Study Participants Research Articles

Developing a Dietary Questionnaire for Rural Mexican Americans.

Latinos form the largest ethnic population in the United States (18.5%), and the majority are Mexican Americans (61.4%). Many Mexican Americans have unique dietary behaviors, yet few food frequency questionnaires explicitly define Mexican American diets. The objective of this work was to engage with a population of rural Mexican Americans to develop a Mexican American food frequency questionnaire. Because acculturation is linked to dietary intake, we also examined acculturation by diet. We used mixed methods with three phases: (1) a qualitative phase in which a sample of rural Mexican-Americans (N = 15) identified and provided rich data about foods they ate; (2) a developmental phase in which 4day food records were completed sequentially by two new and different samples of Mexican Americans (N = 19); and 3) a preliminary assessment phase where a new sample of Mexican Americans (N = 49) completed the final food frequency questionnaire. The final questionnaire included many traditional Mexican foods and beverages identified by study participants as part of their typical diet. Traditional Mexican foods and beverages were consumed regularly; little variation in diet was seen by level of acculturation. Respondents perceived diets containing commercial sugar-sweetened beverages as unhealthful, but not those with traditional Mexican drinks, which may represent an unappreciated source of added sugar in the diet. Future work includes studies examining dietary patterns in other urban and rural communities with traditional Mexican diets.

Incidence of Dentoalveolar Trauma and its Correlation with Temporomandibular Disorders – A Systematic Review

Abstract Temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) represent a diverse set of conditions affecting the temporomandibular joint, masticatory muscles and associated structures. Previous studies suggested a notable correlation between dentoalveolar trauma (DAVT) and the incidence of TMDs. This systematic review aims to further elucidate this relationship. A comprehensive search was conducted in electronic databases to identify relevant studies published up to 2023. The included studies investigated the association between DAVT and TMDs in diverse populations. Data were extracted based on study characteristics, participant demographics and key findings. The quality of the included studies was evaluated using the established assessment tools. Five studies were included in the final review. The studies revealed a strong association between DAVT and TMDs across different populations, including adolescents, students and high-contact sports practitioners. The correlation was evident in the form of significantly higher odds ratios, increased prevalence of specific TMD subtypes and more severe symptoms in individuals with a history of DAVT. Furthermore, the studies highlighted the significant role of high-contact sports and trauma history in TMD’s prevalence and severity. The findings from this systematic review provide compelling evidence of the significant correlation between DAVT and TMD. The results underline the importance of early detection and management of DAVT, particularly in high-risk groups such as high-contact sports practitioners, to prevent the development and progression of TMDs. Future research should focus on understanding the underlying mechanisms of this association and developing effective preventive and therapeutic strategies.

Comparing regulatory guidance on risk minimization/mitigation and the Reporting recommendation Intended for pharmaceutical Risk Minimization Evaluation Studies checklist.

The latest country-specific regulatory guidance for assessing effectiveness of risk minimization measures (RMM) strategies was identified across five continents-Africa (Egypt, South Africa), Asia (Australia, China, Japan, South Korea, Singapore), Europe (EU-27, United Kingdom), North America (Unites States, Canada) and South America (Brazil)-and compared to the Reporting recommendation Intended for pharmaceutical Risk Minimization Evaluation Studies (RIMES) checklist, developed to assess the quality of effectiveness evaluations and endorsed by the European Network of Centres for Pharmacoepidemiology and Pharmacovigilance (ENCePP). RIMES checklist items address study hypothesis, participants, measures, statistical analysis and results. European Medical Agency (EMA) and Food and Drug Administration (FDA) guidance only partially aligned with RIMES, primarily for measures and results. In the absence of country-specific guidance, most countries recommended following EMA or FDA guidelines; Japan and South Africa mentioned the International Council for Harmonisation of Technical Requirements for Pharmaceuticals for Human Use (ICH E2E) guideline; Brazil and China had no guidance/recommendations. Worldwide, there was a lack of RMM-specific guidance and, when guidance existed, they were not harmonized, and alignment with the RIMES checklist was limited.

