Cross-sectional Study Research Articles

Knowledge, attitude and prevention practices toward dengue among the Mauritian population. A cross-sectional study

ABSTRACT Introduction After an absence of more than four decades, dengue reemerged in Mauritius in 2009, with seven outbreaks being recorded to date. Aim This study assessed the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAPs) of the Mauritian population on dengue. Methods A questionnaire was designed, and a survey was carried out among 405 participants. The KAP scores of respondents were calculated and categorized as excellent, adequate or poor. Result The correlation between knowledge and practice was very weak (τ = 0.088; p = 0.022) while that between attitude and practice was moderate (τ = 0.198; p = 0.001). It was noted that 47.2 % respondents had excellent scores on general knowledge on dengue, 96.5% obtained excellent scores on the knowledge of preventive practices and 17.5% had excellent scores on implementation of the preventive measures. Poor knowledge was noted on the cure for dengue (4.2%), re-infections could lead to health complications (22.5 %), and dengue vector biting in the early mornings and evenings (36.8 %). Furthermore, only 20.0% used mosquito repellent creams, 21.0% used mosquito nets on windows, 33.8% wore protective clothes and 36.8% checked their yards for water accumulation weekly. Elderly, those with lower education background, of lower socio-economic class and residing in rural areas obtained significantly lower KAP scores within their respective sub-group. Females were more likely to wear mosquito repellent cream (p = 0.028) and long-sleeved clothes (p = 0.015). Conclusion This study revealed high knowledge of dengue preventive practices but poor prevention practices among respondents. This calls for additional sensitization programs in specific identified groups.

Student Satisfaction in Hospitality and Tourism Programs: The Interplay of Lecturer Competency and Institutional Reputation

ABSTRACT This study examines the link between lecturer competencies and student satisfaction in the hospitality and tourism higher education sector, with a focus on how institutional reputation mediates this relationship. Using a quantitative approach and a correlational study design, the research employed non-contrived, cross-sectional methods with purposive sampling. Primary data was collected through an online survey targeting active students in hospitality and tourism-related programs in Malaysia. A total of 405 valid responses were analyzed using SmartPLS software. The results revealed that knowledge and credentials, industrial experience, and motivation influence student satisfaction, whereas pedagogical skills, while significant to institutional reputation, do not directly influence student satisfaction. Notably, the industrial experience did not directly affect institutional reputation but did impact student satisfaction through its mediating effect. These findings offer valuable insights for academic institutions, industry practitioners, and policymakers to improve the educational experience.

Seeing Religious Faith as Essential to Morality Predicts Deconversion Guilt

ABSTRACT Although religion is generally declining worldwide, many people maintain their religious convictions. We propose that the moralization of religiosity—the meta-belief that religion is essential to morality – may deter deconversion by increasing deconversion guilt. Five international cross-sectional and experimental studies (N = 10,071) reveal that individuals anticipate more guilt over leaving their faith when they or their cultural groups see religion as essential to moral goodness. Greater personal, national, and religious group moralization of religiosity is associated with higher levels of individual deconversion guilt across countries and world religions (Study 1), and this association remains robust at the individual level when controlling for additional psychological factors (Studies 2a-2c). Experimental findings replicate this effect, showing that imagining living in a society that moralizes religion increases personal deconversion guilt (Study 3). The moralization of religiosity and deconversion guilt may help explain variation in deconversion rates worldwide.

Reduced Achilles tendinopathy symptoms (e.g. stiffness), but not pain, relate to patient-perceived resolution of Achilles tendinopathy: a cross-sectional study

ABSTRACT We aimed to determine whether pain, symptoms and/or physical function are associated with perceived recovery in people with current or resolved Achilles tendinopathy. We performed a cross-sectional cohort study, including people who reported having either “current” or “resolved” Achilles tendinopathy. Participants completed an online survey, including the Tendinopathy Severity Assessment- Achilles (TENDINS-A). We used multivariable binary logistic regression and reported odds ratio (OR) to quantify the strength of the association. We included 100 cases (n = 63 current, n = 37 resolved). There were no associations of age, sex, BMI, TENDINS-A (Pain) or TENDINS-A (Physical Function) with whether participants reported having current or resolved Achilles tendinopathy. However, for every 1% greater the TENDINS-A (Symptoms) there was 0.28 lower odds of a participant reporting their tendinopathy has resolved (OR = 0.972, 95% CI = 0.953 to 0.992, p = 0.007). We demonstrated a lower “symptom” severity but not “pain” severity was associated with greater patient-reported resolution of Achilles tendinopathy.

