Work Activities Research Articles

Practicing what you preach. Do cardiology trainees in the United Kingdom follow the lifestyle advice that they would give to patients?

Abstract Background The role of lifestyle factors in determining the risk of cardiovascular disease is well established. As a result, lifestyle modification is recommended as part of numerous European Society of Cardiology guidelines. However, it remains uncertain how closely cardiologists adhere to guidelines in their personal life. Poor lifestyle among clinicians can contribute to poor health and may increase absenteeism and potentially reduce the quality of patient care. Purpose To establish whether cardiology trainees in the UK follow appropriate guideline-directed lifestyle advice in their personal life. Methods All cardiology trainees within the UK were eligible to participate in the 2023 British Junior Cardiologists' Association (BJCA) training survey and the survey was advertised through national and local campaigns. The survey contained questions on smoking status, alcohol intake, healthy diet, partaking in regular exercise, frequency of adequate quality of sleep, and demographic questions. Responders were eligible for inclusion if they consented to participate in health and wellbeing survey questions, and if they had completed four demographic questions. Results Of the 398 responders to the 2023 BJCA survey, 212 consented to answer health and wellbeing questions (66% male, age 34±4 years, 42% had dependents) and were included. Responders included trainees representing all four UK nations. Very few cardiology trainees were current smokers either of cigarettes/cigars (n=2, 1%), or e-cigarettes (n=2, 1%), with 12 (6%) being ex-smokers. Few trainees (n=13, 6%) consumed alcohol above the UK recommended maximum of 14 units per week (Fig 1A). However, only 14% (n=29) regularly achieved 30 minutes of moderate or 15 minutes of intense exercise on at least 5 days each week (Fig 1B). Most trainees (n=167, 80%) only obtained adequate sleep on four or fewer nights each week (Fig 1C). Only 37% (n=78) of trainees agreed or strongly agreed that they were able to maintain a healthy diet most days (Fig 1D). Conclusions Most UK cardiology trainees followed guidance related to smoking and alcohol intake. However, far fewer trainees followed healthy lifestyle guidance relating to exercise, sleep, and diet. Whether these findings are similar across other ESC nations should be investigated. Further work is required to establish the impact of healthy living on clinician working activity and subsequent quality of patient care. Training bodies should consider how occupational factors may contribute to a trainee’s adverse healthy living.

On the Selection of Workplace in the COVID-19 Era Using Attitudinal Factors

After two years of living with the threat of COVID-19 in Ontario, Canada, pre-pandemic circumstances returned. During the pandemic, we relied on ICT-based tools to carry out our daily tasks, and now we have reached a tipping point. Should we keep our new routines to benefit us in the future? Or should we return to our routines before the pandemic? This study utilized a travel survey to examine the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on work activity-travel behavior and the persistence of new traditions in the post-pandemic era. The data for this study comes from a sample of 1,000 Greater Toronto Area residents who participated in a web-based survey in July, 2021, when Ontario began the third phase of reopening. This paper investigates work activity and workplace selection in more depth. Using factor analysis, a collection of latent attitudinal variables was identified. An integrated choice and latent variable model estimated the influential systematic and latent variables on the perceived workplace selection in the post-pandemic condition. The results showed that 71% of responders want to continue working from home at least once weekly after the pandemic. The preferred frequency of telecommuting in the post-pandemic period was positively correlated with education level, positive feelings about telecommuting experience, and certain occupation types, while negatively associated with age.

A Training Person Need Analysis for Music Teachers Readiness to Teaching Music Vocational for Visually Impaired Student: A Review

Music vocational is a programme that provides students with work, networking and learning activities outside of school through music performance or other musical activities that encourage students to gain some experience in a music industry job setting. However, music vocational education is still developing and is currently trying to reach students with special needs through special schools. The standardised skills that are commonly used and developed in society need to be understood and practised by children with special needs, especially the visually impaired students. However, its programme some case not being executed by the relevant teachers background. This study aims to examine the need for relevant music teachers for the implementation of music vocational training programmes in special education settings. Literature study on this study to explain the standard specifications of music vocational education and training teachers and how to implement vocational or specialised music learning for visually impaired students. The qualitative data show that vocational music education requires teachers with at least two years' experience and knowledge of music and the music industry, as well as several strategies for teaching visually impaired students in vocational music programmes that are directed towards self-determination in preparation for possible future careers.

