Analytical Cross-sectional Studies Research Articles

Stroke and Sexual Health: A Systematic Review of Psychological Interventions Aimed at Improving Sexual Health of Stroke Survivors

To systematically review the existing literature on the efficacy of psychological interventions aimed at improving the sexual health of stroke survivors. A database search was conducted at MEDLINE (PubMed), Web of Science, EBSCO (APA PsycINFO and APA PsycArticles), and The Cochrane Library. PRISMA guidelines for systematic reviews were followed. Manuscripts were screened according to inclusion and exclusion criteria. The risk of bias was assessed using the ROBINS-I, Cochrane Collaboration’s Risk of Bias Tool, and the Joanna Briggs Institute Critical Appraisal Checklist for Analytical Cross-Sectional Studies (JBI-CACS). From an initial 1053 publications identified, five studies were included in the present study. The study designs of the selected studies included randomized controlled trials, quasi-experimental studies, a cross-sectional study, and a case study. The predominant intervention model used in most studies was the PLISSIT model. No studies using a digital-delivered format were identified. This research underscores the potential benefits of tailored interventions for promoting sexual health in stroke survivors and highlights areas for future research.

Thinking outside the shoulder: A systematic review and metanalysis of kinetic chain characteristics in non-athletes with shoulder pain.

The kinetic chain is important in the proximal-distal energy transfer along body segments. Although biomechanical impairments in components of the kinetic chain have already been reported in athletes with shoulder pain, such investigations in non-athlete individuals have not yet been synthesized. To systematically review the literature and analyze the quality of evidence on the characteristics of the kinetic chain of non-athletes with shoulder pain compared to asymptomatic individuals. Studies published until February 2024 (without language restrictions) that quantitatively assessed outcomes related to the kinetic chain of non-athlete individuals were searched in five databases (MEDLINE, CINAHL, Web of Science, EMBASE, and SCOPUS). The risk of bias and quality of evidence were analyzed using the Joanna Briggs Institute Critical Appraisal Tool for Analytical Cross-Sectional Studies and the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation approach, respectively. To summarize the findings, meta-analyses with random-effects models were performed. Six cross-sectional studies (n = 562 [282 with shoulder pain], mean age = 48.7 ± 8.1 years) with low risk of bias were included in this review. Very low-quality evidence suggests that individuals with shoulder pain may present a lower active range of motion and muscular endurance/strength in the cervical spine, thoracolumbar region, and hip, as well as deficits in neuromuscular control of the lower extremities. Findings related to thoracic spine posture were conflicting and no differences were found in cervical spine isometric muscular strength between individuals with and without shoulder pain. Individuals with shoulder pain may present alterations in active mobility, muscular endurance, and neuromuscular control in kinetic chain segments. These findings suggest that broader physical assessments considering components of the kinetic chain may be clinically relevant in this population. However, based on the very low quality of evidence, the findings of this review should be interpreted with caution.

Abstract 4125679: Physical activity among gender minority adults: A systematic review

Introduction: Gender minority (GM; e.g., transgender, non-binary) adults have a higher prevalence of cardiovascular disease (CVD) than their cisgender (i.e., non-transgender) counterparts. Physical activity (PA) is associated with a lower risk of CVD and all-cause mortality. Compared to cisgender adults, GM adults face unique challenges (e.g., discrimination, lack of safe spaces) to meeting aerobic and muscle-strengthening PA recommendations, which may negatively impact their overall health and well-being. There is also limited evidence on factors associated with lower PA among GM adults. Goal: To understand differences in the prevalence of PA between GM and cisgender adults and to identify factors associated with PA among GM adults. Methods: Following the PRISMA guidelines, we performed a comprehensive search using five databases (PubMed, Embase, Web of Since, CINAHL, and Scopus). We included peer-reviewed, English-language, quantitative empirical studies focused on PA among GM adults published between 2004 and 2024. We excluded qualitative studies, reviews, editorials, conference abstracts, and grey literature. We performed quality appraisal using the Joanna Briggs Institute Critical Appraisal Checklist for Analytical Cross-Sectional Studies. Results: A total of 5,163 articles were retrieved and 24 met inclusion criteria. The included studies had a low to moderate risk of bias. Methodological weaknesses of the included studies were an overreliance on self-reported PA with no objective assessment using accelerometry, use of non-validated PA measures, and limited assessment of muscle-strengthening PA. Most studies (n = 15) reported lower aerobic and muscle-strengthening PA among GM adults compared to their cisgender counterparts. Two studies found that GM adults with higher perceived psychological stress reported lower PA. One study found that GM adults who were on gender-affirming hormone therapy reported higher PA than GM adults who were not. Conclusions: Findings highlight that GM adults report lower aerobic and muscle-strengthening PA than cisgender adults. There is a need for more comprehensive research to understand these disparities and their impact on GM adults’ cardiovascular health. This systematic review can inform future research and the development of tailored interventions to increase PA among GM adults.

