Variation In Demographic Characteristics Research Articles

Autopsy-based all-cause unnatural mortality during pre-pandemic and pandemic of COVID-19 in Varanasi, India: a retrospective analysis.

The COVID-19 pandemic has led to significant disruptions in healthcare systems worldwide, with Varanasi, India, experiencing profound challenges in managing mortality rates. In order to inform public health initiatives, it is important to comprehend how the pandemic has affected all-cause unnatural death in comparison to pre-pandemic patterns. This retrospective study intended to investigate patterns of all-cause unnatural mortality employing autopsy records of cases from Varanasi's Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University during the pre-pandemic and pandemic period (First and Second wave) of COVID-19. The analysis included 2694 cases of unnatural mortality, such as road traffic accident (RTA), poisoning, hanging and other causes. Demographic, clinical, and circumstantial data were collected and compared between the two time periods, that revealed significant as well as non-significant shifts in all-cause unnatural mortality rates. Whilst certain types of unnatural deaths, such as RTAs, witnessed a non-significant 2.03% (p = 0.34722) decrease, others like hanging exhibited an unexpected significant 3.17% (p = 0.01732) rise, burning and poisoning witnessed a significant 4.18% (p = 0.00026) and 2.37% (p = 0.0271) decline respectively. RTA was the leading cause of mortality both during and before pandemic. Male deaths (79.18%) outweighed female deaths (20.82%) by a more substantial amount throughout research periods. Additionally, variations in demographic characteristics, circumstances surrounding deaths, and healthcare utilization were observed during the pandemic period. The majority of unnatural fatalities occur in the age group of 21-30years old in both pre-pandemic (22.62%) and pandemic conditions (26.65%). This study provides important insights into the secondary effects of the pandemic on unnatural mortality and emphasizes the need for individualized public health. Furthermore, research is warranted to explore the long-term implications and address the associated challenges for healthcare systems and public health initiatives.

A demographic scenario of an urban area: A study of selected population characteristics of Tamluk municipality in East Medinipur district, West Bengal

Demographic characteristic reveals the socioeconomic condition of society. It includes distribution, sex ratio, child (0-6 years) sex ratio, works participation of the population, and literacy. Intra-municipality variation in population characteristics is noticeable in Tamluk municipality of the East Medinipur district of West Bengal in eastern India. The present paper attempts to study the intra-municipality variation in demographic characteristics and measure the gender disparity in literacy and level of development in the municipality area. Based on the Census of India 2011 database, population density, average urban household size, sex ratio, child (0-6 years) sex ratio, and male and female literacy is analyzed. Descriptive statistics and gender disparity in literacy are measured using the disparity index (Kundu and Rao,1986). Many of the urban pockets in the municipality have a population under poor socioeconomic conditions. Several wards show a gender gap in work participation. There is a negative change in the sex ratio and child sex ratio. The average percentage share of the slum population to the total population has immensely increased. A large percentage of the urban population in Tamluk municipality shows a poor state.

RWD26 Variation in Demographic Characteristics, Socioeconomic Status, Clinical Presentation and Selected Treatments in Mortality Among Patients with a Diagnosis of COVID-19 in the United States

