Browsing by Author "Costa, Andreia"
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- Active aging awareness and well-being among older adults in PortugalPublication . Costa, Andreia; Henriques, Joana; Alarcão, Violeta; Henriques, Maria Adriana; Madeira, Teresa; Virgolino, Ana; Sousa, Joana; Santos, Rodrigo Feiteira; Arriaga, Miguel; Rocha, Jorge; Nogueira, PauloObjective: This study aims to assess the active aging awareness of older adults in mainland Portugal and their levels of overall well-being and to identify social and health-related factors. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with a representative sample of 613 older adults, aged 65 or older, who participated in the PROKnos – Knowing Social Prescribing needs of the elderly study in Portugal. The questionnaire consisted of the Active Ageing Awareness Questionnaire and the World Health Organization – Five Well-Being Index, as well as sociodemographic, economic, and health status questions. Correlation coefficients, t-tests for independent samples, and one-way ANOVA were used to explore potential associations between variables. Results: The active aging awareness levels were significantly higher for women (p = 0.031), and those who were younger (p = 0.011), more educated (p < 0.001), had a better financial situation (p < 0.001), and had better health (p < 0.001). The same pattern was found for well-being, except in relation to gender, as men had higher levels (p = 0.016). These variables were found to be correlated. Discussion: Even though active aging is an important strategy to implement, it is indispensable to consider the perceptions and conditions that need to be in place before that. This study reveals that several social and health-related factors are associated with well-being and active aging awareness, as well as the differences between groups that exist in mainland Portugal in relation to that. This emphasizes how vital it is to address social inequalities in active aging efforts, which are not necessarily uncovered when only considering actual active aging measures.
- Analyzing innovative policies and practices for palliative care in Portugal: a qualitative studyPublication . Silva, Marcelle Miranda da; Telles, Audrei Castro; Baixinho, Cristina Lavareda; Sá, Eunice; Costa, Andreia; Henriques, Maria Adriana PereiraBackground Countries with formal policies for palliative care, and advanced and integrated practices in this field, such as Portugal, face challenges in achieving excellence in care, particularly in home-based assistance. Issues include care coordination among providers, confusion regarding the roles of each health care professional in the network, and a lack of monitoring and evaluation of actions. Our objective was to analyze the implementation of palliative care in primary health care in Portugal. Methods We conducted a qualitative, descriptive, and exploratory study in Portugal involving health care professionals with experience in palliative care. The data were collected through semistructured interviews and focus groups between March and October 2023. Eighteen health care professionals participated. We used the Alceste software for lexicographic analysis. The research was authorized by an Ethics Committee. Results Four classes were identified; classes 1 and 2, comprising 77% of the corpus, addressed the study objectives. Participants highlighted inequitable access, strategic development plans with unattainable short-term goals; and low literacy. They emphasized the importance of legislation, professional training initiatives for generalist palliative care at home, and early referral. Home-based challenges included professionals’ lack of exclusive dedication, absence of 24/7 coverage, and unavailability of capable family caregivers. The networks’ response to hospital admissions and patient transitions from hospital to home, with access to the specialized team, was also inadequate. Conclusions Health care professionals aim to increase patients’ time spent at home, reduce emergency department visits, and minimize hospitalizations by leveraging the resources of the national palliative care network. In addition to investments to sustain network implementation and legally guaranteed palliative care rights, the country must focus on measurable indicators for evaluating and monitoring actions, providing better guidance in the short, medium, and long term.
- Cidades amigas das pessoas idosas - alguns dados exploratórios do Concelho de PortalegrePublication . Oliveira, Paula; Arco, Helena; Costa, Andreia; Arriaga, Miguel; Louro, Olga; Roque, Sofia; Alves, João Emílio; Dionísio, Bruno; Martins, Alexandre; Panaças, Luísa; Bravo, Maria de DeusPara a OMS “O envelhecimento ativo é o processo de otimização de condições de saúde, participação e segurança, de modo a melhorar a qualidade de vida à medida que as pessoas envelhecem” dependendo de vários fatores, influências e sentimentos (OMS, 2007 citado em FCG, 2009: 5). Assim é essencial conhecermos as condições de vida destas pessoas, contemplando dimensões ligadas à territorialidade ao nível dos espaços lúdico-desportivos, habitacionais, de transporte, serviço comunitário e saúde. Importa perceber ainda a forma como é efetuada a participação e inclusão social, a participação cívica bem como as potencialidades e constrangimentos da comunicação e informação que é disponibilizada ao idoso, tendo como objetivo último melhorar as condições oferecidas aos idosos. Foi objetivo deste trabalho, gerar um retrato local onde as pessoas idosas e instituições possam fazer a sua autoavaliação e registar os progressos efetuados baseado em perceções. Como estratégia metodológica, utilizámos o questionário elaborado pela OMS e cedido em Portugal pela Associação Vida.
- Cochrane Corner - Intervenções telefónicas para apoio educacional e psicossocial a cuidadores informaisPublication . Henriques, Adriana; De Oliveira Ferreira, Ricardo Jorge; Costa, Andreia; Vaz Carneiro, AntónioO telefone é um meio fácil de prestação de apoio educacional e psicossocial por profissionais de saúde a cuidadores informais. Esta revisão sistemática Cochrane avaliou 21 ensaios clínicos aleatorizados, envolvendo 1.690 cuidadores e comparando a eficácia das intervenções de apoio telefónico com cuidados habituais, na prestação de apoio educacional e psicossocial. Concluiu-se existir um ligeiro benefício destas intervenções para alguns outcomes (resultados), como por exemplo, na redução da ansiedade e melhoria da preparação para cuidar. Contudo, para a maioria dos resultados avaliados, o efeito adicional da utilização de intervenções telefónicas foi pouco ou nenhum. A maior parte dos estudos possuíam elevado risco de viés e amostras reduzidas.
