Convenience Sample Research Articles

"None of us asked to be in this community." Understanding nephrotic syndrome through TikTok: patient and caregiver perspectives.

TikTok, a popular social media platform, is increasingly used for health information dissemination; however, the accuracy and quality of medical content remain uncertain, including in the context of nephrotic syndrome (NS). This study aims to identify prominent patient and caregiver experiences with NS on TikTok and demonstrate how they may vary. A convenience sample of TikTok videos containing the hashtag "nephrotic syndrome" posted between July 1, 2020, and February 29, 2024, was analyzed. Videos underwent cyclical and inductive coding, followed by content and discourse analysis to identify common themes and narratives. One hundred twenty-three videos were included in the analysis. 62.6% of videos (N = 77) consisted of caregivers sharing their experiences of their child's disease. Three prominent topics included: (1) navigating healthcare and managing illness, where users shared their disease journeys; (2) emotional and physical wellbeing, where caregivers focused on physical disease signs while patients highlighted the mental health toll of the illness; and (3) education, awareness, and support systems, where users shared feelings of social isolation post-diagnosis. The discourse analysis revealed language portraying patients as "warriors," reflecting the resiliency promoted by TikTok support systems. We uncovered a hidden disease burden associated with NS that affects everyday life, reinforcing the importance of the journey and stress patients and caregivers experience outside of the clinician's office. Our findings also highlight that patient priorities may differ from those reported by caregivers, particularly in pediatrics. TikTok may also be an outlet for feelings of isolation and community-building within NS.

Designing health messages for older adults

One motivator for improving older adults’ diet and exercise may be perceptions of hope; however, little is known about what factors influence hope in older adults and what linguistic features can subsequently be used in strategic messages to increase older adults’ feelings of hope. Using Persuasive Hope Theory (PHT), this study examined whether older adults’ self-reported self-efficacy and perceptions that improving their diet and exercise are important, possible, congruent with their goals (i.\,e., goal congruence), and will lead to a better future (i.\,e., future expectation) influence self-reported feelings of hope. A convenience sample of older adults (N\,=\,58) in Southcentral Alaska completed a questionnaire. A multiple regression analysis revealed that importance and future expectation significantly and positively predicted feeling hopeful about fruit and vegetable intake; possibility, goal congruence, and self-efficacy did not. The PHT variables for increasing exercise did not significantly predict feeling hopeful about increasing exercise. Participants’ reasons for feeling hopeful included excitement and motivation about a supportive environment; some participants reported not feeling hopeful due to perceived frailty or illness. These results are an important first step towards understanding what factors and subsequent hope-based language choices motivate older adults to engage in positive health behaviors via feelings of hope.

Prevalence of orthostatic hypotension and associated factors among older people with hypertension in Northern Ethiopia.

The prevalence of hypertension increases with age, and older people with this condition are at increased risk of developing orthostatic hypotension (OH) due to age-related changes in blood pressure regulation mechanisms as well as prescribed medications. OH increases the risk of falls, often with subsequent fractures as well as other morbidity and even mortality. The prevalence and characteristics of OH in older people with hypertension in Low-Income Countries have not been well characterized. This study aims to determine the prevalence of OH and associated factors among older people with hypertension in northern Ethiopia. A hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted using a convenience sample of patients aged 60 years and older with hypertension receiving pharmacotherapy and followed up at the University of Gondar Hospital, Ethiopia. Blood pressure (BP) was measured in the supine position, and after 3min of standing; the level of BP drop (> 20/10) was used to define measured OH. Data regarding symptoms of OH were also collected using the Orthostatic Hypotension Questionnaire (OHQ). The data were entered into Microsoft Excel version 2016 and exported to SPSS version 20 for statistical analysis. Logistic regression analysis was conducted to assess the factors associated with OH. A total of 240 participants were included, with a mean age of 68.8 ± 7.1 years. The prevalence of OH was 23.8% (CI: 21.5%, 26.1%). Of the medications used, calcium channel blocker (CCBs) treatment was strongly associated with OH (AOR = 2.03[95%CI = 1.08-3.8]). Two-thirds (61.4%) of participants with measured OH experienced relevant symptoms of OH. There was a high prevalence of OH among older patients with hypertension attending a tertiary care hospital in Gondar, with one in four affected. The use of CCBs was identified as an independent risk factor for OH. Most patients with OH experienced relevant symptoms, so monitoring this condition in this group may help prevent adverse consequences.