COVID-19 infected over 150 million people and caused over 1 million deaths in the US. This study evaluates several variables thought to be associated with mortality risk in the COVID-19 population. The IQVIA longitudinal medical and pharmacy claims databases identified 17,682,111 patients with a COVID-19 diagnosis between 4/1/2020-4/30/2022 from a population of >277 million patients in the US. Patients were linked to Veritas Data Research fact-of-death records (90% complete compared to CDC reporting) and confirmed deaths were flagged. Confirmed mortality rates (CMR) were evaluated by age group, socioeconomic status (SES) using the Area Deprivation Index (v2.0, University of Wisconsin, 2015), co-morbidities and COVID-specific (approved and unapproved) treatments. Of the 563,744 patients (3.2%) identified as dead (3.67% in men, 2.85% in women overall), CMR was lowest in patients aged 0-17 (0.08%), highest in age 65-75 (5.92%) and >75 (16.40%). Patients in the lowest 40% of SES had CMR of 4.43% while in the highest 20% was 1.56%. Respiratory failure, pneumonia and sepsis were the most common acute diagnoses accompanying COVID-19 deaths in all SES. In patients with comorbid dementia or Alzheimer’s disease, CMR were 21.62% and 23.40% respectively. Additionally, congestive heart failure (15.79%), atrial fibrillation (15.50%), chronic kidney disease (15.30%) and COPD (12.19%) were associated with high CMR. Among patients receiving approved therapies, casirivimab/imdevimab and remdesivir had CMR of 1.41% and 12.63% respectively, while for those receiving unapproved therapies, ivermectin and hydroxychloroquine had CMR of 2.54% and 2.45%. Compared to the 1.1% case-mortality rate (Johns Hopkins 2023) among US COVID-19 patients, we found CMR exceeded 3% among those with a medical claim for COVID-19. Advanced age, dementia, and cardio-renal disease were associated with mortality. Patients with the lowest SES had approximately 3 times the confirmed mortality rate compared to those in the highest SES group.

EPH168 Regional Variation in Patient Characteristics and Treatment Patterns for over 17 Million COVID-19 Patients in the United States

According to the CDC, as of December 2022, almost one in three Americans had confirmed COVID-19 infection; yet only a small portion generated healthcare claims related to COVID-19. Higher burden of COVID-19 cases in Northeastern states compared to other US regions has been documented. This study examined the regional variation in demographic characteristics and treatment patterns among patients with a claim for COVID-19 in a nationwide US claims database. Analysis of data from over 277 million patients in IQVIA’s longitudinal medical and pharmacy claims databases resulted in a cohort of 17,682,111 patients with COVID-19 diagnosis between 4/1/2020 and 4/30/2022. Demographic characteristics and treatment rates for key approved and un-approved COVID-19 therapies were assessed and stratified by region. Among patients in the database, 6.4% had a COVID-19 diagnosis. The proportion was higher in the Northeast (7.1%) and South (6.9%) compared with the West (4.8%). The highest proportion of patients were aged 18-44 years (32.7% in South to 35.2% in West). Over a fifth of the patients were ≥ 65 years old (US overall= 23.7%; 22.5% in Northeast to 25.8% in Midwest). Approximately 57% of the patients nationally and within each region were women. For approved medications, utilization ranged from 1.7% in Northeast to 2.7% in Midwest (overall:2.2%) for remdesivir; 0.7% in Northeast to 2.2% in South (overall: 1.5%) for casirivimab/imdevimab. For unapproved medications, utilization ranged from 0.9% in Northeast to 1.6% in South (overall:1.3%) for hydroxychloroquine and 0.4% in Northeast to 1.8% in South (overall:1.1%) for ivermectin. Less than one in five US cases of COVID-19 had a claim with diagnosis of COVID-19. Use of COVID-19 specific medications remained low throughout the pandemic. Despite the higher disease burden, proportion of patients with claims and receiving COVID-19 treatment were low nationally, particularly in the northeast US region.

Outcome and efficacy expectation for mental health promotion behaviours: the effects of predicting behaviours and variations in demographics

ABSTRACT Objective This study examines the reliability and validity of the scale for outcome expectations (OE) and efficacy expectations (EE), two especially critical variables for predicting mental health promotion behaviour. Further, the relation between the two types of expectation and mental health promotion behaviour and whether these expectations varied according to changes in demographics were tested. Method An online, cross-sectional study was conducted with 2485 participants in Japan. Participants were asked about demographic characteristics, OE, EE and current practices of mental health promotion behaviours. Results Confirmatory factor analysis showed reliability and validity in both OE and EE. Further, the relation between the two types of expectation and mental health promotion behaviour was confirmed. Both OE (path coefficient = 0.18, p < 0.01) and EE (path coefficient = 0.62, p < 0.01) were associated with mental health promotion behaviour. Among variations in demographic characteristics of participants, small to medium effect sized generation gap of expectancy was found (OE: f = 0.13, p < 0.01; EE: f = 0.20, p < 0.01). Discussion The present study demonstrates the potential for determinant roles of OE and EE for mental health promotion behaviours. These findings may encourage mental health promotion behaviours for individuals from any demographic background.

