Bivariate Statistical Analysis Research Articles

Landslide Hazard Zoning in Na Heaw District, Loei Province, Northeastern Thailand

Nahaew District in northeastern Thailand, where crops out the Cretaceous Khorat Group, is a priority area for landslide hazard assessment through landslide susceptibility and hazard zoning. Through an interpretation of Google Earth imagery, several landslides were mapped to create landslide inventory map. Parameter maps were constructed and compiled into a database with the landslide inventory. The bivariate (frequency ratio) statistical analysis was used to establish landslide susceptibility maps, which were classified into five susceptibility classes. Another approach was landslide hazard zonation. Urban and rural planning and engineering construction need especially hazard zonation map in medium and local scale. GIS and remote sensing techniques have many advantages in the preparation of the map including regional, medium and local scales. In this study, landslide zonation map was prepared using runout model by assigning engineering properties and Digital Elevation Model (DEM) as well as rainfall data. The result was landslide hazard zonation of the area and can be used for urban planning. The report and recommendation have contributed to local authority.

Bivariate Statistical Analysis of Plant Damage Information through Cumulative Hazard Function Method

Bivariate Statistical Analysis of Plant Damage Information through Cumulative Hazard Function Method

Identification of Soils Factors Influence in the Distributions of Tuber aestivum in Transylvanian Subcarpathian Hill, Romania

Truffles are one of the most hunted varieties of mushrooms in Europe due to their high price and their increasingly frequent use in the kitchen. As demonstrated by several studies, soil conditions are among the main factors that influence the spread and development of the black truffle species. The purpose of this study was to identify the soil factors which directly and indirectly influence the distribution of black truffles (Tuber aestivum Vittad.) in Romania and to identify the areas from the Subcarpathian Hills of Transylvania which are highly favourable to their existence and growth, using G.I.S. spatial analysis and databases which include soil characteristics (soil type, texture, gleization, stagno-gleization) and territorial localisation through GPS points indicating the samples of Tuber aestivum. By implementing the statistical model of spatial analysis (BSA – Bivariate Statistical Analysis) for each characteristic, a series of areas were classified into three classes of favourability (low, medium, high) for the growth of Tuber aestivum. The results were validated indirectly by comparing the overlapping of the areas from the high favourability class with the areas covered with tree species from the Quercus genus and directly, through field research (on the surfaces with maximum favourability), done by specialised truffle seekers. The results were validated with a very high confidence rate for both methods (method 1 - overlapping of approximatively 93%, method 2 - Tuber aestivum was identified on 12 out of 15 test surfaces from the high favourability class).

Uso de aislamiento absoluto con dique de goma en tratamientos restaurativos por rehabilitadores orales en el departamento de Antioquia

Introducción y Objetivo: El aislamiento absoluto del campo operatorio con dique de goma (DG), es esencial para el resultado exitoso del tratamiento endodóntico y restaurador. A la fecha, no existe evidencia científica que soporte su uso entre rehabilitadores orales. Los propósitos de este estudio fueron: determinar la frecuencia del uso de DG como método de aislamiento absoluto, identificar que variables sociodemográficas influenciaron su uso y conocer las principales razones de su uso o no por rehabilitadores orales del departamento de Antioquia durante los procedimientos restaurativos. Materiales y métodos: Una encuesta autodiligenciable con 17 preguntas fue hecha a 77 rehabilitadores orales. Un análisis estadístico descriptivo univariado y bivariado utilizando la prueba de chi cuadrado de Pearson fue utilizado para determinar la asociación entre los factores demográficos y el uso o no del DG (P <0.05). Resultados: En general, la prevalencia del uso del DG fue de 89,6% intervalo de confianza (IC) 95% (82,8%- 96,4%), siendo mayor en el sector posterior 61,1%, seguido por 55,9% en el sector anterior, 19,5% cementación de postes y 14,3% en la elaboración de postes. Mientras la falta de tiempo con 44,2% y no ver la necesidad 28,6%, fueron las razones más prevalentes para omitir el uso del DG; el control de la humedad con 81,8% y mejorar la adhesión 71,4%, justificaron su uso. La experiencia clínica fue la única variable que influenció el uso del DG (P = 0.03). Conclusión: El uso de DG fue más frecuente para el sector posterior que el anterior, y frecuentemente omitido para la elaboración y cementación de postes.

