University Health Center Research Articles

Promoting fathers’ mental health and involvement

Promoting fathers’ mental health and involvement Promoting fathers’ mental health and father involvement – a call to action is given here by Deborah Da Costa, Ph.D., Associate Professor at the Department of Medicine, McGill University, and Scientist at McGill University Health Centre. Up to 1 in 10 fathers struggle with mental health difficulties during their partner’s pregnancy and/or the first year following the birth of their child. Depression is among the most commonly experienced mental health difficulties for fathers during this life stage. The use of a gender lens is important to recognize the signs of depression in men, as they can exhibit symptoms differently compared to women.

Gender and Sexual Orientation Differences in Sexual Violence Knowledge, Prevention Behaviors, and Care-Seeking Behaviors.

Sexual violence (SV) on college campuses disproportionately affects cisgender (nontransgender) women, sexual minorities (e.g., gays/lesbians, bisexuals), and gender minority (e.g., transgender/nonbinary) people. This study investigates gender and sexual behavior differences in common SV intervention targets-SV-related knowledge, prevention behaviors, and care-seeking. We analyzed cross-sectional survey data, collected in 9/2015-3/2017, from 2202 students aged 18-24 years attending college health and counseling centers at 28 Pennsylvania and West Virginia campuses. Multivariable multilevel models tested gender and sexual behavior differences in SV history; recognition of SV; prevention behaviors (self-efficacy to obtain sexual consent, intentions to intervene, positive bystander behaviors); and care-seeking behaviors (knowledge of, self-efficacy to use, and actual use of SV services). Adjusting for lifetime exposure to SV, compared with cisgender men, cisgender women had higher recognition of SV and reproductive coercion, prevention behaviors, and care-seeking self-efficacy (beta range 0.19-1.36) and gender minority people had higher recognition of SV and intentions to intervene (beta range 0.33-0.61). Cisgender men with any same-gender sexual partners had higher SV knowledge (beta = 0.23) and self-efficacy to use SV services (beta = 0.52) than cisgender men with only opposite-gender partners. SV history did not explain these differences. Populations most vulnerable to SV generally have higher SV knowledge, prevention behaviors, and care-seeking behaviors than cisgender men with only opposite-gender sexual partners. Innovative SV intervention approaches are necessary to increase SV-related knowledge among heterosexual cisgender men and may need to target alternative mechanisms to effectively reduce inequities for sexual and gender minority people.

Use of saliva-based qPCR diagnostics for the accurate, rapid, and inexpensive detection of strep throat.

Outpatient health care facilities are essential for quickly diagnosing common infectious diseases such as bacterial and viral pharyngitis. The only form of pharyngitis requiring antibiotics is strep throat (ST); however, antibiotic prescription rates are much higher than ST prevalence, suggesting antibiotics are being inappropriately prescribed. Current rapid ST diagnostics may be contributing to this problem due to the low sensitivity and variable specificity of these tests. It is best practice to verify a negative ST diagnosis with a group A Streptococcus (GAS) culture, but many clinics do not perform this test due to the additional cost and 24-72 h required to obtain results. This indicates there is great need for more accurate rapid diagnostic tools in outpatient facilities. We hypothesized that next generation qPCR technology could be adapted to detect GAS DNA from saliva samples (instead of the traditional throat swab) by creating a simple, fast, and inexpensive protocol. Saliva specimens collected from patients at James Madison University Health Center were used to test the effectiveness of our Chelex 100-based rapid DNA extraction method, followed by a fast protocol developed for the Open qPCR machine to accurately detect ST. Our final saliva processing and qPCR protocol required no specialized training to perform and was able to detect ST with 100 % sensitivity and 100 % specificity (n=102) in 22-26 min, costing only $1.12 per sample. Saliva can be rapidly analyzed via qPCR for the accurate and inexpensive detection of ST.

Frequency of Mental Disorders in the Postpartum Period at the Community and University Health Center of Konobougou

Frequency of Mental Disorders in the Postpartum Period at the Community and University Health Center of Konobougou

KEeP ACTIVe Club Study: Kidney Transplant Recipients' Experiences of a Physical Activity and Social Interaction Virtual Group.