SMArt Retro study: a retrospective data analysis of the Russian registry of patients with spinal muscular atrophy

Background. Existing registries of patients with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) 5q serve as a valuable source of information on identified patients. Information on the characteristics of Russian patients with SMA 5q and the therapy administered in real clinical practice is currently limited.Aim. To describe a cohort of Russian patients with a confirmed diagnosis of SMA 5q and to evaluate patient routing data in real clinical practice settings in Russia.Materials and methods. The present study was a descriptive non-interventional retrospective cohort study in patients diagnosed with SMA 5q who were enrolled in the Russian patient registry between January 1, 2020 and March 31, 2023. Study participants who met the inclusion criteria were automatically identified in the integrated database of the SMA 5q patient registry. Data were uploaded into validated electronic charts, verified and analyzed using descriptive statistics methods. Results. As of March 31, 2023, the Russian SMA registry contained information on 1408 patients from all federal districts and obtained epidemiological, sociodemographic and clinical characteristics of patients, as well as routes to diagnosis and treatment regimens for patients. The median time from disease onset to confirmed diagnosis was 3 months in patients with SMA type 1, 9 months in patients with SMA type 2, 20 months in patients with SMA type 3 and 68 months in patients with SMA type 4. The median time from confirmed diagnosis to the start of disease-modifying therapy was 0.5 months in SMA patients identified by neonatal screening, 21 months in patients with SMA type 1, 59 months in patients with SMA type 2, 47 months in patients with SMA type 3 and 87 months in patients with SMA type 4.Conclusion. This retrospective analysis was carried out in order to identify recent approaches to the diagnosis and treatment of SMA used in real-world clinical practice in Russia. The identified parameters (duration from the disease onset to confirmed diagnosis, duration from the confirmed diagnosis to disease-modifying therapy initiation) indicate that more widespread use of newborn screening and more rapid treatment initiation are unmet needs for SMA patients in Russia.

Norms for neuropsychological tests in cognitively healthy French oldest old adults.

Normal aging often leads to cognitive decline, and oldest old people, over 80 years old, have a 15% risk of developing neurodegenerative diseases. Therefore, it is important to have appropriate tools to assess cognitive function in old age. The study aimed to provide new norms for neuropsychological tests used to evaluate the cognitive abilities in people aged 80 years and older in France, focusing on the impact of education and gender differences. 107 healthy participants with an average age of 85.2 years, with no neurological history or major cognitive deficits were included. A comprehensive neuropsychological assessment was performed, covering several cognitive functions such as memory, visuospatial abilities, executive functions, attention, processing speed, and praxis. Individuals with lower levels of education performed poorly on some tests and took longer to complete. Gender differences were observed, with women outperforming men in verbal episodic memory, while men showed better performance in visuoconstructive tasks. The participants showed lower performance in verbal episodic memory compared to norms established in previous French studies. In relation to executive functions, participants were slower to perform complex tasks than participants in previous studies. This study provides cognitive norms specifically adapted to the oldest old population, which differ from established norms for younger aging adults. It highlights the importance of including these norms in future clinical and scientific investigations. The findings underscore the importance of education on cognitive abilities and emphasize the need to consider gender differences when assessing cognitive functions in aging populations.

Socioecologies in shaping migrants and refugee youths’ sexual and reproductive health and rights: a participatory action research study

ObjectiveThis study explores socioecological factors facilitating the sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) experiences of migrant and refugee youth (MRY) in Greater Western Sydney, Australia. MRY may be at higher risk for poorer SRH outcomes due to cultural, linguistic, and systemic barriers.MethodsUsing participatory action research, 17 focus groups were conducted with 87 MRY aged 15–29 from diverse cultural backgrounds. Data were analysed thematically, using socioecological framework.ResultsKey facilitators of MRY's SRHR were identified at the microsystem and exosystem levels, including (1) Peer dynamics and support, with friends serving as trusted confidants and sources of advice; (2) Safety and contraceptive choices, highlighting the importance of access to contraception and STI prevention; and (3) Digital platforms for SRHR information access, with online resources filling knowledge gaps.ConclusionFindings suggest the need for SRHR interventions to leverage peer support networks, expand access to contraceptive options, and develop culturally appropriate digital resources for MRY. Further research is needed to identify and enhance facilitators across all socioecological levels to comprehensively support MRY's SRHR needs.