Interactive Simulation of Nonpharmaceutical Interventions of Airborne Disease Transmission in Office Settings

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused major disruptions to workplace safety and productivity. A browser-based interactive disease transmission simulation was developed to enable managers and individuals (agents) to optimize safe office work activities during pandemic conditions. The application provides a user interface to evaluate the impact of non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) policies on airborne disease exposure based on agents’ meeting patterns and room properties. Exposure is empirically calibrated using CO2 as a proxy for viral aerosol dispersion. For the building studied, the major findings are that the cubicles during low occupancy produce unexpectedly high exposure, upgrading meetings to larger rooms reduces total average exposure by 44%, and when all meetings are conducted in large rooms, a 79% exposure reduction is realized.

Women’s care work activity as unpaid and continuous labour

Work, depending on who performs it and in what context, is burdened with various symbolic and social meanings. An interesting example of these dependencies is the issue of women’s unpaid caregiving work. It is crucial for thefunctioning of late capitalist, neoliberal society, yet it remains marginalised in dominant discourses - to the extent that it is not accounted for in GDP calculations in Poland; it is systematically unseen and undervalued by the state. I analyse the issue of such work through my field research, carried out from July 2021 to February 2022, on the eating habits of retired women in Warsaw. I conducted 39 interviews with retirees, during which the topic of food served as a means of understanding the stories of their lives, in which wage labour intertwined with household efforts. The lives of the interviewees were filled with the experience of constant “busyness” - many of them spoke of free time as regained or obtained for the first time in retirement. In the article, I analyse the role of unpaid caregivingwork in their lives, what significance it had for them in the past and present, and how it was embedded in the surrounding network of relationships.

ALİ TƏHSİL MÜƏSSİSƏLƏRİNDƏ TƏLƏBƏLƏRİN TƏLİMƏ MOTİVASİYASI

The scientific article examines the motivation of students of higher educational institutions. The article argues that the nature of educational motivation and personal qualities are inherently indicators of the quality of education. The motivational factor for successful learning is no less important than intelligence. The scientific article also examines the motives associated with a person’s work activity and the characteristics of students’ activities.

Unveiling the Impact of Moderate and Severe Atopic Dermatitis: Insights on Burden, Clinical Characteristics, and Healthcare Resource Utilization in Adult Greek Patients from the APOLO Cross-Sectional Study.

Background: Moderate to severe (M2S) atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic condition impacting individuals, society, and healthcare systems. Considering the changing M2S-AD treatment landscape, this study assesses the M2S-AD burden in patients reaching referral centers in Greece. Methods: This was a multicenter, cross-sectional study. Patients aged 12 years or older with clinically diagnosed M2S-AD were enrolled. Data collected included clinical practice assessments and the following validated patient-reported instruments: Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI); EuroQol-5 Dimensions-3 Level scale (EQ-5D-3L); Patient Oriented Eczema Measure (POEM); Peak Pruritus Numerical Rating Scale (PP-NRS); and Work Productivity and Activity Impairment: General Health (WPAI:GH). A pain frequency/intensity/cause questionnaire and a sleep disturbance scale were also used. Results: Outcomes of 184 adults (51.1% female) with M2S-AD based on the Eczema Area and Severity Index (EASI) are presented (n = 117 moderate; n = 67 severe). Among the patients, 14.8% were obese, 59.2% had allergic comorbidities, and 88.0% were receiving AD-specific therapy (systemic: 38.6%). The median age, disease duration, body surface area, and total EASI scores were 38.8 years, 11.8 years, 30.0%, and 16.9, respectively. The median DLQI score was 12.0, with 'symptoms/feelings' being the most affected domain. EQ-5D dimensions 'anxiety/depression' and 'pain/discomfort' were also affected (65.2% and 64.1% reporting problems, respectively). The median POEM score was 17.0. Pain, severe pruritus (PP-NRS ≥ 7), and sleep disturbance were reported by 80.4%, 62.0%, and 88.5%, respectively. The median WPAI:GH 'work productivity loss' and 'activity impairment' scores were 23.8% and 30.0%, respectively. Conclusions: Both moderate and severe AD patients reaching Greek specialized centers experience significant symptom burden and impairments in quality of life, sleep, work, and daily activities.

