scholarly journals A call for governments to pause Twitter censorship: using Twitter data as social-spatial sensors of COVID-19/SARS-CoV-2 research diffusion

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vanash M. Patel ◽  
Robin Haunschild ◽  
Lutz Bornmann ◽  
George Garas
Keyword(s):  
Regression Models ◽  
World Health Organisation ◽  
World Health ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Twitter Data ◽  
The People ◽  
Social Media Platforms ◽  
Public Scrutiny ◽  
Number Of Publications ◽  
Twitter Activity

AbstractIn this study we determined whether Twitter data can be used as social-spatial sensors to show how research on COVID-19/SARS-CoV-2 diffuses through the population to reach the people that are affected by the disease. We performed a cross-sectional bibliometric analysis between 23rd March and 14th April 2020. Three sources of data were used: (1) deaths per number of population for COVID-19/SARS-CoV-2 retrieved from John Hopkins University and Worldometer, (2) publications related to COVID-19/SARS-CoV-2 retrieved from World Health Organisation COVID-19 database, and (3) tweets of these publications retrieved from Altmetric.com and Twitter. In the analysis, the number of publications used was 1761, and number of tweets used was 751,068. Mapping of worldwide data illustrated that high Twitter activity was related to high numbers of COVID-19/SARS-CoV-2 deaths, with tweets inversely weighted with number of publications. Regression models of worldwide data showed a positive correlation between the national deaths per number of population and tweets when holding number of publications constant (coefficient 0.0285, S.E. 0.0003, p < 0.001). Twitter can play a crucial role in the rapid research response during the COVID-19/SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, especially to spread research with prompt public scrutiny. Governments are urged to pause censorship of social media platforms to support the scientific community’s fight against COVID-19/SARS-CoV-2.

scholarly journals A call for governments to pause Twitter censorship: a cross-sectional study using Twitter data as social-spatial sensors of COVID-19/SARS-CoV-2 research diffusion

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vanash M. Patel ◽  
Robin Haunschild ◽  
Lutz Bornmann ◽  
George Garas
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Crucial Role ◽  
Media Analysis ◽  
List Type ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Twitter Data ◽  
Global Pandemic ◽  
Number Of Publications ◽  
Twitter Activity ◽  
Social Sensors

ABSTRACTObjectivesTo determine whether Twitter data can be used as social-spatial sensors to show how research on COVID-19/SARS-CoV-2 diffuses through the population to reach the people that are especially affected by the disease.DesignCross-sectional bibliometric analysis conducted between 23rd March and 14th April 2020.SettingThree sources of data were used in the analysis: (1) deaths per number of population for COVID-19/SARS-CoV-2 retrieved from Coronavirus Resource Center at John Hopkins University and Worldometer, (2) publications related to COVID-19/SARS-CoV-2 retrieved from WHO COVID-19 database of global publications, and (3) tweets of these publications retrieved from Altmetric.com and Twitter.Main Outcome(s) and Measure(s)To map Twitter activity against number of publications and deaths per number of population worldwide and in the USA states. To determine the relationship between number of tweets as dependent variable and deaths per number of population and number of publications as independent variables.ResultsDeaths per one hundred thousand population for countries ranged from 0 to 104, and deaths per one million population for USA states ranged from 2 to 513. Total number of publications used in the analysis was 1761, and total number of tweets used in the analysis was 751,068. Mapping of worldwide data illustrated that high Twitter activity was related to high numbers of COVID-19/SARS-CoV-2 deaths, with tweets inversely weighted with number of publications. Poisson regression models of worldwide data showed a positive correlation between the national deaths per number of population and tweets when holding the country’s number of publications constant (coefficient 0.0285, S.E. 0.0003, p<0.001). Conversely, this relationship was negatively correlated in USA states (coefficient –0.0013, S.E. 0.0001, p<0.001).ConclusionsThis study shows that Twitter can play a crucial role in the rapid research response during the COVID-19/SARS-CoV-2 global pandemic, especially to spread research with prompt public scrutiny. Governments are urged to pause censorship of social media platforms during these unprecedented times to support the scientific community’s fight against COVID-19/SARS-CoV-2.SUMMARY BOXWhat is already known on this topicTwitter is progressively being used by researchers to share information and knowledge transfer.Tweets can be used as ‘social sensors’, which is the concept of transforming a physical sensor in the real world through social media analysis.Previous studies have shown that social sensors can provide insight into major social and physical events.What this study addsUsing Twitter data used as social-spatial sensors, we demonstrated that Twitter activity was significantly positively correlated to the numbers of COVID-19/SARS-CoV-2 deaths, when holding the country’s number of publications constant.Twitter can play a crucial role in the rapid research response during the COVID-19/SARS-CoV-2 global pandemic.

