Statistical Package For Social Sciences Research Articles

Vitamin D Fortification in Lebanese Bread: Impact on Sensory Attributes, Consumer Perception and Public Acceptance

BackgroundLebanese bread plays a significant role in the Lebanese diet and presents a promising opportunity for fortification with vitamin D. However, there is currently no evidence of such fortification being implemented. This study was conducted to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions of the Lebanese population toward vitamin D-fortified bread and to evaluate the impact of vitamin D on the sensory characteristics of bread. Materials and MethodsA cross-sectional study was performed on respondents (n=300) who were randomly selected from different age groups and different districts in Lebanon via an online questionnaire from May to June 2022. For the fortification of the bread dough, a premix containing 100,000 IU/ml vitamin D3 (New Bridge Pharmaceuticals) was used. Three different concentrations of vitamin D were used, starting with 1000 IU/50 g, 1250 IU/50 g, and 1500 IU/50 g of bread. The dough samples were baked at 600°C. The samples produced were stored inside nylon bags in a refrigerator. A pilot study was conducted for bread tasting and sample evaluation. Statistical analysis was carried out via the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (version 21.0) for Windows SPSS, Inc. Figures were created using Origin Lab Software. ResultsA total of 300 respondents (188 females, 112 males) answered the questionnaire, with a mean age ranging from 20–30 years. Nearly half of them (48.3%) had either vitamin D insufficiency or deficiency, and their daily vitamin D intake ranged between 0 and 7 µg/day. With respect to knowledge of vitamin D, 88.6% correctly identified sunlight as the main source of vitamin D, and 73% were aware that vitamin D preserves bone health. Half of the respondents (51.75%) had daily sunlight exposure, and 82.6% consumed bread on a daily basis. Those interested in increasing their vitamin D intake constituted 97.6% of the respondents. With respect to their willingness to consume vitamin D-fortified bread, only 39% of the participants reported that they would consume it. A considerable proportion (63.5%) did not know whether fortification with vitamin D can affect bread shelf-life, taste, or texture. For the evaluation of the sensory properties of the bread, the panelists reported that the overall acceptability reached 62.26%. No significant correlation was detected between vitamin D content and bread sensory characteristics (p value >0.05). ConclusionsThe findings of this pioneering study reveal that the concept of fortifying Lebanese bread with vitamin D was positively received by respondents, marking a significant step forward in the use of this staple food as a novel vehicle to increase vitamin D intake in the Lebanese population. As the first study of its kind, it underscores the importance of integrating bread backing with fortification strategies to achieve broader acceptance. Future research should build on this foundation by investigating the impact of fortification on the sensory attributes of bread, as well as conducting detailed physiochemical analyses to determine the retention of vitamin D after baking, fermentation, and storage.

Comparative analysis of treatment protocols and clinical outcomes in the management of acute urticaria and angioedema in the emergency department

Objective: The purpose of the study was to identify clinical differences in patients with acute urticaria and/or angioedema receiving various treatment regimes in the emergency department of Lady Reading Hospital, Peshawar. Particularly, it compared modern antihistamine therapy with corticosteroids as an analogue to routine antihistamines with regard to the rate of symptom improvement, relapse, and hospitalisation. Methods: This was a cross-sectional descriptive study involving 542 patients with acute urticaria and/or angioedema. Patients were categorised into two groups: Group A, receiving a combination of antihistamines and corticosteroids (280); and Group B, receiving only antihistamines (262). Thus, the primary end points considered include time to resolution of symptoms, recurrence within 48 hours, and hospitalisation need. Data was analysed using the statistical package of social sciences (SPSS), while a p-value of < 0.05 formed the basis of significance. Results: The overall improvement time for symptoms was 3.6 hours in Group A and 5.1 hours in Group B (p < 0.001). The rates of recurrence were also lower in Group A (15%) than in Group B (29.8%, p < 0.01). Meanwhile, patients who were in Group A had 10% that needed inpatient admission as an intervention compared to 19.1% in Group B; p < 0.05. Side effects were few and were comparable between the two groups; therefore, patients in both groups had reactions such as drowsiness and gastrointestinal disturbances. Conclusion: Together, antihistamines plus corticosteroids were superior to antihistamines only in the treatment of acute urticarial and angioedema in patients in the emergency department. Patients reported symptoms resolved sooner, the rate of relapse was shorter, and hospitalisation was reduced. Based on this observation, corticosteroids should be considered as part of the usual care of patients presenting with moderate to severe symptoms in the emergency department. Future research should aim at sorting out various recommendations of treatment value for the purpose of achieving even better results of the therapy.

