scholarly journals Assessing caffeine exposure in pregnant women

2008 ◽  
Vol 100 (4) ◽  
pp. 875-882 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sinead M. Boylan ◽  
Janet E. Cade ◽  
Sara F. L. Kirk ◽  
Darren C. Greenwood ◽  
Kay L. M. White ◽  
...  

Studies on the effects of caffeine on health, while numerous, have produced inconsistent results. One of the most uncertain and controversial effects is on pregnancy outcome. Studies have produced conflicting results due to a number of methodological variations. The major challenge is the accurate assessment of caffeine intake. The aim of the present study was to explore different methods of assessing caffeine exposure in pregnant women. Twenty-four healthy pregnant women from the UK city of Leeds completed both a detailed questionnaire, the caffeine assessment tool (CAT) designed specifically to assess caffeine intake and a prospective 3 d food and drink diary. The women also provided nine saliva samples over two consecutive days for estimation of caffeine and a metabolite (paraxanthine). Caffeine intakes from the CAT and diary showed adequate agreement (intra-class correlation coefficient of 0·5). For saliva caffeine and paraxanthine measures, the between-sample variation (within the same woman) was greater than between-woman and between-day variation. However, there was still adequate agreement between these measures and the CAT. The CAT is a valuable tool that is now being used in a large prospective study investigating caffeine's role in pregnancy outcome.

2021 ◽  
pp. 105477382110673
Author(s):  
Solmaz Ghanbari-Homaie ◽  
Mohammad Asghari Jafarabadi ◽  
Sonia Hasani ◽  
Mojgan Mirghafourvand

The aim of this study was to determine the psychometric properties of the Persian version of pregnancy symptoms inventory. A methodological study. This study was conducted on 220 pregnant women. Construct validity was measured by exploratory factor analysis and confirmatory factor analysis. Reliability was measured by intra-class correlation coefficient and internal consistency. Since the items 12 (snoring) and 16 (thrush) failed to obtain the minimum principal axis factoring in exploratory factor analysis, they were removed from the Persian version. Confirmatory factor analysis showed a good fit for the extracted model. Cronbach’s alpha was .94 for the frequency items and .95 for the limitation items. Intra-class correlation coefficient was between .58 and 1 for frequency items and between .73 and 1 for limitation items. The Persian version of pregnancy symptoms inventory was a valid and reliable scale to be used for Iranian pregnant women.


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vilius Floreskul ◽  
Fatima Juma ◽  
Anjali Daniel ◽  
Imran Zamir ◽  
Zulf Mughal ◽  
...  

2021 ◽  
pp. 003151252110365
Author(s):  
Alessandra V. Prieto ◽  
Kênnea Martins Almeida Ayupe ◽  
Ana C. A. Abreu ◽  
Paulo J. B. Gutierres Filho

Improvement in rider mobility represents an important functional gain for people with disabilities undergoing hippotherapy. However, there is no validated measuring instrument to track and document the rider's progress in riding activities. In this study, we aimed to develop and establish validity evidence for an instrument to assess hippotherapy participants’ mobility on horseback. We report on this development through the stages of: (a) content validation, (b) construct validation, (c) inter- and intra-rater reliability and (d) internal consistency analysis. We evaluated its factor structure with exploratory factor analyses, calculated values for inter- and intra-rater reliability using the intra-class correlation coefficient, and calculated its internal consistency using Cronbach's alpha. We followed recommendations by the Guidelines for Reporting Reliability and Agreement Studies. We found good inter-rater reliability (intra-class correlation coefficient – ICC = 0.991–0.999) and good intra-rater reliability (ICC = 0.997–1.0), and there was excellent internal consistency (Cronbach's α = 0.937–0.999). The instrument’s factor structure grouped its three domains into one factor. As this instrument is theoretically consistent and has been found to be appropriate and reliable for its intended use, it is now available for the measurement of horseback mobility among hippotherapy riders.