Normal fetal echocardiography ratios - a multicenter cross-sectional retrospective study.

Normal fetal echocardiography ratios reflect blood flow balance and developmental patterns, providing abasis for more accurate diagnosis and prediction of congenital heart disease in fetuses. Despite its significance, standardized studies with ample samples are lacking. We aim to establish reference ranges for fetal cardiac structural parameters and hemodynamics using extensive multicenter data, including 11 ratios, and to clarify how these ratios change with gestational age. This is a multicenter cross-sectional retrospective study. 23,313 normal fetal echocardiographic examinations were enrolled from three medical centers. Analysis included 11 fetal cardiac-related ratios, such as right/left heart diameter ratio, mitral and tricuspid valve E/A-wave velocity ratio.To determine the reference ranges for various ratios across different gestational ages, a nonparametric quantile regression model, which does not presuppose normality, was utilized. The study investigated how the ratios change with gestational age by examining nonparametric regression plots and their first and second derivatives. We established normal percentile reference ranges for 11 ratios at each gestational day. Analysis of ratio changes across gestation reveals several key patterns: The right heart system consistently dominates, with the right heart/left heart internal diameter ratio accelerating from 21.7weeks of gestation; throughout fetal development, the E/A ratio of the mitral and tricuspid valves initially remains below one but increases progressively with gestational age, both reaching their maximum growth rates at week 25.7. This study provides new references for routine obstetric screening, may enhance the understanding of the growth and developmental patterns of normal fetal hearts.

Assessing the Impact of Asthma: A Cross-Sectional Study in Workers Undergoing Therapy.

This study aimed to investigate the impact of asthma on work productivity among adults receiving asthma therapy. A cross-sectional study involving 101 asthmatic patients treated at the Pulmonology Department of University Hospital in Mahdia (Tunisia) who had been employed for at least six months was conducted over the course of a year. Recruited patients were asked to complete a self-administered questionnaire that consisted of the Simplified Medication Adherence Questionnaire (SMAQ), the Work Productivity and Activity Impairment (WPAI), and the Pichot questionnaire. The study's participants had a sex ratio of 0.51 and a mean age of 44.1±13.2 years. Exposure to aerocontaminants was high among 64.4% of patients. The majority of the patients were treated with inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) and long-acting beta-agonists (LABA) (54.4%), and nearly half were classified as having moderate asthma. Our findings revealed significant challenges faced by these patients, with 62.4% experiencing poorly controlled or uncontrolled asthma. Additionally, 69.3% were non-adherent to treatment, and 71.3% reported worsening symptoms while at work. They worked an average of 38.3±16.4 hours per week. The impact of general health status on work productivity was measured at 3.3±2.5. Absenteeism and presenteeism rates were 4.2% and 33.1%, respectively, resulting in a productivity loss of 30.4%. Activity impairment was associated with factors such as gender, alcohol consumption, and uncontrolled asthma. Addressing asthma control, working conditions, and mental health emerges as essential strategies to enhance workplace productivity. When evaluating the effectiveness of interventions among active asthmatic patients, presenteeism, absenteeism, and productivity loss should be considered.

Advanced glycation end products are biomolecular biomarkers for proliferative diabetic retinopathy.

