High Class Research Articles

Some features of compression therapy for early forms of chronic venous diseases of the lower limbs

The current compression garment selection guide is targeted at the earliest clinical stages of chronic venous disease (CVD) and assumes a priori that application of a higher class of compression improves the calf muscle pump function, which is the major mechanism promoting venous return from the lower limb to the heart.Objective of the study: to evaluate the calf muscle pump function in patients with the early forms of CVD using different classes of compression garments.Material and methods: A total of 30 patients (45 lower limbs) with Class 1 CVD (CEAP classification) were enrolled in the study. The calf muscle pump function was evaluated during wearing compression garments using remote cableless photoplethysmography of Bodytronic measurement system (Bauerfeind, Germany) with automatic data processing. The investigators measured venous refilling time (T0) and pump capacity (V0) in patients without compression garments and also in those wearing classes 0, I and II compression garments (RAL standard, Venotrain micro, Bauerfiend socks). All indicators were measured three times with an interval of 30 minutes. The final values of T0 and V0 were calculated as average.Results and discussion: when the indicators were measured without compression and with zero compression, T0 was 26.7 ± 1.2 sec and 25.4 ± 1.1 sec (p = 0.56); V0 - 8.6 ± 0.7% and 8.0 ± 0.4% (p = 0.47). When the calf muscle pump function indicators were measured using class I compression garments, its performance was improved. Thus, T0 and V0 (p <0.01) increased significantly to 38.9 ± 2.1 sec and 12.9 ± 1.4%, respectively. When the calf muscle pump function indicators were measured using class II compression garments, T0 and V0 were 38.1 ± 1.6 sec and 8.1 ± 0.6%. Thus, the use of class I compression garments significantly improved the calf muscle pump function in patients with early manifestations of CVD. The higher level of compression (class II) did not improve T0 and worsened V0. This fact can be explained by excessive compression of the muscular venous sinuses caused by wearing class 2 compression garments, which, apparently, worsened the propulsive ability of the calf pump.Conclusion: the use of class I compression garments is optimal for the management of hemodynamic disorders in patients with early forms of chronic venous diseases (C1 according to CEAP). The higher class of compression does not improve the hemodynamic parameters of the calf muscle pump.

Occupational social class trajectories in physical functioning among employed women from midlife to retirement

BackgroundPrior analyses of class differences in health trajectories among employees have often omitted women and transitions to retirement. We examined social class trajectories in physical functioning among Finnish female employees from midlife to retirement age, and whether transitions to retirement modified these trajectories.MethodsData were derived from mail surveys at Phases 1–3 (2000–2012) among employees of the City of Helsinki, Finland, aged 40–60 at baseline (n = 8960, 80% women, response rates 69–83%). We included respondents to any of the Phases 1–3 aged 40–72 (n = 6976). We distinguished higher and lower social classes, and employment statuses, i.e. employed, mandatorily retired and disability-retired. Short Form 36 physical component summary was used to measure physical functioning. Mixed-effect growth curve models were used to assess the association of social class and employment status with functioning over age.ResultsFor employed women, physical functioning deteriorated faster in the lower than in the higher class, with class trajectories widening in ages 40–65. After mandatory retirement, functioning deteriorated in both classes, whereas after disability retirement, functioning improved. Across employment statuses, functioning converged at older ages, and the disability-retired caught up with the better functioning of the employed and mandatorily retired. Employment status modified the trajectories, as among the continuously employed and mandatorily retired women functioning deteriorated, but among the disability-retired, trajectories improved and reached a similar level with employed and mandatorily retired women. Social class inequalities remained in all employment status groups.ConclusionsOverall, our results suggest evidence for the cumulative disadvantage model, with accumulating work exposures among lower classes potentially contributing to their trajectories of ill health.

Awareness and practices on road safety among adolescents school children in Imphal, Manipur: a cross-sectional study