Perceived work-related stress and associated factors among the surgical workforce in a Nigerian tertiary health facility: A cross-sectional study

Healthcare workers continue to experience high levels of work-related stress which continue to negatively affect their psychological, physical, and emotional well-being. This is even more prevalent among healthcare workers who work in surgical specialities, with the surgical operation room becoming a known stressor at hospitals. This study aims to assess work-related stress among surgical team members at Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital in Zaria between January 2021–2022. Data analysis involved descriptive and inferential statistical approaches using the Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) version 23.0. The study found an overall high prevalence of work-related stress, with 65% of participants reporting moderate levels of stress. The majority of the participants have a mean age of 39.4 ± 7.8 years, most of them being physicians (66.3%), being males (59.9%), and identified with a Hausa ethnic tribe. Notably, the multiple regression analysis found that tribe (p = 0.008), professional cadres (p = 0.001) and age/years of experience (p = 0.0035) emerged as significant predictors of work-related stress. Key determinants of work-related stress among surgical team members include workload, complexity of work, and conflicting cognitive job demands that continue to subject professionals to increasing workloads and constant decision-making about their job. Organizational factors, such as job policy and procedure, communication problems, and the nature of facilities, were identified as the highest contributors to work-related stress in organizational, interpersonal, and physical/environmental dimensions. The findings lead to the conclusion that a considerable proportion of surgical team members experience a relatively high level of work-related stress, primarily attributed to workload and cognitive demands. In light of these results, urgent efforts are recommended to improve the working conditions and environment for surgical team members. Furthermore, the integration of stress management measures into the educational programs for the surgical team is emphasized to effectively address and mitigate the impact of work-related stress.

Role of macroscopic on-site evaluation of endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration/biopsy: Results of a multicentric prospective study

BACKGROUND The concept of macroscopic on-site evaluation (MOSE) was introduced in 2015 when the endoscopist observed better diagnostic yield when the macroscopically visible core on MOSE was superior to 4 mm. Recent studies suggest that MOSE by the endoscopist may be an excellent alternative to rapid on-site evaluation, and some classifications have been published. Few studies have assessed the adequacy of histologic cores in MOSE during endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration/biopsy (EUS-FNA/FNB). AIM To evaluate the performance of MOSE during EUS-FNA/FNB. METHODS This multicentric prospective study was conducted in 16 centers in 3 countries (Egypt, Iraq, and Morocco) and included 1108 patients with pancreatic, biliary, or gastrointestinal pathology who were referred for EUS examination. We prospectively analyzed the MOSE in 1008 patients with available histopathological reports according to 2 classifications to determine the adequacy of the histological core samples. Data management and analysis were performed using a Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 27. RESULTS A total of 1074 solid lesions were biopsied in 1008 patients with available cytopathological reports. Mean age was 59 years, and 509 patients (50.5%) were male. The mean lesion size was 38 mm. The most frequently utilized needles were FNB-Franseen (74.5%) and 22 G (93.4%), with a median of 2 passes. According to 2 classifications, 618 non-bloody cores (61.3%) and 964 good samples (95.6%) were adequate for histological evaluation. The overall diagnostic yield of cytopathology was 95.5%. The cytological examination confirmed the diagnosis of malignancy in 861 patients (85.4%), while 45 samples (4.5%) were inconclusive. Post-procedural adverse events occurred in 33 patients (3.3%). Statistical analysis showed a difference between needle types (P = 0.035) with a high sensitivity of FNB (97%). The analysis of the relationship between the MOSE-score and the final diagnosis showed a significant difference between the different scores of the MOSE (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION MOSE is a simple method that allows endoscopists to increase needle passes to improve sample quality. There is significantly higher FNB sensitivity and cytopathology diagnostic yield with good MOSE cores.

Factors associated with High Viral Loads among HIV Patients Under ARV at Gitwe District Hospital

Background: High viral load is a condition of rapid multiplication in blood stream. The high viral load among HIV patients under ARV may also occur due to the rapid multiplication of virus leading to compromise immune system of living organism up to death. The vast majority of people living with HIV virus face with persistent of high viral load while were under treatments (ARV). Aim: The aim of the study was to evaluate and assess the factors associated with high viral load among HIV patients under ARV at Gitwe District Hospital. Methodology: The retrospective study was conducted to assess high viral load of HIV patients under ARV. The only significance factor for viral load were adherence with (p=0.000173) and ages with (p=0.00023). Results and conclusion: A large of number of PLWH were highly VL tested, and 95 subjects were recorded for study. Among 95 subjects, 54.73% were female and 45.26% male. All data were analyzed using statistical package for social science (SPSS) version 20. The results have showed provider’s advices and ART use, adherence counselling. Keywords: High viral load, HIV, Antiretroviral therapy, Gitwe District Hospital.