2021 ◽  
Vol 7 ◽  
pp. 205520762110121
Author(s):  
Joanne E Parsons ◽  
Katie V Newby ◽  
David P French ◽  
Elizabeth Bailey ◽  
Nadia Inglis

Objective Pregnant women and unborn babies are at increased risk of complications from influenza, including pneumonia, yet in the UK, uptake of flu vaccination amongst this population remains <50%. Pregnant women hold beliefs about risks of flu and efficacy of vaccination that consistently predict them to decline vaccination. This study aimed to develop a theory and evidence-based intervention addressing these beliefs to promote flu vaccine uptake. Methods The intervention was developed by behavioural scientists, pregnant women, midwives, clinicians and Public Health professionals, informed by Intervention Mapping. Six predefined steps were performed in line with Intervention Mapping. Results The intervention is an animation addressing beliefs about risks of flu and efficacy of vaccination. Preliminary testing using qualitative methodology indicates the information within the animation is appropriate, and the animation is acceptable to pregnant women. Conclusions This is the first known intervention for pregnant women, aiming to increase flu vaccination through addressing risk and efficacy appraisals. It has been implemented within seasonal flu vaccination campaigns during 2018/19 and 2019/20 within one geographically and ethnically diverse area of the UK.


1985 ◽  
Vol 23 (24) ◽  
pp. 93-95 ◽  

Babies are still being affected by rhesus D haemolytic disease despite the introduction of anti-D immunoglobulin prophylaxis more than a decade ago. In 1983 at least 34 babies died from the disease in the UK1 and 600–800 rhesus D (RhD) negative pregnant women become sensitised each year.2 What can be done to prevent this unnecessary illness and death?


2020 ◽  
Vol 150 (8) ◽  
pp. 2164-2174
Author(s):  
Marilyn C Cornelis ◽  
Sandra Weintraub ◽  
Martha Clare Morris

ABSTRACT Background Coffee and tea are the major contributors of caffeine in the diet. Evidence points to the premise that caffeine may benefit cognition. Objective We examined the associations of habitual regular coffee or tea and caffeine intake with cognitive function whilst additionally accounting for genetic variation in caffeine metabolism. Methods We included white participants aged 37–73 y from the UK Biobank who provided biological samples and completed touchscreen questionnaires regarding sociodemographic factors, medical history, lifestyle, and diet. Habitual caffeine-containing coffee and tea intake was self-reported in cups/day and used to estimate caffeine intake. Between 97,369 and 445,786 participants with data also completed ≥1 of 7 self-administered cognitive functioning tests using a touchscreen system (2006–2010) or on home computers (2014). Multivariable regressions were used to examine the association between coffee, tea, or caffeine intake and cognition test scores. We also tested interactions between coffee, tea, or caffeine intake and a genetic-based caffeine-metabolism score (CMS) on cognitive function. Results After multivariable adjustment, reaction time, Pairs Matching, Trail Making test B, and symbol digit substitution, performance significantly decreased with consumption of 1 or more cups of coffee (all tests P-trend &lt; 0.0001). Tea consumption was associated with poor performance on all tests (P-trend &lt; 0.0001). No statistically significant CMS × tea, CMS × coffee, or CMS × caffeine interactions were observed. Conclusions Our findings, based on the participants of the UK Biobank, provide little support for habitual consumption of regular coffee or tea and caffeine in improving cognitive function. On the contrary, we observed decrements in performance with intakes of these beverages which may be a result of confounding. Whether habitual caffeine intake affects cognitive function therefore remains to be tested.


Hand Surgery ◽  
2010 ◽  
Vol 15 (02) ◽  
pp. 71-73 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rouin Amirfeyz ◽  
Sanchit Mehendale ◽  
Sarah Tyrrell ◽  
Raj Bhatia ◽  
Ian Leslie ◽  
...  

