scholarly journals Factors that determine dependence in daily activities: A cross-sectional study of family practice non-attenders from Slovenia

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. e0245465
Author(s):  
Antonija Poplas Susič ◽  
Zalika Klemenc-Ketiš ◽  
Rok Blagus ◽  
Nina Ružić Gorenjec
Keyword(s):  
Health Status ◽  
Family Practice ◽  
Adult Population ◽  
Electronic System ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Daily Activities ◽  
Personal Hygiene ◽  
Considerable Proportion ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Increased Risk

Background Independence in daily activities is defined as the ability to perform functions related to daily living, i.e. the capacity of living independently in the community with little or no help from others. Objective We focused on non-attenders as a subgroup of patients whose health status is not well known to family practice teams. Our goal was to estimate the prevalence of dependence and its severity level in the daily activities of patients, and to determine the factors that are associated with the occurrence of dependence. Design Cross-sectional observational study. Settings and participants Data was obtained in family medicine settings. Participants in the study were adults living in the community (aged 18 or over) who had not visited their chosen family physician in the last 5 years (non-attenders) and who were able to participate in the study. Through the electronic system, we identified 2,025 non-attenders. Community nurses collected data in the participants’ homes. The outcome measure was dependence in daily activities, assessed through eight items: personal hygiene; eating and drinking; mobility; dressing and undressing; urination and defecation; continence; avoiding hazards in the environment; and communication. Results The final sample consisted of 1,999 patients (98.7% response rate). The mean age was 59.9 (range 20 to 99). Dependence in daily activities was determined in 466 or 23.3% (95% CI: [21.5, 25.2]) of the patients. Older patients (over 60 years), with at least one chronic disease, increased risk of falling, moderate feelings of loneliness and a lower self-assessment of health were statistically significantly more likely to be dependent in their daily activities, according to our multivariate model. Conclusions A considerable proportion of family practice non-attenders were found to be dependent in daily activities, though at a low level. We identified several factors associated with this dependence. This could help to identify people at risk of being dependent in daily activities in the general adult population, and enable specific interventions that would improve their health status.

scholarly journals A study of hygiene and sanitation among migrants reporting to a primary health care setting in North Goa

2019 ◽  
Vol 6 (9) ◽  
pp. 4111
Author(s):  
Jennifer Mendes ◽  
Hemangini K. Shah
Keyword(s):  
Liquid Waste ◽  
Healthcare Setting ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Communicable Diseases ◽  
Personal Hygiene ◽  
Considerable Proportion ◽  
Migrant Population ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Dump Site ◽  
Tract Infections

Background: Considering that poor hygiene and inadequate sanitation has always been a major public health challenge and is responsible for the increased burden of communicable diseases in developing countries, and also the migrant population being a vulnerable community, the present study has been undertaken to evaluate this issue among them.Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted at a primary healthcare setting, wherein migrant population reporting to the centre were assessed for knowledge, attitude and practices regarding personal hygiene and sanitation. Also, the prevalence of hygiene and sanitation associated communicable diseases was assessed based on history and clinical examination to check for the same.Results: The study revealed that most of the study participants used a shared/community latrine (86%), followed by single household latrine (10%) and 4% participants practiced open defecation. During post defecation handwashing, 42% used water and soap every time, 39% used water and soap sometimes and 19% used water only. The most commonly reported poor hygiene and sanitation associated illness was acute gastro-enteritis (52%), followed by respiratory tract infections (39%), taenia (22%), genitor-urinary infections (12%) and others such as eye infections, dental caries, etc. (15%). 85% practice sanitary disposal of solid and liquid waste and 15% dumped the waste at a dump site or into the gutter.Conclusions: From this study, we can conclude that there is inadequate knowledge regarding good hygiene and sanitation practices, and also that considerable proportion of the study population follow unhygienic and unsanitary practices.

scholarly journals Psychological Barriers to Digital Living in Older Adults: Computer Anxiety as Predictive Mechanism for Technophobia

