Cross-sectional Study Research Articles

Physical fitness related to sports performance of preteenagers resident in Jutaí, Amazonas

Performance-oriented physical fitness is directly linked to the development of motor skills. Regular and intense physical activity should be valued as an effective and low-cost strategy to promote healthy growth and development during adolescence. This qualiqualitative, descriptive and cross-sectional study evaluated the physical fitness related to sports performance of 379 pre teen students (46% boys and 54% girls), aged between 11 and 14 years, through the battery of tests and measurements of the Projeto Esporte Brasil (PROESP-BR) that evaluates localized muscle endurance, explosive strength of upper and lower limbs, agility, speed and cardiorespiratory endurance. This study is part of the EFEJU project - Physical Education in the Schools of Jutaí, Amazonas, approved by the Human Research Ethics Committee of the University of the State of Amazonas under number 5.621.338. The results revealed a weak classification for muscle endurance located in 197 (97%) girls and 118 (67%) boys, for Upper Limb Strength in 66 (37.5%) boys and 151 (74.4%) girls, for Lower Limb Strength, in 98 (55.7%) boys and 184 (90.5%) boys, Agility in 170 (96.6%) boys and 198 (97.5%) girls, in Speed 130 (73.9%) boys and 186 (91.6%) girls and for Cardiorespiratory Fitness 89 (50.6%) and 154 (75.9%) girls. The majority, both pre-adolescents evaluated, presented weak classifications in all tests, indicating the need to encourage regular and systematized physical exercise.

The Impact of Obesity on the Prevalence and Complications of Perianal Fistulas of Crohn's Disease.

The incidence of obesity in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is increasing and there are limited data on the impact of obesity on perianal fistulas in Crohn's disease (CD). We aim to examine the relationship between obesity and the prevalence and complications of Crohn's perianal fistulas. We conducted a cross-sectional study of CD patients treated at a tertiary care center from 2012 to 2022. Obesity was defined as maximum BMI > 30kg/m2 and further subdivided into 5 BMI categories. The prevalence of perianal fistulas was defined by any history of perianal fistula. The complications of perianal fistulas were measured by five variables including complex fistulas, history of perianal fistula surgery, number of perianal surgeries, history of fecal diversion, and median time to first anal surgery. In all, 704 patients with CD were included; 31.1% were obese. There was no significant association between obesity and prevalence of perianal fistulas (p = 0.719), complex fistulas (p = 0.144), history of perianal surgery (p = 0.146), ≥ 1 perianal surgeries (p = 0.220), fecal diversion (p = 0.705), or median time to first perianal surgery (p = 0.192). Increasing BMI category was not associated with the prevalence of perianal fistulas (p = 0.944), complex fistulas (p = 0.089), perianal surgery (p = 0.583), ≥ 1 perianal surgeries (p = 0.114), fecal diversion (p = 0.542), or median time to first perianal surgery (p = 0.486).When comparing those with perianal fistulas to those without, there was no significant difference in rates of obesity (p = 0.876). There was no association between obesity and the prevalence and complications of Crohn's perianal fistulas.

Cotoneaster Side Effects Following the Treatment of Neonatal Jaundice

Background: There has been significant interest in using Cotoneaster for treating jaundice or elevated bilirubin levels in newborns, and it has, in many cases, replaced phototherapy in herbal medicine. However, using these compounds to treat hyperbilirubinemia can lead to complications in neonates, potentially resulting in morbidity and even death. Objectives: This study examined the side effects of Cotoneaster consumption in jaundiced neonates admitted to the Children’s Medical Center between 2021 and 2022. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study involving healthy neonates who consumed Cotoneaster following treatment for neonatal jaundice and subsequently experienced complications. The data were recorded using pre-prepared questionnaire forms. Results: The most common complications following Cotoneaster derivatives were exaggerated hyperbilirubinemia, dehydration, and poor feeding. Conclusions: Given the sensitivity of neonates, the treatment of jaundice in babies should be approached with caution and supported by extensive studies. The use of herbal medicines in neonates remains questionable due to associated complications.

