Psychosocial Interventions for Preventing Mental Health Conditions in Adolescents With Emotional Problems: A Meta-Analysis.

Mental health conditions constitute a major burden of disease for adolescents globally and can lead to significant adverse consequences. This systematic review aimed to identify if psychosocial interventions are effective in preventing mental health conditions in adolescents already experiencing emotional problems. We searched for randomized controlled trials comparing psychosocial interventions for preventing mental health conditions with care as usual in adolescents aged 10-19 who are experiencing symptoms of emotional problems.

Exploring the genetic variability, virulence factors, and antibiotic resistance of Listeria monocytogenes from fresh produce, ready-to-eat hummus, and food-processing environments.

Listeria monocytogenes is ubiquitous in nature and persistent in food-processing facilities, farms, retail stores, and home and restaurant kitchens. Current research suggests ready-to-eat (RTE) products (including RTE hummus and fresh produce) to be of increasing interest and concern. These foods are typically stored at refrigeration temperatures suited to the survival of L.

Post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms following exposure to acute psychological trauma in children aged 8-16 years in South Africa: protocol for the Sinethemba longitudinal study.

Introduction: Children exposed to trauma are vulnerable to developing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other adverse mental health outcomes. In low-and middle-income countries (LMICs), children are at increased risk of exposure to severe trauma and co-occurring adversities. However, relative to high-income countries, there is limited evidence of the factors that predict good versus poor psychological recovery following trauma exposure in LMIC children, and the role of caregiver support in these high-adversity communities.

Development of a school-based programme for mental health promotion and prevention among adolescents in Nepal and South Africa.

Introduction: Adolescence is a critical time for mental health promotion and prevention and establishing healthy behaviours. Implementing universal, school-based psychosocial interventions can improve short- and long-term health trajectories for adolescents. While these interventions may offer important opportunities for fostering skills and relationships, few school-based interventions have been developed for and tested in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) where adolescent mental health needs may be significant and under-served.

How do new crises impact HIV risk behaviour - exploring HIV risk behaviour according to COVID-19-related orphanhood status in South Africa?

The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in high death rates globally, and over 10.5 million children lost a parent or primary caregiver. Because HIV-related orphanhood has been associated with elevated HIV risk, we sought to examine HIV risk in children affected by COVID-19 orphanhood.

Aberrant cognitive empathy in individuals with elevated social anxiety and regulation with emotional working memory training.

Social anxiety may disrupt the empathic process, and well-regulated empathy is critical for navigating the social world. Two studies aimed to further understand empathy in the context of social anxiety. Study 1 compared individuals with elevated or normative social anxiety on a measure assessing cognitive and affective empathy for positive and negative emotions conveyed by other people ("targets"), completed under social threat.

Can Emotional Working Memory Training Improve Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Outcomes for Social Anxiety Disorder: A Pilot Study.

Social anxiety disorder (SAD) models highlight maladaptive attention as a maintaining factor of SAD, potentially negatively impacting how individuals with SAD engage with cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) content in a therapist's presence. Emotional working memory training (eWMT) has been shown to improve affective attentional control. This pilot study assessed the proposed methodology for a randomized controlled trial (RCT) to determine whether eWMT, by improving attentional control prior to internet-based CBT (iCBT), results in better CBT outcomes.

Paediatric abacavir-lamivudine fixed-dose dispersible tablets and ritonavir-boosted lopinavir granules in neonates exposed to HIV (PETITE study): an open-label, two-stage, single-arm, phase 1/2, pharmacokinetic and safety trial.

Background: Existing solid antiretroviral fixed-dose combination formulations are preferred over liquid formulations in children, but their suitability for neonates is unknown. We evaluated the pharmacokinetics and safety of paediatric abacavir-lamivudine fixed-dose dispersible tablets and ritonavir-boosted lopinavir granules in neonates.

Methods: In this open-label, two-stage, single-arm, phase 1/2, pharmacokinetic and safety trial, generic abacavir- lamivudine (120:60 mg) double-scored dispersible tablets and lopinavir boosted with ritonavir (40:10 mg) granules were studied.

Potential of virtual reality to meaningfully engage adults living with dementia in care settings: A scoping review.

Introduction: Older adults living with dementia in residential aged care homes receive physical care but may have limited access to meaningful engagement. Due to its multimodal and versatile nature, virtual reality (VR) is speculated to be an effective means of meaningfully engaging residents individually and/or in groups. However, there is little evidence regarding its efficacy as a means of meaningfully engaging older adults living with dementia.

Using WhatsApp support groups to promote responsive caregiving, caregiver mental health and child development in the COVID-19 era: A randomised controlled trial of a fully digital parenting intervention.

Objective: Digital interventions hold important potential for supporting parents when face-to-face interventions are unavailable. We assessed the feasibility and effectiveness of a digital parenting intervention in Zambia and Tanzania.

Methods: Using a randomised controlled trial, we evaluated the Sharing Stories digital parenting intervention for caregivers of children aged 9-32 months with access to a smartphone in their household.

JAVA Memory Care program: Facilitating social and occupational engagement for older adults living with advanced dementia.

Background And Objectives: Residents in aged care homes often report lack of life purpose and meaning and limited opportunities to contribute to their community. The JAVA Memory Care program is designed to facilitate engagement for older adults with advanced dementia. This study explored whether JAVA Memory Care engaged such adults meaningfully, on social and occupational levels, within one Australian residential care home.