47 Association between unmet social needs and parental stress in a paediatric asthma clinic

Abstract Background There are well documented associations between unmet social needs and undesirable health outcomes, but little data exist on the association between unmet social needs and stress in families of children with asthma. Objectives To document the relationship between unmet social needs and parental stress in a Canadian paediatric asthma clinic. Design/Methods Ongoing prospective observational study to determine the association between unmet social needs and parental stress was conducted in a tertiary care paediatric asthma clinic, between September 2022 and September 2023. Participants were parents of children with a diagnosis of asthma, treated with at least one controller medication. Unmet social needs were collected by parental self-report using a questionnaire assessing 8 domains: employment, housing, ability to pay for utilities, financial resources, food security, transportation, childcare, and education. The four-item Perceived Stress Scale was used to assess how parents perceived stress and how they felt they were able to manage situations in their lives. Chi-square tests compared our independent variable, the presence vs. absence of unmet social needs, to our dependent variables; each measure of stress (control over important aspects of ones’ life, confidence in ability to overcome problems, feeling that everything was going well, ability to overcome too many accumulated difficulties). Results Of 162 participants, seventy-seven (48%) reported at least one unmet social need. Compared to participants without unmet social needs, those with unmet needs were more likely to report having no control over important aspect of their work or main activity (p< 0.001); less likely to report having confidence in their ability to overcome problems (p< 0.001); less likely to report having the feeling that everything was going well (p< 0.001); and less likely to report having the ability to overcome too many accumulated difficulties (p< 0.001). Conclusion Findings suggest significant association between unmet social needs and parental stress of asthmatic children. Parental stress and unmet needs may concomitantly increase the burden of adhering to asthma controller medication, making adherence more challenging through pathways related to the interactions between cognitive burden and precarious living situations. This ongoing Canadian study seeks to elucidate the mechanisms by which these factors make adherence to asthma medication more challenging for families, so these challenges can be addressed.

Associations between symptom-based long COVID clusters and long-term quality of life, work and daily activities among individuals testing positive for SARS-CoV-2 at a national retail pharmacy

BackgroundEvidence on long COVID symptom clustering patterns among patients with COVID-19 is limited. We summarized long COVID symptoms in clusters defined by number of symptoms co-occurring together, and we assessed Health-Related Quality of Life (HQRoL), Work Productivity and Activity Impairment (WPAI) outcomes across these clusters over time. We assessed associations between the clusters and BNT162b2 vaccination status.MethodsA prospective longitudinal patient-reported outcomes (PRO) study recruited laboratory-confirmed symptomatic COVID-19 patients seeking testing from a national retail pharmacy. Long COVID-19 symptoms were self-reported by participants at 4-week, 3-month and 6-month surveys. Patient classes identified via latent class analysis (LCA) with long COVID-19 symptoms were simplified into clusters based on number of symptoms. HRQoL and WPAI outcomes were collected using EQ-ED-5L and WPAI: GH questionnaires. Mixed models for repeated measures analyses were conducted to examine associations between exposure groups and outcomes.ResultsThe study included 328 participants that were segmented into three groups of long COVID-19 symptoms based on LCA and then simplified by the number of symptoms (Cluster 1 low, <2; Cluster 2 moderate, 2–6; and Cluster 3 high, >6 symptoms). The number of long COVID-19 symptoms was negatively associated with HRQoL and WPAI, whereby participants with high symptom burden (>6 symptoms) had the lowest HRQoL and WPAI scores assessed by absenteeism, presenteeism, work productivity loss, activity impairment, and hours worked metrics. Compared with those unvaccinated and not up-to-date with COVID-19 vaccination, subjects boosted with BNT162b2 consistently reported less symptom burden during the follow-up, regardless of their symptom-based cluster.ConclusionThree distinct patient clusters based on frequency of long COVID symptoms experienced different HRQoL and WPAI outcomes over 6 months. The cluster with more concomitant symptoms experienced greater burden than the others. Participants up-to-date with BNT162b2 reported lower symptom burden across all clusters and timeframes.Clinical trial registrationClinicaltrials.gov NCT05160636.

Clinical and Humanistic Burden of IgAN in Adult Patients: A Global Real-World Survey.

