Cross-sectional Study Research Articles

Effect of smartphone addiction on mental health and sleep quality among undergraduate pharmacy students in a Nigerian public university

Purpose The purpose of this study was to explore the relationship between smartphone addiction, mental health and sleep quality among undergraduate pharmacy students in a Nigerian public university. Design/methodology/approach A cross-sectional study was conducted among undergraduate pharmacy students in a Nigerian university. Data was collected using self-administered questionnaires, including Smartphone Addiction Scale-Short version, Patient Health Questionnaire, Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index. The data obtained were analyzed using descriptive statistics, the chi-square test and the Pearson correlation. Probability values less than 0.05 were considered statistically significant. Findings A total of 410 undergraduate pharmacy students participated in the study, giving a response rate of 95.57%. The prevalence of smartphone addiction, depression and anxiety symptoms were 40.24%, 28.30% and 23.66%, respectively. Most students had poor sleep quality (96.10%). The prevalence of smartphone addiction had a moderate positive correlation with the severity of depression (r = 0.363, p < 0.01) and anxiety (r = 0.261, p < 0.01) symptoms. Nevertheless, smartphone addiction showed no connection with sleep quality (r = 0.022, p = 0.663). Research limitations/implications The study was conducted in a single public university in Nigeria, hence this might limit its generalizability. The provision of mental health support within universities could help address the high prevalence of smartphone addiction, mental health issues and poor sleep quality. Originality/value To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this was the first study to examine smartphone addiction among pharmacy students in a resource-limited setting with multicultural and multiethnic groups.

Association of dietary and lifestyle inflammation score (DLIS) with chronic migraine in women: a cross-sectional study

Due to more frequent and intense attacks, chronic migraine (CM) sufferers usually report more disability compared to patients with episodic migraine (EM). There is increasing evidence that points to inflammatory diet and lifestyle as a probable underlying cause of migraine. The present study investigated the association of dietary and lifestyle inflammation scores (DLIS) with the odds of CM in Iranian women. In the current study, 285 women with migraine enrolled. Migraine was diagnosed by a single neurologist based on the third edition of the International Classification of Headache Disorders (ICHD-III). The women were categorized into CM and EM groups based on their attack frequency per month. Adherence to the dietary inflammation score (DIS), Lifestyle Inflammatory Score (LIS), and DLIS (DIS + LIS) was assessed based on last year’s dietary intakes collected using a semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire (FFQ). The Odds Ratio (OR) for CM across the DIS, LIS, and DLIS tertiles were assessed through logistic regression. Most of the participants were overweight or obese (74.4%). The percentage of women with CM was 40.7%. Women with CM had significantly higher DIS (P = 0.002) and DLIS (P = 0.04) than women with EM. There was a significant positive association between CM and DIS. Those in the third tertile of the DIS had almost two times higher chance of experiencing chronic migraine compared with those in the first tertile [OR = 2.02; 95% CI 1.06–3.82; P = 0.03]. the P-value for the trend also was significant (0.03). In terms of LIS and DLIS tertiles, no significant association was observed. Adherence to the more inflammatory diets was associated with higher chances of experiencing CM in women.

Epidemiological changes in the pattern of children’s traumatic injuries at Hong Kong emergency departments during the COVID-19 pandemic: a retrospective, single-institutional, serial and comparative study

