Age Groups Of Population Research Articles

Health care utilization and the associated costs attributable to cardiovascular disease in Ireland: a cross-sectional study.

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of mortality and disability globally. We examined healthcare service utilization and costs attributable to CVD in Ireland in the period before the introduction of a major healthcare reform in 2016. Secondary analysis of data from 8113 participants of the first wave of The Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing. CVD was defined as having a self-reported doctor's diagnosis of myocardial infarction, angina, heart failure, stroke, atrial fibrillation or transient ischaemic attack. Participants self-reported the utilization of healthcare services in the year preceding the interview. Negative binomial regression with average marginal effects (AME) was used to estimate the incremental number of general practitioner (GP) and outpatient department (OPD) visits, accident and emergency department attendances and hospitalisations in population with CVD relative to population without CVD. We calculated the corresponding costs at individual and population levels, by gender and age groups. The prevalence of CVD was 18.2% (95% CI: 17.3, 19.0) Participants with CVD reported higher utilization of all healthcare services. In adjusted models, having CVD was associated with incremental 1.19 (95% CI: 0.99, 1.39) GP and 0.79 (95% CI: 0.65, 0.93) OPD visits. There were twice as many incremental hospitalisations in males with CVD compared to females with CVD (AME (95% CI): 0.20 (0.16, 0.23) vs 0.10 (0.07, 0.14)). The incremental cost of healthcare service use in population with CVD was an estimated €352.2 million (95% CI: €272.8, €431.7), 93% of which was due to use of secondary care services. We identified substantially increased use of healthcare services attributable to CVD in Ireland. Continued efforts aimed at CVD primary prevention and management are required.

Evaluation of posterior tibial slope relationship with common knee pathologies in pediatric and adolescent age groups in the Turkish population.

Anterior cruciate ligament rupture (ACLR), tibial eminence fracture (TEF), and Osgood-Schlatter disease (OSD) have been linked to a steep posterior tibial slope (PTS) in children and adolescents. This study aims to examine and compare these associations. 418 patients aged 8-18, 237 males and 181 females with knee pain between 2010 and 2019 were included and the patients belonged to the Turkish population. They consisted of ACLR (n = 47), TEF (n = 22), OSD (n = 51), and a control group (n = 298). The study and control groups were compared for PTS, sex, and age, with ACLR, TEF, OSD, retrospectively. The ACLR, OSD, and TEF groups had higher PTS values than the control group ( P < 0.001). There was no significant difference in ACLR-OSD, ACLR-TEF, and OSD-TEF comparisons ( P = 0.22, P = 0.99, and P = 0.99, respectively). PTS increase was linked to ACLR, TEF, and OSD in the multinomial regression analysis, ( P < 0.001). Increase in PTS was associated with ACLR, TEF, and OSD for both males and females (independently of other factors; ACLR: P < 0.001, P < 0.001, OR: 1.59, OR: 2.63, TEF: P = 0.001, P < 0.001, OR: 1.98, OR: 1.44; OSD: P = 0.001, P < 0.001, OR: 1.49, OR: 1.28 for males and females respectively). ACLR, TEF, and OSD are associated with increased PTS in the pediatric and adolescent age groups, and there are differences between these pathologies in terms of the amount of PTS increase, age, and sex. Consideration of age and gender in pediatric and adolescent patients with increased PTS may be useful in predicting pathologies associated with increased PTS. Level of evidence: III retrospective comparative study.

СANCER INCIDENCE IN UKRAINE: TRENDS IN 2010-2019 AND THE IMPACT OF COVID-19 PANDEMIC.