It can be difficult for kidney transplant recipients (KTRs) to be physically active after their transplantation. Physical inactivity is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease, one of the leading cause of death among KTRs. To help KTRs start and maintain a physical activity routine, we developed the KEeP ACTIVe Club, a 6-month online intervention with access to a kinesiologist, a patient partner, and a private support group with an online platform (Facebook). The objective of this study was to capture the participants' experiences of the KEeP ACTIVe Club. Individual interviews. The Center hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal (CHUM) and the McGill University Health Center (MUHC) kidney transplant programs. Kidney transplant recipients who participated in the KEeP ACTIVe Club. Between October and December 2021, we conducted 11 individual semi-directed interviews with KTRs from 2 urban kidney transplant programs who participated in the KEeP ACTIVe Club. The interviews were digitally recorded and transcribed. Thematic analysis was conducted. Participants' principal motivation to participate in the KEeP ACTIVe Club was to improve their physical fitness following their transplant in a pandemic period. One of the main benefits of the KEeP ACTIVe Club was the improvement of participant's self-confidence and the knowledge gained regarding exercises adapted to their reality as KTRs. However, the small number of participants and the schedules of classes offered were viewed as a pitfall of the current intervention. Finally, the peer mentoring and support gained by other participants were important and viewed as highly impactful aspects of the KEeP ACTIVe Club. Only 11 of the 18 patients who participated in the KEeP ACTIVe Club took part in the interviews. Participants reported a positive experience with the KEeP ACTIVe Club. Peer mentoring and support gained from other participants seem to be essential aspects of the experience within the KEeP ACTIVe Club. This program is a good avenue to offer in post-transplant care to help KTRs to be more active and to connect with other patients.

Geriatric Voice: Distinctive Clinical Profiles of Working Seniors in a Tertiary Laryngology Clinic

ObjectivesVoice disorders have been reported in up to 47% of the geriatric population. Few studies have assessed dysphonia in the elderly, with none examining vocal function in working seniors. This study aims to profile the clinical characteristics of individuals aged 65 years and older, comparing working and non-working seniors. Study DesignRetrospective cohort study. MethodsMedical charts were reviewed for patients aged 65 years and older referred to the McGill University Health Centre Laryngology Clinic (January 2018 to March 2020). Variables studied included sociodemographics, comorbidities, voice complaints, lifestyle factors, diagnoses, voice acoustics [maximum phonation time (MPT), S/Z ratio, F0], GRBAS scale, VHI-10, RSI, and treatment modalities. ResultsA total of 267 patients were included, with a mean (SD) age of 74.2 (6.6) years and 61% of female patients. Occupation information was available in 148 cases, of which 31.1% were still working and 12.8% were professional voice users. The predominant voice complaint was dysphonia/hoarseness (48.8%) and the most prevalent diagnosis was presbyphonia (31.8%). The mean (SD) VHI-10 and RSI scores were 19.8 (9.0) and 18.7 (9.4) points, respectively. Voice therapy was prescribed for 155 patients (58.7%): 124 attended at least one session with significant post-treatment improvements in the GRBAS and VHI-10 scores (P<0.01). In the univariate analysis, working seniors had a significantly more prevalent singing habit (P=0.04) and laryngopharyngeal reflux diagnosis (P=0.01), displaying a significantly longer MPT (P<0.001) and lower G-B-S scores (P<0.05). After adjusting mean differences, only MPT and the G-S scores were significantly different between both groups. ConclusionsThe predominant diagnosis in elders with voice complaints was presbyphonia. Voice therapy proved effective in improving the VHI-10 and GRBAS scores for geriatric patients. Almost one-third of seniors remained in the workforce, demonstrating superior vocal profiles, specifically in the MPT and the grade and strain of perceptual voice quality.

A Descriptive Study of Quality of Life Following Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy and Transoral Robotic Surgery for Human Papillomavirus-Associated Oropharyngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma.

