Target Age Group Research Articles

Lived experiences and caring needs in young adults diagnosed with cancer.

To explore the lived experience of young adults diagnosed with cancer and to increase our understanding of how to help them with their caring needs. Being diagnosed with cancer is normally related with an existential crisis. This indicates that the individual cannot avoid thoughts of death, loneliness, guilt, and meaninglessness. In person-centered care, the caretaker should have a holistic view of the person. Professionals must meet the patient´s different needs to strengthen health and well-being for the diagnosed. This approach encourages the traditionally passive patient to become an active consumer who works in partnership with the healthcare provider. For this study, a content analysis of narratives was conducted, targeting age groups of 20-29 to take part of young adults' experiences. Qualitative analysis of narratives and followed checklist (e.g., COREQ). During the analyzing phase, two main themes emerged: Interactions with Professionals and Cancer Voyager. In the results, both positive and negative feelings regarding encounters and support received from the professionals were described, this affected the young adults' well-being and their ability to participate during treatments. The young adults felt as being on a journey with no control over which direction the road may take. Outcome of the result shows the importance of making the young adult, one in a team. When working in a person-centered way, patients gain control by owning their own responsibility during treatments. There is a need in nursing education to address existential matters, to make nursing students ready to be approach but such questions in their professional work. Also, we believe that the experienced nurse must be given means to feel confident to handle questions about existential matters. By developing skills in the area of e-Health, collaboration through support groups, and last but not least switching to patient-centered care, we can offer effective and evidence-based care tailored for this population.

Nonlinear Relationship Between Age and Likelihood of Undergoing Prostate-Specific Antigen Testing, and the Predictive Factors of Testing at Different Ages.

Objective:To investigate the nonlinear relationship between age and the likelihood of undergoing prostate-specific antigen (PSA) testing, and the difference of factors influencing the test likelihood among subjects aged 40–54, 55–69, and ≥70 years.Methods:Data were extracted from the 2018 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, with the primary outcome defined as receipt of a PSA test within the previous 12 months. Restricted cubic splines were used to assess the relationship between age and the likelihood of undergoing PSA testing. Backward conditional logistic regression analyses were used to identify the predictors of undergoing PSA testing among subjects aged 40–54, 55–69, and ≥70 years.Results:Finally, 92,177 people were identified. The likelihood of PSA testing increased up to around 71 years old and then decreased rapidly for higher ages, showing a clear nonlinear inverted U-shaped relationship with age (p < .001). Insurance status, shared decision-making, whether a recommendation for PSA testing had been accepted, income level, smoking status, and age were the common predictors of testing in the three age groups. However, the predictors differed somewhat among the three groups: being overweight or obese was only positively associated with increased testing among people aged 40–54 and ≥70 years, being retired only greatly impacted the test likelihood among those aged 40–54 years, and the general health status, marital status, and race affected people aged ≥55 years.Conclusion:The factors influencing PSA screening differ with age, which should be fully considered when screening different target age groups.

Analysis of Computational Thinking in Children’s Literature for K-6 Students: Literature as a Non-Programming Unplugged Resource

As schools and districts across the United States adopt computer science standards and curriculum for K-12 computer science education, they look to integrate the foundational concepts of computational thinking (CT) into existing core subjects of elementary-age students. Research has shown the effectiveness of teaching CT elements (abstraction, generalization, decomposition, algorithmic thinking, debugging) using non-programming, unplugged approaches. These approaches address common barriers teachers face with lack of knowledge, familiarity, or technology tools. Picture books and graphic novels present an unexplored non-programming, unplugged resource for teachers to integrate computational thinking into their CT or CT-integrated lessons. This analysis examines 27 picture books and graphic novels published between 2015 and 2020 targeted to K-6 students for representation of computational thinking elements. Using the computational thinking curriculum framework for K-6, we identify the grade-level competencies of the CT elements featured in the books compared to the books’ target age groups. We compare grade-level competencies to interest level to identify each CT element representation as “foundational,” “on-target,” or “advanced.” We conclude that literature offers teachers a non-programming unplugged resource to expose students to CT and enhance CT and CT-integrated lessons, while also personalizing learning based on CT readiness and interest level.

Determinants of normal nutrition among 0-59-month-old Filipino children living in low-income households.

