Blood Analysis Requests of Patients’ and Clinical Reflections in Primary Care

2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 96-102
Author(s):  
Zerrin Gamsizkan ◽  
Mehmet Ali Sungur ◽  
Yasemin Çayır

Aim: The aim of the study is to determine the factors that may affect the demands of patients who come with the request to have a blood test without any chronic disease or a planned examination check. Methods: The data of this descriptive, cross-sectional study, were collected with a questionnaire that was prepared to examine the opinions of the patients who claim to have a blood test by coming to the family health center without any complaints. Patients over 18 years of age, who did not have any chronic disease and had no scheduled examination appointments were included in the study. Results: A total of 278 patients who wanted to have a blood test within the 6-months period were included in the study. Female patients who wanted to have a blood test were significantly more than male patients. When we look at the causes of patients who wanted to have a blood test; 61.2% (n=170) patients stated that they are concerned about their health and 6.1% (n=17) stated that they were affected by media warnings. There was no significant relationship between the frequency of blood test requests of patients and their age, gender, education, and general health status. Conclusion: Patients with high expectations and anxiety may be more willing to perform blood tests at inappropriate intervals. Family physicians, whose primary role is preventive medicine, have consultancy and information duties in order to protect their patients from the risk of over-examination and diagnosis. Keywords: blood tests, patient, screening, routine diagnostic tests

1970 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 48-53
Author(s):  
Sheh Mureed ◽  
Muhammad Hassan Gandro ◽  
Walid Hassan

Background: Globally, 3.1 million newborn deaths occur every year out of these estimated 400,000 neonatal deaths occur in Pakistan. All neonatal deaths 99% take place in poorest region and countries of the world, usually within hours of birth; mostly the cause of neonatal deaths is hypoxia. To access knowledge and practice of SBAs regarding HBB and to access the availability of equipments required for HBB. Methods: Descriptive Cross-Sectional Study on SBAs as trained in HBB. All 46 SBAs trained on HBB working in Labour room eight rural Health centers, four Taluka, One district Head Quarter Health Facilities and thirteen Mlbcs of the district, were included in the sample for study. All 41 SBAs were trained on HBB participated in the study. Results: Mean age of 30 years. Out of total 41 participants 25 were working in B-EmoNC (61%), 3in C-EmoNC (7.3%) and 13 in mid wife laid birth Centre (MLBC) or birth station (31.7%). About 92.7% of participants said that main purpose of HBB training is to decrease the NMR by improving newborn care. Drying of newborn is 82.7%, hand washing is 95.12% and 85.3% of the study participants said that they gave 30-40 breaths per minutes. Cord clamp and pair of ties was accessible to 85% of participants versus 14.3% who reported it's not accessible. Almost one quarter (34.1%) participants have low knowledge and practice. Knowledge and training had significant effect on the overall practices of the skilled birth attendants for skilled birth deliveries and reduce the neonatal deaths (P <0.001). Conclusion: Tools play a vital role for the implication of the knowledge into practices and tools were available almost to every participant. Although few barriers also identified for the less application of the helping hand babies trainings in the community.


2012 ◽  
pp. 83-87
Author(s):  
Thi Minh Xuan Doan ◽  
Xuan Chuong Tran

Children with mental retardation have low intelligence, slow thinking, low learning ability in comparison with the same age children. Objectives: 1. To determine the prevalence of children with mental retardation in Hue City. 2. To study some characteristics of children with mental retardation. Materials and methodes: All children with mental retardation in Hue city. Cross sectional study. Results: The prevalence of children with mental retardation (CMR) among children under 15 yrs is 0.23%, among disable children 38.16%. The highest prevalences ware in Phu Binh, Xuan Phu quarters (0.79 and 0.66%), lowest in Thuan Loc, Thuan Thanh quarters (0.03 and 0.06%). Children over 5 yrs old were 75.95%. Most of children have slow development in movement and daily activities. More than 78% have late walking, 84% have late speaking. Conclusions: The prevalence of children with mental retardation among children under 15 yrs is 0.23%, among disable children 38.16%. Most of children have slow development in movement and daily activities.


2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. e000958
Author(s):  
Merel M Nap-van der Vlist ◽  
Geertje W Dalmeijer ◽  
Martha A Grootenhuis ◽  
Kors van der Ent ◽  
Marry M van den Heuvel-Eibrink ◽  
...  