Patients with oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC) treated with radiation-based therapy suffer from short- and long-term toxicities that affect quality of life (QOL). Transoral robotic surgery (TORS) has an established role in the management of early OPSCC but adjuvant treatment is often indicated postoperatively due to the high incidence of nodal metastasis associated with advanced human papillomavirus (HPV)-related OPSCC. To overcome the need for adjuvant radiation therapy (RT), neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by TORS and neck dissection (ND) is proposed. This study aimed to assess if QOL in HPV-associated OPSCC receiving neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by TORS and ND returns to baseline within 12 months of completing treatment. A 12 month longitudinal study was carried out at McGill University Health Centre in Montreal, Canada, among a convenience sample of patients with American Joint Committee on Cancer Seventh Edition stage III and IVa HPV-related OPSCC who were treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by TORS and ND. QOL data were obtained pretreatment and at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months following treatment completion using the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer Core and Head and Neck extension modules. Paired t tests and mixed models for repeated measures analysis were used to assess changes in QOL from baseline to 12 months postoperatively and over time, respectively. Nineteen of 23 patients (median age 58 years) who received the study treatment fulfilled the eligibility criteria. OPSCC subsites were palatine tonsil (n = 12) and base of tongue (n = 7). All 19 patients were treated per protocol and none required adjuvant RT as per pathology review and protocol requirements at a postoperative multidisciplinary team tumor board discussion. No significant differences were found when comparing 12 month QOL follow-up scores to pretreatment scores in measures that would likely be affected by RT [eg, swallowing (P = .7), social eating (P = .8), xerostomia (P = .9)]. In HPV-related OPSCC, neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by TORS and ND as definitive treatment is associated with excellent QOL outcomes. Postoperative QOL scores returned to baseline by 3 months and were maintained for all measures, indicating a return to normal function.

Most Common Pathogens Causing Rhinosinusitis in Patients Who Underwent Endoscopic Sinus Surgery Before, During, and After the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) significantly impacts patients' quality of life and incurs substantial healthcare costs. Understanding pathogen trends before, during, and after the COVID-19 pandemic can inform better management and treatment strategies. To identify the common pathogens associated with CRS and compare them across pre-pandemic, during-pandemic, and post-pandemic periods. Retrospective chart review. McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, Canada. Around 147 patients were 18 years and older, diagnosed with CRS, underwent endoscopic sinus surgery within the specified timeframe (January 2017 to September 2023), and whose charts contained relevant microbiology information. Patients were categorized into 3 groups based on surgery dates: pre- (January 2018 to November 2019), during- (January 2020 to December 2021), and post-pandemic (February 2022 to September 2023). Distribution and prevalence of pathogens associated with CRS across the 3 time periods. Microbiology results from nasal cultures were analyzed to identify predominant pathogens. Among the 147 patients, 46 distinct organisms were identified. Staphylococcus aureus was the most prevalent pathogen, increasing during the COVID-19 period (24.7%) compared to pre-pandemic (17.9%) and post-pandemic (21.5%) periods. Significant increases during the COVID-19 period were noted for Aspergillus fumigatus (6.8%, P < .001), Enterobacter cloacae (6.8%, P = .01), and Cutibacterium acnes (6.8%, P = .03). Post-pandemic, significant rises were observed in Serratia marcescens (P < .001) and Achromobacter denitrificans (P = .03). Significant shifts in CRS-associated pathogens occurred during the COVID-19 pandemic. Notable changes in the prevalence of S. aureus, A. fumigatus, E. cloacae, and C. acnes were observed during the pandemic, with increases in S. marcescens and A. denitrificans post-pandemic. These findings suggest that the pandemic's impact on healthcare practices and environmental factors influenced the microbial etiologies of CRS. Future research may explore the mechanisms driving these changes and their long-term implications for CRS management.

Perceptions Of Nurses Working In The Covid-19 Wards Of A University Hospital On Being A Covid-19 Nurse: A Metaphor Analysis