- EditorialPublication . Costa, Andreia
- The Effectiveness of eHealth Interventions in Promoting the Health Literacy of Informal Caregivers: A Systematic Literature Review ProtocolPublication . Valentim, Patrícia; Costa, Paulo; Henriques, Adriana; Costa, Andreia; Nogueira, PauloDigital Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) offer significant opportunities to enhance public health, particularly through their strategic use in promoting health literacy. Objectives: This systematic review protocol aims to outline the methodological steps necessary to conduct a systematic review of the effectiveness of digital interventions in improving health literacy among informal caregivers. Methods: This review will include studies involving adult informal caregivers (≥18 years) undergoing a digital health intervention promoting health literacy. Intervention, effectiveness or efficacy, RCT, quasi-experimental, and observational studies will be eligible. This review will follow the methodology for Cochrane Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. The search strategy will identify studies published in the databases SCOPUS and Web of Science, as well as CINAHL (via EBSCO) and PubMed and gray literature sources. Two in-dependent reviewers will screen the studies, extract data, and critically appraise the selected studies. It is planned that the risk of bias will be assessed using the RoB2, Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS), and the ROBINS-I (Risk Of Bias In Non-randomized Studies of Interventions). From the included studies, data will be extracted on the identification of the study, the aim of the study, characteristics of the population, study method and intervention and control conditions, study variables, and significant results. Conclusions: It is anticipated that the results of the study will guide healthcare professionals and managers in incorporating digital technologies into health literacy programs for informal caregivers. Whenever possible, a statistical meta-analysis will be performed to combine study results. The PROSPERO registration number is CRD42024589465.
- Effectiveness of Social Prescribing Programs in the PrimaryHealth-Care Context:Publication . Costa, Andreia; Sousa, Carla Joana; Seabra, Paulo; Virgolino, Ana; Santos, Osvaldo; Lopes, Joaquim Manuel de Oliveira; Henriques, Maria Adriana; Nogueira, Paulo; Alarcão, VioletaSocial prescribing (SP) is an approach that promotes the use of local non-clinical activities by people. The referral is usually made by primary health-care professionals, in a process wherein local providers play a pivotal role. The main objective of this study was to identify domains of intervention and evidence about the effectiveness of SP programs regarding health-related outcomes. A systematic literature review was carried out following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. A literature search was conducted in PubMed, CINHAL, and SCOPUS. Inclusion criteria of the reviewed papers were as follows: (i) effectiveness studies of interventions designated as SP or interventions entailing SP conceptual components; (ii) interventions with adults. Quality assessment was performed with the Cochrane tool for assessing risk of bias in randomized trials; an assessment tool developed by the US National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute was applied to observational studies. Overall, 13 articles were included for analysis, with a total of 4603 patients. Although three studies comprised a control group, only two followed a randomized controlled trials (RCT) design. Nine principal domains of intervention within SP were identified, with three categories of outcome measures: Physical and psychological wellbeing; Health behaviors and self-efficacy; and Health care resources end economic evaluation. SP is an emergent and promising health-care intervention, and it has been used to promote different health behaviors. Evidence of SP effectiveness on patient’s health and wellbeing is not strong. Further research is needed for understanding how SP can be applied efficiently.
- Enfermagem de saúde comunitária e de saúde pública:Publication . Cunha, Carmen; Costa, Andreia; Henriques, Maria Adriana
- Equity-focused health impact assessment of Portuguese tobacco control legislationPublication . Costa, Andreia; Cortes, Maria; Sena, Catarina; Nunes, Emília; Nogueira, Paulo; Shivaji, TaraThe World Health Organization recommend the Equity-Focused Health Impact Assessment (HIA) as a means to assess the impact of social and economic policies on the health of populations, and acknowledges their contribution to health inequality. We describe the application of the Equity-focusedImpact Assessment methodology on the Portuguese law on Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control (Law No. 37/2007). A rapid assessment was carried out to issue recommendations which could be incorporated into the law during a revision in 2014. Quantitative (consumption and health status indicators; equity analysis) and qualitative (Focus Group) approaches were taken to evaluate the impact of the law and formulate recommendations. Young people, men and women of low socioeconomic status, and pregnant women were identified as requiring specific and appropriate interventions to prevent smoking and support smoking cessation.
- Estudo da mortalidade por Diabetes Mellitus em PortugalPublication . Costa, Andreia; Cardoso, Carla; Catarino, Judite; Gíria, José; Gomes, Carlos OrtaA diabetes mellitus (DM) é considerada um dos problemas de saúde pública de maior importância a nível mundial, pela elevada prevalência, morbilidade e mortalidade (Sousa, 2006), prevendo-se um agravamento na próxima década relacionado com o envelhecimento da população e com as alterações progressivas no estilo de vida (Cruz, 2005). A Organização Mundial de Saúde (WHO) estima que a diabetes possa vir a ser responsável pela primeira regressão na esperança média de vida dos últimos 200 anos. Pretende-se, com o presente estudo, avaliar a evolução temporal e a distribuição geográfica da mortalidade por DM em Portugal.