Self-report Survey Research Articles

Using random forest to identify correlates of depression symptoms among adolescents.

Adolescent depression is a significant public health concern, and studying its multifaceted factors using traditional methods possess challenges. This study employs random forest (RF) algorithms to determine factors predicting adolescent depression scores. This study utilized self-reported survey data from 56,008 Canadian students (grades 7-12) attending 182 schools during the 2021/22 academic year. RF algorithms were applied to identify the correlates of (i) depression scores (CESD-R-10) and (ii) presence of clinically relevant depression (CESD-R-10 ≥ 10). RF achieved a 71% explained variance, accurately predicting depression scores within a 3.40 unit margin. The top 10 correlates identified by RF included other measures of mental health (anxiety symptoms, flourishing, emotional dysregulation), home life (excessive parental expectations, happy home life, ability to talk to family), school connectedness, sleep duration, and gender. In predicting clinically relevant depression, the algorithm showed 84% accuracy, 0.89 sensitivity, and 0.79 AUROC, aligning closely with the correlates identified for depression score. This study highlights RF's utility in identifying important correlates of adolescent depressive symptoms. RF's natural hierarchy offers an advantage over traditional methods. The findings underscore the importance and additional potential of sleep health promotion and school belonging initiatives in preventing adolescent depression.

Use of a Health Fair to Promote Health Equity of the Hispanic Community in Metro Detroit

This study analyzes the demographics, general health characteristics, and barriers to healthcare of the Metro Detroit Hispanic community through a health fair survey. Data was collected using a descriptive, 25-question self-reported survey in English and Spanish administered to 19 health fair attendees. Of total respondents, 92% identified as Hispanic and 76% Spanish-speaking. Descriptive analysis was conducted on several variables, including prevalence of medical conditions, health behaviors, and barriers to care. Participants reported a high prevalence of serious chronic conditions including diabetes (29%) and hypertension (29%). Significant barriers included a lack of medical insurance (72%), no primary care physician (67%), and language (24%). Other notable barriers were medication and food insecurity (50% and 67%, respectively). Our findings illustrate the power of a health fair in reaching a local, underserved Hispanic population, and underscore the need for targeted efforts in improving Hispanic health equity and access in Metro Detroit.

Effects of Grit, Patient Safety Competence, and Patient Safety Culture on the Patient Safety Nursing Activities of Nurses in Comprehensive Nursing Service Wards

Purpose : In this study, we aimed to assess the impacts of grit, patient safety competence, and patient safety culture on the patient safety nursing activities of nurses in comprehensive nursing service wards. Methods : Here, a self-reported survey of 179 nurses from three tertiary hospitals was performed. Data from 171 valid responses were analyzed using descriptive statistics, independent <i>t</i>-test, one-way analysis of variance, Pearson’s correlation, and stepwise multiple regression analyses.Results : The key sub-factors influencing the patient safety nursing activities were attitude (<i>β</i>=.30, <i>p</i> ＜.001) and skill (<i>β</i>=.26, <i>p</i> ＜.001) in the patient safety competence factor and safety environment (<i>β</i>=.26, <i>p</i> ＜.001) in the patient safety culture factor. The regression model explained 42.7% of the variance in patient safety nursing activities (F=43.29, <i>p</i> ＜.001). Conclusion : Overall, these findings highlight the importance of improving the nurse attitude and skills related to patient safety as well as the safety environment in hospitals to enhance the patient safety nursing activities in comprehensive nursing service wards. Targeted educational and training programs should be provided along with organizational support to establish a safe and supportive nursing environment in comprehensive nursing service wards.

Associations between teachers’ beliefs and their perception of hate speech in school: a study in Germany and Switzerland

Hate speech is a global issue that is also prevalent among adolescents and requires an educational response. Teachers handle hate speech as part of their professional role. To date, we know little about their beliefs in relation to the early stages of their interventional actions, specifically to their perception of hate speech in school. Thus, this study examined associations between teachers’ social dominance orientation, their pluralist attitude, and their hate speech perception in school. A sample of 471 secondary school teachers from 38 schools (Germany: n = 251; Switzerland: n = 220) participated in a self-report survey from December 2020 to April 2021 (MAge = 42.8 years; 57.7% females; 21.0% with migration status). Data from a total of 3,560 students from grades 7–9 (Germany: n = 1,841; Switzerland: n = 1,719) were matched with teachers’ data to control for students’ hate speech perception in school. Fixed effects multilevel regressions were run, including covariates (teachers’ age, gender, migration status, students’ hate speech perception), teachers’ social dominance orientation, pluralist attitude, and their hate speech perception in school. Teachers perceived a higher frequency of offline hate speech than online hate speech. Contrary to the hypotheses, social dominance orientation was positively associated with offline and online hate speech perception. As predicted, teachers’ pluralist attitude was positively linked to their off- and online hate speech perception. Further research must now clarify how the investigated beliefs and attitudes and teachers’ hate speech perception in school relate to other aspects of their professional competence.

