Sociodemographic Background Research Articles

Sociodemographic Factors and Implant Consideration by Patients Attending Removable Prosthodontics Clinics.

Objective This study is aimed at investigating the treatment options offered to and chosen by patients attending a student prosthodontics clinic and to investigate the effect of the sociodemographic background of participants on implant consideration. Material and Methods. A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted on 200 participants including their socioeconomic background, treatment options presented, treatment preferences, and implant consideration. Bivariate tests (unpaired t-test, chi-square, and Mann–Whitney test) and Spearman correlation were used for comparison of different socioeconomic groups according to treatment preferences (implant consideration versus conventional removable prosthesis). Results Treatment options presented by dental students include 63.5% complete denture, 32% implants/removable dentures, and partial denture 4.5%. Conventional removable prostheses were mostly chosen due to low income. Implants were only considered by 26% of participants. Age and implant consideration had a significant negative correlation. No significant difference in gender and residency area on implant consideration was found. The chi-square test showed a significant difference between implant consideration and conventional removable prostheses in the various occupation groups. Conclusions Low income is the main factor prohibiting patients from considering dental implants. Age and educational level may play a considerable role in considering dental implants. There should be more emphasis on dental students' treatment planning education to include and explain dental implants as a treatment option for their patients in the prosthodontics clinic.

How are various aspects of personal stigma related to secrecy about mental health problems among people diagnosed with psychotic disorders? A cross-sectional analysis.

Service users commonly keep their mental illness secret in order to avoid rejection. However, this stigma-coping orientation is not necessarily effective and may lead to a number of negative psychological consequences. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the roles of various aspects of personal stigma in predicting secrecy about mental health problems among persons with psychosis. A sample of 147 individuals diagnosed with psychotic disorders was recruited for the study. They were administered a set of questionnaires to gather data about sociodemographic and illness-related background characteristics, levels of social functioning, depressive symptoms, and overall psychopathology, elements of personal stigma (i.e., perceived stigma, experienced discrimination, self-stigma, and stigma-related stress), as well as the endorsement of secrecy as a way of coping with stigma. Hierarchical linear regression was utilized for data analysis. Personal stigma measures were entered into the regression equation as a block and explained as much as 29% of variance in the dependent variable over and above sociodemographic and clinical features. After accounting for all controls, higher perceived stigma (β = 0.47, p < .01) and higher stigma stress (β = 0.19, p < .05) were found to be independent predictors of secrecy, whereas experienced discrimination and self-stigma were not. Perceived stigma and stigma stress appraisal should be considered as targets of interventions aiming to reduce the shame and fear of rejection associated with mental illness and to guide and support people's everyday decisions about coming out. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved).

Patterns of human behaviour in public urban green spaces: On the influence of users' profiles, surrounding environment, and space design

Public urban green spaces (PUGS) play a vital role in the dense urban fabric as places of Nature-Society contact and socialization. Despite some advances in the field, the relationship between the PUGS surroundings and their users' behaviours remains unclear. This study examined the patterns of human behaviour in four PUGS of the city of Porto, on the north Portuguese coast, where the behavioural mapping method was applied. Observational data regarding 979 PUGS users' socio-demographics and behaviours were recorded on a base map and a grid between August and November 2020. The use patterns during different times of the day were disaggregated across behaviours and users' profiles, and their relationship with the surroundings and design elements was assessed with ANOVA, Chi-Square test, and Pearson correlation. The findings presented may pave the way for future studies and inform the urban planning and design of the effectiveness of new interventions, namely providing more accurate aligning between the greenspace design language with users' needs. Furthermore, this study highlights the importance of considering the sociodemographic background of PUGS users and the surroundings to guide designers and planners.