Aim: The aim of this study is to determine the views and perceptions of nurses, who provide care to COVID-19 patients, on COVID-19 nursing. Methods: This study was conducted with a descriptive qualitative research design. The population of the study consisted of nurses who had worked and are working in the COVID-19 wards of the Gazi University Health, Research and Application Center. The sample have consisted of 116 nurses who agreed to participate in the study and met the inclusion criteria. The data were collected using a Nurse Information Form and the metaphor perception of being a nurse during the COVID-19 pandemic. The nurses’ responses to the open-ended metaphor questions were systematically evaluated in the data system using content analysis. The study was structured and reported in accordance with the Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research Checklist. Results: The majority of nurses (88.2%) were female and had a bachelor’s degree (85.4 %). While nearly half of the nurses worked at COVID-19 wards for 1 to 5 months, 40% worked in the profession for 1 to 5 years. As a result of the nurses’ answers, it was determined that a total of six categories and 89 metaphors were established in the study. These categories and some important metaphors are listed as uncertainty (bridge, candle), hope (shadow, mother), guardianship (atom), self-sacrifice (organ, artificial lung), vital importance (worker bee, white blood cells), and COVID-19 nurse as a warrior (diving without scuba gear, fluttering in the swamp). Conclusion: The results of the study revealed that the nurses playded a key role during the pandemic period. It was observed that the nurses were generally hopeful during this period, but they thought that the process was uncertain.Based on the results of the study, it can be suggested to make planing to protect and maintain the psychosocial health of nurses, and to increase emotional support.

Provision of DMPA-SC for self-administration in different practice settings during the COVID-19 pandemic: Data from providers across the United States

ObjectivesDepot medroxyprogesterone acetate-subcutaneous (DMPA-SC) can be prescribed through telemedicine and self-administered, but data about availability, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic, are limited. This study assessed changes in the availability of DMPA-SC for self-administration during the pandemic. Study designThis study used survey data from a convenience sample of US providers engaged in contraceptive care and participating in a Continuing Medical Education-accredited contraceptive training (April 2020–April 2022; n = 849). Providers were recruited from across 503 clinics, including primary care and family planning clinics, public health departments, college and school-based health centers, independent abortion care clinics, and outpatient clinics in hospital settings. Measures included the availability of DMPA-SC for self-administration before and during the pandemic and the use of telemedicine. We used Poisson regression models and cluster-robust errors by clinic, adjusting for region, time of survey, and clinic size, to assess clinic availability of DMPA-SC for self-administration by practice setting. ResultsCompared to the prepandemic period (4%), the availability of DMPA-SC for self-administration increased significantly during the pandemic (14%) (adjusted prevalence ratios [aPR] 3.43, 95% CI [2.43–4.85]). During the pandemic, independent abortion clinics were more likely to offer DMPA-SC for self-administration compared to primary care clinics (aPR 2.44, 95% CI [1.10–5.41]). Clinics receiving Title X funds were also more likely to provide DMPA-SC for self-administration during the pandemic compared to other clinics (aPR 2.32, 95% CI [1.57–3.43]), and more likely to offer DMPA-SC for self-administration through telemedicine (aPR 2.35, 95% CI [1.52–3.63]). Compared to the early pandemic period (April–September 2022), telemedicine access to DMPA-SC for self-administration was highest during the later pandemic time period (October 2021–April 2022) (aPR 2.10, 95% CI [1.06–4.17]). ConclusionsThe availability of DMPA-SC for self-administration significantly increased during the pandemic with differences by practice setting and Title X funding. However, overall method availability remains persistently low. ImplicationsDespite increased availability of DMPA-SC for self-administration among US contraceptive providers during the COVID-19 pandemic, there remains a need to train providers, educate patients, and remove barriers to ensure broader availability of this method across different practice settings.

Evaluating health perceptions of soft-tissue sarcoma patients using the Wilson-Cleary Model to identify key targets for improving outcomes and quality of care

IntroductionSoft-tissue sarcoma (STS) is a rare cancer of the connective tissues requiring invasive treatment. Due to the complexity of treatment, STS patients experience more functional impairment and disability than other oncologic populations. Given that extant literature is unclear and exclusively focused on physical function, the objectives of this study were to use the Wilson-Cleary Model of HRQL to evaluate the extent to which biological function (tumor site, depth and size), symptoms (fatigue, pain, anxiety/depression), and functional status are associated with the health perceptions of soft-tissue sarcoma patients 12 months post-op. MethodsData were drawn from an inception cohort study at the McGill University Health Centre. Inclusion criteria included 18 years of age and a biopsy-confirmed diagnosis of STS. Those with evidence of metastasis at diagnosis or less than 12 months of follow-up were excluded. Statistical analyses included T-tests, Pearson correlations, and multiple linear regression. Results331 patients were included (185 males, 146 females) with mean (SD) ages of 56 (17). Significantly more females reported pain and anxiety/depression. Self-reported function was significantly higher in males. Overall, the regression model explained 53 % of the variance in health perceptions in males, and 48 % in females. Only self-reported function was significantly associated with health perceptions in males (B = 0.34) and females (B = 0.48). Further, compared to females without pain, females with pain perceived their health as significantly worse. ConclusionEvaluating health perceptions with a multidimensional lens revealed new information about the STS patient experience. Findings suggest that key targets include routine psychosocial distress monitoring and addressing rectifiable disability-related barriers promptly.