Investigating the Correlations between Physical Parameters of Elliptical and Lenticular Galaxies

This study aims to investigate the features of stellar-gaseous kinematics and dynamics mass using scaling coefficient relationships (such as the Faber–Jackson relation (FJR)) of two samples of elliptical and lenticular galaxies. These two samples of 80 ellipticals and 97 lenticulars were selected from previous literature works. The Statistical Package for Social Sciences )SPSS( and Matrix Laboratory (MATLAB) program were used to find out the associations of multiple factors under investigation such as main kinematic properties of the gaseous-stellar (effective radius Re, surface density within the effective radius (Ʃeff) , stellar mass in the blue band (Mstar (B)), gas mass ( Mgas), dynamic (Mdyn) and baryonic (Mbar), supermassive black holes masses (MBH) in the elliptical and S0 galaxies. We concluded that the experimental relations between (Log Mbar (B) - Log Mdyn (B), Log Mbar (B) - Log MBH) have a robust correlation of ~1, and the slope appears to be more linearly (Slope ≥1) for both types of galaxies (Ellipticals and Lenticulars). This paper also noted that the empirical convergences between Log Σeff (B) and Log Mdyn have a strong high regression relationship of ~1. The slope appears to be approximately linear ~1 in the lenticular galaxies, but there is no relationship between Log Σeff (B) and Log Mdyn in the elliptical galaxies. Due to the strong impact of dynamical rotation on elliptical galaxies, it is interestingly believed that they are objects under turbulence and originate from interactions and mergers with galaxies in a spiral shape.

Assessment of building information modeling adoption in building material scheduling in Tanzania’s construction industry

The building construction industry continues to face challenges that affect project delivery, one of which is the traditional practices used for building material scheduling (BMS). Studies indicate that these practices are often inefficient and prone to errors, leading to delays, cost overruns, and low-quality work, affecting the project objectives. Building Information Modeling (BIM) presents a promising solution for addressing these challenges, proven through existing integrations. However, its adoption in BMS practices in construction is still relatively low. Therefore, this study aimed to assess BIM use in BMS in Tanzania’s building construction industry. The study adopted a quantitative research approach, and the study population of 153 registered quantity surveying firms was purposively selected. The study data was collected using online questionnaires and analyzed with the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). The study findings indicate that traditional practices are still favored over BIM when scheduling building materials in Tanzania, with the most predominant practices being spreadsheets and paper-based methods. Additionally, findings suggest that BIM is not a new concept in Tanzania. However, its adoption in the current practices is relatively low, mainly due to insufficient expertise, training resources, and limited access to BIM software/tools. Moreover, findings indicate a significant belief that BIM can improve BMS practices. These insights can inform policymakers, industry stakeholders, and educational institutions on the necessary steps to promote BIM integration. Therefore, it is recommended that BIM adoption be prioritized by addressing these barriers to enhance project outcomes. Shifting from traditional methods to BIM will lead to more efficient and effective construction processes, making BIM's broader adoption essential for the industry's future success.

Prevalence of active trachoma and its associated factors among children aged 1–9 years in previous leprosarium and non-leprosarium areas in eastern Ethiopia: a community-based comparative study

