Mean Standard Deviation Score Research Articles

Development and testing of a tool to assess parental care for children with mental illness (PCCMI)

Background: Involving parents in mental health treatment services can empower parents to manage their child’s illness. We conducted this study to develop a tool to assess parental care for children with mental illness. Materials and Methods: The present study was conducted in five phases that included in-depth interviews with parents in the outpatient department (OPD), focus group discussions (FGDs) with parents in an in-patient setting, and with a multidisciplinary team, item development, and the assessment of psychometric properties of the tool. Results: Parental care for children with mental illness (PCCMI) has 50 items derived from a thematic analysis of in-depth interviews of 31 parents and 2 FGDs with eight parents admitted at CPC and eight mental health professionals experienced in child and adolescent psychiatry. It is a 5-point Likert scale. The tool showed a high item-level Content Validity Index (I-CVI range: 0.8–1.0) and a high Scale Content Validity Index (S-CVI = 0.91). The test–retest method was used to calculate reliability. A total of 38 parents were included in the test–retest method. The mother and father’s mean age and standard deviation (SD) scores were 39.7 ± 5.8 and 45.1 ± 4.9, respectively. Most parents’ education level is above graduation (mothers: 86.8% and fathers: 86%). Around 63% of mothers were housewives and had normal pregnancies. The single measure two-way mixed absolute agreement intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) value for 38 subjects was 0.96 with a 95% confidence interval (CI: 0.90–0.95), indicating high reliability. Conclusion: PCCMI has high I-CVI and S-CVI and good ICC test–retest reliability. This tool will help mental health professionals in the formal assessment of parental care for children with mental illness and provide the intervention to address issues related to the same.

Evaluation of CMIP6 models for sea surface temperature and sea surface salinity variability over the Arabian Sea

The capability of Coupled Model Inter-comparison Project Phase-6 (CMIP6) is analysed in simulating the seasonal variability of Sea Surface Temperature (SST) and Sea Surface Salinity (SSS) over the Arabian Sea in this study. The historical simulations of 11 CMIP6 models, which come from various source are validated with the observational data (HadISST for SST and SODA for SSS). This study covers the Arabian Sea, spanning 5°S to 32°N and 33°E to 80°E from 1985 to 2014 (30 years). Seasonal mean climatology and annual cycle of SST and SSS are estimated over the Arabian Sea. The deviation of coupled model-simulated SST and SSS from the observation is quantified by determining the biases during all the seasons. Four distinct model evaluation measures are used to access the performance of CMIP6 models: root mean square error (RMSE), standard deviation (STD), correlation coefficient (CC) and interannual variability skill score (IVS). CMCC-CM2-SR5, NESM3 and IITM-ESM models for SST yield CC/RMSE values of 0.988/0.174, 0.983/0.204 and 0.963/0.299, respectively. CMCC-CM2-SR5, IPSL-CM6A-LR and CanESM5 models for SSS yield CC/RMSE values of 0.956/0.035, 0.937/0.042 and 0.820/0.069, respectively. Thus, these models having higher CC and lower RMSE among all models, give better performance. The present study is important as the future scenarios can be predicted using the best models.

Efficacy of Cognitive Stimulation Therapy for Cognition in Patients with Vascular Cognitive Impairment: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial.

The efficacy of cognitive stimulation therapy (CST) in patients with vascular cognitive impairment has not been explored, and no studies investigating CST in the convalescent rehabilitation phase have been reported. This study examined the effect of CST on the cognitive function of patients with vascular cognitive impairment. A randomized controlled, assessor-blinded, single-centered trial with two parallel groups was conducted in a convalescent rehabilitation hospital. Twenty participants were randomly allocated to CST (n=10) and control (n=10) groups. Participants in the CST group underwent two CST sessions a day, five times a week for 8 weeks, in addition to conventional rehabilitation. Participants in the control group underwent conventional rehabilitation only. The primary outcome was the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) score, and the outcome between the groups was compared using a generalized linear mixed model (GLMM). The mean (standard deviation) scores of MMSE increased by 3.50 (3.08) points and 4.50 (1.61) points from baseline to the end of the study (week 8) in the CST and control groups, respectively. The GLMM showed a significant effect of TIME on MMSE (F=21.121, P<0.001), whereas no significant effect on MMSE was observed for GROUP (intervention vs. control, P=0.817) or the interaction term (TIME×GROUP, P=0.649). Although a significant improvement in cognitive function was observed in each group, no significant effect of CST was evident. This result indicates that the effect may have been masked by improvements caused by natural history or rehabilitation. Future studies with a sufficient sample size are required to confirm the findings.