ObjectiveTo determine: (1) which biological/lifestyle, psychological and/or social factors are associated with fatigue among children with a chronic disease and (2) how much each of these factors contributes to explaining variance in fatigue.Design and settingThis was a cross-sectional study across two children’s hospitals.PatientsWe included children aged 8–18 years who visited the outpatient clinic with cystic fibrosis, an autoimmune disease or postcancer treatment.Main outcome measuresFatigue was assessed using the PedsQL Multidimensional Fatigue Scale. Generic biological/lifestyle, psychological and social factors were assessed using clinical assessment tools and questionnaires. Multiple linear regression analyses were used to test the associations between these factors and fatigue. Finally, a multivariable regression model was used to determine which factor(s) have the strongest effect on fatigue.ResultsA total of 434 out of 902 children were included (48% participation rate), with a median age of 14.5 years; 42% were male. Among these 434 children, 21.8% were severely fatigued. Together, all biopsychosocial factors explained 74.6% of the variance in fatigue. More fatigue was uniquely associated with poorer physical functioning, more depressive symptoms, more pressure at school, poorer social functioning and older age.ConclusionsFatigue among children with a chronic disease is multidimensional. Multiple generic biological/lifestyle, psychological and social factors were strongly associated with fatigue, explaining 58.4%; 65.8% and 50.0% of the variance in fatigue, respectively. Altogether, almost three-quarters of the variance in fatigue was explained by this biopsychosocial model. Thus, when assessing and treating fatigue, a transdiagnostic approach is preferred, taking into account biological, psychological and social factors.


2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (11) ◽  
pp. 2344
Author(s):  
Franca Genest ◽  
Dominik Rak ◽  
Elisa Bätz ◽  
Kerstin Ott ◽  
Lothar Seefried

Sarcopenia and malnutrition are important determinants of increased fracture risk in osteoporosis. SARC-F and MNA-SF are well-established questionnaires for identifying patients at risk for these conditions. We sought to evaluate the feasibility and potential added benefit of such assessments as well as the actual prevalence of these conditions in osteoporosis patients. We conducted a cross-sectional, single-center study in female osteoporosis patients ≥ 65 years (SaNSiBaR-study). Results of the sarcopenia (SARC-F) and malnutrition (MNA-SF) screening questionnaires were matched with a functional assessment for sarcopenia and data from patients’ medical records. Out of 107 patients included in the analysis, a risk for sarcopenia (SARC-F ≥ 4 points) and a risk for malnutrition (MNA-SF ≤ 11 points) was found in 33 (30.8%) and 38 (35.5%) patients, respectively. Diagnostic overlap with coincident indicative findings in both questionnaires was observed in 17 patients (16%). As compared to the respective not-at-risk groups, the mean short physical performance battery (SPPB) score was significantly reduced in both patients at risk for sarcopenia (7.0 vs. 10.9 points, p < 0.001) and patients at risk for malnutrition (8.7 vs. 10.5 points, p = 0.005). Still, confirmed sarcopenia according to EWGSOP2 criteria was present in only 6 (6%) of all 107 patients, with only 3 of them having an indicative SARC-F score. Bone mineral density was not significantly different in any of the at-risk groups at any site. In summary, applying SARC-F and MNA-SF in osteoporosis patients appears to be a complementary approach to identify individuals with functional deficits.


2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
David Hope ◽  
David Kluth ◽  
Matthew Homer ◽  
Avril Dewar ◽  
Richard Fuller ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Due to differing assessment systems across UK medical schools, making meaningful cross-school comparisons on undergraduate students’ performance in knowledge tests is difficult. Ahead of the introduction of a national licensing assessment in the UK, we evaluate schools’ performances on a shared pool of “common content” knowledge test items to compare candidates at different schools and evaluate whether they would pass under different standard setting regimes. Such information can then help develop a cross-school consensus on standard setting shared content. Methods We undertook a cross-sectional study in the academic sessions 2016-17 and 2017-18. Sixty “best of five” multiple choice ‘common content’ items were delivered each year, with five used in both years. In 2016-17 30 (of 31 eligible) medical schools undertook a mean of 52.6 items with 7,177 participants. In 2017-18 the same 30 medical schools undertook a mean of 52.8 items with 7,165 participants, creating a full sample of 14,342 medical students sitting common content prior to graduation. Using mean scores, we compared performance across items and carried out a “like-for-like” comparison of schools who used the same set of items then modelled the impact of different passing standards on these schools. Results Schools varied substantially on candidate total score. Schools differed in their performance with large (Cohen’s d around 1) effects. A passing standard that would see 5 % of candidates at high scoring schools fail left low-scoring schools with fail rates of up to 40 %, whereas a passing standard that would see 5 % of candidates at low scoring schools fail would see virtually no candidates from high scoring schools fail. Conclusions Candidates at different schools exhibited significant differences in scores in two separate sittings. Performance varied by enough that standards that produce realistic fail rates in one medical school may produce substantially different pass rates in other medical schools – despite identical content and the candidates being governed by the same regulator. Regardless of which hypothetical standards are “correct” as judged by experts, large institutional differences in pass rates must be explored and understood by medical educators before shared standards are applied. The study results can assist cross-school groups in developing a consensus on standard setting future licensing assessment.