Katz and Stirrat devised a hand diagram, which uses subjective information from the patient for the diagnosis of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). They reported a good result. We tested the inter-observer and intra-observer reliability of this hand diagram. Twenty five consecutive patients with a diagnosis of CTS, 25 with other common hand and wrist problems but CTS and 25 healthy individuals were prospectively recruited. Each patient filled in a hand diagram. Two experienced hand surgeon scored the diagrams blindly on two different sittings four-week apart. The intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC) and Cohen's Kappa were used for intra and inter-observer reliability respectively. The intra-observer agreement was poor (ICC 95% 0.33–0.65) and inter-observer was fair (Kappa = 0.241). This study does not support the use of Katz and Stirrat Hand Diagram for the diagnosis of carpal tunnel syndrome in place if a thorough clinical examination.


2018 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 60-70 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rosemary Lysaght ◽  
Michael J. Roy ◽  
Jack S. Rendall ◽  
Terry Krupa ◽  
Liam Ball ◽  
...  

Purpose The aim of this exploratory, mixed methods study was to develop and test a tool that identifies foundational dimensions of work integration social enterprises (WISEs) for use in empirical studies and enterprise self-assessment. Construction of the initial prototype was based upon a review of the literature and prior qualitative research by the authors. Design/methodology/approach A 20-item question pool with a four-point response scale was constructed to explore WISE business and employment practices and strategies for worker growth and development. Three sequential field tests were conducted with the prototype – the first with 5 Canadian WISEs, the second with 14 WISEs in the UK and the third with 6 Canadian WISEs involved in an outcome study in the mental health sector. Each field test included completion of the questionnaire by persons with managerial responsibility within the WISE and evaluative feedback captured through questions on the applicability and interpretability of the items. Findings Testing of the prototype instrument revealed the inherent diversity in the field and the difficulty in creating questions that both embrace that diversity and produce unidimensional variables definable along a spectrum. A number of challenges with question structure were identified and have been modified throughout the iterative testing process. Research limitations/implications This study identified central domains for inclusion in a multi-dimensional WISE assessment tool. Further testing will help further refine scaling and establish psychometric properties. Originality/value This measure will provide a descriptive profile of WISEs across sectors and identify WISE core dimensions for research and organizational development.


2017 ◽  
Vol 30 (10) ◽  
pp. 691 ◽  
Author(s):  
Debora Soccal Schwertner ◽  
Raul Oliveira ◽  
Ana Paula Ramos Marinho ◽  
Magnus Benetti ◽  
Thais Silva Beltrame ◽  
...  

Introduction: The objective of this study was to adapt the Brazilian version, and verify the validity, reliability and internal consistency of the Oliveira questionnaire on low back pain in young people.Material and Methods: The questionnaire was translated from European Portuguese into Brazilian Portuguese by means of translation and re-translation. The validity of the contents was determined by experts who analyzed the clarity and pertinence of the questions. Fifteen young people aged 15 to 18 took part in the pre-test step (qualitative analysis), 40 in the test-retest (reliability) and 679 in the evaluation of internal consistency. The intra-class correlation coefficient and Spearman’s correlation coefficient were used in the reliability analysis (test-retest), and Cronbach’s alpha to determine the internal consistency (stability).Results: In the translation phase the questionnaire was modified and considered suitable, observing similarity and equivalence of the two versions. After being corrected by the experts in the validation of the contents, the instrument was considered suitable and valid, and in the pre-test, the young people suggested some modifications to make the questionnaire more succinct. With respect to reliability, the values for the intra-class correlation coefficient were between 0.512 – acceptable and 1 – excellent and Spearman’s correlation coefficient varied between 0.525 and 1, classifying the instrument as reproducible. The internal consistency was considered acceptable with a 0.757 Cronbach’s alpha.Discussion: The Oliveira questionnaire was choosen since it has been used in several Portuguese studies; moreover, it addresses the need to raise data regarding low back pain and associated risk factors.Conclusions: The Brazilian version of the Oliveira questionnaire on low back pain in young people showed valid and reliable cultural adaptation, with good reliability and stability.


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