Identifying perceptions and knowledge gaps among pre-clinical and clinical medical students regarding placebo therapy

Background: Misleading definitions and perceptions of placebo and placebo effect result in fewer realizations on the subject, hence reducing its perceived importance and applications. This study aims to assess undergraduate medical students' perceptions and knowledge gaps regarding placebo therapy across different stages of their education. Methods: A comparative cross-sectional study was conducted for six months, from December 2022 to May 2023, among 350 pre-clinical students (1st and 2nd year MBBS) and 526 clinical students (3rd, 4th, and Final-year MBBS) to assess their perceptions regarding placebo and placebo effect through a validated questionnaire. SPSS was used for analyses, and Pearson's Chi-square was applied, keeping the statistically significant value of <0.05. Results: The study included 876 medical students, with 350 pre-clinical and 526 clinical participants. The mean age was 21.32 years (±1.606). A significant gender distribution was observed, with 45.5% males and 54.5% females. Clinical students demonstrated a greater acceptance of placebo use (68.3% vs. 62.3%, p=0.031) and were more likely to find placebo therapy ethical in psychological cases (70.3% vs. 60.3%, p=0.006). Knowledge assessment revealed that 65% had fair knowledge of placebo therapy, 31.8% had good knowledge, while only 3.2% were highly knowledgeable. Conclusion: The study revealed that many pre-clinical and clinical students held misconceptions about placebo therapy, believing it permissible and beneficial in treating organic disorders. This highlights a significant knowledge gap, emphasizing the need for improved education on placebo use and ethics.

Adolescents’ Knowledge and Misconceptions About Sexually Transmitted Infections: A Cross-Sectional Study in Middle School Students in Portugal

Background/Objectives: Adolescence represents a period of heightened vulnerability to risky sexual behaviours. In Portugal, adolescents are initiating sexual activity at increasingly younger ages, making it relevant to characterise their knowledge about sexually transmitted diseases and prevention methods at an earlier stage of their development. Methods: A cross-sectional observational study was conducted involving the application of a questionnaire to 750 ninth-grade students from Vila Nova de Gaia, Porto, Portugal. The questionnaire covered topics such as perceptions of sexuality, knowledge of sexuality and STIs, methods of transmission prevention, and sources of information. Results: The mean age was 14.4 years, with 19.9% reporting having already initiated sexual activity. Overall, the knowledge about sexually transmitted infections was low, with a score of 7.08 out of a maximum score of 18. Condoms and immunisation were well-recognised preventive measures, but many misconceptions persisted. Better knowledge is associated with better attitudes regarding the likelihood of having sexual intercourse. Conclusions: This study reveals adolescents’ limited knowledge about sexually transmitted infections, misconceptions about prevention, and reliance on peers and the internet over trusted sources, highlighting the need for comprehensive sexual education in middle school.

Clinico-dermoscopic and Histopathological Evaluation of Benign Skin, Soft Tissue and Appendageal Tumours of Skin: A Cross-sectional Study from a Tertiary Care Hospital

Abstract Background: Benign skin, soft tissue and appendageal tumours of skin are one of the most frequently encountered skin disorders. An organised systematic approach along with dermoscopic and histopathological examination can aid in the diagnosis of these diverse disorders. Objective: To evaluate clinico-dermoscopic and histopathological findings of benign skin, soft tissue and appendageal tumours of skin in patients attending a tertiary care hospital. Methods: Cross-sectional hospital-based study where patients of all age groups irrespective of gender suspected of having benign skin, soft tissue and appendageal tumours were enrolled. Clinical, dermoscopic and histopathological findings were recorded and the agreements between them were evaluated using the Cohenʼs Kappa coefficient. Results: The study included a total of 415 patients with a mean age of 37.9 ± 15.59 years and a male to female ratio of 1:1.3. The mean duration of the disease was 4.3 ± 2.14 years. Soft tissue tumours were the commonest (60%), followed by benign skin tumours (24.3%) and benign appendageal tumours (17.1%). A good agreement between dermoscopic and clinical diagnosis was found (Cohenʼs Kappa = 0.879) and between dermoscopic and histopathological diagnosis was also found (Cohenʼs Kappa = 0.789). Conclusion: This study infers that benign tumours of the skin include a heterogeneous group of skin disorders affecting a heterogeneous population. Dermoscopy improved the diagnostic accuracy of this large group of skin disorders and reduced the number of unnecessary excisions; however, histopathology remains the benchmark diagnostic tool to differentiate these tumours from other benign tumours and their malignant counterparts.