IntroductionTrauma is the leading cause of paediatric mortality and morbidity. Stay-home regulations for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) reportedly changed trauma severity, yet data from Hong Kong were lacking. This study examined Hong Kong’s spectrum of paediatric trauma and addressed knowledge gaps concerning epidemiological changes during COVID-19.MethodsChildren with traumatic injuries who attended a tertiary trauma centre from January 2010 to March 2022 were included in this retrospective, cross-sectional study. We analysed demographic and clinical data and conducted unadjusted bivariate analyses of injury patterns before and after the pandemic.ResultsIn total, 725 children attended the Accident and Emergency Department due to trauma, 585 before and 140 during COVID-19. The male-to-female ratio was 1.84:1. The 90-day trauma-related mortality was 0.7%. The overall Injury Severity Score was 3.52 ± 5.95. The paediatric trauma incidence was similar before and after social-distancing policies (both 5.8 cases monthly). Gender, ISS distribution, intensive care unit stay length, and hospital stay length values were similar (p > 0.05). Trauma call activation (8.4% vs. 5.7%, p = 0.002) and road traffic accidents (10.6% vs. 5.7%, p = 0.009) significantly decreased, yet younger-patient injuries (< 10 years old; 85.7% vs. 71%, p < 0.001), burns (28% vs. 45.7%, p < 0.001), and domestic injuries (65.5% vs. 85.7%, p < 0.001) significantly increased. No significant self-harm, assault, or abuse increases were found.ConclusionsThe paediatric trauma incidences were similar before and during the pandemic. However, domestic and burn injuries significantly increased, highlighting the importance of injury prevention.

Awareness about Breast Cancer and Breast Self-Examination among Undergraduate Female Students at the University of Agadir, Morocco: A Cross-Sectional Descriptive Study

Breast cancer is a pressing public health issue globally and in Morocco, with rising cases among women. This study aims to evaluate breast cancer awareness and self-examination practices among female university students, informing future educational interventions. A cross-sectional study surveyed 437 students at Ibn Zohr University, Agadir, using a questionnaire covering demographics, knowledge of breast cancer, risk factors, symptoms, and breast self-examination (BSE). Results showed high awareness of breast cancer (95.3%), with social networks and media being primary information sources. However, only 48.25% had intermediate knowledge levels, and BSE awareness was moderate (60.8%) with low practical skills (28.0%). Reasons for not performing BSE included lack of knowledge and discomfort. Significant associations were found between knowledge levels and age, year of study, study options, and information sources. Despite high awareness, there is a crucial need to enhance knowledge about breast cancer risk factors, symptoms, and BSE practices among young women in Morocco. Educational programs targeting university students are essential for promoting early detection and improving attitudes toward breast health.

Time to first remission and survival in patients with acromegaly: Evidence from the UK Acromegaly Register Study (UKAR).

This study aimed to understand the effect of time to remission of acromegaly on survival in people living with acromegaly. This cross-sectional study used data from the UK Acromegaly Register. We considered remission of acromegaly growth hormone controlled at ≤2 μg/L following the diagnosis of acromegaly. We used the accelerated failure time model to assess the effect of time to remission on survival in acromegaly. The study population comprises 3569 individuals with acromegaly, with a median age of diagnosis of 47.3 (36.5-57.8) years, 48% females and a majority white population (61%). The number of individuals with the first remission of acromegaly was 2472, and the median time to first remission was 1.92 (0.70-6.58) years. In this study, time to first remission in acromegaly was found to have a significant effect on survival (p < .001); for every 1-year increase in time to first remission, there was a median 1% reduction in survival in acromegaly. In an analysis adjusted for covariates, the survival rate was 52% higher (p < .001) in those who underwent surgery as compared to those who did not have surgery, 18% higher (p = .01) in those who received treatment with somatostatin analogues (SMA) as compared to those with dopamine agonists and 21% lower (p < .001) in those who received conventional radiotherapy as compared to those who did not receive radiotherapy. In conclusion, this population-based study conducted in patients with acromegaly revealed that faster remission time, surgical intervention and treatment with SMA are linked to improved survival outcomes.

Systemic racism and Non-Hispanic Black to Non-Hispanic White disparities in infant mortality at the county level.

