Status Of Respondents Research Articles

Assessment of Preoperative Anxiety Levels Among Patients Admitted for Surgery in Public Hospitals, Southern Ethiopia.

Anxiety before surgery is one of the most challenging aspects of preoperative care. Preoperative anxiety has a number of postoperative complications. There are only a few studies that report on preoperative anxiety in surgical patients in Ethiopia, and their prevalence differs from one study to the next. The aim of this study was to assess the level of preoperative anxiety and associated factors among surgical patients admitted at public hospitals in southern Ethiopia. From July to August 2022, a facility-based cross-sectional study was conducted among patients admitted to surgical wards at public hospitals. Data collection was conducted using a pretested, structured questionnaire administered by an interviewer. Preoperative anxiety was assessed using the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory scale. The data were coded and entered in Epi Data Version 4.6, then exported to Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 25 for analysis. To describe the study variables, descriptive statistics were used. The associated factors were then identified using bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses. Results were declared at a p-value of less than 0.05 based on an adjusted odds ratio with a 95% confidence interval. A total of 220 patients were enrolled, with a 99.5% response rate. The observed preoperative anxiety level was 57.5% (95%CI: 54.63-62.35). High preoperative anxiety was associated with no formal educational status (AOR: 3.75; 95%CI = 1.36, 10.39), fear of death (AOR =2.01; 95%CI = 1.09, 3.73), fear of waking up in middle of surgery (AOR =3.42; 95%CI =1.19, 9.77), fear of postoperative pain (AOR = 2.56; 95%CI = 1.15, 5.74). This study found that five out of ten patients scheduled for surgery in public hospitals had high levels of preoperative anxiety. Anxiety levels were associated with factors such as the educational status of respondents, fear of death, fear of waking up in the middle of surgery, and fear of postoperative pain. Preoperative anxiety assessments should be conducted regularly in each hospital, and appropriate anxiety-reducing methods must be implemented.

Decreased Body Mass Index (BMI) in COVID-19 Patients with Anosmia Symptoms

Introduction: COVID-19 is a respiratory infection caused by the SARS-CoV-19 virus and impacts the appearance of anosmia symptoms. Anosmia impacts reducing appetite, so it impacts fulfilling the nutritional needs of COVID-19 patients. This study aims to determine the effect of anosmia on the nutritional status of COVID-19 patients.
 Methods: This study is an observational study with a retrospective cohort design. The samples of this study were 48 health record data of COVID-19 patients who experienced anosmia in Karangploso View Housing, Malang Regency, from July to December 2021, selected according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria. The independent variable in this study is the incidence of anosmia felt by residents. The dependent variable is residents' Body Mass Index (BMI) before and after recovering from COVID-19 infection. This study was conducted from July 15 to August 11, 2023. Research data analysis using the SPSS version 22 program using the paired T-test and Wilcoxon test with α = 5%.
 Results: The paired T-test results on the weight variable showed a significant difference in the patient's weight between before and after COVID-19 illness with symptoms of anosmia (p-value = 0.000). The results of the Wilcoxon Test on the BMI variable showed a significant difference in the nutritional status (BMI) of respondents between before and after COVID-19 illness with symptoms of anosmia (p-value = 0.000).
 Conclusion: The condition of anosmia alters a person's food preferences, resulting in the perception of certain foods as less pleasant, bland, and unappealing. This condition results in loss of appetite, inadequate nutrient intake, and potential malnutrition. Self-efforts to prevent malnutrition due to anosmia in COVID-19 patients: using aromatic herbs and spices, eating small and frequent meals, modifying food texture and color seasoning, and consulting a dietician to develop a balanced and nutrient-rich meal plan.