Olfaction and thyroid hormones in patients with subjective cognitive decline, non-amnestic and amnestic mild cognitive impairment.

Thyroid hormones may affect olfaction in different stages of cognitive impairment: subjective cognitive decline (SCD), non-amnestic (naMCI) and amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI). Additionally, biometric parameters, depression, and neuropsychological performance are considered as possible influencing factors. Aretrospective single-center data analysis was conducted during the observation period 2001-2023, with n = 495 (52.3% female) SCD, naMCI and aMCI subjects, aged ≥50years, at the General Hospital of Vienna. The criterion olfactory function was objectively measured by Sniffin' Sticks© odor identification and subjectively through the Assessment of Self-Reported Olfactory Functioning test. Serum thyroid hormone levels, mainly thyroid-stimulating hormone, as well as T3, T4, fT3, and fT4, were used to assess thyroid function. Statistical analyses using IBM SPSS® 29.0.0 covered adjusted multiple linear regression models with hierarchical blocks to predict olfactory performance considering β‑weights. Of the study participants, 4.2% had hypothyroidism and 2.4% had hyperthyroidism. The majority exhibited normal thyroid function. One third (33.5%; 95% confidence interval, CI 29.4-37.0%) were hyposmic. The results indicate no substantial association between thyroid and olfactory functions. Increasing age (β = 0.20), lower performance in the Neuropsychological Test Battery Vienna (NTBV) dimensions verbal memory (β = -0.33) and attention (β = -0.12) appear to be risk factors for lower olfaction. Adiscrepancy between subjective and objective olfaction was found. Thyroid and olfactory functions had no substantial relationship. Higher fT4 correlated weakly with lower odor identification. Increasing age and decreased performance in two out of six NTBV dimensions are relevant prognostic factors for olfactory dysfunction.

Cardiovascular health, measured using Life's Essential 8, is associated with reduced dementia risk among older men and women.

Dementia poses considerable challenges to healthy aging. Prevention and management of dementia are essential given the lack of effective treatments for this condition. A secondary data analysis was conducted using data from 928 InCHIANTI study participants (55% female) aged 65 years and older without dementia at baseline. Cardiovascular health (CVH) was assessed by the "Life's Essential 8" (LE8) metric that included health behaviors (diet, physical activity, smoking status, sleep duration) and health factors (body mass index, blood lipid, blood glucose, blood pressure). This new LE8 metric scores from 0 to 100, with categorization including "low LE8" (0-49), indicating low CVH, "moderate LE8 (50-79)", indicating moderate CVH, and "high LE8 (80-100)", indicating high CVH. Dementia was ascertained by a combination of neuropsychological testing and clinical assessment at each follow-up visit. Cox proportional hazards models were used to examine associations between CVH at baseline and risk of incident dementia after a median follow-up of 14 years. Better CVH (moderate/high LE8 vs. low LE8) was inversely associated with the risk of incident dementia (hazard ratio [HR]: 0.61, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.46-0.83, p = 0.001). Compared with health factors, higher scores of the health behaviors (per 1 standard deviation [SD]), specifically weekly moderate-to-vigorous physical activity time (per 1 SD), were significantly associated with a lower risk of incident dementia (health behaviors: HR:0.84, CI:0.73-0.96, p = 0.01; physical activity: HR: 0.62, CI: 0.53-0.72, p < 0.001). While longitudinal studies with repeated measures of CVH are needed to confirm these findings, improving CVH, measured by the LE8 metric, may be a promising dementia prevention strategy.