To use a novel measure of systemic racism to examine its relationship with Non-Hispanic Black (NHB) to Non-Hispanic White (NHW) racial disparities in infant mortality across U.S. counties. In this cross-sectional study, a composite, multi-dimensional measure of systemic racism at the county level was developed using confirmatory factor analysis based on indicators across five dimensions of systemic racism. Using linear regression analysis, we examined the relationship between the systemic racism factor scores and the NHB to NHW racial disparities in county-level infant mortality rates. Additionally, we performed a multi-level analysis of infant mortality, with births nested within counties by running a random intercept model that controlled for factors at both the individual and county levels to take into account the clustered nature of the data. There were 325 counties that met inclusion criteria for the county level analysis and 1181 counties for the individual level analysis. Each one standard deviation increase in the Systemic Racism Index was associated with an increase of 10.4% in the Non-Hispanic Black to Non-Hispanic White infant mortality rate ratio at the county level (aOR 1.104, 95% CI [1.061-1.148]). After controlling for individual level clinical factors and county level factors, each one standard deviation increase in the systemic racism index score was associated with a decrease of 3.5% in the NHW infant mortality rate (aOR 0.965, 95% CI [0.943-0.988]). Systemic racism is significantly associated with differences between counties in the magnitude of their Non-Hispanic Black to Non-Hispanic White racial disparities in infant mortality rates.

Bereavement and Loss in Older Adulthood: Associations Between Meaning-Making, Spirituality and Grief

Losing a loved one in older adulthood affects one's emotional well-being profoundly. The grief experienced by older adults, who may have shared significant experiences and memories with their loved ones, can be intensified by cumulative losses and is often not acknowledged by themselves or their caregivers. This study uses a descriptive quantitative cross-sectional design to determine the relationships between potential predictors and grief among older adults. This cross-sectional study uses purposive sampling and involves 134 older adults aged 60 years or above who had experienced significant loss within the past 60 months. A self-administered questionnaire assessed participants' demographic characteristics, loss experiences, grief, spirituality, and meaning-making. Multiple linear regression analysis was carried out to determine the significant predictors of meaning-making and spirituality regarding grief. The findings indicated significant negative associations between spirituality, meaning-making, and grief. This study emphasizes the importance of addressing the spiritual and meaning-making dimensions in supporting older adults in effectively managing grief-related distress. Future studies should consider longitudinal designs and further explore additional predictors to provide a more comprehensive understanding of the complex factors influencing grief and the healing process.

Exploring Burnout among Nursing Students in Bangalore: A t-Distributed Stochastic Neighbor Embedding Analysis and Hierarchical Clustering in Cross-Sectional Data

This study explores burnout among nursing students in Bangalore, India, focusing on Exhaustion and Disengagement scores. A cross-sectional design was applied using the Oldenburg Burnout Inventory modified for nursing students, collecting data using a survey that was conducted between October and December 2023. The sample consisted of 237 female nursing students from the Bachelor of Science in Nursing program at Bangalore College of Nursing, South India. The study integrated the t-distributed Stochastic Neighbor Embedding (t-SNE) procedure for data simplification into three t-SNE components, used in a hierarchical clustering analysis, which identified distinct student profiles: “High-Intensity Study Group” and “Altruistic Aspirants”. While burnout scores were generally high, students with high study hours (“High-Intensity Study Group”) reported greater Exhaustion, with a mean score of 26.78 (SD = 5.26), compared to those in the “Altruistic Aspirants” group, who reported a mean score of 25.00 (SD = 4.48), demonstrating significant differences (p-value = 0.005). Conversely, those motivated by altruism (“Altruistic Aspirants”) showed higher Disengagement, with a mean score of 19.78 (SD = 5.08), in contrast to “High-Intensity Study Group”, which reported a lower mean of 17.84 (SD = 4.74) (p-value = 0.002). This segmentation suggests that burnout manifests differently depending on the students’ academic load and intrinsic motivations. This study underscores the need for targeted interventions that address specific factors characterizing the clusters and provide information for designing future research and interventions. This study was not registered.

FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH THE ULTRASOUND EXAMINATION SELECTION BY PREGNANT WOMEN IN LEREP HEALTH CENTER

ABSTRACT Ultrasound is a way to find out the fetus’s condition in the body during prenatal care (antenatal care). This research aim was to determine the correlation between knowledge, parity, motivation, and husband's support with the choice of ultrasound examination by pregnant women at the Lerep Primary Health Care, Semarang Regency. This research is a descriptive study which is an analytic survey with a cross-sectional design. The population used in this research were third-trimester pregnant women who had their pregnancies checked at the Lerep Primary Health Care, Semarang Regency, with as many as 98 people. Sampling was carried out using non-probability sampling with accidental sampling techniques and a total of 50 people were obtained. Data collection was carried out using a questionnaire. Data analysis using chi-square. The results showed that there was a significant relationship between the knowledge of pregnant women and the choice of ultrasound examination, there was no significant relationship between parity and the choice of ultrasound examination, and there was no significant relationship between the husband's support with the choice of ultrasound examination. With this research, it is hoped that primary health care can give some improvement in education and information for every pregnant woman who visits prenatal care about the choice of doing an ultrasound examination so that pregnant women understand the benefits of ultrasound examination. Keywords: pregnant woman, Pregnancy test, USG

Prevalence of Iron Deficiency Anaemia Among Pregnant Women Attending Primary Health Care Center Malala Dukku Local Government Area of Gombe State, Nigeria

Iron deficiency anaemia in pregnancy is an important health issue resulting in high maternal morbidity and mortality. The purpose of the current study was to identify the prevalence of iron deficiency anaemia among pregnant women attending primary healthcare center malaladukku local government of Gombe state, the researcher pick interest on the topic as a result of high rate of anaemia in pregnancy in the research setting primary healthcare center malala, a cross sectional descriptive non-experimental design was adopted by the researcher. Questionnaire was used as a tool for data collection various literature were review which include conceptual review, theoretical review, and empirical review of prevalence, causes and preventive measures. The study assesses the prevalence iron deficiency anaemia among pregnant women, causes of iron deficiency anaemia, and the preventive measures of the condition. The result of the study shows that the prevalence of iron deficiency was high at (74.9%) many factors were considered responsible with the condition as revealed by the research work which includes previous history of the condition, imbalanced nutrition 66.6% () and malaria in pregnancy. Supplementary iron therapy during pregnancy 83.3% (), antenatal services as soon as pregnancy is confirmed, sleeping under mosquito treated net (58.3%) s and chief alternative of healthy diet (46.6%) are the preventive measures of iron deficiency anaemia as revealed by the study. There is also need for further studies on ways of preventing and reducing the rate of iron deficiency anaemia. The research work will help in enlightening the midwives, healthcare providers on the disease and its preventive measures wsith regards to clinical practice and it will also add to the body of knowledge in the medical field and the researcher’s knowledge on the condition.

Volumetric differences in the temporomandibular joint in patients with condylar hyperplasia in active and passive state, SPECT/CT study.

Condylar hyperplasia (CH) is a progressive and deforming disease that modifies anatomy of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) structures. This study aims to correlate the metabolic bone activity of the condyle measured by SPECT with the volumetry anatomic information from the condyle, fossa and joint space provided by CT images, in patients with CH in active and inactive forms. A cross-sectional comparative study was performed with a set of 116 images from healthy and diagnosed CH patients to compare volumetric measures of the TMJ. Images were acquired through a bone tissue mask using a three-dimensional DICOM reconstruction for SPECT/CT and CBCT images and the Threshold option for segmentation with standardized values for each tissue on the HU scale. there are differences (p<0.01), with greater condylar volume on the affected side in patients with active CH compared to passive CH. The volume of the glenoid cavity shows no differences in either form of CH (p>0.05), however, there were differences for the volume of the joint space on the affected right side of hemimandibular elongation (HE) in the active form. The volume of the mandibular condyle on the affected side in CH cases were larger in HE cases in active and inactive form (p<0.01) compared to healthy patients. Similar results were presented for the glenoid cavity and joint space. Volumetric anatomical evaluation of TMJ structures, as well as information on condylar metabolic activity, can be obtained from SPECT/CT. The study shows a greater condylar volume on the affected side of the CH compared to the contralateral side, but there are more significant differences in the active than in the inactive form.

