Participation In Program Research Articles

Effect of the PakCat program on nutrition status, dietary pattern and nutrition knowledge and skills of Pakistani women living in Catalonia evaluated by a mixed-method randomized control trial (RCT).

Pakistani women are among the most affected groups by obesity and heart failure in Catalonia. Due to cultural and linguistic barriers, their participation in standard health promotion programs is limited. To address this issue, we implemented a culturally and linguistically appropriate food education program called the PakCat Program. The study employed a community-based participatory research (CBPR) design, utilizing a two-arm, cluster-assignment, non-blinded mixed-method randomized control trial (RCT) implemented in Badalona and Santa Coloma de Gramenet, two neighboring municipalities with a substantial Pakistani population. Participants were randomly assigned to the control group (n = 67) and the intervention group (n = 70). The intervention group received ten weekly culturally and linguistically appropriate food education sessions over ten weeks, while the control group attended three general sessions. The main outcome measures included nutritional status, nutrition knowledge and skills, dietary patterns, and satisfaction with the intervention, which were assessed pre-and post-intervention combining quantitative methods based on a survey and qualitative approaches consisting of conducting focus group discussions (FGDs). The quantitative analysis conducted through a two-factor analysis of variance (ANOVA) for repeated measures indicated a significant improvement in the study variables across the entire sample (p < 0.001 within group), with the intervention group experiencing greater improvements in nutrition knowledge and skills and dietary pattern (p <0.001 for interaction and between groups). These findings were corroborated by thematically analyzed qualitative data confirming a more pronounced improvement in the study outcomes of the intervention group. Furthermore, both groups reported a high level of satisfaction with the intervention. The PakCat Program effectively improved the nutrition knowledge, skills, and dietary patterns of immigrant women of Pakistani origin residing in Catalonia. However, future research involving a larger sample size and combining the behavioral and clinical parameters is needed to enhance the generalizability of the results.

Patriotism and national identity in Uzbek female students abroad

In an increasingly globalized world, the tension between global citizenship and national identity has garnered significant academic interest. For Uzbek female students studying abroad, the intersection of national identity and international education presents unique challenges and opportunities. This study explores how participation in international programs influences the national identity and patriotic sentiments of these students, who are often seen as cultural custodians within Uzbek society. Drawing on theories of cultural identity, globalization, and educational sociology, this research examines how Uzbek female students navigate their sense of patriotism while engaging with diverse cultural environments abroad. Through a mixed-methods approach involving surveys and interviews, the study reveals that, despite challenges of cultural dislocation and identity negotiation, most students retain a strong connection to their homeland, with a clear intention to return and contribute to Uzbekistan’s development. The findings highlight the dual role of social media as both a bridge to home and a source of global perspectives, shaping students' perceptions of national and global identities. The study concludes with policy recommendations for educational institutions and policymakers to foster environments that strengthen national identity and promote a sense of responsibility toward Uzbekistan, ensuring that international education supports the cultivation of globally aware yet culturally rooted future leaders. Additionally, recommendations are given to Uzbek female students studying abroad to help them maintain their cultural identity, adapt effectively to new environments, and leverage their international experiences for the benefit of Uzbekistan upon their return.

An 18-Year Review of Hemoglobinopathy Proficiency Testing: Recommendations From the College of American Pathologists Hematology and Clinical Microscopy Committee.