In 2020, a sharp decrease in the number of new cancer cases was registered in Ukraine in the setting of the quarantine restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which contrasted with the previous trends. To study trends of cancer incidence rates in Ukraine in the recent decade and to assess the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on cancer detection in 2020. Records on cancer cases diagnosed during 2010-2020 (n = 1,498,911) from the database of the National Cancer Registry of Ukraine were used; the data being submitted early in 2022. Trends of the age-standardized incidence rates in 2010-2019 were estimated by the Joinpoint Regression Program. During 2010-2019, the incidence rates increased (p < 0.05) for colon, prostate, and pharyngeal cancers in males and for colon, thyroid, and pancreas in females with the rates of other prevalent cancers being stable or decreasing (lung and larynx in males, cervix and rectum in females, stomach in both genders); the incidence increased mainly at the expense of the population aged 60-74 years. A significant decrease in cancer incidence was in males aged 40-59 years. In 2020, the serious negative impact of COVID-19 outbreak on the timely detection of cancer occurred in all adult age groups of the Ukrainian population and involved all the most common cancers. The most pronounced diminution of the incidence rate was observed for non-melanoma skin cancers (by 35.9%- 37.9%); the decrements of the rates for other prevalent cancers varied from -23.0% (prostate gland) to -9.7% (pharynx) in males and from -21.2% (kidney) to -9.1% (pancreas) in females, the greatest ones being in the population aged 75+. The sharp drop of the cancer incidence rates registered in Ukraine 2020 is evidently the result of the limited access to healthcare facilities as well as the reduced oncological alertness of the population due to the predominant focus on COVID-19 during the pandemic. However, it is not a manifestation of a decrease in cancer incidence as such. In the following years, this may increase the proportion of advanced-stage diagnoses, the load on the cancer care system, and cancer mortality in the Ukrainian population. An evaluation of the short-termand long-term effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the cancer burden in Ukraine requires further monitoring.

Factors Determining in The Selection of Pediatrics Health Care Service in Chennai, India

Background: Parents can choose their children's healthcare center; however, the healthcare business struggles to meet the growing health demands of vulnerable groups. Pediatricians now prioritize parental interests to improve their services and healthcare. This study also determined the association of sociodemographic variables with factors influencing the parent's decision. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was undertaken among 146 parents of children aged 0 to 13 years who sought-patient services at a paediatrics department of a tertiary care center in Chennai between July 2023 to October 2023. The Validated semi structured questionnaire was administered. Results: In the present study, mean age group of the study population is 29±4, among them 69% were female and 31% were male. Sociodemographic variables, namely younger age, female gender, middle monthly income, and higher educational status, are influential in the parent's decision-making process for selecting a health care center. Conclusion: Although parents may lack the ability to assess all facets of care and treatment, their perspectives contribute immensely to the interpersonal aspect of care, communication, information, and care organization. The present study has yielded significant results that enhance the knowledge base of practitioners, managers, and other professionals tasked with delivering pediatrics general practice services.

Estimating the effect of population age distribution on CO2 emissions in developing countries

ABSTRACT This study evaluates the effect of the population’s age structure on CO2 emissions based on the panel data of 82 developing nations between 1990 and 2019. We use 20–34, 35–49, 50–64, and 65 and above as four population age groups. The findings from the dynamic common correlated effect (DCCE) estimator show a positive association between the ratios of the population aged 20–34, 35–49, and 50–64 years with CO2 emissions. The results also exhibit the heterogeneous impacts of the population’s age structure on the CO2 emissions for lower-income and higher-income countries. For instance, people aged 20–34 and 35–49 years in lower-income countries are responsible for an increase in CO2 emissions, and the population over age 65 and age 50–64 years are associated with an increase in the CO2 emissions in higher-income countries. The additional findings indicate that urbanisation, energy consumption, and economic growth are other factors that adversely affect the environment. Based on this evidence, to mitigate the aggregate CO2 emissions, the governments of these nations must pay close attention to the population’s age distribution.