PP69 Health Technology Assessment And University Health Center Affiliation Agreement: Current Situation And Potential Developments In Quebec

IntroductionAccording to the Quebec law on health and social services, health technology assessment (HTA) is part of university hospital centers’ mission, together with training, research and care. However, unlike these other functions, HTA is not covered in current affiliation agreements that bind a university with academic health institutions. Université Laval and its affiliated health institutions set up a consultation committee whose mandate is to propose the terms of an agreement to specify collaboration regarding HTA between the university and its affiliated institutions. This study investigates perceptions and needs of stakeholders from Université Laval and its affiliated health institutions with respect to the HTA mission.MethodsSemi-structured interviews were conducted with four types of participants, namely university faculty members, health professionals and managers from institutions with and without HTA units, as well as external partners. Interview guides were developed based on the integrated analysis framework of Greenhalgh et al., and adapted to each group of respondents. Most interviews were conducted in groups and were facilitated by a research associate and a senior investigator. Interviews were recorded and uploaded to NVivo 1.6.2 software for codification and analysis.ResultsA total of 57 people were interviewed (nine group interviews and 35 individual interviews). Three main themes emerged, namely knowledge of HTA, factors related to the relevance of the HTA function, and organizational factors. Results showed that half of the respondents have a vague knowledge of HTA or have never heard of it. Most of the respondents agreed that the HTA function fits well with the mission of a health institution. They would accept getting involved with HTA activities at different levels if all conditions are met. Nevertheless, almost half of respondents believed that others strategies than including HTA into contracts of affiliation should be explored to regulate this function. Finally, organizational obstacles such as the lack of funding, shortage of staff and the lack of well-structured collaborations were highlighted by respondents.ConclusionsDespite recognition of the importance of the HTA function in university health centers, interventions will be required at different levels to support the development of local HTA capacity. In particular, popularization of the HTA function and collaboration networks through specific projects should be developed.

College women with a disability and interpersonal violence: A call to action.

Interpersonal violence is a serious public health issue, particularly in the young adult population. College women are more likely to experience interpersonal violence than the general population; college women with disabilities are at particularly high risk of victimization. Despite this reality, screening rates for interpersonal violence in college health centers remain low, and college women, both disabled and not, report unsatisfactory interactions with college health providers after an interpersonal violence experience. We provide suggestions for nurse practitioners working in college health which will assist them in their endeavors to screen college women, specifically college women with a disability, for interpersonal violence and to respond to the outcomes of those screenings using a trauma and disability-informed practice lens.

Ophthalmic diseases in meningitis within the pediatric population

ObjectifLa méningite peut se solder par des complications ophtalmiques chez les enfants. Or, ces retombées visuelles ont été peu étudiées dans les pays industrialisés. La présente étude a pour objectif de mettre au jour les séquelles oculaires et neuro-ophtalmiques éventuelles de la méningite au sein d'une population pédiatrique dans un hôpital de soins tertiaires pour enfants. NatureOn a réalisé un examen rétrospectif des dossiers de tous les enfants qui ont reçu un diagnostic de méningite entre 2006 et 2015 à l'Hôpital de Montréal pour enfants. L’étude a reçu l'approbation du comité d’éthique du Centre universitaire de santé McGill et respectait les principes de la Déclaration d'Helsinki. MéthodesAprès extraction des dossiers médicaux des enfants qui ont eu une méningite, on a retenu les patients qui ont fait l'objet d'une consultation en ophtalmologie. Les données démographiques et les antécédents médicaux pertinents, de même que les résultats des examens oculaires et de l'imagerie, ont été notés. La proportion d'anomalies oculaires a été calculée et analysée. RésultatsAinsi, 72 des 861 patients (8,4 %) qui ont eu une méningite ont fait l'objet d'une consultation en ophtalmologie, dont 46 qui répondaient aux critères d'inclusion; de ce nombre, 31 patients (67,4 %) présentaient des anomalies oculaires, qui touchaient le plus fréquemment l'acuité visuelle (8 patients sur 32), les mouvements extraoculaires et l'alignement (14 patients sur 28), le nerf optique (10 patients sur 41), la réactivité pupillaire (4 patients sur 35) et la cellulite périorbitaire/orbitaire (4 patients sur 46). Les enfants plus âgés étaient plus susceptibles de présenter des anomalies ophtalmologiques. ConclusionNotre étude met en relief les anomalies oculaires découvertes chez des enfants qui ont eu la méningite et qui ont été soignés dans un centre de soins tertiaires dans un pays à indice de développement sociodémographique élevé. Les complications risquent de perdurer. Les ophtalmologistes traitants doivent être bien au fait du risque d'anomalies oculaires associées à la méningite, ce qui nous amène à recommander que les professionnels de la santé soient mieux sensibilisés à cette éventualité.