BackgroundTrachoma is a neglected tropical disease that mainly affects impoverished and marginalized communities with inadequate shelter and sanitation. Nevertheless, the prevalence of active trachoma and the specific factors contributing to it among communities residing in former leprosy settlements in eastern Ethiopia are not well explored. Therefore, the objective of this study was to compare the prevalence of active trachoma and its associated factors among children aged 1-9 years in the previous leprosarium and non-leprosarium areas, as well as urban and rural areas in eastern Ethiopia.MethodsA community-based comparative cross-sectional study was conducted among 580 systematically selected households from January 1 to 30, 2024. Data were collected by interviewing the children’s caregivers, observing the child and environment, and conducting a clinical examination of their eyes. Data were entered in EpiData version 4.6 and exported to Statistical Package of Social Science (SPSS) version 26 software for analysis. A chi-square test was also done. The association was presented as an adjusted odds ratio with a 95% confidence interval, and variables with a p-value less than 0.05 were regarded as statistically significant.ResultsThe overall prevalence of active trachoma was 12.9% (95% CI: 10.5%-15.3%). The prevalence of active trachoma was 15.6%, 9.8%, 18.3%, and 7.5% among children in previous leprosy and non-leprosy settlements and rural and urban areas, respectively (x²=5.65, p-value = 0.017). Having eye discharge (AOR = 10.7’; 95% CI: 4.32, 26.51), latrine distance from home of less than 10 m(AOR=3.12; 95% CI: 1.16–8.34), being a rural resident (AOR=4.1; 95% CI: 1.69-10.18), presence of solid waste around their home (AOR=6.5; 95% CI: 2.14-19.72), and household monthly income less than 5000 Ethiopian birrs (AOR=2.9; 95%CI: 1.04-8.30) were statistically associated with active trachoma in the previous leprosy settlements. In the non-leprosy settlements, children who had eye discharge (AOR = 7.6; 95% CI: 5.37, 58.05), latrine distance from home of less than 10 m (AOR=3.12; 95%CI: 1.11, 8.77), habit of playing with soil (AOR=9.0; 95% CI: 2.92, 28.24), and presence of animal dung (AOR=6.98; 95% CI: 3.44, 48.47) were statistically associated with active trachoma.ConclusionIn this study, the prevalence of active trachoma among children aged from 1-9 years old was higher than the WHO target for the elimination of active trachoma (<5%) in every district. Therefore, targeted treatments and raising awareness on proper hygiene and sanitation are required to alleviate the problem.

Impact of human resource practice on work engagement and turnover intention in information technology companies

Orientation: The information technology (IT) sector, a global economic driver, faces high employee turnover because of low work engagement. This study examines the relationship between human resource management (HRM) practices and their impact on work engagement and turnover intention (TI) in IT companies.Research purpose: The primary purpose of this research article is to investigate how HRM practices influence employee work engagement and TI in the IT sector.Motivation for the study: This study is motivated by the need to address this critical issue by exploring the role of HRM practices in shaping employee engagement and TI.Research approach/design and method: The research data came from 10 IT organisations in Pune IT parks. Non-probability convenience sampling was used to collect data. Data were analysed using Structural Equation Modelling (SEM), Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) and Moment Structure Analysis to evaluate the hypotheses.Main findings: The study found that HRM practices such as effective communication (EC), training satisfaction (TS), performance appraisal satisfaction (PAS), pay satisfaction (PS) and opportunities for development (OFD) positively influence work engagement among IT employees. Addressing these HRM practices can enhance employee retention and engagement in the IT sector.Practical/managerial implications: Implementing these strategies can lead to a more committed and productive workforce, improving overall organisational performance and retention.Contribution/value-add: This research offers actionable recommendations for IT companies to improve employee retention and engagement, filling a gap in existing literature by focussing exclusively on the unique challenges and dynamics of the IT industry.

Evaluation of effect of person role fitness on mastery of soft skills among interns in Nakuru County Government, Kenya

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of person role fitness on mastery of soft skills among interns in Nakuru County Government, Kenya. The curriculum that most college graduates are exposed to largely offer hard skills, but important soft skills that would make them well-prepared for the work environment are lacking. The study used a descriptive research design. The study's population consisted of 1300 interns stationed at the Nakuru County Government during the month of August. A stratified random selection technique was employed to choose a sample of 102 interns, and data was collected using a structured self-administered questionnaire. Statistical Package for Social Sciences was used to examine the data and obtain both descriptive and inferential statistics. Pearson's product-moment correlation was used as an inferential statistic to determine the direction and strength of linear associations. Simple and multiple regression analyses were employed to assess the relationship between the variables. The study indicated that person role fitness substantially affected soft skills proficiency in Nakuru County Government (? = 1.139, Sig. < 0.05). Thus, it was concluded that person role fitness is a significant factor of internship, which affects soft skills mastery among interns in the county. The study recommends that colleges operate in conjunction with the organisations or industries where the students are sent for their internship programs to ensure that the interns are well placed as per their professions in order to enhance soft skills mastery among the interns, as was evidenced by Nakuru County Government, Kenya.