The structure and correlates of the 20-item Maternal-Fetal Attachment Scale in a population-based sample of Hungarian expectant women

ObjectiveThis study aimed at analysing the structure and reliability of the modified, 20-item Hungarian version of the Maternal-Fetal Attachment Scale (MFAS-HU-20), and to investigate its associations with certain demographic, pregnancy-related and psychosocial characteristics. DesignA socio-demographically diverse sample of Hungarian women completed interviews in middle or late pregnancy, as part of the countrywide Cohort ’18 Growing Up in Hungary study. SettingData collection was carried out by local health visitors either at the family home or at the health visitor's office. ParticipantsIn total, 7,315 pregnant women were included in the study; they were aged between 13 and 49, and had a mean gestational age of 30 weeks. MeasurementsIn addition to the MFAS-HU-20, other paper-and-pencil scales were applied to measure perceived social support, partnership interactions, depressive and generalized anxiety symptoms, and pregnancy-related anxiety. Socio-demographic and pregnancy-related data were collected through personal interviews. FindingsExploratory and confirmatory factor analyses supported an oblique two-factor model, consisting of factors that were renamed ‘Attunement’ and ‘Interaction’. Cronbach's alphas for these two subscales confirmed their adequate internal consistency. The age of the expectant women, their partnership status, level of education, equivalized household income and parity all had a small effect on their bonding, while gestational age and multiple pregnancy had no meaningful impact on prenatal attachment in the present study. The psychosocial characteristics of the pregnant women were weakly associated with their attachment to the fetus, regardless of the mother's level of education. ConclusionsThis study suggests a two-factor structure of maternal-fetal attachment that reflects the distinction between the mental and behavioural aspects of this relationship. Socio-demographic background and psychosocial characteristics have a small impact on women's attachment to their fetus. Implications for practiceThe MFAS-HU-20 seems to be a reliable and valid scale that could be utilized in prenatal research and pregnancy care. Its correlates highlight the importance of interventions aimed at providing social support for pregnant women.

Children's health insurance coverage and adequacy from 2016 to 2018: Racial/ethnic disparities under the ACA.

Background:This study advances health disparities research by documenting the racial/ethnic disparities in children’s health insurance coverage and health insurance adequacy under the implementation and revisions of the Affordable Care Act between 2016 and 2018 in America.Design and methods:Combining the nation-wide repeated cross-sectional data from 2016 to 2018 Children’s Health National Survey (NSCH), we examined the changes and trends of health insurance coverage and health insurance adequacy among children age 0–17 across different racial/ethnic groups from 2016 to 2018. Multivariate logistic regression models stratified by race-ethnicity were further analyzed to examine the association between children’s health insurance adequacy, their health insurance coverage, and their socio-demographic background factors.Results:Our analyses indicate that generally children’s enrollment in Medicaid or other government aided health care programs had been increasing whereas children’s enrollment in the employer-based had been decreasing from 2016 to 2018. At the same time, the number of children who said that they always had adequate health insurance to meet their health care needs has slightly dropped from 2016 to 2018, except for AIAN children. Our analyses further revealed that the risk of inadequate health insurance appears to be stronger for children in disadvantaged situation, socially and economically.Conclusions:The ACA has contributed to expanding childhood health insurance coverage. But racial/ethnic disparities continue to exist in children’s health insurance coverage and health insurance adequacy. To achieve equity in childhood health care, more outreach and appropriate programs are needed for children who are socially and economically disadvantaged.

Coping Mechanisms as a Predictor of Fear of COVID-19 and Quality of Life: A Malaysian Nationwide Survey

Objective: The COVID-19 is a major health crisis that has changed the life of millions globally. The purpose of this study was to assess the coping mechanism among the general population of Malaysia as well as its possible correlates such as Fear of COVID-19, quality of life (QOL) and associated sociodemographic background. Methods: This is an online cross-sectional study involving a total of 4904 adults across Malaysia from June to December 2021. Brief Coping Orientation to Problems Experienced was used to measure coping mechanisms, while the level of fear toward COVID-19 was assessed by fear of COVID-19 scale. QOL was measured by WHOQOL-BREF. Results: Sociodemographic data shows that 59.1% of Malaysians report an overall reduced QOL during the COVID-19 pandemic. 32% of respondents were unemployed during the pandemic and 18% of respondents were working from home. 71% of respondents had at least one or more encounter with COVID-19. We find that problem focused coping mechanism may be effective in face of COVID-19, both, in reducing overall fear toward COVID-19 and improving QOL, while emotional and avoidance coping mechanism has a negative correlation. Other socioeconomic factors such as age, gender, levels of education, income, and employment have a significant positive correlation with QOL and a negative correlation with Fear of COVID-19. Another factor which affects QOL is work from home which has a negative correlation. Conclusion: Based on study findings, problem based coping mechanism is beneficial to reduce Fear of COVID-19 and improve QOL.