Factors Influencing Treatment Adherence Among Newly Diagnosed Diabetic Clients of Ledzokuku Krowor Municipal Assembly (Lekma)

The study focused on assessing compliance among newly diagnosed diabetic client in Ledzokuku Krowor Municipal Assembly (LEKMA) Hospital. A descriptive survey design was adopted and 120 diabetic patients were sampled using random sampling techniques. A self-developed questionnaire instrument was the main data collection tool and quantitative analysis was used with the aid of IBM SPSS (v.23). The study found that most of the respondents were of the view that diabetes mellitus was hereditary. It was recorded that all respondents considered hospital-based treatment as effective in treating the condition. About 90 (72.0%) were of the view that of a diabetic patient skipped a dose, he/she was to ignore that dose and wait till the time for the next dose. Moreover, 116 (92.0%) respondents shared with researcher that diabetics were supposed to avoid all fatty foods. All respondents visited the hospital facility on a monthly basis to receive medical-care. Female turn to have adhered more to their medication regimen than the males did, but it was not statistically significant (t=.047, p= .963). Age has negative relationship (r = -.123, p= 533) with their adherence to medication. It was realized that those who had secondary education adhered mostly to diabetic medications followed by tertiary education and primary education attainers respectively. There was a positive relationship (r = .050, p=0.732) between the marital status, occupational status (r = .272, p = .056) of respondents and their adherence status to taking medications. Respondents (40%) disagreed that prescribed medications were fully covered under the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS). All of the respondents agreed that finance was a challenge to seeking treatment and medical care for the management of DM. About 40 percent of the respondents feared about side effect of drugs. It was recommended that government should extend the NHIS to cater for DM medications. There was also the need that government subsidized the treatment cost of patients seeking for healthcare with respect to DM

An analysis of physical planning perspective of the implications of traffic congestion in the central area of Osogbo

This study analyzes the physical planning perspective of the implication of traffic congestion in the central area of Osogbo to investigate the socio-economic lifestyle of commuters and Identify the implication of traffic congestion within the study area. The study annexed both primary and secondary sources for data collection. The study adopts a 3% sampling study out of the total traffic count of 19745 respondents that ply the road; this therefore amounted to 364 respondents from the 7 selected junctions in the area. The results of the finding show that the population growth, lack of road infrastructure and parking facilities are physical planning perspectives on the implication of traffic congestion in the study area. The result also shows that the socio-economic status of respondents influences the condition of traffic congestion. The study concludes and makes recommendations such as the need for public enlightenment / regular education of road users in the study area on the need to use traffic control devices, the need to decongest activities in the central area of Osogbo to reduce the number of travel to the area, construction of proper and consistent bus terminals which are not too far apart within the city, enforcing the use of alternate routes to minimize the number of traffic within the city centre during the peak hour of the day. The study recommends the provision of a parking plaza strategically within the area to curb the problem of on-street parking. Keywords: Central area, congestion, implication, physical planning and perceptive.

Knowledge, Attitudes and Practice Regarding Cervical Cancer and Screening among Women Visiting Selected Primary Health Centres in Ogbomosho, Nigeria

Cervical cancer is one of the most preventable cancers in the world and its` prognosis is better when detected early through cervical cancer screening. The study examined the knowledge, attitudes and practice regarding cervical cancer and screening among women visiting selected primary health centres (PHCs) in Ogbomosho. The study was conducted in May 2021, employing a descriptive cross-sectional design. A sample size of 124 respondents was determined using the Taro-Yamane formula and selected through convenience sampling technique. Data collection utilised a validated questionnaire, with analysis performed using descriptive statistics encompassing frequencies and percentages. Relationships between variables were tested using chi-square at a 0.05 significance level. Findings suggest that more than half (55%) had good knowledge of cervical and cervical cancer screening. The majority (70%) had a good attitude towards cervical cancer and cervical cancer screening. Less than one-third (21%) have had cervical cancer screening done before. Self-reported barriers limiting the practice of cervical cancer screening identified include lack of health education on cervical cancer screening (45.5%), lack of knowledge on the screenings (39.3%), absence of signs and symptoms of cervical cancer (39.3%), low socioeconomic status (29.5%), cost of the procedure (17.9%), unavailability of services (17.9%) and religious beliefs (14.3%). Chi-square analysis showed a statistically significant relationship between the educational status of respondents and their knowledge of cervical cancer screening, likewise, a significant relationship exists between the knowledge of respondents and the practice of cervical cancer screening at P< .05. Conclusively, the study has revealed the practice of cervical cancer screening was found to be low, indicating a disparity between knowledge/attitude and actual screening behaviour, although, knowledge was a key predictor of their screening practices. The way forward is to improve the knowledge of women on cervical cancer and screening via health education while efforts are being put in place to make cervical cancer screening services available at affordable cost.

