The United States Preventive Services Task Force recommended routine anxiety screening for children and adolescents in 2022. This study describes the feasibility of routine anxiety screening in a primary care practice. It further examines the effects of routine anxiety screening on anxiety diagnoses and provider behavior in a setting in which anxiety screening was implemented five years in advance of the national guidelines. During the first year of implementation, approximately 80% of patients were screened, and 17% of screens were positive. A retrospective chart review of patients with positive screens found that the majority of positive screens led to a new diagnosis of anxiety and that half of newly diagnosed patients were prescribed an intervention. Screening was associated with an increase in diagnoses of anxiety disorders in the studied population from 9.6% to 13.3% (p<0.0001). Following the initial implementation, screening rates continued to rise, with an eventual plateau of >90%. Anxiety screening in the pediatric primary care setting is feasible and sustainable and led to increased provider recognition of anxiety and meaningful clinical action.

OBJECTIVE: Contraceptive method type matters to sexually transmitted infection (STI) prevention, but contraceptive counseling often emphasizes method efficacy and the benefits of \"forgettable\" methods, including long-acting reversible contraceptives (LARCs). We aimed to explore associations between prescription method type and annual STI testing and investigated whether these associations relate to annual well-woman visits.
METHODS: We constructed a panel of 20,949 young women (<25) enrolled in Delaware\'s Medicaid program from 2012 through 2019. Conditional logit regressions measured associations between contraceptive method type and annual testing for gonorrhea, chlamydia, or syphilis. We stratified contraceptive methods into LARC, short-acting reversible methods (SARC; pills, patch, ring, and injectable), or no prescription method. We estimated three models examining STI testing in year of method initiation, in years afterwards, and attendance to a well-woman visit as a potential mediator of these associations.
RESULTS: STI testing rates did not differ between LARC versus SARC users in the year of method initiation. In the two years after method initiation, LARC versus SARC users were less likely to be tested (OR = 0.73 to OR = 0.87) and less likely to have a well-woman visit (OR = 0.65 to OR = 0.79). In models controlling for attendance to well-woman visits, the decreased likelihood of STI testing in years after initiating LARC versus SARC is largely eliminated, indicating that well-woman visits mediate the relationship between method type and STI testing.
CONCLUSIONS: LARC use relates to reduced STI testing in years after method initiation due to reduced attendance to well-women visits. These findings can inform clinical practice and STI prevention.

UNASSIGNED: To compare the characteristic competencies of public health nurses working for the older adult\'s health and welfare in public administration (\"PA\") with those at community general support centers (\"CGSC\") in Japan.
UNASSIGNED: We conducted a questionnaire survey by mail for PA and CGSC public health nurses. A competency list that was developed to compare three groups (PA, CGSC experts with ≥5 years of experience, and CGSC newcomers with ≤2 years of experience) was used. The following characteristics were examined: (1) competencies acquired early after arriving at the CGSC, (2) competencies acquired through a certain amount of CGSC experience, (3) common competencies, (4) competencies that even experts lacked, and (5) competencies that the newcomers lacked.
UNASSIGNED: We examined the responses of 171 PA nurses, 185 CGSC expert public health nurses, and 165 CGSC newcomer public health nurses. The results of comparison of the three groups showed that (1) had no applicable items; (2) had nine items for individual support associated with preventive care management; (3) had 14 items including teamwork among three professionals (social workers, senior care manager, public health nurse)/other professionals and self-improvement; (4) had three items for community development, (5) had two items for individual support and 16 items for community development.
UNASSIGNED: Initiatives for preventive care and coordination of care teams should be supported and suggested as characteristic competencies for CGSC public health nurses.

UNASSIGNED: We sought to examine the influence of social needs on the relationship between cancer history and colorectal cancer (CRC) screening utilization among adults in the United States.
UNASSIGNED: We conducted a cross-sectional analysis using data from the 2022 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System. Our outcome of interest was utilization of guideline-concordant CRC screening and exposures of interest were cancer history/levels of social needs. Multivariable logistic regression was performed to examine the association.
UNASSIGNED: Among 74,743 eligible adults, a majority did not have a personal history of cancer (87.9 %), had at least one social need (58.4 %), and had undergone CRC screening (72.2 %). In multivariable analysis, a history of cancer was positively associated with use of CRC screening (OR = 1.59, 95 %CI, 1.35 - 1.87). Having at least one social need was associated with lower likelihood of being screened (one social need: OR = 0.85 95 %CI, 0.76 - 0.95; two + social needs: OR = 0.77, 95 % CI, 0.69 - 0.87). When exploring the effects of social needs, adults without a history of cancer who reported at least one need were 12-20 % less likely to be screened for CRC.
UNASSIGNED: A personal history of cancer was associated with greater utilization of CRC screening, whilst having at least one social need had lower screening use. Having social needs plays an important role in reducing screening uptake among adults without a history of cancer. Integrated care that considers both cancer history and social needs may have implications for improved adherence of CRC screening recommendations.

