Aim: To demonstrate the usefulness of a virtual reality device that authentically portrays the emotions of dementia patients and their families (VR Dementia Experience) for encouraging an understanding of and reducing and eliminating prejudice towards dementia patients among local residents.
Method: In Prefecture T, Town N, 85 residents of Neighborhood A were chosen as the intervention group, and 95 residents of Neighborhood B were chosen as the non-intervention group. The VR Dementia Experience was provided only to the residents of Neighborhood A. Residents of both neighborhoods completed a 35-item questionnaire regarding their degree of understanding and prejudice towards dementia patients before and after the intervention.
Results: Seventy-seven residents of Neighborhood A and 82 residents of Neighborhood B were analyzed. Their gender, age, and pre-intervention test baseline values were equivalent in the degree of understanding and prejudice. Significant increases were observed in 9 of 35 items for Neighborhood A residents (7 understanding-related, 2 prejudice-related) and 2 items for Neighborhood B residents (1 understanding-related, 1 prejudice-related). To ascertain the usefulness of the VR Dementia Experience, we compared the number of items with a significant increase: 9/35 (25.7%) in Neighborhood A and 2/35 (5.7%) in Neighborhood B. An effect (≥ 20%) was observed among the residents of Neighborhood A. Furthermore, after exposure to the VR Dementia Experience, the connection between understanding, prejudice, and dementia was strengthened among the residents of Neighborhood A compared to the residents of Neighborhood B.
Conclusion: The VR Dementia Experience is a useful tool for encouraging an understanding of and reducing and eliminating prejudice towards dementia patients among local residents. However, to encourage the widespread usage of the technology, we should compare results with other public awareness campaigns as well as make improvements to the device and its VR content.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.3143/geriatrics.56.156 | DOI Listing |
J Med Internet Res
January 2025
Learning and Capacity Development Unit, Health Emergencies Programme, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland.
Background: The COVID-19 pandemic demonstrated the global need for accessible content to rapidly train health care workers during health emergencies. The massive open access online course (MOOC) format is a broadly embraced strategy for widespread dissemination of trainings. Yet, barriers associated with technology access, language, and cultural context limit the use of MOOCs, particularly in lower-resource communities.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFHealthcare (Basel)
December 2024
Institute of History and Ethics of Police and Public Administration (IGE), University of Applied Sciences for Police and Public Administration, 52068 Aachen, Germany.
: The utilization of maternal health services at the primary healthcare level is still considered an effective approach despite the critical role in improving maternal health outcomes. The study aimed to assess the influence of sociodemographic characteristics and interpersonal support on the use of maternal health services in three regions of the Province of Jambi, Indonesia. : Using a mixed-methods sequential explanatory design, a quantitative survey of 432 women and qualitative focus group discussions with nine families were conducted.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAnn Thorac Surg Short Rep
December 2024
Division of Cardiology, Department of Pediatrics, Children's National Hospital, Washington, DC.
Background: Disadvantaged socioeconomic status correlates with adverse outcomes for patients with congenital heart disease. We examined individual and neighborhood characteristics associated with adverse short-term surgical outcomes and investigated potential drivers of disparities.
Methods: Single-center retrospective analysis collected clinical and demographic information on cardiovascular surgery patients over a 15-year period (2007-2022) from the District of Columbia metropolitan area.
J Community Psychol
January 2025
Rory Meyers College of Nursing, New York University, New York, New York, USA.
The COVID-19 pandemic profoundly impacted population mental health worldwide. Few studies examined how the neighborhood environment and online social connections might influence the social gradient in mental health during the pandemic lockdown. We aim to examine the moderating and mediating role of neighborhood environment and online social connections in the association between socioeconomic status (SES) and mental health outcomes.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFJ Adolesc
January 2025
Department of Acute Medicine and Trauma Care, Aalborg University Hospital, Aalborg, Denmark.
Introduction: Youth aged 15-29 who are not engaged in education, employment, or training (NEET) represent a critical concern within the European Union (EU).
Aim: This review aims to ascertain whether existing studies address the impact of living in either rural or urban settings, or in specific types of neighborhoods, on the likelihood of young European individuals falling into NEET status.
Methods: On February 21, 2023, and subsequently updated on January 15, 2024, a thorough literature search was carried out across four major databases to compile relevant studies.
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