The College of American Pathologists Hematology and Clinical Microscopy Committee implemented a hemoglobinopathy proficiency testing and education program to monitor and assess the performance of participating laboratories. To evaluate the performance of clinical laboratories for hemoglobinopathy proficiency testing from 2005 to 2023. The hemoglobinopathy challenges are composed of clinical case summaries and electrophoretic and chromatographic gel and tracing images. The participants are asked to determine (1) what hemoglobin chain is affected and (2) the hemoglobinopathy diagnosis. A total of 365 to 676 laboratories were enrolled in the proficiency testing program each year. Overall, the error rates for determination of the affected globin chain and a hemoglobinopathy diagnosis ranged from 0.6% to 56.5% and 0.5% to 86.5%, respectively. Twenty-three of 66 surveyed hemoglobinopathies (34.8%) had an error rate exceeding the consensus threshold of 20%. The globin gene detection error rate of the compound hemoglobinopathies was significantly higher when compared with just the α (P = .01) and β (P = .003) gene disorders. However, the error rate for the overall compound α/β-globin interpretation, although high at 23%, was not statistically significant when compared with just the α- or β-globin chain disorders. In repeat testing of the variants, there was no consistent improvement in performance. The program participants demonstrated variable performance with one-third of the surveys exceeding the 20% error rate. The error rate for compound hemoglobinopathies was even higher. Our data illustrate a critical need for continuing educational efforts with an algorithmic approach to hemoglobin disorders.

What About Nights, Weekends, and Wait Times? Adding an On-Demand Facilitated Telemedicine Buprenorphine Component to a Community-Based Peer Support Outreach Program.

In 2020, loosened federal regulations allowed for buprenorphine for opioid use disorder to be initiated via telemedicine. In response to these regulatory changes and growing racial inequities in overdose in St. Louis, MO, a local, peer-led outreach program incorporated a new rapid access (RA) to buprenorphine program. RA facilitated same-day buprenorphine access by conducting peer-facilitated telemedicine visits in community settings. This study used logistic regression to compare 1- and 3-month treatment and buprenorphine retention between clients in the RA and Traditional (ie, linkage to brick-and-mortar prescribers within 1-3 days) programmatic arms of a peer-led outreach program between December 2020 and June 2022. Propensity score matching allowed participants across groups to be matched on key factors (eg, sex, race, homelessness). Racial differences in program receipt/enrollment were also assessed through Chi-squared tests. Total program participation (N = 4139) included 1% (n = 52) in the RA program. Those in RA were more likely to be in treatment at 1 and 3 months and more likely to be on buprenorphine at 3 months compared to those in the Traditional group. The RA program included more White and fewer Black clients than expected. Four of the 8 reasons for non-enrollment differed by race, with Black individuals more likely to already have treatment secured but also more likely to decline the program or be unable to be contacted. This study is the first to demonstrate sustained benefits in treatment and medication engagement following same-day access to buprenorphine via community-based, peer-facilitated telemedicine. Lower-than-expected enrollment of Black individuals indicates a need for more culturally responsive implementation strategies for peer- and telemedicine-facilitated programs.

On fostering employee participation in voluntary corporate-sponsored wellness programs.

As organizations are increasingly turning to voluntary wellness programs to improve employee well-being, the majority of studies in literature have focused on corporate-level benefits of wellness programs, such as productivity. However, there is a scarcity of studies that examine the intrinsic motivators that influence employee participation in such programs. In this study, we use a unique secondary dataset from a voluntary corporate wellness program and propose a novel theoretical framework based on motivational and behavioral theories to examine and understand the participants' behavior. Our findings show that frequent participants are overall healthier and have a stronger intrinsic motivation to commit to a wellness program, as they are better in allocating their limited time resources between various wellness activities. In contrast, one-time participants prove to be less health-conscious and interested in investing time and energy in a wellness program. This study makes several contributions to theory and practice by identifying the individual characteristics and intrinsic motivational factors that compel participants to engage in frequent participation in wellness programs. We also offer recommendations to program administrators on how to personalize ongoing wellness programs to bolster employees' participation and promote more health-conscious behaviors.

Communication Strategy of the Ogan Ilir Regency Department of Transmigration and Manpower in Increasing Participation in the Job Skills Training Program in Ogan Ilir Regency

This study aims to analyze the communication strategies implemented by the Department of Transmigration and Manpower in Ogan Ilir Regency to increase public participation in skills training programs. Low participation rates present a significant challenge requiring effective and targeted communication approaches. The study employs a descriptive qualitative approach, collecting data through in-depth interviews, observations, and document reviews. Research participants include department staff, program participants, and the general public targeted by the program. The findings reveal that communication strategies utilized include printed media, digital platforms, and direct engagement through community leaders and community-based socialization. However, constraints such as budget limitations, technological infrastructure, and public awareness of program benefits hinder effectiveness. Effective strategies involve a combination of personal and digital approaches, such as leveraging social media to reach younger generations and actively involving local village officials in disseminating information. The study recommends enhancing internal staff training on public communication, optimizing the use of information technology, and strengthening collaborations with local stakeholders. With more targeted communication strategies, public participation in skills training programs is expected to improve, supporting efforts to reduce unemployment in Ogan Ilir Regency.