Association between life satisfaction and health behaviours among older adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis protocol

IntroductionLife satisfaction is a key indicator of successful ageing and reflects well-being. There is evidence of the association between life satisfaction and health behaviours among older adults. Therefore, this systematic review and meta-analysis protocol seeks to determine the strength and direction of the association between life satisfaction and health behaviours among older adults.Methods and analysisThis protocol followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Protocols guidelines. We will search the electronic databases (MEDLINE, APA PsycINFO, Web of Science, CINAHL and Global Health) from inception to date. Only observational studies that described the association between life satisfaction and health behaviours—smoking, alcohol drinking, physical activity, diet/nutrition and sleep—will be included. Two independent reviewers will conduct screening, data extraction and risk of bias assessment of the articles. The risk of bias will be assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute critical appraisal tools for cohort and analytical cross-sectional studies. Studies will be included in the meta-analysis if they report zero-order associations between life satisfaction and health behaviours; otherwise, a narrative synthesis will be presented.Ethics and disseminationThis study does not require ethics approval, as it involves analysing secondary data from published studies. The completed review will be published in a peer-reviewed journal and presented at conferences.Trial registration numberPROSPERO (CRD42023441386).

The relationship between implicit motives and physical activity: a scoping review

BackgroundInterventions that leverage implicit motives — affect-based, non-conscious motivational dispositions — may increase physical activity by making physical activity more pleasurable. However, there is no evidence synthesis of the empirical data linking the major implicit motives (achievement, affiliation, and power motives) and physical activity. We aimed to close this research gap.MethodsFollowing a systematic literature search in the PsycInfo, PubMed, and Web of Science databases until August 2024, we performed a scoping review. We included German- or English-language publications in peer-reviewed journals or books that followed an observational or intervention study design. Studies had to link ≥ 1 major implicit motive measured via a well-established method to physical activity behavior. We critically appraised the methodological quality of the included studies using an adaptation of the JBI critical appraisal checklist for analytical cross-sectional studies and synthesized the evidence qualitatively.ResultsOut of 1047 potentially relevant records, five publications (seven studies, N = 550) were included. All eligible studies were observational (six cross-sectional, one prospective longitudinal). The achievement motive was researched the most. The data indicated a relatively consistent positive association between physical activity and the achievement motive, particularly in athletes and in sports-specific settings. The associations with the affiliation and power motives were more mixed. Most studies were conducted in sports-specific settings. All studies elicited methodological concerns, to varying degrees.ConclusionsThe available data indicate a positive association between achievement motive strength and physical activity. However, important limitations, especially the lack of intervention studies and the use of non-gold standard assessment methods, limit the confidence in the findings. More, methodologically sound research is needed to better understand the link between implicit motives and physical activity, especially in the general population.Systematic review registrationPROSPERO CRD42023392198.

Work-related musculoskeletal disorders in dockworkers. Systematic review and meta-analysis.

