Health Profile Research Articles

A modified and weighted Gower distance-based clustering analysis for mixed type data: a simulation and empirical analyses

BackgroundTraditional clustering techniques are typically restricted to either continuous or categorical variables. However, most real-world clinical data are mixed type. This study aims to introduce a clustering technique specifically designed for datasets containing both continuous and categorical variables to offer better clustering compatibility, adaptability, and interpretability than other mixed type techniques.MethodsThis paper proposed a modified Gower distance incorporating feature importance as weights to maintain equal contributions between continuous and categorical features. The algorithm (DAFI) was evaluated using five simulated datasets with varying proportions of important features and real-world datasets from the 2011–2014 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). Effectiveness was demonstrated through comparisons with 13 clustering techniques. Clustering performance was assessed using the adjusted Rand index (ARI) for accuracy in simulation studies and the silhouette score for cohesion and separation in NHANES. Additionally, multivariable logistic regression estimated the association between periodontitis (PD) and cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), adjusting for clusters in NHANES.ResultsIn simulation studies, the DAFI-Gower algorithm consistently performs better than baseline methods according to the adjusted Rand index in settings investigated, especially on datasets with more redundant features. In NHANES, 3,760 people were analyzed. DAFI-Gower achieves the highest silhouette score (0.79). Four distinct clusters with diverse health profiles were identified. By incorporating feature importance, we found that cluster formations were more strongly influenced by CVD-related factors. The association between periodontitis and cardiovascular diseases, after adjusting for clusters, reveals significant insights (adjusted OR 1.95, 95% CI 1.50 to 2.55, p = 0.012), highlighting severe periodontitis as a potential risk factor for cardiovascular diseases.ConclusionsDAFI performed better than classic clustering baselines on both simulated and real-world datasets. It effectively captures cluster characteristics by considering feature importance, which is crucial in clinical settings where many variables may be similar or irrelevant. We envisage that DAFI offers an effective solution for mixed type clustering.

Subtypes of mental health difficulties and levels of resilience in Spanish adolescents

Emotional and behavioral difficulties are common among adolescents, and the role of psychological resilience in mitigating their impact needs further investigation. This study aimed to examine profiles of mental health difficulties combined with resilience levels in 1,425 Spanish adolescents at-risk. The participants were 1425 adolescents (59.9% girls). Mental health profiles were determined using the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire and the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC-10) via Latent Profile Analysis and compared for sociodemographic variables and mental health associated variables. Five profiles emerged: Subclinical (16%), Externalizing Problems (19%), Internalizing Problems (22%), Low Risk (32.5%), and Well-Adjusted (10%). Females had higher risk. Well-Adjusted and Low-Risk profiles differed significantly in all variables. Well-Adjusted profile had the lowest distress and psychosocial difficulties, and the highest quality of life; while the Subclinical profile showed the opposite pattern. Identifying and validating risk groups for emotional and behavioral difficulties, considering resilience, enables interventions promoting emotional well-being and preventing mental health challenges.

Interventions to reduce burnout in emergency medicine: a national inventory of the Canadian experience to support global implementation of wellness initiatives.

Burnout in healthcare workers is a global issue, with Emergency Medicine (EM) particularly impacted. Many countries have tried implementing wellness initiatives to reduce burnout and improve wellness. This paper summarizes interventions implemented in Canada to-date with the aim of supporting the design of wellness interventions in EDs globally. A systematic review and a grey literature search were completed in November 2023. Original studies in both English and French that included the implementation and evaluation of a wellness intervention in EDs in Canada were included. The study design, content of the intervention, target population, and outcomes were extracted and narratively analyzed. 13 studies were included. Each implemented a unique wellness intervention for EDs. All three studies (3/3, 100%) that included a structured wellness curriculum demonstrated significant improvement in burnout as measured by the Maslach Burnout Inventory, physical health (PCS-8), and Brief Resident Wellness Profile (BRWP). Other interventions included Ice Cream Rounds, therapy dogs, changing the duration of night shifts, and sessions on resilience and self-care. Our Canada-wide analysis of wellness interventions identified initiatives geared towards trainees, staff, or entire ED workface groups. Examples include educational programs, dedicated sessions for compassion literacy and resilience, critical events debriefing, and optimizing shift schedules. Structured wellness curriculums seem to be effective, and this area warrants further study. Moreover, we identify a need for global collaboration to build wellness programs and for more easily translatable standardized outcome measures for assessing the efficacy of wellness programs in EM.