Comparing sexual self-concept in women with obesity pre- and post-bariatric surgery

BackgroundObesity leads to increased disease burden, decreased life expectancy, and disrupted sexual life. One of the most effective ways of obesity treatment is bariatric surgery. This study was conducted aiming to determine and compare sexual self-concept in women with obesity pre- and post-bariatric surgery.MethodA longitudinal study comparing sexual self-concept pre and post- surgery was conducted on women with obesity referring to obesity clinics in the city of Tehran in 2020–2021. Data collection was performed using Snell’s Multidimensional Sexual Self-Concept Questionnaire (MSSCQ), which was completed online. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 16 statistical software and Fisher’s exact test, chi-square, Mann-Whitney, independent t, and logistic and linear regression tests. A p-value of less than 0.05 was considered significant.ResultsAccording to the findings, the mean (standard deviation) score of sexual self-concept was 240.26 (26.82) in the post-surgery group and 200.26 (32.24) in the pre-surgery group (P = 0.001), and the highest mean (standard deviation) score of sexual self-concept both in the pre-surgery group (13.06 [4.00]) and in the post-surgery group (15.46 [2.16]) was related to the area of sexual depression (P = 0.05). Also, with increasing educational level, the odds of bariatric surgery increased by 33%, and those who had no private bedroom had lower odds of bariatric surgery by 65%. In those who did not have other individuals living in their house and their spouse was not a smoker, the self-concept score was 52.35 and 23.11 units higher.ConclusionIn general, bariatric surgery can improve sexual self-care. Considering the issue of sexual self-concept in bariatric surgery, it is recommended to design appropriate counseling and planning before surgery according to the culture of each country.

Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) government suppliers involved in government green procurement (GGP)

PurposeThe objectives of this paper are twofold. First, it aims to investigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the activities and performance of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) government suppliers involved in government green procurement (GGP). Second, it examines the differences in the impact of COVID-19 between small and medium-sized groups.Design/methodology/approachThe study used a questionnaire survey that was distributed to SMEs listed in the MyHIJAU directory that supply green goods and services to the government. Of the total 394 sample respondents, 126 usable questionnaires were received, representing a usable response rate of 31.98%. Descriptive analysis of mean score, standard deviation and mean score ranking was used to analyse the overall results. A t-test analysis was carried out to examine the differences between the small and medium-sized groups of companies.FindingsThe study discovers that the SME government suppliers involved in GGP were impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The top ranked impacts are that “the COVID-19 pandemic has heightened health and safety practices among the employees”, “the COVID-19 pandemic has reduced company’s turnover”, “the COVID-19 pandemic has forced the company to implement a cost reduction strategy”, “the COVID-19 pandemic has had a negative impact on the company’s ability to deliver work, supplies or services to the government” and “the COVID-19 pandemic has forced the company to incur higher production costs for green products or services provided”. However, there is no significant difference between the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the small and medium-sized group of enterprises.Originality/valueThe present study is among the fewer studies on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, with particular focus on SME government suppliers involved in GGP.

Polygenic Scores for Adult Testosterone and SHBG Levels Are Associated With Reproductive Hormone Levels in Male Infants.

The hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis's transient activity in infancy, i.e, minipuberty, is considered crucial for male reproductive function. Historically, minipuberty has been considered a passive response triggered by the withdrawal of placental steroids at birth. However, given its potential link to adult reproductive function, we hypothesize that minipuberty is a partially genetically regulated process, suggesting a link between the genetic architecture of reproductive hormone concentrations across lifespan. To investigate the association of UK Biobank Study-based polygenic scores (PGS) of adult total testosterone (T) and sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) concentrations with trajectories of reproductive hormones concentrations in male infants. Prospective, longitudinal birth cohort (The COPENHAGEN Minipuberty Study, 2016-2018, ClinTrial: NCT02784184). Individual PGSs in male infants derived from published literature were calculated for total T and SHBG. The associations with mean SD scores (SDS) of reproductive hormone concentrations in infancy were tested. Population-based. Healthy, male, term, singleton newborns were followed with repeated clinical examinations including blood sampling during a 1-year follow-up (n = 109). Circulating reproductive hormone concentrations. T-PGSadult were significant associated with mean T-SDSinfancy, mean SHBG-SDSinfancy, and mean LH-SDSinfancy (P = .02, <.001 and .03, with r2 = 0.05, 0.21 and 0.04, respectively). SHBG-PGSadult was significantly associated with mean SHBG-SDSinfancy (P < .001, r2 = 0.18). T-PGSadult explained 5% and 21% of the phenotypic variation in infancy of mean T-SDSinfancy and SHBG-SDSinfancy, respectively. Our findings suggest that the genetic architecture underlying total T and SHBG in adults also associates with hormone concentrations and their trajectories during infancy.

Subjective and objective image quality of low-dose CT images processed using a self-supervised denoising algorithm.

This study aimed to assess the subjective and objective image quality of low-dose computed tomography (CT) images processed using a self-supervised denoising algorithm with deep learning. We trained the self-supervised denoising model using low-dose CT images of 40 patients and applied this model to CT images of another 30 patients. Image quality, in terms of noise and edge sharpness, was rated on a 5-point scale by two radiologists. The coefficient of variation, contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR), and signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) were calculated. The values for the self-supervised denoising model were compared with those for the original low-dose CT images and CT images processed using other conventional denoising algorithms (non-local means, block-matching and 3D filtering, and total variation minimization-based algorithms). The mean (standard deviation) scores of local and overall noise levels for the self-supervised denoising algorithm were 3.90 (0.40) and 3.93 (0.51), respectively, outperforming the original image and other algorithms. Similarly, the mean scores of local and overall edge sharpness for the self-supervised denoising algorithm were 3.90 (0.40) and 3.75 (0.47), respectively, surpassing the scores of the original image and other algorithms. The CNR and SNR for the self-supervised denoising algorithm were higher than those for the original images but slightly lower than those for the other algorithms. Our findings indicate the potential clinical applicability of the self-supervised denoising algorithm for low-dose CT images in clinical settings.

Barriers to the involvement in green public procurement among small and medium enterprises (SMEs) government suppliers

PurposeThe objectives of this study are twofold. Firstly, this study aims to examine the challenges of green public procurement (GPP) involvement among small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) government suppliers. Secondly, it investigates the differences in the perceived challenges between the small- and medium-sized groups of companies.Design/methodology/approachThe study draws on the quantitative method. The questionnaire was distributed to SMEs that supply green goods or services to the government and which are listed in the MyHijau directory. Using convenience sampling, a total of 394 questionnaires were distributed and 126 usable questionnaires were received, representing a response rate of 31.98%. A descriptive analysis of the mean score, standard deviation and mean score ranking was used to analyse the overall results. The t-test analysis was carried out to examine the differences between the small- and medium-sized groups of companies.FindingsAll five categories of the barriers, i.e. financial, legal, people, knowledge and organizational challenges, are perceived as the important challenges for SMEs’ involvement in GPP. Of the five categories, “having lack of knowledgeable staff on GPP” under the category of “people” challenge is ranked as the most major barrier. In relation to the differences between the two groups of enterprises (small- and medium-sized), medium enterprises are more affected by two items under the “organization” challenge, i.e. “The company has not targeted suppliers that promote environmentally-friendly products/services” and “The company has not established a clear objective on purchase of green products and services”, as compared to the small-sized enterprises through their GPP involvement.Social implicationsBy understanding the difficulties faced by SMEs in engaging with GPP, various practical measures can be formulated to support the SME businesses in mitigating the challenges faced for their involvement with GPP, which subsequently will lead to the country’s target to reach the sustainable development goals.Originality/valueThis study extends empirical evidence on barriers or challenges that may hinder the involvement in government green procurement, with a specific focus on SME government suppliers.