An alternative concept in understanding malnutrition among 0 to 59-month-old children from low-income households is to look at and understand factors contributing to their good nutritional status. (a) Compared nutritional status of children across age groups in terms of weight-for-age, length/height-for-age, weight-for-length/height and body mass index-for-age z scores; (b) determined and compared selected characteristics of children and mothers across age; (c) identified factors affecting normal nutritional status of these children. Cross-sectional data from the Philippines' 8th National Nutrition Survey among 1,990 children. Differences in mean values measured using analysis of variance; chi-square test for assessing significance of association between children with normal nutritional status across child and maternal characteristics; and multivariate logistic regression to calculate adjusted odds ratio (AORs). Younger (AOR =1.63-2.54), female children (AOR=1.20), mothers neither pregnant nor lactating (AOR=1.18), have high school, vocational (AOR=1.65) or college level education (AOR=2.02), household use of water-sealed toilet (AOR=1.26), having nuclear family types (AOR=1.25) indicated protection against undernutrition. Behavior-related factors that significantly predict normal nutrition among the children were "acceptable" food consumption score among households (0 to 5 and 6 to 23 months old), delivery in health facilities (6 to 23 months old) and household use of water-sealed toilets (24 to 59 months). Based on the findings, activities and programs can be tailored around the behavior-related factors identified depending on the target age group, and pursued in crafting interventions to maintain normal nutrition among the children.

Media use and behavioral disorders among Saudi Arabian children.

Despite children's frequent use of electronic devices, there is a lack of evidence showing how such media use influences their behavior. This study was to assess the relationship between media use and behavior among a sample of children aged three to 11 years. This was a descriptive cross-sectional study. An electronic self-administered questionnaire was completed from January 2020 to March 2020 by a convenience sample of 234 parents with healthy children in the target age group. Descriptive statistics and One-Way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) were used for data analysis. There was no significant difference in children's behavior according to the type of media [F(3, 230) = 1.673, p = 0.174]. In contrast, there was a significant difference in children's behavior according to hours per day of media use [F(4, 229) = 2.701, p = 0.031]. The most commonly used mobile device was the smartphone (n = 87, 37.2%). More than a quarter of the children spent three hours a day using media. This study offers insight into associations between children's frequent media use and their behavior. The results suggest that the significant factor associated with behavioral problems is not the type of media but the time spent using it. Nurses are encouraged to use these findings in developing educational programs that raise awareness among parents and children regarding the consequences of excessive media use.

Fewer US Adolescents Playing Football and Public Health: A Review of Measures to Improve Safety and an Analysis of Gaps in the Literature.

Physical activity during adolescence is associated with positive health outcomes, yet only 26% of US middle and high school students report daily physical activity. Moreover, the number of high school students playing a sport is declining, with the largest decline in football. One reason for this decline in playing football may be increased attention to the risk of head injury. For public health, the decline is alarming because football offers a physical activity opportunity for millions of young people every year. In response, efforts have been made to institute measures to enhance the safety of football. The objective of this topical review was to review these measures and the data supporting their effectiveness. We conducted a search of scientific literature supplemented by a web search to identify safety measures. We used the Indiana University library electronic database, PubMed, and web browser searches with specific search terms. In addition to peer-reviewed studies, we searched news stories and reports from sport-related organizations. We summarized the measures and evaluations of effectiveness and categorized the measures by type (game rules, practice guidelines, equipment innovations, strategic initiatives) and target age group (elementary/middle school, high school, college, professional). We found that attempts are being made to improve the safety of football at all levels. However, many measures lack scientific evidence to support their effectiveness. Therefore, researchers need to systematically evaluate safety measures. By implementing evidence-based interventions, we can balance the public health risk of playing football versus the public health risk of continued declines in participation.