Has COVID-19 affected regional mortality from acute coronary artery disease? (comparison of two periods of 2017-2019 and 2020-2022)

Aim. To assess the changes of mortality from acute coronary artery disease (CAD) in the Russian regions during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic in 2020-2022 in comparison with the prepandemic period (2017-2019).Material and methods. Rosstat data on the average annual population and mortality rate in one-year age groups for 82 regions Russian were used. In the brief Nomenclature of Causes of Death of Rosstat, the codes of the International Classification of Diseases, 10th revision (ICD-10) are grouped as follows: I21.0-9 (acute primary) myocardial infarction (MI), I22.0-9 (recurrent MI), I20, I24.1-9 (other types of acute coronary artery disease), U07.1 and U07.2 (coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)). The regional average standardized mortality rates (SMR; M±SD) were calculated using the European population standard using the direct standardization method per 100 thousand population. Comparisons were made using the nonparametric Wilcoxon t-test (differences were considered significant at p&lt;0,05).Results. A decrease in the regional average SMR (per 100 thousand population) in the pandemic compared to the pre-pandemic period was revealed: from the sum of all acute CAD types — from 51,24±31,98 to 50,21±33,38 and from repeated MI — from 7,65±5,42 to 4,80±4,84; increase in SMR from acute MI — from 24,00±10,1 to 25,57±11,55, from other acute CAD types — from 19,58±25,23 to 19,83±26,21. Significant regional variability was noted in both the dynamics of the SMR from three acute CAD types, as well as the minimum and maximum SMR. Only in 2 regions in the pandemic period there was an increase in SMR from each of the three acute CAD types compared to the pre-pandemic period. In 18 regions, there was a decrease in SMR from each of the three forms, and in the rest, multidirectional changes were noted. There was no correlation between SMR for COVID-19 and SMR for acute CAD (r=0,034; p=0,76).Conclusion. The COVID-19 pandemic did not have a significant impact on the regional average SMR from acute CAD. The significant decrease in SMR from recurrent MI is likely due to choice of the initial cause of death.

The Effectiveness of Water- versus Land-Based Exercise on Specific Measures of Physical Fitness in Healthy Older Adults: An Integrative Review.

As the population ages, maintaining an active lifestyle becomes increasingly vital to promote overall health and well-being in older individuals. Water- and land-based exercises have emerged as popular options, each offering a distinct set of benefits tailored to the unique needs of this population group. An electronic database search, including PubMed, Scopus, MEDLINE, and Web of Science, was conducted until 15 September 2023, using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, to investigate the effects of water-based compared to land-based exercise on selected fitness parameters in older healthy individuals. The eligibility criteria included studies with at least two groups of participants aged 60 and older, with physical fitness outcome measures. A total of ten studies met the inclusion criteria and were analyzed. While both exercise modalities may offer significant benefits, this review's findings emphasized the absence of conclusive evidence and consensus for recommending a single exercise category applicable to aquatic or land environments and providing more definite guidance to improve health-related physical fitness parameters in healthy older individuals. Finally, combining both training approaches may lead to a comprehensive array of health benefits for this age group population by also considering individual's needs, preferences, and fitness goals.

Human autoantibodies neutralizing type I IFNs: From 1981 to 2023.

Human autoantibodies (auto-Abs) neutralizing type I IFNs were first discovered in a woman with disseminated shingles and were described by Ion Gresser from 1981 to 1984. They have since been found in patients with diverse conditions and are even used as a diagnostic criterion in patients with autoimmune polyendocrinopathy syndrome type 1 (APS-1). However, their apparent lack of association with viral diseases, including shingles, led to wide acceptance of the conclusion that they had no pathological consequences. This perception began to change in 2020, when they were found to underlie about 15% of cases of critical COVID-19 pneumonia. They have since been shown to underlie other severe viral diseases, including 5%, 20%, and 40% of cases of critical influenza pneumonia, critical MERS pneumonia, and West Nile virus encephalitis, respectively. They also seem to be associated with shingles in various settings. These auto-Abs are present in all age groups of the general population, but their frequency increases with age to reach at least 5% in the elderly. We estimate that at least 100 million people worldwide carry auto-Abs neutralizing type I IFNs. Here, we briefly review the history of the study of these auto-Abs, focusing particularly on their known causes and consequences.