UNASSIGNED: To analyze the demographic and socioeconomic determinants of non-participation in cervical, colorectal and breast cancer screening programs in Denmark.
UNASSIGNED: We conducted a cross-sectional study involving all women aged 53-65 years residing in Denmark on March 31, 2018, utilizing comprehensive individual data from population registries. Logistic regression models were employed to assess associations between demographic and socioeconomic factors and non-participation compared with participating in one, two, and three cancer screening programs, presenting odds ratios (ORs) with 95 % confidence intervals (CIs). Both unadjusted and adjusted models were applied for each level of screening participation.
UNASSIGNED: Significant associations with non-participation in the three cancer screening programs were observed across all demographic and socioeconomic covariates considered. Women with low incomes demonstrated the highest likelihood of non-participation (none vs. three programs attended, OR: 2.95, 95 % CI: 2.82-3.08). Similarly, increased odds of non-participation were noted among immigrants (Western immigrants: OR: 2.08, 95 % CI: 1.96-2.21; non-Western immigrants OR 1.26 95 % CI: 1.20-1.32), women living alone (OR: 2.08, 95 % CI: 2.02-2.14), women outside the labor force (OR: 1.92, 95 % CI: 1.86-1.99), and women with lower educational levels (OR: 1.44, 95 % CI: 1.39-1.50) in the model comparing non-participation to participating in three screening programs. A progressive intensification of the association with non-participation was noted with each incremental increase in screening participation (from one to two to three programs).
UNASSIGNED: Demographic and socioeconomic variables are significantly associated with non-participation in all three Danish cancer screening programs, particularly affecting women from vulnerable demographic and socioeconomic backgrounds. Future research should prioritize strategies to enhance participation within this subgroup, aiming to alleviate social inequities in cancer screening.

BACKGROUND: Patients in neurology intensive care units (ICU) are prone to pressure injuries (PU) due to factors such as severe illness, long-term bed rest, and physiological dysfunction. PU not only causes pain and complications to patients, but also increases medical burden, prolongs hospitalization time, and affects the recovery process.
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate and optimize the effectiveness of pressure injury prevention nursing measures in neurology ICU patients.
METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted, and 60 patients who were admitted to the ICU of the Department of Neurology were selected and divided into an observation group and a control group according to the order of admission, with 30 people in each group. The observation group implemented pressure injury prevention and nursing measures, while the control group adopted routine care.
RESULTS: Comparison between observation and control groups following pressure injury prevention nursing intervention revealed significantly lower incidence rates in the observation group compared to the control group at 48 h (8.3% vs 26.7%), 7 d (16.7% vs 43.3%), and 14 d (20.0% vs 50.0%). This suggests a substantial reduction in pressure injury incidence in the observation group, with the gap widening over time. Additionally, patients in the observation group exhibited quicker recovery, with a shorter average time to get out of bed (48 h vs 72 h) and a shorter average length of stay (12 d vs 15 d) compared to the control group. Furthermore, post-intervention, patients in the observation group reported significantly improved quality of life scores, including higher scores in body satisfaction, feeling and function, and comfort (both psychological and physiological), indicating enhanced overall well-being and comfort following the implementation of pressure injury prevention nursing measures.
CONCLUSIONS: Implementing pressure injury preventive care measures for neurology ICU patients will have better results.