Impact of the age expansion of breast screening on screening uptake and screening outcomes among older women in BreastScreen western

ObjectivesTo assess the impact of age expansion of screening (EOS) of the target age group from 50 to 69 to 50–74 in Australia, which began mid-2013, by examining screening uptake and outcomes of older women, and by identifying factors associated with continuing screening after reaching the age of 75 years. MethodsRetrospective study using data from women aged 65+ who attended BreastScreen Western Australia between 2010 and 2017 for free mammograms. Screening uptake and screening outcomes were calculated for the periods before (2010–2012) and after (2015–2017) the age EOS to women aged 70–74. Logistic regression was used to identify variables associated with continuing screening after reaching age 75 years, while controlling for possible confounding variables. ResultsAge EOS increased screening uptake amongst women aged 70–74 b y 36% and amongst women ≥75 years by 3% while screening uptake in women aged 65-69 decreased by 3%. Rate of invasive screened-detected cancers significantly decreased among women aged 70–74 from 11.4/1000 screens before to 8.1/1000 screens after age EOS. Likelihood of continuing screening into age ≥75 years was higher in women who had a personal history or a family history of breast cancer, or used hormone replacement therapy within six months of screening. Women who were born outside Australia were less likely to continue screening after reaching age 75 years. ConclusionsOur study found that age EOS to women aged 70–74 was effective in increasing screening uptake in this age-group but was accompanied by a moderate increase in screening uptake amongst women ≥75 years via self-referral for whom potential benefit of screening may be limited.

Exposure of children to television food advertisements: an observational analysis

Television advertisements are a powerful medium by which food companies can influence children's dietary choices. This study aimed to determine the current frequency and nutritional content of food and drink advertisements on popular television channels and ascertain whether this differed depending on the target age-group. In this study, television channels were classified by their stated target age-groups. A total of 96 hours of the most popular television channels from each age category were watched during children's peak viewing times, and food and drink advertisements were nutritionally analysed. Overall, 9.5% of advertisements observed were for food and drink. More food and drink advertisements (P&lt;0.001) and those promoting high in fat, salt or sugar (HFSS) products (P&lt;0.001) were broadcast on channels aimed towards older children. There is an ongoing exposure of children to HFSS products via both adult- and child-targeted television channels. Further efforts are required to limit this.

Understanding primary care physician perspectives on recommending HPV vaccination and addressing vaccine hesitancy

ABSTRACT HPV vaccination rates have improved in recent years, but remain suboptimal in the United States. Physician recommendation is associated with increased uptake; however, specific strategies used by physicians to recommend the vaccine and address hesitancy are underexplored. We iteratively conducted qualitative in-depth interviews with family medicine and pediatrics/adolescent medicine physicians recruited from four primary care settings (federally qualified health centers and hospital-affiliated practices) within a large academic-hospital system in New Jersey. Interviews aimed to understand factors influencing physician recommendations. Transcripts were analyzed iteratively using a team-based, thematic content analysis approach. All physicians reported strong support for HPV vaccination, intention to recommend for target age groups, and providing factsheets to parents. Many physicians used electronic medical records and/or the state immunization registry for monitoring vaccinations, but few were able to report their own clinic-level rates. The majority said they needed to overcome both hesitancy for at least 10–30% of parents and misinformation from the internet. Most cited having their own children vaccinated for HPV as a first-line strategy for addressing parental hesitancy. Other strategies included using data or professional authority to address safety concerns, linking HPV to cervical cancer, highlighting only needing two doses if vaccinated younger, and normalizing the vaccine. While our findings indicate physicians are knowledgeable about HPV vaccination and recommend it to parents, strategies to overcome parental hesitancy varied. Physician, clinic, and health-system-based strategies need to be adopted to overcome parental hesitancy for HPV vaccination.

A dose-reduction HPV vaccine immunobridging trial of two HPV vaccines among adolescent girls in Tanzania (the DoRIS trial) – Study protocol for a randomised controlled trial

BackgroundHuman papillomavirus (HPV) infection is the primary cause of cervical cancer. In 2018, the World Health Organization (WHO) Director General announced his commitment to eliminate cervical cancer, with HPV vaccination as a priority. However, the costs of setting up a multi-dose HPV vaccination programme remain a barrier to its introduction. Methods/DesignWe are conducting a randomised-controlled trial of reduced dose schedules of HPV vaccine in Tanzania to establish whether a single dose produces immune responses that will be effective in preventing cervical cancer. 930 girls aged 9–14 years in Mwanza, Tanzania, were randomised to one of 6 arms, comprising 3 different dose schedules of the 2-valent (Cervarix) and 9-valent (Gardasil-9) HPV vaccines: 3 doses; 2 doses given 6 months apart; or a single dose. All participants will be followed for 36 months; those in the 1 and 2 dose arms will be followed for 60 months. Trial outcomes focus on vaccine immune responses including HPV 16/18-specific antibody levels, antibody avidity, and memory B cell responses. Results will be immunobridged to historical cohorts of girls and young women in whom efficacy has been demonstrated. DiscussionThis is the first randomised trial of the single dose HPV vaccine schedule in the target age group. The trial will allow us to examine the quality and durability of immune responses of reduced dose schedules in a population with high burden of malaria and other infections that may affect vaccine immune responses. Initial results (24 months) are expected to be published in early 2021.