Diet, energy storage, and reproductive condition in a bioindicator species across beaches with different levels of human disturbance

Abstract Demographic shifts in populations of bioindicator species are widely used to gauge the extent of impacts of human disturbances on ecosystems. Yet, the mechanistic drivers of these demographic changes are often poorly understood. The Atlantic ghost crab, Ocypode quadrata is a bioindicator species of human disturbances on sandy shores, and experiences similar demographic changes as other bioindicator species in response to disturbance by reducing their population abundance and individual body sizes. Previous studies have focused on how human disturbances could cause these demographic changes through altering mortality rates or burrowing behavior. Here, we examine the potential for energetic impacts of human disturbance to cause these demographic shifts. Specifically, we investigate whether variation in habitat quality associated with the level of human disturbance results in reduced diet quality and therefore reduced physiological condition and reproductive effort of ghost crabs. We demonstrate an inverse relationship between diet quality and the level of human disturbance, with resulting reductions in the physiological and reproductive condition of ghost crabs with human disturbance. Our study shows that indirect human disturbance can explain existing variation in demographic characteristics of this bioindicator species, and highlights the importance of understanding bioenergetic relationships between species habitat use and human impacts.

What Does the Word "Treatable" Mean? Implications for Communication and Decision-Making in Critical Illness.

To explore how nonphysicians and physicians interpret the word "treatable" in the context of critical illness. Qualitative study using in-depth interviews. One academic medical center. Twenty-four nonphysicians (patients and community members) purposively sampled for variation in demographic characteristics and 24 physicians (attending physicians and trainees) purposively sampled from four specialties (critical care, palliative care, oncology, and surgery). None. We identified two distinct concepts that participants used to interpret the word "treatable": 1) a "good news" concept, in which the word "treatable" conveys a positive message about a patient's future, thereby inspiring hope and encouraging further treatment and 2) an "action-oriented" concept, in which the word "treatable" conveys that physicians have an action or intervention available, but does not necessarily imply an improved prognosis or quality of life. The overwhelming majority of nonphysicians adopted the "good news" concept, whereas physicians almost exclusively adopted the "action-oriented" concept. For some nonphysicians, the word "treatable" conveyed a positive message about prognosis and/or further treatment, even when this contradicted previously stated negative information. Physician use of the word "treatable" may lead patients or surrogates to derive unwarranted good news and false encouragement to pursue treatment, even when physicians have explicitly stated information to the contrary. Further work is needed to determine the extent to which the word "treatable" and its cognates contribute to widespread decision-making and communication challenges in critical care, including discordance about prognosis, misconceptions that palliative treatments are curative, and disputes about potentially inappropriate or futile treatment.

Examining Changes in Healthy Days After Health Coaching.

To describe changes in health-related quality of life (HRQOL) related to variation in demographic characteristics, program goals, and program participation, among health coaching program participants. A retrospective observational study of a health coaching program. A total of 2169 adults enrolled in an individually purchased or employer-sponsored health plan from a large health and well-being company, who participated in a health coaching program between January 2016 and April 2017. The health coaching program used evidence-based behavior change strategies to encourage skill development, self-monitoring, and goal setting/achievement. Health coaching program modalities included online and telephonic coaching sessions. Demographic characteristics (gender, age, race, income), goal categories (weight management, fitness, nutrition, stress management, other), program modality (online, telephonic, both), engagement level (low, medium, high), and Healthy Days, a validated HRQOL measure developed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. t Tests, mixed analysis of variance (ANOVA). There were significant ( P < .05) reductions in average total unhealthy days (UHDs) across all goal categories. Mixed ANOVAs identified a significant main effect for time, for all demographic characteristics ( P values < .05), and a significant effect for program modality ( P < .0001), time ( P < .0001), and interaction effects, between program modality and time, on average UHD ( P = .01). Our findings indicate significant reductions in UHD, following 6 months of health coaching, and support the use of HRQOL measures, which are known to be highly correlated with traditional measures of health, to evaluate health coaching programs.

