scholarly journals Management of Childhood Rheumatic Diseases During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Survey on Parental Approaches and Involvements in the Treatment Procedure

2020 ◽  
Vol In Press (In Press) ◽  
Author(s):  
fatemeh Tahghighi Sharabian ◽  
Vahid Ziaee

Objectives: This study aimed to seek the approaches of parents in medical management of their children with rheumatic disorders during the COVID-19 outbreak. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted based on an online questionnaire survey at Children’s Medical Center Hospital of Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. The participants were selected based on their institutional records. The questionnaires contained questions covering all the basic information related to the patients and their parents, as well as the approaches that parents had taken to manage the rheumatic disease of their children during the outbreak of COVID-19. Results: A total number of 125 valid questionnaires were collected. Based on our results, 13 out of 129 parents had discontinued their children’s medicines due to COVID-19 concerns, 4 had respiratory disease symptoms but 9 had not any signs of pulmonary involvements. Thus, the overall response rate was calculated 89.6%. However, among the symptomatic cases 19 out of 23 rheumatoid cases had continued to take their routine medications, and the response rate among this group was obtained 82.6%. Among these 13 cases, 7 children had worsened symptoms; however 6 had no changes in the disease symptoms. Seventy-six out of 125 children had been visited by a doctor in the last 2 months, while the remaining 49 cases did not. Twenty-three children (18.4%) had respiratory disease symptoms in the last two months, 19 of whom (82.6%) had continued their rheumatic drugs, but 4 (17.3%) had stopped. Only 3 of 125 children had confirmed COVID-19 infection. Conclusions: None of the parents who had visited a pediatric rheumatologist during this time had discontinued their children’s medicines. Therefore, close contact with doctors or online consultation could benefit them during the COVID-19 era.

2020 ◽  
Vol 56 (2) ◽  
pp. 140
Author(s):  
Asra Al Fauzi ◽  
Christrijogo Sumartono Waloejo ◽  
Abdulloh Machin ◽  
Muhammad Ja'far Shodiq

This research was conducted to evaluate the knowledge and diagnosis of brain death among resident in Indonesia. This study used an observational analytic study with a cross-sectional study design using a questionnaire. The research subjects consisted of 132 level 2 (after 2 years of residency) and level 3 (after 4 years of residency) residents, the total sampling for which was taken from the departments of Neurosurgery, Anesthesiology, and Neurology at Dr. Soetomo Academic Medical Center Hospital, Surabaya, Indonesia. Data were taken from November 2018 to January 2019. A total of 132 residents of Neurosurgery, Neurology, and Anesthesiology participated in this study. From the series of studies, residents’ knowledge of the concept of brain death was in the sufficient category (41.7%), residents’ knowledge of the technical diagnosis of brain death was in the good category (40.2%), residents’ knowledge of brain death examination was in the less category (43.2%), and finally, it was found that the resident's knowledge of brain death was in a good category (35.6%). There were also significant differences in knowledge of brain death between Neurosurgery, Neurology, and Anesthesiologist Resident (P <0.001) and knowledge of brain death between level 2 and level 3 residents (P=0.032). In general, the Indonesian resident doctors’ knowledge of brain death is adequate, but knowledge of the clinical examination of brain death is still lacking. Further research must be carried out to promote knowledge of brain death in residents as well as professional doctors/specialists, so that the number of organ transplants, especially in Indonesia, will increase.


Hand Therapy ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 22 (4) ◽  
pp. 141-152
Author(s):  
Kirsty van Stormbroek ◽  
Helen Buchanan

Introduction Hand rehabilitation needs in some parts of the world extend beyond the impact of specialised hand therapists. This study aimed to establish what hand rehabilitation services novice occupational therapists in South Africa were providing; the supports and barriers for such services; and, therapists’ perceptions of being equipped for hand rehabilitation. Methods A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted, and an online questionnaire was sent to all occupational therapists in their first year of practice (n = 240). Data were analysed with Stata 12 and IBM SPSS Statistics, version 21.0. Responses to open ended questions were post-coded. Results A 43.3% response rate was obtained. Participants (n = 104) treated an average of 20 clients requiring hand rehabilitation per month often without adequate equipment (73%). Central nervous system (91.3%), bone and joint (72.8%) and arthritic conditions (72.4%) were treated most frequently. Most participants felt confident (64%) and competent (79%) in hand rehabilitation. Conclusion Participants were undertaking hand rehabilitation that in other contexts is considered to require specialised skills. To ensure quality rehabilitation, supervision and mentoring of novice therapists and appropriate professional development opportunities are required.