Dockworkers are exposed to physical overloads that can contribute to the development of musculoskeletal disorders, leading to functional disability and absenteeism. to map, critically appraise, and synthesize the available evidence on the prevalence of musculoskeletal diseases associated with port occupational activities. A comprehensive search was conducted in structured and unstructured databases in August 2023, with no date or language restriction, to identify observational studies evaluating the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders in dockworkers' occupational activity. The risk of bias was assessed using validated tools based on the included study designs. Data from studies were pooled in meta-analyses. The certainty of the evidence was assessed using the GRADE approach. We identified 12 analytical cross-sectional studies involving 7821 participants in ports of five countries. Most studies (75%) had a moderate methodological quality according to the Joanna Briggs Institute tool. Considering the overall worker categories and any musculoskeletal disorders, the meta-analysis showed a prevalence of 58% (95% Confidence Interval [95% CI] 37% to 78%), with degenerative spinal diseases 42% (95% CI -0.6% to 91%) and low back pain 36% (95% CI 21% to 50%) being the most prevalent conditions. Symptoms were predominantly in foremen and stevedores. The certainty of the evidence was very low. Musculoskeletal disorders seem prevalent among dockworkers, mainly degenerative spinal diseases and low back pain. Studies with greater methodological consistency are still needed to validate these hypotheses and assist in decision-making for implementing preventive and informational policies in maritime port management organizations. PROSPERO registry CRD42021257677.

The Price of Foods, Beverages, and Diets in Australia: An Updated Systematic Review

Abstract Context The price and affordability of food are priorities for public health and health equity; however, Australia lacks a consistent method to evaluate healthy versus unhealthy diets, creating a gap in routine food price reporting. Objective This review aimed to identify and summarize recent methods used to assess and monitor the price and/or affordability of food and beverages in Australia using a health lens. Data Sources Four academic databases (MEDLINE Complete, Global Health, CINAHL Complete, and Business Source Complete) were searched in English from 2016 to 2022. Relevant gray literature was searched through Google Scholar and government websites. Data Extraction Five reviewers screened titles and abstracts, and full-text screening was conducted by 1 reviewer, with eligibility confirmed by a second reviewer. The quality of studies was assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute “Checklist for Analytical Cross-Sectional Studies.” Data Analysis Twenty-five eligible studies were identified. Eleven studies used a version of the Healthy Diets Australian Standardized Affordability and Pricing protocol to collect prices for a “healthy” diet modelled on dietary guidelines and an “unhealthy” diet based on a habitual Australian diet. These studies consistently found unhealthy diets to be more expensive than healthy diets. Other identified methods included assessing the price of household diets across healthy baskets (n = 6), store types (n = 5), a planetary health diet (n = 1), packaged foods according to their Health Star Rating (n = 1), a fruit and vegetable basket (n = 1), school canteen foods against a traffic light system (n = 1), and weekly healthy meal plans (n = 1). Healthy diets tended to be less costly than less healthy diets, but both diets were often unaffordable in regional areas, for people on low incomes, and for First Nations peoples. Conclusion Consistent country-wide application of methods for monitoring the price and affordability of foods and diets in Australia is needed—including tailored approaches for priority groups. Systematic Review Registration PROSPERO registration no. CRD42022333531.

The association between bullying victimization and back pain in young people: a systematic literature review and meta-analysis

Abstract Back pain is a common and recurrent health complaint in adolescence. Psychosocial factors may be associated with the onset and persistence of back pain symptoms. This systematic review aims to determine the association between bullying victimization and back pain in young people. Observational studies that quantified the association between bullying victimization and back pain in participants were included in this systematic review. Estimates of associations and confidence intervals were extracted. A random effects meta-analysis of estimates of association was performed. The quality of evidence was assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute critical appraisal checklist for analytical cross-sectional studies. Database searches yielded 18,311 citations. Nineteen studies (n = 212,058, 51.4% female) were included in our review. Meta-analysis showed a positive association between bullying victimization and back pain (odds ratio 1.93, confidence interval 1.75-2.13). Subgroup analysis showed no statistically significant effect of sex, age, bullying type, pain type, recall periods, bullying frequency, back pain frequency, risk estimate adjustment, and study critical appraisal rating. All studies were rated at moderate-high risk of bias. Our synthesis of evidence found a weak-moderate association between bullying victimization and back pain in young people. Methodological shortcomings and heterogeneity in the field limit causal inference. Future longitudinal studies are required.