Relationship between health literacy and generalized anxiety disorder during the COVID-19 pandemic in Khuzestan province, Iran.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, many changes occurred in various cultural, social, and economic fields, leading to the creation of psychological effects, especially anxiety, in the community. Fear and anxiety about emerging diseases (COVID-19) and less participation in preventive behaviors reduce individual resistance and ultimately lower one's quality of life. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the relationship between health literacy and generalized anxiety disorder during the COVID-19 pandemic in Khuzestan province, Iran. This was a descriptive-analytical (cross-sectional) study conducted among participants aged 18-65 in Khuzestan province during the years 2020-2021 through online sampling. Due to the prevalence of COVID-19 and the impossibility of face-to-face communication, the questionnaire was designed on the Porseline Survey website and the questionnaire link was provided to participants through WhatsApp and Telegram. The data collection tool includes the Iranian Health Literacy Questionnaire, which includes 33 items, and the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 scale, which has 7 items based on a Likert scale. Data analysis was performed using STATA14 software and descriptive and analytical statistical tests at a significant level less than 0.05. The mean (standard deviation) score for health literacy was 52.9 ± 9.3 and for generalized anxiety disorder was 5.2 ± 3.1. A significant negative correlation was found between the mean of anxiety disorder and health literacy (p < 0.05). The frequency of health literacy in individuals included 427 (37.8%) with inadequate health literacy, 628 (55.6%) with marginal health literacy, and 75 (6.6%) with sufficient health literacy. There was a statistically significant difference between the mean of generalized anxiety disorder among individuals with different levels of health literacy (p < 0.05). As the level of health literacy increases, the prevalence of generalized anxiety disorder caused by fear of COVID-19 decreases. Therefore, increasing awareness and health literacy about this virus, its transmission, and prevention methods is very effective in managing anxiety and stress caused by COVID-19. Paying attention to the issue of health literacy and generalized anxiety disorder, and promoting preventive behaviors can be effective tools for planners, health officials, and policymakers to promote health literacy for any type of disease.

Relationship Between General Health Domains and Pedestrian Safety Behavior: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background: Traffic injuries are one of the top ten leading causes of mortality worldwide that impose a substantial burden on the health and economy of nations. Among all traffic users, pedestrians are the most vulnerable, accounting for a significant share of injuries and fatalities resulting from traffic accidents. Numerous factors contribute to pedestrian traffic accidents, with unsafe pedestrian behavior being one of the most critical factors. Objectives: Various factors can influence the traffic behavior of pedestrians. Therefore, this study aimed to examine the relationship between demographic characteristics, the general health status of pedestrians, and their traffic behavior. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, after obtaining ethical approval and participants’ consent, data were collected from eligible individuals. The data included participants’ demographic information and their responses to the 28-question General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-28) and the Pedestrian Behavior Questionnaire (PBQ). Linear regression analysis was performed to assess the relationships between demographic variables, general health domains, and the total score obtained from the PBQ. Results: Among the 1 421 participants in the study, 720 (50.7%) were female and 1 310 (92.2%) were under the age of 60. In terms of marital status, 979 individuals were married (69.5%), and 368 (26.2%) were single. The overall score of the general health of the participants was high in 623 individuals (43.8%), moderate in 666 individuals (46.9%), low in 122 individuals (8.6%), and very low in 10 individuals (0.7%). The mean (standard deviation) score of pedestrian behavior was also 57.89 (±11.9). There was a significant relationship between female gender, age of 15-29 years, being single, and domains of general health (somatic symptoms, anxiety assessment, social dysfunction assessment, and depression assessment) with the overall score of pedestrian behavior. Additionally, a significant relationship was found between the overall score of the participants’ general health and the overall score of their pedestrian behavior. Conclusions: There is a significant relationship between demographic characteristics and various domains of the general health of pedestrians and their behavior. Paying attention to this issue in policymaking and conducting further studies to identify other factors affecting pedestrian traffic behavior to prevent traffic injuries seems necessary.

Effectiveness of E-learning on "Sexual Health" among students of Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences based on the Kirkpatrick model.