Physical Activity Level among Physicians of the Philippine General Hospital during the COVID-19 Pandemic Crisis: A Cross-sectional Study

Introduction. COVID-19 is a pandemic that shut down businesses and industries worldwide. The spread of the disease changed social behavior as residents around the world were obliged to endure lockdown and quarantine measures, reducing their physical activity. Objective. To determine the level of physical activity before and during the pandemic among physicians. Methods. A cross-sectional study was carried out on 422 qualified physicians of the Philippine General Hospital, University of the Philippines Manila. The data was obtained from a self-administered questionnaire. Results. Results of the study revealed a shift of lifestyle from physically active to sedentary in 42.4-57.11% of the respondents during the pandemic. There was no change between the activity levels at work before and during COVID while there was a change in the travel and recreational activities. The results also showed that significant factors including lack of energy, fear of injury, lack of skill, resources, social influences, support seeking activities, and positive alternatives affected their activity levels. Conclusion. During the pandemic, overall physical activity level decreased. Similarly, factors that motivate health workers to be physically active or sedentary during the COVID-19 pandemic can affect their physical activity levels. Based on this study, the hospital can create guidelines to ensure physical activity among its doctors, especially during a pandemic.

Hemoglobin-to-red blood cell distribution width ratio is negatively associated with stroke: a cross-sectional study from NHANES.

Numerous studies have suggested that the hemoglobin-to-red blood cell distribution width ratio (HRR) is associated with the onset, progression, and prognosis of various diseases. However, to the best of our knowledge, no research has conducted statistical analyses to determine the association between HRR and stroke. This cross-sectional study was conducted among adults with complete data on hemoglobin-red cell distribution width ratio (HRR) and stroke from the 2005-2018 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). HRR was calculated by dividing hemoglobin (HGB) in grams per deciliter (g/dL) by the red blood cell distribution width (RDW). Weighted multivariable logistic regression and generalized additive models were employed to investigate the independent and nonlinear relationships between HRR and stroke. Threshold effects were assessed using two-piece linear regression models. Additionally, subgroup analyses and interaction tests were performed. A total of 36,215 participants were included, with 2.92% classified as stroke patients. The prevalence of stroke decreased across increasing tertiles of HRR (Q1: 5.07%; Q2: 2.63%; Q3: 1.69%; P < 0.0001). A negative association between HRR and stroke was observed in both unadjusted and adjusted models. In Model III, each one-unit increase in HRR was associated with a 58% reduction in the likelihood of stroke (Model III: OR = 0.42, 95% CI: 0.29-0.63). Subgroup analyses and interaction tests revealed that the association between HRR and stroke was BMI-dependent (P < 0.05), with the negative association only observed in participants with BMI < = 25 and BMI 25-30, but not in those with BMI > 30. Using a two-piece linear regression model, a threshold effect was identified at a BMI of 30 (K = 1.16). To the left of this breakpoint, there was a negative association between HRR and stroke (OR = 0.55, 95% CI: 0.27-0.97), whereas no such association was detected to the right of the breakpoint (OR = 6.49, 95% CI: 0.75-56.11). HRR is negatively associated with the likelihood of stroke, with a lower risk of stroke in individuals with higher HRR levels.

Knowledge and concern towards endometriosis among Lebanese women: a cross-sectional study.