scholarly journals Knowledge, Attitude and Awareness on Effect of Air Pollution on Children among Parents

2021 ◽  
pp. 347-354
Author(s):  
B. Ashwin Krishna ◽  
R. Gayatri Devi ◽  
A. Jothi Priya
Keyword(s):  
Air Pollution ◽  
World Health Organisation ◽  
World Health ◽  
Survey Study ◽  
P Value ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Chi Square ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
The People ◽  
Chi Square Test

Introduction: The World Health Organisation [WHO] recommended that breathing clean air reduces the risk of diseases such as Asthma and Lung cancer. Inhaling low quality of air causes several health problems such as headaches, nausea and tiredness. The main aim of this study is to create awareness among parents about the effect of air pollution on children. Materials and Methods: This is a cross sectional survey study. The standard questionnaire was prepared and distributed as Google forms to nearly 100-120 parents. The population was randomly selected. A self-administered structured questionnaire was prepared based on Knowledge attitude and awareness on effects of air pollution on children among parents. It was circulated to participants through an online platform (google forms). The statistics were done using SPSS software, chi square test was used to check the association and P value of 0.05% was said to be statistically significant. Results: 78.53% of the populations were aware that air pollution affects cognitive ability. 50.98% of the population responded that exposure of polluted air to pregnant female’s cause’s premature birth. 45.28% of females were aware that air pollution affects neutron development in the brain. As a result of this study most of the parents were aware about air pollution and its effects on their children. Conclusion: In this study females were slightly more aware about air pollution than males. If this awareness persists among all the people in the society many harmful effects such as air pollution and other related problems can be solved.

scholarly journals THE IMPACT OF MEDIA INFODEMICS ON COVID-19 OUTBREAK IN INTENSIFYING GLOBAL PANIC AMONG MALAYSIANS: A PERCEPTION-BASED ANALYSIS

2021 ◽  
Vol 3 (6) ◽  
pp. 16-30
Author(s):  
Arlini Alias
Keyword(s):  
Primary Source ◽  
World Health Organisation ◽  
World Health ◽  
Fake News ◽  
Qualitative Research Design ◽  
The People ◽  
Information Awareness ◽  
Social Media Platforms ◽  
Media Preferences ◽  
The Impact

In Malaysia, the Restricted Movement Order's implementation has turned the media to become the main primary source of information for the people. As a result, numerous mendacious news about the Covid-19 outbreak began to appear on air. Such reports and claims made in response to the outbreak, which the World Health Organisation labelled as "infodemics," have been excessively proliferated on media (Thomas, 2020). Hence, the study explores the Malaysians' perceptions of the extent to which the Covid-19 outbreak infodemics produced by the local media amplify global panic in society. The study applies a qualitative research design, using a case-study analysis on perception to discover the Malaysians' awareness and views on the virus outbreak based on the media's information and how these contents elevate public reactions. Focus group interviews are conducted with 15 Malaysian citizens residing in five different states in Malaysia, namely Kuala Lumpur, Selangor, Negeri Sembilan, Johor, and Pulau Pinang. A set of 10 open-ended questions are probed to participants during the interviews. Data are analysed following a deductive approach and clustered according to the research questions. The following five-step framework is applied: data familiarisation, thematic analysis framework, coding, plotting, and interpretation. The validity of data is achieved through inter-rater reliability. Four themes, namely media preferences and mainly sought information, awareness of the fake news spread on media, news reliability check, and reaction-based impact in response to the infodemics were established. The majority of the participants favoured official news broadcasts for updates on the outbreak. A few of them reported consuming infodemics that were conveyed by social media platforms. Participants indicated being well-informed on the spread of fake news on media, and 53% reported difficulties in verifying the information they received due to excessive coverage by media. Finally, 60% of the participants reported a significant influence of the infodemics they consumed towards their perceptions and reactions.