Background: The UN General Assembly declared 2011-2020 as the "Decade of Action for Road Safety” with the goal to stabilize and reduce the increasing trend in road traffic fatalities. The objective of the study was to assess awareness and practices on road safety among adolescent school children and to determine any factors associated with awareness and practices on road safety with selected socio-demographic variable.Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 2306 adolescent school students studying in classes VIII-XII in various schools selected by random sampling technique in two districts of Manipur during June 2018. Data were collected using a self-administered questionnaire. Based on the percentile, awareness level of the students was grouped into good, average and poor. Descriptive statistics like mean, SD and analytical statistics such as Chi-squared test were used. A p-value <0.05 was considered as statistically significant.Results: The mean (SD) age of the 2306 students was 15.29±1.4 year. Majority of the students belongs to late adolescents. Only 10% of the students have good awareness level on road safety. Majority of the students’ drives two wheelers (96.7%), does not possess driving license (89.1%) and around two-fifths used mobile phone while driving. Around 30% of the students were ever exposed to road traffic accident. Statistically significant association was found between late adolescents, boys, higher class, increase in parent’s educational level with good awareness level.Conclusions: Few students have good awareness level on road safety measures. Therefore, awareness campaigns regarding road traffic safety should be included in the compulsory training program of schools.

PREVALENCE, PATTERN AND CORRELATES OF STUDY DIFFICULTY AMONG STUDENTS OF COLLEGE OF HEALTH SCIENCES LADOKE AKINTOLA UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY OSOGBO.

Introduction - Study difficulty is the inability to obtain maximum result from efforts put into studying. It can negatively affect the physical and mental stability of the student leading to increased dropout from school.
 Objective - This study examined the prevalence, pattern and correlates of study difficulty among students of College of Health Sciences, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology Osogbo.
 Methods - Two hundred and seventy-seven students of the College were consecutively recruited. Each student filled socio-demographic questionnaire, University College London Study Questionnaire (UCLSQ), Brief COPE Questionnaire and General Health Questionnaire. The Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) software (version 21) was used for the analysis.
 Results -The mean age of the respondents was 26.3 years. The proportion of Medical, Nursing and Medical Laboratory Science students were 42.6%, 31.8% and 25.6%respectively. Most of the respondents were from married home (77.5%), monogamous setting (78.0%), parents with tertiary education and higher class of occupation. The prevalence of study difficulty among the respondents was 52.0%. Multiple linear regression analysis with stepwise method showed that respondents using less of adaptive coping strategies (p = 0,005) and presence of psychiatric morbidity (p<0.001) were independently associated with the presence of study difficulty.
 Conclusion - This study has shown that psychiatric morbidity and maladaptive coping strategy use were more common among students with study difficulty. A routine mental health assessment and practical teaching of adaptive coping strategy in the citadels of learning in particular the tertiary level/medical and paramedical professions.

Do higher-class individuals feel more entitled? The role of system-justifying belief

ABSTRACT Sense of entitlement can be defined as a pervasive sense that one deserves more and is entitled to more than others. Two studies examined the relationship between social class and sense of entitlement and how this relationship is moderated by system-justifying belief (SJB) in China. In Study 1, we conducted a survey among adults (N = 669) with results showing that social class was positively correlated with sense of entitlement for those endorsing SJB, but negatively correlated with sense of entitlement for those opposing SJB. In Study 2, we conducted an experiment among undergraduates (N = 128) with both social class and SJB being primed and the results replicated the pattern: the positive effect of primed higher social class on pay entitlement existed only for those primed with high SJB, and was dampened for those primed with low SJB. Therefore, higher-class individuals do not necessarily feel more entitled, and SJB may play an important role in shaping their sense of entitlement.

1412Effect of beta-blocker dose on the prognosis in chronic heart failure patients depending on the presence of atrial fibrillation. Data from FAR NHL (FARmacology and NeuroHumoraL activation) registry