Personalized Screening for Breast Cancer: Rationale, Present Practices, and Future Directions.

Ever since screening for early breast cancer (BC) diagnosis was shown to decrease mortality from the disease, screening programs have been widely implemented throughout the world. Targeted age groups and schedules vary between countries but the majority use a population-based approach, regardless of personal BC risk. The purpose of this review was to describe current population-based screening practices, point out some of the shortcomings of these practices, describe BC risk factors and risk assessment models, and present ongoing clinical trials of personalized risk-adapted BC screening. Three ongoing, large-scale, randomized controlled clinical trials (WISDOM in the US, MyPEBS in Europe, and TBST in Italy) were identified through a search of the MEDLINE and US National Library of Medicine (ClinicalTrials.gov) databases. In these trials, women either undergo standard or personalized screening. The trials vary in methods of risk stratification and screening modalities, but all aim to examine whether personalized risk-adapted screening can safely replace the current population-based approach and lead to rates of advanced-stage BC at diagnosis comparable with those of current screening regimens. The results of these trials may change current population-based screening practices.

Sedación en emergencias neonatales: ¿Es la dexmedetomidina el agente ideal?

Introducción: La dexmedetomidina es un fármaco altamente selectivo y potente alfa 2 agonista con propiedades analgésicas, amnésicas, sedativas y simpaticolíticos que la convierten en un agente auxiliar importante en procedimientos de emergencias. Las ventajas de la dexmedetomidina son únicas, produce sedación consciente y analgesia sin depresión respiratoria. Se ha reportado que posee efectos neuroprotectivos en varios modelos de lesión cerebral, sin embargo, hay incremento de la evidencia sobre efectos órgano protectivos contra la lesión isquémica e hipóxica, incluyendo cardioprotección y renoprotección. La neuroprotección beneficia a los neonatos y el retraso en la conducción cardíaca, un efecto adverso, puede resultar beneficioso para las arritmias posteriores a cirugía cardíaca congénita.&#x0D; Objetivos: Proporcionar la mejor evidencia científica de la dexmedetomidina en relación a sus ventajas en el grupo de edad mencionado.&#x0D; Material y Métodos: Se realizó una revisión sistemática de la literatura científica publicada en el período 2015–2020. Se realizó una búsqueda en los sitios a continuación utilizando los siguientes términos: “anesthesia”, “dexmedetomidine”, “newborn”, “sedation”, “mechanical ventilation”, “respiratory insufficiency”, “pharmacology”, “adverse effects” en bases de datos: Medline, Minerva Anestesiologica, The Journal of Pediatric Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Anesthesia &amp; Analgesia, Pediatric Critical Care Medicine y Current Opinion in Anaesthesiology.&#x0D; Resultados: La mejor evidencia científica sugiere que la dexmedetomidina es un agente de mucho potencial en la edad neonatal y pediátrica, para manejo de sedación con preservación de autonomía respiratoria, lo que la haría un agente ideal en este grupo de edad.&#x0D; Conclusiones: Las ventajas teóricas de la dexmedetomidina en el grupo etario objetivo de estudio la convierte en un fármaco altamente útil, los neonatos son mayormente susceptibles a la depresión respiratoria por opioides o benzodiacepinas en la sedación por sus variaciones anatómicas y centro respiratorios superiores aún inmaduros, aunque su seguridad y eficacia no ha sido comprobado con grandes ensayos clínicos aleatorizados, se proyecta como una alternativa de calidad para la sedación en el grupo de edad descrito

Clinical Spectrum and Treatment of Odontogenic Myxoma: Analysis of 37 Cases.

