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- Prevalence, awareness, treatment and control of diabetes in Portugal: Results from the first National Health Examination Survey (INSEF 2015)Publication . Barreto, Marta; Kislaya, Irina; Gaio, Vânia; Rodrigues, Ana Paula; Santos, Ana João; Namorado, Sónia; Antunes, Liliana; Gil, Ana Paula; Boavida, José Manuel; Ribeiro, Rogério Tavares; Silva, Ana Clara; Vargas, Patrícia; Prokopenko, Tamara; Nunes, Baltazar; Matias Dias, Carlos; INSEF Research GroupAims: Diabetes Mellitus is a major public health threat worldwide and continues to increase in numbers and significance. Estimates of diabetes prevalence, awareness, treatment and control are essential to effectively monitor its trends, plan and evaluate interventions. Methods: We conducted a nationwide health examination survey in the population residing in Portugal aged between 25 and 74 years old in 2015. It consisted in a cross sectional prevalence study which included the measurement of HbA1c, a physical examination and a general health interview of a probabilistic sample of 4911 individuals (Authorization n°9348/2010 of the National Committee for Data Protection). Results: The overall prevalence of diabetes was 9.9% (95%CI: 8.4; 11.5). It was higher in males than in females (12.1% vs 7.8%). Diabetes was more prevalent among individuals of lower education and without any professional activity. The majority of persons with diabetes was aware of their condition (87.1%) and was taking antidiabetic medication (79.7%). Of these, 63.2% had glycated hemoglobin levels lower than 7.0% (53 mmol/mol), but the majority failed to comply with the LDL and blood pressure recommended clinical targets (71.9% and 59.0%). Similarly, the prevalence of prediabetes was 16%, higher among women than men (17.5% vs 14.4%). Conclusion: The prevalence of diabetes and prediabetes remains higher than the global and European estimates, although there is increasing awareness of this disorder.
- Exploring victimization patterns with latent class analysis: new Approaches to elder abusePublication . Santos, Ana João; Nunes, Baltazar; Kislaya, Irina; Gil, Ana Paula; Ribeiro, OscarObjectives: Recognized as an important public health issue, elder abuse has been associated with adverse health and social outcomes. However, findings are often complex and contradictory, which can be attributed to elder abuse being a multidimensional construct that encompasses a set of different abusive behaviours, victims, perpetrators and settings. The array of possible elder abuse configurations is difficult to capture. This study sought to identify victimization patterns that represent distinct elder abuse configurations based on specific abusive behaviours and on the relationship with the perpetrator; it also sought to determine the association between these latent classes with victims’ characteristics. Methods: Data comes from two elder abuse surveys: a representative sample of community-dwelling adults and a convenience sample of older adults reporting elder abuse to four state and NGOs institutions. Latent Class Analysis (LCA) was used to categorize victimization in the population-based (N=245) and in the victims’ sample (N=510) using 7 items measuring physical, psychological and financial abuse, and appointed perpetrators. Chi-square tests were used to compare victims’ characteristics between the different obtained classes. Results: The LCA procedure identified six different latent classes of victimization experiences in each of the samples, which were statistically and plausibly distinct. In the population-based survey: verbal abuse by others (29%); psychological abuse from children/grandchildren (18%); overlooked by others (18%); stolen by others (15%); verbal IPV (14%) and physical and psychological IPV (6%). In the victims’ survey: physical abuse by children/grandchildren (29%); physical IPV (26%); psychological abuse by children/grandchildren (18%); polyvictimization by others (16%); physical abuse by others (6%) and physical and psychological IPV (4%). In the victims survey the six groups significantly differ in age, gender, civil status, cohabitation, perceived social support and functional status. Conclusion: The results support the possibility of the multidimensionality of elder abuse not being accounted by the “classical” abuse typologies. Elder abuse victims seeking help may represent a distinct group from that included in population-based prevalence studies. The appointed perpetrators may be the most meaningful and relevant aspect in distinguishing victimization experiences. Further research is needed to develop tailored interventions to specific elder abuse cases and enhance successful outcomes.
- Local problem solving in the Portuguese health examination survey: a mixed method studyPublication . Lyshol, Heidi; Gil, Ana Paula; Tolonen, Hanna; Namorado, Sónia; Kislaya, Irina; Barreto, Marta; Antunes, Liliana; Gaio, Vânia; Santos, Ana João; Rodrigues, Ana Paula; Matias Dias, CarlosBackground: Participation rates in health surveys, recognized as an important quality dimension, have been declining over the years, which may affect representativeness and confidence in results. The Portuguese national health examination survey INSEF (2015) achieved a participation rate of 43.9%, which is in line with participation rates from other similar health examination surveys. The objective of this article is to describe how local teams of survey personnel conducted the survey, describing strategies used to solve practical survey problems and to try to increase the participation rate. Methods: After a literature search, informal interviews were conducted with 14 public health officials from local health examination teams, regional and central authorities. Forty-one of the local staff members (survey personnel) also filled in a short questionnaire anonymously. The interviews and self-administered questionnaires were analysed using mixed methods, informed by thematic analysis. Results: The local teams believed that the detailed manual, described as a “cookbook for making a health examination survey”, made it possible to maintain high scientific standards while allowing for improvising solutions to problems in the local context. The quality of the manual, supported by a series of training workshops with the central research and support team, gave the teams the confidence and knowledge to implement local solutions. Motivation and cohesion within the local teams were among the goals of the training process. Local teams felt empowered by being given large responsibilities and worked hard to incite people to attend the examination through a close and persuasive approach. Local teams praised their INSA contacts for being available for assistance throughout the survey, and said they were inspired to try harder to reach participants to please their contacts for interpersonal reasons. Conclusions: The theory of organizational improvisation or bricolage, which means using limited resources to solve problems, was useful to discuss and understand what took place during INSEF. A detailed manual covering standard procedures, continuous monitoring of the data collection and face-to-face workshops, including role-play, were vital to assure high scientific standards and high participation rates in this health examination survey. Close contacts between the central team and local focal points in all regions and all survey sites were key to accommodating unexpected challenges and innovative solutions.
- Older adults’ emotional reactions to elder abuse: Individual and victimisation determinantsPublication . Santos, Ana João; Nunes, Baltazar; Kislaya, Irina; Gil, Ana Paula; Ribeiro, OscarElder abuse has been gaining public, state, and scientific attention for the past 40 years, but research focusing on emotional reactions of older adults to victimisation is still scarce. The study describes the emotions and feelings of older adults who experienced abuse in a community setting, and the association between these emotions and individual or abuse characteristics. The cross‐sectional study comprises 510 older adults who were identified and referred by four institutions. Participants answered a questionnaire on elder abuse experiences, including the emotion or feeling brought out by the act of abuse that was perceived to be the most serious. Fear and sadness comprised 67.1% of all provided responses. Emotional reactions were associated with functional status, the presence of depressive symptoms, relationship with the perpetrator and, to a limited degree, to the experience of multiple types of abuse. The most significant and meaningful variable was the relationship with the perpetrator. This study demonstrates that older adults present very similar patterns of emotional reactions, but individual characteristics and the established relationship with the perpetrator might mediate the emotional response. Implications for prevention and intervention of elder abuse are discussed.