Abstract Background Beta-blockers (BB) decrease morbidity and mortality in heart failure patients and are part of the first line treatment together with inhibitors of angiotensin converting enzyme. New metaanalysis from year 2014 of main BB studies in chronic heart failure showed no benefit of BB in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). Methods 1088 at least one month stable chronic heart failure patients with ejection fraction <50% were included in FAR NHL (FARmacology and NeuroHumoraL activation) registry. Three centers with speciality in heart failure in the Czech Republic were participating from November 2014 to December 2015. Results 80% patients were male with median age 66 years. Aetiology of heart failure was in 49.4% ischemic heart disease, in 42.3% dilated cardiomyopathy, in 0.5% hypertrophy cardiomyopathy. From those receiving beta-blockers 20% received low dose similar to the starting dose, 57% medium dose and 17% high dose which was set as the target BB dose. Nearly 93.8% of patients received BB. But only 17.0% received the high dose of BB. 6.2% of patients were not treated by BB at all. One third of patients (34.5%) had atrial fibrillation in medical history or newly recorded on electrocardiogram. Patients with AF were much older (median 63 vs. 70 years, respectively; p<0.001), had higher heart rate (72 vs. 74 /min; p<0.006) and were also in higher class of NYHA (New York Heart Association; p=0.005). The primary endpoint was set as all cause death, mechanical circulatory support implantation, orthotopic heart transplantation or hospitalization for acute heart failure. Patients with AF survived without primary endpoint in 70.6%, patients without AF in 78.8% (p=0.005) even after age standardization. There was significantly different survival according to dose of beta-blocker, the higher was dose of BB, the higher was survival. Patients with no beta-blocker survived without primary endpoint in 63.9%, with low dose survived in 72.6%, medium dose in 77.0% and with high dose in 80.9%. We devided FAR NHL patients into two groups according to atrial fibrillation. Patients without AF had the better survival without primary endpoint. The higher dose of beta-blockers they got, the better survival they had (69.5%, 76.7%, 78.9%, 85.1%; p=0.007). Also patients with AF had better survival without primary endpoint, the higher dose of beta-blocker they got, the higher was their survival without endpoitnt (56.0%, 63.6%, 73.0%, 75.8%; p=0.007). Conclusion In FAR NHL registry of stable chronic heart failure patietnts was one third of patients with atrial fibrillation. Nearly 94% of patients received beta-blocker. But only 17% received the target dose. Pacients even with or without atrial fibrillation had the significantly better survival without primary endpoint the higher was the dose of beta-blocker.

Land evaluation for crop production in Upper Kabete Campus field, University of Nairobi, Kenya

BackgroundThe study area exhibits a first class catena; variation in soils is a result of differences in drainage and lateral movement of materials. The site was delineated into Soil Mapping Units (SMUs) through augering, into soils differing in macro relief. Slope categories included 0 to 5%, 5 to 8%, 8 to 16%, 16 to 30% and > 30%. Profile pits were opened in the five mapping units using stratified random sampling technique. Identified SMUs include UmIr/F, UmIr/E, UxIr/D, UxIr/C and UxIr/AB in order of decreasing slope gradient. Land suitability classification was based on the top horizons and the FAO 1976 criterion for land evaluation was used. The study aimed at identifying the most suitable areas for envisaging production of common crops grown in the area and limitations to production increase. A table of relevant land qualities and their diagnostic factors was constructed, rated and matched with suitability class-defining criteria to determine current suitability. Potential suitability was determined by considering the possibility of resolving the current limitations.ResultsMapping unit UmIr/F and UmIr/E qualified as class S2 for the selected crops majorly due to limitations of workability and susceptibility to erosion based on their slope gradient. Nutrient availability and possibility of use of implements also rated as S2. Unit UxIr/D qualified in S2 category due to the same limitations. Mapping unit UxIr/C and UxIr/AB qualified in the S2 category due to limitations of nutrient availability. After improvements, all the mapping units qualified in class S1.ConclusionsThese observations indicate that workability and erosion susceptibility due to steep topography coupled with lack of enough nutrients are the greatest production limitations in the study area. Increasing slope gradient also led to decreasing possibility of use of farm implements. Terracing can reduce the deleterious influence of slope on soil quality, shifting suitability to a higher class, should the steep area be used for cultivation. There is a need for sufficient inputs and cover cropping to maintain high soil quality. Land evaluation should be part of good agricultural practices in any production system.

Виробнича перевірка ефективності вакцини «Мастивак» проти клінічних та субклінічних маститів

При проведенні клінічних випробувань вакцини «Мастивак», корови були розділені на дві групи за принципом аналогів по 10 голів у кожній. Вакцину вводили підшкірно в ділянці середньої ділянки шиї в дозі 5 см3. Корови першої групи вакциновані двократно з інтервалом 15 днів. Корови другої групи вакцинації не піддавались. За коровами вели щоденне клінічне спостереження та щотижневе дослідження зразків молока. У корів другої групи (не вакцинована) були виявлені дві тварини з клінічними ознаками маститу та чотири тварини з ознаками субклінічного маститу. При дослідженні молока корів виявили, що у корів другої групи знижені показники якості молока – клас забрудненості молока 1, 2 та 3 в той час як молоко корів першої групи відповідає вищому класу.

Social origin, field of study and graduates' career progression: does social inequality vary across fields?