Depression among the elderly people

Depression is a common but neglected psychological disorder among elderlies which have the potential of worsening the general health condition, thus is a considerable public health problem. The present study attempted to evaluate the status of depression among the elderlies in regard with socio-demographic background and the co-morbid conditions. With a cross sectional study design, this study was conducted in one of the area in Dhaka city during the period of January to December, 2019, among 175 elderly people aged e”60 years using convenient sampling technique. Depression among the respondents was evaluated with Bangla version of Geriatric Depression Scale-Short Form (GDS-SF Bangla version). Data regarding socio-demographic background and their co-morbidities had been collected. The results showed that, respondents with no depression was 46.9% where mild, moderate and severe level of depression was found in 26.9%, 12.6% and 13.7% of the respondents respectively. Being female and not having spouse found to make the elderlies more vulnerable to be suffering from depression (p&lt;0.05). On the other hand, hypertension, stroke, arthritis and hearing problems found to be significantly high among the respondents with depression (p&lt;0.05). More than half of the elderlies under this study were prevalent with depression which was an alarming finding demanding for more researches in this regard in our country. Bang J Psychiatry 2022;36(1):6-10

Social and satisfied? Social uses of mobile phone and subjective wellbeing in later life

The current study examined the associations between socio-demographic background and engagement in social uses of mobile phone, and between the engagement in these uses and life satisfaction and health satisfaction in later life through the lens of digital divide and uses and gratifications theories. The data, collected from the retired Internet users (62 and older) residing in seven countries (N = 5713), were analyzed using logistic and linear regression models. The results show that education and age predicted the engagement in social uses in the most consistent way. A number of social uses positively related to both life and health satisfaction. Of the particular uses, e-mailing and instant messaging were positively associated with life and health satisfaction. The results imply that socio-demographic background predicts the engagement in social uses of mobile phone in later life, that the engagement in such uses plays an overall significant role in wellbeing in later life, and that some particular uses play a greater role than others in this regard.

VISITOR’S INTENTIONS TO RE-VISIT RECONSTRUCTED PUBLIC PLACE IN JAKARTA TOURISM HERITAGE RIVERFRONT

This research elucidates the influence of the several elements of the heritage public place on the visitors’ intention to revisit and recommend. The study was derived along the reconstructed riverside tourism area of heritage Kali Besar Corridor, Kota Tua, Jakarta, Indonesia. Without sufficient efforts in maintenance, the heritage area will more likely deteriorate. Many stakeholders were trying to solve those problems by preserving the heritage buildings and reactivating public spaces. Responding to the phenomenon, the research aims to understand the current visitors’ satisfaction on several attributes that available based on the specificity of the heritage public space; including physical elements, accessibility, experiences, pull factors, and socio-demographic background; in enhancing satisfaction and intention to revisit the place. The research uses primary observation, questionnaire, and desk study for data collection and qualitative data analysis. Ordinal regression analysis (OLR) is employed to identify the most applicable factors in influencing visitors to revisit and recommend the public place. As a result, the visual, ambiance, and spaciousness of the place are regarded as the main important attraction in the heritage outdoor area, especially for the young adult visitors in the internet era. Moreover, tangible pull factors also play the important role in attracting visitors.

Investigation into the correlation between humanistic care ability and emotional intelligence of hospital staff

BackgroundThere are different degrees of flaws in the knowledge structure of humanistic medicine of medical staff. The level of emotional intelligence of medical staff affects their career development as well as their relationship with patients. Currently, the research on humanistic care ability (HCA) and emotional intelligence of medical staff in China and other countries is rare. This study aimed to investigate the correlation between the level of HCA and level of emotional intelligence of the whole hospital staff.MethodsThe questionnaire survey employed contained self-designed questions on the hospital staff members’ socio-demographic background, Caring Ability Inventory, and Wong and Law Emotional Intelligence Scale. The survey was conducted with the staff of West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University in April 2020.ResultsThe hospital staff’s average CAI score was 197.77 ± 20.30, and their average WLEIS score was 84.21 ± 13.48. The CAI and WLEIS scores of the hospital staff who chose their college majors on their own interests were higher than those who chose their majors for other reasons (employability, suggestions from family or others, etc.). The CAI and WLEIS scores of the hospital staff who had received more comprehensive and in-depth humanistic care training were higher than those who did not. The CAI score of the hospital staff who had participated in volunteer service activities was higher than those who did not. The WLEIS score of the Pediatrics Department staff was higher than that of the Outpatient and Emergency Department staff, and the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05). The scores of emotional intelligence, self-emotion assessment and expression, self-emotion management, self-emotion utilization, emotion recognition of others, and HCA of the hospital staff were positively correlated (P < 0.001).ConclusionThere were different levels of development of internal factors of emotional intelligence among the hospital staff, and their humanistic care ability was at a low level. Emotional intelligence was positively correlated to humanistic care ability. The findings suggest in-service training and education by healthcare institutions to enhance healthcare staff’s emotional intelligence for promoting the general health of the population.

