scholarly journals Attitudes and decision-making processes of Midwakh smoking among adult males in UAE

BJPsych Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (S1) ◽  
pp. S233-S233
Author(s):  
Hamid Alhaj ◽  
Rahaf Abughosh ◽  
Batool Aldaher ◽  
Asma Elhewairis ◽  
Ahmed Ali ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Harmful Effect ◽  
Peer Pressure ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Categorical Variables ◽  
Public Health Approach ◽  
P Value ◽  
Adult Males ◽  
Attitudes And Practices ◽  
Decision Making Processes

AimsMidwakh, which involves smoking an Arabian tobacco blend typically mixed with herbs and spices, has recently become a major health concern due to a spreading popularity among adolescents and young adults in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). It is known to contain a higher nicotine content than cigarettes, potentially increasing the risk of addiction, despite contrary popular belief among young smokers. Yet, little is known about attitudes and decision-making processes involving this emerging smoking behaviour. The aim of this study was to ascertain the knowledge, attitudes and practices of Midwakh use among adult males in the UAE.MethodA cross sectional study was conducted among male adults in Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Sharjah. A total of 500 participants completed self-administered validated questionnaires, which consisted of 30 questions that targeted the public's understanding, perception and use of Midwakh. Data were analysed using SPSS 23. Percentages and means were calculated for demographic data and Chi-Square was utilised to measure relations between categorical variables. Odds Ratio (OR) was used to estimate how strongly a predictor was associated to an outcome. A p-value less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant.ResultThe prevalence of smoking Midwakh was 34.8% among the study sample. Males between ages 26 to 35 were found to be 4.48 times (95% CI: 1.59–12.66) more likely to be current Midwakh smokers than any other age groups (P = 0.01). Emiratis in the study were 5.92 times (95% CI: 2.83–12.35) more likely to smoke Midwakh than expats. 65% of respondents reported willingness to smoke Midwakh if it was offered to them. Adults with 3-4 close friends who smoke Midwakh were 6.8 times (95% CI: 2.08–22.41) more likely to smoke Midwakh themselves. Knowledge of being unsafe was cited in 62% of the participants as a cause of quitting Midwakh within two years.ConclusionOur results demonstrate a significant impact of peer pressure on the decision-making process of Midwakh smoking. The high prevalence among young male residents warrants a multi-agency public health approach to tackle the issue. Culturally sensitive campaigns raising awareness to the harmful effect of Midwakh including its addictiveness appear to be essential. Further research investigating the effects of a targeted Midwakh-smoking cessation approaches is warranted.

scholarly journals The Micro-Costing Approach to Foster the Effectiveness of Decision-Making Processes in the Healthcare System–Some Empirical Evidence from the Piedmont Region

2019 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
pp. 167 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vania Tradori ◽  
Paola De Bernardi ◽  
Valerio Brescia
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Duodenal Ulcer ◽  
Medical Records ◽  
Healthcare Expenditure ◽  
Clinical Governance ◽  
P Value ◽  
Treatment Pathway ◽  
Decision Making Processes ◽  
Piedmont Region

The study aims to highlight the usefulness of micro accounting approach as tool of clinical governance starting from the data provided by the computerization of services and medical records. The case study takes into account data collected over two years between three departments of the same hospital for the management of patients with acute gastric ulcer with bleeding and variations and acute duodenal ulcer with bleeding and variations. All statistical analyses were performed using STATA V.14.2 (Stata Corp, College Station, Texas, USA, 2013) and p value <0.05 was considered significant for all analyses. The analysis of economic and comorbidity data provides useful insights to guide the choice of the treatment pathway between departments, and provides useful indications for the redefinition of guidelines towards a rationalization of healthcare expenditure.

scholarly journals Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices of Waterpipe Smokers in Sulaimani City/ Kurdistan Region of Iraq