Implementing educational programs such as E-learning is highly low-cost and highly effective. The aim was to design and implement a sexual health education program to enhance female students' knowledge based on the Kirkpatrick model. This study was a quasi-experimental intervention study conducted on 60 female students of the Medical Ethics course at Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences based on the Kirkpatrick model. After needs assessment and determining the course syllabus, the teaching content was produced electronically and made available to the research population after scientific (Women's Group) and technical (E-Learning Group) approval. Data analysis was performed based on Mann-Whitney U test and independent t-test through SPSS version 26. The mean (standard deviation) scores of the Kirkpatrick level 2 measurement (learning) of the participants increased from 15.34 (4.89) before the intervention to 16.88 (5.20) after intervention (P < 0.001), which was statistically significant. The participants' satisfaction rate with the educational content was 86%, with the course duration was 94.4%, with the educational facilities and equipment was 85.4%, and with the presentation method and attractiveness of the materials was 86.3%. In total, the participants' satisfaction rate with the electronic course was 88%. The results of this study indicated a positive impact of the course on students' knowledge regarding sexual issues, and the students overall expressed satisfaction with this electronic course. Therefore, it is recommended to implement this course extensiver in other universities considering the advantages of E-learning.

Oral Health and Oral Health-Related Quality of Life among Elderly People in Iran.

The study aimed to investigate oral health status and its relationship with oral health-related quality of life in the elderly in Isfahan, Iran, in 2022. This cross-sectional study was conducted in Isfahan, with 460 elderly participants. During interviews with the participants, their demographic information, their medical and dental history, oral health-related behaviors, self-perceived oral health, and clinical examinations were collected, and the Geriatric Oral Health Assessment Index (GOHAI) was completed. The final conclusions were made using the Generalized Linear Model (GLM) test. The mean (sd) scores were 45.05 (8.62) for GOHAI, 5.44 (2.96) for self-perceived oral health, and 18.11 (5.76) for DMFT (Decayed, Missing and Filled teeth). Moreover, the number of remaining teeth on average was 11.78 (11.89), 39.56% of the participants did not brush their teeth, 40% of the elderly had complete dentures, and 27.17% had dental insurance. After adjusting and modifying the variables, the GLM test revealed that strong predictors for higher GOHAI scores were the higher levels of education (p < .001), the higher frequency of remaining teeth (p = 0.002), more pleasant self-perceived oral health (p < .001), and dental insurance (p = 0.04). According to the findings, the elderly's oral health-related quality of life in Isfahan was low, which was caused by the following factors: edentulism, few numbers of remaining teeth, high DMFT score, elderly' non-adjustment with dentures and their low quality, inappropriate oral health-related behaviors, lack of complementary insurance for dentistry, and non-using dental services, and low levels of education.

Health-related quality of life in patients with dyspepsia presenting at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Benin City, South-South Nigeria: a cross-sectional study.

Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) examines the impact of the symptoms of dyspepsia on the daily life of sufferers. There are a few published studies related to HRQoL of persons with dyspepsia in Africa. this was a hospital-based cross-sectional study involving 324 dyspeptic patients referred for upper gastrointestinal endoscopy to the University of Benin Teaching Hospitals (UBTH) The ROME IV criteria were used to recruit patients with dyspepsia. The short form Nepean Dyspepsia Index (SF NDI) was used to assess HRQoL in all participants. Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy was performed on all 324 dyspeptic patients. the mean age of patients was 47.6 ± 15.6 years. Three hundred (92.6%) patients had significantly impaired HRQoL with an SF NDI mean score of 31.3 ± 9.1. Interference with daily activities and eating and drinking subdomains were more impaired than other subdomains of HRQoL (p < 0.001). There was no statistical difference between the impaired HRQoL in patients with functional dyspepsia and organic dyspepsia (p = 0.694). Among patients with organic dyspepsia, those with upper gastrointestinal cancers had significantly worse HRQoL SF NDI mean (sd) scores (39.7 ± 5.9) compared with patients with gastritis, peptic ulcer disease and GERD with (30.3 ± 9.2, 31.5 ± 9.7 and 32.9 ± 7.1 respectively) (p = 0.01). health-related quality of life is significantly impaired in patients with dyspepsia and those with upper gastrointestinal cancers having overall worse scores. The physical, social and psychological well-being of a majority of patients with dyspepsia in South-South Nigeria is negatively affected by dyspepsia.