Author(s):  
Anne-Sofie Linde Jellestad ◽  
Fredrik Folke ◽  
Rune Molin ◽  
Rasmus Meyer Lyngby ◽  
Carolina Malta Hansen ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Citizen responder programmes dispatch volunteer citizens to initiate resuscitation in nearby out-of-hospital cardiac arrests (OHCA) before the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) arrival. Little is known about the interaction between citizen responders and EMS personnel during the resuscitation attempt. In the Capital Region of Denmark, emergency physicians are dispatched to all suspected OHCAs. The aim of this study was to evaluate how emergency physicians perceived the collaboration with citizen responders during resuscitation attempts. Method This cross-sectional study was conducted through an online questionnaire. It included all 65 emergency physicians at Copenhagen EMS between June 9 and December 13, 2019 (catchment area 1.8 million). The questionnaire examined how emergency physicians perceived the interaction with citizen responders at the scene of OHCA (use of citizen responders before and after EMS arrival, citizen responders’ skills in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), and challenges in this setting). Results The response rate was 87.7% (57/65). Nearly all emergency physicians (93.0%) had interacted with a citizen responder at least once. Of those 92.5%(n = 49) considered it relevant to activate citizen responders to OHCA resuscitation, and 67.9%(n = 36) reported the collaboration as helpful. When citizen responders arrived before EMS, 75.5%(n = 40) of the physicians continued to use citizen responders to assist with CPR or to carry equipment. Most (84.9%, n = 45) stated that citizen responders had the necessary skills to perform CPR. Challenges in the collaboration were described by 20.7%(n = 11) of the emergency physicians and included citizen responders being mistaken for relatives, time-consuming communication, or crowding problems during resuscitation. Conclusion Emergency physicians perceived the collaboration with citizen responders as valuable, not only for delivery of CPR, but were also considered an extra helpful resource providing non-CPR related tasks such as directing the EMS to the arrest location, carrying equipment and taking care of relatives.


Author(s):  
Steve Whitfield

Near-peer teaching (NPT) has been identified as a contemporary and valued pedagogical approach in higher education health programs, and it has recently gained momentum in paramedicine education. The objective of this study was to investigate the perceived experience of student paramedics involved in a near-peer teaching program over two academic trimesters. A cross-sectional study design was utilised in the form of an online questionnaire. The questionnaire contained a variety of questions that related to the experience of student paramedics involved in paramedicine near-peer programs. Of the 65 students enrolled, 34 completed the questionnaire (52.3% response rate). The results indicated that NPT was overwhelmingly considered a valuable and positive pedagogical method for use in paramedicine education. 


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Qingsong Jiang ◽  
Yan Wang ◽  
Jing Zou ◽  
Qiong Zhang

Abstract Background: Preformed metal crowns (PMCs) are recommended for the enduring restoration of primary molar defects. However, the PMC technique is not implemented in China as well as that in Western countries. Aim: This study aimed to assess the clinical use of the PMC technique and its effective factors among dentists in Chengdu, China.Methods: The questionnaires were distributed among 1000 dentists practicing in Chengdu via an online questionnaire platform. Data, including sociodemographic characteristics of the respondents and their perception and use of PMCs, were collected. Results: The response rate was 45%. Most respondents (69.6%) did not use PMCs. Academic qualification, working specialty and working experiences were associated with dentists’ use of PMCs. The lack of knowledge about PMCs technique was the main obstacle for the dental practitioners using PMCs (41.7%). The lack of understanding of the rationale of PMCs was the main reason for parents accepting PMC restorations(43.6%). Attending continuing education programs was the main approach to learn the PMC restorative technique(59.1%).Conclusion: The clinical use of PMCs was not very popular in Chengdu city. To promote the use of this restorative technique, the knowledge and practical training should be incorporated into routine courses of undergraduate dental education.