2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (9) ◽  
pp. 96 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dina Di Giacomo ◽  
Jessica Ranieri ◽  
Meny D’Amico ◽  
Federica Guerra ◽  
Domenico Passafiume
Keyword(s):  
Technology Use ◽  
Computer Anxiety ◽  
Adult Population ◽  
Low Frequency ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Considerable Proportion ◽  
Emotional Impact ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Management Of Technology ◽  
Impact Of Technology

This study aimed to investigate the emotional impact of technology use in an Italian adult population and to detect technophobia. This cross-sectional study was conducted with 117 Italian participants (age range of 50–67 years). Measured variables were computer anxiety and technology use ability. The results revealed technophobia features in the Italian adult population related to inadequate management of technology. One-way analysis of variance and Bonferroni’s post-hoc analysis showed that non-autonomous (p < 0.01), low-frequency (p < 0.01), and feeling-a-need-for-help users (p < 0.01) had higher levels of computer anxiety. Based on our data, although lifelong learning is a powerful digital need, a considerable proportion of the adult population is not digitally skilled, enlarging the gap between young (native digital) and adult (digital and non-digital adults and seniors) populations. Adult inclusivity in digital living is inadequate and likely affects their quality of life. Thus, our findings highlight technophobia as a possible new risk factor for Italian adults because it can affect their daily life through low adherence to digital living; rather than aging successfully, they could develop fragile aging.

scholarly journals The Sanitary Condition of Food Establishments and Health Status and Personal Hygiene among Food Handlers in a Rural Area of Western Maharashtra, India

2013 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 23-29 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jayant D Deshpande ◽  
Deepak B Phalke
Keyword(s):  
Health Status ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Personal Hygiene ◽  
Food Handlers ◽  
Medical Sciences ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Sanitary Condition ◽  
Waste Storage ◽  
The Status ◽  
Cooked Food

Background: Foodborne disease occurs in mass catering establishment that is not complying with sanitary and hygienic food handling and preparation. Objective: Objective of the present study was to explore the status of sanitary condition of food establishments and to assess hygienic practices among food handlers. Material and Method: A cross-sectional study design was used to assess the sanitary condition of food establishments and personal hygiene of food handlers. Data was collected with the help of structured and pre-tested questionnaires. The questionnaire also allowed the interviewers to record their observations. All the data obtained was entered into Microsoft Excel and analyzed using the software StatistiXL version 1.8. Result: Separate kitchen and Onsite solid waste storage containers/receptacles were available in 4(16%) establishments. Provision for heating devices for cooked food was available in 5(20%) establishments. Wash basin present with soap were available in 10 (40%) of the food establishments. Sweeping and washing floor with water and disinfectant was done in 8(32%) food establishments. Male and female food handlers’ have equal percentage of morbidity and this difference was not statistically significant (χ2=0.0329, p=0.84), but anaemia was significantly higher among female food handlers (χ2=6.30, p=0.01). Poor hygienic practices were significantly associated with presence of infectious diseases like ARI, diarrhoea, dysentery and skin infections. (χ2=5.71, p=0.017). Conclusion: Food establishments in the study area were found to have poor sanitation and were not maintained well. The health status and the level of personal hygiene of the food handlers in the eating establishments were found to be unsatisfactory. There is need of enforcement of sanitary provisions and educating the food handlers about personal hygiene.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/ajms.v4i2.7895 Asian Journal of Medical Sciences 4(2013) 23-29

scholarly journals PREVALENCE OF ELEVATED RESTING HEART RATE AMONG YOUNG ADULTS

2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 60-65
Author(s):  
Atta Muhammad
Keyword(s):  
Heart Rate ◽  
Young Adults ◽  
Adult Population ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Resting Heart Rate ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Young Adult Population ◽  
Important Correlation ◽  
Near Future