Post Operative Outcome of Desarda Technique Versus Lichtenstein Mesh Hernioplasty for Inguinal Hernia Repair

Background: Current inguinal hernia operations are generally based on anatomical considerations. Failures of such operations to some extents are due to lack of consideration of physiological aspects. Many patients with inguinal hernia are cured because of current techniques of operation, though factors that are said to prevent hernia formation are not restored. Therefore, the surgical physiology of inguinal canal needs to be reconsidered. In the year 2001, Mohan P Desarda first described a physiological repair technique of inguinal hernia, which is practiced in many centers with significantly positive outcome. To evaluate the post-operative outcome of Desarda technique versus Lichtenstein mesh hernioplasty in inguinal hernia repair, this research has performed. Materials and methods: This Quasi experimental study was carried out in Surgery Department of Chittagong Medical College Hospital, during December 2017 to January 2019. A total of 100 patients with inguinal hernia underwent surgery were included in this study. Samples were selected by convenient technique. Among them 50 patients were selected for Desarda Technique was considered as group I and the rest 50 patients were selected for Lichtenstein Mesh Hernioplasty was considered as group II. Statistical analysis of the results was obtained by using window-based computer software devised with Statistical Packages for Social Sciences (SPSS-22). Results: The proposed sample size was 50 in each group. The study group included male patient above 18 years of age undergoing Desarda Technique and Lichtenstein Mesh Hernioplasty for inguinal hernia repair. The mean age was 43.14±14.44 years in group I and 48.33±12.63 years in group II. Indirect hernia was found 37(74.0%) and 28(56.0%) in group I and group II respectively. The mean 3rd POD pain (NPRS) was 4.44±0.97 in group I and 5.52±0.71 in group II. The mean 10th POD pain Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS) was 0.76±1.02 in group I and 2.62±1.21 in group II. The mean 1 month pain (NPRS) was 0.08±0.27 in group I and 0.72±0.7 in group II. The mean 3rd month pain (NPRS) was 0.02±0.14 in group I and 0.34±0.48 in group II. The mean 6th month pain (NPRS) was 0±0 in group I and 0.2±0.45 in group II. Pain (NPRS) was significantly (p<0.05) higher in group II in 3rd POD and all subsequent follow-up. Seroma was found 5(10.0%) at 10th POD in group I and 5(10.0%) in group II. The difference was statistically not significant (p>0.05) between two groups. Wound infection found 2(4.0%) in 3rd POD in group Iand 5(10.0%) in group II. Wound infection didn’t develop in subsequent follow-up in group I but in group II, 1(2.0%) found in 10th POD, 1(2.0%) in 1 month, 1(2.0%) in 3rd month, 1(2.0%) in 6th month. The difference was not significant (p>0.05) between two groups. Recurrence was not observed in either group during this study period. Conclusion: Desarda technique of inguinal hernia repair in our set up is useful with comparable results to Lichtenstein hernioplasty. IAHS Medical Journal Vol 7(1), June 2024; 91-96

Common Voice Disorders among Bus Helpers in Dhaka City

Background: There are approximately 9911 buses and 8515 minibuses are running within Dhaka city. Most of them have bus helpers who most of the time uses loud voice and yelling for their job. For which they are under a great risk of having voice disorder. No study was conduct to find the rate of voice disorder in this group. This study will seek out the rate of voice disorder and the risk among this group. Materials and methods: A total of 80 bus helpers participated in the study. Their vehicle routes were within Dhaka city. It was a cross-sectional survey. Sampling was done by convenience technique. Samples were selected from different bus depots in Dhaka city. Data were collected by face to face interview using a questionnaire. Data analysis was done by descriptive statistical analysis. Statistical Package for Social Science- 17 (SPSS) and Microsoft Excel 2007 were used for data analysis. Results: The result shows that 84% of bus helpers had voice problem throughout their carrier. Current symptoms present among them are hoarseness (92%) vocal fatigue (73%), pain in throat (58%), constant throat dryness (67%) and frequent throat clearing (48%). Less frequent symptoms are breathy voice, strained voice, monotone voice, sore throat, acid taste and loss of voice. Only risk factor found is not drinking adequate water. Conclusion: The study reveals that different types of Vocal disorders are very common among the bus helpers. So, preventive measures and education are necessary to get rid of this problem. IAHS Medical Journal Vol 7(1), June 2024; 60-64

Clinical effectiveness of picture exchange communication system (PECS) on 5- to 7-year-old children's oral health.