Meaningful app-work? Exploring meaningful work experiences of food delivery couriers in Poland

PurposeThe rise of app-based work in the gig economy, particularly within the food delivery sector, challenges traditional employment paradigms and raises questions about the potential for achieving meaningful work experiences. This study explores whether such work can be considered meaningful for food delivery couriers in Poland.Design/methodology/approachThis research adopts a qualitative, case-study approach, conducting 30 in-depth interviews with food delivery couriers in Poland. The study investigates how these workers perceive the meaningfulness of their work, focusing on the interplay between subjective and organisational aspects of their work.FindingsThe findings reveal that despite the precarious nature of app-based work, couriers often find meaningful experiences through perceived autonomy, gamified control and the physical demands of their job. The study highlights the dual nature of app work, where the same elements that contribute to worker engagement and a sense of independence also perpetuate exploitation and job insecurity.Research limitations/implicationsThe study’s reliance on a convenience sample of 30 interviews conducted via social media may not represent the broader population of food delivery couriers. Future research should expand the sample size and include a more diverse range of participants to improve generalisability.Practical implicationsThe insights from this study can inform platform designers and policymakers to create more supportive environments for gig workers. Enhancing algorithmic transparency, providing better social protections and implementing fair gamification strategies can help mitigate the negative aspects of gig work and improve job satisfaction.Social implicationsThe study underscores the need for regulatory changes to ensure minimum guaranteed earnings and health and safety provisions for gig workers. By fostering a supportive and transparent work environment, the gig economy can better contribute to worker well-being and social equity.Originality/valueThis research contributes to the limited body of literature on meaningful work within the gig economy, particularly focusing on food delivery couriers in Poland. It provides new insights into how workers create and perceive meaningful work in a highly digitised and algorithmically managed environment.

The psycho-social impact of cancer treatment on the caregivers of the patients

Objectives The incidence of cancer cases shows an increasing trend over the past two decades owing to several factors, such as increased life expectancy, aging population, behavioral, environmental, and occupational risk factors, and more. Consequently, a greater number of people are expected to take the role of principal caregivers in the near future. Cancer treatment can have a multifaceted impact on the quality of life and psychological well-being of not only the patients but also their families. Caregivers are expected and required to provide complex care and support for which they are neither prepared nor trained. The reports of feeling overwhelmed and stressed are high when the demands placed on them exceed their resources, resulting in a negative effect on the overall well-being of the caregivers, including the patients themselves. The impact covers a wide spectrum of emotional, physical, financial, social, cognitive, spiritual, and work-related effects. Material and Methods This is a cross-sectional study conducted (for over three months from May to July 2023) among the caregivers accompanying cancer patients attending a tertiary care hospital in a South Indian metropolitan city. All the adult caregivers of patients diagnosed with cancer at least two to six months before the time of the study were considered as the study population. A systematic random sample was applied to recruit a convenient sample of 150 caregivers, maintaining the enrollment of only one caregiver per patient. Sociodemographic details of the patients and their caregivers were collected. The Zarit Burden Interview (ZBI) based on a Likert scale was implemented to collect relevant data related to both the cancer patient and the family caregiver. Results Of the total 150 cancer patients, the most common type of cancer among the patients was head and neck (63, 42%), followed by cancers of the female reproductive system (44, 29.3%) and breast (24, 16%). Nearly 47% of caregivers were children of cancer patients, while 35.3% were spouses. Significantly higher burden scores on the “emotional strain” and “financial/physical strain” domains were observed among female caregivers. Higher burden scores on the “self-criticism” domain were independently associated with a shorter caregiver-patient contact time. Significantly higher burden scores on the “self-criticism” and “time/dependence” domains were observed among employed caregivers. Higher levels of burden on the “financial/physical strain” domain were reported by unemployed caregivers. Significantly higher burden scores on the “uncertainty” domain were observed among older caregivers and caregivers who were parents or spouses of the patients. Conclusion Caregiving impacts the physical, emotional, financial, and social aspects of the caregiver’s life. They adopt active coping strategies to overcome the impacts of caregiving. A majority of the caregivers experienced mild to moderate burden, while most scored low on quality of life. Attention to concerns and the psychological well-being of caregivers may improve the overall scenario.