Author(s):  
Arielle Kaim ◽  
Maya Siman-Tov ◽  
Eli Jaffe ◽  
Bruria Adini

In the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, maintenance of protective behavior is a continued challenge in the effort to contain the spread of the virus. A cross-sectional study via an internet questionnaire was utilized to elucidate changes in compliance to protective behavior among the Israeli population (n = 1120), after the beginning of the vaccination campaign. Comparison was made between individuals who were previously infected with the virus, those who received one dose of inoculation with the vaccine, and individuals that were neither infected or vaccinated. The study results indicate that those who were previously infected with the COVID-19 virus were less careful about mask wearing (18.8%) and social distancing (29.7%), as compared to the other examined groups (regarding mask wearing, 8.2% and 11.6% respectively, and with regard to social distancing 12.8% and 19.2%) and may require targeted risk communication campaigns to address this population. Furthermore, the study revealed that those that were non-Jewish (as compared to Jewish study counterparts) or that were older (19+) were more vigilant in their protective behavior (29.6% vs. 11.2% respectively for social distancing and 29.6% vs. 11.1% respectively for mask wearing). Despite a successful initial vaccination campaign in Israel, public health officials need to engage all members of the public to unremittingly observe compliance to directed health guidelines, to ensure that the results of previous governmental efforts in fighting the pandemic (such as lockdowns) will be effectively sustained, and the road to containment will be hastened.


2021 ◽  
Vol 7 ◽  
pp. 233372142199766
Author(s):  
Zeynep Sipahi Karslı ◽  
Berna Kurt ◽  
İbrahim Karadağ ◽  
Berna Çakmak Öksüzoğlu

The study aimed to evaluate the Coronavirus pandemic awareness of cancer patients ≥65 years of age, considered a vulnerable group, and their hospital arrival process, follow-ups and treatments during the pandemic. COVID-19 pandemic was found to increases the mortality and morbidity rates of individuals who aged 65 years and older. The research was conducted with a cross-sectional descriptive correlational design. The sample consist of 77 cancer patients aged 65 years and older adult. Participants were recruited through convenience sampling. In total, 77 patients from the Oncology Hospital located in Ankara from April 29, 2020 to May 20, 2020. Data were collected using a two-part form and a questionnaire. The study was undertaken in accordance with the STROBE checklist for observational studies. Of the participants, 59.7% were female, the mean age was 70 years, 79.2% resided in Ankara and 98.7% traveled to the hospital by car. Looking at the gender and the protective measures taken at home, female participants were found to perform a statistically significant higher level of protective measures. In conclusion, the study results suggest that the restrictions for older adult oncology patients during the pandemic did not negatively affect the delivery of health care.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sara Gianella ◽  
Rowan Saloner ◽  
Genevieve Curtin ◽  
Susan J. Little ◽  
Anne Heaton ◽  
...  

AbstractThis observational cross-sectional study of 152 people with HIV (PWH) examined the effects of age and estimated duration of HIV infection (EDI) on depressive and anxiety symptoms. All participants were cisgender men and completed the Profile of Moods State (POMS), a self-report inventory of current (i.e., past week) mood states. Overall, study results confirmed higher levels of anxiety and depression in PWH compared to individuals without HIV. Age group (< 50 or ≥ 50 years) moderated the effect of EDI (< 3 or ≥ 3 years) on mood disturbance. Specifically, younger PWH with early diagnosed infection exhibited the highest levels of depression and anxiety, whereas depression and anxiety were attenuated in older PWH with early infection such that their POMS scores did not significantly differ from the HIV-negative and chronically HIV-infected groups. Despite the small sample size and other important limitations in our study design, our preliminary findings confirm previous observations that older people may have some adaptive ability to better handle the acute psychological stressors associated with recent HIV infection.


Author(s):  
D. Devi ◽  
V. Monica ◽  
Ravi Santhosh ◽  
Vijaya Raghavan ◽  
P. Poornachandrika

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic is a global health threat and is by far the largest outbreak of atypical pneumonia, since the SARS outbreak in 2003. A range of psychiatric morbidities such as persistent depression, anxiety, panic attacks, delirium and suicidality were observed in the post infectious state across the world. Hence, the aim of the study was to understand the psychological status of the patients affected by COVID during their post-COVID follow-up period and to examine the socio-demographic and clinical factors associated with high psychological morbidity. Materials and Methods: A cross sectional study conducted in the post-COVID follow up clinic, at a tertiary care hospital between the months of August - November 2020, using a semi structured proforma and rating scales such as Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and Insomnia Severity Index (ISI) for depression, anxiety and insomnia, respectively. Results: The study results indicate that the prevalence of depression and anxiety among post-COVID-19 patients was 21.9% and 11.9%, respectively. Insomnia was observed among 21.7%Among various sociodemographic and clinical variables examined, it was observed that female gender, patients with ongoing stressors and patients with post-COVID-19 persistent physical symptoms were found to be associated with greater depression and anxiety among the study population. Conclusions: Persistent physical symptoms and ongoing life stressors are found to be associated with depression and anxiety among post-COVID-19 patients. Hence, periodic screening for individuals with persisting physical symptoms and care for the vulnerable population such as those with ongoing stressors will provide a significant advantage in the follow up of the mental health of the patients affected with COVID-19.


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