Comparison of effectiveness of face to face and telephone-based counseling with EXPLISSIT approach on marital interaction and quality of life of women attending health centers of Tabriz city during Covid 19 epidemy: A Quasi-experimental study

Background. Quarantine and social distancing due to COVID 19 has led to anxiety, anger, stress, and anger in people and has had a negative impact on physical and mental health and the quality of marital relationships. Due to the lack of sufficient studies and also the fact that no study was found in the literature review that compared this approach over the phone and face-to-face, this study was conducted with the aim of comparing the effect of telephone and face-to-face counseling with the explicit approach on women's marital interactions. Methods. This quasi-experimental study was conducted in 2022 in the health centers of Tabriz city on women aged 18 to 40 with a sexual performance score of less than 28. The participants were assigned to two groups of face-to-face counseling and telephone counseling with a ratio of 1:1 using a computerized random number table with blocks of four and six. Counseling based on explicit approach was done in the face-to-face counseling group during three meetings of 60-90 minutes, and for the telephone counseling group, there were three individual telephone counseling sessions of 60-90 minutes. Pre-test questionnaires including sexual performance, quality of sexual life and marital satisfaction were completed before and eight weeks after the end of the intervention. Results. The mean (standard deviation) score of the quality of sexual life after the intervention was significantly increased in both face-to-face and telephone counseling groups compared to before the intervention. Also the mean (standard deviation) of the total score of sexual performance and marital satisfaction after the intervention in the face-to-face counseling group was significantly higher than that of the telephone counseling group. Conclusion. Using counseling based on ex-PLISSIT approach in both face-to-face and telephone counseling groups, are effective in sexual health. Therefore, during crises such as a pandemic, or other restrictions to hold face-to-face counseling sessions, telephone consultations are useful. Practical Implications. Counseling based on ex-PLISSIT approach is effective for sexual health.

The Healthy Hearts Project: Development and evaluation of a website for cardiovascular risk assessment and visualisation and self-management through healthy lifestyle goal-setting.

Materially deprived communities in the UK have excess morbidity and mortality from cardiovascular disease (CVD) but are less likely to engage with formal care pathways. Community engagement and e-health may be more effective ways to promote risk-reducing lifestyle change. The "Healthy Hearts Project" website was designed for use by community health workers (CHWs) for cardiovascular risk assessment and lifestyle goal setting, or for independent use by community members. This paper describes the website's development and evaluation. The website was developed using interactive wire frame prototypes in a user-led approach. Qualitative evaluation of the completed website's usability and acceptability was conducted using the "Thinking Aloud" method in a purposive sample of 10 participants (one voluntary sector employee, three CHWs, two community members and four healthcare professionals). Thinking Aloud interview transcripts were thematically analysed using an inductive approach. A separate quantitative evaluation of usability and the effect of using the website on CVD knowledge and beliefs was conducted. A random sample of 134 participants, recruited using the online platform Prolific, completed the "Attitudes and Beliefs About Cardiovascular Disease" (ABCD) questionnaire before and after using the website, along with the System Usability Scale (SUS). Qualitative evaluation-Four key themes were identified: 1) Website functionality and design-participants generally found the website easy to use and understood the risk communication graphics and the feedback and goal-setting features,; 2) Inclusivity and representation-most participants considered the website inclusive of a range of users/cultures; 3) Language and comprehension-participants found the language used easy to understand but suggested reducing the amount of text; 4) Motivation and barriers to change-participants liked the personalized feedback and empowerment offered by goal-setting but commented on the need for self-motivation. Quantitative evaluation-The mean score across all domains of the ABCD questionnaire (from 2.99 to 3.11, p<0.001) and in the sub-domains relating to attitudes and beliefs around healthy eating and exercise increased after using the website. The mean(sd) score on the SUS was 77.5 (13.5). The website's usability was generally rated well by both quantitative and qualitative measures, and measures of CVD knowledge improved after use. A number of general recommendations for the design of eHealth behaviour change tools are made based on participants' suggestions to improve the website.

Reproductive care in Thai women with diabetes mellitus: a descriptive cross-sectional study