What Causes Late-Life Depression? A Qualitative Study of Depressed Iranian Older People

Background: Depression is a major health problem in old age that is closely related to cultural and social contexts. Studies have shown a higher prevalence of geriatric depression in Iran. Objectives: This qualitative content analysis study aimed to explore the psychosocial factors related to the experience of late life depression in older people in Iran. Methods: This qualitative study with a directed content analysis approach was conducted in Tehran in 2015. First, a systematic search in major English and Persian data banks was carried out to develop an analysis matrix. The participants with maximum variations in demographic characteristics were recruited from psychiatric clinics, if they met inclusion criteria, which included: 1) age of 60 years and, and 2) diagnosis above of depression by a psychiatrist in the last six months. Semi-structured interviews were conducted up to reaching data saturation. The interviews were recorded, transcribed verbatim and transformed into meaning units and codes. The codes were then analyzing matrix and reviewed again to form new subcategories and categories. Results: Twelve old people participated in this study. Analyzing the data, 534 codes in 42 subcategories and 17categories led to six main themes which included: 1) transition of value system, 2) role changes, 3) life concerns, 4) inadequacy of social relations, 5) regrets, and 6) impaired health and function. Discussion: From the perspective of the depressed old people, recent changes in values and impaired social relations, made them feel lonely confronting life struggles and inevitable changes of roles, health status and function. Some context-based interventions such as community alertness and providing more formal support may be helpful in preventing late life depression.

PREVALENCE OF HYPERTENSION AND RISK FACTORS IN 47000 POPULATION FROM MULTI-ETHNIC RURAL, PASTORAL AND URBAN XINJIANG CHINA

Objective: In China, estimated prevalence of hypertension is up to 41.9%, and the variations in demographic characteristics, cultural behaviors, and lifestyle habits vary substantially in different regions may result in differing disease prevalence in different populations. In remote less developed areas such as Xinjiang, patterns of hypertension may vary. In national sample analysis, it is difficult to perform strictly random proportional sampling, and to acquire a truly representative sample, given the vastness, the size of the population and multi-ethnic background. An accurate estimate of the hypertension prevalence and related risk factors is essential for the proper development of public health strategies by conducting regional studies. Design and method: This is a cross-sectional study. This study, using population-based surveys of adults aged 18 years, was conducted in Xinjiang and the hypertension prevalence and associated risk factors in pastoral, rural and urban residents were compared. Results: 47040 samples, with a response rate of 83.3%, were enrolled. The sex-age standardized hypertension prevalence was 25.4% in rural, 27.2% in pastoral and 28.2% in urban adults. Older age, overweight, obesity, non-agriculture or non- husbandry occupation, lower education, cigarette smoking and alcohol drinking were significantly associated with hypertension among pastoral, rural and urban adults. Nonetheless, females within rural setting were associated with higher hypertension prevalence. Kazakh and Mongolian subjects in rural setting were associated with higher risk for hypertension existence, and it was the same for Kazakh subjects in pastoral and urban Xinjiang, compared with Han subjects. The hypertension-associated risk was 1.74 times in urban area, compared with that of rural population. Conclusions: The highest hypertension prevalence is observed in urban Xinjiang. Contributory factors for hypertension show some variations in pastoral, rural and urban settings. Taking into account the variations in the risk factors may provide greater insight into the design of future prevention strategies.

WHOQOL-100 Before and After Sex Reassignment Surgery in Brazilian Male-to-Female Transsexual Individuals.

The 100-item World Health Organization Quality of Life Assessment (WHOQOL-100) evaluates quality of life as a subjective and multidimensional construct. Currently, particularly in Brazil, there are controversies concerning quality of life after sex reassignment surgery (SRS). To assess the impact of surgical interventions on quality of life of 47 Brazilian male-to-female transsexual individuals using the WHOQOL-100. This was a prospective cohort study using the WHOQOL-100 and sociodemographic questions for individuals diagnosed with gender identity disorder according to criteria of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition. The protocol was used when a transsexual person entered the ambulatory clinic and at least 12 months after SRS. Initially, improvement or worsening of quality of life was assessed using 6 domains and 24 facets. Subsequently, quality of life was assessed for individuals who underwent new surgical interventions and those who did not undergo these procedures 1 year after SRS. The participants showed significant improvement after SRS in domains II (psychological) and IV (social relationships) of the WHOQOL-100. In contrast, domains I (physical health) and III (level of independence) were significantly worse after SRS. Individuals who underwent additional surgery had a decrease in quality of life reflected in domains II and IV. During statistical analysis, all results were controlled for variations in demographic characteristics, without significant results. The WHOQOL-100 is an important instrument to evaluate the quality of life of male-to-female transsexuals during different stages of treatment. SRS promotes the improvement of psychological aspects and social relationships. However, even 1 year after SRS, male-to-female transsexuals continue to report problems in physical health and difficulty in recovering their independence.