Psychosocial, physical problems and coping strategies of patients having long term / permanent tracheostomy

BackgroundTracheostomy is a common surgical procedure in which a stoma is created in trachea by direct incision over the anterior aspect of the neck, which can cause disfigurement of the anterior neck and many other associated physical and psychosocial issues. Patients with long-term/permanent tracheostomy have to live with tracheostomy even after getting discharged from the hospital, which can further complicate the condition of the patients as they are unable to cope up with the problems associated with long-term tracheostomy. There is dearth of literature related to intensity of problems among patients having long term/ permanent tracheostomy in India. Therefore, the aim of the study is to assess psychosocial, physical problems and coping mechanism in patients with long-term/permanent tracheostomy.MethodsA cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted at ENT outpatient department and ENT Minor operation theatre, tertiary care hospital India. Total of 100 patients having long term/permanent tracheostomy were enrolled by convenient sampling. Data regarding demographics and clinical characteristics, Physical and Psychosocial problems, and Coping strategies were collected by structured questionnaires.ResultThe majority of individuals who had long-term or permanent tracheostomies had only minor health issues. Patients experienced more psychosocial issues than people in the general healthy population. The majority of patients employed active coping, acceptance, and religion as coping mechanisms, whereas the coping mechanisms which were minimally used includes: humor and substance abuse. Patients' coping strategies vary significantly according on their age, employment status, marital status, and the duration of their tracheostomy.ConclusionLong-term/Permanent tracheostomy can cause multiple physical and psychosocial issues in patients, but eventually, patients get adapted to it. Support from family members and significant others plays a vital role in better coping with tracheostomy in situ, also it is critical for health care providers to be aware of their problems and coping mechanisms so that they can provide required care and assistance.

The Psychological Health of Iranian Citizens Protesting the Actions of Their Country's Morality Police: La santé psychologique des citoyens iraniens qui manifestent contre les actions de la police des mœurs de leur pays.

To determine the mental health of Iranian citizens protesting the actions of their country's Morality Police. Street protests across Iran were met with violent suppression that included security forces reportedly targeting protestors' eyes. A group of 63 Iranian protestors (58.7% female; mean age 32.0 [SD = 9.43] years, from all socio-economic classes) who had been part of street protests against the regime's morality police, was recruited by convenience sampling between May and August 2023 by journalists working underground in Iran. The study was conducted in Farsi by telephone (n = 60) and in-person (n = 3). Demographic and psychometric data were collected, the latter including symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD; Impact of Events Scale-Revised) and depression (Beck Depression Inventory-Revised), in Farsi-validated scales. Between-group comparisons were undertaken with one-way ANOVA and post-hoc Tukey comparisons. Significance was set at P < 0.05. The protestors comprised three groups: not wounded (n = 27: 59.26% female, mean age 34.44 [SD = 12.11] years), non-eye wound (n = 23; 60.87% female, mean age 32.61 [SD = 5.89] years) and eye-wound (n = 13; 53.85% female, mean age 27.54 [SD = 6.58] years). The eye wound group (blinded in one or both eyes) had less severe intrusion symptoms of PTSD (P = 0.048) and depression (P = 0.0001) than the non-eye wound group. The not wounded group had less severe symptoms of depression than the non-eye wound group (P = 0.003). Every protestor who had lost sight regarded their actions, notwithstanding their physical consequences, in a positive psychological light. Contrary to our a-prior hypothesis, Iranian protestors blinded in one or both eyes were faring better psychologically than protestors with non-eye wounds. Possible reasons for this included higher rates of psychological treatment and social support in the eye-wound group compared to the other two groups post-injury and the nascent development of posttraumatic growth.