Predictors and mechanisms of self-stigma in five chronic skin diseases: A systematic review.

People with skin disease suffer due to disease-related physical symptoms, as well as due to significant psychosocial burden. A major contributor of this burden is the experience of stigmatization. Research indicates that people with visible skin diseases deal with both social stigma and self-stigma. This systematic literature review aimed to aggregate existing research on correlates and mechanisms that contribute to self-stigmatization among people with atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, vitiligo, alopecia areata or hidradenitis suppurativa and to, ultimately, identify targets for psychosocial interventions. The review followed PRISMA guidelines. Four databases, PubMed, OVID, Web of Science and PsycINFO were searched for peer-reviewed articles. Studies were identified by two independent researchers and were eligible if they (1) assessed adults with one of five chronic skin diseases-atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, vitiligo, alopecia areata or hidradenitis suppurativa, (2) measured self-stigma or relevant synonyms, (3) evaluated psychosocial correlates, predictors or explanatory mechanisms of self-stigma and (4) were published in German or English in a peer-reviewed journal. The Johanna Briggs Institute Checklist for Analytical Cross Sectional Studies was used to evaluate the quality of studies. Twenty-seven studies were included with a mean quality rating of 7.04 (outof 8). Social stigma, coping strategies (such as lack of acceptance) and lack of social support were identified as main predictors of self-stigma. Although study quality was good, all but one study had a cross-sectional design that does not allow examining causal relationships among the determinants of self-stigma. Findings from the present review revealed several psychosocial variables that are malleable and potentially suitable as intervention targets. Those variables such as acceptance should be targeted in evidence-based interventions specifically developed to reduce self-stigma to, ultimately, improve mental health of people affected.

Morphological changes in temporomandibular joint architecture in patients with temporomandibular disorders: systematic review protocol

ObjectiveThe review involves the assessment of morphological variations in the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) and its associated structures in patients with temporomandibular disorder.IntroductionTemporomandibular disorders (TMD) are debilitating conditions that affect the...

Examining the effectiveness of food literacy interventions in improving food literacy behavior and healthy eating among adults belonging to different socioeconomic groups- a systematic scoping review

BackgroundIn high-income countries, significant diet-related health inequalities exist between people of different socioeconomic backgrounds. Individuals who face socioeconomic challenges are less likely to meet dietary guidelines, leading to increased incidence and prevalence of morbidity and mortality associated with dietary risk factors. To promote healthy eating, strategies may focus on individual-level factors (e.g., knowledge, skills, and behavior) along with broader societal factors (e.g., social determinants of health). The concept of food literacy is considered an individual-level factor and has been framed as a skill set that individuals must possess to effectively navigate the complexities of the modern food system. Food literacy interventions can be a complementary but effective tool for encouraging healthy eating behavior among diverse populations, including those facing socioeconomic disadvantage. However, there is limited evidence to guide the design of food literacy intervention for vulnerable population groups. In the process of developing an ideal portfolio of solutions and strategies to promote food literacy and healthy eating for people experiencing socioeconomic disadvantage, this systematic scoping review aims to comprehensively examine the effects of food literacy interventions on promoting food literacy behavior and healthy eating in adults (18 years and above) from various socioeconomic groups (SEGs) in high-income countries.MethodsThe review includes both qualitative and quantitative papers obtained from academic databases, including MEDLINE (via EBSCOhost), Embase, Web of Science, and Google Scholar. In addition to the electronic search, manual forward and backward citation searching will be conducted to identify additional relevant papers. Food literacy interventions will be evaluated across four domains: planning and management, selection, preparation, and consumption. Papers included in the review will be analyzed for process, impact, and outcome evaluation. The main outcome of a food literacy intervention is the modification in eating behavior, while the mechanism for this action will be through impact measure of food literacy behaviors. Implementation factors will be extracted for process evaluation. This review will also include a range of dietary behavior measures, such as diet quality index and dietary intake indicator. The screening process for all citations, full-text articles, and abstract data will be carried out by two reviewers independently. In case of any potential conflicts, they will be resolved through discussion. The quality of quantitative studies will be reviewed using the JBI critical appraisal checklist for analytical cross-sectional studies. The “Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Studies (COREQ)” will be used to report on the quality of qualitative papers. Systematic review registration: https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/TPNKU