Young men who have sex with men's use of social and sexual media and sex-risk associations: cross-sectional, online survey across four countries

ObjectiveThere has been an increase in new HIV diagnoses among young men who have sex with men (YMSM) over the past decade in both UK and US contexts, with online...

Tests of Eustachian tube function: a review.

Eustachian tube (ET) dysfunction is a common but poorly understood cause of patient symptoms, and an important aetiological factor in the development of middle ear pathology. Despite this, there are no specific tests of ET function in widespread clinical use and no identified 'gold standard' with which to diagnose the disease. This review aims to review the literature to identify currently available tests of ET function and, where possible, report on their accuracy. Narrative systematic review. MEDLINE, EMBASE, Biosis and the Cochrane library were searched and reference lists reviewed for relevant articles. Tests in included studies were required to measure a physiological function of the ET, or play a role in the diagnosis of poor ET function. Significant variation in demographic characteristics, disease presentation and severity, and technological approaches only permitted narrative systematic review. While many tests of ET function have been developed, with some in routine clinical use, all have significant limitations. Published accuracy data are limited and of differing quality due to the variability incomparative tests, and the spectrum of otological disorders associated with ET dysfunction. Currently, no single test could be considered a 'gold standard' for the diagnosis of ET dysfunction, but there is some evidence that diagnostic accuracy can be improved by combining the results of different objective tests and patient-reported outcome measures. Further development of ET function tests is required to facilitate the accurate diagnosis of patients and allow outcome reporting for new interventions.

Safety and tolerability of a novel inhaled GATA3 mRNA targeting DNAzyme in patients with TH2-driven asthma

Safety and tolerability of a novel inhaled GATA3 mRNA targeting DNAzyme in patients with TH2-driven asthma

Non−High-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol: Distribution and Prevalence of High Serum Levels in Children and Adolescents: United States National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys, 2005-2010

To estimate age-related changes for serum concentration of non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), describe non-HDL-C distribution, and examine the prevalence of high non-HDL-C levels in children and adolescents by demographic characteristics and weight status. Data from 7058 participants ages 6-19 years in the 2005-2010 National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys were analyzed. A high level of non-HDL-C was defined as a non-HDL-C value ≥ 145 mg/dL. Locally weighted scatterplot smoothing-smoothed curves showed that non-HDL-C levels increased from 101 mg/dL at age 6 to 111 mg/dL at age 10, decreased to 101 mg/dL at age 14, and then increased to 122 mg/dL at age 19 in non-Hispanic white males. Non-HDL-C levels generally were greater in female than male subjects, lower in non-Hispanic black subjects, and similar in male and slightly lower in female Mexican American subjects, compared with non-Hispanic white subjects. The overall mean was 108 (SE 0.5), and the percentiles were 67 (5th), 74 (10th), 87 (25th), 104 (50th), 123 (75th), 145 (90th), and 158 (95th) mg/dL. Mean and percentiles were greater among age groups 9-11 and 17-19 years than others and greater among non-Hispanic white than non-Hispanic black subjects. The prevalence of high non-HDL-C was 11.8% (95% CI 9.9%-14.0%) and 15.0% (95% CI 12.9%-17.3%) for the age groups 9-11 and 17-19, respectively. It varied significantly by race/ethnicity and overweight/obesity status. Non-HDL-C levels vary by age, sex, race/ethnicity, and weight classification status. Evaluation of non-HDL-C in youth should account for its normal physiologic patterns and variations in demographic characteristics and weight classification.