Investigating the prilling/vibration technique to produce gastric-directed drug delivery systems for misoprostol

Prilling/vibration technique to produce oral microcapsules was explored to achieve local delivery of misoprostol (MIS), a prostaglandin E1 analogue indicated for the treatment of gastric-duodenal ulcers, at the gastric mucosa. To improve MIS chemical stability and reduce its associated systemic side effects, drug delivery systems were designed and developed as microcapsules consisting of a core of sunflower oil and MIS (Fs6 and Fs14) or a MIS complex with hydroxypropyl-beta-cyclodextrin (HP-β-CD) (Fs18), confirmed by specific studies, and a polymeric shell. The produced microcapsules showed high encapsulation efficiencies for those with MIS solubilized in sunflower oil (>59.86 %) and for the microcapsules with MIS/HP-β-CD (97.61 %). To demonstrate the ability of these systems to deliver MIS into the stomach, swelling and drug release experiments were also conducted in simulated gastric fluid. Among the three formulations, FS18 showed gastric release within 30 min and was the most advantageous formulation because the presence of the MIS/HP-β-CD inclusion complex ensured a greater ability to stabilise MIS in the simulated gastric environment. In addition, these new systems have a small size (<540 µm), and good flow properties and the dose of the drug could be easily adapted using different amounts of microcapsules (flexibility), making them a passepartout for different age population groups.

Using Trend Models for Analysis and Forecasting Basic Demographic Indicators (case study of Sumy Region, Ukraine)

&#x0D; &#x0D; &#x0D; The article is dedicated to the analysis of the demographic situation in Sumy region and possible scenarios for its development. The aim of the article is to carry out a demographic forecast of the main demographic indicators of Sumy region (Ukraine) till 2030. Forecasting is based on defining the tendencies in the dynamics of demographic indicators during 1990-2021. It should be noted that the demographic situation in Sumy region is perhaps the most complicated in the national demographic dimension. According to many demographic indicators, the region holds the most negative positions in Ukraine. Besides, negative features continue to grow: over the past 10 years, the population of the region has decreased by 9.3%, urban – by 6.3%, and rural – by 15.4%. According to our forecast, the population of the region will decrease by another 12% and will amount to approximately 911 thousand inhabitants by 2030. Forecasting the number of the rural population showed a faster rate of its depopulation – up to 253.8 thousand people, or 18.8%. Besides, there will be negative changes in the population of certain age groups. For example, in the age group 0-17 years, there will be only 135 thousand people and the number of children will decrease by 17.7% by 2030. The main point is a significant decrease in the birth rate, which will be reduced by 14.5% during the forecast period. The fertility rate will decrease by 13.7% and it will amount to 0.7 children per woman. On the other hand, there is a tendency towards an increase in mortality, the level of which in 2021 reached the highest value – 20 ‰. According to our forecast, by 2030, the mortality rate will stabilize at the level of 19.6-19.7 ‰, and in the pessimistic scenario, it will increase by 16.2% (up to 23.2 ‰). As a result of the two demographic tendencies mentioned above, since the 1980s, there has been a natural decline in the population in Sumy region. By 2030, the rate of depopulation will increase by 2.4%, and its level will be -15.1% per year. The results of the demographic forecast can be used in assessing the balance of labor resources in the future, planning the development of the social sphere, housing construction, etc.&#x0D; &#x0D; &#x0D;

Analysis of Factors Affecting Purchase of Dietary Supplements

Today the world is very competitive which forces an individual to live a stressful life which leads to no other option but to compromise with the healthy habits. So in order to cope up with this situation individuals are moving towards dietary supplements. Hence a study is undertaken to know more about the dietary supplements and the boom in the health industry.Dietary supplements are characterized as any health product that is largely expected to enhance the eating regimen when taken in form of any tablet, capsules, pill, powder or any other liquid. Presently, the utilization of dietary supplements is on increment around the world. This research will help in studying the early openness to healthful enhancements by possible shoppers and to identify their buying pattern. This research talks about the increasing intake of dietary supplements among the population of age group above 18 years.With the corona virus pandemic a few patterns have speed up, while shopper needs have changed in accordance with the emergency. Customers in India have started putting their wellbeing first and this research demonstrates that respondents focus harder on a nutritious eating routine.