Odontogenic myxoma is one of the benign mesenchymal odontogenic tumours with aggressive behaviour and showed slow and asymptomatic expansion, the second until the third decade of life is the most targeted age group. With high female preponderance, about the management, surgical management is the only option concerning this odontogenic pathology with a variety of treatment options. This study aims to analyse a series of 37 patients with odontogenic myxoma treated in a single institution. In total, 37 patients with odontogenic myxoma were treated at KTDH in Sudan and were retrospectively reviewed. With the analysis of medical records of all patients diagnosed with odontogenic myxoma and the related variables, data were analysed using the SPSS statistical program (version 23). Most of the cases were females (26 patients 70.27%), and males were about (11 patients 29.73%). In most of the cases maxilla was affected more than the mandible (25 cases, 67.57%) mostly in its posterior segment (32 cases, 86.49). The most age group affected was the group of cases (0-20) which were about 18 cases (48.65%). In total, 35 of the cases noticed swelling (94.59%), while 14 noticed tooth mobility (37.84%) and paraesthesia was a positive finding in just one case (2.70%). In total, 12 patients (32.43%) had a positive history of tooth extraction related to the lesion, and recurrence was positive in (64, 86%). Odontogenic myxoma is locally aggressive. There is no gold standard protocol for surgical treatment so choosing the most suitable and reliable treatment option relay on the operator taking into consideration the characteristic of each case and the recurrence rate with the associated postoperative impairments.

Best practices for selection of excipients for paediatrics – Workshop reflection

The development of age appropriate formulations for the paediatric population has become one of the key areas of focus for the pharmaceutical industry – with a subsequent influence on excipient use. Selection of excipients with appropriate safety and tolerability is a major hurdle in paediatric formulation development. Various factors influence selection of excipients, including target age group, route of administration and dosage form. Evaluation of these factors and a clear rationale and justification is expected by the regulators when it comes to selecting excipients for paediatric formulation. Scientists are encouraged to apply the principle of benefit to risk balance to assess the suitability of excipients to the specific paediatric population for whom the formulation is intended. In order to understand how scientists approach the task of establishing the risk to benefit analysis, a workshop was organised by the European Paediatric Formulation Initiative (EuPFI) to reflect on the current scenario and the different practices employed by formulation scientists in the selection of excipients for paediatric formulations. Aspects assessed by regulators were also canvassed. Finally, the participants were asked to comment on how selecting excipients for use in paediatric formulations may differ from the considerations applied in selecting excipients for formulations for other age groups. Based on the workshop discussion, some recommendations and questions to consider emerged regarding the selection of excipients in paediatric drug development. These best practice recommendations provided a good starting point for a more systematic strategy for selecting excipients for paediatric formulation development.

Seroprevalence of chikungunya virus infection in India, 2017: a cross-sectional population-based serosurvey

Since its re-emergence in 2005, chikungunya virus (CHIKV) transmission has been documented in most Indian states. Information is scarce regarding the seroprevalence of CHIKV in India. We aimed to estimate the age-specific seroprevalence, force of infection (FOI), and proportion of the population susceptible to CHIKV infection. We did a nationally representative, cross-sectional serosurvey, in which we randomly selected individuals in three age groups (5-8, 9-17, and 18-45 years), covering 240 clusters from 60 selected districts of 15 Indian states spread across all five geographical regions of India (north, northeast, east, south, and west). Age was the only inclusion criterion. We tested serum samples for IgG antibodies against CHIKV. We estimated the weighted age-group-specific seroprevalence of CHIKV infection for each region using the design weight (ie, the inverse of the overall probability of selection of state, district, village or ward, census enumeration block, and individual), adjusting for non-response. We constructed catalytic models to estimate the FOI and the proportion of the population susceptible to CHIKV in each region. From June 19, 2017, to April 12, 2018, we enumerated 117 675 individuals, of whom 77 640 were in the age group of 5-45 years. Of 17 930 randomly selected individuals, 12 300 individuals participated and their samples were used for estimation of CHIKV seroprevalence. The overall prevalence of IgG antibodies against CHIKV in the study population was 18·1% (95% CI 14·2-22·6). The overall seroprevalence was 9·2% (5·4-15·1) among individuals aged 5-8 years, 14·0% (8·8-21·4) among individuals aged 9-17 years, and 21·6% (15·9-28·5) among individuals aged 18-45 years. The seroprevalence was lowest in the northeast region (0·3% [95% CI 0·1-0·8]) and highest in the southern region (43·1% [34·3-52·3]). There was a significant difference in seroprevalence between rural (11·5% [8·8-15·0]) and urban (40·2% [31·7-49·3]) areas (p<0·0001). The seroprevalence did not differ by sex (male 18·8% [95% CI 15·2-23·0] vs female 17·6% [13·2-23·1]; p=0·50). Heterogeneous FOI models suggested that the FOI was higher during 2003-07 in the southern and western region and 2013-17 in the northern region. FOI was lowest in the eastern and northeastern regions. The estimated proportion of the population susceptible to CHIKV in 2017 was lowest in the southern region (56·3%) and highest in the northeastern region (98·0%). CHIKV transmission was higher in the southern, western, and northern regions of India than in the eastern and northeastern regions. However, a higher proportion of the population susceptible to CHIKV in the eastern and northeastern regions suggests a susceptibility of these regions to outbreaks in the future. Our survey findings will be useful in identifying appropriate target age groups and sites for setting up surveillance and for future CHIKV vaccine trials. Indian Council of Medical Research.