The present study examines the role of advanced glycation end products (AGEs) as biomolecular biomarkers for proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR). A cross-sectional study with a total of 80 consecutive cases of type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) was divided into no retinopathy (NoDR) (n = 20), non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR) (n = 20), PDR (n = 20), and controls (n = 20). AGEs were assessed by assay of N-carboxymethyl-lysine (Nε-CML). Nε- CML was evaluated using receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) curve analysis, and the area under curve (AUC) was determined. The mean levels of Nε-CML were 31.3 ± 21.2 ng/mL, 73.9 ± 35.0 ng/mL, 91.2 ± 66.7 ng/mL, and 132.0 ± 84.0 ng/mL in control, NoDR, NPDR, and PDR, respectively. On analysis of variance (ANOVA), the Ne-CML level was significantly different between the study groups (control, NoDR, NPDR, and PDR) (P < 0.001). Best-corrected visual acuity decreased with disease progression and increased levels of Ne-CML (P < 0.001). On AUC analysis, the following values were obtained NoDR = 0.67, NPDR = 0.69, and PDR = 0.84, showing that AGEs are the most sensitive biomarkers for PDR in DR. AGEs serve as biomolecular biomarkers for PDR and can indicate disease conversion from NPDR to PDR. They are new-age tools of translational medicine.

What determines gait speed in community-living older adults? A relative weight analysis.

What determines gait speed in community-living older adults? A relative weight analysis.

Biopsychosocial impacts of mother loss on daughters in Australia: Cross-sectional study.

We aimed to describe the biopsychosocial impacts of a mother's death at any stage in life on adult daughters in Australia. A total of 2735 mother-bereaved daughters completed an online survey about their experiences of mother loss and its impacts. We assessed several biopsychosocial outcomes, including symptoms of depression, anxiety, stress, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), prolonged grief disorder (PGD), quality of life (QoL), sleep disturbance, and pain. Using multiple regressions, we examined how mother and daughter's age at the time of death, daughter's levels of maternal and general attachment anxiety and avoidance, daughter's dependence on their mother prior to their death, daughter's provision of personal care to their mother prior to their death, and daughter's expectation of their mother's death were associated with biopsychosocial outcomes. Older, anxiously attached, dependent daughters who provided care and faced unexpected loss experienced poorer outcomes. General attachment anxiety was the strongest and most consistent predictor.

Effect of breathlessness beliefs on quality of life in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: Chain-mediating role of self-efficacy and self-management behaviors.

This study aimed to investigate the impact of beliefs about breathlessness on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) among chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients and to explore whether self-efficacy and self-management behaviors mediate this relationship. A cross-sectional study was conducted with 287 Chinese COPD patients. Mediation analysis was performed using structural equation modeling with Amos 24.0. The findings indicated that self-efficacy and self-management behaviors independently mediated the relationship between breathlessness beliefs and HRQoL, accounting for 28.91% and 33.01% of the overall effect, respectively. Additionally, a serial mediating effect of self-efficacy and self-management behaviors was found in the link between breathlessness beliefs and HRQoL, accounting for 6.33% of the total effect. This finding demonstrated that self-efficacy and self-management behaviors served as sequential mediators in the relationship between breathlessness beliefs and HRQoL. Targeted interventions should be developed to address breathlessness beliefs, enhance self-efficacy, and promote self-management behaviors, ultimately improving HRQoL.

Comparison of the retinal segmentation analysis in patients with clinically unilateral pseudoexfoliation syndrome.

PurposeTo compare the thicknesses of each retinal layer in patients with clinically unilateral pseudoexfoliation syndrome (XFS) versus unaffected fellow eyes and healthy age-matched controls.MethodsIn this cross-sectional study, a complete ophthalmologic evaluation, including intraocular pressure (IOP) measurement, was performed in 40 patients with unilateral XFS-affected and 43 healthy controls. After confirming that fellow eyes were clinically unaffected, all eyes underwent the retinal layer segmentation analysis using enhanced depth imaging spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (EDI SD-OCT). The thickness maps were divided into nine subfields (i.e., 1-mm, 3-mm, and 6-mm grids) using the Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study (ETDRS) and were extracted from the software to compare the groups.ResultsIn the 1-mm central subfield, thicknesses of the ganglion cell layer (GCL), inner plexiform layer (IPL), and inner retinal layer (IRL) were significantly reduced both in XFS-affected and fellow eyes than in controls. Additionally, the thicknesses of the inner nuclear layer (INL) and outer plexiform layer (OPL) were significantly reduced in fellow eyes compared to controls. Comparison of XFS-affected versus fellow eyes in the 1-mm central subfield showed no significant differences in GCL, IPL, IRL, INL, and OPL thicknesses (p > 0.05, for all; Tukey HSD test). In ETDRS subfields, 3-mm temporal and 3-mm inferior IPL thicknesses of fellow eyes and 6-mm temporal INL thickness in XFS-affected eyes were reduced compared to controls (p < 0.05, for all).ConclusionIn clinically unilateral XFS, the consequential thinning of retinal layers in the fellow eye accompanies the significant thinning of retinal layers in the affected eye.