Abstract CT164: A culturally adapted decision support navigation trial to increase colorectal cancer screening among Chinese and Korean American primary care patients

Abstract Background: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the second most common cancer among Asian Americans. However, cancer screening rates among Chinese- and Korean Americans are lower than other racial/ethnic groups in the United States. To address this disparity, we tested the effectiveness of a culturally adapted decision support navigation trial. Methods: The STOP CRC (Screening TO Prevent CRC) program, a cluster randomized controlled trial, recruited 24 Chinese and Korean primary care physicians (PCP) from Maryland and northern Virginia. Then, 400 Chinese and Korean Americans were recruited through the PCPs’ clinics. Participants randomized to a decision support navigation intervention group (n=200) received an informational booklet, instructions to access colonoscopy screening, and a free fecal immunochemical test (FIT) kit at baseline. A bilingual patient navigator also guided them through an exercise to facilitate screening test choices. Six months after enrollment, participants randomized to the control group (n=200) received the informational booklet, colonoscopy instructions, and a FIT kit. Participants selected a method of CRC screening between the FIT or colonoscopy. Screening (completion of FIT or colonoscopy) was measured at 6 and 12 months after enrollment by medical record review and self-report. Generalized estimating equations (GEE) models with an exchangeable working correlation matrix to account for clustering effects at the PCP level were employed to examine intervention effects on CRC screening outcomes. Results: Intervention and control participants were comparable on socio-demographic background and access to healthcare at baseline. The mean age of participants was 58 years, and 53% of participants were female. The majority of participants (85%) were married, 34% had less than or equal to high school education, 32% had annual household income less than $40,000, and 21% did not have health insurance. At 6 months, screening adherence in the intervention group was (91%) predominantly greater than in the control group (8%) (Prevalence Ratio: 11.31, 95% confidence interval: 6.95-18.43). At 12 months, although the gap between the two groups was reduced, the screening adherence in the intervention group was (93%) still substantially higher than in the control group (63%) (Prevalence Ratio: 1.51, 95% confidence interval: 1.37-1.66). Conclusions: The STOP CRC program, a culturally and linguistically adapted decision support navigation intervention, is effective in increasing CRC screening among Chinese and Korean American primary care patients who are not up-to-date with the screening. This program can potentially be adapted and implemented for other Asian Americans who are not up-to-date with the CRC screening in the U.S. Citation Format: Sunmin Lee, Soomin Ryu, Carissa Kwan, Ronald E. Myers, Yuxi Shi, Luohua Jiang, Brittany N. Morey. A culturally adapted decision support navigation trial to increase colorectal cancer screening among Chinese and Korean American primary care patients [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2022; 2022 Apr 8-13. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2022;82(12_Suppl):Abstract nr CT164.

Oral health status and its associated factors among post-stroke inpatients: a cross-sectional study in Hungary

