scholarly journals Course participation and the recognition and reporting of occupational ill-health

2019 ◽  
Vol 69 (7) ◽  
pp. 487-493
Author(s):  
J Beach ◽  
N Cherry
Keyword(s):  
Regression Models ◽  
Behavioural Change ◽  
Course Completion ◽  
Good Evidence ◽  
Annual Number ◽  
Multilevel Regression ◽  
Community Based ◽  
Weak Evidence ◽  
The Mean ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Background The Foundation Course in Occupational Medicine for community-based physicians was started in Alberta in 2012 and has since been implemented across Canada. As part of the evaluation of the first 4 years, two studies were initiated to assess the impact of the course on assessment of work-relatedness and case-reporting. Aims To determine whether assessment of work-relatedness, intention to report cases and number of cases reported to the Workers’ Compensation Board (WCB) changed during/after the course. Methods In study 1, course participants were asked to rate scenarios describing ill-health potentially resulting from work. They rated work-relatedness on a visual analogue scale and recorded whether they would report to the WCB. Assessments were made before the course started, after course completion or both. In study 2, numbers of reports to the WCB were documented for physicians giving consent, both for Foundation Course participants and a comparison group of community-based physicians. Multilevel regression models were fitted to allow for potential confounders and clustering within respondent. Results Among 102 physicians completing at least one set of scenario assessments, ratings of work-relatedness (β = 6.5; 95% CI 2.6–10.4) and likelihood of reporting to the WCB (OR = 1.9; 95% CI 1.2–3.1) increased significantly post-course. The mean annual number of cases reported to the WCB increased from 91.8 to 125.7 among the 35 Alberta physicians included in study 2. This change was only significant (P < 0.05) on a one-sided test. Conclusion The two evaluative studies showed good evidence of changes in perceptions and intentions but only weak evidence of behavioural change.

scholarly journals Active Citizens: Evaluation of a Community-Based Education Program

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 663 ◽  
Author(s):  
Petra Simonova ◽  
Jan Cincera ◽  
Roman Kroufek ◽  
Sarka Krepelkova ◽  
Andreas Hadjichambis
Keyword(s):  
School Environment ◽  
Design Research ◽  
Research Study ◽  
Mixed Design ◽  
Control Groups ◽  
Community Based ◽  
Community Based Education ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Group Interviews ◽  
The Impact

This study analyses the Active Citizens program conducted in seven Czech elementary schools in 2017/2018. The data were obtained in a mixed-design research study containing pre/post experimental/control groups (N = 114), eight focus groups with selected students (N = 56), and group interviews with teachers (N = 14). The mean age of the students was 13.8 years. The study focuses on the students’ and the teachers’ perception of the process, the program’s barriers and benefits, and on the impact of the program on the students’ self-efficacy and on perceived democratic school culture. The analysis revealed that while the participants felt empowered because of their experience, they started to perceive their school environment as less democratic than before the program. The program also likely influenced girls more than boys as the latter seem to have been unaffected. Finally, the implications of the findings for the practice are discussed.

scholarly journals Spatiotemporal droplet dispersion measurements demonstrate face masks reduce risks from singing: results from the COvid aNd FacEmaSkS Study (CONFESS)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kai Man Alexander Ho ◽  
Hywel Davies ◽  
Ruth Epstein ◽  
Paul Bassett ◽  
Aine Hogan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Regression Models ◽  
Sound Intensity ◽  
Face Mask ◽  
Multilevel Regression ◽  
Planar Imaging ◽  
Mean Velocity ◽  
Velocity Magnitude ◽  
Droplet Production ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Droplet Transmission

Background: COVID-19 has restricted singing in communal worship. We sought to understand variations in droplet transmission and the impact of wearing face masks. Methods: Using rapid laser planar imaging, we measured droplets while participants exhaled, said "hello" or "snake", sang a note or "Happy Birthday", with and without surgical face masks. We measured mean velocity magnitude (MVM), time averaged droplet number (TADN) and maximum droplet number (MDN). Multilevel regression models were used. Results: In 20 participants, sound intensity was 71 Decibels (dB) for speaking and 85 dB for singing (p<0.001). MVM was similar for all tasks with no clear hierarchy between vocal tasks or people and >85% reduction wearing face masks. Droplet transmission varied widely, particularly for singing. Masks decreased TADN by 99% (p<0.001) and MDN by 98% (p<0.001) for singing and 86-97% for other tasks. Masks reduced variance by up to 48%. When wearing a mask, neither singing task transmitted more droplets than exhaling. Conclusions: Wide variation exists for droplet production. This significantly reduced when wearing face masks. Singing during religious worship wearing a face mask appears as safe as exhaling or talking. This has implications for UK public health guidance during the COVID-19 pandemic.