Endometriosis is a prevalent disease among women worldwide, including the Middle East. Insufficient knowledge about the disease causes delayed diagnosis which could result in major complications, particularly infertility. Thus, being aware of the symptom's aids in prompt diagnosis and treatment. Furthermore, no research has been done in Lebanon to assess the Lebanese women's knowledge about endometriosis. To determine the understanding and concerns of Lebanese women about endometriosis which aids in identifying knowledge gaps and misconceptions so that they can be addressed. A cross-sectional study was conducted between February and March 2024 among Lebanese females, who completed the authors' online questionnaire assessing knowledge and concern about endometriosis and its associated symptoms, Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to explore the relationship between score of knowledge and different characteristics of patients. A survey of 725 Lebanese women (mean age 32.5 years, SD = 9.5) revealed low knowledge (25.9%) about endometriosis origin, symptoms, and treatment. Over 60% were unaware of endometriosis symptoms, while 9.9% mistakenly believed menstrual cramps indicated the disease. Younger age (< 35 years), higher education (Master's degree or above), professional occupation, lower pregnancy and live birth rates, and no history of abortion, endometriosis, pelvic inflammatory disease, uterine or ovarian conditions, and pelvic surgeries were significantly associated with greater knowledge of endometriosis. Lebanese women's knowledge of endometriosis is limited. This highlights how crucial medical education and awareness initiatives are in addressing the issue in Lebanon. Greater awareness of endometriosis will encourage Lebanese women to seek medical advice and consultation, resulting in earlier detection and treatment.

Prevalence of Tobacco Use and the Attitude towards Quitting Tobacco Habit amongst Hamals in Navi Mumbai, India – A Cross-sectional Study

Abstract Introduction: As per the World Health Organisation, tobacco tends to be the growing global cause of death (4.9 million people a year) worldwide and also is associated with many fatal diseases. The objective of the study is to determine the prevalence of tobacco use amongst the study group and also to evaluate their attitude towards quitting tobacco habit. Materials and Methods: A self-designed structured questionnaire was used by the single-trained examiner for interviewing the participants. Three hundred and six (298 males and 8 females) hamal workers of Navi Mumbai were surveyed after ethical approval by the institution. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews. Data obtained were analysed using the SPSS software version 16 (SPSS &lt; 0.005 considered Inc. Chicago, IL, USA). Descriptive statistics were calculated with P as significant. Results: Out of 306 hamals, 245 (80.01%) were using tobacco amongst which 210 (85.7%) consumed on a daily basis and 23 were past tobacco users that is only 7.5% were able to quit. Out of the 268 present and past tobacco users, 134 (50%) tried to quit of which 111 (85%) were unsuccessful and 23 (15%) were successful. 82.5% of current tobacco users expressed a desire to quit but needed help. Conclusion: A high prevalence of tobacco consumption was seen amongst the surveyed hamals and most of them need help to quit the habit. Employers, trade associations and worker representatives can work in partnership with their state and local health departments in implementing evidence-based policies and programmes to reduce the prevalence of tobacco use amongst these working population.

Changes in choroidal thickness and lamina cribrosa position in subjects with overdipper pattern of arterial pressure.

The purpose is to analyze the changes produced in subjects with an overdipper pattern of ambulatory blood pressure monitoring with the aim of understanding the pathophysiology of normal tension glaucoma. A cross sectional study was performed in patients exhibiting overdipper and non-overdipper blood pressure patterns, respectively. Different optic parameters were assessed including the analysis of ganglion cell layer (GCL), peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer (pRNFL) and Bruch's membrane opening-minimum rim width (BMO-MRW), as well as changes produced in choroidal thickness (CT) and lamina cribrosa (LC) position at two different periods of the day (early morning and evening). A total of 80 eyes (42 overdipper and 38 non-overdipper) were analyzed. A shortening of the distance at the beginning and end of the LC was objectified in the overdipper subjects (p < 0.003) as well as a statistically significant shift of the LC between morning and evening measurements in the overdipper subjects (p < 0.023). In addition, a significant thickening was found in 13 measurements of the horizontal and vertical plane CT (p < 0.029) of the overdipper subjects and a thickening of the CT in both groups in the morning. No significant differences in pRNFL, BMO-MRW and GCL measures were objectified. Morning assessment in overdipper subjects showed a deeper LC and a LC shift in comparison to evening values. In addition, an increase in CT was found in these subjects. Altogether, these findings could illustrate an etiopathogenic mechanism of the damage produced in normal tension glaucoma associated to the overdipper pattern.