Intraocular lens power calculation accuracy after keratorefractive lenticule extraction with the novel ESCRS post keratorefractive surgery calculator.

Intraocular lens power calculation accuracy after keratorefractive lenticule extraction with the novel ESCRS post keratorefractive surgery calculator.

Association between health anxiety and self-triage decisions: evidence from a cross-sectional study with Australian emergency department non-urgent patients

ObjectiveThe aim of this exploratory study was to investigate the association between health anxiety and self-triage decisions among emergency department non-urgent patients.DesignCross-sectional single-centre studySettingEmergency department in the Princess Alexandra Hospital...

Relations Among Self-Esteem, Perceived Stress, Positive Affect and College Belongingness: A Two-Wave Longitudinal Mediation Study.

The phenomenon of school belongingness and the psychological constructs that predict this phenomenon have long attracted the attention of researchers. Although cross-sectional studies have investigated the links between these variables, their lack of simultaneous treatment in longitudinal studies has left a gap in the existing literature. Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate the longitudinal relationships between self-esteem, positive affect, perceived stress, and college belongingness. To achieve this, we conducted a two-wave cross-lagged panel study to examine whether positive affect and perceived stress act as mediators in the association between self-esteem and college belongingness. The study participants consisted of 255 college students (Mean age = 20.23, SD = 2.49). The findings of this study indicated that positive affect and perceived stress play significant mediating roles in the longitudinal association between self-esteem and college belongingness. To put it simply, self-esteem indirectly predicts college belongingness through the intermediary factors of positive affect and perceived stress. This longitudinal study highlights the potential impact of self-esteem on students' levels of positive affect and perceived stress, underscoring the substantial mediator roles of positive affect and perceived stress as predictors of college belongingness.

Cutaneous epidermal growth factor receptor expression (EGFR) and soluble EGFR levels are elevated in patients with pemphigus vulgaris: a longitudinal study.

Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR) signalling is thought to be involved in the pathogenesis of pemphigus vulgaris. The objective was to assess the cutaneous EGFR mRNA expression and serum soluble EGFR (sEGFR) levels among Pemphigus patients in comparison to the healthy controls. This was a cross-sectional study with a longitudinal follow up. Thirty patients with pemphigus vulgaris and 30 controls were recruited. We measured cutaneous EGFR mRNA expression and sEGFR serum levels in pemphigus vulgaris patients at baseline, at three- and six-months following treatment. There was a significant (p = 0.007) difference of the EGFR mRNA fold expression between cases (3.07 (IQR (Interquartile range) 0.76 to 13.20)) at baseline as compared to the controls (1.005 (Interquartile range (IQR) 0.63 to 2.30)). The median sEGFR levels were significantly (p < 0.0001) higher in the cases (4.33 ng/ml (IQR 3.01 ng/ml to 9.33 ng/ml)) compared to controls (1.52 ng/ml (IQR 0.79 ng/ml to 2.75 ng/ml)) at the baseline. There was a significant positive correlations of EGFR mRNA expression (r = 0.47) and sEGFR levels (r = 0.46) with pemphigus disease activity. The limitation of the study was smaller sample size. EGFR gene expression and sEGFR levels are significantly increased in pemphigus vulgaris. They significantly correlate with disease activity and decrease with treatment.

Factors influencing mobile health utilisation among patients with diabetes in Sichuan, China: a cross-sectional study based on Andersen’s behavioural model

BackgroundThe development of mobile health (mHealth) in China has tremendous potential, especially for diabetes, which is one of the major chronic diseases affecting hundreds of millions of people. However, research...

Presenteeism and Its Associated Factors Among Teachers.