scholarly journals Hepatitis B Vaccination in Senegalese Children: Coverage, Timeliness, and Sociodemographic Determinants of Non-Adherence to Immunisation Schedules (ANRS 12356 AmBASS Survey)

Vaccines ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (5) ◽  
pp. 510
Author(s):  
Lauren Périères ◽  
Fabienne Marcellin ◽  
Gora Lo ◽  
Camelia Protopopescu ◽  
El Ba ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hepatitis B ◽  
Dose Schedule ◽  
World Health Organisation ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
World Health ◽  
Hepatitis B Vaccination ◽  
Detailed Knowledge ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Hbv Vaccination

Detailed knowledge about hepatitis B virus (HBV) vaccination coverage and timeliness for sub-Saharan Africa is scarce. We used data from a community-based cross-sectional survey conducted in 2018–2019 in the area of Niakhar, Senegal, to estimate coverage, timeliness, and factors associated with non-adherence to the World Health Organisation-recommended vaccination schedules in children born in 2016 (year of the birth dose (BD) introduction in Senegal) and 2017–2018. Vaccination status was assessed from vaccination cards, surveillance data, and healthcare post vaccination records. Among 241 children with available data, for 2016 and 2017–2018, respectively, 31.0% and 66.8% received the BD within 24 h of birth (BD schedule), and 24.3% and 53.7% received the BD plus at least two pentavalent vaccine doses within the recommended timeframes (three-dose schedule). In logistic regression models, home birth, dry season birth, and birth in 2016 were all associated with non-adherence to the recommended BD and three-dose schedules. Living over three kilometres from the nearest healthcare post, being the firstborn, and living in an agriculturally poorer household were only associated with non-adherence to the three-dose schedule. The substantial proportion of children not vaccinated according to recommended schedules highlights the importance of considering vaccination timeliness when evaluating vaccination programme effectiveness. Outreach vaccination activities and incentives to bring children born at home to healthcare facilities within 24 h of birth, must be strengthened to improve timely HBV vaccination.

scholarly journals Environmental Health in Perinatal and Early Childhood: Awareness, Representation, Knowledge and Practice of Southern France Perinatal Health Professionals

2018 ◽  
Vol 15 (10) ◽  
pp. 2259 ◽  
Author(s):  
Claire Sunyach ◽  
Barbara Antonelli ◽  
Sophie Tardieu ◽  
Michele Marcot ◽  
Jeanne Perrin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Health ◽  
Health Professionals ◽  
Perinatal Care ◽  
World Health Organisation ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Perinatal Health ◽  
Reproductive Age ◽  
World Health ◽  
Environmental Toxicants ◽  
Cross Sectional

The exposure of adults of reproductive age as well as pregnant women and children to environmental contaminants is of particular concern, as it can impact fertility, in utero development, pregnancy outcomes and child health. Consequently, the World Health Organisation (WHO) and international societies advocate including Environmental Health (EH) in perinatal care, yet perinatal health professionals (HPs) hardly put these recommendations into practice. In 2017, a cross-sectional study was performed in a large panel of perinatal HPs in south-eastern France with the aim of painting a picture of their current attitudes, representation, knowledge, and training expectations. Quantitative and qualitative information was collected via auto-questionnaire. Questionnaires were completed by 962 participants, mainly midwives (41.1%), physicians (25.6%) and nursery nurses (11%). Indoor/outdoor air quality and endocrine disruptors were the best-mastered topics, whereas electromagnetic fields and diet gave rise to unsure responses. Overall, perinatal HPs were ill-trained and -informed about the reproductive risks linked to daily environmental exposure. HPs reported scarce knowledge, fear of patient reaction and lack of solutions as the main barriers to providing information regarding EH to the public. Our findings highlight the need to set up EH training programmes focused on scientific knowledge and to provide simple messages and tips to help perinatal HPs deliver advice to populations to mitigate exposure to environmental toxicants.

scholarly journals Knowledge, attitude, practice and stigma of tuberculosis among healthcare providers in hospital Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah, Temerloh, Pahang