Impact of funding on influenza vaccine uptake in Australian children.

Volunteer observational cohort study. Flutracking is an email-based surveillance tool for influenza-like illness that collects information about symptoms and influenza vaccination. We used historical data from 2014 to 2017 to estimate baseline vaccination status before funding of childhood influenza vaccines was introduced. We compared self-reported vaccine uptake in children younger than 5 years, children aged 5-17 years and adults (18-64 years, and 65 years and older) in 2018 and 2019 by state or territory. Mixed effects logistic regressions were used to measure the association between vaccination and a number of predictors, including whether the child was eligible for free vaccines, and whether adults resided with children or not. We found large increases in vaccine uptake for children younger than 5 years in 2018 in all jurisdictions except Western Australia (where vaccines were already funded) and the Northern Territory (where funded vaccines were not introduced until 2019) that coincided with vaccine policy changes. Self-reported vaccination rates for young children in 2018 increased 2.7-4.2-fold in jurisdictions that funded the vaccine (compared with the previous, unfunded period). Being eligible for the funded vaccine was associated with much higher odds (odds ratio [OR] 4.75; 95% confidence interval [CI] 4.57, 4.79) of a young child being vaccinated. Older children and adults younger than 65 years were also more likely to receive the vaccine following policy changes. The seasonal influenza vaccine is an important protective measure for those at risk of serious outcomes, including young children. Flutracking data demonstrates that government-funded vaccines can lead to an almost five-fold increase in self-reported vaccine uptake of the targeted age group, as well as previously unreported flow-on effects to older children. This suggests that funded vaccines for young children may encourage caregivers to also vaccinate themselves and their older children.

A survey of fertility preservation in patients with hematologic malignancies in the Chugoku and Shikoku regions

We interviewed the adult and pediatric hematologists in the Chugoku and Shikoku regions in order to determine their opinions and attitudes about fertility preservation in 2020. A questionnaire on fertility preservation practices was sent to 59 doctors in 46 adult and pediatric hematology-oncology hospitals, out of which 52 doctors (88.1%) responded. Forty doctors (76.9%) had no rules about the explanation and 37 doctors (71.2%) answered that the attending physicians provided the explanation alone in their hospitals. Many doctors had no rules about the target age group of patients. Only few hospitals were able to complete the treatment of hematological malignancies and fertility preservation within their own infrastructure. Several doctors referred to neighboring hospitals for fertility preservation; however, five hospitals were unable to provide fertility preservation and had no relationship with other hospitals. Doctors should give fertility preservation options to all patients at risk of infertility because of their cancer treatment. It is suggested that the local networks should be utilized and relationships with neighboring hospitals strengthened.