Long-Term Stability of the Adult Sickle Cell Quality of Life Measure (ASCQ-Me)

Aim: The Adult Sickle Cell Quality of life Measure (ASCQ-Me) is a relatively new tool with increasing frequency of use, but no published reports of its long-term stability. The aim of this study was to examine reliability of ASCQ-Me in a sample of adults with sickle cell disease (SCD). Evidence of reliability of this new tool is important for credible use in longitudinal studies of SCD, especially those with interventions intended to improve quality of life (QOL) for patients with SCD.Methods: In a comparative study, 141 adults with SCD (mean age 37±11 years [ranged from 19 to 74 years]; 100% African ancestry; 60% female; 74% SS, 20% SC and 6% Other) provided demographic information and completed the ASCQ-Me questionnaire twice, separated by 1 year so that data were collected in the same season. The 30-item ASCQ-Me has 6 subscales focused on: pain episodes (frequency and severity), pain impact, emotional impact, sleep impact, social functioning impact, and stiffness impact. Its scores range from (0 low QOL) to 100 (high QOL) and are normed at a mean of 50 and SD of 10. Because the scores are reversed for pain episodes (frequency, severity), higher scores indicate more suffering. Descriptive and bivariate statistical analysis were conducted using the R statistical software package.Results: Table 1 presents the complete findings for the ASCQ-Me subscale domains, mean (SD) scores at baseline and one-year, intra-class coefficients (ICC), and Cronbach's alphas at baseline and one-year. Generally in this sample, the subscale scores across time did not differ by more than 2.4 points (Table 1). The internal consistency alphas at baseline ranged from 0.64 to 0.93 and at one-year ranged from 0.62 to 0.93. The long-term stability (ICC) ranged from 0.43 to 0.64.Conclusions: Over a one-year time span, the stability of the ASCQ-Me subscale scores was fair to good, with pain severity being less stable as would be expected for a condition known for recurrent pain episodes as well as chronic pain. Mean scores in this sample are similar to published scores associated with moderate to high severity SCD. Several domains showed ICC of 0.53 and higher, suggesting adequate stability for use of ASCQ-Me as a treatment outcome measure. While worsening disease has been associated with an increased number of pain episodes, in this sample, over the one-year period, the quality of life remained relatively stable. ASCQ-Me may be used to help describe chronic pain phenotypes in patients with SCD and as a longitudinal measure of treatment outcomes. [Display omitted] DisclosuresNo relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

Sickle Cell Disease and Venous Thromboembolism: Hospital Mortality, Length of Stay and Cost