scholarly journals Spatiotemporal droplet dispersion measurements demonstrate face masks reduce risks from singing

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kai Man Alexander Ho ◽  
Hywel Davies ◽  
Ruth Epstein ◽  
Paul Bassett ◽  
Áine Hogan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Regression Models ◽  
Sound Intensity ◽  
Face Mask ◽  
Multilevel Regression ◽  
Planar Imaging ◽  
Mean Velocity ◽  
Velocity Magnitude ◽  
Droplet Production ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Droplet Transmission

AbstractCOVID-19 has restricted singing in communal worship. We sought to understand variations in droplet transmission and the impact of wearing face masks. Using rapid laser planar imaging, we measured droplets while participants exhaled, said ‘hello’ or ‘snake’, sang a note or ‘Happy Birthday’, with and without surgical face masks. We measured mean velocity magnitude (MVM), time averaged droplet number (TADN) and maximum droplet number (MDN). Multilevel regression models were used. In 20 participants, sound intensity was 71 dB for speaking and 85 dB for singing (p < 0.001). MVM was similar for all tasks with no clear hierarchy between vocal tasks or people and > 85% reduction wearing face masks. Droplet transmission varied widely, particularly for singing. Masks decreased TADN by 99% (p < 0.001) and MDN by 98% (p < 0.001) for singing and 86–97% for other tasks. Masks reduced variance by up to 48%. When wearing a mask, neither singing task transmitted more droplets than exhaling. In conclusion, wide variation exists for droplet production. This significantly reduced when wearing face masks. Singing during religious worship wearing a face mask appears as safe as exhaling or talking. This has implications for UK public health guidance during the COVID-19 pandemic.

scholarly journals Communal latrine utilization and associated factors in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia: a community-based cross-sectional study

2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 319-324 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elzabeth Girma Kefeni ◽  
Walelegn Worku Yallew
Keyword(s):  
Population Growth ◽  
Social Services ◽  
Addis Ababa ◽  
Behavioural Change ◽  
Multivariate Logistic Regression Analysis ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Community Based ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Despite the quick urban population growth increased volume of wastes, including human excreta, which demands an expanded need of infrastructure, solid institutional setup and communities' engagement for management of safe disposal of excreta, arrangement of such basic social services has not developed as per the rate of population growth. Mostly, communal latrines are inclined towards an absence of cleanliness, as they accommodate many people beyond their capacity, filling up septic tanks quickly. A community-based cross-sectional study conducted in 817 randomly selected communal latrine user households, five focus group discussions and four key informant interviews were analysed. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to discover the impact of different factors on the use of communal latrines. The findings revealed that the rate of communal latrine use in Addis Ababa was about 79.8%. Unhygienic conditions, latrine emptying challenges, extreme smell, number of family units sharing the same squats, and latrine designs for the aged and children were identified as barriers to latrine utilization. This study suggests that, in parallel with the continued investments to increase access to sanitary facilities in the city, the management and behavioural change part has likewise to be stressed for better use and sustainability.

scholarly journals Using VIIRS nightlights to estimate the impact of the 2015 Nepal earthquakes

2022 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas Tveit ◽  
Emmanuel Skoufias ◽  
Eric Strobl
Keyword(s):  
Regression Models ◽  
Infrared Imaging ◽  
Central Area ◽  
Double Difference ◽  
Effect Regression ◽  
Negative Effect ◽  
Initial Shock ◽  
The Mean ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Relief Efforts