MATERNITY NURSING CARE FOR MRS. H G1P1A0 H 1ST POSTPARTUM SECTIO CAESAREA INDICATIONS OF PREMATURE RUPTURE OF MEMBRANES FOCUS PAIN RELIEVING INTERVENTION WITH THERAPY FINGER HOLDINGAND WARM COMPRESSAT PERMATA BUNDA HOSPITAL

Background: Sectio Caesarea delivery is an artificial delivery by removing the fetus or baby through the abdominal wall by making an incision in the uterine wall provided that the uterus is intact and the fetus weighs more than 500 grams. Causes of cesarean section delivery There are problems on the part of the mother and baby (Sari & Absari, 2020). The Maternal Mortality Rate (MMR) is one of the targets that has not been completely addressed and is a priority in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG). The goal is to reduce maternal mortality to below 70 per 100,000 live births by 2030. Based on data from the 2021 Indonesia Health Profile Book, the number of deaths from year to year is increasing. It can be seen from the number of maternal deaths in Indonesia in 2021, which is 7,389 compared to 2020, which is 4,627 deaths (Angka Kematian Ibu, 2022, p. Kementrian Kesehatan Republik Indonesia). Relaxation technique is a technique related to human behavior and is effective in overcoming acute pain, especially pain due to diagnostic and surgical procedures. One of the techniques used is the finger holding technique and warm compress.Methodology: This design uses a case study research design. This type of research used in quantitative research is to analyze the process of conclusion and dynamics of existing situational relationships and relationship processes that occur from a phenomenon. The subject in this study is Mrs. H, 32 years old, post-sectio caesarea, with premature rupture of membranes at Permata Bunda Hospital.Results: The researchers identified that after finger holding therapy and warm compresses for 3 consecutive days, it can reduce the degree of discomfort and reduce pain. Conclusion: There is a very significant influence, it can be concluded that giving finger holding therapy and warm compresses can reduce the degree of discomfort and reduce pain.

Health Profile of Asha Workers Visiting Rural Health Training Centre (RHTC) Of Medical College

Health Profile of Asha Workers Visiting Rural Health Training Centre (RHTC) Of Medical College

Health-related quality of life among extrapulmonary tuberculosis patients and inequalities by disease manifestations: a longitudinal study analysing the impact of TB treatment.

To understand the impact of extrapulmonary tuberculosis (EPTB) and its treatment on quality of life, we analysed patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) among presumptive ETPB patients. EuroQol's five-dimensional three-level (EQ-5D-3L) questionnaire and the Visual Analogue Scale (EQ-VAS) were used to measure PROMs by 274 presumptive EPTB patients at pre- and post-treatment stages. The patients were categorised as TB and non-TB by using a composite reference standard. Following the EuroQol suggested analysis methods, we calculated the health utility summary measure at the pre- and post-treatment stages. The health state density curve and index were used to analyse inequality in reported health profiles. We investigated factors associated with EPTB patients' health utility through multivariable regression at the pre-treatment stage. The analysis of PROMs showed both physical (mobility, self-care, usual activities) and psychological (pain, discomfort, anxiety & depression) health affected by all EPTB manifestations (lymphadenitis, pleuritis, meningitis and others). Moreover, we found inequality in reported health profiles across disease manifestations at pre- and post-treatment stages. Post-treatment, we found improvement in PROMs and no reports of extreme-level health problems. However, some problems persisted across all dimensions of EPTB manifestations. We found 100% improvement in pleuritis and meningitis manifestations. Socioeconomic status, type of health facility attended, and patients' working capacity were associated with health utility. Despite post-treatment improvement in health, inequality of reported health states by EPTB manifestations persisted, though decreased. This highlights that holistic patient- and health system-level interventions addressing the impact of illness should consider EPTB by its manifestations, not as a single disease entity.