2018 ◽  
pp. 72-79
Author(s):  
Bestun Ibrahim Hama Rahim ◽  
Abdulrahman M. Ibrahem ◽  
Niaz Mustafa Kamal
Keyword(s):  
Age Distribution ◽  
Case Series ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
P Value ◽  
Age Group ◽  
Waterpipe Smoking ◽  
Attitudes And Practices ◽  
Middle East Countries ◽  
Case Series Study ◽  
Level Of Significance

Waterpipe smoking is a global phenomenon, particularly among youths and young adults. This practice is rising in the Middle East countries.  Waterpipe comprises many chemical toxins as cigarette smoke. Waterpipe smoking can cause several health problems. A descriptive case-series study was performed from 10th of October 2017 to 20th of December 2017 in eight waterpipe cafeterias in Sulaimani city. The current study involved 230 waterpipe smokers. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data. P-value ≤0.05 was used to show a level of significance. The age range of the waterpipe smokers was 16-39 years with the mean age was 24.63 years.  The age distribution was a sharp peak in the age group of 21 to 25 years, over two fifths (40.9%) of the study subjects lay in this age group. The waterpipe smoking was higher in the individuals with high education level (52.2%). Regarding the participants’ occupations, the frequency of the waterpipe smoking was higher among self-employment. Over two-thirds of participants (68.7%) were unmarried. The main motives for waterpipe smoking were life pressures, pleasurable experience, and habit (31%, 27%, and 25% respectively). The majority of participants had a good knowledge about the negative health effects of waterpipe smoking. Approximately half of the participants (48.3%) possessed waterpipe at home, over two thirds (68.3%) of subjects preferred smoking waterpipe with their friends, half of the respondents (50.0%) preferred smoking waterpipe at the cafeteria. Likewise, over half of participants (51.3%) smoked waterpipe every day. The main reason for the intention to quit waterpipe was a health concern.

scholarly journals Civil Society Action and Governance in Vietnam: Selected Findings from an Empirical Survey

2010 ◽  
Vol 29 (2) ◽  
pp. 3-40 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jörg Wischermann
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Civil Society ◽  
Data Analysis ◽  
Social Action ◽  
Ho Chi Minh City ◽  
Interaction Data ◽  
Attitudes And Practices ◽  
Empirical Survey ◽  
Civic Organizations ◽  
Decision Making Processes

In this article, findings from 300 standardized interviews with representatives of Civic Organizations in Ho Chi Minh-City and Ha Noi are presented. Following a view of civil society as a specific mode of social action and interaction, data analysis unveils the existence of core dimensions of such action (respect, empathy/ sympathy, and the willingness to compromise and stick to agreed-upon rules), though the respective values of those dimensions vary strongly. Inseparably linked with such civil society action of whatever kind is consensus-seeking, an aversion to conflicts, and an affinity to synthesis. These attitudes and practices, dominating various Civic Organizations’ internal decision-making processes, represent elements of authoritarian political thinking in Civic Organizations’ leaders’ mindsets and courses of action. Combined, those characteristics make up civil society action “in Vietnamese colours”.

scholarly journals Confronting p-hacking: addressing p-value dependence on sample size

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Estibaliz Gómez-de-Mariscal ◽  
Alexandra Sneider ◽  
Hasini Jayatilaka ◽  
Jude M. Phillip ◽  
Denis Wirtz ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Null Hypothesis ◽  
Statistical Significance ◽  
P Value ◽  
P Values ◽  
New Approach ◽  
Minimum Data ◽  
Large Scope ◽  
Depth Study ◽  
Decision Making Processes

ABSTRACTBiomedical research has come to rely on p-values to determine potential translational impact. The p-value is routinely compared with a threshold commonly set to 0.05 to assess the significance of the null hypothesis. Whenever a large enough dataset is available, this threshold is easily reachable. This phenomenon is known as p-hacking and it leads to spurious conclusions. Herein, we propose a systematic and easy-to-follow protocol that models the p-value as an exponential function to test the existence of real statistical significance. This new approach provides a robust assessment of the null hypothesis with accurate values for the minimum data-size needed to reject it. An in-depth study of the model is carried out in both simulated and experimentally-obtained data. Simulations show that under controlled data, our assumptions are true. The results of our analysis in the experimental datasets reflect the large scope of this approach in common decision-making processes.