Immunoglobulin A nephropathy (IgAN) is a chronic, progressive kidney disease in which proteinuria, reduced estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), pain and fatigue are common. How symptoms interact and impact patient quality of life (QoL) in real-world practice is poorly studied. This study investigated how patient and physician symptom perceptions differ and how proteinuria and eGFR correlate with pain, fatigue, and QoL in adult IgAN patients. Data were drawn from the Adelphi IgAN Disease Specific Programme™, a cross-sectional survey of physicians and their biopsy confirmed IgAN patients in China, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, the United Kingdom, United States, and Japan, from June-October 2021. Physicians provided demographics and clinical characteristics, including pain and fatigue severity. The same patients completed a self-completion form containing questions on symptom severity, the EQ-5D-5L, Kidney Disease Quality of Life, and Work Productivity and Activity Impairment questionnaires. Symptom scores were grouped by severity and patients grouped by proteinuria and eGFR. Analysis of variance, chi-squared or Fisher's exact tests were performed as appropriate and Dunn's multiple comparisons with Bonferroni adjustment for pair-wise comparisons. Overall, 1515 patients were included (mean [standard deviation] age: 43 [15] years, 60% [n=903] male, 70% [n=1020/1459] diagnosed >1 year ago). Pain was reported by 46% (n=374) of physicians and 47% (n=384) of patients and fatigue by 65% (n=530) of physicians and 76% (n=620) of patients. Both pain and fatigue increased with increased proteinuria and reduced eGFR (all p<0.001). Finally, patients with increased proteinuria and reduced eGFR experienced worse (p<0.05) QoL and work productivity across all measures (except work absenteeism). Patients with higher proteinuria and lower eGFR face higher symptom burden and reduced QoL than their counterparts. Physicians underestimated fatigue levels faced by patients. In order to improve QoL, more effective treatments are needed to prevent high proteinuria and preserve eGFR.

Virtual Reality-Based Exposure With 360° Environments for Social Anxiety Disorder: Usability and Feasibility Study.

Social anxiety disorder (SAD) is a long-term and overwhelming fear of social situations that can affect work, school, and other daily activities. Although cognitive behavioral therapy is effective, few seek treatment, and many who do start often drop out. This may be due to the component of exposure inherent to cognitive behavioral therapy, where the patient confronts feared stimuli outside the therapist's office, which they otherwise try to avoid. As an alternative, research has explored the effectiveness of virtual reality (VR)-based exposure therapy with promising results. However, few studies have investigated the feasibility of VR tools using mixed methodologies before assessing their efficacy. This study aims to assess the usability, feasibility, and presence of four 360° virtual environments and whether these were able to evoke anxiety in patients with SAD. A total of 10 adult participants with SAD and 10 healthy controls were recruited for 1 experimental session (age range 21-32 y; 12/20, 60% male participants). Questionnaire and interview data were collected and analyzed. A mixed methods triangulation design was applied to analyze and compare the data. Participants with SAD experienced increased anxiety when exposed to VR, and environments were considered relevant and useful as an exposure tool. Participants with SAD reported significantly higher average anxiety levels (P=.01) and peak anxiety levels (P=.01) compared with controls during exposure; however, significant differences in anxiety when accounting for baseline anxiety levels were only found in 2 of 4 environments (P=.01, P=.01, P=.07, and P=.06). While presence scores were acceptable in both groups, participants with SAD scored significantly lower than controls. Qualitative analyses highlight this finding within the SAD group, where some participants experienced presence reduction due to being observed while in VR and in situations with reduced interaction in VR. VR exposure with 360° videos seems to be useful as a first step of exposure therapy for patients with SAD. Future exploration in the clinical application of VR-based exposure for SAD, as well as means of increasing presence within the virtual environments, may be useful.

Outcome of End to Side Nerve Modified Double Oberlin Procedure and End to End Dorsal Approach Spinal Accessory to Suprascapular Nerve in Partial Postganglionic BPI: A Case Report