Impact of weight and health-behavior information on evaluations of girls' health.

The dominant public health narrative equates excess weight with poor health, and previous research has demonstrated that people judge adults with higher body weights as being in poor health, even when they engage in healthy lifestyles. The present study investigated whether the same pattern of beliefs holds for perceptions of children's health. Participants (n = 445) viewed the health profile of a female child that varied in terms of weight status (normal weight, obese), health behaviors (good, poor), and age (younger, older), and then rated the child's overall health and indicated their agreement with suggested behavior recommendations. For older children, targets with obesity were perceived as less healthy and were recommended to engage in more healthy and weight control behaviors than were the targets with normal weight. Health behaviors did influence perceptions of health and behavioral recommendations, but much less so for the target with obesity than for the target with normal weight. For younger children, participants placed a greater emphasis on health behaviors than on weight in their perceptions of the target's health and healthy behavior recommendations, but the target's weight did play a greater role in weight-control behavior recommendations. Overall, perceptions of older children reflect the mainstream weight-centric health beliefs that are perpetuated in public health messaging, whereas perceptions of younger children seem to be more aligned with the scientific evidence supporting the importance of health behaviors to overall health. Public health messaging, particularly messaging targeting parents, should be reframed to focus on the importance of engagement with health behaviors without reference to weight.

Population Structure, Morphology, and Health Assessment of Philippine Swamp Buffalo (Bubalus kerabau, Fitzinger, 1860) in Calayan Island, Cagayan

Understanding the state of the swamp buffalo population in Calayan Island is important to strengthen the conservation and management program in the country. This study aimed to provide insights into the morphology, population structure, and health profile of the swamp buffaloes on the island. In total, 35 fresh blood samples were analyzed using 27 polymorphic microsatellite markers to determine the population structure analysis. Data were gathered for the morphological features of Calayan swamp buffaloes and served as the baseline information for the descriptive traits. Furthermore, samples were tested for surra and brucellosis using PCR and serological tests, respectively. The results showed that Calayan swamp buffaloes were morphologically bigger, except for body length, compared with other populations. A genotype analysis using microsatellite markers showed remarkable discriminatory power to distinguish distinct populations within the tested population, and could discriminate subspecies of swamp and river types plus crossbreds. The study also reports the first incidence of surra and brucellosis on the island. Overall, the new insights provided on the newly detected Philippine carabao lineage in Calayan Island would be highly recommended for the ex situ conservation and animal health control strategy. The conservation strategy would encompass collecting, cryopreserving, and storing viable germplasms from local swamp buffalo on Calayan Island.

Socioeconomic, health status and hospitalization aspects of adult patients referred to the social service of a tertiary hospital

ObjectiveThe aim of this study is to record and analyze socioeconomic, demographic and health profiles of adult patients referred to the Social Service of a tertiary Hospital, as well as to present additional hospitalization conditions.MethodsA retrospective hospital archive study containing all patients referred to the Social Service during a four-year period was conducted.ResultsThe study consisted of 350 patients (168 males) with mean age 70.1 years. Most of the patients were of Greek origin and singles or divorced. 184 patients (52.6%) were retired. The participants’ average income ranged between 500 and 1000 euro/month. Most of the patients were insured by the Government (public health insurance) and were hospitalized in Pathology and Covid Clinics, with a mean hospitalization level of 17.6 days. The main reasons for referral were admission to an Aged Care Unit and the need to investigate network support. The most frequently recorded diagnosis was Covid-19, while 103 (29.4%) patients had a mental illness problem. The analysis of associations between demographic characteristics with health dimensions showed significant differences.ConclusionsChanges in socioeconomic conditions have an impact on outpatient and inpatient care as well as on Greek social work practice and pose enormous challenges to social work professionals.

Prevalence of hypertension and its associated factors among healthcare workers in the Gaza Strip, Palestine: a cross-sectional study

Background and objectivesHypertension (HTN) is one of the leading risk factors of cardiovascular diseases and accounts for substantial morbidity and mortality worldwide. We aimed to estimate the prevalence of HTN...