Protocol for the OCAY study: a cohort study of orphanhood and caregiver loss in the COVID-19 era to explore the impact on children and adolescents.

Introduction: Globally, no person has been untouched by the COVID-19 pandemic. Yet, little attention has been given to children and adolescents in policy, provision and services. Moreover, there is a dearth of knowledge regarding the impact of COVID-19-associated orphanhood and caregiver loss on children.

Evidence-Based Practice: Implementing REIS Findings in South African Aged Care Facilities.

Background: Older adults living in Residential Aged Care Facilities (RACFs) in South Africa are often exposed to environments that fail to provide adequate occupational opportunities. Practitioners in developing economies are challenged to provide therapeutic services in environments that emphasize occupational deprivation.

Objectives: This study investigated barriers and enablers to implementing recommendations derived from the findings generated by the Residential Environment Impact Scale (REIS).

Does pre-COVID impulsive behaviour predict adherence to hygiene and social distancing measures in youths following the COVID-19 pandemic onset? Evidence from a South African longitudinal study.

Background: Engagement in protective behaviours relating to the COVID-19 pandemic has been proposed to be key to infection control. This is particularly the case for youths as key drivers of infections. A range of factors influencing adherence have been identified, including impulsivity and risk taking.

Intergenerational live-in student programmes for meaningful engagement: Creating cohesive and supportive collectives in aged-care facilities.

Background And Objectives: Older adults in residential aged-care facilities (RACFs) experience segregation from society and face limited opportunities to meaningfully engage on a social and/or occupational level due to various structural and systemic challenges. An occupational therapy-coordinated intergenerational live-in student programme (ILiSP) with allied health students was successfully pioneered across Sydney (Australia) to facilitate ongoing intergenerational contact. We explored how ongoing intergenerational contact influenced meaningful engagement of older adults in RACFs by investigating routinely collected clinical data and exploring stakeholders' perspectives.

Understanding accelerators to improve SDG-related outcomes for adolescents-An investigation into the nature and quantum of additive effects of protective factors to guide policy making.

Recent evidence has shown support for the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) accelerator concept, which highlights the need to identify interventions or programmatic areas that can affect multiple sustainable development goals (SDGs) at once to boost their achievement. These data have also clearly shown enhanced effects when interventions are used in combination, above and beyond the effect of single interventions. However, detailed knowledge is now required on optimum combinations and relative gain in order to derive policy guidance.

'I could no longer cope at home': Experiences of clients and families in residential aged care within the context of Australia's aged care reforms.

Objectives: Since 2012, Australia has been undertaking major aged care reforms, moving from a previously service provider-focussed approach to a more consumer-oriented policy direction. There is limited research examining consumer perspectives of residential care in the reform environment particularly with respect to both clients and their families. This study explores the lived experiences of clients and families in residential aged care facilities amid the reform implementation process.

Australian National Aged Care Classification behaviour assessment and people living with dementia in residential aged care: Inclusive language for reform?

Objective: To examine the language of the behaviour assessment in the new Australian National Aged Care Classification (AN-ACC) funding instrument. We explored whether the (BRUA) will support an inclusive and progressive approach for people living with dementia in residential aged care.

Methods: Databases were searched to identify publicly available literature relating to the development of the AN-ACC and BRUA, and hand searches of reference lists and selected websites were completed to identify additional grey literature, dementia language and best practice guidelines.

Implementing a digital tool to support meaningful engagement with socially isolated or lonely older adults.

Social isolation and loneliness are significant concerns in community dwelling older adults due to associated poorer health outcomes, inadequate crises responsiveness and increased societal burdens of care and cost. Generating Engagement in Networks Involvement (GENIE) is an online evidence-based, client-centred social network tool piloted by community-aged care services in Sydney, Australia. GENIE facilitates access to community resources, activities and people to extend or re-establish a client's social connections.

Providing culturally appropriate residential dementia care for older adults with an Indian heritage: Perspectives from Sydney-based stakeholders.

Background And Objectives: Global migration and an increased life expectancy led to a growing number of people with dementia from Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CaLD) backgrounds living in long-term residential care settings. These minority groups' wellbeing may be negatively impacted due to poor culturally appropriate care that fails to honour valued cultural traditions. This study considered culturally appropriate dementia care for older adults with an Indian heritage living in Sydney-based residential aged care facilities.

Predictors of COVID-related changes in mental health in a South African sample of adolescents and young adults.

The COVID-19 pandemic has substantially affected the lives of young people living in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), leading to poorer short-term mental health outcomes. However, longitudinal data investigating changes in mental health from pre-COVID levels and their predictors are lacking. Our longitudinal sample comprised = 233 young people (mean age: 17.

Accelerating progress towards improved mental health and healthy behaviours in adolescents living in adversity: findings from a longitudinal study in South Africa.

Adolescents exposed to high levels of adversity are vulnerable to developing mental health challenges, with long-lasting adverse consequences. Promoting the psychological well-being of adolescents and protecting them from adverse experiences is crucial for their quality of life. There is a need for evidence on which combinations of protective factors can improve the wellbeing of adolescents to inform future programming efforts.