate universalism. Thus, to achieve change in the social determinants of health, policy makers should pay attention to PA and proportionally invest for universal access to PA services. PA promotion advocates should develop a deeper awareness of political and policy structures and require more equity and equality in PA policies from those who they seek to influence, within specific settings for policy making and developing the policy agenda.

Defining informal payments in healthcare: a systematic review

OBJECTIVES

To explore the literature for the definitions of informal payments in healthcare and critically analyze the proposed definitions. This will serve in the process of getting to a coherent definition of informal payments, which will further support acknowledging and addressing them globally.

METHODS

A search strategy was developed to identify papers addressing informal payments on PubMed, ScienceDirect, Econlit, EconPapers and Google Scholar.

RESULTS

2225 papers were identified after a first search. 61 papers were included in the systematic review. Out of all definitions provided, we selected three definitions as being original. All other definitions either cite these definitions or do not provide new insight into the topic of informal payments. Although informal payments have been nominated by various terms over the years, there is a tendency in recent years towards an agreement to use this singular term. Definitions differ in terms of the relation of informal payments with other informal activities, their legality and the motivation behind them.

CONCLUSIONS

The variety of forms which informal payments may take makes it difficult to define them in a comprehensive manner. However, we identified a definition that could serve as a beginning in this process. More effort is needed to build on it and get to a commonly accepted and shared definition of informal payments.

[Premature elevated intraocular pressure after cataract surgery]

We evaluated the frequency of elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) the first 1-3 postoperative days for a group of patients undergoing standard or phacoemulsification extracapsular cataract extraction (ECCE). IOP was measured in the pre and postoperative period using non-contact tonometer. From the 356 operated patients, 21 patients (6%) had early elevated IOP. The frequency of elevated IOP was greater among the patients that received anterior chamber (AC) IOL (25%) as compared to that of patients that received posterior chamber (PC) IOL (5.5%). The viscoelastic substance was responsible for a great percentage of cases (51%). The results show that the majority of elevated IOP is transient, recovered spontaneously or by treatment with carbonic anhydrase inhibitors or beta-adrenergic blockers. Elevated postoperative IOP occurs more frequently in the presence of glaucoma, cataract associated with systemic diseases, in complicated and traumatic cataract.

[Post-traumatic glaucoma]

This paper presents theoretical aspects concerning the physiopathological mechanisms involved in producing the glaucoma following trauma, especially the lens related glaucoma, correct identification of the ethiopathogeny of the intraocular pressure elevation in this situation is essential for the appropriate management. These aspects are illustrated by two cases of recent glaucoma following trauma lens related (lens subluxation) treated by medication and surgery. The surgical procedure consisted of intracapsular extraction of the lens, anterior vitrectomy, iridectomy and implantation of sulcus sutured posterior chamber lens. We present the technique, the difficulties met intra- and postoperative, evolution and prognosis.

[The role of basic fibroblast growth factor on expression of mineralization of periodontal ligament cell population and clones]

OBJECTIVE

To determine the effect of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) on mineraliztion of PDL cell clone.

METHODS

The PDL tissue that derived from three human donors was cultured and cells were cloned. The mineralizing ability were detected with or without bFGF treatment in the presence of dexamethasone. Cloned progenitor populations were assayed for their constitutive capacity to bind CAP and express ALP.

RESULTS

The results show that bFGF increases clone mineralization (11%), but not in PDL cell population. The cell clones that mineralized only in the presence of bFGF have higher CAP binding ability and lower ALP expression compared with other mineralized clone cells.

CONCLUSION

bFGF enhances mineralizing expression of PDL clone. The clones that mineralized only with bFGF treatment are different cell types from the bFGF-undependent mineralized clones.

Two novel endogenous digoxin-like immunoreactive substances isolated from human plasma ultrafiltrate

Two digoxin-like immunoreactive substances (DLIS 1 and DLIS-2) were isolated from human plasma by ultrafiltration, alkaline solvent extraction, and HPLC. Both inhibit canine Na, K-ATPase and cross-react with anti-digoxin antibodies. Their UV spectra are similar, with absorption peaks at 190 and 220 nm. FAB mass spectral analysis of both compounds yield a single dominant (M+H)+ component at m/z 532 otherwise, the fragmentation patterns are slightly different. The spectral data are consistent with the postulate that these compounds are related. Their identity as the natriuretic hormone is being investigated.