Iveta Pudule - Academia.edu (original) (raw)

Papers by Iveta Pudule

Health Promotion International, 2021

Summary Spirituality is an ancient concept with many contemporary applications to the field of he... more Summary Spirituality is an ancient concept with many contemporary applications to the field of health promotion. While recognized in the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child as a basic human right, definitional misunderstandings about what spirituality is, and is not, and the mechanisms by which it affects the health of young people, remain. In this cross-national analysis involving >75 000 adolescents from 12 countries, we examined the relative importance of each of four spiritual health domains (connections to self, others, nature and the transcendent) in the lives of young people, and how these connections relate to a standard indicator of positive mental health status. Descriptive and applied regression analyses confirmed two major findings: (i) boys and girls in all 12 countries ranked the importance of each of the four domains in the same order, with ‘connections to self’ identified as most important; and (ii) both direct and indirect pathways are evident that connect t...

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health

The aim of the study was to analyze the trends of adolescent substance use in four eastern Europe... more The aim of the study was to analyze the trends of adolescent substance use in four eastern European countries over the time period from 1994 to 2018. The four countries in focus were selected based on their shared historical backgrounds and major economic and social transformations experienced. Methods: Two decades (1993/1994–2017/2018) of repeated cross-sectional data from the Estonian, Latvian, Lithuanian, and Polish Health Behaviour in School-aged Children survey were used. Data comprised 42,169 school children 15 years of age (9th grade). The following categories of substance use were included: regular alcohol consumption and drunkenness, tobacco smoking, electronic cigarette smoking, and cannabis use. Trends in substance use over time were tested using Jonckheere’s trend test. Results: Prevalence of substance use among adolescents over time revealed that the Baltic states and Poland have faced relatively different temporal trends. In the Baltic states, there was a general incre...

International Journal of Social Psychiatry, May 24, 2023

Background: Latvia has the second highest suicide rate in the European Union – with a total popul... more Background: Latvia has the second highest suicide rate in the European Union – with a total population age-standardized suicide rate of 16.1 per 100,000 inhabitants. Aims: We aimed to assess the prevalence of different types of self-reported suicidal behaviours in Latvia and determine the associated sociodemographic and health-related factors. Methods: This study was based on secondary data obtained from the Health Behaviour Among Latvian Adult Population survey. A representative sample of the general population was used, aged 15 to 64 years in 2010, 2012, 2014; and 15 to 74 years in 2016 and 2018 ( n = 16,084). Respondents were asked to report the occurrence of life weariness, death wishes, suicidal ideation, suicidal plans and suicide attempts during the previous year. We assessed socio-demographics and health-related factors associated with suicidality. We performed univariate analysis and constructed stepwise multivariate logistic regression models. Results: In 2010 to 2018, 15.6% of responders reported some type of suicidal behaviour (95% CI [15.1, 16.2]). Sociodemographic factors – including non-cohabitation status and Latvian nationality – were associated with mild (life-weariness and death wishes) and serious (suicidal ideation, plans to commit suicide, suicide attempts) types of behaviour. Older age was associated with mild suicidal behaviours, whereas lower educational levels were associated with serious suicidal behaviours. Diagnosed depression, self-reported depression, self-reported anxiety, stress, low mood, alcohol intake habits with heavy drinking episodes (less than monthly, monthly and weekly), perceived health as average or below average, disuse of primary health services were associated with mild and serious types of suicidal behaviour. Current smoking status and absenteeism were associated with mild suicidal behaviour types. Self-reported insomnia, having at least two somatic diagnoses, occasional smoking status, absenteeism with 11 or more days in the last year, receiving disability pension were associated with serious suicidal behaviour types. Musculoskeletal diseases exhibited preventive effects. Conclusions: Our findings indicate that certain groups of individuals might exhibit greater vulnerability to suicidality.

Nature, Mar 29, 2023

Diminishing benefits of urban living for children and adolescents' growth and development NCD Ris... more Diminishing benefits of urban living for children and adolescents' growth and development NCD Risk Factor Collaboration (NCD-RisC)* Optimal growth and development in childhood and adolescence is crucial for lifelong health and well-being 1-6. Here we used data from 2,325 population-based studies, with measurements of height and weight from 71 million participants, to report the height and body-mass index (BMI) of children and adolescents aged 5-19 years on the basis of rural and urban place of residence in 200 countries and territories from 1990 to 2020. In 1990, children and adolescents residing in cities were taller than their rural counterparts in all but a few high-income countries. By 2020, the urban height advantage became smaller in most countries, and in many high-income western countries it reversed into a small urban-based disadvantage. The exception was for boys in most countries in sub-Saharan Africa and in some countries in Oceania, south Asia and the region of central Asia, Middle East and north Africa. In these countries, successive cohorts of boys from rural places either did not gain height or possibly became shorter, and hence fell further behind their urban peers. The difference between the age-standardized mean BMI of children in urban and rural areas was <1.1 kg m-2 in the vast majority of countries. Within this small range, BMI increased slightly more in cities than in rural areas, except in south Asia, sub-Saharan Africa and some countries in central and eastern Europe. Our results show that in much of the world, the growth and developmental advantages of living in cities have diminished in the twenty-first century, whereas in much of sub-Saharan Africa they have amplified.