2019 ◽  
pp. 68-73
Author(s):  
Trong Nghia Nguyen ◽  
Thi Nhan Nguyen ◽  
Thi Dua Dao

Background: The metabolic syndrome is a constellation of cardiometabolic risk factors that tend to cluster together in affected individuals more often than predicted by chance. The presence of the metabolic syndrome substantially increases the risk of developing type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease, and is associated with a range of adverse clinical outcomes, many of which are closely associated with aging. Current estimates suggest that approximately 20 - 25% of the world’s population is affected by the metabolic syndrome. The prevalence of the metabolic syndrome rises with age and more than 45% of people aged over 60 years have the metabolic syndrome. Recent studies show that low vitamin D status is very common in the world and this is a risk factor of metabolic syndrome. Objective: (1) Plasma 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentration in subjects with metabolic syndrome. (2) Cut off value of plasma 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentration for predicting metabolic syndrome. Material and method: A cross-sectional study with control group on 318 adult subjects for health examinations at International Medical Center at Hue Central Hospital, including 139 subjects with metabolic syndrome and control group of 179 healthy subjects. Metabolic syndrome was defined according to the IDF, NHLBI, AHA, WHF, IAS, IASO (2009). Plasma hydroxyvitamin D concentration was measured using chemiluminescent microparticle immunoassay. Reciever operating characteristic (ROC) curve were generated to assess sensitivity and specificity for different cut off value of 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentration for predicting metabolic syndrome. Results: Plasma 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentration in subjects with metabolic syndrome was 26.4 ng/ml, incidence of plasma 25-hydroxyvitamin D deficiency (59.7%) was significantly higher than in control group (23.5%) (p < 0.001). The optimal cut off point for 25-OH-D concentration for predictor of metabolic syndrome as 26.4 ng/ml (AUC=0.657, sensitivity=53.4%, specificity=71.6%). Conclusion: In 139 subjects with metabolic syndrome, the plasma 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentration was 26.4 ng/ml and the incidence of 25-hydroxyvitamin D deficiency in the metabolic syndrome group was 59.7%. The optimal cut off point for plasma 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentration for predictor of metabolic syndrome as 26.4 ng/ml. Key words: Metabolic syndrome, 25-hydroxyvitamin D


2019 ◽  
Vol 15 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bekalu Getachew Gebreegziabher ◽  
Tesema Etefa Birhanu ◽  
Diriba Dereje Olana ◽  
Behailu Terefe Tesfaye

Background: Stroke is a great public health problem in Ethiopia. According to reports, in-hospital stroke mortality was estimated to be 14.7% in Ethiopia. Despite this, in this country researches done on factors associated with stroke sub-types were inadequate. Objective: To assess the Characteristics and risk factors associated with stroke sub-types among patients admitted to JUMC. Methods and materials: A retrospective cross sectional study was conducted from May 2017 to May 2018 in stroke unit of Jimma University Medical Center. A total of 106 medical charts of patients diagnosed with stroke were reviewed. Checklist comprising of relevant variables was used to collect data. SPSS version 21 was employed for data entry and analysis. Chi-square test was used to point-out association and difference among stroke sub-types. The data was presented using text, tables and figures. Result: From a total of 106 patients, 67(63.2%) were men. The mean ± SD of age was 52.67±12.46 years, and no significant association was found. Of all the patients, 59(55.6%) had ischemic strokes and 47(44.4%) had hemorrhagic strokes. The most common risk factor in the patients was alcohol use with a prevalence of 69.9%. Of all the risk factors, only sex, cigarettes smoking and dyslipidemia were significantly associated to sub-types of stroke. Conclusion: Ischemic stroke was the most common subtype of stroke. Sex of patient, cigarette smoking and dyslipidemia are significantly associated with the two stroke subtypes.