Gut microbial composition is altered in sarcopenia: A systematic review and meta-analysis of clinical studies.

Increasing evidence has shown that gut microbiota (GM) was involved in the pathophysiology of musculoskeletal disorders through multiple pathways such as protein anabolism, chronic inflammation and immunity, and imbalanced metabolism. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of human studies to evaluate GM diversity differences between individuals with and without sarcopenia, and explore bacteria with potential to become biomarkers. PubMed, Embase and Cochrane library were systematically searched from inception to February 16, 2024. Studies were included if they (1) sampled adults with sarcopenia, and (2) performed GM analysis and reported α-diversity, β-diversity or relative abundance. The methodological quality of included studies and the certainty of evidence were assessed through the Joanna Briggs Institute critical appraisal checklist for analytical cross-sectional studies and the Grades of Recommendation, Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) Working Group system, respectively. Weighted standardized mean differences (SMDs) and corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated for α-diversity indices using a fixed-effects and a random-effects model. Beta diversity and the relative abundance of GM were summarized qualitatively. A total of 19 studies involving 6,565 participants were included in this study. Compared with controls, significantly moderate decrease in microbial richness in participants with sarcopenia were found (Chao1: SMD = -0.44; 95%CI, -0.64 to -0.23, I2 = 57.23%, 13 studies; observed species: SMD = -0.68; 95%CI, -1.00 to -0.37, I2 = 66.07%, 5 studies; ACE index: SMD = -0.30; 95%CI, -0.56 to -0.04, I2 = 8.12%, 4 studies), with very low certainty of evidence. Differences in β-diversity were consistently observed in 84.6% of studies and 97.3% of participants. The detailed analysis of the gut microbial differential abundance identified a loss of Prevotellaceae, Prevotella, and Megamonas in sarcopenia compared with non-sarcopenia. In conclusion, sarcopenia was found to be associated with reduced richness of GM, and supplementing intestinal bacteria described above may contribute to preventing and treating this muscle disease. The research protocol was registered and approved in PROSPERO (CRD42023412849).

Examining the quality of life among pregnant women diagnosed with gestational diabetes mellitus: A systematic review and meta-analysis for women's health promotion.

Quality of life (QoL) of women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is one of the fundamental issues and public health challenges. This study examines the QoL among pregnant women with GDM through a systematic review and meta-analysis. A search was conducted in Scopus, PubMed, and the Web of Science databases for articles published until Jan 30, 2024. Manual searches of gray literature, Google Scholar, reference checks, and citation checks were conducted. The JBI's Critical Appraisal Checklist for Analytical Cross-Sectional Studies was utilized to assess the quality of the articles' reporting. The random model implemented in Stata software (version 16; Stata Corp.) was utilized to conduct the meta-analysis. Among the 516 studies obtained from the literature, only 15 were deemed suitable for inclusion. Most studies (73.3%) were conducted in nations with high-income levels. Additionally, general QoL was assessed in most studies (11 studies). The SF-36 and WHOQOLBREF questionnaires were the most often utilized. Based on the SF-36 measure, there was no statistically significant difference in the QoL of patients with GDM compared to the control group in most of dimensions. The WHOQOL-BREF instrument was utilized to estimate the QoL score at 49.69. The EQ-5D-5L tool revealed a difference in QoL scores between the GDM and control groups (MD=-7.40). The research findings were highly heterogeneous. The median evaluation score for the reporting quality of the articles was calculated to be 5, with a mean of 4.8 out of 7. The results of the present study showed that GDM reduces the QoL of pregnant women, especially in terms of mental and social health. Therefore, interventions and support programs should be designed and implemented to improve these women's QoL.