Introduction:It is estimated that there are 100,000 Americans living with Sickle Cell Disease (SCD). Patients with SCD experience a number of complications that frequently require hospitalization. SCD is a prothrombotic state that is commonly complicated by venous thromboembolism (VTE) and recurrent VTE. The National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute do not include VTE as one of the complications of SCD in their latest guidelines, and the topics of prophylaxis and treatment of VTE in SCD are not discussed. There are no guidelines specifically designed for the prophylaxis or treatment of VTE in the SCD population, and traditionally management guidelines for VTE in the general population are followed. Recent information on national prevalence, mortality, length of stay, and cost for hospitalized patients with with SCD complicated by VTE is limited.Methods:We used data from the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project's National Inpatient Sample (NIS) from 1999-2014 to examine these variables. The data on SCD from 1999-2014 was analyzed using ICD-9-CM codes for SCD (ICD-9-CM: 282.41, 282.42, 282.6, 282.60, 282.62, 282.63, 282.64, 282.68, 282.69) in the primary diagnosis field, and VTE (ICD-9-CM: 453.40, 453.41, 453.42, 453.82, 453.83, 415.11, 415.19) in the secondary diagnosis field which includes codes for venous thrombosis and pulmonary embolism. Univariate and bivariate statistical analysis was performed using the chi-square test. Multivariate analysis was performed using cox proportional hazard regression. The alpha was set at 0.05.Results:Over a 15 year period, from 1999-2014, a total of 217,791 (weighted N = 1,073,215) admissions with SCD were identified. A total of 7,898 admissions were associated with VTE. Mean age at admission of those with VTE was 27.42 (+/- 0.05) years and those without VTE was 34.00 (+/- 0.51) years. In patients with SCD and VTE, the average inpatient mortality was 3.08% (p < 0.0001) versus mortality of 0.27% in patients that did not have VTE. The hazard ratio for mortality was 4.18 (CI: 2.95-5.93) (p < 0.0001). Length of stay in the SCD with VTE group was 10.45 days (+/- 0.43) versus 5.09 days (+/- 0.02) (p < 0.0001) in SCD without VTE. Overall hospital cost was higher in those with VTE at $60,055 (+/- $1,940) versus $28,729 (+/- 232.97) (p < 0.0001) in those without VTE.Conclusions:Patients with SCD and VTE experience significant morbidity, mortality, prolonged hospitalization and increased cost associated with this complication of the disease as was observed in this study. Furthermore, patients who experience VTE are significantly younger than those who do not, with mean age of 27 versus 34. After controlling for multiple confounders like age, race, sex, income, comorbidities, the presence of VTE is associated with a significantly higher risk of mortality in SCD. Currently, there are no prophylaxis or treatment guidelines designed specifically for patients with SCD and VTE. We recommend the use of antithrombotic prophylaxis or therapy in patients with SCD be evaluated in prospective studies. DisclosuresNo relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

Hydrologic Drought Frequency Analysis in Karkhe Basin Based on Bivariate Statistical Analysis

Hydrologic Drought Frequency Analysis in Karkhe Basin Based on Bivariate Statistical Analysis

The Impact of Social Deprivation on Pediatric PROMIS Health Scores After Upper Extremity Fracture.

Although social deprivation is acknowledged to influence physical and mental health in adults, it is unclear if and how social deprivation influences perceived health in children. This study was conducted to evaluate the impact of social deprivation on Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) scores in children presenting for treatment of upper extremity fractures. This cross-sectional evaluation analyzed data from 975 new pediatric patients (8-17 years old) with upper extremity fractures presenting to a tertiary orthopedic center between June 1, 2016, and June 1, 2017. They completed self-administered PROMIS Computer Adaptive Tests (CATs). The Area Deprivation Index was used to quantify social deprivation. Bivariate statistical analysis determined the effect of disparate area deprivation (based on most and least deprived national quartiles) for the entire population. A total of 327 children (34%) lived in areas categorized as the most socially deprived quartile of the United States, whereas 202 (21%) arrived from homes in the least socially deprived quartile. Children in the most deprived quartile had significantly worse mean PROMIS Upper Extremity Function, Mobility, Pain Interference, and Peer Relations scores than those in the least deprived quartile. Significantly more children from the most socially deprived areas were black. Patient age, sex, and fracture type were not significantly different between patients from the least and the most socially deprived quartiles. Children living in areas of greatest social deprivation report worse Upper Extremity Function, Mobility, Pain Interference, and Peer Relations scores on self-administered PROMIS CATs than children from areas of least social deprivation at presentation for care of upper extremity fractures. The impact of social deprivation on perceived health and function is evident before adulthood and, therefore, interventions to mitigate this effect should be offered to children as well as adults. Prognostic II.