Consumption Pattern of Tea Is Associated with Serum Ferritin Levels of Women of Childbearing Age in Nandi County, Kenya: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Tea consumption with meals affects iron absorption, increasing the risk of iron deficiency. Our study investigated the association between tea consumption patterns and serum ferritin levels among women of childbearing age (WCA) in Nandi County, Kenya. We conducted a cross-sectional analytical study among 160 WCA selected using a systematic random sampling technique from Kapsabet Ward. Information on tea consumption practices was gathered using a researcher-administered questionnaire, and serum ferritin and C-reactive protein were measured. We assessed associations between tea consumption and iron status of respondents by multivariable regression analysis, adjusting for potential confounders, including parasitic infections and recent severe blood losses. The prevalence of anaemia and iron deficiency among the study participants were 86.2% and 45%, respectively. Majority (90.6%) of the respondents consumed tea or coffee, with an infusion time of more than 5 min (60.0%) and a moderate tea strength (64.1%), within 1 h before or after meals. Iron deficiency was associated the number of teacups consumed (adjusted odds ratio = 7.282, 95% CI = 3.580-14.812). High tea consumption is positively associated with iron deficiency among WCA. Lower tea infusion strength, shorter tea infusion duration, and a lower number of teacups overall consumed, as well as consuming tea 1 h before or after meals instead of with meals, may be recommended for better outcomes in iron status among WCA.

Asupan Karbohidrat dan Aktifitas Fisik pada Siswa SMP dengan Status Gizi Gemuk di Kota Tasikmalaya

Background: Overweight and obesity are conditions of excess carbohydrates and fat in adipose tissue and pose a risk of damaging health. The prevalence of obesity aged 13 – 15 years is 8,3% and obesity is 2,5%. 
 Objective: This research is to determine carbohydrate intake and physical activity in junior high school students who experience overweight and obesity nutritional status in Tasikmalaya City. 
 Method: This research is a descriptive study with a cross sectional design which was carried out from February to April 2023. Data were collected using anthropometric measurements to determine the nutritional status of respondents, interviews using the SQ-FFQ and IPAQ formulas to determine carbohydrate intake and physical activity. Data collections used a total sampling technique of 20 respondents.
 Results: There were 20 respondents who were obese. Most respondents were aged 13 – 14 years (85%). The majority of gender is male at 90%. Respondents with obesity were 50% and non-obese were 50%. Carbohydrate intake in the over category is 35%. Light physical activity is 20%, moderate physical activity is 75%. 
 Conclusion: Overweight and obese teenagers at junior high school/ equivalent level experience problems with excessive carbohydrate intake and light or moderate physical activity.

Феномен стійкості як здатності формувати ефективні методи подолання негативних екологічних впливів