OBJECTIVE: The aims of this study were to examine vaccine hesitancy for COVID-19 vaccinations, comparing immigrant and non-immigrant older adults (aged ≥60 years), after accounting for group-level and individual-level characteristics, and the interaction between immigrant and socio-economic status.
METHODS: This study used a retrospective cohort design.
METHODS: Analyses were conducted using R version 4.3.2. Logistic regression models had the dependent variables of obtained any COVID-19 vaccinations vs not and obtained all four required COVID-19 vaccinations vs not. The linear regression model\'s dependent variable was the interval in days between the COVID-19 vaccination availability and the date of obtaining the first COVID-19 vaccination.
RESULTS: In the cohort of older adults (n = 35,109), immigrants were less likely than non-immigrants to obtain a single COVID-19 vaccination (P < 0.001) or the full series of required COVID-19 vaccinations (P < 0.001); however, immigrants vs non-immigrants delayed only in obtaining the first vaccination (P < 0.001) but not the remaining required COVID-19 vaccinations. In the linear regression model, a longer interval before obtaining the first COVID-19 vaccination was associated with immigrant status (P < 0.001), lower socio-economic status (SES; P < 0.001), and the interaction between immigrant status and low SES (P < 0.001), while a shorter interval was associated with preventive behaviours of obtaining seasonal influenza (P < 0.001) or pneumococcal (P < 0.001) vaccinations previously.
CONCLUSIONS: Immigrant status in general, and especially when combined with low SES, is a major risk factor for vaccination hesitancy. Reorienting immigrants to embrace preventive healthcare behaviours is key. Culturally appropriate communication campaigns may improve the dissemination of effective vaccination-related information to immigrant communities.

BACKGROUND: Voivodeship Occupational Medicine Centres (VOMC), being higher-level units towards basic units providing preventive care for employees in Poland, play a consultative, appeal, supervisory and registration role towards them. Additionally, they perform many other tasks specified in the Occupational Medicine Service Act, including conducting diagnostic and jurisprudential activities related to occupational diseases and postgraduate education in occupational medicine.
METHODS: The analysis covers data from 2017-2022 on VOMCs activities, derived from mandatory MZ-35 reporting.
RESULTS: Over 6 years, the number of employed physicians at VOMCs decreased from 830 in 2017 to 820 in 2022, with >20% of employment contracts transitioning to other forms of cooperation. The number of employed nurses decreased from 375 to 342, and the number of psychologists from 86 to 82. During the 3 years of the pandemic (2020-2022), compared to 2017-2019, the consultative activity of VOMCs for basic units of occupational health service decreased by nearly 30%, while appeal and supervisory activities decreased by 15.2% and 15.8%, respectively. The number of individuals receiving outpatient medical rehabilitation for occupational pathology decreased by >32%, and the number of services provided for established occupational pathology decreased by >14%. The number of certifications for occupational diseases decreased from 3963 in 2019 to 3518 in the first year of the pandemic, then increased to 4145 in 2021 and 3990 in 2022.
CONCLUSIONS: The COVID-19 pandemic had a significant impact on the functioning of VOMCs. Changes in specific areas of their judicial, consultative, appeal, supervisory, training and rehabilitation activities corresponded with the socio-legal changes observed between 2020-2022. The structure of employment at VOMCs and the scope of their tasks remained stable during the pandemic. The observed changes in employment of medical staff were in line with general trends in healthcare institutions and regional conditions. Med Pr Work Health Saf. 2024;75(4).
UNASSIGNED: Wojewódzkie ośrodki medycyny pracy (WOMP) to jednostki wyższego szczebla nad jednostkami podstawowymi realizującymi opiekę profilaktyczną nad pracującymi w Polsce. Pełnią wobec nich rolę konsultacyjną, odwoławczą, nadzorczą i rejestrową. Ponadto realizują szereg innych zadań ujętych w ustawie o służbie medycyny pracy (SMP), w tym prowadzą działalność diagnostyczną i orzeczniczą w zakresie chorób zawodowych oraz podyplomowe kształcenie z zakresu medycyny pracy.
UNASSIGNED: Analizą objęto dane o działalności WOMP-ów z lat 2017–2022 pochodzące z obligatoryjnej sprawozdawczości dokonywanej na formularzach MZ-35.
UNASSIGNED: Ogółem w WOMP-ach w badanych 6 latach liczba zatrudnionych lekarzy zmniejszyła się z 830 w 2017 r. do 820 w 2022 r., przy czym liczba umów o pracę wśród nich zmniejszyła się o ponad 20% na rzecz innych form współpracy. Liczba zatrudnionych pielęgniarek zmniejszyła się w tym samym czasie z 375 do 342, a psychologów z 86 do 82. W okresie 3 lat pandemii (2020–2022), w porównaniu z latami 2017–2019, działalność konsultacyjna WOMP-ów dla jednostek podstawowych SMP uległa obniżeniu niemal o 30%, działalność odwoławcza o 15,2%, a nadzorcza o 15,8%. Liczba osób objętych ambulatoryjną rehabilitacją leczniczą w związku z patologią zawodową zmniejszyła się o ponad 32%, a liczba świadczeń realizowanych w związku ze stwierdzoną patologią zawodową o ponad 14%. Liczba orzeczeń w sprawie chorób zawodowych w pierwszym roku pandemii obniżyła się z 3963 w 2019 r. do 3518, by następnie wzrosnąć do 4145 w 2021 r. i 3990 w 2022 r.
UNASSIGNED: Pandemia COVID-19 znacząco wpłynęła na funkcjonowanie WOMP-ów, a zmiany w poszczególnych obszarach działalności orzeczniczej, konsultacyjnej, odwoławczej, nadzorczej, szkoleniowej i rehabilitacyjnej odpowiadały chronologii zmian społeczno-prawnych obserwowanych w latach 2020–2022. Struktura zatrudnienia w WOMP-ach i zakres realizowanych przez nie zadań w czasie pandemii pozostawały stabilne, a obserwowane zmiany w formie zatrudnienia personelu medycznego odpowiadały ogólnym tendencjom w zakładach opieki zdrowotnej i uwarunkowaniom regionalnym. Med Pr Work Health Saf. 2024;75(4).