A Cross-Sectional Nationwide Study of Australians' Health: Are There Differences in Health-Related Behaviors and Psychological Distress Between Teachers and Other Occupations?

Teachers' health behaviors and mental well-being are important for their chronic disease risk and reducing burnout. This study investigates the health-related behaviors and psychological distress of Australian teachers compared with other occupations. Data from the nationally representative Australian National Health Survey (NHS) were analyzed. Employed adults (20-64 years) from 2014/2015 (n = 8455), 2017/2018 (n = 9130), and 2020/2021 (n = 5753) survey waves were included. Logistic regression, adjusted for demographics, compared health-related behaviors (eg, physical activity, diet), and psychological distress among teachers, nonteacher professionals (NTPs; eg, accountants, doctors), and other general occupations (eg, laborers, beauticians). After adjusting for demographics and survey wave, teachers had similar odds as NTPs for meeting physical activity (OR: 1.12, 95% CI: 0.90-1.41), vegetable intake (OR: 0.72, 95% CI: 0.52-1.00), and alcohol consumption (OR: 1.01, 95% CI: 0.83-1.22) guidelines. However, teachers exhibited higher psychological distress (OR: 1.35, 95% CI: 1.01-1.75). Elevated psychological distress levels were observed in all groups in 2020/2021, compared with pre-COVID-19. Compared with NTPs, teachers showed similar or better health-related behaviors, although teachers had higher levels of psychological distress. School executives and policymakers need to implement sustainable measures to prioritise teachers' mental wellbeing.

Prevalence of BRCA mutation in breast and ovarian cancer among women in India: A systematic review and meta-analysis protocol.

We present a methodically devised protocol for conducting a systematic review and meta-analysis aimed at ascertaining the prevalence of BReast CAncer gene (BRCA) mutations in breast and ovarian cancer (BOC) among women in India. The review will include cross-sectional, cohort, case-series, and registry-based studies focusing on females clinically diagnosed with any stage of BOC, tested for BRCA germline mutation and undergone any form of treatment. A Cochrane literature search will be carried out to identify all the published and unpublished articles available in English from 2010 till date across various electronic databases including PubMed, Psych Info, SCI, Cochrane Central, Embase, Scopus, IND Med and Google Scholar. A step-by-step process will be followed to select all the relevant studies for final inclusion using Rayyan software. The selection process of the review will be reported based on Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-analysis Protocols (PRISMA) checklist. The protocol has been registered in PROSPERO (ID: CRD42023463452). Joanna Briggs Institute Critical Appraisal Checklist will be used to evaluate the methodological quality of the included studies. The outcome measure will be the prevalence of BRCA1/2 gene mutation in this population. Meta-analysis will be performed to report the pooled prevalence along with 95% confidence interval. The results of this review study will provide valuable insights for clinicians, and policy makers, enabling them to formulate guidelines that underscore the importance of screening for BRCA mutations in cases of BOC.

Oxygen therapy practice and associated factors among nurses working at an Ethiopian Referral Hospital