BackgroundPost-stroke inpatients are at risk of poor oral health for a number of reasons. The aim of this study was to assess the oral health status of post-stroke patients and also to explore the factors that may influence it.MethodsThis cross-sectional study was organised at National Institute for Medical Rehabilitation in Hungary. Altogether 410 post-stroke patients were enrolled in the survey. Personal medical history and functional assessment was obtained from the final medical reports of the patients. The clinical examination and data collection were conducted according to the World Health Organization (2013) criteria. Socio-demographic background and behaviours related to oral health were assessed using a questionnaire. The dental status was explained by the number of Decayed, Missing and Filled Teeth (DMFT). The association of socio-demographic factors, stroke and functional assessment with oral health status and behaviour was evaluated. Chi-square test, Fisher’s exact test, Welch test, Mann–Whitney U test, Kruskal–Wallis test, ANOVA model and correlation analysis were used to analyse our data. The level of significance was set at p < 0.05.ResultsMean age of stroke patients was 59.21(Standard Deviation [SD] 14.74) years. Mean DMFT score was 20.13 (8.08), including 3.28 (4.24) decayed teeth, 15.02 (10.29) missing teeth and 1.83 (2.94) filled teeth score. Factors that influenced the oral health status were gender, age, occupational status, level of education, type and risk factors for stroke. Significant correlation was found between the Functional Independence Measure and oral health-related behaviours with patients brushing their teeth once a month showing the lowest value.ConclusionAccording to the results, low socio-demographic and economic status, low level of education and the Functional Independence Measure score, unemployment, the combination of risk factors for stroke and residual dysfunctions are associated with poor oral health status. The data indicate that a series of changes are needed, for special attention and care in oral health for patients who have had a stroke. Based on the findings of this research, a new model of prevention and care can be developed, with an interdisciplinary collaboration, to promote the quality of life of these individuals.

Psychological Well-Being of Australian Actors and Performing Artists: Life Satisfaction and Negative Affect.

Anecdotal evidence and media reports suggest that actors and other performing artists experience high levels of depression, anxiety, and stress. However, no empirical study has examined the psychological well-being of this professional group. The Australian Actors' Wellbeing Study (AWS) was conducted to examine the general wellbeing of Australian actors and performing artists. The present paper, reporting on data from the AWS, focuses on two aspects of respondents' psychological well-being: life satisfaction and the experience of negative affect. An online survey including several questionnaires was distributed to the Equity Foundation membership representing Australian actors. We report results from the Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS) and the Depression Anxiety Stress Scales (DASS) and examine their associations with respondents' sociodemographic and occupational background, including their relationship status and any relationship stress, income from performing, and time taken away from performing. A sample of 782 Australian actors responded to the survey, with 582 participants completing the DASS and 568 the SWLS. Participants reported lower levels of life satisfaction and higher levels of depression, anxiety, and stress than found in the Australian general population. Being in a relationship was associated with better psychological well-being; however, work stress often impacted negatively on relationships. Income had little association with psychological well-being, unless the respondent felt under financial stress. Respondents who took extended periods of time away from performing reported less life satisfaction and more depression than others. Australian actors may be at a high risk for poor psychological health. Further research is necessary to establish causality among the variables we examined and to investigate protective factors that may increase well-being in the context of the performing arts industry.

How sensitive are the evaluations of a school’s effectiveness to the selection of covariates in the applied value-added model?

There is no final consensus regarding which covariates should be used (in addition to prior achievement) when estimating value-added (VA) scores to evaluate a school’s effectiveness. Therefore, we examined the sensitivity of evaluations of schools’ effectiveness in math and language achievement to covariate selection in the applied VA model. Four covariate sets were systematically combined, including prior achievement from the same or different domain, sociodemographic and sociocultural background characteristics, and domain-specific achievement motivation. School VA scores were estimated using longitudinal data from the Luxembourg School Monitoring Programme with some 3600 students attending 153 primary schools in Grades 1 and 3. VA scores varied considerably, despite high correlations between VA scores based on the different sets of covariates (.66 < r < 1.00). The explained variance and consistency of school VA scores substantially improved when including prior math and prior language achievement in VA models for math and prior language achievement with sociodemographic and sociocultural background characteristics in VA models for language. These findings suggest that prior achievement in the same subject, the most commonly used covariate to date, may be insufficient to control for between-school differences in student intake when estimating school VA scores. We thus recommend using VA models with caution and applying VA scores for informative purposes rather than as a mean to base accountability decisions upon.