Rates and risk factors for persistent opioid use after cardiothoracic surgery: A cohort study

BackgroundThis study’s aim was to estimate potential risk factors for persistent opioid use after cardiothoracic surgery. MethodsThis study included participants in the McGill University Health Centre clinical trial (2014 to 2016). Provincial medical services, prescription claims, and medical charts data were linked. Persistent opioid use was defined as an initial peri-operative opioid dispensation followed by an opioid dispensation between 91 and 180 days postdischarge. Multivariable Cox Proportional Hazards models were used to assess factors associated with persistent opioid use. ResultsA cohort of 815 patients (mean age: 68.9 [standard deviation = 8.9]) was assembled, of which 8.2% became persistent opioid users. Factors such as higher Charlson Comorbidity Index (adjusted hazard ratio: 3.4, 95% confidence interval: 1.1–10.6), history of diabetes (adjusted hazard ratio: 2.1, 95% confidence interval: 1.3–3.4), substance and alcohol abuse (adjusted hazard ratio: 16.3, 95% confidence interval: 5.3–49.5), and radiotherapy (adjusted hazard ratio: 2.4, 95% confidence interval: 1.5–4.1) were associated with a higher hazard of persistent opioid use. Previous opioid use (adjusted hazard ratio: 1.7, 95% CI: 1.0–2.8), daily peri-operative opioid dose (adjusted hazard ratio: 2.3, 95% confidence interval: 1.5–3.7), having an opioid dispensation 30 days pre-admission (adjusted hazard ratio: 1.7, 95% confidence interval: 1.0–2.8), and pre-admission analgesic use (adjusted hazard ratio: 1.7, 95% confidence interval: 1.0–2.8), were also associated with an increased hazard of persistent use. Being prescribed multimodal analgesia at discharge (adjusted hazard ratio: 0.54, 95% confidence interval: 0.32–0.92) was associated with a 46% decreased hazard of developing persistent opioid use. ConclusionMultiple patient- and medication-related characteristics were associated with an increased hazard of persistent opioid use.

Psychiatric medication prescriptions increasing for college students above and beyond the COVID-19 pandemic

Psychiatric medication prescriptions for college students have been rising since 2007, with approximately 17% of college students prescribed medication for a mental health issue. This increase mirrors overall increases in both mental health diagnoses and treatment of university students. As psychiatric medication prescriptions for college students were increasing prior to pandemic, the goal of this study was to compare these prescriptions over the years, while accounting for the added stressor of the COVID-19 pandemic. This study utilized cross-sectional, retrospective data from a cohort of college students receiving care from the university’s health service. We examined prescriptions for mental healthcare from 2015 to 2021. There was a significant increase in the percentage of psychiatric medication prescriptions in 2020 (baseline 15.8%; threshold 3.5%) and 2021 (baseline 41.3%; threshold 26.3%) compared to the historical baseline average for the whole sample and as well as for female students (2020 baseline 21.3% and threshold 4.6%; 2021 baseline 55.1% and threshold 33.7%). Within these years, we found higher trends for prescriptions in April–May as well as September–December. Overall, we found that psychiatric medication prescriptions have continued to rise through the years, with a large increase occurring during the pandemic. In addition, we found that these increases reflect the academic year, which is important for university health centers to consider when they are planning to staff clinics and plan the best way to treat college students with mental health difficulties in the future.