Decoding morbidity patterns in ASHA workers of Vadodara, Gujarat – A cross-sectional study

ABSTRACT Introduction: Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHA) play a pivotal role as village-level functionaries under the National Health Mission, driving community transformation, facilitating health planning, and ensuring access to healthcare services. Objectives: To assess the physical health status of ASHA workers and to investigate the prevalence of morbidities among ASHA workers. Material and Methods: This is a cross-sectional study, conducted in Vadodara’s east zone, and involves 123 ASHA workers. A questionnaire focusing on health profiles, encompassing age, weight, height, body mass index, and blood pressure, as well as histories of acute and chronic illnesses, was employed for data collection. Descriptive statistics were employed to summarize demographic and professional characteristics, and inferential statistics, such as Chi-square tests, were applied to assess associations and factors influencing the morbidity profile of the ASHA workers. Results: The participant’s mean age was 38.9 ± 6.85 years. The majority, 74 (60.2%), of them reported no morbidity, whereas 40 (32.52%) had a chronic illness and 9 (7.32%) had acute morbidity at the time of visit. Among the chronic morbidity, 50% of ASHA had poly morbidity. Anemia was found among most ASHAs, 32 (26.02%), followed by diabetes, 19 (15.45%), and hypertension, musculoskeletal problems, thyroid disorders, and obesity were the other major diseases found among the ASHAs in 14.63%, 13.82%, 13.01%, and 11.38%, respectively. Skin problems like fungal infection and rashes were found among 5.69%. Based on body mass index, 27 (21.95%) were found overweight and 14 (11.38%) were obese. Conclusion: The study revealed a 32% chronic morbidity prevalence among ASHA workers who are taking care of citizens’ health. It is high time to take care of our health team. First, they should be healthy as they are the role models of the community.

Combination of Essential Oils and Extracts Enriched with Tocopherols in Diet of Holstein Steers and Its Effect on Ruminal Fermentation, Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Response, Feed Efficiency and Fatty Acid Profile in Meat

Background: This experiment evaluated whether the combination of essential oils (thyme, rosemary, orange) with extracts of Cinnamomum and Quillaja saponaria (enriched with tocopherols) in steers’ diet has positive effects on the health, digestibility, growth, oxidative stress, and fatty acid profile of meat. Methods: The experiment included 24 Holstein steers, divided into two groups, randomly divided (treated = phytogenic mixture (n = 12); control = monensin (n = 12)), undergoing a growth phase of 120 days and 90 days of finishing in individual pens, with a monthly collection of blood, rumen fluid, feces, and feed. Results: In the finishing phase (days 150 to 210), there was a tendency (p = 0.07) toward more significant average daily weight gain when cattle consumed a phytogenic mixture than monensin. The use of the phytogenic product showed greater feed efficiency in the period from 150 to 240 days (p < 0.05), with higher levels of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), without differences in the composition of these SCFAs between the control and treated groups, with a reduction in apparent digestibility in the treated group. In blood parameters, the treated group showed higher erythrocyte counts (p < 0.05) without changes in leukocytes, lymphocytes, granulocytes, monocytes, and platelets. The phytogenic treatment demonstrated higher total protein and globulin levels, with increased glucose levels on days 30 and 210 (p < 0.05). Ceruloplasmin and haptoglobin levels increased in the treated group without changes in ferritin, transferrin, C-reactive protein, IgA, and heavy-chain immunoglobulins (p < 0.05). A reduction in oxidative stress was observed using the phytogenic agent, with a marked decrease in the levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and carbonyl proteins, with a tendency to increase glutathione S-transferase (p < 0.05). In meat, the phytogenic reduced saturated fatty acids with increased polyunsaturated fatty acids and increased the omega 6/omega 3 ratio. Lower levels of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances and ROS were detected in the meat combined with a higher concentration of total thiols in the treated group than in the control group. Conclusions: The use of the phytogenic in steers’ diets has shown to be a viable candidate for replacing monensin, presenting equal or superior performance results with systemic modulating effects on oxidative stress, meat quality, and serum and biochemical parameters that contribute to more substantial health and efficiency.

Change in Cardiorespiratory Fitness and the Risk of Colorectal and Prostate Cancer Incidence in Men.