Advancing Quality and Safety Culture in Healthcare: Insights From the Evaluation of an Improvement Science Program for Nurses and Midwives.

This paper presents the outcomes and insights gained from the implementation of an Improvement Science program tailored for nursing and midwifery staff within a large local health district in New South Wales. The programme aimed to enhance frontline clinicians' confidence and capability in quality improvement, ultimately improving patient outcomes and safety culture. Through an explanatory sequential mixed-methods evaluation study, we assessed the programme's effectiveness in building capacity, sustaining practice changes and fostering a culture of continuous improvement. Quantitative data were collected through pre-post knowledge surveys, post workshop feedback and programme participation rates. Qualitative data were then collected via nine interviews with programme participants. Simple descriptive statistical analysis for quantitative data and a thematic analysis of qualitative data was undertaken. Data were then integrated from these multiple sources to gain a deeper understanding of the outcomes of the Improvement Science Program. Key findings indicate that coaching and mentoring support significantly contributed to project completion and sustained practice changes. Structured coaching sessions, collaborative team meetings, and executive sponsorship were vital components that facilitated successful outcomes. Notably, effective leadership, often demonstrated by Clinical Nurse Educators and Consultants, played a crucial role in fostering staff collaboration and participation. Insights from qualitative interviews highlight the transformative impact of the programme on participants' skills, confidence and practice. The paper concludes with recommendations for future Improvement Science programs, emphasising the importance of structured coaching, accountability mechanisms, and the identification and support of future coaches. Overall, this study underscores the value of ongoing training initiatives in promoting a culture of safety, quality improvement and enhanced patient outcomes in healthcare settings. This study had no patient or public contribution. Adherence to Standards for Reporting Qualitative Research (SRQR) EQUATOR guidelines (see Supplementary file).

The Role of Collaboration in Supporting Community Resilience Programmes in Post-Disaster Events

The impact of collaboration on the community resilience program for residents of Lumajang Regency varies. For the variable “Strengthening local knowledge”, collaboration is preferable since it allows different communities to cooperate in gathering local information from different perspectives. According to our research, if local knowledge is not strengthened through collaboration, it will actually have the reverse effect—that is, it will not have an impact on catastrophe risk reduction. This is due to the community’s still limited and underutilized participation in government programs for monitoring and communicating the catastrophe response. Different findings were made for the community network and relationship variables, where the influence of relationships within the community network on disaster risk reduction is still non-significant, whether directly or indirectly through cooperative mediation. Because LR is preparing for disaster risk management, community relations or engagement with the authorities regarding the necessity of disaster risk management have not yet been involved. The location, interaction, traits, and interests should all be taken into consideration when forming the community. In fact, LR residents have not yet put this into practice. The findings are similarly important when considering how different variables, either directly or through the collaboration variable, influence leadership, governance, and health. Therefore, disaster risk reduction may be impacted directly or indirectly by the presence of emergency response health services, the creation of disaster-resilient villages, and the creation of a profile of disaster-prone locations. But according to the data above, collaboration can actually have a bigger impact on disaster risk reduction.

A digital program for daily life management with endometriosis: Pilot study on symptoms and quality of life among participants.