scholarly journals Comparison of Costs and Health Care Resource Utilization (HRU) in Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL) Patients Treated with Venetoclax (VEN) or Chemotherapy (CT)/Chemoimmunotherapy (CIT)

Blood ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 132 (Supplement 1) ◽  
pp. 4758-4758
Author(s):  
Chadi Nabhan ◽  
Anthony R. Mato ◽  
Jonathan K. Kish ◽  
Damion Nero
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Research Funding ◽  
Lymphocytic Leukemia ◽  
Patient Choice ◽  
Wilcoxon Test ◽  
Categorical Variables ◽  
P Value ◽  
Second Line ◽  
Second Line Therapy ◽  
Line Therapy

Abstract BACKGROUND Most CLL patients in the US are treated with chemoimmunotherapy (CIT) or ibrutinib; rarely do patients receive chemotherapy (CT) alone. VEN is approved for relapse/refractory (R/R) CLL patients who received one prior therapy. While treatment selection is based on risk stratification, comorbidities, patient choice, and physician preference, the economic impact of selecting VEN versus CT/CIT in R/R CLL is unknown and in the absence of prospective comparative studies, could play a role in decision-making. We aimed to compare real-world HRU of VEN versus CT/CIT-treated CLL patients receiving therapy in the second line setting. PATIENTS and METHODS CLL patients initiating second line therapy (2L) between 01/01/2016-03/31/2018 were selected from the Symphony Health's Integrated Dataverse (IDV) dataset. HRU for patients receiving VEN or CT/CIT regimens were compared from the start of the first cycle of 2L and for 3 months after treatment and reported as per-patient per-month (PPPM). Patients were ≥18 years at diagnosis and were required to have treatment after CLL diagnosis. HRU was reported for the inpatient (inpt), emergency room (ER), physician office visit (OV) or other outpatient ambulatory visits (Outpt) settings. Time to initiation was assessed from CLL diagnosis to the start of the second line of therapy. P-values were generated using chi-square tests for categorical variables and Wilcoxon test for means, as utilization and cost outcomes are often non-normally distributed. RESULTS Among the 385 CLL patients considered in this study, 154 were treated with VEN [median age 64 years (range: 21-79)], 121 were treated with CT (median age 70 years, min 19 and max 79) and 110 were treated with CIT [median age 65 years, (range: 33-78)]. CIT in this setting were only FCR (25 patients) or BR (85 patients). There were no significant differences in gender distribution between cohorts, but higher percentage of VEN-treated patients were on Medicare/Medicaid compared to CIT patients [61% vs 52% (CIT)]. Median follow-up from initiation of 2L was significantly shorter for VEN patients when compared to CT or CIT patients (7.7 months vs 16.2 and 18.6, p-value <0.0001); likely due to later uptake in prescribing VEN relative to study period initiation. Median time from CLL diagnosis to the initiation of 2L therapy was significantly longer for VEN patients when compared to CT/CIT patients (17.3 vs 11.3 and 10.5, p-value < 0.0001). VEN inpt costs were significantly lower than CT costs ($1,615.48 vs $2,592.52, p-value <0.05) however there were no statistically significant differences observed for inpt costs between the VEN and CIT. The costs of ER visits were significantly lower for CT and CIT patients when compared to VEN ($321.48 vs $147.52 and $181.03, p<0.0001). The cost of office visits was also significantly lower for CT/CIT patients when compared to VEN ($1,971.39 vs $807.96 and $776.10, p<0.0001). Outpt visit costs were higher for CT/CIT patients when compared to VEN ($1,437.12 vs $5,163.91 and $4,824.44, p<0.0001). The total cost of medical care was significantly higher in both the CT and CIT groups when compared to VEN ($6,075.81 and $5,514.52 vs $2,439.52, p-value <0.0001); (Table). CONCLUSIONS: In R/R CLL patients, total costs of care were significantly lower in VEN patients compared to CT or CIT patients potentially implying cost-effectiveness (considering equal efficacy/toxicity). This analysis may inform shared decision-making when deciding on second line therapy especially in a value-based care environment. Disclosures Nabhan: Cardinal Health: Employment, Equity Ownership. Mato:Medscape: Honoraria; Regeneron: Research Funding; Portola: Research Funding; AstraZeneca: Consultancy; Acerta: Research Funding; Celgene: Consultancy; Prime Oncology: Honoraria; Johnson & Johnson: Consultancy; TG Therapeutics: Consultancy, Research Funding; AbbVie: Consultancy, Research Funding; Pharmacyclics, an AbbVie Company: Consultancy, Research Funding. Kish:Cardinal Health: Employment. Nero:Cardinal Health: Employment.