European Journal of Public Health

Background Children are becoming less physically active for a variety of interrelated reasons. Th... more Background Children are becoming less physically active for a variety of interrelated reasons. The availability of opportunities for safe active playgrounds, recreational activities and active transport has decreased, while time spend on sedentary screen-based activities has increased. This study aimed to evaluate physical activity (PA), sedentary and sleep behaviours of children aged 6-9 years in Europe using data from the WHO Childhood Obesity Surveillance Initiative (COSI). Methods The fourth COSI data collection round was conducted in 36 countries from 2015-2018 using a standardized protocol including a family form completed by parents with specific questions about diet and physical activity-related behaviours. Results Nationally representative data from the 24 countries, who filled in the non-mandatory family record form, were included. Information on PA, screen-time and sleep behaviours of 137,807 children were analysed. Pooled analysis showed that: one in two children walked ...

European Journal of Public Health, Nov 1, 2005

The FINBALT Health Monitor is a collaborative system for monitoring health behaviour in Estonia, ... more The FINBALT Health Monitor is a collaborative system for monitoring health behaviour in Estonia, Finland, Latvia and Lithuania. Monitoring of health behaviour is a way to gain information about the public's attitude toward health, about the distribution of risk factors, and about the public's readiness to change. This type of health behaviour survey has taken place annually in Finland, since 1978. Estonia joined the FINBALT project in 1990, Lithuania in 1994, and Latvia in 1998. In 2006, the fifth survey of this type, using the FINBALT methodology, was carried out in Latvia. The purpose was to collect information about individual health behaviours, to evaluate actual and potential public health problems associated with health behaviours, demonstrate their geographic and demographic distribution, and to gain accurate information on which to base future health promotion and health education programs. In 1999, after Latvia had joined the World Health Organization CINDI (Country Wide Integrated Non-communicable Disease Intervention) programme, it was decided to use the FINBALT monitoring survey as the baseline evaluation for the CINDI programme in Latvia. Therefore since 2000 the FINBALT monitoring questionnaire was adapted to the needs of CINDI by including additional questions. This publication summarizes the results of the 2006 survey in Latvia. The reader can find detailed information about health-related behaviours: smoking, alcohol consumption, nutrition, physical activity, oral hygiene, and traffic safety among the Latvian adult population aged 15-64. In addition, the data show the public's readiness to change their health-related behaviours and participate in health promotion activities. The data also show self-assessed health status and the utilization of health services: frequency of visiting doctor and dentist; trends in vaccination, assessment of blood pressure and cholesterol levels. The data will be useful to policy makers, government officials, personnel in health and social service organizations at various levels, public health specialists, and health promotion/health education professionals. Methods The FINBALT Health Monitoring Survey uses a mailed questionnaire to a randomly selected, representative sample of the population. In 2006, the FINBALT survey took place from September until December in Latvia. 3000 adults aged 15-64 years were randomly selected from the State population register. The data were analysed by the degree of urbanization and demographic variables: gender, age, nationality, marital status, education, income, and occupation. The survey instrument contained 109 questions. Using as a basis the English version of the instrument, which was accepted by the project steering committee, survey tools were prepared in the Latvian and Russian languages, examining the translations for concept equivalence and adding some items specific to Latvia. The survey items included: • Respondents' demographic characteristics (gender, age, nationality, place of residence, marital status, number of children, education, occupation, income); • Health-related behaviours (smoking, nutrition, physical activity, alcohol consumption, oral hygiene, attitude to traffic safety regulations); • Behavioural change (reported change, attempts to change, advice to change) in relation to such behaviours as smoking, nutrition and physical activity); • Participation in health promotion activities; • Issues related to health services and health policy (frequency of visiting a doctor and dentist, vaccination, blood pressure and blood cholesterol testing); • Health status and self-assessment of health (chronic conditions diagnosed in the preceding year, symptoms experienced, use of medication); • Knowledge about various health aspects (nutrition, smoking, traffic safety) and attitudes toward them. The questionnaires were sent out in September 2006. Reminders to non-respondents were sent up to three times. The survey instruments were coded and data entered into a computer database for analysis using SPSS Windows 12.0. In the following tables, an empty space indicates that there are no data in that category and the number "0" means less than 0.5 percent. Results The sample size was 3000. The questionnaires were filled-in by 1584 persons (682 males and 902 females). The eligible sample consisted of 2900 persons. The response rate was 54.6%. Of the 1584 respondents: 43.2% were men and 56.9% women; 62.6% were Latvian, 27.4% Russian, and 10% other nationalities. These data reflect the national demographic structure in Latvia. 28.7% of respondents lived in Riga, 15.9% in the other large cities, 21.6% in smaller towns, and 33.8% in rural areas. Distribution by age was 20% in the 15-24 years age group, 18.8% in the 25-34 years age group, 20.1% in the 35-44 years age group, 19% in the 45-54 years age group, and 22.1% in the 55-64 years age group. The marital status of the respondents was: 45.6% married, 13.5% cohabiting, 25.3% single, 10.9% divorced, and 4.7% widowed. 52.7% of respondents reported having no children under the age of 18 in the family; 26.9% had one child, 15.7%, two children, and only 4.8% had three or more children. In terms of education, 22% had completed primary education, 49.1% secondary education, and 28.8% higher education. Health and health services Self-assessment of health and attitudes toward one's own health provides important information. As expected, there were gender and age differences: 24.3% (23.5% 27.3%) of women. In the period from 2000 to 2006, the use of fresh vegetables on three or more days per week was increased (Figure 5). Alcohol consumption Alcohol consumption is a very prevalent risk factor in Latvia, associated with many health problems. 87.6% of respondents reported that they had used alcohol in the preceding year. Male respondents prefered beer, but females wine. The consumption of strong alcoholic drinks was very high. During the preceding week, only 58.1% of men and 80.1% of women had not used strong alcohol (Figure 7). Binge drinking (six or more portions of alcohol during one drinking session at least once a week) was more common among men-23.7% (2004.-22%) than among women-5.8% (2004.-5.2%). Body mass index Respondents reported their height and weight in the questionnaire. From this information, body mass index (BMI) was calculated for each respondent. According to the