ObjectiveSupplemental oxygen therapy is suppling oxygen at quantities higher than those found in the atmosphere (>21 %) and is mostly prescribed for hypoxic patients. To avoid hypoxemia, hypercapnia, and oxygen poisoning, nurses closely monitor patients receiving oxygen therapy. There are considerable gaps in nurses' practice of oxygen therapy. Patients who receive inappropriate oxygen therapy may have negative effects, and it has financial repercussions for both individuals and nations. The aim of this study was to assess oxygen therapy practices and associated factors influencing oxygen administration among nurses in an Ethiopian Regional Hospital. MethodFrom March 1 to March 30, 2019, a cross-sectional institutional study using quantitative methods was performed amongst nurses working at a referral hospital in northwestern Ethiopia. Data was gathered using structured self-administered questionnaires. ResultIn this study, 147 participants (91.3 %) were found to have inadequate practice with oxygen therapy. Nurses' lack of knowledge about carbon monoxide, adult patients' typical breathing rates, cardiopulmonary function, and devices (face mask, nasal cannula, oxygen concentrators, pulse oximeter and others) that are difficult for patients to accept were found to be factors associated with oxygen administration practice. ConclusionThe findings of this study showed that nurses' use of oxygen administration was subpar. The institutional factors, knowledge gaps, and attitudes of nurses were identified as the determinants affecting oxygen administration practice. Nurses would do better to read up on oxygen administration, interact with one another and undertake further training.

Nursing Administrative Organization and its Relationship to the Performance Efficiency of Nursing Department Officials

A cross-sectional descriptive study conducted for the period from September 8, 2023 to April 25, 2024, with the aim of identifying the nursing administrative organization and its relationship to the efficiency of the performance of nursing department officials at Al-Diwaniyah Teaching Hospital. A purposive sample of (50) responsible nurses from this hospital was selected. The charge nurses were selected and had a college degree, a technical diploma, a middle school certificate, and a nursing school certificate. The nurses included in the study were those who had more than three years of nursing management experience. A questionnaire form was prepared for the purpose of the study, consisting of main parts: demographic characteristics, administrative organization, and performance efficiency. The stability and credibility of the model was determined through the experimental study. The questionnaire form and structured interview technique were used as means of collecting data, and the descriptive data analysis method (frequencies, percentages, arithmetic mean, and standard deviation) and the descriptive data analysis method (T-test) were applied to analyze the data. Data. The results of the study indicated that there is a statistically significant correlation between planning and performance efficiency for these officials. The study concluded that this hospital suffers from a lack of structural job descriptions. The study recommended the necessity of opening the door to specialization in the field of health administration in academic institutions to graduate advanced cadres from a scientific and professional standpoint to keep pace with the rapid development taking place in the field of health administration and in a manner commensurate with the needs of health institutions.

Prevalence of Extended-Spectrum Beta-Lactamase-Producing Enterobacteriaceae and Associated Clinical Implications at the University Teaching Hospital of Kigali in Rwanda.

Extended spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Enterobacteriaceae poses a global problem and complicates therapeutic choices. The paucity of data in resource-poor countries undermines the understanding of the problem's extent, and cases of antimicrobial treatment failure continue to accumulate. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and clinical implications of ESBL-producers at the University Teaching Hospital of Kigali in Rwanda. A 1-year cross-sectional retrospective study was conducted on Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae isolated in blood and urine from January 1 to December 31, 2022. In total, 1,283 isolates were recorded. The results showed an overall prevalence of ESBL phenotypes at 300/1,283 (23.4%). Extended spectrum beta-lactamase-positive E. coli was more frequently detected than K. pneumoniae in both urine (20.6% versus 10.1%) and blood (8.8% versus 6.2%). These isolates were 100% resistant to amoxicillin-clavulanic acid, third-generation cephalosporins, piperacillin, sulbactam ampicillin, ampicillin, cefuroxime, and cefoxitin. The least resistance was observed to amikacin (18%), meropenem (10%), and polymyxin B (3%). Hospital stays ranging from 8 to 21 days were the most frequent, and the mortality rate was 10.3% in patients with ESBL cases, which was more than double the general hospital mortality rate in the same period. In conclusion, our findings indicate a high prevalence of ESBL phenotypes, high antibiotic resistance rates, prolonged hospital stays, and an increased mortality rate. These findings suggest the need for continued surveillance, planning appropriate interventions, and caution during empirical therapy.