To assess the impact of the picture exchange communication system (PECS) on oral hygiene motivation and practices in healthy children aged five to sevenyears. A total of 160 healthy children aged five to seven years were included in this study. At the first visit, the participants' guardians were asked to answer a questionnaire focussing on the sociodemographic, and the oral hygiene habits of the participants. All participants received a clinical examination to assess their dental caries experience using the ICDAS score, gingival condition using the gingival index (GI), and the amount of accumulated dental plaque using the Turesky Modification of the Quigley-Hein Plaque Index (TQHI), followed by comprehensive explanation of the proper oral hygiene protocol. The participants were randomly divided into two equal groups; the PECS group and the control group. The participants were re-assessed after 6months. The collected data were statistically analysed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) software version 23 at a p-value ≤ 0.05. By the end of the follow-up period, the PECS group reported significantly greater adherence to regular tooth brushing (p = 0.006) with a frequency higher than twice per day (p < 0.000) and no need for parental motivation (p < 0.001), and had significantly lower mean GI and TQHI scores (p < 0.000). Most of the participants' guardians reported that the PECS cards were useful for use and that they would continue to use them 66/76 (86%). The PECS was found to be effective in motivating children to adhere to proper tooth-brushing practices, as reflected by improvements in their oral health status and gingival condition.

Knowledge and attitudes toward over-the-counter medications among pharmacy students: insights from a cross-sectional study in Taif University, Saudi Arabia

IntroductionOver-the-counter (OTC) medications are those obtained without a medical prescription from a healthcare professional. With the increasing availability of information from various sources, including social media, pharmacy students may be exposed to unreliable or inaccurate data. Incorrect medication use is particularly concerning due to its potential risk of causing adverse health effects.” Hence, this study aims to determine students’ knowledge and attitudes at Taif University’s pharmacy college.MethodsThis research utilized a cross-sectional online questionnaire-based study, employing data from a sample of 450 pharmacy students from Taif University in Saudi Arabia. Descriptive analysis included descriptive and differential analysis. The data were analyzed using statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) Version 27.ResultsThe majority of participants, 297 (88.2%), were aware that inappropriate use of over-the-counter medications might have negative implications. A total of 233 participants (51.8%) reported having previously used an OTC medication. Also, 293 (65.1%), were aware that using OTC medications beyond their expiration date was harmful. A total of 280 participants (62.2%) had a high knowledge of OTC medication, whereas 170 respondents (37.8%) had a low level of knowledge. A significant correlation was found between age, year of study, and the use of OTC medication p-values &amp;lt;0.05 (0.016*, 0.003*, and 0.001* respectively) and understanding of OTC medication. Gender had no significant influence on knowledge of OTC (p &amp;gt; 0.05).ConclusionThe study found positive attitudes toward OTC medications. Due to increased pharmaceutical exposure and self-medication, upper-year students and OTC course graduates comprehend OTC medications better. The examination found safety protocol violations in expiration dates, prescription label interpretation, and storage. Therefore, the study provides useful information for future attempts. Also, this study may contribute to the literature and guide future research to fill knowledge gaps.

Association between complete blood-count-based inflammatory scores and hypertension in persons living with and without HIV in Zambia.

Hypertension is a risk factor for cardiovascular events. Inflammation plays an important role in the development of essential hypertension. Studies assessing the association between complete blood count-based inflammatory scores (CBCIS) and hypertension are scarce. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the relationship between CBCIS and hypertension among individuals with and without human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). This was a cross-sectional study among 344 participants at Serenje District Hospital and Serenje Urban Clinic. We used structured questionnaires to collect sociodemographic, clinical and laboratory characteristics. CBCIS included lymphocyte-monocyte ratio (LMR), neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), derived neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (d-NLR), and differential white blood cells. The primary outcome variable was hypertension defined as systolic and diastolic blood pressure higher than or equal to 140/90 mmHg. Logistic regression was used to estimate the association between hypertension and CBCIS in statistical package for social science (SPSS) version 22.0. The participants had a median age of 32 years (interquartile range (IQR) 24-42) and 65.1% (n = 224) were female. The prevalence of hypertension was 10.5% (n = 36). Among those with hypertension, 55.6% (n = 20) were female and 44.4% (n = 16) were male. The CBCIS significantly associated with hypertension in people living with HIV (PLWH) was PLR (adjusted odds ratio (AOR) 0.98; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.97-0.99, p = 0.01) while in people without HIV, AMC (AOR 15.40 95%CI 3.75-63.26), ANC (AOR 1.88 95%CI 1.05-3.36), WBC (AOR 0.52 95%CI 0.31-0.87) and PLR (AOR 0.98 95%CI 0.97-0.99) were the factors associated with hypertension. Compared to people without HIV, only WBC, ANC, NLR, and d-NLR were good predictors of hypertension among PLWH. Our study indicates a notable HIV-status driven association between CBCIS and hypertension, suggesting the use of CBICS as potential biomarkers for hypertension risk with substantial implications for early detection and preventive measures.