Predicting factors for social oocyte cryopreservation intention among unmarried Korean women

In 2023, the average age of Korean women for the first marriage and giving birth was reported to 31.45 and 33.6, respectively. Due to the late marriage, the number of patients undergoing infertility treatment per 100,000 in Korea increased by 16.9% over the past five years to 27.3. Recently, interest in social oocyte cryopreservation (SOC) has been growing in Korea as a strategy to address the low birth rate. This study is descriptive research to determine the influence of unmarried women's knowledge of fertility preservation, tendency toward late marriage, and awareness of fertility preservation on intention to SOC. This study aims to identify predictors of unmarried women's intention to SOC. Data were collected from July 20 to 26, 2024, through a online self-reported survey from unmarried women in their 20s to 40s. 234 copies were collected, but 211 copies were used for the analysis after excluding 23 insincere responses. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistical analysis and logistic regression analysis using the SPSS/PC 29.0 program. In this study, 41.7% of unmarried women intended to SOC, while 58.3% did not. In addition, the intention to SOC was higher when they wanted children (p=.041, exp(B)=2.35), were aware of SOC (p=.015, exp(B)=2.98), and had a high awareness of fertility preservation (p<0.001, exp(B)=1.47). But the higher the tendency to marry late (p=.044, exp(B)=.92), the lower the intention to SOC. The findings can serve as foundational data to increase social awareness of SOC for unmarried women and to help develop supportive policies.

Adolescent alcohol drinking and cannabis use: Longitudinal, and cohort analysis of high school students in Australia

Aims: The final year of high school is a challenging phase, during which substance use is common. We conducted longitudinal and cohort comparisons on the levels of alcohol and cannabis use among final year (Year 12) high school students compared to the previous year. Design: Longitudinal and cohort analyses of self-reported survey data. Setting: Ten independent schools across South-East Queensland, Australia. Participants: Year 12 students in 2020 (n = 1024) were compared (a) longitudinally with themselves in Year 11; and (b) to the 2019 Year 12 cohort (n = 632). Measures: Self-reported alcohol and cannabis use. Analyses adjusted for socio-demographic, parental, and schooling variables. Findings: Longitudinally, Year 12 students of 2020 had higher odds of having six or more drinks per occasion, monthly or more often, and reporting lifetime cannabis use, compared to themselves in 2019. However, they were not more likely to drink alcohol weekly or more often in 2020 versus 2019. Compared to the 2019 cohort, the 2020 cohort had higher odds of drinking weekly or more often, having six or more drinks per occasion monthly, and reporting lifetime cannabis use. Conclusions: The 2020 cohort of Year 12 adolescents were more likely to engage in heavy drinking and cannabis use, compared to themselves the previous year, and compared to the previous cohort. Greater alcohol consumption and likelihood of cannabis use among the 2020 cohort might be explained by increased age and impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. Future research to monitor if this is a continuing trend is warranted.

Health symptoms in individuals with and without post-covid in the Dutch general population