Nutrients ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (7) ◽  
pp. 2279
Author(s):  
Federica Grant ◽  
Maria Luisa Scalvedi ◽  
Umberto Scognamiglio ◽  
Aida Turrini ◽  
Laura Rossi

To limit the spread of coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, a nationwide lockdown started in Italy in March 2020. In this unpredictable situation, a cross-sectional study using an online questionnaire was carried out by the Observatory on Food Surplus, Recovery and Waste of CREA Food and Nutrition Centre. The aim of this work was to evaluate how Italian habits changed during this period, the determinants of changes, and the effect on food waste prevention. In a sample of 2678 respondents, 62% showed low Adherence to the Mediterranean Diet (AMD). During lockdown many of participants improved the quality of their diet, increasing their consumption of fruit (24.4%), vegetables (28.5%), legumes (22.1%), nuts (12%), and fish or shellfish (14%). Unfavorable changes were observed with the excessive consumption of sweets or pastries (36.9%) and comfort foods (22.7%), and a lack of physical activity (37.2%). The main novelty of this study was the examination of dietary changes identified by a cluster analysis. Respondents with generally high AMD improved their eating habits, while the habits of the respondents with generally low AMD remained unchanged. In addition, nearly 80% of respondents were sensitive to food waste. The study provides a useful contribution to the debate on nutritional recommendations in case of further lockdown.


Author(s):  
Marta Maes-Carballo ◽  
Manuel Martín-Díaz ◽  
Luciano Mignini ◽  
Khalid Saeed Khan ◽  
Rubén Trigueros ◽  
...  

Objectives: To assess shared decision-making (SDM) knowledge, attitude and application among health professionals involved in breast cancer (BC) treatment. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study based on an online questionnaire, sent by several professional societies to health professionals involved in BC management. There were 26 questions which combined demographic and professional data with some items measured on a Likert-type scale. Results: The participation (459/541; 84.84%) and completion (443/459; 96.51%) rates were high. Participants strongly agreed or agreed in 69.57% (16/23) of their responses. The majority stated that they knew of SDM (mean 4.43 (4.36–4.55)) and were in favour of its implementation (mean 4.58 (4.51–4.64)). They highlighted that SDM practice was not adequate due to lack of resources (3.46 (3.37–3.55)) and agreed on policies that improved its implementation (3.96 (3.88–4.04)). The main advantage of SDM for participants was patient satisfaction (38%), and the main disadvantage was the patients’ paucity of knowledge to understand their disease (24%). The main obstacle indicated was the lack of time and resources (40%). Conclusions: New policies must be designed for adequate training of professionals in integrating SDM in clinical practice, preparing them to use SDM with adequate resources and time provided.


Author(s):  
Mohamed N. Al Arifi ◽  
Abdulrahman Alwhaibi

Objective: Fever alone can lead to rare serious complications in children, such as febrile seizures. The aim of this study is to assess the knowledge, beliefs, and behavior of parents toward fever and its management. Methods: A cross-sectional study using an online questionnaire was applied over a period of 3 months, from January to March 2018, to parents who were living in Saudi Arabia. The inclusion criteria were a parent who is a resident of Saudi Arabia, with at least one child aged 6 years or less, while incomplete questionnaires, having a child aged more than 6 years, or parents who were not living in Saudi Arabia were excluded. Results: A total of 656 parents completed the questionnaire. More than two-thirds of the subjects were female, the majority of whom were aged between 25–33 years old. The best-reported place to measure the temperature of children was the armpit (46%), followed by the ear (28%) and the mouth (10.7%). More than half of the parents considered their children feverish at a temperature of 38 °C. The majority of parents (79.7%) reported that the most serious side effects of fever were seizure, brain damage (39.3%), coma (29.9%), dehydration (29.7%), and death (25%). The most common method used to measure a child’s temperature was an electronic thermometer (62.3%). The most common antipyretic was paracetamol (84.5%). Conclusions: Our study demonstrates the good knowledge of parents in identifying a feverish temperature using the recommended route and tools for measuring body temperature.


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