A Study of People's Satisfaction with Public Services of Tha Sala Subdistrict Administrative Organization, Tha Sala District, Nakhon Si Thammarat Province

Background and Aims: Public service, essential for societal well-being, must ensure benefits for the collective public through transparent, continuous, and equitable delivery. Assessing citizen satisfaction in areas such as accessibility, empathy, response time, convenience, and value is critical for enhancing public services and fostering trust and loyalty among citizens. Thus, this research aims to (1) study the level of service quality and level of satisfaction with public services of Tha Sala Subdistrict Administrative Organization. And (2) Investigate the intricate relationship between personal factors, service quality, and satisfaction with public services within the Tha Sala Subdistrict Administrative Organization, Tha Sala District, Nakhon Si Thammarat Province. Methodology: Convenience sampling was used in the study to poll 200 consumers of public services provided by the Tha Sala Subdistrict Administrative Organization with a 95% confidence level. While inferential statistics, such as Chi-Square tests and correlation coefficients, tested hypotheses on service quality and satisfaction, descriptive statistics were utilized to analyze demographic data. Content analysis was used to examine the open-ended responses. Results: The Tha Sala Subdistrict Administrative Organization provides the highest quality public services, excelling in investment, environment, social order, quality of life, and infrastructure. Satisfaction is also at the highest level, with top scores in accessibility, response time, and empathy. Personal factors like gender, age, and income do not affect satisfaction, highlighting the organization's fair and unbiased service. Conclusion: High satisfaction with accessibility, response time, and empathy is ensured by the excellent public services provided by the Tha Sala Subdistrict Administrative Organization in a variety of domains. Given that personal characteristics like gender, age, and income have no bearing on satisfaction levels, it is clear that the organization is committed to providing fair and impartial service.

The Role of Uterocervical Angle on Preterm Birth Incidence

Background: Preterm birth (PB) is associated with significant morbidities in surviving infants. Accurate prediction of PB is essential for effective prevention and management. Continuous monitoring of cervical parameters has shown utility in several studies. Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the role of the anterior uterocervical angle (UCA) in predicting the incidence of PB. Methods: A prospective, descriptive-analytic study was conducted with 165 pregnant women referred to the prenatal care clinic at Yas Hospital Complex, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran, in 2021 - 2022. Participants were selected through convenience sampling. Cervical parameters, including UCA, length, and width, were measured via vaginal ultrasound during each trimester. All women were followed until delivery to determine PB incidence. Data were analyzed using descriptive and analytical statistical tests, including the chi-square or Fisher’s exact test and the independent samples t-test or Mann-Whitney U test. Results: Among the participants, 12 (7.3%) experienced preterm delivery. Cervical length was significantly shorter in women with PB during the second trimester (32.58 ± 4.77 mm vs. 34.68 ± 3.80 mm, P = 0.042) and third trimester (30.00 ± 4.74 mm vs. 32.77 ± 3.88 mm, P = 0.022). The mean UCA in women with preterm delivery was higher than in those with term delivery during both the second (90.58 ± 17.21° vs. 88.66 ± 16.76°) and third (100.25 ± 14.56° vs. 98.89 ± 17.78°) trimesters (P &gt; 0.05). A UCA greater than 105° in the second trimester had a sensitivity of 16.7% and specificity of 81.5% for predicting PB. In the third trimester, a UCA greater than 105° showed a sensitivity of 58.3% and specificity of 60.7% for predicting PB. Conclusions: This study emphasizes the importance of regular cervical parameter measurements throughout pregnancy. A UCA greater than 105° in the third trimester appears to be a potential predictor of PB.

Attracting Visual Attention in a Digital Age

The purpose of this study was to determine whether previously established visual attention patterns remained intact during video scenes designed to elicit specific emotions using a novel suite of biosensors. To examine the relationship between visual attention and emotion, data from eye tracking, facial expression recognition (FER), and galvanic skin response (GSR) combined with survey data were used to identify the bottom-up and top-down features of saliency in videos that contributed to their “interestingness.” Using a mixed-methods design and convenience sampling, participants (N = 42) watched 60 video clips designed to evoke different emotional responses (positive, neutral, or negative). The results indicated that using a suite of biosensors to examine the impacts of bottom-up and top-down features of visual attention was effective.