Research on stratification and mobility has consistently shown that in the UK there is a direct impact of social origin on occupational destination net of educational attainment even for degree‐holders. However, only a few studies applied a longitudinal and dynamic perspective on how intergenerational mobility shapes graduates’ working careers. Using multilevel growth curve modelling and data from the 1970 British cohort study (BCS70), we contribute to this research by looking at the emergence of social inequalities during the first ten years since labour market entry. We further distinguish between graduates of different fields of study as we expect social disparities to develop differently due to differences in initial occupational placement and upward mobility processes. We find that parental class does not affect occupational prestige over and above prior achievement. Separate analyses by the field of study show that initial differences in occupational prestige and career progression do not differ between graduates from different classes of origin in STEM fields, and arts and humanities. It is only in the social sciences that working‐class graduates start with lower occupational prestige but soon catch up with their peers from higher classes. Overall, our results indicate no direct effect of social origin on occupational attainment for degree‐holders once we broaden our focus to a dynamic life course perspective.

The Politics of Law on Wage Systems In Indonesia

Indonesian Politics of Law in terms of wages must pay attention to the value system, ethics, and unwritten law. Each community has certain goals to be accomplished by its members. To achieve these goals, there are facilities provided that can be used, but in reality, not everyone can use these available facilities. This situation causes the use of inappropriate means in achieving goals and will arise irregularities in achieving goals. The existence of social classes and structures in society causes different opportunities for achieving goals. It is often seen that wage policies in Indonesia still reflect on the differences between the lower class and higher class (upper class). These class differences and opportunities are the main factors of the tug-of-war between workers and employers in the demands of increasing minimum wages each year. It happens because both parties have their own different interests. For that, legal instruments must be able to be used as guidelines in determining and stipulating wages of workers to meet the needs for workers and their families, so as to improve the quality, role and position, and protection of workers according to human rights. Keywords : goals, wage system, minimum wages DOI : 10.7176/JLPG/88-02 Publication date : August 31 st 2019

Peningkatan Penalaran Penyelesaian Soal Higher Order Thinking dalam Pembelajaran Matematika SMP melalui Model ECGV

The aim of this research is: 1) identifying the condition of teaching and learning in the classroom applying ECGV learning model; 2) comparing the improvement of higher order thinking skill when ECGV learning model is applied and without the ECGV learning model; 3) examining the efforts to improve the influencing factors of students’ higher order thinking skills. This study applies quantitative approach with a rationalistic paradigm. At first, this study described the condition of the controlling class, in which students were learning as usual, as well as experimental class carried out applying the ECGV model (Exploration, Conjecture, Generalization, and Verification). Different treatments were applied to the controlling and experimental classes to have the difference in normalized gain values to indicate an improvement of the achievement in this learning stage. The research results indicates that: 1) ECGV model is an effective learning model to improve skills within the learning process as well as students' thinking skills; 2) The ECGV stages should be applied from stages 1 to 4 accordingly, considering some factors that should be the focus for improvement; 3) Learning result indicated by in students' thinking abilities in the lower class increases greater than the higher class; 4) Some determining factors in the improvement of students' reasoning skills are found; class climate (environment, teacher and school), student psychology, and student intellectuals.

Exploration of Class and Political Behavior in Croatia

In Western European countries, studies on the relationship between class position and political outlooks so far have a limited understanding of the relevance of class analysis, while in semiperipheral countries, like Croatia, research on class-related mechanisms and political behavior is modest, with a clear deficit of empirical research. The main goal of class analysis is to have the potential to explain various life outcomes primarily through explaining and exploring relationships between class position and life chances. In this article, we have employed neo-Weberian class analysis with the purpose to explore the relationship between class position and political behavior. In the article we use the concept of political behavior as a broader term that consists of individuals’ interest in politics, political efficacy, and political participation (voter turnout). We have used the data from the International Social Survey Program module Role of Government V from 2016. Analysis has shown that in Croatia, class membership is a predictor of interest in politics and political efficacy, i.e., that the members of a higher class show greater interest in politics and assess that they have a better understanding of politics. Class per se does not have a direct effect on voter turnout, but it is mediated through political efficacy and interest in politics since voting is mostly under the influence of personal interest in politics.