Alternaria toxins in tomato products marketed in the Russian Federation

Tomatoes and tomato products are widely produced and consumed throughout the world. Alternaria spp. are the main cause of alternariosis (black mold disease) on fresh tomatoes, both in the field and after harvesting. Alternaria toxins are widespread contaminants of tomato products. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the contamination of tomato processing products from the domestic market with Alternaria toxins, as well as to assess their intake by humans through the consumption of tomato juices. Material and methods. The content of Alternaria toxins (alternatiol, alternariol monomethyl ether, altenuene, tentoxin, tenuazonic acid) was determined in 64 samples of tomato products (paste, ketchup, juice) by high-performance liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass-spectrometric detection (HPLC-MS/MS). Results. The priority Alternaria toxins for tomato paste, ketchup and juice were tenuazonic acid (61% of 64 samples, in amounts from 20.0 to 1065.5 μg/kg), altenuene (52%, 8.9-200.1 μg/kg) and alternariol (27%, 12.2-561.6 μg/kg). Samples of tomato paste turned out to be the most contaminated with Alternaria toxins while tomato juice samples were the least contaminated. At the same time, several toxins were found in 91% of tomato paste samples, 35% of ketchups, and 23% of tomato juices. Conclusion. To the best of our knowledge, the present study is the first survey devoted to Alternaria toxins contamination of tomato paste, ketchup and tomato juice sold on the Russian market. The high frequency of their contamination with tenuazonic acid, altenuene and, to a lesser extent, alternariol has been established, which indicates a potential risk to human health when tomato processing products are consumed. This indicates the need for a hygienic assessment of contamination the above products with tenuazonic acid, altenuene and alternariol. When calculating the potential intake of Alternaria toxins for different age population groups, it was shown that high levels of alternariol (up to 56.77 ng/kg body weight per day) could be obtained under daily consumption of tomato juice by adults and children under three years of age, as well as tenuazonic acid when consuming tomato juice contaminated at the 95th percentile level as part of the diet in organized groups for orphans and children without parental care.

Seroprevalence of TORCH Infection in Paediatric Population and Women of Reproductive Age Group: A Cross-sectional Study

Introduction: The acronym ‘TORCH’ complex includes infections due to Toxoplasma gondii, as well as others such as Syphilis, Hepatitis B, Rubella virus, Cytomegalovirus (CMV), and Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV), respectively. Primary infections due to these agents during pregnancy are associated with congenital malformations in newborns. Seroprevalence data is important to gather estimates of immunity levels, vaccination status, as well as levels of exposure, and will correlate with the risk of acquiring infections during pregnancy. Aim: To determine the seroprevalence of TORCH infections in paediatric populations with suspected clinical conditions and women of reproductive age group, and also to assess the associated risk factors in mothers and newborns, and evaluate their clinical outcomes. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted between January 2019 and January 2022 in the Serology laboratory of the Department of Microbiology at the Sanjay Gandhi Postgraduate Institute of Medical Sciences, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India. A total of 92 consecutive antenatal females for whom TORCH antibody levels were determined and 343 suspected neonatal/paediatric populations were included in the study. The serum samples were subjected to IgM and IgG TORCH Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA). Demographic data and clinical details of patients were analysed from the Hospital Information System (HIS) and data records maintained in the department. Categorical variables are expressed as numbers and percentages. Results: A total of 435 samples (343 paediatric and 92 women) were screened for TORCH infection in the laboratory. A total of 57 (13.1%) were seropositive for TORCH infection. The most commonly affected were infants (28 days- 1 year). Among the total screened population, the positive cases of CMV were 40 (9.1%), rubella 11 (2.5%), and toxoplasma 6 (1.3%). Biliary Atresia (BA) and neonatal cholestasis were the most common clinical conditions associated with CMV infection. Conclusion: A high seroprevalence of IgM-specific CMV (9.1%) was observed in the present study. BA and neonatal cholestasis were the common complications in neonates associated with CMV infection.