OBJECTIVE To investigate the frequency of elevated resting heart rate among young adult population of ZCRS. METHODOLOGY This cross sectional study was conducted at a private sector University with 363 participants, within age group of 18-30, under consideration. The participants underwent an assessment of heart rate at rest with pulse oximeter, height and weight by stadiometer. IBM SPSS version 20 with a Confidence interval of 95% was used for the statistical analysis. The association of elevated Resting Heart Rate and Body Mass Index was assessed. In addition to this gender association elevated were also evaluated. RESULT The incidence of Elevated RHR with a mean of 95.30 ± 3.25 was found to be 27.04 percent. Also, 22.44 percent of participants had their heart rate with a mean heart rate of 108.40 ± 6.69 in the tachycardia category, which showed the increased risk of CVD events in the near future. In BMI’s view, there was no important correlation found between RHR and BMI jointly and in individual classifications (P>0.05). CONCLUSION The results revealed that resting heart rate was elevated among half of the population that may be a risk factor for cardiovascular events in future. KEYWORDS Heart rate, elevated resting heart rate, RHR, Cardiovascular Disease, Young Adults, risk factors modification

scholarly journals Awareness regarding personal hygiene and sanitation practices among adult population in Dhamrai, Dhaka

2019 ◽  
Vol 1 (Number 2) ◽  
pp. 15-18
Author(s):  
Sultana Begum ◽  
Monowar Ahmad Tarafdar ◽  
Md Saizuddin ◽  
Nadia Begum ◽  
Shila Rani Das ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Leisure Time ◽  
Adult Population ◽  
Sampling Technique ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Personal Hygiene ◽  
Age Group ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Comprehensive Knowledge ◽  
Convenience Sampling ◽  
Structured Questionnaire

The current descriptive type of cross sectional study was conducted during 16th May to 31st May 2018 to assess awareness regarding personal hygiene and sanitation practices in Dhamrai, Dhaka with a sample size of 120 using interviewer administered semi-structured questionnaire employing convenience sampling technique. More than one third (35.9%) of the respondents were in age group 25-35 years and about 65% were female, 32.5% were housewives and 35.8% were found illiterate. source of drinking water was from71.67% tube well and 78.3% used sanitary latrine. More than half of the respondents (61.67%) were taking daily bath with soap and water, 61.66% cut their nails at leisure time and 51.67% wash hair with shampoo and water; while 59.67% washed their hands before meal and 76.67% after defecation with soap and water. It is revealed that 43.3% were aware about the transmission of diarrheoa through dirty nail and 73.3% were aware not to defecate on barefoot. Health education and comprehensive knowledge of proper personal hygiene and sanitation is essential in daily life and should be used to prevent the spread of infectious diseases.

mHealth Acceptance and Usage Among South Asian Adults in the US: A cross-sectional study (Preprint)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Padmavathy Ramaswamy ◽  
Diane M Santa Maria ◽  
Sahiti Myneni ◽  
Stanley Cron ◽  
Constance M Johnson
Keyword(s):  
Health Status ◽  
User Satisfaction ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Perceived Usefulness ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Modifiable Factors ◽  
Mhealth Apps ◽  
The U.S

BACKGROUND Modifiable factors such as physical inactivity and unhealthy diet contribute to the increased risk of cardiovascular diseases (CVD) and diabetes (DM) in South Asians (SAs). Interventions using mobile health (mHealth) could reduce the burden of CVD and DM in SAs living in the U.S. OBJECTIVE To examine the factors associated with the acceptance, and usage of mHealth applications (apps) among SA adults living in the U.S. METHODS In this cross-sectional study, 134 SA adults were recruited from all across US. Self-reported measures included demographics, health status, motivations for using mHealth, technology acceptance and usage, and reasons for non-usage of mHealth apps. Chi-square and Kruskal-Wallis analyses were conducted to compare group differences among current users, past users, and non-users of mHealth apps. RESULTS Most (62.4%) of the participants were current users of mHealth apps. The majority of users were 35-54 years old, female, healthy, employed, and university-educated, with an annual family income of over $80,000. There were no statistically significant differences in demographics, health status and chronic diseases among those surveyed. The mean scores for perceived ease of use, perceived usefulness, confirmation of expectations, user satisfaction, and intent to continue using mHealth ranged from 3.5 to 4.2 (on a scale of 1-5). CONCLUSIONS More than half of the surveyed SA adults used and accepted mHealth.. The results from this study may help in selecting the most widely accepted mHealth apps for designing interventions for SA adults in the U.S. to lower the risk of CVD and DM.

scholarly journals Do various personal hygiene habits protect us against influenza-like illness?