Accounting for household heterogeneity in general equilibrium economic growth models

We describe and evaluate a new method of aggregating heterogeneous households that allows for the representation of changing demographic composition in a multi-sector economic growth model. The method is based on a utility and labor supply calibration that takes into account time variations in demographic characteristics of the population. We test the method using the Population-Environment-Technology (PET) model by comparing energy and emissions projections employing the aggregate representation of households to projections representing different household types explicitly. Results show that the difference between the two approaches in terms of total demand for energy and consumption goods is negligible for a wide range of model parameters. Our approach allows the effects of population aging, urbanization, and other forms of compositional change on energy demand and CO2 emissions to be estimated and compared in a computationally manageable manner using a representative household under assumptions and functional forms that are standard in economic growth models.

A study of successful applicants’ views of a social work admissions process

• Summary: There are substantial variations in the way that applicants are selected for social work programmes in the UK and across the world. This article begins by reviewing the literature in this field, revealing debates about how effective and reliable are methods of assessment used during admission processes. It then describes a cross-sectional survey of new social work applicants ( n = 203) to two programme providers, describing demographic characteristics and their experiences of the admissions process. • Findings: A number of themes emerged from two sets of findings. There were variations in demographic characteristics, particularly in terms of gender and religion. The study was particularly interested in how students viewed the admissions process. Most students were satisfied with admissions processes, and there were some differences in views about the methods used. The article concludes by describing changes to the admissions system that were partly informed by the study. The article acknowledges the expected bias in the methodology, given that successful applicants were surveyed and not those who were not successful. • Applications: The authors discuss the study findings in the context of national and international literature and suggest that more rigorous attention should be paid to such evaluations to enable this important area of education and workforce development to be better understood.

Supermarkets competition in England and planning regulation

We adapt the Bresnahan and Reiss (1991. Entry and competition in concentrated markets. The Journal of Political Economy 99, no. 5: 977–1009) model to allow for multiple store formats. We estimate the model using data for English supermarkets, and evaluate the impact of restrictive planning regulation on entry into the English grocery retail industry. We find that more restrictive planning regulation reduces the number of large format supermarkets in equilibrium. However, the impact is overstated if variation in demographic characteristics across markets is not also controlled for. Our estimates suggest that restrictive planning regulation leads to a loss to consumers of up to £10 m per annum. This cost must be offset against any benefits that arise, e.g. due to reduced congestion.

Acculturation and Post-migration Stress in Middle-aged Chinese Immigrant Women in Philadelphia: Variation between the Fujianese and the non-Fujianese Women

This study examines acculturation and post-migration stress in 204 Fujianese immigrant women and 162 female immigrants from other parts of China currently residing in Philadelphia. Bivariate analyses showed variation in demographic characteristics between the Fujianese and non-Fujianese women was marginal, and both reported a unidimensional process of acculturation. However, the Fujianese women showed a higher level of post-migration stress. After controlling for demographic characteristics, more acculturated women reported greater post-migration stress. Further, separate multiple regression analyses for the Fujianese and the non-Fujianese women revealed different post-migration stress models.

Exploring the effects of consumer ethnocentrism on preference of choosing foreign airlines: A perspective of Chinese tourists

This research explored effects of consumer ethnocentrism on preference of choosing foreign airline from a perspective of Chinese tourists which has never been addressed by other researches before. A variation of demographic characteristics toward consumer ethnocentric tendencies between tourists from Mainland China and Taiwan was found through a comparison of hypotheses testing result of this research. The key findings of this research revealed that consumer ethnocentrism could be an appropriate indicator with a good reliability to predict Chinese tourist’s preference on choosing foreign airline. While different demographics of Chinese tourists such as gender, age, education and income level to the scale of consumer ethnocentric tendencies (original CETSCALE was developed by Shimp and Sharma in 1987) all have significant differences except employment situation (employee and employer). Several important managerial implications derived from these research findings for marketers of foreign airlines located in China and Taiwan are presented at the end of this article. Key words: Foreign airline, consumer ethnocentrism, consumer ethnocentric tendencies.