The impact of the war against russian military aggression on the health of the population of older age groups of Transcarpathian region

The impact of the war against russian military aggression on the health of the population of older age groups of Transcarpathian region

Later-Life Cognitive Trajectories and Risk of Death: Results from a 6-Year Longitudinal Study of 7082 Chinese.

To identify cognitive decline trajectories in a Chinese elderly population, explore the associations between these trajectories and mortality, and further identify risk factors related to certain trajectories of cognitive decline. Prospective cohort study. The group-based trajectory modeling and Cox proportional hazards models were conducted to explore the association between cognitive trajectory groups and mortality, while multinomial logistic regression models were constructed to estimate potential risk factors. We included 7082 participants aged 65 years or above in three consecutive but non-overlapping cohorts of the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey with the Chinese version of the Mini-Mental State Examination up to 6 years. Participants were subsequently followed for a median (IQR) of 2.89 (1.38-3.12) years to obtain their survival status and date of death. Chinese version of the Mini-Mental State Examination was used to measure participants' cognitive function. Through use of group-based trajectory modeling, we determined three cognitive trajectory groups. Then, after adjusting for confounding factors, we found a monotonic and positive association between cognitive decline and mortality risk. Meanwhile, the association varied among elderly populations in different age groups and BMI categories, but did not differ by sex, smoking, drinking and exercising. Older seniors, females and those with poorer baseline cognitive function and less social participation tended to be more likely to be in the unfavorable trajectory groups. We found that the faster the cognitive decline, the higher the mortality, especially among those aged 65-79 years and those overweight. Our findings suggested the importance of implement better monitoring of the cognitive function of the elderly population.

Establishment of high-sensitivity cardiac troponin I reference interval for a hospitalized paediatric population under improved selection criteria in the Shandong area

Abstract Objectives This study aimed to evaluate the distribution of plasma troponin I concentration and establish the 99th percentile reference for hs-cTnI in a hospitalized population without a cardiovascular discharge diagnosis from the Shandong area. Methods The hs-cTnI data of anonymous paediatric patients were collected from Qingdao University-Affiliated Yantai Yuhuangding Hospital from 2016 to 2020. Indirect methods were used to calculate the hs-cTnI 99th percentile reference of the whole population and different age groups. Fitting curves and corresponding equations were displayed to determine the relationship between age and hs-cTnI level using the analysis of covariate variance. Results Hs-cTnI plasma levels were highest in the first week of life and declined with age in days. This study found significant differences in the troponin reference intervals for children in different age stratification. The serum hs-cTnI concentration decreased with age in days. In some subgroups, hs-cTnI levels between genders showed a significant difference after the analysis of covariance showed that age was the only predictor of hs-cTnI plasma levels. A non-linear relationship was observed between age and hs-cTnI levels. Thus, curvilinear fitting curve equations for each group were constructed to evaluate the possible relationship between age and hs-cTnI concentration. Conclusions During paediatric period, the highest hs-cTnI concentrations were observed in children aged &lt;1 year, especially those under 7 days. This study presented the 99th percentile cut-offs for different age groups in children aged 0–14 years, which can provide a certain reference value for the clinical diagnosis and treatment of myocardial injury in children.

The effect of anticonvulsant drugs on serum lipid profile

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Epilepsy is a potentially life-shortening brain disorder, the symptoms of which can be successfully treated in most patients with one or more antiepileptic drug (AED). The literature explains the association of AED therapy and dyslipidemia. The changes in lipid fraction may vary with different AED, age group, and study population. The present study was planned to assess the serum lipid profile of adult epileptic patients receiving phenytoin, carbamazepine or sodium valproate therapy and attending Neurology Outpatient Department of Government Medical College, Kottayam, compared to normal healthy controls. METHODOLOGY: A total of 150 epileptic patients on AED monotherapy attending the outpatient department of neurology were evaluated for serum lipid profile. Demographic data and medical history of consenting participants were collected by the use of a semi-structured questionnaire. Fifty age- and sex-matching healthy controls also underwent similar investigation. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: Over 12 months, 150 patients were recruited with a mean age of 35.54 ± 10.72 years (male-to-female ratio 1:1.27). When compared to normal control population observed statistically significant high mean total cholesterol, triglyceride level in the group receiving phenytoin therapy for more than 1 year. Only significant hypertriglyceridemia is observed in carbamazepine and sodium valproate treated patients. A significant correlation between the duration of anticonvulsant therapy and lipid profile was established. CONCLUSION: Conventional anticonvulsants induce dyslipidemia and monitoring of lipid profile should be done routinely to decrease the morbidity and preserve the quality of life in these (asymptomatic) patients.