AbstractWe use Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) nightlight data to model the impact of the 2015 Nepal earthquakes. More specifically, the data—showing nightlight emissions—are used to examine the extent to which there is a difference in nightlight intensity between cells damaged in the earthquake versus undamaged cells based on (1) mean comparisons; and (2) fixed effect regression models akin to the double difference method. The analysis is carried out for the entire country as well as smaller regions in and around the Central area and Kathmandu, which were the hardest hit areas. Overall, the regressions find a significant and negative effect from the initial shock, followed by a positive net effect from aid and relief efforts, which is consistent with what one would expect to find. However, the mean analysis results are inconclusive and there is substantial noise in the nightlight measurements due to how the values are produced and persistent cloud cover over Nepal.

scholarly journals Searching for ultra-fast outflows in AGN using variability spectra

2020 ◽  
Vol 493 (1) ◽  
pp. 1088-1108 ◽  
Author(s):  
Z Igo ◽  
M L Parker ◽  
G A Matzeu ◽  
W Alston ◽  
N Alvarez Crespo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Active Galactic Nuclei ◽  
Statistical Significance ◽  
Galactic Nuclei ◽  
Good Evidence ◽  
Weak Evidence ◽  
Ion Absorption ◽  
Model Independent ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Different Sources

ABSTRACT We present a qualitative search for ultra-fast outflows (UFOs) in excess variance spectra of radio-quiet active galactic nuclei (AGNs). We analyse 42 sources from the spectroscopic UFO detection sample, and an additional 22 different sources from the variability sample. A total of 58 sources have sufficient observational data from XMM–Newton EPIC-pn and variability for an excess variance spectrum to be calculated. We examine these spectra for peaks corresponding to variable blue-shifted H- and He-like ion absorption lines from UFOs. We find good evidence for such outflows in 28 per cent of the AGN sample and weak evidence in a further 31 per cent, meaning that ∼30–60 per cent of the AGN sample hosts such UFOs. The mean and median blue-shifted velocity is found to be ∼0.14c and 0.12c, respectively. Current variability methods allow for a fast, model-independent determination of UFOs; however, further work needs to be undertaken to better characterize the statistical significance of the peaks in these spectra by more rigorous modelling. Detecting good evidence for variable UFO lines in a large number of sources also lays the groundwork for detailed analysis of the variability time-scales of the absorbers. This will allow us to probe their densities and hence distances from the central supermassive black hole.

Hospitalizations in psychiatry during the month of Ramadan: A study at the Tunisian mental health hospital

2021 ◽  
pp. 002076402098888
Author(s):  
Hanen Ben Ammar ◽  
Rihab Ben Massoued ◽  
Asma Ben Hamadi ◽  
Emira Khelifa ◽  
Abir Hakiri ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
General Trend ◽  
Biological Clock ◽  
Annual Number ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Ramadan Fasting ◽  
The Mean ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Mental Health Hospital ◽  
Health Hospital

Background: Muslims fast each year during the Holy Month of Ramadan. This rite has major socio-cultural consequences. The circadian rhythms, energy expenditure, body temperature and biological clock are also influenced by Ramadan fasting. The impact of fasting on patients with mental disorders has been little studied. The aim of this study was to assess the number of hospitalizations in psychiatry during Ramadan compared to the other months of the lunar year. Method: A cross-sectional and retrospective study was conducted at Razi hospital, the psychiatric hospital in Tunis. The following data over the five lunar years (1434–1438) was checked for: The monthly and the annual number of hospitalizations in the different departments of Razi mental health hospital in Tunis as well as the monthly and annual rates of different legal modalities of admissions. Results: An important decrease in the number of hospitalizations during Ramadan was observed each year followed by a constant increase during the following month. Ramadan was the only lunar month to have had a consistently below-average number of admissions. There has been a significant increase in the mean number of hospitalizations per month over the years. A general trend towards an increase in the proportion of enforced hospitalizations has been noted. Conclusion: Ramadan stands out not only on a religious but also on a social level. Our results add support to the usefulness of research on mental health and Ramadan in the psychiatric community.

scholarly journals Paving the Way for Outdoor Play: Examining Socio-Environmental Barriers to Community-Based Outdoor Play

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (7) ◽  
pp. 3617
Author(s):  
Janet Loebach ◽  
Marcos Sanches ◽  
Julia Jaffe ◽  
Tara Elton-Marshall
Keyword(s):  
Regression Models ◽  
Physical Activities ◽  
Outdoor Play ◽  
Childhood Development ◽  
Multilevel Regression ◽  
Policy Changes ◽  
Community Based ◽  
Neighborhood Social Cohesion ◽  
Comprehensive Survey ◽  
Child Friendly