BackgroundPre-existing diabetes mellitus (DM) is a challenging pregnancy complication as poor glycemic control is associated with adverse maternal and fetal outcomes. In this study, we aimed to investigate DM-related knowledge, attitudes, preconception care practices, and contraceptive prevalence in women with DM.MethodsThis descriptive cross-sectional survey was conducted among reproductive-aged Thai women receiving DM treatment at King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital between August 1, 2021, and June 30, 2022. Patients with DM who were not pregnant or trying to conceive and could be contacted via the phone were included and a validated self-administered questionnaire was distributed electronically.ResultsA total of 238 participants were included in the final analysis, yielding 69.4% response rates. The mean (standard deviation) score for knowledge of pregnancy planning and pregnancy-related risks was 6.8 (3.5) out of 15. Only about half of the participants had discussed pregnancy planning with their physicians. Multivariable analysis showed that younger age at DM diagnosis, non-Buddhism, married, higher education, and medical personnel were significantly associated with higher knowledge scores. Women aged > 45 years and those with higher practice scores had significantly higher adjusted odds of using highly effective contraception; the most common methods included male condoms and combined oral contraceptive pills. There was an unmet need for contraception in 9.5% of women with DM.ConclusionsAlthough highly effective contraception is safe for patients with DM, only about half of our participants used tier one or two contraceptives or had received consultation regarding preconception planning. There was a notable gap in care coordination among specialists; integrating reproductive healthcare into DM therapy would improve access to preconception care.

Applicants Performance in Interview for a General Surgery Residency Pre- and During Coronavirus Disease-19 Pandemic

IntroductionThe coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) pandemic has created a shift from traditional in-person interviews for a residency position to a virtual platform over the last 2 y (2020-2021). With this significant shift, there is controversy about how this may affect applicant performance. We hypothesized that applicants scored higher during virtual interviews than in-person interviews. MethodsApplicants interviewed for postgraduate year 1 positions at a single university-based residency program over six interview cycles were divided into group A (4 cycles, pre-COVID-19) and group B (2 cycles, during COVID-19). All candidates were interviewed by faculty and senior surgical residents and scored on letters of recommendation (LOR), personal statement (PS), research (RS), the way the candidate represented themselves (RP), interest in the geographic area (IN), and degree of connection between candidate and interviewer (CN). Differences in mean scores between candidates in these two groups were assessed using an independent-sample t-test. ResultsOf 332 total applicants, 187 (56.3%) were in group A (cycles 2016-2019) and 145 (43.7%) were in group B (cycles 2020-2022). Group-B had higher United States Medical Licensing Examination Step 2 and Step 1 mean (standard deviation) scores (251.1 ± 10.6 versus 247.6 ± 11.8, P = 0.006 and 241.1 ± 10.3 versus 238.4 ± 10.4, P = 0.02). Group A scored higher median [interquartile range] in CN (4.4 [4.1, 4.6] versus 4.2 [3.9, 4.6], P = 0.005) and IN (4.3 [4.0, 4.5] versus 4.1 [3.8, 4.4], P = 0.002), while group B scored higher in LOR (4.3 [4.1, 4.6] versus 4.2 [3.9, 4.5], P = 0.011) and PS (4.3 [4.1, 4.4] versus 4.1 [3.8, 4.4], P = 0.001). No differences were noted between groups A and B in RS (3.9 [3.4, 4.5] versus 4.1 [3.5, 4.5], P = 0.108) or RP (4.4 [4.1, 4.7] versus 4.4 [4.2, 4.8], P = 0.317). No differences in the median [interquartile range] total scores of personal characteristic categories (25.1 [23.7, 26.5] versus 25.1 [23.8, 26.7], P = 0.703) were observed. ConclusionsFrom a program perspective, there were no differences between groups; however, candidates in the pre-COVID era scored higher in CN and IN, while those who interviewed virtually had higher scores in LOR and PS. Applicants perceptions may differ regarding in-person versus virtual interviews.

Comparison of Body Measurements and Adiposity Between Small and Appropriate for Gestational Age Term Neonates: An Observational Study

Background Small for gestational age (SGA) infants have preserved adipose tissue compared to appropriate for gestational age (AGA) infants. This forms the basis of the fetal origin of adult disease. Studies show that Indian babies are ‘thin’ but ‘fat’ compared to babies born in high-income countries. Skin fold thickness (SFT) is a measure of adiposity. Objective To compare the newborn adiposity by SFT in term moderate SGA infants and term AGA infants. Methods We included 222 term newborns, 62 moderate SGA, and 160 AGA with no fetal growth restriction. Babies born to mothers with obesity, abnormal weight gain, pregnancy-related illnesses, and severe SGA were excluded. Weight, length, head circumference, and other circumferences (mid-upper-arm, abdominal, and mid-thigh) and SFT (Anterior abdomen, quadriceps or mid-thigh, triceps, and subscapular) were measured. The mean SD scores were calculated for each of the measurements. Comparisons were made using independent sample t-test. Results Weight, length, circumferences, and SFT were significantly lower ( p &lt; .001) in the SGA infants compared to AGA. Among AGA, the mean standard deviation (SD) scores of all measures ranged between 0.1 and 0.5. However, in the SGA group, the mean SD scores for SFT showed minimal deviation (–0.3 to –0.5) compared to anthropometry (–0.7 to –1.2) and circumferences (–0.5 and –0.7), demonstrating the preservation of newborn adiposity. All the SFTs showed a moderate correlation ( r = 0.4) with the newborn weight and circumferences. There was no correlation to the anthropometry of non-obese mothers. Conclusion Term SGA newborns showed preservation of adiposity compared to AGA newborns.