A population-based model of indicators of allied health workforce needs: proof-of-concept in podiatry.

ObjectiveAllied health workforce planning faces challenges because of insufficient metrics that accurately reflect population need for services. This paper presents a method and proof-of-concept in the podiatry profession for developing population-based need indicators and indices suitable for allied health workforce planning and comparative benchmarking.MethodsPopulation-based indicators of podiatry need were selected and combined into an index of need by Statistical Area Level 3 (SA3) in Australia. Medicare patient age and sex distributions for relevant item numbers were used to determine the inclusion of specific population age groups and sex as indicators. Other indicators included diabetes, socioeconomic status, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander status. The need index was calculated based by aggregating these indicators at the SA3 level. The resulting need index was compared with podiatry supply (per capita clinician counts) using a population-weighted correlation coefficient (pwCorr).ResultsAnalysis of Medicare usage data led to the inclusion of indicators: population aged 65 and over, and female gender. The need index had a small but significant negative correlation with supply at the SA3-level (pwCorr =-0.12, P=0.03) and positively, but not significantly, correlated at the state/territory-level (pwCorr=0.42, P=0.30).ConclusionsDeveloping profession-specific population-based need indices provides a valuable tool for allied health workforce planners to benchmark need and supply within professions. Combining single need indicators with supply metrics offers a concise framework for effective workforce planning and advocacy.

Evaluation of Misbeliefs, Myths and Knowledge About Nevi and Skin Cancer in Dermatology Patients

Aim: This study aimed to evaluate the misbeliefs and myths about nevus and skin cancer, knowledge about melanoma, and compare the results between the sexes, education levels, and age groups in the Turkish population. Methods: The study was conducted between August 2020 and November 2021 in a tertiary dermatology outpatient clinic. Data were collected through a self-administered questionnaire. The questions were about demographic data, awareness and beliefs about nevus features, beliefs about nevus and skin cancer relation, and melanoma knowledge. Results: A total of 517 patients, 69.1% (n=357) females and 30.9% (n=160) males were included. Of the participants, 15.3% (n=79) had heard of melanoma, 84.7% (n=438) had not. 16.2% (n=84) of the patients responded that excising nevi causes a risk of skin cancer. 50.5% of the patients answered that nevi turn into skin cancer. 44.3% of the patients considered as traumatized nevus turns into skin cancer. These beliefs were more common in females and varied according to different stages of age and education levels. Conclusion: Nevus and skin cancer continue to carry misbeliefs and myths which are significant problems in public health because they cause difficulties in the treatment and management of skin cancer. Accurate knowledge through education programs is necessary for debunking myths. Keywords: nevi, nevus, skin cancer, melanoma

Modification of the Leslie Model on Population Growth in the Bangka Belitung Islands Province

The Leslie model is one of the applications of Algebra in solving a population growth model. The birth rate and survival rate of a population are constituents of the Leslie Matrix. The advantage of this model is that it only requires data on the total female population. This study aims to modify the classic Leslie Model by adding correction values to matrix elements, especially birth rates and survival rates. The correction value is obtained from the minimum Euclidean distance for each birth rate and survival rate for each population age group. The Euclidean distance is used because it requires simple calculations. Based on the modified results, the Perron value obtained from the Leslie matrix is 0.9. If the constant value is zero, then the modification of the Leslie model will be the same as the classic Leslie model.