Pagos por Rendimiento en las filiales Argentinas de empresas Multinacionales

Este artículo tiene dos objetivos centrales. El primero es determinar el desarrollo de sistemas de pagos por rendimiento para trabajadores cubiertos por convenios colectivos de trabajo en las filiales argentinas de empresas multinacionales, en tanto el segundo es analizar la articulación que hay entre los pagos por rendimiento y diferentes variables como país de origen, actividad, año de ingreso al país, tamaño, presencia sindical, afiliación y política gerencial hacia los sindicatos. La elección de estas variables surge de la bibliografía especializada, que las toma como elementos explicativos de los pagos por rendimiento en empresas multinacionales. De esta forma se busca observar en qué medida las relaciones que se establecen en este estudio se acercan a las hipótesis tradicionales sobre la problemática. Para analizar los pagos por rendimiento, se toman como referencia los pagos de salario con adicionales por rendimiento y los sistemas de evaluación de desempeño. El presente estudio se lleva adelante a partir de una encuesta realizada en 83 filiales de empresas multinacionales en Argentina y se utiliza una técnica de análisis estadístico bivariado que permite dar cuenta del tipo de relación que existe entre las variables y categorías consideradas en este estudio.

Resultados de la inseminación artificial conyugal en un centro hospitalario no especializado durante los años 2001 y 2017

IntroductionHomologous artificial insemination (HAI) is an assisted reproductive technology used as a first option in those couples that do not become pregnant. A study was performed on the outcomes of HAI cycles in this centre in order to compare the results with those of the SEF (Spanish Fertility society) and other studies. The degree of association between pregnancy and different variables related to male and female factors was also determined. Material and methodThe following variables were collected retrospectively about the HAI cycles carried out between 2001 and 2017: woman's age, percentage of progressively motile sperm, total motile sperm count (TMSC), percentage of morphologically normal sperm, pregnancy (yes or no), abortion (yes or no) and multiple pregnancy (yes or no). Rates of pregnancy / cycle, pregnancy / couple, abortion, live births / cycle, multiple pregnancy and accumulated pregnancy were calculated, depending on the different variables collected. In addition, a bivariate statistical analysis was carried out between pregnancy and different male and female variables in order to establish an association between them. ResultsA total of 3,477 HAI cycles were carried out. The pregnancy/cycle rate obtained was 10.18%, and per couple it was 29.70%. The total abortion rate was 22.60% and multiple pregnancy rate was 6.78%. The accumulated pregnancy rate was 38.56%. A statistically significant association (P<.05) was found between pregnancy and TMSC. No statistically significant relationship was found in the other variables studied (age of the woman, morphology, or initial progressive motility). DiscussionPregnancy/cycle rates were higher with TMSC≥10million/mL, with sperm morphology≥4, with initial progressive motility≥32%, and in women under 40 years, which coincide with the results published in other studies. However, only TMSC could be considered as a predictor of success in the HAI due to the statistically significant relationship obtained in this study between TMSC and pregnancy.The total abortion rate was very similar to the SEF abortion rate in recent years. However, the multiple pregnancy rate in the present study is significantly lower than the rate of other Spanish centres.Although the HAI has not shown major changes in recent years, it is a simple, cheap and safe technique with an accumulated pregnancy rate similar to the results obtained with other types of more complex and expensive assisted reproductive technology.

The Relationship of Characteristics, Knowledge, Attitudes, and Mother’s Action on Immunization Compliance

Background: Immunization coverage in Indonesia in 2015 was 86,50%, which did not meet the target of complete primary immunization was 91%. The completion of primary immunization is defined by several factors such as characteristics, knowledge, attitude, and mother’s action. Purpose: This study was aimed to investigate the correlation between mother’s characteristics, knowledge, attitude, and action toward immunization compliance in community group (RW) 15 in Sub-district Semampir Surabaya City. Methods: The study was designed as a cross-sectional study with a guy sampling method. In this method, the respondents were selected from 10% of total population and obtained 78 respondents with criteria of a mother having a toddler around 1-5 years old, pregnant mother, and adult women of childbearing age. Primary data were collected from a questionnaire through the interview. Meanwhile, the secondary data were obtained from the public health center of Wonokusumo and public health office of Surabaya city. Data were analyzed through the chi-square method. Results: The bivariate statistical analysis showed that there is a relation between mother’s characteristic (age, education, and employment) (p = 0,01), knowledge (p = 0,01), attitude (p = 0,01), and action (p = 0,01) with immunization compliance. Conclusion: It can be concluded that mother’s characteristic, knowledge, attitude, and action can be determining the factor of immunization compliance.