The Predictive Power of the Mother’s Neck Circumference in the Early Diagnosis of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus

Background: Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a risk factor for the health of both the mother and fetus, responsible for a significant number of maternal, perinatal, and neonatal complications. Timely diagnosis and effective treatment can reduce the burden of the disease on the health of women and their infants during and after pregnancy. Objectives: The present study aimed to examine the predictive power of the mother’s neck circumference in the early diagnosis of gestational diabetes mellitus. Methods: This prospective cohort study was conducted on 782 pregnant women with a gestational age of 16 weeks who visited health centers in Jiroft between 2020 and 2021. Neck circumference was measured in the 16th week of pregnancy. Gestational diabetes mellitus was diagnosed using an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) with 75 grams of glucose at 24-28 weeks of pregnancy. Participants were selected using convenience sampling, and data were collected through interviews with the participants. Results: Among the 782 pregnant women, 179 were diagnosed with GDM, while 603 did not have GDM. The best cut-off point for neck size was determined to be 35.45 cm using the ROC curve. For the neck circumference test, sensitivity was 71.5%, specificity was 60%, positive predictive value was 34.8%, and negative predictive value was 87.7%. Conclusions: The findings indicate that a neck circumference greater than 35.45 cm in early pregnancy (16 weeks) can be considered a new diagnostic test for GDM. Early identification of women at risk should prompt necessary measures to reduce the complications associated with gestational diabetes mellitus.

Human Resource Management Affecting Organizational Engagement: A Case Study of The Nakhon Si Thammarat Provincial Administrative Organization

Background and Aim: Nowadays, the world has changed. Management within public and private organizations There is a need for adaptation, especially in ​​human resource management. Nakhon Si Thammarat Provincial Administrative Organization It is an agency whose duty is to provide public services. Human resource management has been given importance in line with goals and missions by giving importance to building morale. And develop personnel potential. There is a salary adjustment. Organize employee training to enhance personnel knowledge. If a person is attached to the organization, it will lead to loyalty. And intend to work efficiently. Research on “Human resource management that affects organizational commitment: A case study of Nakhon Si Thammarat Provincial Administrative Organization” has the following objectives; 1) Study the level of human resource management. And the level of commitment to the organization of Nakhon Si Thammarat Provincial Administrative Organization personnel, 2) Study the relationship between human resource management and organizational commitment of Nakhon Si Thammarat Provincial Administrative Organization personnel. Materials and Methods: It is quantitative research. The population used in this research is personnel working in the Nakhon Si Thammarat Provincial Administrative Organization. The sample group used in this research is personnel working in the Nakhon Si Thammarat Provincial Administrative Organization, which is 200 people, by convenience sampling. The instrument used to collect data was a questionnaire. Statistics used in data analysis include frequency, percentage, and arithmetic mean. Standard deviation and correlation coefficient Results: The results of the study found that 1) Human resource management level and the level of organizational engagement, it was found that the overall human resource management of the Nakhon Si Thammarat Provincial Administrative Organization was at the highest level. When considering each aspect, it was found that every aspect has the highest human resource management level. The aspect with the highest human resource management score was personnel, followed by Relationships with businesses and organizations and welfare. 2) The relationship between human resource management and overall organizational engagement is at the highest level. When considering each aspect, it was found that every aspect had the highest level of commitment to the organization. The aspects with the highest commitment to the organization are Satisfaction in the workplace and effective communication, Followed by Fair compensation, Effective leadership style, and job security. Overall, human resource management of the Nakhon Si Thammarat Provincial Administrative Organization is significantly related to the organizational commitment of Nakhon Si Thammarat Provincial Administrative Organization personnel at the 0.01 level, with a high level of relationship Conclusion: Overall, the Nakhon Si Thammarat Provincial Administrative Organization has the highest human resource management level. Arrange the scores for each aspect from highest to lowest: 1) personal aspect, 2) relationship with businesses and organizations, and 3) welfare aspect. Organizational engagement of Nakhon Si Thammarat Provincial Administrative Organization personnel as a whole It has a relationship with human resource management in both general and in each of the three areas The relationship is at a high level and is going in the same direction.