CPR Memory and Skill Degradation Among Non-Allied Healthcare Professionals

Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation is defined by the Mayo Clinic as a lifesaving technique that is useful in many emergencies, such as a heart attack, stroke, choking, or drowning, in which someone’s breathing and heartbeat have stopped.Under the guidelines put forth by the International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation (ILCOR) and the Emergency Cardiovascular Care Organization (ECC), the American Red Cross and American Heart Association currently require that an individual’s CPR certification be renewed every two years. However, data has suggested that non-allied healthcare providers, such as school-based personnel, may require more regular training to maintain required CPR proficiency levels. Four hundred non-allied healthcare professionals from a school district in central Georgia were CPR-certified under the American Heart Association (AHA) Heart-Saver curriculum. Participants included 153 males and 247 females from elementary, middle, and high school settings. Participants included administrators, teachers, coaches, and staff. Two tenured college professors from the School of Health and Human Performance were responsible for teaching and certifying study participants. Each of these professors possessed a minimum of five years of CPR certification experience with the American Heart Association. Course sizes were limited to 12-15 participants. All CPR certification courses were implemented under standardized, controlled circumstances. Following the initial certification, twenty-five percent of participants were randomly selected to be reassessed at either three, six, nine, or twelve months, respectively, to determine memory and skill degradation rates and patterns. Degradation of declarative and procedural knowledge was observed during subsequent retest sessions at each of the three-, six-, nine-, and twelve-month marks. Scores depreciated approximately 10% each three-month retesting period, to 88%, 79%, 69%, and 57%, respectively. Data suggest that after six months, participants failed to meet the AHA standards for demonstrating acceptable declarative and procedural knowledge related to CPR implementation. Due to the observed degradation in both declarative and procedural knowledge, it is apparent that a more periodic training and recertification process in CPR is required for school-based personnel. A more consistent and periodic approach to preparing school-based first responders may prove beneficial in maintaining CPR proficiency rates, which very well could save lives.

Sexual and reproductive health service utilization and associated factors among high school students in Ethiopia: systematic review and meta-analysis

IntroductionSeveral studies have been done on the utilization of sexual and reproductive health services by high school students in Ethiopia, but they have yielded inconsistent results. This study aimed to evaluate the extent to which high school students in Ethiopia are using sexual and reproductive health services by conducting a systematic review and meta-analysis.MethodsVarious electronic databases such as PubMed, Cochrane Library, AJOL, Google Scholar, and Grey Literature were used to search for relevant articles. Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis Guidelines were followed for this review and meta-analysis. Heterogeneity was assessed using I2 and Cochrane Q statistical tests, and data analysis was done with STATA 17 software. Random effect meta-analyses were used to determine the overall utilization rate of sexual and reproductive health services.ResultThis review included 20 studies with 12, 215 study participants. The pooled magnitude of sexual and reproductive health service utilization among high school students in Ethiopia was 29.79% (95% CI: 25.14, 34.43). Students with grades 11–12 (AOR = 2.33, 95% CI: 1.39, 3.90), aged between 20 and 24 years (AOR = 2.61; 95% CI: 1.79–3.81), having higher level of knowledge towards sexual and reproductive health issues (AOR = 3.10; 95% CI: 1.67–5.77), previous history of sexual intercourse (AOR = 4.18; 95% CI: 2.59–6.75), previous history of sexually transmitted infection (AOR = 3.74; 95% CI: 2.22–6.31), presence of a reproductive health service facility in the school (AOR = 2.55; 95% CI: 1.72–3.77), and ever-discussed reproductive health issues (AOR = 4.04; 95% CI: 1.62–10.03) were more likely to utilize sexual and reproductive health services.ConclusionsThe overall utilization of sexual and reproductive services among high school students in Ethiopia was found to be low as compared to SDG 3.7. Older individuals with higher education levels and knowledge about sexual and reproductive health services, as well as those who have had previous sexual experiences or discussions about sexual health, are more likely to utilize reproductive health services. To increase utilization, the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Education should prioritize these factors.

Evaluating video and hybrid group consultations in general practice: mixed-methods, participatory study protocol (TOGETHER 2)