The article discloses the psychological meaning of resilience, which includes meaningful life orientations that shape a person's adaptive potential. The purpose of the article is to study the phenomenon of resilience as the ability to form effective ways to overcome negative environmental impacts. The Connor-Davidson Stress Resistance Scale-10 (CD-RISC-10) was used among the psychodiagnostic methods of assessing stress resistance. The Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Metrology Index (BASMI) and the Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Functional Index (BASFI) were used to assess the functional status of respondents (trauma witnesses). The Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (BASDAI) was used to determine the activity of psychotrauma. To assess the quality of life, a specific questionnaire of the quality of life of the studied Ankylosing Spondylitis Quality of Life Questionnaire (ASQoL) was used. Vitality is ensured by a number of physiological, personal and social factors. The identification and specification of a person's characterological resources contribute to the determination of his resistance, personal potentials that would contribute to the preservation of a person's psychosomatic health, his According to the research results, we defined the categories of low stress resistance, which corresponded to 50 people (24 women and 26 men), moderate stress resistance was determined in 12 people, and the category of high stress resistance corresponded to 1 male respondent. We found certain gender differences in the stress resistance of the victims: it is higher in men. Respondents with high trauma were characterized by a significant loss of psychofunctional ability according to the BASFI scale. The presence of significant violations of psychofunctional ability was confirmed by the BASMI metrological index and the ASQoL quality of life questionnaire.

The Effectiveness Of A Nutritional Education-Based Module For Pregnant Women In Preventing Stunting

Background: Maternal intake, especially during pregnancy, is one factor that plays an important role. Improvement of nutrition and health of pregnant women is closely related to the level of education, knowledge, and attitudes in meeting nutritional needs during pregnancy. Explain the Effectiveness of the Module for Pregnant Women based on Nutrition education, Nutritional Status, Knowledge, and attitudes of Pregnant Women in efforts to prevent stunting. Methods: The research design is pre-experimental with one group pre-test and post-test. They are held at one of the Puskesmas in Palembang from June to September 2023. Sampel is pregnant women with inclusion criteria, measuring nutritional status, knowledge, and attitudes of pregnant women before and after intervention with the Pregnant Women Module. Probability sampling variables and research variables of knowledge level, attitude, and nutritional status. The instruments used are questionnaires, and data are analysed with t-test statistics. Results: Based on the T-test, there was a significant influence on respondents' level of knowledge and attitudes after being given treatment. The t-test (2-tail) result > 0.05 showed no significant difference between initial and late nutritional status based on HB measurements. This showed no significant effect of treatment with the module of pregnant women on nutritional status. While nutritional status is based on LILA measurements, The T-test results have a significance value (2-tail) < 0.05. This shows that there is a significant effect of intervention on nutritional status after being given treatment Conclusion: The nutrition education-based module for pregnant women has a significant effect on the level of knowledge and attitudes of respondents. There was an increase in knowledge, attitudes, and nutritional status of respondents after nutrition education. It is hoped that pregnant women, after nutrition education, can understand more about Balanced Nutrition and stunting prevention during pregnancy and after childbirth. They are processing the daily food menu with healthy and nutritious food ingredients so that chronic lack of energy and anaemia do not occur during pregnancy.

Socioeconomic determinants of ownership of payment cards, mobile money account, and government remittances of digital financial services: evidence from India

Purpose This paper aims to measure the extent of digital financial inclusion (DFI) and examine the effect of socioeconomic characteristics on using government remittances and the adoption of digital financial services (DFS) during the COVID-19 pandemic. Design/methodology/approach The World Bank Global Financial Inclusion (Global Findex) database 2021 is used in this study, with a sample size of 3,000 Indian individuals. The study measured the demand-side analysis of DFI, namely, accessibility and usage of DFS with selected socioeconomic characteristics such as gender, age, income, education, being in the workforce and residential status of respondents. The dependent variable is binary in nature; therefore, the logistic regression model is used for the data analysis. Findings The results of the study reveal that individuals’ socioeconomic factors, such as female, all the age groups, tertiary education, third- and fourth-income quintile and workforce, are found to have a significant association with “accessibility,” an exogenous variable of DFS. Besides, respondents’ socioeconomic attributes, namely, female, tertiary education, income for all quintiles and workforce, are more likely to use DFSs in the COVID-19 pandemic. The study also finds the residential status of individuals is influencing the accessibility and usage of DFS. Practical implications The findings of the study provide valuable insights to the service providers and policymakers regarding the rapid expansion of DFS by digital infrastructure, simplifying the banking procedures and highlighting the importance of digital financial literacy to accomplish government goals through serving the unbanked population and also design strategies for achieving the objectives of Digital India: “Faceless, Paperless, and Cashless” of DFI across the country. Originality/value Notable studies used World Bank Findex survey data to explore the determinants of financial inclusion in general. This research is one among the few studies to explore the determinants of India’s DFI. Moreover, this study measured the effect of individual socioeconomic attributes on the adoption of DFSs during the COVID-19 pandemic, which has not been included in prior studies. Therefore, this study has added value to the existing literature on financial technology innovation and DFS for the sustainable development of emerging nations.