Abstract Background Health symptoms, often non-specific in nature such as headache and sleep problems, are more prevalent in the aftermath of disasters. Relatively little research focused on non-specific symptoms in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, including those with post-covid conditions. The aim of this study was to assess the symptomatic profile of people with post-covid conditions, and to assess differences in health symptoms between non-infected individuals, infected individuals, and individuals with post-covid. Methods A nation-wide cross-sectional health survey performed in 2022 was combined with routine primary care electronic health records (EHRs). Prevalence of individual symptoms was analyzed, as well as symptom scores for number, duration, and severity of symptoms. The total survey sample consisted of 315,586 individuals. The EHR sample consisted of 29,797 individuals with matched survey data. Both samples were divided into three groups: non-infected, infected, and post-covid. Results Survey participants with post-covid experienced significantly (CI 99%) more (incidence risk ratio (IRR) 1.55), longer lasting (IRR 1.87), and more severe self-reported symptoms (IRR 1.95) compared to non-infected individuals. For infected compared to non-infected survey participants, there were hardly differences in symptom scores. The most distinct differences in individual symptoms were observed for loss of smell or taste, fatigue, and respiratory problems. Based on EHR data, the post-covid group is at significantly higher risk of experiencing fatigue, shortness of breath, headache, sleep problems, and dizziness. Conclusions Individuals suffering from post-covid are at the highest risk of experiencing health symptoms, both based on self-reported symptoms as well as based on EHRs. The infected group generally experienced more self-reported symptoms than the non-infected, but on average, they experienced them at a shorter duration, and they also reported them to be less severe. Key messages • Health symptom prevalence is higher in individuals with post-covid in the Netherlands. • This effect is confirmed in self-reported health surveys as well as in primary care registries.

Mapping geographic health disparities in 11 high-income nations

Abstract Health care delivery faces a myriad of challenges globally with well-documented health inequities based on geographic location. Yet, researchers and policy makers have a limited understanding of the frequency of geographic health disparities. In this survey study, we analyzed results from the 2020 Commonwealth Fund International Health Policy (IHP) Survey-a nationally representative, self-reported, and cross-sectional survey of adults from Australia, Canada, France, Germany, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, the UK, and the US. Eligible adults older than age 18 years were included by random sampling. Survey data were compared for the association of area type (rural or urban) with 10 health indicators across 3 domains: health status and socioeconomic risk factors, affordability of care, and access to care. Across the 11 countries and 10 health indicators and 3 domains (health status and socioeconomic risk factors, affordability of care, access to care), there were 21 occurrences of geographic health disparities. The indicators with the most occurrences of geographic health disparities were in the access to care domain. Differences in number of disparities reported by country suggest that health policy and decision makers in the US should look to Canada, Norway, and the Netherlands to improve geographic-based health equity.

Exploring the Longitudinal Links Popularity Goals and Adolescent Cyberbullying Perpetration: The Moderating Effects of Gender and Cultural Context

Background/Objectives: This longitudinal study aimed to examine how gender influences the relationship between popularity goals and cyberbullying perpetration among adolescents in China and the United States, controlling for peer-nominated popularity. Additionally, the study sought to identify potential cross-cultural differences in these dynamics. Methods: The research involved 1063 eighth and ninth graders (ages 12–16; 48.7% girls) who completed self-reported surveys in the fall of 2022 (Time 1) regarding cyberbullying behaviors and popularity goals. Peer nominations of popularity were also collected. Follow-up data on cyberbullying perpetration were obtained one year later in the fall of 2023 (Time 2). Results: Popularity goals were found to positively predict cyberbullying perpetration at Time 2 across all participants even after accounting for peer-nominated popularity. In China, this association was more pronounced among boys, whereas in the United States, the relationship was stronger for girls. Conclusions: Although cultural differences in the overall patterns were minimal, gender emerged as a significant moderating factor, revealing distinct cross-cultural variations. These findings underscore the need for culturally tailored approaches in interventions targeting adolescent cyberbullying.

Real-time exposure to negative news media and suicidal ideation intensity among LGBTQ young adults in a high-stigma US state

Abstract Background With a recent surge in anti-LGBTQ policies and associated news/media coverage worldwide, there is a crucial need to study the role of LGBTQ negative news/media on proximal risk for suicide among LGBTQ youth, especially in high-stigma contexts. Methods Using a smartphone-based protocol, participants responded to brief self-report surveys 3x per day for 28 consecutive days. LGBTQ young adults (ages 18-24 years old) residing in Tennessee with recent suicidal ideation were recruited. At each assessment, participants reported real-time exposure to negative news/media, whether the news/media was related to LGBTQ topics, expectations of anti-LGBTQ rejection, and current intensity of passive suicidal ideation, active suicidal ideation, and self-harm ideation. Statistical analyses employed multilevel path analyses with restricted maximum likelihood estimation. Results 31 participants completed 2189 assessments (90.5% median compliance). Within-person effects showed that real-time exposure to LGBTQ - but not general - negative news/media was positively associated with suicidal ideation intensity. Significant indirect effects were present from exposure to LGBTQ negative news/media to higher suicidal ideation intensity through expectations of rejection. Mediation through expectations of rejection accounted for 25% and 39% of the total effect for active and passive suicidal ideation, respectively. Conclusions Findings have important public health implications related to media reporting, policy, and clinical intervention. Interventions targeting media organizations should promote responsible reporting practices and increase awareness of the potential suicidogenic impact of negative LGBTQ news coverage. This study joins numerous others in documenting the potential mental health harms of policies that restrict LGBTQ visibility and rights. Mental health professionals play a vital role in promoting coping in the face of exposure to LGBTQ negative news/media content.