Dental Health Literacy among Highly Skilled Professionals in India: A Pilot Study

Purpose: Research in medical settings has consistently demonstrated that health literacy is essential for patient adherence and comprehension to medical/dental instructions including prescriptions and improving positive holistic health outcomes. Despite its recognized importance, the role of literacy in dentistry has received limited focus. This study aimed to assess the level of oral health literacy among professionals in a multinational company, using the Rapid Estimate of Adult Literacy in Dentistry-30 (REALD-30) as the measurement tool. Methods: A convenience sample of 111 adults was recruited from a dental camp held at two locations within an IT firm. Oral health literacy was measured and analysed using the REALD-30 scale. Participants also participated in interviews to collect sociodemographic information, dental visit history, dental needs, global oral health ratings, dental knowledge, practices, and comprehension. Additionally, clinical examinations were conducted to record the DMFT index (Decayed; D component, Missing; M component, and Filled; F component Teeth), as well as the presence of dental stains and calculus. Data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 13. Results: REALD-30 scores ranged from a low of 8 to a high of 25. Participants who had decayed, missing, or filled teeth, or a DMFT score higher than one, exhibited lower oral health literacy compared to the reference group. Similarly, lower oral health literacy was observed in participants with dental stains or calculus. Conclusions: Effective communication with patients is crucial for delivering high-quality dental care. The study concluded that a significant proportion of the highly educated professional group of people has less oral health literacy, which may obstruct their basic ability to understand and process the fundamental oral health information.

Relationship between emotional intelligence, quality of life, and infertility stigma in infertile woman: A descriptive-correlational study

Background: Infertility is one of the major crises in couples’ lives, affecting both mental and physical health. One of the most significant consequences of infertility is stigma; moreover, emotional intelligence and women’s coping style with these consequences can affect the quality of this disorder. Objective: This study aimed to investigate emotional intelligence, infertility stigma, quality of life, and the relationship between these variables in infertile women. Materials and Methods: This descriptive-correlational study was conducted from April 2023 to February 2024 on 349 infertile women referred to “Hazrat-Maryam-Infertility-Center-in-Shahid-Beheshti-hospital” and “Isfahan-Fertility-and-Infertility-Center” in Isfahan, Iran. Sampling was done using a convenience sampling method, and tools included 4 questionnaires, a demographic and midwifery information form, the quality of life questionnaire, the women’s-infertility-stigma-questionnaire, and the Schutte-Emotional-Intelligence scale. Results: The results showed that the women’s mean age was 35.08 ± 7.60 yr. The mean score for emotional intelligence was 109.06 ± 6.12, and the infertility stigma’s was 56.1 ± 14.73. The results indicated a positive correlation between emotional intelligence and infertility stigma (r = 0.13, p &lt; 0.001). Only the mean score of social well-being and general health dimensions had a significant relationship with the total score of emotional intelligence (r = 0.037, p &lt; 0.02). Conclusion: Infertile women have a lower quality of life and experience higher stigma. Since the quality of life and overall mental health affect the treatment process, also emotional intelligence plays an important role in human life, educational sessions and counseling should be considered in the treatment programs to improve the quality of life, thereby facilitating the treatment process with greater ease and speed. Key words: Infertility, Quality of life, Emotional intelligence.