Introduction: Brachial plexus injury (BPI) is a devastating peripheral nerve injury that mostly affecting young men, often due to motor vehicle accidents. BPIs can be classified into preganglionic and postganglionic lesions, with postganglionic injuries allowing potential nerve regeneration. The Oberlin method, aimed at reinnervating the biceps, and the Mackinnon technique, targeting both biceps and brachialis muscles, have shown promising outcomes in BPI management. Case report: A 45-year-old man presented with right hand weakness and occasional tingling in the upper arm and fingers two months after a motorcycle accident. Motor examination revealed muscle strength of 0/5 in the right trapezius, rhomboids, serratus anterior (positive winging scapula), pectoralis minor and major, latissimus dorsi, deltoid, biceps, and elbow flexion. Wrist and finger functions remained intact. Diagnosed with post-ganglionic BPI, the patient underwent two nerve transfer surgeries: the Mackinnon technique, transferring the spinal accessory nerve to the suprascapular nerve to reinnervate shoulder muscles, and the Double Oberlin procedure, transferring fascicles from the median and ulnar nerves to the musculocutaneous nerve for reinnervation of the biceps and brachialis muscles. Post-surgery, the patient engaged in an aggressive rehabilitation program focusing on strength, range of motion, and sensory re-education. Over nine months, the patient showed significant improvement in elbow flexion (MRC grade 3), wrist extension (MRC grade 5), hand grip strength (MRC grade 3) with improved sensation across the affected limb. He returned to work and daily activities with mild residual weakness and sensory deficits. Discussion: This case illustrates the effectiveness of the Mackinnon and Double Oberlin nerve transfer techniques in restoring function in a patient with total post-ganglionic BPI. The Mackinnon technique enabled shoulder muscle reinnervation, essential for abduction and stabilization, while the Double Oberlin procedure enhanced elbow flexion by reinnervating both the biceps and brachialis muscles. The combined surgical and intensive rehabilitation approach facilitated significant functional recovery. Conclusion: The successful application of the Double Oberlin and Mackinnon techniques in this case demonstrates their potential in managing total post-ganglionic BPI. Early surgical intervention and consistent rehabilitation are crucial for optimizing recovery outcomes. This case highlights the importance of a multidisciplinary approach in treating complex peripheral nerve injuries. Keywords: Double Oberlin, Mackinnon, Brachial Plexus Injury

Calculation of Trusses System in MATLAB—Multibody

This article discusses the software tool (Simscape—Multibody program of MATLAB) primarily intended for dynamic and kinematic processes with practical applications in static calculations. Currently, there are few published scientific works utilizing this tool for tasks like basic static calculations of truss systems. We were interested in comparing the calculation using the tools we use in our work and research activities for theoretical calculation; the potential reliance on simulations in the future could help to avoid the necessity of complex theoretical calculations, which can be time-consuming and prone to errors. Despite the fact that the structure may appear simple, in practice, there may not always be time for a verification calculation in the theoretical field (proper model creation, inclusion of all conditions, etc.). The beam system is intentionally both externally and internally statically indeterminate. For this reason, it is logically necessary to also consider deformation conditions. The achieved results were interesting in terms of accuracy compared to SOLIDWORKS, which was used for computation verification. Through very simple optimization, we were able to further increase the calculation accuracy without complicating other parameters.

Time Unmasked: Illuminating the Hidden Dimensions of Economic Stratification during COVID-19 in the United States

This paper delves into the nuanced impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on time use activities in the United States, particularly examining gender and parental status differences. Drawing on data from the 2018–2022 American Time Use Survey, the study analyzes trends in six distinct time use categories: unpaid care work, leisure, employed activities, personal care, childcare, and household activities. The research sheds light on the evolving dynamics within households during the pandemic, emphasizing the potential implications for economic stratification and societal well-being. The COVID-19 pandemic completely disrupted established time use patterns, forcing a reconsideration of ‘traditional’ gender roles and caregiving responsibilities in certain countries. While early studies hinted at a temporary shift toward more equitable distribution of household activities, particularly childcare, this paper scrutinizes these trends over a more extended period. Despite the short-lived increases in fathers’ involvement in childcare during the pandemic, the study finds that the caregiving burden remained disproportionately on mothers and women. Notably, the analysis reveals persistent gender disparities in unpaid care work, with women and mothers spending a disproportionate amount of time on household activities, housework, and caring for children. This unequal distribution of caregiving responsibilities limits a women’s ability to engage in paid work activities, contributing to economic stratification and constraining their financial resources. While some activities demonstrated slight reductions in gender gaps, the overall picture suggests that the pandemic may not bring about lasting changes in how time is allocated within households.