scholarly journals Prevalence of hypertension and related risk factors in central Iran: Results from Yazd Health Study

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Masoud Mirzaei ◽  
Mohsen Mirzaei ◽  
Somayeh Gholami ◽  
Hossein Abolhosseini
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Logistic Regression ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Health Study ◽  
Categorical Variables ◽  
P Value ◽  
Cluster Sampling ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Related Risk ◽  
History Of

Abstract Background: Hypertension, the most important risk factor for cardiovascular disease, is a public health concern in world. Its prevalence varies between countries, due to differences in lifestyle and other risk factors' profile across the regions. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of hypertension and its related risk factors among adults in Yazd Greater Area. Methods: This cross-sectional study is a community-based study of 20-69 year-old adults living in Yazd. The participants were selected by multi-stage random cluster sampling. A valid questionnaire completed in a home visit. Blood pressure (BP), Body Mass Index and Waist Circumference were measured by standard protocol. Self-reported hypertension was recorded. levels of Physical Activity (PA) were categorized by IPAQ-SF. Chi-square test was used for categorical variables to analyze the differences. Multivariate logistic regression was carried out to determine the association of risk factors to hypertension. All statistical analyses were performed using SPSS 16 software. A p-value less than 0.05 were considered statistically significant. Results: With 95% responding(n=9975), half of adults have a low PA and two thirds were overweight or obese. Positive history of hypertension was 18.5% (21.9% in females vs. 15.2% in males). The mean systolic and diastolic BP were 126.5 ± 18.4 mmHg and 80.2 ± 12.5 mmHg, respectively. Prevalence of hypertension was 36% (34.7% for women and 37.3% for men). The prevalence of hypertension is reduced with higher education, more PA, lower BMI and no history of diabetes (P value < 0.0001). Higher BP is less common in smokers (P value < 0.0001). By logistic regression analysis, hypertension were higher among men (OR: 1.83, 95% CI: 1.64-2.03), eldest (OR: 5.15, 95% CI: 4.20-6.31), low-educated (OR: 1.40, 95% CI: 1.17-1.67) and diabetics (OR: 1.20, 95% CI: 1.05-1.38).Hypertension was doubled in obese. There was no significant relationship between PA level, place of residence, smoking and hypercholesterolemia with high BP. Conclusion: Prevalence of hypertension in adults was high. By identifying common modifiable risk factors, health policy makers should prioritize health interventions to control risk factors. It is necessary to inform younger adult groups about ways to select healthy lifestyle and nutritional habits.

scholarly journals Study on awareness, perceptions, experiences in decision process of hysterectomy in women presenting to Goa Medical College

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 1089
Author(s):  
Manjusha Jindal ◽  
Viraj Ramesh Naik ◽  
Mrinalini Sahasrabhojanee ◽  
Jagadish Cacodcar ◽  
Manojkumar S. Kulkarni ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Uterine Prolapse ◽  
Structured Interview ◽  
Categorical Variables ◽  
Bivariate Analysis ◽  
P Value ◽  
Decision Making Process ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Urban Location ◽  
Medical College