After suffering for an average of 7 years before diagnosis, endometriosis patients are usually left with more questions than answers about managing their symptoms in the absence of a cure. To help women with endometriosis after their diagnosis, we developed an online support program combining user research, evidence-based medicine, and clinical expertise. Structured around CBT and the quality-of-life metrics from the EHP score, the program is designed to guide participants over a 3-month and is available in France. This cohort study was designed to measure the impact of a digital health program on the symptom and quality of life levels of women with endometriosis. Ninety-two participants were included in the pilot study, among a total of 146 program participants who volunteered and assessed for eligibility for this research. They were recruited either free of charge through employer health insurance or via individual direct access. A control group of women with endometriosis who did not follow the program was recruited (n=404) through social media and mailing campaign. Questionnaires assessing quality of life and symptom levels were sent to program participants and controls at baseline and at three months via email. The control group was sampled according to initial pain level in order to obtain a similar pain profile between controls and program participants (n=149). Descriptive statistics and statistical tests (Chi-square, Fisher's exact, Wilcoxon, Mann-Whitney U, Student t-tests) were used to analyze intra- and inter-group differences, with Cohen's D measuring effect size for significant results. Over three months, global symptom burden, the general level of pain, anxiety, depression, dysmenorrhea, dysuria, chronic fatigue, neuropathic pain, and endobelly levels improved significantly among program participants. These improvements were significantly different from the control group for global symptom burden (mean±SD: participants=-0.7±1.6, controls=-0.3±1.3, P=.048, small d), anxiety (participants=-1.1±2.8, controls=0.2±2.5, P<.001, medium d) and depression levels (participants=-0.9±2.5, controls=0.0±3.1, P=.04, small d), neuropathic pain (participants=-1.0±2.7, controls=-0.1±2.6, P=.004, small d), and endobelly (participants=-0.9±2.5, controls=-0.3±2.4, P=.03, small d). Participant quality of life evolution between baseline and three months improved and significantly differed from the control group for the core part of the EHP-5 (participants=-5.9±21.0, controls=1.0±14.8, P=.03, small d) and the EQ-5D (participants=0.1±0.1, controls=-0.0±0.1, P=.001, medium d). Perceived knowledge of endometriosis was significantly greater at three months among participants than in controls (P<.001). The results from this pilot study suggest that a digital health program providing medical and scientific information about endometriosis and multidisciplinary self-management tools may be useful to reduce global symptom burden, anxiety, depression, neuropathic pain, and endobelly while improving knowledge on endometriosis and quality of life among participants.

Food as medicine, community as medicine: Mental health effects of a social care intervention.

To assess mental health related outcomes of Recipe4Health, a multisectoral social care partnership implementing produce prescriptions with or without group medical visits (GMVs). Recipe4Health was implemented at five community health centers from 2020 to 2023. Primary care teams referred patients with food insecurity and/or nutrition-sensitive chronic conditions (e.g., diabetes, depression) to 16 weeks of Food Farmacy (produce prescriptions) with the option of GMV participation. We used a convergent mixed-methods design including survey and interview data. We conducted (1) participant surveys pre- and post-intervention and (2) semi-structured interviews with Recipe4Health participants and partner organization staff. Linear mixed effects models examined changes in mental health and related outcomes. Interviews were analyzed using codebook thematic analysis. Program participants were middle-aged, primarily women, and from diverse racial/ethnic backgrounds (majority Latine and Black). At baseline, moderate or severe depression and/or anxiety symptoms were reported by 77/188 (41%) of Food Farmacy-only participants, and 113/284 (40%) of Food Farmacy +GMV participants. Among Food Farmacy-only participants, post-intervention depression and anxiety symptoms significantly improved only among those who did not have baseline depression/anxiety (PHQ9: -1.7 [95% CI: -2.8, -0.6]; GAD7: -1.8 [95% CI: -2.9, -0.8]). Among Food Farmacy +GMV participants, mental health symptoms improved regardless of baseline mental health; among those with baseline depression/anxiety: PHQ9: -2.4 (95% CI: -3.6, -1.2); GAD7: -0.9 (95% CI: -2.0, 0.1); among those without: PHQ9: -2.2 (95% CI: -3.2, -1.2); GAD7: -2.2 (95% CI: -3.1, -1.2). Improvements in social needs (food insecurity, loneliness) and health-related behaviors (fruit/vegetable intake, physical activity) varied by intervention arm and baseline depression/anxiety symptom level. In interviews, staff and patients endorsed produce prescriptions for improving nutrition and food insecurity, and GMVs for increasing social support. Social care interventions providing vegetables and fruit, with or without group medical visits, may concurrently address mental health symptoms and social needs.