The aim of this prospective cohort study was to investigate the associations between changes in cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) and the risk of colorectal and prostate cancer in men. Data from men who completed a health assessment both in military conscription in youth and an occupational health profile assessment (HPA) later in life were used. CRF was assessed as estimated V̇O2max, using a cycle ergometer fitness test at both time points. We linked the assessment data to national register data on colorectal and prostate cancer incidence, and hazard ratios and confidence intervals were estimated using Cox proportional hazard regression. 139,764 men with a mean age of 18 (SD 0.6) at conscription and 43 (SD 8.9) at HPA were included. The average time between the two assessments was 25.9 (SD 9.0) years and mean follow-up time following HPA test was 10.0 (SD 5.6) years for prostate and colorectal cancer. Annual percentage change in relative and absolute V̇O2max from conscription to HPA was inversely associated with the risk of colorectal cancer incidence, hazard ratio of 0.83 (95% CI [0.72-0.94]) and 0.88 (95% CI [0.79-0.99]), respectively. These associations were driven by data from individuals in the lowest and moderate level fitness tertials at conscription. Change in CRF was not associated with prostate cancer incidence risk. Changes in, not only level of, CRF from youth to adulthood are related to colorectal cancer incidence risk and therefore, improving CRF should be considered as an important colorectal cancer risk reduction strategy.

Family adoption programme implementation feedback from undergraduate medical students in Almora: A cross-sectional study

ABSTRACT Background: The Family Adoption Programme (FAP) aims to provide a learning opportunity to Indian medical graduates towards community-based health care. This study describes the perspective of medical undergraduate students towards the FAP implementation at the government medical college in Almora. Methods: An observational study was conducted on the students of phases I and II in the government medical college, Almora, on the hurdles and facilitators of FAP via Google Form. Out of 199 students, 193 filled out the form, which was eligible for evaluation. A brief orientation was conducted on the FAP as recommended by the National Medical Commission of India, which was followed by sensitization of the students to the FAP proforma. Periodic FAP visits were planned for students along with their assigned mentors at the selected nearby three villages. During these visits, students interacted with the families, and details regarding the health profile of the family were documented. Students wrote reflections on FAP visits in the log book which were reviewed by faculties. Gibbs reflective cycle was also applied among the students who were allotted families for better understanding. Results: A total of 199 students were enrolled in FAP, and out of those, 193 submitted feedback through a Google link. Overall, the experience was graded as good (53.6%), while 35.4% responded that it was excellent. Conclusion: Better implementation of FAP needs planning, intersectoral co-ordination, good sensitisation, and training activities for field staff, faculty and the community.

Using a causal decomposition approach to estimate the contribution of employment to differences in mental health profiles between men and women

Using a causal decomposition approach to estimate the contribution of employment to differences in mental health profiles between men and women

Orthognathic Surgical Success in The Eye Of the Patient: Are We Prepared To Handle Complications Emerging From the Changing Mental Health Profiles Of Our Patients.

Orthognathic Surgical Success in The Eye Of the Patient: Are We Prepared To Handle Complications Emerging From the Changing Mental Health Profiles Of Our Patients.

A Comparative Study of Health and Well-being in Street Dogs Versus Pet Dogs

This study compares the health and well-being of street dogs and pet dogs, considering factors such as diet, exercise, healthcare access, and environmental influences. While pet dogs benefit from consistent care, vaccinations, and controlled environments, they are prone to lifestyle-related health issues like obesity and behavioural problems. Street dogs, despite limited access to medical care and regular nutrition, display stronger immune systems, higher adaptability, and resilience due to exposure to varied environments. Using a sample of 10 street dogs and 10 pet dogs, the study evaluates differences in body condition, coat health, immune resilience, behavioural traits, and veterinary care. Results indicate that street dogs exhibit better immune response and higher activity levels but suffer from malnutrition and untreated injuries. Conversely, pet dogs show fewer injuries and better coat conditions but face challenges like anxiety and sedentary lifestyles. The findings highlight the unique health profiles of both groups, shaped by their environments. A balanced approach that combines the resilience of street dogs with the structured care of pet dogs could optimize canine health outcomes. Future research with larger samples is recommended to enhance these insights and inform intervention strategies.