OBJECTIVE: The integration of these preventive guidelines with Electronic Health Records (EHRs) systems, coupled with the generation of personalized preventive care recommendations, holds significant potential for improving healthcare outcomes. Our study investigates the feasibility of using Large Language Models (LLMs) to automate the assessment criteria and risk factors from the guidelines for future analysis against medical records in EHR.
METHODS: We annotated the criteria, risk factors, and preventive medical services described in the adult guidelines published by United States Preventive Services Taskforce and evaluated 3 state-of-the-art LLMs on extracting information in these categories from the guidelines automatically.
RESULTS: We included 24 guidelines in this study. The LLMs can automate the extraction of all criteria, risk factors, and medical services from 9 guidelines. All 3 LLMs perform well on extracting information regarding the demographic criteria or risk factors. Some LLMs perform better on extracting the social determinants of health, family history, and preventive counseling services than the others.
CONCLUSIONS: While LLMs demonstrate the capability to handle lengthy preventive care guidelines, several challenges persist, including constraints related to the maximum length of input tokens and the tendency to generate content rather than adhering strictly to the original input. Moreover, the utilization of LLMs in real-world clinical settings necessitates careful ethical consideration. It is imperative that healthcare professionals meticulously validate the extracted information to mitigate biases, ensure completeness, and maintain accuracy.
CONCLUSIONS: We developed a data structure to store the annotated preventive guidelines and make it publicly available. Employing state-of-the-art LLMs to extract preventive care criteria, risk factors, and preventive care services paves the way for the future integration of these guidelines into the EHR.

OBJECTIVE: In the United States, women with schizophrenia face challenges in receiving gynecologic care, but little is known about how cervical cancer screening rates vary across time or states in a publicly insured population. We hypothesized that women Medicaid beneficiaries with schizophrenia would be less likely to receive cervical cancer screening across the United States compared with a control population, and that women with schizophrenia and other markers of vulnerability would be least likely to receive screening.
METHODS: This retrospective cohort study used US Medicaid administrative data from across 44 states between 2002 and 2012 and examined differences in cervical cancer screening test rates among 283 950 female Medicaid beneficiaries with schizophrenia and a frequency-matched control group without serious mental illness, matched on age and race/ethnicity. Among women with schizophrenia, multivariable logistic regression estimated the odds of receiving cervical cancer screening using individual sociodemographics, comorbid conditions, and health care service utilization.
RESULTS: Compared to the control group, women with schizophrenia were less likely to receive cervical cancer screening (OR = 0.76; 95% CI 0.75-0.77). Among women with schizophrenia, nonwhite populations, younger women, urban dwellers, those with substance use disorders, anxiety, and depression and those connected to primary care were more likely to complete screening.
CONCLUSIONS: Cervical cancer screening rates among US women Medicaid beneficiaries with schizophrenia were suboptimal. To address cervical cancer care disparities for this population, interventions are needed to prioritize women with schizophrenia who are less engaged with the health care system or who reside in rural areas.