Moderating factors in psilocybin-assisted treatment affecting mood and personality: A naturalistic, open-label investigation.

Psychedelic-assisted therapy is increasingly applied within mental health treatment. This study focused on factors moderating changes in the acute and long-term effects of an individual psilocybin-assisted program on depression, anxiety, PTSD and personality structures by including demographic factors, subjective experience and degree of mystical type experiences during the dosing, as well as emotional breakthrough and personal growth after the program. At baseline, 1 week and 3 months after the psilocybin program participants completed the Generalized Anxiety Disorder Assessment (GAD-7), Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9), PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5) and NEO Five-Factor Inventory-3 (NEO-FFI-3). In addition, after the dosing the Mystical Experiences Questionnaire (MEQ-30), Posttraumatic Growth Inventory (PTGI) and Emotional Breakthrough Inventory (EBI) were administered. Moderation effects were established using linear mixed-model analysis. A single high dose of psilocybin in combination with therapy was found to lower symptoms of anxiety, depression, PTSD and neuroticism over a period of 3-months. Scores on openness and conscientiousness increased after the treatment only. Participants reported mystical type experiences, emotional breakthrough and personal growth. These subjective experiences together with demographic factors were moderating the observed positive changes. Findings indicate that individual psilocybin-assisted therapy has the potential for beneficial effects on mood and personality characteristics. Moreover, the study highlights the importance of subjective experiences and demographic factors in moderating this effect. This study adds to the ongoing research onpsilocybin-assisted therapy by investigating contributing factors for optimizing this evolving type of therapy.

Nurse practitioner and physician associate mentorship: Improving retention and employment experiences.

Clinician turnover is costly for health care organizations. A retention strategy for newly hired nurse practitioners (NPs) and physician associates (PAs) was needed at our organization. A quality improvement project was conducted to determine whether a mentorship program could improve retention and employment experiences of newly hired NPs and PAs. A one-to-one mentorship program was implemented for newly hired NPs and PAs. (a) Retention and productivity data were compared for mentee participants vs. nonparticipants. (b) Mentee and mentor participants completed two program evaluation surveys to examine the program's impact on their employment experiences. Sixty-eight mentee-mentor pairs completed their mentoring relationship during the first 3 years of the program. Retention was higher among mentee participants vs. nonparticipants during their first (96% vs. 85%, p = .0332) and second year of employment (83% vs. 65%, p = .0480). Productivity during the first year was similar for mentee participants and nonparticipants (38th percentile vs. 37th percentile, p = .84). Most participants (≥69%) believed the program improved onboarding, personal and professional growth, work environment, and NP and PA community connection. The mentorship program improved first- and second-year retention of newly hired NPs and PAs and employment experiences of program participants. By our estimates, the program helped retain 15 NPs and PAs who would have otherwise left the organization, yielding potential organizational savings of $1.29M-$1.72M. A mentorship program can be an effective retention strategy for reducing health care turnover and related costs.

Differences in US Adult Dietary Patterns by Cardiovascular Health and Socioeconomic Vulnerability.