Scoping review: Reporting characteristics for the safety of contact lenses in the pediatric population.

Contact lenses are an increasingly popular option for correcting pediatric refractive error due to increased awareness of interventions to slow myopia progression. With limited information on the safety profiles of contact lenses in children, it is important to characterize the current understanding and promote this device's safe and effective use. This scoping review evaluates characteristics of the current literature that have examined the safety of contact lenses in pediatric patients. It provides future directions for systematic reviews and identifies any gaps in the current literature or areas for future research. Literature searches in MEDLINE via PubMed, EMBASE, The Cochrane Library, trial registries, and U.S. Food and Drug Administration clinical trial documentation were performed. Included studies (i.e., experimental and quasi-experimental studies; observational studies including prospective and retrospective cohort, case-control, and analytical cross-sectional studies, and case series of 30 or more participants) reported safety and/or complications of the use of any contact lens for correcting refractive error in children (0 to 18 years). Two independent reviewers first screened the titles and abstracts, and then full-text reports for eligibility. Conflicts in eligibility were resolved by discussions with a third reviewer. Two independent reviewers extracted data, including details about the participants, context, study methods, and key findings relevant to the review question. This scoping review included 73 studies from 10 countries using different contact lens modalities, primarily orthokeratology and soft contact lenses, in children (6 to 18 years). The most common adverse event reported by the studies was corneal staining (60% orthokeratology, 45% soft contact lens). The need for uniform reporting standards for adverse events poses challenges for comprehensive data synthesis. However, this scoping review identified a sufficient number of studies for a future systematic review to quantify the risks associated with orthokeratology and soft contact lens use in children.

Effectiveness of community-based interventions for prevention and control of hypertension in sub-Saharan Africa: A systematic review.

Hypertension poses a significant public health challenge in sub-Saharan Africa due to various risk factors. Community-based intervention for prevention and control of hypertension is an effective strategy to minimize the negative health outcomes. However, comprehensive systematic review evidence to inform effective community-based interventions for prevention and control of hypertension in low resource settings is lacking. This study aimed to synthesize the effectiveness of community-based interventions on prevention and control of hypertension in sub-Saharan Africa. A comprehensive search for studies was carried out on PubMed, CINAHL, Web of Science Core Collection, Embase, Scopus, and Google scholar databases. The result of the review was reported according to PRISMA guidelines. Studies published in English language were included. Two independent reviewers conducted critical appraisal of included studies and extracted the data using predefined excel sheet. Experimental, quasi experimental, cohort and analytical cross-sectional studies conducted on adults who have received community-based interventions for prevention and controls of hypertension in sub-Saharan Africa were included. In this systematic review, a total of eight studies were included, comprising of two interventional studies, two quasi-experimental studies, three cohort studies, and one comparative cross-sectional study. The interventions included health education, health promotion, home-based screening and diagnosis, as well as referral and treatment of hypertensive patients. The sample sizes ranged from 236 to 13,412 in the intervention group and 346 to 6,398 in the control group. This systematic review shows the effect of community-based interventions on reduction of systolic and diastolic blood pressure. However, the existing evidence is inconsistence and not strong enough to synthesize the effect of community-based interventions for the prevention and control of hypertension in sub-Saharan Africa. Hence, further primary studies need on the effect of community-based interventions for the prevention and control of hypertension in sub-Saharan Africa. Systematic review registration number: PROSPERO CRD42022342823.

How the CAHPS Clinician and Group Patient Experience Survey Data Have Been Used in Research: A Systematic Review.