Developing a consensus-based motivational care pathway for individuals with lower limb fractures: a Delphi protocol

Older adults with lower limb fractures often harbor concerns about losing their mobility, fearing a loss of independence. It is vital to develop strategies that foster their active engagement in the rehabilitation process. The present protocol aims to create a care pathway tailored to motivate individuals with lower limb fractures to adhere to rehabilitation. We will develop an observational, cross-sectional, and descriptive study using the Delphi data-gathering approach. Purposive sampling will recruit a panel of healthcare professionals and experts who care for patients with lower limb fractures. Aligned with the Delphi method, a series of iterative rounds will be developed to gather consensus around the motivational strategies used by health professionals in the rehabilitation of people with lower limb fractures. We will employ the Qualtrics platform for data collection and analysis, and a consensus target of 75% has been predetermined. For quantitative data analysis, we will use descriptive statistics encompassing a range of measures, including count, mean, standard deviation, median, minimum, maximum, and range. An inductive thematic analysis procedure will be employed to extract meaningful themes and patterns from qualitative data. The study results are expected to significantly impact clinical practice by creating a specialized care pathway to motivate individuals with lower limb fractures to adhere to rehabilitation. Adopting these explicit standards by professionals will ensure uniform and high-quality care.

Educational inequalities in deaths of despair in 14 OECD countries: a cross-sectional observational study

BackgroundDeaths of despair are a key contributor to stagnating life expectancy in the USA, especially among those without a university-level education, but these findings have not been compared internationally.MethodsMortality and...

Treatment of Primary Axillary Hyperhidrosis with Two Doses of Botulinum Toxin A—Observational Study

Hyperhidrosis (HH) is defined as the production of more sweat than is necessary for its thermoregulatory function, negatively affecting patients’ quality of life and interfering with their social, work and family life. In this context, the aim of thisstudy was to evaluate the efficacy of two different doses of botulinum toxin type A (50 or 100 units) in each axilla in severe primary axillary hyperhidrosis. A descriptive, observational, cross-sectional and post-authorisation study was conducted onpatients referred to our department.Thirty-one patients with severe primary axillary hyperhidrosis were included, some of whom received more than one infiltration during the follow-up period, performing a total of 82 procedures. They were assigned by simple random sampling to two types of treatment: infiltration of 50 or 100 units (U) of botulinum toxin A per axilla.Hyperhidrosis severity was assessed using the Hyperhidrosis Disease Severity Scale (HDSS), and quality of life was assessed using the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) questionnaire. Onabotulinum toxin A infiltration reduced the severity of hyperhidrosis and improved the quality of life of the treated patients, with no significant differences between the two groups.

Team interaction behaviors correlates with team creativity among nursing students: Canonical correlation and moderation analyses

BackgroundPrior studies have indicated team members’ interaction behaviors may predict creativity among nursing students.MethodsThis study investigated the correlation between interaction behaviors and creativity, both individual- and team-level, among nursing students. In this cross-sectional quantitative study, data were obtained from self-reported questionnaires. Individual creativity was assessed using the Torrance Tests of Creative Thinking scale; the perceived team interaction behavior and team creativity were assessed using validated instruments. Canonical correlation analysis was conducted to determine the overall correlation between interaction behaviors, and creativity, and the moderating effect of female proportion dominance was also examined.ResultsA total of 164 nursing students (84.1% female) arranged into 14 teams were included in this study. Canonical correlation analysis showed a positive correlation between interaction behaviors and creativity (correlation = 0.88). All dimensions of interactive behaviors were positively related to creativity dimensions. A stronger correlation to team creativity (correlation = 1) was found compared to individual creativity (correlation = 0.07). This study demonstrated that individual interactive behaviors including spontaneous communication and helping behavior predicted high team creativity.ConclusionsThis insight may be valuable for nursing education programs seeking to foster creativity and effective teamwork. The potential moderating effect of female proportions on team interaction behaviors and creativity should be investigated further.