The transformation of sources providing medical information in male youths of military age in decade dynamics

In 2021, according to results of survey of citizens of military age, 71.5% of respondents considered their state of health as satisfactory or poor. The negative dynamics was noted by 41.6% and 64.4% stated about absence of chronic diseases. At that, according to Rosstat data, up to 72% of young males have chronic pathology of various organs and systems that indicates insufficient information about health status of respondents. The analysis was applied concerning ways of obtaining medical information by young males aged 17-20 years in the Moscow Oblast in 2012 (n=423), 2017 (n=568) and 2021 (n=814). The sampling of young males participating in survey was 1,805 respondents. It was established that in in the Moscow region main share of medical-oriented information is drawn by young males aged 17-20 years from the Internet and social networks (more than 72%). The medical and pedagogical personnel provide only 4.4% of this information. Over the past 10 years, the role of schools and polyclinics in the formation of healthy lifestyle has decreased by more than in 6 times.

Study on the relationship between Vitamin D deficiency and Leukocyte Ratio in Multidrug Resistant Tuberculosis patients

Tuberculosis (TB) remains an important health problem in Indonesia,the problems more complex with phenomenon of multi-drug resistance Tuberculosis (MDR) which cause worse prognosis, long treatment,high risk of transmission to other and side effect of treatment. Vitamin D plays a role in non specific and specific immune responses in Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M.tb) infection. Vitamin D have a role in hematopoiesis and affects the early development of monocytes and granulocytes. M.tb infection causes changer in the ratio of neutrophil cells, lymphocytes and monocytes. Changes in the ratio reflect an increase or decrease of effective immune response. Using a case control design, this study will evaluate the correlation between vitamin D, leukocyte ratio and MDR-TB patients among MDR-TB patient cases and TB patient controls. Independent variable in this study were vitamin D levels, leukocyte ratios consisting of NLR, MLR, NMLR, and clinical status of respondents were the dependent variable. The result of this study found that vitamin D levels of TB patients all showed values ​​that were within range of in the insufficiency and deficiency categories. From this result TB patients must coverIn addition, the NLR and NMLR parameters were able to show that immune status problems were mainly found in the MDR-TB patients

Nutrition factors related to menstrual cycle among girls: a study in a high school in Sidoarjo, Indonesia

Introduction: Irregular menstrual cycle is one indicator of reproductive health disorders. Nutritional status and behaviour are risk factors for menstrual cycle irregularities. This study aimed to analyse the correlation between nutritional status and behaviour with the menstrual cycle in adolescent girls. Methods: This research was a cross sectional study with 73 students from High School Sidoarjo, Indonesia as respondents. Nutritional status of respondents was obtained from anthropometric measurements, food intake with three times 24 hours food records, body image with MBSRQ-AS questionnaire, and physical activity was collected from the IPAQ questionnaire. Data were analysed using Spearman's test on SPSS 26.0. Results: The most common menstrual cycle problem experienced by respondents was oligomenorrhea (8.2%). The majority of respondents had good nutritional status based on BMI/A (67.1%) while 50.7% of respondents had a risk of chronic energy deficiency. The majority of respondents had intake less than needed. As much as 82.2% of respondents had moderate physical activity, while the body image score of respondents showed that 72.6% of respondents had a positive body image. The p-value in the correlation test was <0.05 in each variable. Menstrual cycles had the strongest correlation with nutritional status. Conclusion: Nutritional status and behaviour factors are related to the menstrual cycle in adolescent girls. Health promotion regarding reproductive health and nutrition in adolescent girls can be further improved, considering that the menstrual cycles may have an impact on fertility in the future.