Risk factors associated with consumption of alcohol among Turkish older men and women

ABSTRACT Objectives This study aims to examine the factors associated with alcohol use among individuals aged 60 and above in Türkiye. Methods The microdata obtained from the Türkiye Health Survey conducted by the Turkish Statistical Institute (TSI) in 2019 and 2022 were used in this study. Binary logistic regression analysis was employed to identify variables associated with alcohol use in older adults. Results The analysis revealed that gender, age, education level, employment status, marital status, health condition, lung disease, history of heart attack, kidney disease, Alzheimer’s disease, difficulty in carrying or holding items, and tobacco use significantly influence alcohol use among older individuals. Conclusion The study concludes that older males are at a higher risk of alcohol use. It is recommended to develop preventive health programs tailored to address the specific reasons for alcohol initiation and use among men. Aging is a period characterized by reduced activity in both work and social life due to retirement, leading some older individuals to turn to alcohol consumption as a coping mechanism. To promote active aging, it is suggested that the number of senior clubs and elderly solidarity centers affiliated with municipalities should be increased.

Environmental health risk assessment and acute effects of sulfur dioxide (SO2) inhalation exposure on traditional sulfur miners at Ijen Crater Volcano, Indonesia

The Ijen Crater volcano is one of the geological wonders recognized by UNESCO. Inside it is a blue lake with a high acidity level, and a blue fire phenomenon has formed due to the very high concentration of sulfur. This crater is also one of Indonesia's largest sources of sulfur and is used by locals as a traditional sulfur mine. This study aims to measure SO2 concentrations and assess the health risks of SO2 exposure in traditional sulfur mine workers. The SO2 measurements were taken using impingers at six sample points along the mine workers' path. In addition, anthropometric data, work activity patterns, and health complaints during work were collected through direct interviews with 30 respondents selected based on inclusion criteria. Short-Term Health Impact Method was carried out based on a comparison of threshold level values and acute effects obtained from interviews regarding health complaints. The Hazard Question Index (HQ Index) of SO2 exposure was calculated using the health risk assessment method. The SO2 concentrations between 3.14 and 18.24 mg/m3. All sample points were above the quality standard threshold set by the EPA of 1.97 mg/m3. The most common health complaints workers experienced were eye irritation and coughing while working, followed by headache, shortness of breath, and skin irritation. The HQ index of SO2 exposure in workers was 1.02 for real-time exposure and 2.15 for long-term exposure. An HQ index ≥ 1 indicates a potential health risk for workers. Therefore, it is important to control workers' SO2 exposure.

Exploration of physical activity, sedentary behavior and insulin level among short sleepers.

Sufficient physical activity and sleep duration are essential for overall health. While one-third of the US population reports short sleep (<7 h), which is proven to link with negative health status. Current evidence on the relationship between physical activity, sedentary behavior, and serum insulin level in short sleep groups is limited. The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) was used to conduct this cross-sectional study of 8,494 adults (NHANES) 2007-2018. Serum insulin was quantitatively tested by human insulin immunoassay. Short sleep conditions were defined as ≤7 h per night. Physical activity conditions, including work activity, recreational activity, and sedentary behavior, were self-reported in NHANES by the Physical Activity Questionnaire using a 7-day recall method. The main analyses utilized weighted linear regression models due to the complex multistage sampling design of NHANES. Subgroup analysis and the influence of different lipid indices were explored in this study. In addition, a sensitivity analysis of participants without diabetes was conducted. In fully adjusted models, increased levels of work and recreational activity significantly reduced insulin levels, with β values 95% CI = -0.002 (-0.003, 0.001) and β values 95% CI = -0.008 (-0.012, -0.003), respectively. However, sedentary behavior was positively associated with insulin levels, with a β value 95% CI =0.022 (0.009, 0.034). The sensitivity analysis further confirmed the benefits of recreational activity in controlling insulin levels. Through sex stratification analysis, it seemed that physical activity was more obviously impacted in the male than female groups. Overall, our analysis demonstrates that in short sleepers, an increased level of work and recreational activity is beneficial to control the insulin level, and more sedentary time is harmful. However, this association might be discrepant in different sexes and different levels of lipid indices.

Exploring racial and ethnic disparities in the hidradenitis suppurativa patient disease journey: Results from a real-world study in Europe and the USA.

Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is an inflammatory skin disease associated with high morbidity and disability that has limited treatment options. People from racial and ethnic minority groups may experience greater disease severity and delay to diagnosis. This study assessed the impact of race/ethnicity on HS diagnosis and management in real-world clinical settings. Data were derived from the Adelphi Real World Hidradenitis Suppurativa Disease Specific Programme, a survey of dermatologists and their consulting HS patients in five European countries and the USA in 2020/2021. Dermatologists returned demographic and clinical data, and treatment goals and satisfaction for their next five to seven consulting patients. Patients completed a questionnaire on disease history and diagnosis, disease burden, and treatment satisfaction. Groups were compared with bivariate tests. In total, 312 physicians returned data on 1787 patients; 57.6% were female and 77.7% White. People from racial and ethnic minority groups were younger than White patients (32.9 ± 11.6 vs. 34.9 ± 12.4, mean ± standard deviation) and reported symptoms at a younger age (23.3 ± 10.8 vs. 26.2 ± 11.1), but their time to first consultation was longer than for White patients (2.6 ± 5.7 vs. 1.2 ± 2.5 years). People from racial and ethnic minority groups took longer to receive a correct diagnosis following first consultation (2.7 ± 5.3 vs. 1.5 ± 4.1 years) and were more likely to be misdiagnosed with boils (73.5% vs. 40.4%). People from racial and ethnic minority groups had a greater disease awareness at diagnosis and reported wanting greater support. People from racial and ethnic minority groups reported a greater impact on life, more severe pain, and a greater level of activity impairment in the Work Productivity and Activity Impairment: General Health (27.0 ± 25.2 vs. 20.0 ± 20.6). All P values were ≤0.05. These data show evidence of delayed diagnosis and higher HS symptom burden amongst people from racial and ethnic minority groups, highlighting health disparities in HS.

The impact of cultural practices on the outcome of IT risk management implementation

PurposeThe objectives of this research are two-fold. The first is to explore, describe and explain the relevance of the concept of Information Technology risk management (ITRM) implementation processes. In this regard, we were required to understand the interaction between contextual issues, the ITRM framework itself, IT individual interpretations toward them and their effect on implementation. The second objective is to develop a theoretical model for use in guiding the design and analysis of the proposed empirical work. The study introduces a fresh perspective to an established research area. It is argued that without more emphasis on the dynamic nature of the implementation process, an incomplete understanding of the problem will result.Design/methodology/approachThe study adopts an interpretive methodology to a multiple case study design gathering and analysing qualitative evidence. A series of three case studies was designed around 22 semi-structured in-depth interviews conducted to investigate IT individuals’ role in facilitating a successful ITRM implementation.FindingsThe findings provide new insights in relation to ITRM implementation by considering IT individual culture. The research develops a substantive theory involving a schematic model involving a set of theoretical propositions. These findings suggest a dynamic approach to implementing IT risk management framework — one that considers the interaction over time of intentions, context, process and action around risk management frameworks.Research limitations/implicationsThis study makes important theoretical contributions to the understanding of organizational implementations by taking a dynamic view of implementation, identifying different individual IT culture archetypes, emphasizing the role of social aspects and developing a set of key factors and contextual conditions.Practical implicationsThis model offers managers an understanding of how IT individual culture and the factors and contextual conditional work together over time to ensure a successful ITRM implementation. Meanwhile, it sheds some light on how managers treat IT individuals with different levels of experience differently.Originality/valueWe theorize IT individual culture and the factors and contextual conditional and show their effects on ITRM implementation success, thus making an essential contribution to the information systems and implementation research and practice. Moreover, we provide a novel methodology to conceptualize ITRM implementation as a cultural process through which IT people socially construct the meanings and purposes of their work activities. This research answers scholars’ call to construct more accurate explanations of innovation outcomes in an increasingly IS implementation world.

Gender inequality in time allocation across life stages: a comparative study in a Latin American country

ABSTRACT The study analyzes gender differences in time use in the Latin American context, from a comparative perspective (2010–2019) and across life stages. Particularly, the study presents evidence on the likelihood of women and men spending time on three types of activities: Household work, paid work activities, and personal activities. Logistic regression was applied using data from time use surveys conducted in Peru in 2010 and 2019. The results suggests that women were much more likely to spend additional time on household work, while men were more likely to spend additional time on paid work and personal activities. However, these differences became less pronounced in 2019. In terms of age groups, a U-shaped and an inverted U-shaped pattern were found for paid work activities and household chores respectively. In both cases, the largest gender gap was found in the 30–39 age group, possibly related to motherhood. The originality of the research lies in providing a comprehensive analysis of gender inequality in time use in a developing country that has one of the highest rates of female labor force participation in the region, and is also characterized by a patriarchal structure in which machismo and marianismo influence time distribution.