Correlation of Point of Care Ultrasound (POCUS) Guided Pupillary Assessment Parameter with Glasgow Coma Scale in Patients with Altered Mental Status– A Cross Sectional Study

Background: Earlier studies have proved deteriorating Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) as a marker of raised intracranial pressure (ICP). Low GCS is associated with abnormal pupillary parameters. Currently, many studies have proved that ultrasound provides a feasible and objective assessment of pupillary light reflex. However, literature is lacking to evaluate objective pupillary parameters to predict GCS of the patients by point of care ultrasound (POCUS). Materials and methods: In this prospective, cross-sectional study, 200 patients were recruited in the emergency department. The inclusion criteria were patients older than 18 years with acute presentation of altered mental status. Exclusion criteria were patients who had partial globe rupture or dementia. The patients underwent a B-mode POCUS-guided evaluation at rest and after light stimulation. Statistical analysis of relationship between pupillary assessment parameters and GCS was performed using Spearman's Rank correlation coefficient, Kruskal-Wallis equality-of-populations rank test, and area under the receiver operating characteristic. Results: The study consisted of 200 (42 female, 158 male) patients with mean (± standard deviation) of age and GCS of 43.56 ± 16.50 years and 5.54 ± 3.00, respectively. Majority of non-reactive pupils had a GCS Score of 3-8 (74 cases, 97.37%). The Pupillary diameter (PD) and PD variation showed statistically significant agreement with pupil reactivity to light stimulation and GCS, with Spearman's correlation coefficient ranging from 0.28 to 0.33 for PD, and -0.55 to -0.50 (p-value &lt;0.05) for PD variation, respectively. PD variation rate (PDVR) is the percentage change in the magnitude of constriction of PD on light stimulation. PDVR of &gt;19.68% had a sensitivity of 86.96% (95% CI: 82.04 - 91.88%) and specificity of 64.97% (95% CI: 58.00 - 71.94%) to detect GCS&gt;8. Conclusion: PD variation and PDVR measured by POCUS has significant correlation with GCS &gt;8. The study showed good sensitivity and low specificity of PDVR on light stimulation to detect GCS &gt;8.

American board of orthodontics- discrepancy index (ABO-DI) as prognostic factor for the duration of orthodontic treatment: A cross-sectional retrospective study

To evaluate American Board of Orthodontics-Discrepancy Index (ABO-DI) as a prognostic factor in predicting the duration of orthodontic treatment.This cross-sectional retrospective study was conducted on the pre-treatment and post-treatment records of 151 consecutively de-bonded cases, who were treated between January 2016 and September 2013 with comprehensive orthodontic therapy. The ABO-DI was used to assess the pretreatment severity of malocclusion. The sample was divided into three groups based upon the discrepancy score calculated from pretreatment study model and lateral cephalogram; Group-1 (DI score &amp;#60;16; n= 65), Group-2 (DI score 16-25; n= 49) and Group-3 (DI score&amp;#62; 25; n=37). The duration of orthodontic treatment was calculated as total treatment time (in months) from the date of placement of initial brackets and archwires to the date when orthodontic appliances were removed. Spearman’s correlation test and One way ANOVA analysis followed by Post-Hoc tests for multiple comparisons were used to assess the association between the ABO-DI scores and duration of orthodontic treatment.The mean duration of treatment for Group-1, Group-2 and Group-3 was found to be 25.83±8.42, 28.16±10.55 and 28.84±9.61 months respectively, but there was no statistically significant relationship between the severity of malocclusion on the duration of comprehensive orthodontic treatment (P&amp;#62;0.05). An insignificant correlation (P=0.102, r= -0.134) between different groups of severity of DI scores and treatment duration was revealed with Spearman test.The duration of orthodontic treatment increased with increase in severity of malocclusion, however, it is not a reliable tool for predicting the treatment duration.