Pengetahuan dan Dukungan Suami dengan Kejadian Unmet Need Keluarga Berencana pada Pasangan Usia Subur di Wilayah Puskesmas Biromaru Kabupaten Sigi

The impact of unmet need is the unwanted pregnancy will end with unsafe abortion and create morbidity and mortality among mother and child. There are many factors and reasons from reproductive age couple as the cause of high unmet need. This is closely related to knowledge and husband support. This study aims to know the association of knowledge, husband support, and unmet need family planning among reproductive age couple. This study is a cross-sectional study and was conducted on September to October 2017. There are 145 respondents involved in this study using proportional stratified random sampling. Chi-square analysis was used for bivariate statistical analysis. Study result shows that there is a significant association of knowledge (p-value=0.003), husband support (p-value=0,001) and unmet need family planning. It is suggested to health worker for conducting socialization to give information about the importance to be family planning acceptor, involve husband as a support for wife to be family planning acceptor in order to decrease the number of unmet need and indirectly decrease morbidity and mortality among mother and child

Are maternal healthcare services accessible to vulnerable group? A study among women with disabilities in rural Nepal.

BackgroundStudies report that vulnerable groups like people with disabilities have less access to healthcare. This study compares health service access between women with and without disabilities in general and explores the challenges encountered by women with disabilities in accessing maternal healthcare services during pregnancy.MethodsA mixed method study was conducted in Rupandehi district of Nepal implementing a cross-sectional survey among 354 women including 79 women with disabilities, supplemented by 43 in-depth interviews. Descriptive and bivariate statistical analysis of quantitative data using Pearson’s Chi-square test for association was carried out, while qualitative data were analysed following the theme content analysis using a framework approach.ResultsThe vast majority of women from both groups, women with and without disabilities (71% vs 74%) reported that the nearest health facility from their location was more than 30 minutes walking distance (P>0.05). Half of the women with disabilities walked to health facilities for ANC check-ups. Over one-third of women without disabilities and a slightly lesser proportion of women with disabilities (29%) used a low-cost means of transport (rikshaw, bi/tri-cycles) (P>0.05). Distribution of health facilities found uneven and poorly linked with road transport facilities. None of the health facilities accommodated the needs of women with disabilities with accessible buildings and convenient opening time. The travel cost and the extra cost of services, staff shortage, often delayed and inadequate drug supplies were common problems for both women with and without disabilities. Unavailability of beds during delivery, insensitive providers with negative attitudes and abusive behaviour, inadequate knowledge and experience in providing services to the people with disabilities as well as unwelcoming health facility environment made services particularly inaccessible to women with disabilities.ConclusionMaternal healthcare services are not easily and equitably accessible to women with disabilities. To increase access to healthcare for this vulnerable group, improvements are needed in distribution and management of resources from transportation through service delivery, as well as improved provider knowledge and awareness of a human rights approach to disability and health.

Use of a 5-Item Modified Frailty Index for Risk Stratification in Patients Undergoing Surgical Management of Distal Radius Fractures.