Quality and Pattern of Breakfast Through the GEMPITA PROGRAM at Palu City, Central Sulawesi

Many school-aged children in Indonesia still skip breakfast, which can have an impact on their learning concentration and academic performance at school. This study aims to describe the quality and pattern of breakfast through the GEMPITA Program at Palu City, Central Sulawesi. This was a descriptive study with a sample size of 228 elementary and junior high school students in Palu City. Data collection was performed through interviews using structured questionnaires and anthropometric measurements. The study results show that the majority of respondents had pocket money of more than IDR 5,000/day, came from families with fathers of senior high school graduates and non-civil servants, the mothers generally had primary and secondary education and were housewives. Furthermore, the majority of respondents had a routine breakfast habit by 57.9%, 20.2% had breakfast sometimes and 21.9% never had breakfast. Furthermore, only 32.9% had quality breakfast menu. Regarding snack consumption habit, the majority of respondents by 77.2% consumed snacks more than three times a week and more than half of respondents by 58.3% had the habit of bringing packed meal, while 41.7% never brought packed meal. An assessment of the nutritional status of respondents showed that there were still 33.3% who were undernourished and 7.9% who were over nourished and obese. Stunting status occurred in 18.9% of respondents. The breakfast habit, quality and pattern of elementary and high school students still need to be improved. The GEMPITA program is an alternative program to improve the pattern and quality of breakfast for elementary and high school-aged children in Palu City.

Survey Study Of Spontaneous Wild Leafy Vegetables Consumed By The Indigenous Batwa People Living In The Equatorial Forest Near The City Of Mbandaka/DR Congo

This work focuses on the importance of leafy vegetables consumed in 3 localities BOLENGE, BANTOY and BOYEKA 1 and BOYEKA 2 located in the equatorial forest near the city of Mbandaka (DR Congo). The objective of this study is to identify the main spontaneous leafy vegetables gathered by the indigenous Batua people and to carry out a food and nutritional characterization. On the one hand, an ethnonutritional survey on eating habits was conducted among this indigenous Batua population, consumers of spontaneous leafy vegetables. The leafy greens that were investigated are: Ipomea batatas (L) Lam , Solanum aethiopicum L., Talinum triangulare ( jacq ) Wild, Amaranthus viridis L.; Hibiscus Sabdariffa , Manihot esculenta L. Grantz , Colocasia esculanta (L) Schot , Cecropia concolor miq , Lasimonda senegalensis schott , Erythroccoca atrovinens (Pax) Prain , Celosia trigyra L. On the one hand, a survey was conducted among 200 households with reference to some ethnonutritional data on the use and consumption of these leafy vegetables. The results reveal that these leafy vegetables are consumed in descending order by adults whose average age is over 40 years old (50.5%), followed by people whose age is between 30 and 40 years old (32%) and young people whose age is less than or equal to 30 years (17.5%). From the education point of view of the respondents, the most represented class is made up of people with no schooling (50%), followed successively by those with secondary schooling (25%), primary (23.5%) and higher (1 .5%). The socio-demographic analysis reveals that females are the majority consumers of these spontaneous vegetables (52.5%) against (47.5%) males in the 3 villages. The marital status of respondents reveals that married people are the most represented (60.5%). Slightly more than a third of people surveyed (34%) work as a lumberjack. The average percentage of consumption of leafy vegetables of these three villages ( Bolenge , Bantoy , Boyeka ) reveals that the population of Bolenge consumes more leafy vegetables (15.32%) compared to Bantoy (11.9%) and Boyeka (5.36%). Endogenous knowledge of the virtues of three most consumed leafy vegetables ( Ipomea batatas (L) Lam , Solanum aethiopicum L., Talinum triangulare ( jacq ) Wild) in the three villages, reveals that the population of Boyeka presents a higher knowledge (39.3%) than Bantoy (24.66%) and Bolenge (14%). It is observed that knowledge of the nutritional value of leafy vegetables does not correspond to the consuming population of the village, except in the Bolenge village.Mots clés : chenilles, éléments minéraux, micronutriments, insectes comestibles, oligoéléments