Background General practice is facing an unprecedented challenge in managing the consequences of the pandemic. In the midst of a policy drive to balance remote and in-person service provision, substantial workload pressures remain, together with increasing prevalence of long-term conditions, and declining staff numbers and morale. To address these challenges, some practices in the UK have been delivering video and hybrid group consultations (VHGCs) providing clinical care to multiple patients at the same time. Despite positive initial findings and enthusiasm, there are still gaps in our understanding of the influence VHGCs have on patient experience, healthcare utilisation, quality, safety, equity and affordability. Objectives To generate an in-depth understanding of VHGCs for chronic conditions in general practice, surface assumptions and sociotechnical dynamics, inform practice and extend theorisation. Methods Mixed-methods, multi-site research study using co-design and participatory methods, from qualitative, quantitative and cost-related perspectives. WP1 includes a national, cross-sectional survey on VHGC provision across the UK. In WP2 we will engage patients and general practice staff in co-design workshops to develop VHGC models with emphasis on digital inclusion and equity. In WP3 we will carry out a mixed-methods process evaluation in up to 10 GP practices across England (5 sites already running VHGCs and 5 comparison sites). Qualitative methods will include interviews, focus groups and ethnographic observation to examine the experiences of patients, carers, clinical and non-clinical NHS staff, commissioners and policy-makers. Quantitative methods will examine the impact of VHGCs on healthcare utilisation in primary and secondary care, patient satisfaction, engagement and activation. We will also assess value for money of group and individual care models from a health economics perspective. Conclusions We aim to develop transferable learning on sociotechnical change in healthcare delivery, using VHGCs as an exemplar of technology-supported innovation. Findings will also inform the design of a future study.

Effects of Dance Music on Motor Skills and Balance in Children: An Observational Cohort Study

Background/Objectives: During the COVID-19 pandemic, children in Japan were restricted from sports and outdoor activities. Regular physical activity is essential for healthy growth and development in children, with recommendations advocating for activities such as strength training. However, the long-term effects of the restrictions have not been fully investigated. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of an “exercise class”, specifically a dance program, designed to improve motor function in elementary school children affected by the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, which may have compromised their motor function. Methods: The dance program was developed by a sports science teacher, a professional dancer, and a physical therapist, and it was evaluated in a community-based participatory study. Trained dance instructors conducted one-hour dance sessions in a medical center, held once a week for two months from June to August 2023. A physical therapist and dance instructors led the elementary school children. Outcome measures included grip strength, lower extremity muscle strength, back muscle strength, dynamic balance function during movement, physical activity time, and body fat percentages. Descriptive statistics were used for analysis. Results: Twenty-four children aged 6–9 years participated in the exercise class over a two-month period. Improvement was observed in grip strength, lower extremity muscle strength, and dynamic balance function during movement. However, physical activity time, body fat percentages, and back muscle strength did not change. Conclusions: The results indicated a significant improvement in motor skills. Dance is an inexpensive program that elementary school children can enjoy while improving their motor skills.

Changes in BDNF Concentration in Men after Foam Roller Massage

Massage is one of the oldest forms of therapy practiced since ancient times. Nowadays, it is used in sports practice, recovery from injury, or supportive therapy for various conditions. The practice of massage uses a variety of instruments that facilitate massaging while relieving the stress on the masseur. One of them is a foam roller. Although roller massage is widely used, there are still no scientific studies describing the biological mechanisms of its effects on the body. The purpose of our study was to analyze the effect of roller massage on BDNF levels in men undergoing self-massage 4x/week/7 weeks. The control group consisted of men who did not perform self-massage. Before the test and after the first, third, fifth, and seventh weeks of self-massage, the study participants’ blood was drawn, the serum BDNF was determined, and the results were subjected to analysis of variance by ANOVA test. After the first week of self-massage, an increase in BDNF concentration was observed in the self-massage group compared to the control group (p = 0.023). Similarly, changes were observed in week five (p = 0.044) and week seven (p = 0.046). In the massaged group, BDNF concentrations were significantly higher after the first week of self-massage compared to baseline. In the third week of the study, BDNF decreased to a value comparable to the baseline study, then increased significantly in the fifth and seventh weeks compared to the value recorded in the third week (p = 0.049 and p = 0.029). It was significantly higher in week seven compared to week five (p = 0.03). Higher concentrations of BDNF in subjects undergoing roller self-massage may be one of the biological mechanisms justifying the therapeutic effects of massage in both sports and clinical practice. Studies analyzing the stimulation of BDNF synthesis through various massage techniques should be performed on a larger group of healthy individuals, patients after trauma of multiple origins, and sick people with indications for therapeutic massage.

Concentric remodeling and the metabolic-associated steatotic liver disease in patients with type 1 diabetes: an exploratory study.