Diagnosing Human Fascioliasis Using ELISA Immunoassays at a Tertiary Referral Hospital in Hanoi: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Infections with the zoonotic liver flukes Fasciola gigantica and Fasciola hepatica may result in severe disease in humans. In Vietnam, an emergence of fascioliasis cases has been observed from the late 1990s onwards. Various diagnostic tools are used in the country, but the agreement between these tools has not been critically evaluated. We aimed to describe the clinical presentation and diagnostic outcomes in fascioliasis patients in Vietnam. A retrospective, cross-sectional study was conducted on the medical records of a group of 145 patients diagnosed with fascioliasis at a tertiary referral hospital in Hanoi. Based on the review, sociodemographic background and clinical presentation were recorded. These patients all received standard routine serologic tests, including internal antibody (Ab)-ELISA, an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and commercial coproantigen (cAg)-ELISA. The majority of cases were between 30 and 59 years old (68.3%), and about half of them were male (51.0%). Upper quadrant and epigastric pain were the most commonly reported symptoms (61.4% and 35.2%, respectively). All but one patient had liver lesions upon ultrasound examination (99.3%), and eosinophilia was present in most of the patients (89.7%). A high number of patients were positive in the in-house and the commercial Ab-ELISA (95.9% and 87.4%, respectively), yet only a slight agreement was observed between the two tests (kappa coefficient, 0.06). A further 47.4% of cases were positive for the commercial cAg-ELISA, whereas stool microscopy indicated the presence of Fasciola spp. eggs in 25.7% of patients. The current study emphasizes the challenges related to the diagnosis of human fascioliasis in Vietnam.

Effects of sociodemographic background on fertility motivation patterns in the Beni-Suef governorate, Upper Egypt

ObjectivesA comprehensive assessment of childbearing motivations in the governorate of Beni-Suef was conducted to better understand fertility patterns, and to develop appropriate familial policies and programs to reduce fertility rates and address the problem of overpopulation in Upper Egypt. Subjects and methodsA cross-sectional study was conducted from May 2019 to May 2021. A total of 1085 married women who attended any health care service in rural or urban primary health care facilities in the Beni-Suef governorate were included in the study. ResultsThe results revealed that 42.1% of participants had a positive desire for childbearing, and 45% of participants had a negative desire for childbearing; the rest of the participants (12.9%) had undecided motivations. The most prevalent positive motive for childbearing was a love of children (40.8%), whereas the most prevalent negative motive for childbearing was economic circumstances (44.7%). A statistically significant difference was observed in fertility motivations among the studied women, depending on age, education, husband's education, age at marriage, marriage duration, number of living siblings, monthly income, occupation, gravidity, parity, and chronic diseases (p = 0.001). ConclusionA great need exists to involve young couples who have not yet attained their desired family size and who do not use family planning methods, in fertility regulation interventions.

Knowledge, Attitude and Practice of Exclusive Breastfeeding among Primipara at Baby Friendly Hospital (BFHI)

The reduction in exclusive breastfeeding rates around the world is a cause of great concern. Implementing a baby-friendly hospital initiative programme, on the other hand, could support in the promotion and maintenance of breastfeeding. This study aimed to determine the level of knowledge, attitude, and practice of exclusive breastfeeding among primipara mothers who delivered their child at a baby friendly hospital (BFHI). A cross-sectional research design was conducted involving 74 participants at BFHI in Pahang between January to February 2021. A set of self-administered questionnaire consists of sociodemographic background, knowledge, attitude and expressed breast milk within 24 hours of delivery were distributed to participants. Most of the participants are knowledgeable about exclusive breastfeeding and had a positive attitude toward breastfeeding practice. The participants were encouraged to initiate early breastfeeding to their newborn as soon as possible after birth and continue exclusively upon discharge. With a p-value of 0.028 (p0.05) and a r value of 0.256, there is a significant link between knowledge and exclusive breastfeeding. There is also a link between exclusive breastfeeding attitude and exclusive breastfeeding behavior among participants, with a p-value of 0.036 (p0.05). In conclusion, this study indicated the impact of breastfeeding education provided to pregnant women during antenatal on increasing the rate of exclusive breastfeeding practice in Malaysia.

Prevalence and Causes of Avoidable Blindness in Subjects Over 50 Years of Age in Honduras.