Outdoor play and independent, neighborhood activity, both linked with healthy childhood development, have declined dramatically among Western children in recent decades. This study examines how social, cultural and environmental factors may be hindering children’s outdoor and community-based play. A comprehensive survey was completed by 826 children (aged 10–13 years) and their parents from 12 schools (four each urban, suburban and rural) from a large county in Ontario, Canada. Five multilevel regression models, controlling for any school clustering effect, examined associations between outdoor play time per week and variable sets representing five prevalent factors cited in the literature as influencing children’s outdoor play (OP). Models predicted that younger children and boys were more likely to spend time playing outdoors; involvement in organized physical activities, other children nearby to play with, higher perception of benefits of outdoor play, and higher parental perceptions of neighborhood social cohesion also predicted more time in outdoor play. Time outdoors was less likely among children not allowed to play beyond home without supervision, felt they were ‘too busy’ with screen-based activities, and who reported higher fears related to playing outdoors. Study findings have important implications for targeting environmental, cultural and policy changes to foster child-friendly communities which effectively support healthy outdoor play.

Asteroid and Comet Impact Speeds upon Mars: Significance for Panspermia and the Supply of Organics

1997 ◽  
Vol 161 ◽  
pp. 197-201 ◽  
Author(s):  
Duncan Steel
Keyword(s):  
Probability Distributions ◽  
Regions Of Interest ◽  
Significant Fraction ◽  
Organic Chemicals ◽  
Impact Speed ◽  
The Mean ◽  
The Impact

AbstractWhilst lithopanspermia depends upon massive impacts occurring at a speed above some limit, the intact delivery of organic chemicals or other volatiles to a planet requires the impact speed to be below some other limit such that a significant fraction of that material escapes destruction. Thus the two opposite ends of the impact speed distributions are the regions of interest in the bioastronomical context, whereas much modelling work on impacts delivers, or makes use of, only the mean speed. Here the probability distributions of impact speeds upon Mars are calculated for (i) the orbital distribution of known asteroids; and (ii) the expected distribution of near-parabolic cometary orbits. It is found that cometary impacts are far more likely to eject rocks from Mars (over 99 percent of the cometary impacts are at speeds above 20 km/sec, but at most 5 percent of the asteroidal impacts); paradoxically, the objects impacting at speeds low enough to make organic/volatile survival possible (the asteroids) are those which are depleted in such species.

Sound Production Treatment for Acquired Apraxia of Speech: An Examination of Dosage in Relation to Probe Performance

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-16
Author(s):  
Julie L. Wambaugh ◽  
Lydia Kallhoff ◽  
Christina Nessler
Keyword(s):  
Retrospective Analysis ◽  
Sound Production ◽  
Apraxia Of Speech ◽  
Practice Schedule ◽  
Practice Schedules ◽  
Baseline Performance ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Number Of Treatment ◽  
The Impact

Purpose This study was designed to examine the association of dosage and effects of Sound Production Treatment (SPT) for acquired apraxia of speech. Method Treatment logs and probe data from 20 speakers with apraxia of speech and aphasia were submitted to a retrospective analysis. The number of treatment sessions and teaching episodes was examined relative to (a) change in articulation accuracy above baseline performance, (b) mastery of production, and (c) maintenance. The impact of practice schedule (SPT-Blocked vs. SPT-Random) was also examined. Results The average number of treatment sessions conducted prior to change was 5.4 for SPT-Blocked and 3.9 for SPT-Random. The mean number of teaching episodes preceding change was 334 for SPT-Blocked and 179 for SPT-Random. Mastery occurred within an average of 13.7 sessions (1,252 teaching episodes) and 12.4 sessions (1,082 teaching episodes) for SPT-Blocked and SPT-Random, respectively. Comparisons of dosage metric values across practice schedules did not reveal substantial differences. Significant negative correlations were found between follow-up probe performance and the dosage metrics. Conclusions Only a few treatment sessions were needed to achieve initial positive changes in articulation, with mastery occurring within 12–14 sessions for the majority of participants. Earlier occurrence of change or mastery was associated with better follow-up performance. Supplemental Material https://doi.org/10.23641/asha.12592190

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