Compared with cast treatment, surgery may expose patients with distal radius fractures to undue risk. Surgical intervention in this cohort may offer less benefit than previously thought and appropriate patient selection is imperative. The modified Frailty Index (mFI) predicts complications after other orthopedic surgeries. We hypothesized that this index would predict, and might ultimately prevent, complications in patients older than 50 years with distal radius fractures. We retrospectively reviewed the American College of Surgeons-National Surgery Quality Improvement Program (ACS-NSQIP) database, including patients older than 50 years who underwent open reduction and internal fixation of a distal radius fracture. A 5-item mFI score was then calculated for each patient. Postoperative complications, readmission and reoperation rates, as well as length of stay (LOS) were recorded. Bivariate and multivariable statistical analysis was then performed. We identified 6,494 patients (mean age, 65 years). Compared with patients with mFI of 0, patients with mFI of 2 or greater were nearly 2.5 times as likely to incur a postoperative complication (1.7% vs 7.4%). Specifically, the rates of Clavien-Dindo IV, wound, cardiac, and renal complications were increased significantly in patients with mFI of 2 or greater. In addition, as mFI increased from 0 to 2 or greater, 30-day reoperation rate increased from 0.8% to 2.4%, 30-day readmission from 0.8% to 4.6%, and LOS from 0.5 days to 1.44 days. Frailty was associated with increased complications as well as rates of readmission and reoperation even when controlling for demographic data, LOS, and operative time. Age alone was not significantly associated with postoperative complications, readmission, reoperation, or LOS. A state of frailty is highly predictive of postoperative complications, readmission, reoperation, and increased LOS following open reduction and internal fixation of distal radius fractures. Our data suggest that a simple frailty evaluation can help inform surgical decision making in patients older than 50 years with distal radius fractures. Prognostic II.

Oral Health - Factors of Non-Adherence to Dental Vouchers: A Case-Control Study

A dental voucher was created to facilitate the access to oral health care, however the use of these vouchers, by students aged 7, 10 and 13 with dental caries from state schools within the geodemographic area covered by the Community Health Center Group of Western Lisbon and Oeiras, had a low uptake (23%, school year 2014/2015) The aim of this study was to examine the factors associated with this non-use. A case-control study was carried out involving 270 students (135 cases and 135 controls) from 35 state schools who agreed to participate in the study. A descriptive analysis of the reasons for non-adhesion to the voucher, and a study associating the variables and the use/non-use of the dental vouchers using bivariate and multivariate statistical analysis was made adopting a significance of 0.05. The main reasons for non-use (n = 135) were the use of private dentists outside the dental voucher scheme (23.7%) and forgetting to use the vouchers or exceeding the expiry date (21.5%). The main factor associated with the non-use was students having a private dentist (OR adjusted 2.004, p = 0.012; IC 95%: 1.176 - 3.413) and the main factor associated with the use was having information of dentists accepting dental vouchers (OR adjusted 0.096, p = < 0.001; IC 95%: 0.047 - 0.198). Our findings highlight the need to improve the accessibility to dental vouchers. It is hoped that the identification of these factors will contribute in the planning of strategies and activities to improve the use of dental vouchers.

Epidemiological Investigation of Human Brucellosis in Pakistan

Background: Human brucellosis is a neglected and zoonotic disease also known as Malta fever or undulant fever. Objectives: A cross sectional study was conducted to determine the seroprevalence of brucellosis and to access the role of risk factors associated with this disease in humans of Punjab, Pakistan. Methods: A total of 250 serum samples were collected and subjected to Rose Bengal Plate Test and Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay for screening of Brucella. A predesigned questionnaire was filled prior to sampling to collect data regarding socio - demographic and suspected risk factors of human brucellosis. Descriptive and bivariate statistical analysis was performed using the STATA software version 12. Results: The study showed 16% seroprevalence of brucellosis. The prevalence was statistically higher in males (24%), age group of 20 to 30 years (26.92%), rural residents, (23%) and individuals with animals at home (22.50%). Among the related risk factors, exposure to animals (OR = 1.87, 95% CI: 0.9459, 3.6973) and consuming raw milk (OR = 2.36, 95% CI: 1.1713, 4.7760) were strongly associated with the disease. Conclusions: Awareness programs in the rural population should be provided about the disease and its associated risk factors. Consuming unpasteurized milk and products should be avoided to control this disease.