Helminth Associated Infections Among Residents of Karachi

Background: Parasitic Helminth parasite affects approximately 2 million individuals yearly throughout the world. These infections are extremely important while often receive inadequate consideration. Helminths are among the gastrointestinal parasites mainly involved in an increased ratio of inflammatory bowel disease, especially in underdeveloped and developed countries.&#x0D; Objectives: To study the prevalence of helminth eggs in stool samples collected from five hospitals of Gulistan-e-Johar area of Karachi, Sindh among different age groups of male and female patients, the targeted age groups were &lt; 1-14, 15-40 and &gt; 40 yrs.&#x0D; Methodology: All the samples included in the study, were collected according to ethical review board policy of the participating hospital. Stool Samples were obtained from a total of 1042 patients, of which 198 samples were found to be positive for helminth eggs. The helminths included were Ascaris lumbricoides, Ancylostoma duodenales and Hymenolepis nana. The association between helminth infection (A. lumbricoides, A. duodenale and H. nana) and age group was found to be significant.&#x0D; Results: Data was structured into male and female, and the association between sex and the intensity of infection gave highly significant results based on the chi-square test. Males showed a noticeable prevalence of helminths than females. Single, double and triple infections were also recorded.&#x0D; Conclusion: Present study could be very beneficial for developing programs not only for awareness in the urban and rural population but also for the control of infections due to helminths in Pakistan.

Information Avoidance in Decision Making: Do the Reasons Vary by Age?

Older adults make up the majority of the U.S. patient population and age differences in information avoidance have potential implications for their ability to participate in informed medical decision making. Meta-analytic evidence suggests that older adults seek less information before making a decision than younger adults do (Mata & Nunes, 2010). However, age differences in explicit information avoidance have yet to be quantified. We hypothesized that older adults would avoid decision-relevant information more strongly than younger adults do. We also examined the self-reported reasons for information avoidance and hypothesized that older adults would express more concern about unwanted information influencing their affect (Reed & Carstensen, 2012) and decision preferences (Mather, 2006), both of which are known predictors of information avoidance (Woolley & Risen, 2018). To test these assumptions, we conducted a pre-registered online study involving three different health-related decision scenarios. For each scenario, an adult lifespan sample (N=195, Mage=52.95, 50% female, 71% non-Hispanic White) chose to either receive or avoid information. Responses were highly correlated across scenarios and results were pooled into a single avoidance measure. Analyses indicated that concerns about consequences for decision preferences positively predicted decision avoidance (p<.001), whereas concerns about consequences for affect did not (p=.079). Contrary to predictions, older age was not significantly associated with information avoidance (p=.827). Further, self-reported concerns about the influence of unwanted information on affect and decision preferences were negatively associated with age (ps<.001). This suggests that interventions to foster pre-decisional information seeking should be tailored to the target age group.

The targeting of preschoolers, children, adolescents and adults by the Canadian food and beverage industry on television: a cross-sectional study.

Unhealthy food advertising can negatively impact children's food preferences and nutritional health. In Canada, only companies participating in the self-regulatory Children's Food and Beverage Advertising Initiative (CAI) commit to limiting unhealthy food advertising to children. We analyzed food advertising from 182 Canadian television stations in 2018. A principal component analysis explored patterns of advertising by 497 food companies and their targeting of preschoolers, children, adolescents, and adults. Chi-square analyses tested differences in the volume of advertising between target age groups by heavily advertising food companies and by CAI-participating and non-participating companies. In 2018, Maple Leaf Foods, Boulangerie St-Méthode, Exceldor Foods, Goodfood Market and Sobeys advertised most frequently during preschooler-programming. General Mills, Kellogg's, the Topps Company, Parmalat and Post Foods advertised most frequently during child-programming, while Burger King, McDonald's, General Mills, Kellogg's and Wendy's advertised most frequently during adolescent-programming. CAI-participating companies were responsible for over half of the food advertising broadcast during programs targeted to children (55%), while they accounted for less than half of the food advertising aired during programs targeting preschoolers (24%), adolescents (41%) and adults (42%). Statutory food advertising restrictions are needed to limit food companies' targeting of young people on television in Canada. Novelty: Advertising from fast food restaurant chains dominated television programming targeted to adolescents in 2018. Advertising from breakfast cereal, candy, and snack manufacturers dominated television programming targeted at children in 2018. Over 100 Canadian and transnational companies contravened broadcast restrictions on advertising to preschoolers in 2018.