Brand Trust, Perceived Quality, and Parental Decision-Making: A Study of International School Selection in Chiang Mai

Background and Aim: This research investigates the factors influencing parents' decision-making process when choosing international schools in Chiang Mai Province, Thailand. With the increasing popularity of international education in Thailand, understanding the key determinants of school choice is crucial for both parents and educational institutions. This study focuses on the impact of brand trust and perceived brand quality on parental decision-making, aiming to provide valuable insights for school operators and stakeholders to develop competitive strategies and enhance educational services. Materials and Methods: The study employs a quantitative research design with a convenience sampling technique. Data is collected from parents of children attending or considering 21 international schools in Chiang Mai through a structured online questionnaire. The questionnaire assesses brand trust, perceived brand quality, and their influence on the school choice decision-making process. Multiple regression analysis is used to examine the relationships between these variables. Results: The findings reveal that both brand trust and perceived brand quality significantly influence parental decision-making. Brand trust emerges as the strongest predictor, indicating that parents prioritize the credibility and reputation of international schools. Perceived brand quality also plays a crucial role, as parents associate high-quality brands with superior educational outcomes. The study demonstrates that these two factors collectively account for a substantial portion of the variance in parental choices. Conclusion: This research confirms the importance of brand management for international schools in Chiang Mai Province. By focusing on building brand trust and enhancing perceived brand quality, schools can effectively attract and retain students. The study's findings offer valuable guidance for school administrators and marketers in developing targeted strategies to meet the evolving needs and expectations of parents in the international education market.

Validity and Execution of Stress Ulcer Prophylaxis in Surgical Patients: A Single-Center, Retrospective Cohort Analysis in Islamabad, Pakistan

Introduction: Stress ulcer prophylaxis (SUP) is recommended in critically ill patients to prevent stress-related mucosal damage, however, there is inconsistent adherence to established standards and guidelines for those who receive SUP medications outside of this patient group. The present study aimed to evaluate the appropriateness of SUP medications for surgical patients at the tertiary care hospital in Islamabad, Pakistan. Methodology: A 1-year, retrospective cohort study was conducted, using a convenience sampling approach, involving patients undergoing surgical procedures at the Surgical Wards of a tertiary care hospital located in Islamabad. Data collection was performed using a pre-designed checklist, with main areas including demographic characteristics, data on their presenting complaint, SUP medications (dosage, route of administration and duration) and presence of stress ulcer risk factors.Results: n=418 patient records were assessed: the majority of the patients were female (62.6%; n=262), with a mean age was 53.6±11.7 years, treated at the General Surgery department (81.8%; n=342). All patients managed for SUP were prescribed PPIs; the most commonly used PPI was omeprazole, both orally (37.7%; n=158) and parenterally (39.7%; n=166). The majority of patients (72.2%; n=302) were prescribed SUP for an appropriate indication or an associated risk. 46.1% (n=193) received SUP as a discharge medication with no records showing a follow-up, and there was no clear evidence that suggested that SUP had been stopped. Conclusions: This study highlights the irrational prescribing of PPIs in non-critical patients and the improper continuing of PPI prescriptions after discharge in a real-world setting, indicating the need to address suggested protocols for rationalizing the use of SUP and limiting the use of PPIs for appropriate purposes.

Negative Social Exchanges are Associated With More Severe Depressive Symptoms Above and Beyond the Effects of Positive Social Exchanges in Male U.S. Service Members and Veterans.

Risk for depression is heightened among male service members/veterans relative to civilians. Research suggests social support protects service members/veterans from depressive symptoms, but most studies focus on positive social support. Negative social support, which can include unwanted emotional involvement or social negativity, could be more impactful on depressive symptoms than positive; however, this has not been examined in military samples. Moreover, it is unclear whether positive interactions buffer the effects of negative interactions. SM/Vs (N = 508) were recruited online using convenience sampling and completed demographics, and measures of depression and social exchange frequencies, a metric of positive and negative social support. This secondary data analysis was drawn from a parent study that was approved by an institutional review board. A correlation comparison calculator compared the strength of bivariate associations of positive social exchanges and negative social exchanges with depression. Linear regression examined the simultaneous effects of positive and negative social exchanges, and subsequently examined whether positive social exchanges moderated the association of negative social exchanges and depression. The positive bivariate association of negative exchanges and depression (r = 0.48, P < .001) was statistically stronger than the negative bivariate association of positive exchanges and depression (r = -0.40, P < .001). A regression analysis revealed that higher negative exchanges were positively associated with depression (partial r = 0.40, P < .001) and higher positive exchanges were negatively associated with depression (partial r = -0.32, P < .001) after accounting for covariates, but positive exchanges did not mitigate the association of negative exchanges and depression (P > .05). Decreasing the frequency of negative social exchanges is associated with lower depressive symptoms and may have a stronger relationship with depression than positive exchanges, suggesting independent pathways to depression. Longitudinal assessments are needed to determine the potential directionality of these relationships and to address the limitations associated with convenience sampling and cross-sectional data collection.