Gender gap generators for bicycle mode choice in Baltimore college campuses

This study explores the gender equity in bicycle mode choice and obstacles preventing women from bicycling to promote biking on major college campuses in the Baltimore metropolitan area. Socioeconomic data, travel preferences, mode accessibility, and individual factors of the surveyed population are used to identify generators of gender difference. To investigate gender equity, we develop a bivariate statistical analysis along with a two-level nested logit model. The results of the bivariate statistical analysis indicate females are about 30% less likely to bicycle from home to campus and are significantly more sensitive to environmental and infrastructural conditions. Complementary to the bivariate statistical analysis, the results of the two-level nested logit model demonstrate that distant trips, longer travel times, not having access to a bicycle, and an unsafe environment avert females from bicycling. We also find that undergraduate females are less likely to bike to campus than other group of students. The findings highlight that the integration of bicycle and transit services, advancing infrastructure to separate bicycle from motorized traffic, improving safety in bicycle facilities, and enhancing public knowledge about local bicycle routes promote bicycling among females.

Landslide Susceptibility of Kaghan and Siran Valley Using Bivariate Statistical Analysis, Mansehra District, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK), Pakistan

Landslide Susceptibility of Kaghan and Siran Valley Using Bivariate Statistical Analysis, Mansehra District, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK), Pakistan

Independent dentists’ knowledge on patient safety and reporting of adverse events. Medellín, Colombia, 2017

Introduction: In Colombia, the Comprehensive Health Services Qualifying System (Sistema Único de Habilitación de Servicios de Salud) has been revised several times. It is currently governed by Resolution 2003 of 2014, which includes dentists as independent professionals who must abide by its content. This regulation considers healthcare quality in relation to patient safety as a key aspect for professional practice. The goal of the present study was to determine the associations between dentists’ sociodemographic characteristics, their knowledge on patient safety, and the reporting of adverse events with the patient safety perception by independent providers of the dental services in the city of Medellín. Methods: This is a descriptive, cross-sectional, analytical study in 215 independent dentists from Medellín; an empirical analytical approach was used for data collection, conducting univariate, bivariate, and multivariate statistical analysis. Results: of the population of dentists studied, 52.1% were female and 50% were 41 years or younger. The variables with statistically significant association regarding dentists’ perception on patient safety were: pursuing patient safety studies after graduation, having full qualifying standards, and have performed more than one corrective action of adverse events over the past year. Conclusions: Independent dentists generally lack knowledge on adverse events management and patient safety practices. Universities and monitoring and control bodies can promote theoretical and practical activities to improve these aspects and thus the safety of dental patients.

Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency allelic variants and their prevalence in malaria patients in Eritrea.

IntroductionGlucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency is the most common enzymopathy with a relatively high frequency in malaria-endemic regions. In Eritrea, there is scanty knowledge of G6PD deficiency. The aim of the study was to characterize and determine the prevalence of four common G6PD allelic variants.MethodsThree hundred and fourteen dried blood spot samples from unrelated microscopically diagnosed malaria patient Eritrean ethnic groups living in five zobas (regions) of Eritrea were analysed by PCR-RFLP method to identify the G6PD B, G6PD A (A376G), G6PD A-(G202A), and G6PD Mediterranean (C563T) variants. To confirm the RFLP results, samples positive for A376G but negative for G202A variants were subjected to Sanger sequencing and a subset of PCR products (exon 5) directly sequenced to identify A376G and other mutations.ResultsFor G6PD genotyping, G6PD B was detected in 87.5% and A376G detected in 12.5% of malaria patients, whereas G202A and C563T were absent. Bivariate Statistical analysis showed a statistically significant association between G6PD genotypes and zoba (P < 0.004 < 0.05). Sequencing revealed the expected A376G variant. In exon 5, four common (A376G) mutations, three uncommon mutations rs782669677 (535G→A) and one potentially new mutation (451G→C), relative to the reference, mRNA NM_001042351 were detected. Bioinformatic analysis of these mutations' potential functional impact suggests minimal effect on protein function.ConclusionThis is the first report indicating that G6PD B and G6PD A genotypes are prevalent in Eritrea. Similar findings were reported in neighboring countries. Further studies including phenotype analysis are needed to corroborate the observed results.