Household wealth and adolescents' social-emotional functioning in schools

This study attempts a two-part shift in educational research narrowly fixated on the socioeconomic determinants of student test-score performance. First, we focus on variations in how to measure wealth. Second, we move beyond achievement and focus on the wealth determinants of adolescents' social-emotional competencies. Using data from a nationally-representative sample of US eighth graders, we find that the correlation between wealth and social-emotional competencies varies according to how the partitions among the upper class, the middle and working classes, and the poor are defined. By emphasizing wealth in the production of classed social-emotional competencies not captured by test scores, our findings suggest that the growth of household wealth has a more salient effect for lower- and middle-class adolescents than the highest class which appears to have the least to gain, in terms of social-emotional competencies, from an increase in household wealth.

Leadership Behaviour of Elementary School Headmaster Christian Education Foundation School Kabaruan, District Talaud Island, Indonesia

This this study aims to obtain the results of analysis and description of: Principal Leadership Behavior at SD Pendidikan Foundation (YPK) Kabaruan Elementary School in Talaud Islands Regency, Factors that support the Principal's Leadership Behavior at the Kabaruan Christian Education Elementary School (YPK) in the Talaud Islands Regency, Factors that inhibit Principal Leadership Behavior at elementary school Christian (YPK) Kabaruan in Talaud Islands Regency,Efforts are being made to address the leadership behavior of the principal. This study uses a descriptive method with a naturalistic approach. Descriptive nature refers to: (1) data collected in the form of words or documents; and (2) the research report contains excerpts from the data as an illustration in providing support for what is presented. For naturalistic approaches chosen for the following reasons. The problem that the researchers examined was about things that were going on at school, with the hope that data could be collected as much as possible, while still paying attention to data quality. Data collection techniques are the most important step in research, because the main purpose of the research is to obtain data. Without knowing the data collection techniques, the researcher will not get data that meets the specified data standards. When viewed from the data source, data collection can use primary sources, and secondary sources. Primary sources are data sources that directly provide data to data collectors, and secondary sources are sources that do not directly provide data to data collectors, for example through other people or through documents. Based on the results of the research and discussion presented in chapter IV, conclusions can be drawn as follows: The Principal of the Dassar Christian Education Foundation (YPK) Kabaruan in the Talaud Islands District in carrying out his duties was more likely to use a situational leadership model. Factors that support the leadership of the principal can be seen, among others, internal factors, namely good personality, discipline, firmness and modesty. The principal has managerial skills that should be improved. The implementation of teacher supervision, and external factors, namely the location of the school, environmental conditions, community support, administration, board of teachers, parents of students and the school committee. The inhibiting factor for the leadership of school principals in implementing a situational model is that there are still teachers who feel more senior, higher class, so that they do not support the principal's thinking pattern, there are also teachers who feel that the principal is carrying out discipline in schools such as the military. teachers who are lazy because they feel there are still relatives, principals are often absent from school because of outside school-related affairs / tasks. Businesses carried out are principals who have efforts to maximize situational leadership such as seeking a personal approach to teachers in guiding, directing, motivating and understanding applicable regulations, the principal entrusts his duties to the deputy headmaster of each school. leaving school because there is an affair at the education office related to the development of the school itself. Keywords : Teacher Performance, Managerial Abilities, Learning Facilities DOI : 10.7176/JEP/10-21-03 Publication date :July 31 st 2019

Комплексний аналіз рослинного покриву парку-пам’ятки садово-паркового мистецтва місцевого значення «Парк-сквер» (м. Чернівці, вул. Мирона Кордуби)

The results of floristic, coenotic and biotopic research of the phytocenosis cultures variety of the vegetation cover of the park-monument of landscape art of local value «Park-square» (Chernivtsi, Myron Korduba Street) are resented. Species composition of aboriginal (11 species) and introduced (19) woody plants is established. A complex evaluation of exotic dendroflora on the main biomorphological, bioecological and decorative indicators was carried out. It was revealed that most plants belong to a group of decorative and highly decorative plants in the absence of low-decoterative plants. It is established that the phytocenosis cultures of the park-square are characterized by the highest class of perspective and use with maximum recreational load. It has been investigated, that under condition of optimization of structure of existing plantings with participation of beautiful flowering bushes and decorative herbaceous species, the increase of their general esthetic estimation will be provided. The coenotic and ecological purpose for the lawns of the park was characterized. The park's lawn cover is assigned to the association Lolio-Plantaginetum majoris (Linkola 1921) Beger alliance Polygono-Coronopodion Sissingh 1969 order Polygono arenastri-Poetalia annuae Tx. in Géhu et al. 1972 corr. Rivas-Mart. et al. 1991 class Polygono-Poеtea annuae Rivas-Mart. 1975, and intended for mesophytic, hemihydrocontrastphilic, hemiaerophobic, subacidophilic, semi-autotrophic, acarbonphilic, nitrophilic conditions. On the territory of the park, 19 species of alien plants xenophytes were identified with the predominance of kenophytes of North American origin, epecophytes that are confined to anthropogenic-transformed growing areas. The most dangerous among alien plants is a quarantine allergic species Ambrosia artemisiifolia, single species of which are found at the park territory and is assigned to the association groups Lolio-Plantaginetum majoris. Threats of biomonoforming of park phytocenosis cultures were analyzed and the priority of studying of alien plants in the protected areas of the city was justified.