2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Amro K. Bin Abdulrahman ◽  
Khalid A. Bin Abdulrahman ◽  
Mansour K. Almadi ◽  
Abdulrahman M. Alharbi ◽  
Mahmoud A. Mahmoud ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Odds Ratio ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Personal Hygiene ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Influenza Like Illness ◽  
Riyadh City ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Full Explanation ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Handwashing With Soap

Abstract Background Several studies have reported an association between improvements in hand hygiene and the reductions in rates of intestinal parasitic diseases. However, only a some have addressed its link to the frequency of influenza-like illness. The current study aimed to find the correlation between personal hygiene habits and the frequency of influenza-like illness. Methods A cross-sectional study targeting 3000 participants conducted in Riyadh city, Saudi Arabia. A systematic random sampling methodology was applied for participant from different part of Riyadh city using a computer generating system. The researcher first started by calling each participant. A full explanation was given to each participant in details (from the purpose of the research, consent to answer the questionnaire, to the explanation of the outcome definition). Each point of the questionnaire was explained to them to make sure they had excellent comprehension, and therefore, respond accurately. Descriptive statistics and Odds Ratio and its 95% confidence intervals were used to determine the association between frequency of influenza-like illness and the studied variables. Results Two thousand eighty-two (69.4%) completed the questionnaire. The participants who spent 5–10 s in handwashing with soap and rubbing were at increased risk of more frequent influenza-like illness (odds ratio = 1.37, 1.08–1.75). Handwashing with soap and rubbing after handshaking is an independent protective habit against frequent influenza-like illness (adjusted OR = 0.59, 0.37–0.94). Conclusion The decrease of the frequency of influenza-like illness could be done through the following: getting the influenza vaccine annually, washing hands with soap and hand rubbing not less than 15 s after getting out of the bathroom, before and after handshaking and before eating. Soap companies should invent soaps that take less rubbing time to kill bacteria, and subsequently may maximize compliance in the community.

scholarly journals Use of potentially inappropriate medication and polypharmacy in older adults: a repeated cross-sectional study

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kristine Thorell ◽  
Patrik Midlöv ◽  
Johan Fastbom ◽  
Anders Halling
Keyword(s):  
Older Adult ◽  
Chronic Conditions ◽  
Adult Population ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
P Value ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Older Adult Population ◽  
Inappropriate Medications

Abstract Background: Potential inappropriate medications (PIM) have an increased risk for adverse drug reactions (ADR) in an older adult population. With increasing age, multimorbidity is growing along with the use of medications. For several years, polypharmacy has been found to increase in western societies. Polypharmacy is associated with an increased risk of ADR. In this study, we analysed the prevalence of PIM in an older adult population and in different strata of the variables age, gender, number of chronic conditions and polypharmacy and how that prevalence changed over time. Methods: This is a registry based repeated cross-sectional study including two cohorts. Individuals aged 75 or older listed at a primary care centre in Blekinge on the 31st March 2011 (cohort 1) or on the 31st December 2013 (cohort 2) were included in the respective cohorts. Using a chi2 test, the two cohorts were compared on the variables age, gender, number of chronic conditions and polypharmacy. Use of five or more medications at the same time was the definition for polypharmacy. Results: Use of PIM decreased from 10.60% to 7.04% (p-value 0.000) between 2011 and 2013, while prevalence of five to seven chronic conditions increased from 20.55% to 23.66% (p-value 0.000). Use of PIM decreased in all strata of the variables age, gender number of chronic conditions and polypharmacy. Except for age 80 to ≤ 85 and males, where it increased, prevalence of polypharmacy was stable in all strata of the variables. Conclusions: Use of potentially inappropriate medications had decreased in all variables between 2011 and 2013. Polypharmacy does not increase significantly compared to the rest of the population.