Obesity Reviews, 2021

SummaryIn 2015–2017, the fourth round of the World Health Organization (WHO) European Childhood O... more SummaryIn 2015–2017, the fourth round of the World Health Organization (WHO) European Childhood Obesity Surveillance Initiative (COSI) was conducted in 36 countries. National representative samples of children aged 6–9 (203,323) were measured by trained staff, with similar equipment and using a standardized protocol. This paper assesses the children's body weight status and compares the burden of childhood overweight, obesity, and thinness in Northern, Eastern, and Southern Europe and Central Asia. The results show great geographic variability in height, weight, and body mass index. On average, the children of Northern Europe were the tallest, those of Southern Europe the heaviest, and the children living in Central Asia the lightest and the shortest. Overall, 28.7% of boys and 26.5% of girls were overweight (including obesity) and 2.5% and 1.9%, respectively, were thin according to the WHO definitions. The prevalence of obesity varied from 1.8% of boys and 1.1% of girls in Taji...

European Journal of Public Health, 2020

Background Sleep is important for adolescent general wellbeing and different sleep domains like d... more Background Sleep is important for adolescent general wellbeing and different sleep domains like difficulties in getting to sleep, bedtime resistance and sleep duration can be studied. This study investigates the prevalence of weekly difficulties in getting to sleep in association with bedtime and sleep duration on schooldays and weekends among adolescents in Latvia. Methods Data from the HBSC Survey 2017/2018 of Latvia with 4412 respondents aged 11, 13 and 15 years were used for statistical analysis. Sleep duration less than 7h was classified as insufficient and bedtime at 0:00 or later as delayed bedtime. Age-adjusted logistic regression and adolescents without weekly difficulties in getting to sleep as a reference was used for studying the associations. Results On average, 43.6% of adolescents (38.0% boys and 49.1% girls) reported weekly difficulties in getting to sleep. Of those, 26.5% reported sleep duration <7h on schooldays but 5.6% on weekends. On average, difficulties in ...

European Neuropsychopharmacology, 2021

The Lancet, 2020

Height and body-mass index trajectories of school-aged children and adolescents from 1985 to 2019... more Height and body-mass index trajectories of school-aged children and adolescents from 1985 to 2019 in 200 countries and territories a pooled analysis of 2181 population-based studies with 65 million participants

Conclusions: Changes in BMI and prevalence of overweight over a two-year period varied significan... more Conclusions: Changes in BMI and prevalence of overweight over a two-year period varied significantly among Wijnhoven et al. BMC Public Health 2014, 14:806

Obesity Facts, 2021

Introduction: Parents can act as important agents of change and support for healthy childhood gro... more Introduction: Parents can act as important agents of change and support for healthy childhood growth and development. Studies have found that parents may not be able to accurately perceive their child’s weight status. The purpose of this study was to measure parental perceptions of their child’s weight status and to identify predictors of potential parental misperceptions. Methods: We used data from the World Health Organization (WHO) European Childhood Obesity Surveillance Initiative and 22 countries. Parents were asked to identify their perceptions of their children’s weight status as “underweight,” “normal weight,” “a little overweight,” or “extremely overweight.” We categorized children’s (6–9 years; n = 124,296) body mass index (BMI) as BMI-for-age Z-scores based on the 2007 WHO-recommended growth references. For each country included in the analysis and pooled estimates (country level), we calculated the distribution of children according to the WHO weight status classificatio...