Hubungan Bimbingan Kelompok dengan Motivasi Belajar Siswa SMP Negeri 5 Rambah Kabupaten Rokan Hulu Provinsi Riau

In writing this article the writer chooses research with the title of Relationship Guidance Group with Learning Motivation for Students of SMP Negeri 5 Rambah, Rokan Hulu Regency, Riau Province. This article aims to describe the learning motivation of students in SMP Negeri 5 Rambah Hilir, Rokan Hulu Regency, Riau Province; describe the implementation of guidance for groups of SMP Negeri 5 Rambah Hilir, Rokan Hulu Regency, Riau Province; and know whether or not there is a relationship between students' learning motivation with the guidance of the group of SMP Negeri 5 Rambah Hilir, Rokan Hulu Regency, Riau Province. This article discusses two variables, namely group guidance and learning motivation. The population in this study were students of SMP Negeri 3 Rambah Hilir Academic Year 2013/2014 which amounted to 82 students consisting of three classes. The sample that will be used in this study is SMP Negeri 3 students which are Downstream in 2013/2014 Academic Year with a total of 82 students. The sampling technique used by researchers is a sample consideration. What is meant by sample consideration is in taking the sample, researchers take samples based on certain considerations. This sampling is based on consideration at the highest class average. So the research made the VIIA class as a research sample as many as 29 students. The type of research used in this study is expost facto research or referred to after after the fact. Data collection techniques used are documentation, observation, and questionnaire.Based on the calculation results obtained that the significance value is 0,000 which is smaller than the value of a = 0.05 and the calculated value is 0.599 ** in the "moderate" category. The price of the coefficient is then tested for significance by comparing the table for n = 80 at the level of 5%, then table = 0.220, where the value of r count> r table (0.599> 0.220) and the significance value obtained is less than 0.05. Thus, Ha is accepted, that is, there is a relationship between group guidance services and Learning Motivation for class VIII students of SMP Negeri 5 Rambah Hilir, Rokan Hulu Regency, Riau Province. While the contribution of group guidance services in improving student learning motivation is 35.88%.

Evaluation of ceftriaxone use in the medical ward of Halibet National Referral and teaching hospital in 2017 in Asmara, Eritrea: a cross sectional retrospective study

BackgroundAntibiotic resistance due to overuse of antimicrobials is an issue that has been of concern to many health institutions and society in general. Resistant infections have high impact in low income countries since they can’t afford more recent and expensive antibiotics. Studies that evaluate antibiotic use in hospitals are scarce in Eritrea. Ceftriaxone is commonly available in Halibet National Referral and teaching hospital (HNRTH). Resistance to this antibiotic would have a great impact on the hospital since there is no other available third generation cephalosporin or higher classes of antibiotics.MethodA retrospective cross sectional design was used to evaluate the use of ceftriaxone in patients admitted to the medical ward in 2017. Clinical card number of inpatients who took ceftriaxone was extracted from the database of the Satellite Pharmacy Department of HNRTH and collected using a standardized data collection form. A descriptive analysis was employed and the Statistical package for social sciences (SPSS), version 20 was used for analysis.ResultsA total of 120 patients were taking ceftriaxone for various indications. There were 55 (50.5%) males and 54 (49.5%) females. 59.8% of the patients were treated in the range of 0–7 days. The mean age was 56 (SD: 20.7). On average patients were under treatment for 6 days. The proportion of patients taking ceftriaxone was 11.43% out of all admissions in the medical ward. One, two or three antibiotics were co-prescribed with ceftriaxone in 39.4%. The most commonly co-prescribed antibiotic was gentamycin, accounting for 16.4% of the co-administered antibiotics. The most common indications for ceftriaxone were pneumonia, sepsis, TB, and CHF. Ceftriaxone therapy was appropriate in 30 (27.5%) cases and 68 (62.4%) cases were inappropriate in any of the four parameters of assessment used.ConclusionInappropriate use of ceftriaxone was found to be high in the hospital. This calls for establishment of hospital and national guidelines of antimicrobial treatment. Moreover drug restriction and antibiotic stewardship implementation in the hospital should be sought to prolong the lives of important drugs like ceftriaxone.