Evaluating suicide prevention gatekeeper training designed to identify and support people from asylum-seeking and refugee backgrounds

BackgroundSuicide-related behaviours and individual risk factors for suicide differ between ethnicities and demonstrate additional variation based on voluntary and forced migration. People forcibly displaced by violence and conflict, such as those seeking asylum and refugees, are likely to face stressors that can increase suicide risk. Research into evidenced-based suicide prevention strategies among people from asylum-seeking and refugee backgrounds is scarce. However, early, contextually-appropriate, identification and intervention may be a promising way to facilitate support for people in these groups. This research proposes that a contextually-responsive gatekeeper training is an appropriate strategy to increase the identification and support for people from asylum-seeking and refugee backgrounds.MethodsThe present article relates to the statistical findings of a larger mixed-method study used to validate and refine a contextually-responsive gatekeeper training program. The qualitative results of this research will be published separately. The outcome measures – knowledge about suicide in multicultural contexts, attitudes towards suicide and prevention, and self-efficacy to intervene were measured quantitatively, adopting a similar pre- and post-training procedure used in previous training evaluations. Using Generalised Estimating Equations, statistical comparisons were made between three identical self-report surveys completed by participants across three consecutive time points – pre-training, immediately post-training, and three months following training completion – known in this investigation as time-point zero (T0), time-point one (T1), and time-point two (T2). Lastly, during the T2 follow-up, additional open-ended questions were included to understand which areas of training they feel prepared them effectively and how the program could have better prepared them to intervene.ResultsA total of 28 participants took part in the study. Quantitative analysis indicated the program’s capacity to exert a significant favourable and lasting influence on knowledge about suicide and self-efficacy to intervene. In addition, follow-up measurements suggest that the content delivered to participants transferred effectively into real-world suicide prevention behaviours.ConclusionsFindings suggest that tailored suicide prevention training can have a significant influence on knowledge about suicide in multicultural contexts, self-efficacy to intervene in a crisis, and that course content translates effectively into real-world suicide prevention behaviour. Modifying training practices, based on feedback from contextually-experienced attendees, appears to be a pivotal factor in promoting the support of people from asylum-seeking and refugee backgrounds.

Development, Implementation, and Formative Evaluation of a Social Needs Screening Tool.

We aim to develop and formatively evaluate a brief social needs screening tool that adheres to Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH) clinical service standards for sexual and reproductive health (SRH) agencies and is acceptable and feasible for use by staff during a clinical encounter. Through a multi-stage literature and expert review process, we developed an evidence-informed, two-page social needs screening tool, scoring form, and implementation guide. We piloted this tool at three SRH agencies in Massachusetts and recruited staff to provide quantitative and qualitative feedback through post-pilot test self-reported surveys and semi-structured interviews. Participants (n = 13) felt the social needs screening tool was easy to integrate into their clinical workflow and were comfortable using it with patients. All participants reported feeling comfortable administering the tool, scoring it, and referring patients to appropriate resources, if applicable. Most reported they would like to continue using the tool after the pilot implementation period, either with or without modifications. Our multi-stage tool development and formative evaluation process involving literature review, expert review, and pilot-testing in clinical settings enabled our team to create a brief, evidence-informed social needs screening tool that is acceptable to staff and feasible for use during a short clinic visit at SRH agencies in Massachusetts. Staff felt that there is value in using this tool, are comfortable using it, and are able to integrate it into their existing clinical workflows.

Demographic, Clinical, Psychosocial, and Behavioral Predictors of Continuous Glucose Monitor Use in Adults with Type 2 Diabetes.