Diabetic cardiomyopathy in young patients with type 1 diabetes (T1D) usually presents as asymptomatic diastolic heart dysfunction with left ventricle (LV) remodeling. Its prevalence seems to be underestimated. One of the factors seemingly influencing LV remodeling is a metabolic-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), which was extensively investigated in patients with type 2 diabetes but not with T1D. This study aimed to describe the correlation between MASLD risk and relative wall thickness (RWT) in young patients with T1D without heart failure symptoms or treatment. Study participants were recruited at the inpatient diabetology department, in admission order. Patients underwent a set of laboratory tests and echocardiographic examinations. The risk of MASLD was estimated using fatty liver index (FLI). Acquired data was then statistically analyzed. The study group consisted of 55 patients. 25 participants had RWT > 0.42, suggesting LV remodeling. Study participants did not differ in HbA1c, NT-proBNP, HDL, LDL, non-HDL, and uric acid concentrations. However, patients with RWT > 0.42 had higher FLI (40.97 vs. 13.82, p < 0.01) and BMI (27.3 vs. 22.5, p < 0.01) and differed in transaminase concentrations. Moreover, patients with RWT > 0.42 had significantly higher LV mass index (85.6 vs. 68.2g/m2) and altered mitral ring velocities. In univariable logistic regression, FLI correlated with LV remodeling risk (OR 1.028, p = 0.05). The optimal cutoff point for FLI predicting the RWT > 0.42 was 26.38 (OR 10.6, p = 0.04, sensitivity 0.857, specificity 0.657). FLI correlates with RWT in patients with T1D independently of diabetes metabolic control and hypothetically may support recognizing T1D patients with a higher risk of LV remodeling.

COVID‐19 as a financial opportunity for the millennials

AbstractThis study aims to examine how COVID‐19 affects the views of the members of Generation Y (millennials) regarding their financial future. The literature often describes and perceives millennials as spoiled, unindustrious and lacking in focus. This research uses data collected via interviews with 20 participants in their 20s and 30s who live in the centre of Israel. The participants were recruited by a polling company during September 2021. The study finds that participants’ behaviour during this crisis was more level‐headed than in the past due to their understanding that the future is uncertain and they can rely on no one other than themselves. The study's participants reported making decisions to improve their financial future. Most view COVID‐19 as a rare opportunity to make changes in their lives, primarily in their finances and their employment. This is reflected by current choices intended to create a better financial future for themselves. The main finding of this research is that following the shock caused by the COVID‐19 pandemic, millennials have been forced to take care of themselves. They understand that if their parents get sick, they will not be able to continue making a living and will be unable to provide financial help to their children.

Brief Report: a Cross-Sectional Comparison of the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test with a Single Question to Assess Alcohol Use in Fishing Communities of Uganda

AbstractRapid assessment for alcohol use in clinical practice and research is key to improved health and study participation. We assessed the correlation between Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) score and responses from a single question on frequency of alcohol use among people living in fishing communities of Uganda. Four hundred nineteen participants screened for a simulated vaccine efficacy trial completed the AUDIT and single question. Spearman’s correlation coefficients compared the two tools. There was significant correlation between the AUDIT score and the single question (rho = 0.824, P &lt; 0.001). The single question can be used as an alternative to the full AUDIT during screening.

Возрастные особенности депрессии у жителей Арктической зоны

&lt;p&gt;The study aims to investigate the age-related characteristics of depression among residents of the Arctic zone, considering gender and the period of data collection. This cross-sectional study utilized data collected as part of the Cardiovascular Disease Project (N=2380). Study participants were randomly selected using stratified sampling based on age and gender. Depression was assessed using the PHQ-9 depression scale, which consists of 9 questions based on the DSM-IV diagnostic criteria for depression, asking about the patient's experiences over the past 2 weeks. In the course of studying the age-related characteristics of depression among residents of the Arctic zone, it was found that certain symptoms of depression are more prevalent in young people; however, the chance of moderate to severe depression is significantly higher in older women.&lt;/p&gt;

Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices of Radiologists and Paramedics Towards Accident and Emergency Preparedness and the Role of Biomedical Engineering in Prehospital Emergencies