Consumer Acceptance of Central Bank Digital Currency in a Fully Launched Market

Since 2020 the number of countries and currency unions exploring the implementation of central bank digital currency (CBDC) has increased by approximately 300 percent. The literature shows an abundance of technical feasibility studies and a dearth of research on consumer adoption. This study investigates consumer adoption of CBDC in a market (Jamaica) in which it was already launched. Data was collected from 200 respondents based on a convenience sample. A conceptual model was constructed based on the unified theory of acceptance and use of technology. To validate the model and test the six hypotheses we employed PLS-SEM partial least squares structural equation modeling. Three of the six hypotheses were supported: behavioral intention has a significant positive impact on user behavior, social influence had a significant positive impact on behavioral intention, and facilitating conditions has a significant positive impact on user behavior. Age and gender had no moderating effect. This is the first study done in a market where CBDC was implemented, done on consumers and provided jurisdictional recommendation to create network effects and increase adoption

Comparative analysis of addiction severity index in methadone maintenance treatment: impact of concurrent methamphetamine use among patients in Rasht, Iran 2022–2023

ABSTRACT Introduction Methadone Maintenance Treatment (MMT) is widely used to manage opioid addiction, especially in Iran. Recent research highlights an increasing trend in methamphetamine use among individuals who are opioid-dependent and undergoing MMT. This study aimed to evaluate the differences in addiction severity between patients using both methadone and methamphetamine and those on methadone alone. Method This cross-sectional study took place at four MMT centers in Rasht, Guilan Province, Iran, from 2022–2023. Using convenience sampling, we selected participants aged 18 to 64 who had been receiving treatment at MMT centers for at least six months. Demographic data and Addiction Severity Index (ASI) scores were collected for two groups: those using methadone alone and those also using methamphetamine. Data analysis was conducted with SPSS version 26, using a significance threshold of 0.05. Results Of the 140 participants, 120 were male and 20 female. The Mann–Whitney test found no significant differences in medical status between the groups across six domains. However, five other domains showed significantly lower ASI scores for the methadone-only group compared to the methamphetamine users. Conclusion Concurrent methamphetamine use with MMT may negatively impact functional and health outcomes, highlighting the need for non-pharmacological psycho-social treatments to help curb methamphetamine use in this population.

A brief report: Lessons learned using wearable technology to collect data from adults receiving medications for opioid use disorder

ABSTRACT Background Incorporating wearable technology into substance use disorder research enables continuous, objective, and remote data collection, facilitating symptom monitoring to prevent relapse. However, implementation challenges may hinder data collection. This paper aims to assess adherence patterns to a wrist-worn wearable device, and to share lessons learned from incorporating wearable technology to collect physiological data from adults with opioid use disorder. Methods Employing a prospective observational design, we used convenience sampling to recruit adults receiving medications for opioid use disorder in outpatient settings. Wearable adherence was measured by days and nights worn over eight weeks, acceptability by a visual analog scale, and anecdotal notes tracked study activities and challenges. Results Twenty-three participants completed baseline, and 16 (70.0%) completed the study. Daytime and nighttime wearable adherence averaged 60.1% and 47.7%, respectively. Wearable adherence was highest at the earlier phase of the study (67.7%) and plateaued after overtime. User-related and technical challenges included digital illiteracy, protocol nonadherence, low motivation, measurement errors, and short battery life. Unique challenges included wearable design concerns and sleep problems. Conclusions This study demonstrates the feasibility of wearable use and highlights the potential to overcome challenges. Proactively sharing insights can facilitate wearable technology adoption for both participants and researchers.