Water Catchment Zone Mapping for Watershed Management in Gesing Sub-Watershed, Purworejo

Water is a very important resource involved in almost all life processes on earth, especially for human life. The rapid growth of water consumption with a decrease in the quantity and quality of water sources certainly creates problems of water scarcity or even flooding, which already occurs in some areas of Indonesia. In the last decades, some areas in Purworejo District, Indonesia have experienced floods, landslides, and droughts. This condition indicates that there has been a water quantity problem in the watershed in Purworejo. This study tends to focus on water resource management in terms of management planning. The purpose of this research is to create a water catchment zone map with the integration of remote sensing methods and geographic information systems. Identification of potential water catchment considers several parameters, such as soil permeability, rainfall, soil surface type, slope, and groundwater level. The results map consists of five classes of water catchment zone in the Gesing Sub-watershed. The higher classes were found in the upper watershed and the center of the watershed, especially in the valley section of the river. The lower classes, such as in the center of the watershed were considered as suitable areas to protect the water quality. With the mapping of water catchment zone, it is expected that the government can make appropriate policies related to water resources management of each sub-watershed so that in the end the water supply problem-especially in terms of quantity-can be managed and controlled effectively.

Prevalence of psychoactive substance use among male adolescents in Southwest Nigeria

ABSTRACTIntroduction: Substance use in the adolescent period is recognized as a growing problem in Nigeria. The problem is even more significant among male adolescents in southwest Nigeria with consequent legal and academic problems.Objectives: The study aimed to describe the pattern of substance use among male secondary-school adolescents and identify sociodemographic correlates of substance use.Methods:. A total sampling of male students in senior classes of secondary schools selected randomly from urban and semi-urban areas of Ibadan a city in Nigeria were approached for the study.Results: The mean age of the respondents was 16.49 years (SD ±1.31). Lifetime use of any psychoactive substance was 54%. The most common substance ever used by respondents were non-amphetamine stimulants (39%) followed by alcohol (31%) while hallucinogens (1.0%) and cocaine (1.0%) were the least ever used. None of the respondents had never used an amphetamine-type stimulant. Seven of the respondents (2.9%) reported ever using a psychoactive substance though injection in the last 3 months.Conclusion: This study reports a high prevalence of psychoactive substance use among male secondary-school adolescents in Ibadan southwest Nigeria. It showed that being in a higher class and engaging in paid work after school were factors significantly associated with substance use. The findings of this study have implications for adolescent mental health intervention in the field of addiction.

The association between neighborhood socioeconomic status, cardiovascular and cerebrovascular risk factors, and cognitive decline in the Health and Retirement Study (HRS)

Background: A small but growing body of evidence supports a relationship between neighborhood socioeconomic status (NSES) and cognitive decline. Additional work is needed to characterize this relationship controlling for risk factors such as cardiovascular, cerebrovascular, and genetic risk factors.Methods: Cognitive decline was assessed in association with NSES, and cardiovascular and cerebrovascular risk factors (heart disease, diabetes, hypertension, and stroke) in 8,198 individuals from the 1992–2010 waves of the Health and Retirement Study (HRS). Latent class trajectory analysis determined the number of cognitive trajectory classes that best fit the data, and a multinomial logistic regression model in the latent class framework assessed the risk for cognitive classes conferred by NSES index score and heart disease, diabetes, hypertension, and stroke across three trajectory classes of cognitive function. The analyses controlled for genetic risk for cognitive decline (including APOE genotype) and demographic variables, including education.Results: The HRS sample was 57.6% female and 85.5% White, with a mean age of 67.5(3.5) years at baseline. The three-quadratic-class model best fit the data, where higher classes represented better cognitive function. Those with better cognitive function were mainly younger white females. Those in the highest quartile of NSES had 57% higher odds of being in the high cognitive function class. Heart disease, diabetes, hypertension, and stroke each increased the odds having of lower cognitive function.Conclusions: In examining the relationship of cognitive status with various variables, neighborhood socioeconomic status, cardiovascular risk, and cerebrovascular risk persisted across the cognitive trajectory classes.