Teaching is a mentally and physically demanding profession, often performed under challenging and stressful conditions. In Egypt, the lack of school resources, low teacher salaries, poor organizational climate, and high work pressures represent just a few challenges faced by the educational system. These difficulties can adversely affect teachers' health, leading to negative outcomes such as presenteeism. Despite this, no studies have assessed presenteeism among Egyptian teachers. Therefore, this study aimed to estimate the prevalence of presenteeism and identify associated factors among public school teachers. A cross-sectional study was conducted involving 373 teachers using an interview-administered questionnaire to gather information on their sociodemographic, occupational, and medical characteristics, along with their Stanford Presenteeism Scale scores and responses to the Job Content Questionnaire. The prevalence of presenteeism among the teachers studied over the last 12 months was 70.8%. Of these, 74.6% had lower presenteeism scores, reflecting diminished performance in work activities. Key independent predictors of presenteeism included being a female teacher, having additional jobs, experiencing musculoskeletal and/or respiratory health issues, facing high job demands, and possessing low job control. The Adjusted Odds Ratios (AOR) for these factors were 4.1, 5.1, 3.1, 11.7, and 11.7, respectively. Presenteeism is highly prevalent among public school teachers in Egypt. Therefore, teachers with significant predictors of presenteeism should be given increased attention.

Children’s and adolescents’ negative internet experiences and the association with quality of life and behavioural difficulties: a cross-sectional study

BackgroundNumerous studies have assessed cyberbullying victimisation and perpetration in children. However, the internet poses risks beyond cyberbullying. This study explores the prevalence of eight different negative online experiences and their...

Affectionate communication, conflict styles, and satisfaction in romantic relationships with and without partners with ADHD

ABSTRACT Individuals with ADHD can experience less romantic satisfaction, more conflict, and increased difficulty navigating interpersonal relationships compared to their neurotypical (NT) counterparts. This study aimed to provide further understanding of the differences in relationships for individuals with and without ADHD by specifically examining how normatively positive (i.e., affectionate communication) and negative (i.e., conflict) interaction patterns may be differentially associated with relationship satisfaction for these two groups. A cross-sectional survey study of 287 college students found no differences in satisfaction or affection between ADHD and NT relationships. However, although ADHD relationships reported more use of certain conflict styles, they also appeared less distressed by the use of destructive conflict styles. Additionally, individuals in ADHD relationships were more satisfied than those in NT relationships at lower levels of affection satisfaction. Thus, the findings collectively suggest that those in relationships with ADHD partners might be more resilient when less positive or more negative behaviors are enacted.

Stakeholder attitudes and perceptions of the new simulated consultation assessment for GP licencing in the United Kingdom: a cross-sectional mixed methods survey.

The Simulated Consultation Assessment (SCA) replaced the Recorded Consultation Assessment (RCA) as the summative clinical component of the Membership of the Royal College of General Practitioners (MRCGP) examination for the United Kingdom (UK) general practice licencing assessment in 2023. The SCA consists of 12 online consultations with trained role players, with candidates based in their own surgery. This study aimed to gather views of stakeholders on the new assessment before its introduction. We conducted a cross-sectional online survey. Stakeholders completing the survey included pre-RCA and post-RCA GP trainees and educator/lay stakeholders. The survey questionnaire included Likert scaled responses and free text options. Analysis included descriptive statistics, scale development measuring positivity towards SCA, a multivariable model showing factors related to this, and qualitative assessment of free text responses. There were 3,174 responses from 1,533 pre-RCA trainees, 920 post-RCA trainees, and 721 educator/lay stakeholders. Responders overall were positive about the design of SCA in terms of setting, validity, preparation and fairness. Multivariable analysis showed that International Medical Graduates (IMGs) were significantly more positive compared to UK graduates (B 0.19, 95% confidence interval 0.12-0.25, p < 0.001) with no other differences by stakeholder group, age or ethnicity. Qualitative analysis identified four themes relating to setting requirements and contingency planning, acceptability and fairness to candidates, ability to assess consultation skills and the need for evidence for the new assessment. Stakeholders, while positive overall, expressed suggestions relating to practice setting, the assessment's acceptability and fairness, its ability to assess consultation skills and the need for further evaluation.