PurposeTo describe the prevalence and causes of avoidable blindness in people aged 50 and over in the areas of influence of doctors in social service during the years 2018–2019.Methods This observational, descriptive, cross-sectional study, with analysis of association of variables, was conducted on patients 50 years and older at the national level, selected under simple random sampling, where sociodemographic variables, background, and clinical characteristics were studied. An ophthalmological clinical examination was performed with prior informed consent, and the information was processed and analyzed using Epi Info 7.2 statistical package and SPSS version 25.ResultsOverall, 7992 people were evaluated, with a mean age of 62 years; 60.8% (4861) were women and 39.2% (3131) were men. The prevalence of blindness for both eyes was 4.5% (356/7992, 95% CI: 4.1–5.1%, p 0.001). The prevalence of severe and moderate visual impairment was 1.5% (118/127) and 12.9% (1029)/12.6% (1004) for the right and left eyes, respectively. The main causes of blindness were cataract, refractive error, and glaucoma.ConclusionThe prevalence of avoidable blindness found in the study was higher than expected and the respective causes were consistent with previous studies. Consequently, it is recommended to implement health policies aimed at the prevention and management of avoidable blindness.

Evaluation of two weight stigma scales in Malaysian university students: weight self-stigma questionnaire and perceived weight stigma scale.

This study aimed to examine the psychometric properties of the Weight Self-Stigma Questionnaire (WSSQ) and Perceived Weight Stigma Scale (PWS) among Malaysian university students. University students who were studying in a Malaysia university with a mean age of 24.0years (n = 380; females 71.6%) were recruited through convenience sampling between 19 August and 30 September 2021. They completed a Google Form consisting of information on sociodemographic background, weight stigma, psychological distress and self-reported body weight and height. Psychometric testing was conducted using the classical test theory(including confirmatory factor analysis) and Rasch models to confirm the two-factor structure of WSSQ and the unidimensional structure of the PWS using the various fit indices. Concurrent validity of the total scores of WSSQ and PWS with psychological distress and body mass index (BMI)was also investigated. Internal consistency using Cronbach's alpha was conducted. The confirmatory factor analyses and Rasch analyses verified the two-factor structure for the WSSQ and the single-factor structure for the PWS. Both the WSSQ and PWS showed good internal consistency and good concurrent validity as demonstrated by their significant correlations with psychological distress and BMI. The WSSQ and PWS have strong validity and reliability, and they can both be used to assess weight stigma among Malaysian university students. V: Descriptive study.

Racial Discrimination, Mental Health and Behavioral Health During the COVID-19 Pandemic: a National Survey in the United States.

BackgroundWhile hate crimes rose during the COVID-19 pandemic, few studies examined whether this pandemic-time racial discrimination has led to negative health consequences at the population level.ObjectiveWe examined whether experienced and perceived racial discrimination were associated with mental or behavioral health outcomes during the pandemic.DesignIn October 2020, we conducted a national survey with minorities oversampled that covered respondents’ sociodemographic background and health-related information.ParticipantsA total of 2709 participants responded to the survey (response rate: 4.2%).Main MeasuresThe exposure variables included (1) experienced and encountered racial discrimination, (2) experienced racial and ethnic cyberbullying, and (3) perceived racial bias. Mental health outcomes were measured by psychological distress and self-rated happiness. Measures for behavioral health included sleep quality, change in cigarette smoking, and change in alcohol consumption. Weighted logistic regressions were performed to estimate the associations between the exposure variables and the outcomes, controlling for age, gender, race and ethnicity, educational attainment, household income, eligibility to vote, political party, COVID-19 infection, and geographic region. Separate regressions were performed in the six racial and ethnic subgroups: non-Hispanic White, non-Hispanic Black, Hispanic, East Asian, South Asian, and Southeast Asian respondents.Key ResultsExperienced racial discrimination was associated with higher likelihood of psychological distress (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 2.18, 95% confidence interval [95% CI]: 1.34–3.55). Experienced racial discrimination (AOR = 2.31, 95% CI: 1.34–3.99) and perceived racial bias (AOR = 1.05, 95% CI: 1.00–1.09) were both associated with increased cigarette smoking. The associations between racial discrimination and mental distress and substance use were most salient among Black, East Asian, South Asian, and Hispanic respondents.ConclusionsRacial discrimination may be associated with higher likelihood of distress, and cigarette smoking among racial and ethnic minorities. Addressing racial discrimination is important for mitigating negative mental and behavioral health ramifications of the pandemic.Supplementary InformationThe online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s11606-022-07540-2.