Continuous glucose monitor (CGM) use is increasing rapidly among people with type 2 diabetes, although little is known about predictors of CGM use beyond clinical and demographic information available in electronic medical records. Behavioral and psychosocial characteristics may also predict CGM use. We examined clinical, psychosocial, and behavioral characteristics that may predict CGM use in adults with type 2 diabetes. This longitudinal observational study comprised a secondary analysis of data collected in a larger trial. Enrollment included HbA1c tests and surveys assessing demographic, clinical, psychosocial, and behavioral characteristics. We queried participants regarding their CGM use during the study on their final self-report surveys, 15months post-enrollment. Participants were 245 community-dwelling adults with type 2 diabetes recruited from primary care. We used logistic regression to predict CGM use during the 15-month trial period from baseline characteristics. Around one-third of participants (37.1%; 91/245) started CGM. Predictors of starting CGM in bivariate models included younger age, higher socioeconomic status, insulin use, higher HbA1c, and more diabetes distress. When including all potential predictors in a single multivariable model, only younger age (aOR = 0.95, p = 0.001), insulin use (aOR = 2.33, p = 0.006), and higher socioeconomic status (aOR = 0.44, p = 0.037) were significant predictors. Despite the association between higher HbA1c and CGM use, neither diabetes self-care behaviors nor diabetes self-efficacy significantly predicted CGM use. Of participants who tried a CGM, 14.3% (13/91) had stopped, with cost being the most-cited reason. Even when including behavioral and psychological characteristics, younger age, using insulin, and higher socioeconomic status remain key predictors of CGM use. These findings emphasize the importance of access and affordability for people who may benefit from CGM. Providers should not bias their introduction of CGM towards those with (perceived or actual) optimal or sub-optimal self-care behaviors.

Evaluating a WeChat-Based Intervention to Enhance Influenza Vaccination Knowledge, Attitude, and Behavior Among Chinese University Students Residing in the United Kingdom: Controlled, Quasi-Experimental, Mixed Methods Study.

University students, who often live in close quarters and engage in frequent social interaction, face a heightened risk of influenza morbidity. Still, vaccination rates among this group, particularly Chinese students, remain consistently low due to limited awareness and insufficient access to vaccinations. This study examines the effectiveness of a cocreated WeChat-based intervention that targets mainland Chinese university students in the United Kingdom, aiming to improve their knowledge, attitude, and behavior (KAB) toward seasonal influenza vaccination. A quasi-experimental mixed methods design was used, incorporating an intervention and comparison group, with baseline and follow-up self-reported surveys. The study was conducted from December 19, 2022, to January 16, 2023. The primary outcome is the KAB score, which was measured before and after the intervention phases. System-recorded data and user feedback were included in the analysis as secondary outcomes. A series of hypothesis testing methods were applied to test the primary outcomes, and path analysis was used to explore the relationships. Our study included 596 students, of which 303 (50.8%) were in the intervention group and 293 (49.2%) were in the control group. The intervention group showed significant improvements in knowledge, attitude, and intended behavior scores over time, whereas the control group had only a slight increase in intended behavior scores. When comparing changes between the 2 groups, the intervention group displayed significant differences in knowledge and attitude scores compared to the control group, while intended behavior scores did not significantly differ. After the intervention, the actual vaccination rate was slightly higher in the intervention group (63/303, 20.8%) compared to the control group (54/293, 18.4%). Path analysis found that the intervention had a significant direct impact on knowledge but not on attitudes; knowledge strongly influenced attitudes, and both knowledge and attitudes significantly influenced intended behavior; and there was a strong correlation between intended and actual behavior. In the intervention group, participants expressed a high level of satisfaction and positive review of the content and its use. This study demonstrates how a WeChat intervention effectively improves KAB related to seasonal influenza vaccination among Chinese students, highlighting the potential of social media interventions to drive vaccination behavior change. It contributes to the broader research on digital health intervention effectiveness and lays the groundwork for tailoring similar interventions to different health contexts and populations.

Resilience and coping styles in family caregivers of terminally ill patients: A cross-sectional survey.