Unmet Needs for Dental Care Before and During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Greece: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background/Objectives: Unmet dental needs involve cases wherein someone needed dental care and did not receive it. Published data on unmet dental needs are limited. This cross-sectional study investigates unmet dental needs in Greece before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: For this study, a questionnaire was created and distributed to a non-random sample. It was completed by 277 individuals. The questionnaire was based on the European Union Statistics on Income and Living Conditions (EU-SILC) tool, which is used to investigate unmet health needs. It was enriched with questions about unmet dental needs before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Results: Of the 277 participants, 23.1% reported unmet dental needs before the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, which decreased to 13.4% after the onset of the pandemic. However, a significant proportion of the sample (48.3%) reported no need for dental care after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. It is also worth noting that there were instances of dental visit avoidance, both when symptoms were present and for standard check-up/follow-up purposes, at rates of 17% and 27.8%, respectively. Conclusions: Unmet dental needs occurred at lower rates after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic than those recorded before the pandemic. The main reasons for unmet needs before the pandemic were the cost of dental services and fear of treatment procedures or the visit to the dentist, while after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, lack of time and fear of coronavirus transmission were added.

Comparison of Two Staining Methods (Ziehl–Neelsen Staining and Auramine O Staining) in Detecting Mycobacterium tuberculosis in Cytology Samples: A Cross-sectional Study

Comparison of Two Staining Methods (Ziehl–Neelsen Staining and Auramine O Staining) in Detecting Mycobacterium tuberculosis in Cytology Samples: A Cross-sectional Study

Factors Associated with the Practice of Assessing Drug–Drug Interactions Among Pharmacists in Saudi Arabia

Background: Drug–drug interactions (DDIs) occur when two or more drugs are administered concomitantly, changing the pharmacokinetics or pharmacodynamics of a drug’s characteristics. Despite the advances in health technology, DDIs remain a concern to patient safety. This study aimed to (1) assess the knowledge, attitude, and practice of hospital and community pharmacists toward DDIs in Saudi Arabia and (2) examine factors associated with their practice. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted using an online self-administered questionnaire targeting hospital and community pharmacists working in Saudi Arabia. The study questionnaire consisted of five sections: demographics, knowledge, attitude, and practice toward DDIs, as well as pharmacy characteristics. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize the characteristics of participants as count and percentage. Chi-square tests were used to examine associations between practice variables and other independent variables. Results: A total of 131 pharmacists participated in the study. The majority were males (81.7%), aged 26–35 years (64.9%), and worked in community pharmacies (81.7%). Nearly half of the participants reported optimal practice regarding checking drug interactions before dispensing any drug. Factors associated with the practice of checking DDIs were found to be gender, perceived workload, perceived knowledge, and attitude variables. Regarding the practice of asking patients about their prescription and OTC drugs, there were statistically significant differences between hospital and community pharmacists. Conclusions: Our findings on both community and hospital pharmacists in Saudi Arabia reveal that pharmacists’ attitudes and perceived knowledge might influence the practice of pharmacists toward DDIs.

Evaluating parental knowledge and attitudes toward childhood hearing loss: a cross-sectional study in Rawalpindi, Pakistan.

Childhood hearing loss poses a significant public health challenge in Pakistan, with prevalence rates over double the global average. Parental knowledge and attitudes play a crucial role in timely detection and intervention. However, limited research explores this issue within the Pakistani context. This study aimed to examine parental knowledge and attitudes regarding childhood hearing loss in Rawalpindi, Pakistan, and identify key demographic factors influencing parental perspectives. This cross-sectional survey was conducted in Rawalpindi, Pakistan from March 1 to August 31, 2023. A total of 150 parents (79 fathers and 71 mothers) of children aged 0-12 years were recruited through convenience sampling at public locations such as schools, malls, and hospitals. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews using the validated "Parental Knowledge and Attitudes towards Childhood Hearing Loss Questionnaire," administered by a graduate student to assess parental knowledge and attitudes about childhood hearing loss. Descriptive statistics determined the percentage of correct responses and knowledge/attitudes scores. Chi-square tests explored associations between demographic factors and parental perspectives. Overall, 67.3% of parents demonstrated good knowledge of childhood hearing loss. Notably, parents scored high on recognizing congenital causes (79.3%) but displayed low awareness of measles as a risk factor (29.3%). Significant gender disparities emerged in parental knowledge, with mothers exhibiting superior knowledge compared to fathers regarding newborn screening (63.4% vs. 46.8%), treatment availability (81.7% vs. 64.6%), and educational inclusion for children with hearing impairment (57.7% vs. 38.0%). Despite these knowledge gaps, parents generally held positive attitudes towards childhood hearing loss, with an average score of 94.7%. Gender and educational level significantly influence knowledge and attitudes. Although parents in Rawalpindi generally have a good understanding and positive attitudes towards childhood hearing loss, gaps in knowledge about preventable causes and gender disparities need attention. Providing tailored counselling for higher-risk, less educated groups and expanding policies for paediatric audiology services nationwide can help address these issues.