Protocol for validating an algorithm to identify neurocognitive disorders in Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging participants: an observational study

IntroductionIn population-based research, disease ascertainment algorithms can be as accurate as, and less costly than, performing supplementary clinical examinations on selected participants to confirm a diagnosis of a neurocognitive disorder...

Fathers matter: Supporting new dads during the transition to parenthood

Fathers matter: Supporting new dads during the transition to parenthood Deborah Da Costa, PhD, Associate Professor at the Department of Medicine, McGill University, Scientist at McGill University Health Centre, details promoting and supporting new dads during the transition to parenthood. Approximately one in ten fathers experience mental health difficulties during their partner’s pregnancy and/or the postpartum period. (1-3) Fathers’ mental health difficulties adversely impact parenting, maternal mental health, and couple functioning. A recent systematic review and meta- analysis of 16 observational studies showed that paternal depression was associated with an increased risk of depression in offspring, underscoring the intergenerational transmission of mental health problems. (4) Fathers’ mental health during this life stage is an important public health issue, but it continues to be under-researched, under-recognized, and under-treated.

Vaccination Status of Employees at Trakya University Health Center for Medical Research &amp; Practice (Hospital) and Edirne Sultan 1. Murat State Hospital with Vaccines Recommended for Health Workers

Aim: Healthcare workers are exposed to vaccine-preventable disease agents due to their contact with patients and their infectious agents. The aim of this study is to determine the status of vaccination of physicians, nurses, midwives, health officers, laboratory workers and health technicians working Trakya University Health Center for Medical Research Practice (Hospital) and Edirne Sultan 1. Murat State Hospital with the vaccines recommended for healthcare workers.&#x0D; Methods: The cross-sectional study was conducted with healthcare professionals working in Trakya University Health Center for Medical Research Practice (Hospital) and Edirne Sultan 1. Murat State Hospital.&#x0D; Results: A total of 293 questionnaires were analyzed. 37.2% of health workers stated that they did not have at least one vaccine among the vaccines recommended by the Ministry of Health. Vaccination rates of the participants are as follows: 84.7% Hepatitis B, 78.2% Td, 69.4% Measles-Rubella-Mumps (MMR), 68.1% Diphtheria-pertussis-tetanus (DBT), 35.3% Chickenpox, 29.8% Hepatitis A and 10.6% of Meningococcal vaccine. When participants were asked about their lifetime influenza vaccination status, the results showed that 48.8% had never received it, 21.6% had received it once, 26.1% had received it multiple times, and 3.4% received it annually.&#x0D; Conclusion: The status of health workers to have the recommended vaccinations is lower than expected. Raising awareness of the importance of vaccination due to occupational risks and eliminating hesitations in influenza vaccination may help in improving vaccination rates.

A Deep Learning-Based Approach to Estimate Paneth Cell Granule Area in Celiac Disease.

Changes in Paneth cell numbers can be associated with chronic inflammatory diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. So far, no consensus has been achieved on the number of Paneth cells and their relevance to celiac disease (CD). To compare crypt and Paneth cell granule areas between patients with CD and those without CD (non-CD) using an artificial intelligence-based solution. Hematoxylin-eosin-stained sections of duodenal biopsies from 349 patients at the McGill University Health Centre were analyzed. Of these, 185 had a history of CD and 164 were controls. Slides were digitized, and NoCodeSeg, a code-free workflow using open-source software (QuPath, DeepMIB), was implemented to train deep learning models to segment crypts and Paneth cell granules. The total area of the entire analyzed tissue, epithelium, crypts, and Paneth cell granules was documented for all slides, and comparisons were performed. A mean intersection-over-union score of 88.76% and 91.30% was achieved for crypt areas and Paneth cell granule segmentations, respectively. On normalization to total tissue area, the crypt to total tissue area in CD was increased and the Paneth cell granule area to total tissue area decreased when compared to non-CD controls. Crypt hyperplasia was confirmed in CD compared to non-CD controls. The area of Paneth cell granules, an indirect measure of Paneth cell function, decreased with increasing severity of CD. More importantly, our study analyzed complete hematoxylin-eosin slide sections using an efficient and easy to use coding-free artificial intelligence workflow.