Coping styles can be improved by dyadic palliative care interventions and may alleviate patients' and family caregivers' distress. Moreover, family caregivers' preloss resilience protects against depression after bereavement. This study aimed to determine the types of coping styles can be encouraged to increase resilience. A self-reported questionnaire survey was administered to family caregivers at the 4 palliative care units, and their resilience was assessed using the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC) and their coping styles were assessed using the Brief Coping Orientation to Problem Experienced, as well as their background characteristics. Among 291 caregivers with a mean CD-RISC score of 56.2 (standard deviation: 16.13), internal locus of control, educational level, and history of psychotropic drug use were associated with resilience. After adjusting for the aforementioned factors, more frequent use of positive coping styles such as active coping (Spearman's ρ = 0.29), acceptance (ρ = 0.29), positive reframing (ρ = 0.29), planning (ρ = 0.24), and humor (ρ = 0.18), was found to be associated with higher resilience. On the contrary, more frequent use of negative coping styles such as behavioral disengagement (ρ = -0.38), self-blame (ρ = -0.27), and denial (ρ = -0.14) was found to be associated with less resilience. By assessing internal locus of control, educational level, and history of psychotropic medication use of family caregivers, as factors associated with their respective resilience, may help identify less resilient family caregivers who are at risk for developing major depression after bereavement. In addition, coping skill-based educational interventions targeting patients and their family caregivers that focus on specific coping styles associated with resilience may increase family caregivers' resilience, resulting in less emotional distress and a lower risk of major depression after bereavement.

Hand-Washing Habits in a Sample of Spanish Soft Contact Lens Wearers

Contact lens (CL) wear is a safe method for the correction of refractive errors. However, rare, severe ocular complications may occur which may lead to visual loss. As most of these complications are related to poor patient compliance with care and maintenance instructions, resulting in the contamination of hands, CLs and accessories, it was the purpose of this study to assess hand-washing habits in a sample of Spanish soft CL wearers. Hand hygiene was explored through a self-reported online survey and via an in-office practical demonstration in a subset of those users answering the survey. A total of 198 surveys were analyzed, and 18 CL users participated in the practical demonstration. Overall, hand-washing habits were not adequate, with 35 (17.8%) and 103 (52.2%) participants reporting not always washing their hands prior to CL or storage case manipulation, respectively. While 161 (81.3%) participants dried their hands after washing, 132 of these (82.1%) used non-disposable cloth towels. Participants receiving specific hand-washing information from their practitioners (141, or 71.1%) had better hand hygiene (p < 0.05). During the practical demonstration, 13 (72.2%) participants used water and soap to wash their hands, but only 3 (16.7%) displayed correct hand washing routines. Complete patient education, as well as practical reminders at all follow-up visits, are essential to ensure better hand hygiene in order to reduce the probability of ocular complications and to guarantee safe and satisfactory CL use.

Validity of self-reported number of pregnancies and maternal age at first birth among females attending organized mammographic screening.

Reproductive history conveys information about potential health risks later in adulthood. This study aimed to examine the validity of self-reported number of pregnancies and maternal age at first birth (AFB) among females attending BreastScreen Norway. Participants were identified through the Janus Serum Bank cohort in Norway and were eligible for this cross-sectional validation study if they participated in a health survey issued by BreastScreen Norway between 2006 and 2015. Retrospective self-reported survey information on number of pregnancies and AFB in years was validated against prospectively collected information from the Medical Birth Registry of Norway (MBRN) using the Spearman rank (rs) and intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) with 95% confidence intervals (CI). After exclusions, 51,598 subjects were included in the analysis on number of pregnancies and 46,919 in the analysis on AFB. On average, study subjects were 59-60 years old when completing the health survey and had become first-time mothers roughly 36 years earlier. Survey-based information about number of pregnancies was highly correlated and demonstrated high agreement with the registry data (rs=0.967, 95% CI 0.964-0.969; ICC=0.884, 95% CI 0.882-0.885). Survey-based information about AFB demonstrated even higher correlation and very high agreement with the registry data (rs=0.975, 95% CI 0.973-0.976; ICC=0.974, 95% CI 0.974-0.975). Retrospectively recalled survey-based information about number of pregnancies and AFB was highly accurate when validated against prospectively collected information in the MBRN. These survey-based data are valuable for future epidemiological research, and linkage to the MBRN may not be required when these data are available.

Omicron-COVID-19-Related Knowledge in Parkinson’s Disease Patients and Their Caregivers: A Cross-sectional Study