Association Between Employment Status and Mental Health of People: An Evidence-Based Analysis in The Post Covid-19 Era

The COVID-19 pandemic has inflated many megacities in the world and petrified the mental health of people. Mental health complications of people during this pandemic were spread at different levels. This situation created the ground for this study to see whether the employment status of people was in line with fluctuating mental health conditions in Dhaka City Corporation during this invasion or in the&amp;nbsp;immediate past. It was a cross-sectional study that applied a multistage sampling method to define sample size. It selected the participants randomly and collected data through a self-administered structured questionnaire. This questionnaire was based on the DASS-21 to measure the conditions of mental health stability. Different statistical tools, including cross-tabulation, were used to reveal the association between the variables, and a chi-square test was conducted to examine the significance of such association. The findings of the study exposed the stern predisposition of mental health situations to employment status in the Dhaka City Corporation during and immediately after the COVID-19 invasion, which was at different levels depending on their demographic attributes. Thus, the findings have a significant conclusion that taking preventive measures for the employment security of people is essential to maintaining their mental health in the future. However, it could also be said that keeping this study only in urban areas and among educated people is a limitation, though such a limitation has opened further sites for potential studies.

Relationship Between Mandibular Position, Activation of the Masticatory Musculature and Free-Throw Accuracy in Female Basketball Players.

Current research relates jaw clenching to athletic performance, in terms of force and agility. However, the impact of jaw clenching on sports accuracy is unclear. To analyse the impact of jaw position and chewing type on free-throw accuracy and electromyographic (EMG) activity of masticatory muscles during free-throws. Cross-sectional study with 25 female basketball players aged 18-44. Each participant executed 18 free-throws under three different jaw conditions: mandibular rest, maximum intercuspation, and with interdental cotton rolls, in randomised order. Chewing type and jaw position were not associated with shooting accuracy (p = 0.106; p = 0.778). There was a positive correlation between EMG activity of the right masseter and free-throw accuracy at maximum intercuspation (rs = 0.402; p = 0.046). In contrast, negative correlations were found with other muscles when the occlusal vertical dimension was altered (rs = -0.619, p = 0.001; rs = -0.490; p = 0.013; rs = -0.534; p = 0.006). The chewing type affected the EMG of the left masseter in the altered occlusal vertical dimension (H = 6.969; p = 0.031). Significant differences in EMG recordings were observed across different mandibular positions during free-throws (p < 0.001). While jaw positioning and chewing type do not impact free-throw accuracy in amateur female basketball players, the EMG activity of masticatory muscles is linked to shooting performance. This highlights the need for further research on motor behaviour of masticatory muscles in precision sports, especially for athletes using intraoral devices.

Transmission chain in sexually transmitted infections: perceptions of self and partner’s intentions to adhere to treatment

ABSTRACT The spread of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) is a significant public health problem. Screening and treating STIs in partners is crucial for interrupting the transmission chain, and it is essential to identify factors that contribute to maintaining it. The objective of this study was to compare the intentions of men and women to adhere to the treatment for STIs diagnosed in their partner as well as the perception of partner adherence. An observational, cross-sectional study was conducted using a self-administered structured questionnaire in Unified Health System (SUS) users who were treated at the Pedro Ernesto University Hospital between August 2023 and January 2024. Overall, 255 questionnaires were analyzed. Among the 42 participants who reported previous STIs, 21 percent maintained risky behavior in their current relationship. Attendance at the consultation in the case of a partner diagnosed with STI was high (90 percent women and 87 percent men); however, unconditional adherence to medication use was 63 percent in women and 55 percent in men, with the duration of medication use and its route of administration highlighted as the possible obstacles. Although no significant differences were observed between men and women, measures to increase adherence to STI treatment are necessary to interrupt STI transmission.