Naturally occurring dietary patterns, a major contributor to health, are not well described among those with cardiovascular disease (CVD) - particularly in light of socioeconomic vulnerability. We sought to identify major dietary patterns in the US and their distribution by CVD, social risk factors, and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) participation. This was a cross-sectional study among 32,498 noninstitutionalized adults from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2009-2020). We used principal component analysis to identify common dietary patterns. Individuals were assigned to the pattern for which they had the highest component score. Using multinomial logit regression, we estimated the percentage whose diets aligned with each pattern in population subgroups stratified by CVD, social risk factors, and SNAP. Analyses were adjusted for age, gender, race and ethnicity, total energy intake, and year, with sampling weights to provide nationally representative estimates. Four dietary patterns were identified among US adults: American (33.7%; high in solid fats, added sugars, and refined grains), Prudent (22.6%; high in vegetables, nuts/seeds, oils, seafood, and poultry), Legume (15.8%), and Fruit/Whole Grain/Dairy (27.9%), that together explained 29.2% of dietary variance. More adults with prevalent CVD (37.1%) than without (33.3%, p=0.005) aligned with the American Pattern, with no differences among other patterns. Each additional social risk factor associated with more adults aligned with American (2.5% absolute increase) and Legume (1.3%), and fewer aligned with Prudent (-1.9%) and Fruit/Whole Grain/Dairy (-1.9%) patterns (p<0.001 each). Analysis of dietary patterns across SNAP participation showed higher proportion of SNAP participants and income-eligible SNAP non-participants compared to non-eligible adults for the American (40.2% [38.1, 42.3%], 35.1% [32.7, 37.5%], 31.9% [31.0, 32.8%], respectively) and Legume patterns (17.2% [15.6, 18.8%], 17.8% [16.1, 19.5%]), 15.4% [14.6,16.1%], respectively) and less for Prudent (17.0% [15.5, 18.6%], 20.2% [18.2, 22.3%], 24.2% [23.3, 25.1%], respectively) and Fruit/Whole Grain/Dairy Patterns (25.6% [23.8%, 27.3%], 26.9%[27.6%,29.5%], 28.6% [27.6%, 29.5%], respectively). Empirical dietary patterns vary by CVD and socioeconomic vulnerability. Initiatives to improve nutrition in at-risk individuals should consider these naturally occurring dietary patterns and their variation in key subgroups.

Wearable Technology Hesitancy in Industrial Applications

OCCUPATIONAL APPLICATIONS Ergonomists and engineers often look to technology to improve workplace outcomes such as safety and productivity. However, hesitancy toward new technology can hinder the adoption of devices such as wearables. In this study, we spoke to industry representatives about the factors that influence the implementation of wearables in the manufacturing workplace. Focus group participants provided several actionable insights to reduce hesitancy in adopting wearables in the industrial workplace. First, emphasizing safety culture and the benefits to workplace safety and health is paramount. Second, the case for using wearable for performance improvement should also be discussed after leading with safety. Finally, organizations should consider voluntary participation in a wearables program with early adopters.

Pilot test of JUNTOS EN PAREJA: Enhancing relationship and financial well-being in Latine couples.

Latine couples, particularly those who are low-income and immigrant, often face significant challenges in relationship and financial functioning, areas in which they are frequently underserved by existing programs. This article aimed to test Juntos en Pareja (JEP), a linguistic and cultural adaptation of the TOGETHER program for Latine couples. JEP is a 20-h, evidence-based psychoeducational curriculum integrating relationship and financial education. This study assessed its acceptability, appropriateness, feasibility, and preliminary effectiveness. Self-report data from 23 Latine low-income, immigrant, heterosexual, Spanish-speaking couples in the Washington, D.C., area were collected in 2019-2020 before (T1) and after program participation (T2) and at 3-month follow-up (T3). Repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVAs) were used to analyze changes across time in relationship and financial functioning using self-report instruments and observable data from three 8-min discussions. Results indicate that the JEP program is successful in reducing Latine partners' financial stress and emotional dysregulation and improving their financial management abilities, relationship satisfaction, and dyadic coping, but with some important gender differences. JEP is a beneficial program for Latine couples, improving relationship and financial functioning and ultimately fostering greater equity and stability in areas where this population is often underserved.

Home Sweet Home: A Program Report on Promoting the Uptake of Home Dialysis.