Introduction The Omicron variant of SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) became the global community’s third major cause of worry. In the current study, we deployed a self-reported survey questionnaire to investigate the degree of comprehension, awareness and perception of the Omicron variant of COVID-19 in patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD) and their respective caregivers (CGs). Materials and Methods Using a standardised questionnaire, we conducted a prospective study on PD patients attending the neurology outpatient department prior to and during the COVID-19 pandemic. The study period was between February and August of 2022. Results A total of 114 CGs and 134 disease-affected patients were evaluated. Approximately 1.8% of the CGs and 4.5% of the patients contracted the Omicron-COVID-19. Over half of the patients (77.6%) were aware of the Omicron variant, and approximately 40.3% of them were aware of its symptoms. After receiving the Covid immunisation, patients (94.02%) reported no change in symptoms. The percentage of patients and CGs who had no symptoms of the viral infection and were not even got tested ever was 95.5% and 98.2%, respectively. Further, patients (95.5%) opted for the ‘offline’ as a preferred mode of consultation, citing the precision of treatment being the main reason. Conclusion No definite correlation between the Omicron variant infection and symptoms of PD could be established. The awareness regarding Omicron variant was largely unknown. More patient-centred research on larger population groups, incorporating literate and urban groups would unravel the knowledge gaps.

The basic income for care leavers in Wales pilot evaluation: Protocol of a quasi-experimental evaluation.

This study will evaluate the Basic Income for Care Leavers in Wales pilot (BIP), which is the most generous basic income scheme in the world. A cohort of care-experienced young people who become aged 18 during a 12-month enrolment period (July 2022-June 2023) are receiving £1,600 (before tax) per month for two years, and the Welsh Government intends this to have a range of benefits. This evaluation will examine the impact of BIP, the implementation of the pilot and how it is experienced, and its value for money. The study is a theory-based quasi-experimental evaluation, and the design and methods are informed by ongoing co-production with care-experienced young people. We will estimate the impact of BIP on participants using self-reported survey data and routinely collected administrative data. This will include outcomes across a range of domains, including psychological wellbeing, physical and mental health, financial impact, education, training and volunteering. Comparisons between temporal (Welsh) and geographical (English, using administrative data) controls will be done using coarsened exact matching and difference in differences analysis. The process evaluation will examine how BIP is implemented and experienced, primarily through monitoring data (quantitative) and interview, observational, and focus group data (qualitative). The economic evaluation will take a public sector and a societal perspective to identify, measure and value the costs and outcomes of BIP, and to synthesise the evidence to inform a social cost-benefit analysis at 24 months post-intervention. BIP is unusual in that it targets a wide range of outcomes and is available to an entire national cohort of participants. The evaluation also has several practical constraints. Therefore, the study will use a range of methods and triangulate between different analyses to assess how successful it is. Findings will inform policy in relation to care leavers, social security and basic income studies worldwide.

Promotion of Knowledge and Trust Surrounding Scarce Resource Allocation Policies

The COVID-19 pandemic prompted rapid development of scarce resource allocation policies (SRAPs) in case demand for critical health services eclipsed capacity. To test whether a brief educational video could improve knowledge of how the University of California Health's SRAP would be implemented and trust in health systems to implement such policies in accordance with ethical principles during the pandemic. This randomized clinical trial used an educational video intervention embedded in a longitudinal web-based survey and was conducted between May and December 2020 and analyzed during March 2024. A total of 1971 adult participants were enrolled, of whom 939 completed follow-up; participants with matched baseline and follow-up responses were analyzed. California residents were randomized to view the intervention (n = 345) or not (n = 353) and stratified by age, sex, education, racial identity, and self-reported health care worker status. Non-California residents were allocated to the control group (n = 241). A brief (6-minute) "explainer" video that provided an overview of mechanics and ethical principles underpinning the University of California Health SRAP, subtitled in 6 languages. Self-reported survey assessment of knowledge of components of SRAP, graded as correct vs incorrect, and trust graded on a 10-point Likert scale. Anxiety about such policies was graded on a 10-point Likert scale with an a priori noninferiority margin of half of a standard deviation. Participants answered items at baseline and follow-up (approximately 10 weeks after baseline), with randomization occurring between administrations. Of 770 randomized participants with responses at both points, 566 (73.5%) were female, and the median (IQR) age was 43.5 (36-57) years. Intervention participants demonstrated improvement of 5.6 (95% CI, 4.8-6.4; P < .001) more correct knowledge items of 20 vs controls, as well as significant improvements in reported trust in fairness/consistency and honesty/transparency about SRAP implementation. There was no significant change in reported anxiety surrounding SRAP in either treatment or control groups. The trial found that a brief educational video is sufficient to explain complex ethical tenets and mechanics of SRAP and improved knowledge of such policies and trust in health systems to implement them equitably while not exacerbating anxiety about potential policy implications. This informs practice by providing a framework for educating people about the use of these policies during future situations necessitating crisis standards of care. ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04373135.