Asupan Lemak dan Aktifitas Fisik pada Siswa SMP dengan Status Gizi Gemuk

Abstract
 Overweight and obesity are abnormal conditions or the occurrence of excess fat in adipose tissue and pose a risk of damaging health. In Indonesian, the prevalence of obesity at ages 5 – 12 years are 10,8% and obesity are 8,8%. The prevalence of obesity at the age of 13 – 15 years are 8,3% and obesity are 2,5%. Overweight and obesity can be caused by indirect factors and direct factors. Indirect factors are gender, genetics, age, social environment. Direct factors are food intake and physical activity. The food intake that contributes the greatest energy comes from carbohydrates and fat. This research was conducted to determine fat intake and physical activity in junior high school students who were overweight and obese in Tasikmalaya City. This research is descriptive research conducted from February to April 2023. Data were collected using anthropometric measurements to determine the nutritional status of respondents, interviews using the SQ-FFQ and IPAQ formulas to determine fat intake and physical activity. Data collection used a total sampling technique of 20 respondents. The results of the study showed that some teenagers with a nutritional status of overweight and obesity at junior hight school/ equivalent level experienced problems with food intake and a small percentage experienced problems with physical activity. The conclusion is that overweight and or obese teenagers at junior high school/ equivalent level experience problems with fat intake of 95% and light physical activity o2 20%, moderate physical activity of 75%.
 Keywords: obesity, teenagers, fat intake, physical activity

Rapid assessment of the mental well-being of general practitioners in Serbia during crises

Abstract Background General practitioners - GPs are at risk of greater exposure to multiple stressors during emergencies. To help primary care crisis preparedness planning, we rapidly assessed GPs’ mental well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic using a cross-sectional design, and after examining the 9-item Mayo Clinic Well-being Index (MWBI) correlation with the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale - 21 Items (DASS21). Methods During the PRICOV-19 international study, January - June 2021, we distributed the MWBI questionnaire (forward-backwards translated) and a standardized Serbian version of DASS21 to all GPs licensed at the Serbian Medical Chamber for self-administration. Pearson's r tested the correlation of the MWBI with the DASS21 scores. Multivariate linear regression analysis identified factors of the GPs’ poorer mental well-being (if higher than the cutoff of 2). Results 116 GPs, aged 24 - 68 years (median age = 42), participated in the study, of which 78.4% were females. A total of 101 respondents completed both questionnaires. The mean of the MWBI scores was 3,3 (SD 2.6) and ranged from -2 to 9, with a median of 3. Using a cutoff of MWBI ≥2, 71.3% of participants were considered at risk of distress. MWBI score correlated strongly, positively and significantly with the DASS21 total score (r = 0.791; p < 0,001), as well as with the DASS21 subscales (i.e. depression (r = 0.730; p < 0,001), anxiety (r = 0.660; p < 0,001), and stress (r = 0.759; p < 0,001)). A lower level of material status of respondents (B = - 0,882; p < 0,001) and lack of time to uptake clinical guidelines (B = - 0,600; p = 0,001) were independently and significantly related to higher MWBI scores. Conclusions The MWBI correlates with the DASS21 scores to an acceptable level. During the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, two-thirds of Serbian GPs were at risk of distress, including those with lower material status and lack of time to uptake guidelines. Key messages • Assessing GP’s mental well-being should be included in emergency plans for primary care preparedness. • Use of MWBI in crises helps validate and rapidly assess GPs’ mental well-being.