Canada's growing prevalence of people with kidney failure receiving kidney replacement therapy has necessitated the expansion of dialysis programs. Although facility-based hemodialysis is the predominant dialysis modality in Canada, it is substantially costlier than home dialysis (peritoneal or home hemodialysis). Initiatives to increase the uptake of home dialysis typically consist of didactic and experiential education. We describe a novel local initiative, Home Sweet Home (HSH), where individuals with lived experience of home dialysis and kidney health professionals share their experience and knowledge with participants in a clinic setting that has been set up to represent a metaphorical home. The aim of this report is to describe our HSH program and to evaluate its acceptability and reach for future scale and spread. We also explored home dialysis uptake among program participants. We collected feedback from attendees following each HSH event with anonymized surveys. We obtained clinical and demographic data and modality at follow-up from 2 linked databases, the Canadian Organ Replacement Register (CORR) and a regional clinical database, the Nephrology Information System (NIS). Reach was evaluated according to modality (i.e., the proportion of participants who were non-dialysis dependent vs the proportion receiving facility-based maintenance hemodialysis) and the proportion living remotely (defined as greater than 200 km from the event). We examined acceptability as the proportion who were interested in a home therapy (either peritoneal dialysis, home hemodialysis, or both) after attending the event. Demographic data and survey data were summarized with counts and percentages. Free text from surveys was collated and summarized. Participants were followed from the time of program attendance until June 21, 2022 or death. A total of 291 participants attended HSH between 2015 and 2019. At the time of program attendance, 70% of participants had chronic kidney disease (CKD) not requiring dialysis (CKD G4-5ND) and 30% had CKD G5D on facility-based maintenance hemodialysis. Participants were primarily urban dwelling (ie, in Edmonton). After the event, 92% of participants indicated they were interested in a home dialysis modality. From the survey free text, participants commonly expressed that they valued the "first-hand information" and a "real life perspective" from HSH facilitators and the simulation helped to ease anxiety about home dialysis. Participants expressed a desire for longer HSH events with more opportunities to ask questions. At a median follow-up of 858 days (interquartile range = 353-1347), 18% of the cohort remained dialysis independent and 25% died. Of the remaining 167 participants, N = 41 (25%) were receiving a home dialysis modality (either peritoneal dialysis or home hemodialysis), N = 40 (24%) received a kidney transplant, and N = 86 (51%) were dialyzing with facility-based hemodialysis. A more in-depth understanding of how the HSH program influenced decision-making for home dialysis could be attained from interviews and focus groups. No causal inferences can be made regarding the uptake of home therapies and HSH attendance. We did not have data on who received a home therapy prior to the last recorded modality at follow-up, which likely underestimated the use of home therapies. The HSH program was highly acceptable with 92% of participants reporting they were interested in a home modality. The reach of HSH could be improved by recruiting more individuals from facility-based hemodialysis and rural and remote locations.

Outdoor activity during class recess prevents myopia onset and shift in premyopic children: Subgroup analysis in the Recess Outside Classroom study.

To investigate whether premyopia is a risk factor for myopia onset and whether outdoor activities can protect against myopia development in premyopic children in the Recess Outside Classroom (ROC) study. Nonmyopic schoolchildren aged 7 to 11 years were recruited from two schools in Taiwan. One school implemented the ROC program, which encouraged children to go outdoors during recess. The control school maintained its usual schedule. A cycloplegic autorefraction was performed. Premyopia was defined as spherical equivalent refraction ≤ +0.75 diopters (D) and > -0.50 D. After one year of follow-up, multivariate logistic analysis revealed that the ROC program reduced the risk of myopia onset by 61% (odds ratio [OR] = 0.39, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.21-0.70, P = 0.002). However, premyopia status increased the risk of myopia onset by 14 times compared to hyperopic status (OR = 14.0, 95% CI: 1.86-105.3, P = 0.010). In the subgroup analysis of premyopic children, the myopic shift was also significantly lower in the ROC group than in the control group (-0.20 ± 0.60 D/year vs. -0.40 ± 0.66 D/year, P = 0.017). Myopia incidence in premyopic children was significantly lower in the ROC group than in the control group (19.6% vs. 37.8%, P = 0.001). Multivariate regression analysis showed that participation in the ROC program was significantly associated with a lower myopic shift in premyopic children (-0.22 D/year, 95% CI: -0.39 to -0.06, P = 0.008) CONCLUSIONS: Premyopia is a risk factor for myopia onset. A school policy that includes more outdoor time can effectively prevent myopia onset and shift in premyopic children.