2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (SPL1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nuralia Akma ◽  
Mohamad Mustafa ◽  
Siti Aishah Suran ◽  
Abdul Aziz Marwan ◽  
Mohd Rahman Omar
Keyword(s):  
Disease Transmission ◽  
Healthcare Providers ◽  
World Health Organisation ◽  
World Health ◽  
Occupational Hazard ◽  
Perceived Stigma ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Health Services Delivery ◽  
Services Delivery ◽  
Knowledge And Practice

Malaysia is categorized as an intermediate tuberculosis (TB) burden country by World Health Organisation. This cause great challenge as an occupational hazard for healthcare providers (HCPs) in Malaysia, as they received two- to three-fold greater risk of contracting TB than the general population. This cross-sectional questionnaire study aimed to assess HCPs' knowledge, attitude, practice, and stigma (KAPS) towards TB in Hospital Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah, Temerloh. A pilot-tested questionnaire was designed based on the WHO recommendation for KAPS study in TB. A survey was carried out between September 2018 and February 2019. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 25.The majority of respondents have moderate knowledge (75%) and practice (93%) on tuberculosis whilst scored lower on attitude (49%). Average self-perceived stigma was observed (67%) with higher sympathy (73%). Overall knowledge and practice on tuberculosis among HCPs in HOSHAS was good with some misconceptions about disease transmission. However, more works needed to improve the attitude and stigma towards TB, as it may affect health services delivery towards TB patients.

Hubungan Komunikasi Terapeutik Perawat dan Fasilitas dengan Kepuasan Pasien Rawat Inap di Rumah Sakit Umum Cut Meutia Kota Langsa Tahun 2019

2020 ◽  
pp. 21-29
Author(s):  
Bambang Irawan ◽  
Erizal
Keyword(s):  
World Health Organisation ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
World Health ◽  
P Value ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Chi Square ◽  
Cross Sectional

Badan kesehatan dunia yaitu World Health Organisation (WHO) berupaya agar pelayanan kesehatan di dunia ini dapat memberikan suatu sistem pelayanan yang baik untuk meningkatkan derajat kesehatan masyarakat diberbagai belahan dunia. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui hubungan komunikasi terapeutik perawat dan fasilitas dengan kepuasan pasien rawat inap di Rumah Sakit Umum Cut Meutia Kota Langsa tahun 2019. Penelitian ini bersifat analitik dengan desain penelitian cross sectional study. Sampel dalam penelitian ini sebanyak 84 responden yang merupakan pasien rawat inap. Data dianalisa secara univarat dan bivariat menggunakan uji Chi square. Hasil penelitian diperoleh ada hubungan komunikasi terapeutik perawat dengan kepuasan pasien rawat inap di Rumah Sakit Umum Cut Meutia Kota Langsa tahun 2019 dengan nilai p-value (0,007) dan ada hubungan fasilitas dengan kepuasan pasien rawat inap di Rumah Sakit Umum Cut Meutia Kota Langsa tahun 2019 dengan nilai p-value (0,030).

Investigation of malondialdehyde and some elements in young infertile males

2021 ◽  
pp. 5418-5422
Author(s):  
Khlowd Mohammed Jasem ◽  
Taha H. Alnasrawi ◽  
Haneen Haleem Shiblawi ◽  
Hameedah Hadi Abdul Wahid ◽  
Narjis Hadi Al-Saadi
Keyword(s):  
Trace Elements ◽  
Sperm Count ◽  
World Health Organisation ◽  
Toxic Chemicals ◽  
World Health ◽  
Psychosocial Effects ◽  
Radioactive Materials ◽  
The People ◽  
Zinc Levels

Infertility is an important medical issue that has serious medical and psychosocial effects on affected individuals. In 2003, the Iraqi community suffered from profanation acts because of conflicts in the country. Toxic chemicals and radioactive materials caused numerous injuries and deaths. The people who survived these horrific events eventually suffered either from cancer or infertility. The aim of this study was to determine the levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) and some trace elements in the seminal plasma of infertile males and determine their effects on sperm parameters. This study included 41 infertile males 18-40 years old. Levels of MDA, zinc, copper and magnesium were measured in their semen via spectrophotometry. According to the classification of the World Health Organisation, the patients were classified into three groups: normospermia, oligospermia and asthenspermia. Results showed significant differences in MDA and zinc levels among the three groups (p < 0.001). Moreover, results showed a mildly positive correlation between MDA levels and sperm count (r = 0.57). This study established that levels of MDA and some trace elements contribute to male infertility.