Public Awareness and Attitudes towards Epilepsy: A Cross-Sectional Study

Epilepsy is surrounded by stigma and unfavorable attitudes as a result of several inaccurate or insufficient knowledge linked to the disease, and individuals have negative views of the disorder. They must have up-to-date knowledge and an acceptable approach to epilepsy and antiepileptic medications. This study aimed to assess the public general awareness of epilepsy and attitude toward persons living with epilepsy and its associated factors. A descriptive cross-sectional study was undertaken in Taif, Saudi Arabia, targeting the general public with a self-administered validated Arabic questionnaire. The questionnaire, which comprised two sections and included the responder's demographic information, was distributed over social media platforms between March 18, 2022, and June 3, 2022. A total of 500 respondents who met the inclusion criteria were included in the study. The characteristics of the subjects were described using descriptive statistics, and differences were assessed using the independent sample t-test and 2-way ANOVA. A p-value of ≤ 0.05 was used to determine statistical significance. A total of 500 individuals who met the inclusion criteria were included. The mean (standard deviation) score for general epilepsy awareness was 6.78(1.74), which is altogether considered as insufficient. Female participants had a substantially higher mean (SD) awareness score than male participants: 32.58(7.67); 95% CI: 31.34-33.68 versus 29.94(8.79); 95% CI: 28.93-30.95, P0.001. There were no significant differences in participants' awareness scores based on their nationality or occupation. Participants' attitudes towards PWE were mainly favorable, with 482 (96.4%) reporting that they would not be embarrassed if someone in their family had epilepsy, and that PWE should not hide their condition. According to this study, more people are aware of epilepsy and have a good attitude toward it. Furthermore, the study discovered a link between the three variables of interest and ...

Health-related quality of life and associated factors among prisoners in Gondar city prison, Northwest Ethiopia: Using structural equation modeling.

Prisoners usually need more comprehensive health and social support than the general population. Due to the growing number of prisoners in Ethiopia and limited access to health service, quality of life is a key concern. Compromised health-related quality of life imposes short and long-term consequences on the prisoners, their families, and the healthcare system. In Ethiopia, there are limited studies that investigate health outcomes and health-related quality of life in this particular population. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the magnitude of health-related quality of life and associated factors among prisoners considering the multidimensional nature of health related quality of life. An institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted on 1,246 prisoners who were enrolled using simple random sampling. The World Health Organization Quality of Life (WHOQoL-BREF-26) and Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) tools were used to assess the HRQoL and depression among prisoners, respectively. The relationships between exogenous, mediating, and endogenous variables were identified using structural equation modeling. As the mediation of effects were present, then the direct, indirect, and total effects were determined. General fit indices of the final model were acceptable (x2/df = 1.76, p < 0.001, RMSEA = 0.06, TLI = 0.90, CFI = 0.91, and SRMR = 0.06). The mean (standard deviation) score of the overall health related quality of life was 53.25 (15.12). Having an underlying medical condition had negative total effect on health related quality of life while visits in prison had positive total effect. Having income-generating work in prison had only a direct positive effect. Whereas, older age, being married, longer duration of imprisonment, and depression all had only a negative direct effect on one or more domains of quality of life (p<0.05). Inmates in Gondar Prison have very poor and compromised levels of physical and psychological health despite having a modest degree of overall HRQoL. The result of this study is significant for people who work in and research the prison environment because it can assist in recognizing prisoners' health needs and devising treatment procedures that take into consideration physical, psychological, environmental, and social relationship aspects.