Relationship between social interaction and health of the floating elderly population in China: an analysis based on interaction type, mode and frequency

BackgroundAlthough the health of the floating elderly population is an important part of active and healthy ageing, it is neglected in current Chinese society. Based on the general consensus that social interaction can affect the health of the floating population, this study explored whether the interaction type, mode and frequency influenced the health of the floating elderly population in China and investigated the variability of these influential effects.MethodsThis study used the China Migrant Population Dynamic Survey Data 2017 and selected 5239 floating elderly individuals over 60 years old. Self-rated health was used to assess the comprehensive health status of respondents. Social interaction was measured by the interaction type, mode and frequency. Descriptive statistical analysis was used to analyse the health and social interaction status. An ordinal probit model was used to estimate the influential effects and differences on health caused by social interaction. The 2SLS model was used to examine the mutual causality relationship between interaction frequency and health, and a robustness test was conducted.ResultsA total of 44.6% interacted with local residents, 14.2% participated in interaction activities based on geographical relations, and only 4.3% and 7% participated in interactions based on business and interest, respectively. Interacting with natives improved individuals’ self-rated health by 18.5%; specifically, geographical interaction increased self-rated health by 40.9%, occupational interaction increased it by 25.2%, interest-based interaction increased it by 41.2%, and interaction frequency improved the self-rated health (β = 0.128). In addition, sex, education level, personal income, and floating into the eastern region had a positive effect on individuals’ health. However, age, spouse and hukou exerted a negative effect.ConclusionsThis study demonstrated that interacting with local residents could improve the health of floating elderly population, and revealed that interest-based interaction and their frequency had a positive impact on health. The government should speed up the construction of the voluntary service system and encourage the floating elderly population to realize their personal value in social interaction. In addition, the reform of the hukou system should be further promoted, so as to remove institutional barriers to the social interaction.

Testing 2 Alternative Time Trade-Off Methods for Valuation of Children’s Health States

ObjectivesComposite time trade-off (cTTO) values for EQ-5D-Y-3L health states tend to be high, raising concerns about sensitivity particularly for mild or moderate health states. We conceptualized and pilot tested 2 alternative time trade-off (TTO) variants: the caregiver TTO (CGTTO) and lag-time TTO (LTTO). MethodsWe collected CGTTO and LTTO data in China for 10 EQ-5D-Y-3L health states and compared the resulting values, respondent feedback, and task completion times with those from an EQ-5D-Y-3L valuation study using cTTO. We also examined how age and parental status of respondents could affect TTO values. ResultsA total of 304 participants were included in this study. Overall, cTTO showed statistically better results in all feedback questions. On a 5-point Likert scale where lower score means greater agreement, the mean (SD) feedback scores for cTTO, LTTO, and CGTTO were 1.18 (0.58), 1.45 (0.91), and 1.65 (1.02) for “easy to understand”; 1.45 (0.91), 1.94 (1.08), and 1.86 (1.24) for “easy to differentiate”; and 3.61 (1.29), 2.97 (1.33), and 3.02 (1.50) for “difficult to decide,” respectively. The mean (SD) TTO values of all 10 states were 0.463 (0.494), 0.387 (0.555), and 0.123 (0.710) for cTTO, LTTO, and CGTTO, respectively. The effects of age and parental status on TTO values differed by the 3 methods. ConclusionsLTTO and CGTTO produce values with good characteristics and merit further investigation. Researchers need to be aware of the differences in design and values when using the TTO method to value children’s health states.

Gender division and television consumption in Kazakhstan

Television has remained the most prominent and influential form of the Kazakhstani mass media. According to the results of the study under consideration, 98 per cent of all households in the country have at least one television set. In this study, the author analyses data collected during a survey of the Kazakhstani population to assess gender differences relating to their habits of watching TV programmes to estimate levels of their TV consumption and their relationship to television in general. The collected data set also contained information about other related factors such as the administrative status of respondents (rural and urban), their age and occupation in order to identify a more nuanced profile of an average Kazakhstani television viewer.