scholarly journals SunSmart Accreditation and Use of a Professional Policy Drafting Service: Both Positively and Independently Associated with High Sun Protective Hat Scores Derived from Primary School Policies

2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-7
Author(s):  
A. I. Reeder ◽  
E. E. Iosua ◽  
B. McNoe ◽  
A.-C. L. Petersen
Keyword(s):  
Logistic Regression ◽  
Skin Cancer ◽  
Primary Schools ◽  
World Health Organisation ◽  
World Health ◽  
Solar Ultraviolet Radiation ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Logistic Regression Models ◽  
Accredited Schools ◽  
Prevention Programmes

Background. The head and neck are exposed to the highest solar ultraviolet radiation levels and experience a disproportionate skin cancer burden. Sun protective hats can provide an effective barrier. Since early life exposure contributes to skin cancer risk, the World Health Organisation recommends prevention programmes in schools. The New Zealand SunSmart Schools programme is one example. Two criteria concern wearing hat outdoors: students are required to wear a hat providing protection for the face, neck, and ears; if a suitable hat is not worn, students must play in shaded areas. Objectives. To investigate two internationally relevant interventions as plausible statistical predictors of hat policy strength: (1) skin cancer primary prevention programme membership, (2) use of a professional policy drafting service. Methods. Of 1,242 (62%) eligible schools participating in a 2017 national survey, 1,137 reported a sun protection policy and 842 were available for categorising and allocating protective scores (0–3). Results. In multinomial (polytomous) logistic regression models of cross-sectional association, adjusted for school characteristics, SunSmart accredited schools and those utilising a policy drafting service were independently significantly more likely than their counterparts to obtain the most protective compared to the least protective hat score (respectively, RRR 6.48: 95% CI 3.66, 11.47; 7.47: 3.67, and 15.20). For the dichotomous shade measure, similar associations were found using adjusted logistic regression (OR 3.28: 95% CI 2.11, 5.09; 2.70: 1.54, 4.74). Conclusions. Our findings provide support for two plausible interventions that could potentially be implemented beneficially in primary schools via established infrastructure in any jurisdiction, internationally.

scholarly journals Patients with more comorbidities have better detection of chronic conditions, but poorer management and control: findings from six middle-income countries

2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Grace Sum ◽  
Gerald Choon-Huat Koh ◽  
Stewart W. Mercer ◽  
Lim Yee Wei ◽  
Azeem Majeed ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Chronic Conditions ◽  
World Health Organisation ◽  
World Health ◽  
Uncontrolled Hypertension ◽  
Adult Health ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Middle Income Countries ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
And Control

Abstract Background The burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) is rising rapidly in middle-income countries (MICs), where NCDs are often undiagnosed, untreated and uncontrolled. How comorbidity impacts diagnosis, treatment, and control of NCDs is an emerging area of research inquiry and have important clinical implications as highlighted in the recent National Institute for Health and Care Excellence guidelines for treating patients suffering from multiple NCDs. This is the first study to examine the association between increasing numbers of comorbidities with being undiagnosed, untreated, and uncontrolled for NCDs, in 6 large MICs. Methods Cross-sectional analysis of the World Health Organisation Study of Global Ageing and Adult Health (WHO SAGE) Wave 1 (2007–10), which consisted of adults aged ≥18 years from 6 populous MICs, including China, Ghana, India, Mexico, Russia and South Africa (overall n = 41, 557). Results A higher number of comorbidities was associated with better odds of diagnosis for hypertension, angina, and arthritis, and higher odds of having treatment for hypertension and angina. However, more comorbidities were associated with increased odds of uncontrolled hypertension, angina, arthritis, and asthma. Comorbidity with concordant conditions was associated with improved diagnosis and treatment of hypertension and angina. Conclusion Patients with more comorbidities have better diagnosis of chronic conditions, but this does not translate into better management and control of these conditions. Patients with multiple NCDs are high users of health services and are at an increased risk of adverse health outcomes. Hence, improving their access to care is a priority for healthcare systems.

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