Analyzing the occupational exposure risks of dental healthcare workers from the perspective of repeated occupational exposure.

Healthcare workers in dental hospitals frequently experience repeated occupational exposures (ROEs). In our study, we aim to analyze these repeated exposures among dental healthcare workers (DHWs), assess the risk levels of different risk factors, and explore the significance of ROE data for infection control in dental hospitals. Based on hospital statistical data, we categorized the occupational exposure incidents at West China Hospital of Stomatology over the past seven years into initial and repeated exposures. We analyzed the association of various risk factors, including personnel types, gender, treatment locations, timing of occupational exposure, and pathways of occupational exposure, with the occurrence of repeated exposures. The Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) 21 was used to conduct chi-square analysis and binary logistic regression analysis, with the significance level set at p < 0.05. Compared to students, hospital dentists with teaching qualifications exhibited a higher risk of ROEs. The risk of repeated exposure for dental students was 60% lower than that of hospital dentists (P = 0.003). However, gender, treatment locations, timing of occupational exposure, and pathways of occupational exposure did not significantly impact the repeated exposures among DHWs. Our study demonstrates that the analysis of repeated occupational exposures (ROEs) is meaningful. In our study, hospital dentists with teaching qualifications had the highest risk of ROEs, compared to dental students, hospital dental nurses, and dental nurse students. This means that among individuals who have already experienced occupational exposure, hospital dentists are more likely to experience repeated exposure. Meanwhile, gender, treatment locations, timing of occupational exposure, and pathways of occupational exposure did not have a significant impact on the occurrence of ROEs.

The Influence of Sleep Problems on Burnout and Academic Performance of Students in Community Development Training Institutes in Tanzania

This article examined the influence of sleep problems on academic burnout and academic performance of 640 students in Community Development Training Institutes (CDTIs). Burnout has been increasingly a psychological, health and educational concern. Mixed findings have been reported by past studies on this topic. While on one side negative relationships have been reported, on the other hand, results have been reporting no or positive relationship between sleep problems and both burnout and academic performance. This study was an attempt to contribute to the debate through three specific objectives namely; to identify academic burnout and its perceived sources among college students; identify sleep problems among college students; and explain academic performance from academic burnout and sleep problems among college students. Data were collected using one general questionnaire, composed of The Maslach Burnout Inventory-Student Survey (MBSS) for measuring academic burnout, the Sleep Quality Scale (SQS) for measuring sleep problems, and a section inquiring demographic and personal information, such as sex, age, employment status, marital status and level or year of study. Data were descriptively analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). To explain academic performance from academic burnout and sleep problems, logistic Regression Analysis was performed. Results indicated that Academic Burnout was explained by the year of study, sleep problems; and perceived sources of academic burnout such as review time and examination/tests. Further, while academic burnout did not explain academic performance in terms of semester GPA, sleep problems did. It was concluded that both academic burnout and sleep problems are prevalent among college students in Tanzania. Further the perceived sources of academic burnout by students are not necessarily the real factors explaining academic burnout of the college students. It was further concluded that sleep problems and year of the study determine both academic burnout and academic performance. Practical implications are discussed with recommendations to both students and colleges administrations made.

Assessment of the Effects of TiwanTiwa Herbal Mixture Drink on Oxidative Stress Markers