Patient experience is a key aspect of care quality. The Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems Clinician and Group (CG-CAHPS®) survey measures experiences with ambulatory care providers to inform public reporting, pay-for-performance initiatives, interventions, patient choice of physicians/practices, and quality improvement. Since the survey's 2007 release, no systematic review of its use in research has been published. We reviewed English-language, peer-reviewed articles published since 2008 using CG-CAHPS survey data in the U.S. We followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines and used the Checklist for Analytical Cross-Sectional Studies. We examined 126 articles and included 52. Twenty-seven articles focused on general primary care, and the others focused on ambulatory specialty care. Of the 52 studies, 37 were cross-sectional, and the majority conducted patient-level regression analysis, controlling for patient characteristics. The most-used CAHPS measures were overall provider rating and the provider communication composite. CG-CAHPS data were primarily utilized to evaluate interventions (24 studies) and examine cross-sectional associations (21 studies) of site-level (eg, organizational climate), provider-level (physician empathy), and patient-level (medication adherence) factors with patient experience. Four studies reported disparities in patient experience. The widespread use of CG-CAHPS data implies the survey's value in measuring and improving care quality. Unlike facility or plan surveys, the CG-CAHPS survey was designed to allow attribution to medical groups and clinicians, which, as evidence shows, is its main strength. Policymakers, researchers, clinicians, and health care leaders can leverage CG-CAHPS data in quality improvement efforts and interventions supporting patient-centered care.

The impact of COVID-19 on non-communicable disease patients in sub-Saharan African countries: A systematic review.

COVID-19 and its prevention measures have had a significant impact on patients with non-communicable diseases (NCDs) by disrupting routine healthcare service and increasing risk factors. These challenges were expected to be more severe in sub-Saharan Africa due to the lack of physical infrastructure and inadequate resources. The quantity of studies conducted was limited, and there was a lack of published systematic reviews in the specified region. This systematic review aimed to assess the indirect impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and associated lockdown measures on individuals with non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in sub-Saharan African countries. This systematic review adheres to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) 2020 guidelines and is registered with PROSPERO (ID CRD42023387755). Extensive searches were conducted in MEDLINE, EMBASE, and CINAHL databases in December 2023, supplemented by a manual search of references, grey literature, and the WHO COVID-19 database. Inclusion criteria encompassed studies that reported on the impact of COVID-19 on NCD patients in sub-Saharan African countries, focusing on access to care, health outcomes, and factors related to NCDs. Critical appraisal of study quality was performed using the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) analytical cross-sectional studies critical appraisal tool. Data were extracted and synthesized, highlighting the main findings and relevant limitations. This review included 30 primary studies with a cumulative sample size of 25634 participants, conducted in seven sub-Saharan African countries. These studies demonstrated that the COVID-19 pandemic significantly disrupted regular NCD patient care provision, with regional variations. The studies also identified a reduction in patient health-seeking behavior and reduced medication adherence, leading to poor treatment outcome. Furthermore, the pandemic and related lockdowns have been implicated in the increased prevalence of substance use, decreased physical exercise, and increased mental health problems. This systematic review identified the complex challenges faced by NCD patients in sub-Saharan Africa during the COVID-19 pandemic. It also underlines the need to consider the indirect impact on vulnerable populations while developing pandemic prevention and control strategies for the future. The current NCD management strategies should prioritize the restoration of access to essential healthcare services while considering the multifaceted risks posed by decreased physical activity, poor dietary practices, and increased substance use. The main limitation of this review was the study design and setting. All of the studies included in this review employed a cross-sectional design, which may result in a low quality of evidence. This study identified research conducted in only seven countries among the 46 UN-classified sub-Saharan nations, which may impair the generalizability of the result.

Factors Influencing Dementia Care Competence among Care Staff: A Mixed-Methods Systematic Review Protocol.

Dementia care competence is defined as the ability, acquired through practical experience, to deliver high-quality care services to persons with dementia (PWD). However, many studies only focus on one aspect of competence using qualitative or quantitative research design and have small sample sizes of care staff with dementia. This study aims to conduct a mixed-methods systematic review of the factors influencing the competence of dementia care staff, and explore the relationship between these factors and competence. This review was designed following the PRISMA-P 2015 statement and methodological guidance for the conduct of mixed-methods systematic reviews from the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI). Seven English and four Chinese databases will be searched to systematically review the existing eligible studies. JBI Critical Appraisal Checklist for Qualitative Research and Analytical Cross-Sectional Studies will be used to assess the methodological quality of each study. A JBI Mixed-Methods Data Extraction Form will be applied for data extraction. The JBI convergent integrated approach will be used for data synthesis and integration. The synthesized findings will be graded according to the JBI ConQual approach as high, moderate, low, or very low. The protocol was registered with PROSPERO in October 2023 (CRD42023474093).