Body Composition Changes over a Collegiate Playing Career in NCAA Division I Women's Soccer Players.

Tinsley, GM, Meyer, MK, Ptak, SM, Yu, D, Provost, JA, Hansen, NJ, and Carbuhn, AF. Body composition changes over a collegiate playing career in NCAA Division I women's soccer players. J Strength Cond Res 39(1): e40-e55, 2025-Although body composition is known to influence success in organized sport, the longitudinal body composition changes produced by sport specialization are not well characterized for women's soccer. To address this need, this study reports the body composition changes of NCAA Division I women's soccer players over their entire collegiate playing career. Serial dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) scans were performed throughout players' involvement in collegiate women's soccer. Analyses of all players with multiple DXA scans (n = 80) and players with ≥3 years of DXA data (n = 17) were performed using linear mixed-effects models that included effects of time, playing position, game minutes, and interactions. In all athletes (n = 80; 2.1 ± 1.2 years of participation), significant increases in bone mass (1.4%), total lean mass (1.7%), and fat-free mass index (0.3 kg·m-2) occurred. These changes coincided with increased arm and leg bone mass, increased lean mass in all regions, and decreased body fat percentage and leg fat mass. In athletes with ≥3 years of collegiate data (n = 17; 3.5 ± 0.4 years of participation), larger increases in bone mass (3.0%), bone mineral density (2.2%), total lean mass (2.5%), fat-free mass index (0.4 kg·m-2), and segmental bone and lean mass were observed. Larger decreases in body fat percentage and leg fat mass were also noted. Although playing position was related to body composition characteristics, changes in outcomes were generally unrelated to position or game minutes. In summary, beneficial changes in multiple aspects of body composition were observed over years of participation in a collegiate women's soccer program.

Pesticide safety behavior among vegetable farmers in Bangladesh: Evaluating the role of market aggregation services.

Pesticide use in Bangladesh is disproportionately high in vegetable farming compared to other crops like cereals, pulses, and cash crops. This study delves into the knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding pesticide use among vegetable farmers, focusing on the impact of a digital aggregation service implemented by Digital Green. Based on interviews with 120 vegetable farmers in the LOOP aggregation scheme and 120 non-LOOP vegetable farmers this study indicates that the farmers using the aggregation service have a moderately higher level of food safety knowledge. LOOP farmers scored higher in pesticide safety knowledge (67.83%) compared to non-LOOP farmers (55%). Regarding pesticide safety attitudes, LOOP farmers scored 17.39%, while non-LOOP farmers 4.17%, reflecting a generally poor attitude toward pesticide application. Regarding practices, 65.55% of LOOP farmers adhered to scientifically sound methods, compared to 43.10% of non-LOOP farmers. Although participation in the LOOP program significantly influenced farmers' pesticide-related knowledge, attitudes, and practices, this study still identifies the need for targeted interventions and training to improve food safety practices among both groups.

Towards sustainable practices: Evaluating student engagement in solid waste management at A’sharqiyah University, Oman

Mass consumption combined with urbanization causes massive waste production, contamination of the environment, and problems for public health. Over half of the sustainable development goals are addressed by tackling solid waste management (SWM) challenges. There are significant risks to the SWM in universities and higher education institutes due to students’ low understanding and involvement in waste segregation and recycling practices. Thus, this study assesses the level of awareness of students at A’Sharqiyah University, Oman, in terms of SWM practices and waste segregation. A quantitative research methodology using an online survey was applied. The survey collected information on demographic data, awareness and attitudes toward SWM, waste generation, and the ability to gain more knowledge about these practices through participation in awareness programs. Results show that 72.3% of students have knowledge of SWM practices. However, a concerning 33.65% lacked awareness or knowledge in this area. Furthermore, 78.6% of students expressed interest in participating in awareness programs to enhance their understanding of SWM. This study is considered a preliminary screening, and the next step will be the application of an extensive program for all students and following up about solid waste disposal and segregation methods in students’ hostels.