scholarly journals Use of potentially inappropriate medication and polypharmacy in older adults: a repeated cross-sectional study

2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kristine Thorell ◽  
Patrik Midlöv ◽  
Johan Fastbom ◽  
Anders Halling
Keyword(s):  
Chronic Conditions ◽  
Adverse Drug Events ◽  
Adult Population ◽  
Inappropriate Medication ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Potentially Inappropriate Medications ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Inappropriate Medications

Abstract Background With age, the number of chronic conditions increases along with the use of medications. For several years, polypharmacy has been found to be on the increase in western societies. Polypharmacy is associated with an increased risk of adverse drug events (ADE). Medications called potentially inappropriate medications (PIM) have also been found to increase the risk of ADEs in an older population. In this study, which we conducted during a national information campaign to reduce PIM, we analysed the prevalence of PIM in an older adult population and in different strata of the variables age, gender, number of chronic conditions and polypharmacy and how that prevalence changed over time. Methods This is a registry-based repeated cross-sectional study including two cohorts. Individuals aged 75 or older listed at a primary care centre in Blekinge on the 31st March 2011 (cohort 1, 15,361 individuals) or on the 31st December 2013 (cohort 2, 15,945 individuals) were included in the respective cohorts. Using a chi2 test, the two cohorts were compared on the variables age, gender, number of chronic conditions and polypharmacy. Use of five or more medications at the same time was the definition for polypharmacy. Results Use of PIM decreased from 10.60 to 7.04% (p-value < 0.001) between 2011 and 2013, while prevalence of five to seven chronic conditions increased from 20.55 to 23.66% (p-value < 0.001). Use of PIM decreased in all strata of the variables age, gender number of chronic conditions and polypharmacy. Except for age 80–84 and males, where it increased, prevalence of polypharmacy was stable in all strata of the variables. Conclusions Use of potentially inappropriate medications had decreased in all variables between 2011 and 2013; this shows the possibility to reduce PIM with a focused effort. Polypharmacy does not increase significantly compared to the rest of the population.

Exploring the Relationships between Sense of Hopelessness, Worry, Self-rated Oral Health Status, and Behavior in a Romanian Adult Population

2009 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 34-41 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexandrina L. Dumitrescu ◽  
Makoto Kawamura
Keyword(s):  
Health Status ◽  
Oral Health ◽  
Dental Health ◽  
Adult Population ◽  
Oral Health Status ◽  
Financial Problems ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
And Behavior ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Aim The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of psychological states, self-rated oral health, and oral health behavior on hopelessness. Methods and Materials A cross-sectional study design was used. Data were collected between September and November 2006. The sample consisted of 233 Romanian adults (mean age 47.3 years; 65.6% women; 65.8% married). The questionnaire included information about demographic, psychological, self-reported oral health, and oral health related behavior items. Results ‘Hopeless’ participants were more likely to self-evaluate their dental health as poor/very poor (P<0.001), to be less satisfied by the appearance of their teeth (P<0.05), to report more non-treated caries (P<0.01), to brush their teeth less than twice per day (P<0.01), and never use mouthrinse (P<0.05). Logistic regression analysis showed ‘hopeless’ participants were apt to have a lower educational level, brush less frequently, have higher financial problems as the reason for not visiting the dentist, and report higher anxiety (odds ratio = 5.4, 4.2, 2.6, and 12.6, respectively). Forty-seven (73.4%) of 64 ‘hopeless’ participants and 90 (80.4%) of 112 ‘non-hopeless’ participants were correctly predicted by the above four variables. Conclusion The results of this study found impaired oral health and financial problems may pose an increased risk for hopelessness. Clinical Significance Poor oral health can be regarded as a risk marker for the level of hopelessness. Citation Dumitrescu AL, Kawamura M. Exploring the Relationships between Sense of Hopelessness, Worry, Self-rated Oral Health Status, and Behavior in a Romanian Adult Population. J Contemp Dent Pract 2009 March; (10)2:034-041.

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