Purpose: The purposes of this study were to assess the knowledge, attitude, and practice of radiologists and paramedics regarding accident and emergency preparedness in hospitals in the southern region of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and how to improve their role. Materials and methods: This was a descriptive, cross‑sectional online survey that was carried out among radiologists and paramedics in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. A self-structured, close-ended questionnaire that was administered that consisted of 19 questions was included. The questionnaire validity and reliability were evaluated for vetting and remarks. The questions were circulated through Google Forms, and it was circulated among the study participants through online mode. The data were collected systematically, and SPSS Statistics version 26.0 was used for data analysis Results: There were 139 responses, (77 specialist's radiology and 62 paramedics) participated in the study through Google Forms. In the study group, 84 (61.4%) were know the main steps for emergency response in major emergencies (p-value 0.000). Among the 19 questions used to assess the KAP, 12 questions were significant with a p-value less than 0.05. More than 72.6% agree the Management must be adequately prepared when emergencies and accidents occur. The respondents’ attitude toward emergency preparedness was generally positiveو Only a minority, that is, 43 (30.9%) of the respondents think it is possible for cooperation between radiologists and paramedics to interpret emergency cases and develop treatment plans in the emergency department. Conclusion: The level of knowledge was satisfactory among the radiologists and paramedics with a neutral level of attitudes, practice and knowledge regarding disaster preparedness. Follow-up research is essential to maximize the preparedness of the accident and emergency department.

Willingness to use remote patient monitoring among cardiovascular patients in a resource-limited setting: a cross-sectional study

IntroductionCurrently, mortality by non-communicable diseases is increasing alarmingly. They account for approximately 35 million deaths each year, of which 14% are due to cardiovascular disease and 9.2% occur in Africa. Patients do not have access to healthcare services outside the healthcare setting, resulting in missed follow-ups and appointments and adverse outcomes. This study aimed to assess the willingness to use remote monitoring among cardiovascular patients in a resource-limited setting in Ethiopia.MethodAn institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted from April to June 2021 among cardiovascular patients at referral hospitals in Ethiopia. A structured interview questionnaire was used to collect the data. A systematic random sampling technique was used to select 397 study participants. Binary and multivariable logistic regression analyses were employed and a 95% confidence level with a p-value &amp;lt;0.05 was used to determine the level of association between variables.ResultIn total, 81.61% of the study participants were willing to use remote patient monitoring [95% confidence interval (CI) = 77.4%–85.1%]. Age [adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 0.94; 95% CI: 0.90–0.98], having a mobile phone (AOR = 5.70; 95% CI: 1.86–17.22), and perceived usefulness (AOR = 1.50; 95% CI: 1.18–1.82) were significantly associated with willingness to use remote patient monitoring among cardiovascular patients.ConclusionCardiovascular patients had a high willingness to use remote patient monitoring. Age, perceived usefulness of remote patient monitoring, and having a mobile phone were significantly associated with a willingness to use remote patient monitoring.

Disentangling social, environmental, and zoonotic transmission pathways of a gastrointestinal protozoan (Blastocystis spp.) in northeast Madagascar.

Understanding disease transmission is a fundamental challenge in ecology. We used transmission potential networks to investigate whether a gastrointestinal protozoan (Blastocystis spp.) is spread through social, environmental, and/or zoonotic pathways in rural northeast Madagascar. We obtained survey data, household GPS coordinates, and fecal samples from 804 participants. Surveys inquired about social contacts, agricultural activity, and sociodemographic characteristics. Fecal samples were screened for Blastocystis using DNA metabarcoding. We also tested 133 domesticated animals for Blastocystis. We used network autocorrelation models and permutation tests (network k-test) to determine whether networks reflecting different transmission pathways predicted infection. We identified six distinct Blastocystis subtypes among study participants and their domesticated animals. Among the 804 human participants, 74% (n = 598) were positive for at least one Blastocystis subtype. Close proximity to infected households was the most informative predictor of infection with any subtype (model averaged OR [95% CI]: 1.56 [1.33-1.82]), and spending free time with infected participants was not an informative predictor of infection (model averaged OR [95% CI]: 0.95 [0.82-1.10]). No human participant was infected with the same subtype as the domesticated animals they owned. Our findings suggest that Blastocystis is most likely spread through environmental pathways within villages, rather than through social or animal contact. The most likely mechanisms involve fecal contamination of the environment by infected individuals or shared food and water sources. These findings shed new light on human-pathogen ecology and mechanisms for reducing disease transmission in rural, low-income settings.