Introduction: The use of herbal medicine and its effect on health has been established. Recently, there is much interest in therapeutic potential of herbal therapy use as antioxidant in reducing free radical-induced oxidative stress. Method: This study was aimed to determine the effect of herbal mixture on acetaminophen induced oxidative stress in male albino wistar rat. This is an experimental study comprising of total of forty-two (42) wistar rats divided into seven (7) groups of six (6) animals each. The seven groups were Group 1, control group fed with top feed and water only, Group 2 administered with 3000 mg acetaminophen and top feed, Group 3 with 3000 mg of acetaminophen and 140mg sylimarine, Group 4 with 3000 mg of acetaminophen and 50 mg tiwantiwa extract, Group 5 with 3000mg of acetaminophen and 100 mg tiwantiwa extract, Group 6 with 3000mg of acetaminophen and 200 mg tiwantiwa extract and Group 7 with 100 mg of tiwantiwa extract only. The treatment was given daily and lasted for 21 days, animals were sacrificed, and blood sample collected were assayed for oxidative stress; CAT, SOD, and MDA. Result obtained was analyzed with statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) version 20. Results: The result obtained depicts significant increase in CAT and SOD of group 5 (100mg of the extract) when compared to group 2 which is the toxic group induced with 3000mg Acetaminophen. There was also a significant decrease in MDA of group 5 (100mg of extract) when compared to group 2 (p&lt;0.05). This implies that dose level (100 mg) of Tiwantiwa herbal mixture in group 5 exhibited the capacity to alleviate 3000 mg of acetaminophen toxicity at a minimal level. This is attributed to phytochemicals present in this extract such as phenolic compounds. Conclusion: 100 mg dose level of Tiwantiwa herbal mixture has a significant effect in alleviating 3000 mg of acetaminophen toxicity, acting as strong antioxidant as evidenced in the study with results shown in CAT, SOD and MDA bioassays. This is attributed to the presence compounds such as Phenols and Alkaloids which are potent phytochemical constituents in Tiwantiwa herbal mixture with antioxidant property.

Impact of Dental Anxiety on the Dental Health Status of Nepali Adult Patients.

Patients with high dental anxiety are found to visit dental offices less frequently and have a higher number of severely diseased teeth so they are at a greater need for intensive oral care and rehabilitation. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of dental anxiety and its impact on the dental status of Nepali adult patients. A semi-structured questionnaire of the Modified Dental Anxiety Scale (MDAS) in the Nepali version was used for data collection. The data analysis was done using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS IBM, Chicago, IL, USA, version 24). Variables were calculated as frequency and percentage, while the comparisons of different factors were done using the ANOVA and t-test. A difference with p < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. The study population consisted of 446 subjects, among them 205 were male (45.96%), 241 were female (54.04%), 357 (80.04%) were married, and 222 (49.78%) were employed. The mean age of the patients was 41.24 years (ranging between 18 and 79 years). Only 41 subjects (9.19%) showed high dental anxiety (MDAS ≥ 19). The mean MDAS for the total study population was 10.81. The highest mean MDAS was seen in the age group 30-39 (11.78) and the lowest mean MDAS was seen in the age group 40-49 (9.64). While comparing dental anxiety among genders, dental anxiety was higher in females (mean MDAS = 11.78) compared to males (mean MDAS = 9.67). Patients having high dental anxiety had a significantly higher number of decayed teeth (p-value = 0.001, t-test). Oral health and dental status both are negatively affected by dental anxiety. It interferes with dental attendance, service delivery, prevention of dental diseases, and early diagnosis. Thus, dental practitioners have a major role to play in the management of dental anxiety.

Dental Health Literacy among Highly Skilled Professionals in India: A Pilot Study

Purpose: Research in medical settings has consistently demonstrated that health literacy is essential for patient adherence and comprehension to medical/dental instructions including prescriptions and improving positive holistic health outcomes. Despite its recognized importance, the role of literacy in dentistry has received limited focus. This study aimed to assess the level of oral health literacy among professionals in a multinational company, using the Rapid Estimate of Adult Literacy in Dentistry-30 (REALD-30) as the measurement tool. Methods: A convenience sample of 111 adults was recruited from a dental camp held at two locations within an IT firm. Oral health literacy was measured and analysed using the REALD-30 scale. Participants also participated in interviews to collect sociodemographic information, dental visit history, dental needs, global oral health ratings, dental knowledge, practices, and comprehension. Additionally, clinical examinations were conducted to record the DMFT index (Decayed; D component, Missing; M component, and Filled; F component Teeth), as well as the presence of dental stains and calculus. Data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 13. Results: REALD-30 scores ranged from a low of 8 to a high of 25. Participants who had decayed, missing, or filled teeth, or a DMFT score higher than one, exhibited lower oral health literacy compared to the reference group. Similarly, lower oral health literacy was observed in participants with dental stains or calculus. Conclusions: Effective communication with patients is crucial for delivering high-quality dental care. The study concluded that a significant proportion of the highly educated professional group of people has less oral health literacy, which may obstruct their basic ability to understand and process the fundamental oral health information.