Polarization and health-related behaviours and outcomes during the COVID-19 pandemic: a systematic review protocol.

The COVID-19 pandemic affected people's health behaviours and health outcomes. Political or affective polarization could be associated with health behaviours such as mask-wearing or vaccine uptake and with health outcomes, e.g., infection or mortality rate. Political polarization relates to divergence or spread of ideological beliefs and affective polarization is about dislike between people of different political groups, such as ideologies or parties. The objectives of this study are to investigate and synthesize evidence about associations between both forms of polarization and COVID-19 health behaviours and outcomes. In this systematic review, we will include quantitative studies that assess the relationship between political or affective polarization and COVID-19-related behaviours and outcomes, including adherence to mask mandates, vaccine uptake, infection and mortality rate. We will use a predetermined strategy to search EMBASE, Medline (Ovid), Cochrane Library, Cochrane COVID-19 Study Register, Global Health (Ovid), PsycInfo (Ovid), Web of Science, CINAHL, EconLit (EBSCOhost), WHO COVID-19 Database, iSearch COVID-19 Portfolio (NIH) and Google Scholar from 2019 to September 8 2023. One reviewer will screen unique records according to eligibility criteria. A second reviewer will verify the selection. Data extraction, using pre-piloted electronic forms, will follow a similar process. The risk of bias of the included studies will be assessed using the JBI checklist for analytical cross sectional studies. We will summarise the included studies descriptively and examine the heterogeneity between studies. Quantitative data pooling might not be feasible due to variations in measurement methods used to evaluate exposure, affective and political polarization. If there are enough relevant studies for statistical data synthesis, we will conduct a meta-analysis. This review will help to better understand the concept of polarization in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic and might inform decision making for future pandemics. PROSPERO ID: CRD42023475828.

Prosthetic status and Treatment need in Indian population:A Systematic Review

Introduction To examine the prevalence of partial or complete edentulousness in different geographic areas of the Indian population. Materials and Methods An electronic search in PubMed/Medline, Cochrane Library, ScienceDirect, Wiley Online Library, and Google Scholar was conducted to find relevant papers that had been written in English exclusively and published before May 2022. Based on the PICO, the primary research question for this study was ‘What are the prosthetic status and treatment needs of the adult population in India?’ By evaluating the title, abstract, and full text of the articles, if they met the inclusion criteria, the relevance of the articles was verified. The quality of the included studies was assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) tool for analytical cross-sectional studies. Result The database search yielded 278 items, of which 123 were discarded due to being irrelevant, duplicates, or lacking data. The remaining 155 full-text articles were assessed for eligibility 20 articles were yielded by manual search and 9 articles were added through a search of a reference list of relevant articles. A total of 151 full-text papers were evaluated for eligibility, with 5 articles being excluded. The current systematic review includes a total of 35 studies. Conclusion The current systematic review states the prevalence of complete edentulousness is comparatively less than partial edentulism, ranging between 0.8% to 14%, except for the tribal population where it is around 42-43%. On the other hand, figures depicting partial edentulism are between 15 to 98% distributed in the different geographical regions. The prosthetic status reported in the studies involved ranges between 3% to 100% with a mean of approximately 35%. Prosthetic treatment need reported overall was between 14% to 100%, in which requirement was found to be more in the maxilla in maximum of the studies included while only a few studies predicted more treatment need in the mandible. The requirement and correlation with gender cannot be established as the figures vary in all the studies included. This research establishes a baseline reference and highlights the lack of attention given to oral health. Key Words: Geographic areas, Population, Prosthetic treatment