PERS: Personalized environment recommendation system based on vital signs

The integration of the Internet of Things (IoT) in healthcare has facilitated real-time monitoring of vital signs and environmental conditions. However, existing systems often lack personalized recommendations that consider the interplay between these factors. This work introduces the Personalized Environment Recommendation System (PERS), which leverages a portable device to continuously collect data on key health metrics, including pulse rate and body temperature, alongside environmental parameters. Utilizing Artificial Neural Networks, PERS analyzes the data to generate tailored health recommendations for users. Experimental results demonstrate an accuracy of 98.7%, highlighting the system’s effectiveness in enhancing patient care and supporting informed health decisions. The findings suggest that PERS can significantly improve health monitoring by providing actionable insights based on individual health profiles and environmental contexts.

Employees’ Internal Factors Leading to Rule-breaking Acts at the Workplace

Introduction: The 2022 National Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Profile in Indonesia shows that the human factor in safety is a factor that influences the risk of workplace accidents. The mining accidents statistical data in Indonesia, in which there was a 100% increase of workplace accidents in 2022, have given this industry an urgency to get a special attention to study risk-taking behavior at the workplace. At the organizational level, PT. XYZ (a mining contractor company in Indonesia) has internally measured its safety maturity level and is currently in calculative level, which indicates that the OHS management system has been implemented but the number of unsafe behaviors and unsafe conditions on site is still high. This paper explores quantitative results from research which aims to obtain an overview of employees’ internal factors leading to rule-breaking acts at the workplace. Methods: This paper uses cross-sectional design research with quantitative approach. Using stratified random sampling, a sample of 283 employees of PT. XYZ Site A participated in this study, ranging from managers, supervisors, and workers. Data were collected through a questionnaire with open-ended questions referring to a study from Safe Work Australia and analyzed quantitatively using statistical Chi-Square statistical test. Results: From the results of the Chi-Square test, the independent variables that have a value of Asymp. Sig. (2-sided) below 0.05 (95% CI) and lead to rule-breaking act at workplace are risk-taking behavior acceptance (0.018), normalizing minor accidents (0.002), and decision to take risk (0.000). Conclusion: Employees’ internal factors of risk-taking behavior acceptance, normalizing minor accidents, and decision to take risk have positive and significant effect on rule-breaking acts at the workplace. It is recommended that organizations implement a proper risk management with ALARP principle, safety empowering leadership, and safe behavior trainings to minimize rule-breaking acts at the workplace

Uncovering Mental Health Profiles of Workers with a Physically Disabling Injury or Illness Using the Complete State Mental Health Framework.

Complete mental health encompasses both mental illness (MI) symptoms and positive mental health (PMH). Distinct profiles of MI and PMH have not been explored among injured workers. This study describes latent mental health profiles among workers with a disabling physical work injury/illness and identifies differences in sociodemographic and return-to-work factors, health correlates, and disability claim duration and cost between profiles. 1132 Ontario workers with a physical work-related injury/illness who received lost-time claim benefits weresurveyed 18months post-injury. MI was defined by the self-reported presence of a mood and/or anxiety disorder diagnosed by a healthcare professional pre- or post-injury. TheMental Health Continuum Short Formmeasured aspects of PMH. Claim information was obtained via administrative records. Latent profile analysis identified the unique number of MI and PMH profiles. Chi-Square and ANOVA tests compared sociodemographic, return-to-work, health, and claim outcomes between classes. Four latent MI and three latent PMH classes were uncovered. Eighteen percent of participants exhibited high MI symptoms diagnosed pre- and post-injury and 14% exhibited languishing PMH. Classes with higher MI burden and languishing PMH were more likely to report financial concerns during their claim, pain interference, other health conditions, and opioid use. Claim duration and wage-replacement benefits were ~ 20days longer and ~ $2000 greater, respectively, among the highest MI and lowestPMH classes. Workers' compensation claimants exhibit both flourishing and languishing mental health profiles. The demographic, health, and return-to-work characteristics of latent classes may help identify claimants who may benefit from additional psychological supportwhen returning to work.