Background: Hysterectomy (removal of uterus) has many indications like fibroids, dysfunctional uterine bleeding, uterine prolapse and chronic pelvic pain. The purpose of this study is to know the level of awareness of women about hysterectomy, to study their experiences, to assess their involvement in decision making process and to develop a suitable protocol, counselling and education material to ensure women’s involvement.Methods: This is a cross sectional study using validated semi-structured interview questionnaire over 6 months (1st December, 2018 to 31st May, 2019) in Goa Medical College. Data was entered in epidata manager and analysed using SPSS 22 version. Categorical variables were expressed in percentages and proportions and quantitative variables in mean±SD. Significance was checked using Chi square test and association between dependent and independent variables was assessed by using bivariate analysis. P value <0.05 was taken as significant.Results: A total of 149 women were recruited into the study who were admitted for hysterectomy. The mean age of women was 49.3 years. The awareness with respect to various aspects of hysterectomy was good in 23.4% subjects and poor in 76.6% subjects. The awareness was significantly related to level of education (p=0.002), urban location (p=0.016) and socioeconomic status (p=0.028). Education was significant factor in decision-making process (p< 0.05). It was observed that good experience had positive correlation to their perception about hysterectomy.Conclusions: It was concluded that awareness about hysterectomy was significantly related to education, urban location and socio-economic status of women. Pre-operative education would help to reduce the post-operative symptoms for a women undergoing hysterectomy.

Cognitive Processing of Miscommunication in Interactive Listening: An Evaluation of Listener Indecision and Cognitive Effort

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-17
Author(s):  
Jennifer M. Roche ◽  
Arkady Zgonnikov ◽  
Laura M. Morett
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Cognitive Processing ◽  
Language Processing ◽  
Cognitive Effort ◽  
Mouse Tracking ◽  
Computer Mouse ◽  
Decision Making Processes ◽  
Computer Mouse Tracking ◽  
Listening Task ◽  
Processing Effort

Purpose The purpose of the current study was to evaluate the social and cognitive underpinnings of miscommunication during an interactive listening task. Method An eye and computer mouse–tracking visual-world paradigm was used to investigate how a listener's cognitive effort (local and global) and decision-making processes were affected by a speaker's use of ambiguity that led to a miscommunication. Results Experiments 1 and 2 found that an environmental cue that made a miscommunication more or less salient impacted listener language processing effort (eye-tracking). Experiment 2 also indicated that listeners may develop different processing heuristics dependent upon the speaker's use of ambiguity that led to a miscommunication, exerting a significant impact on cognition and decision making. We also found that perspective-taking effort and decision-making complexity metrics (computer mouse tracking) predict language processing effort, indicating that instances of miscommunication produced cognitive consequences of indecision, thinking, and cognitive pull. Conclusion Together, these results indicate that listeners behave both reciprocally and adaptively when miscommunications occur, but the way they respond is largely dependent upon the type of ambiguity and how often it is produced by the speaker.

“It's Not Humanly Possible to Do Everything”: Perspectives on Intervention Decision-Making Processes of Parents of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders

2015 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
pp. 13-21 ◽  
Author(s):  
Erinn Finke ◽  
Kathryn Drager ◽  
Elizabeth C. Serpentine
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Individualized Education Program ◽  
Children With Autism ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Sources Of Information ◽  
Individual Decision ◽  
Decision Making Processes ◽  
Spectrum Disorders ◽  
Interview Methodology ◽  
Communication Interventions

Purpose The purpose of this investigation was to understand the decision-making processes used by parents of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) related to communication-based interventions. Method Qualitative interview methodology was used. Data were gathered through interviews. Each parent had a child with ASD who was at least four-years-old; lived with their child with ASD; had a child with ASD without functional speech for communication; and used at least two different communication interventions. Results Parents considered several sources of information for learning about interventions and provided various reasons to initiate and discontinue a communication intervention. Parents also discussed challenges introduced once opinions of the school individualized education program (IEP) team had to be considered. Conclusions Parents of children with ASD primarily use individual decision-making processes to select interventions. This discrepancy speaks to the need for parents and professionals to share a common “language” about interventions and the decision-making process.

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