Impact of a regional educational advertising campaign on harm perceptions of e-cigarettes, prevalence of e-cigarette use, and quit attempts among smokers

ABSTRACTBackgroundWe evaluated how effective an advertising campaign that was piloted by Cancer Research UK in January/February 2018 was at promoting quit attempts by increasing awareness of the relative harms of e-cigarettes compared with smoking.MethodsAdults (≥16 years, n = 2217) living in Greater Manchester (campaign region) and Yorkshire & Humber and the North East of England (control regions) completed cross-sectional surveys immediately before and after the campaign period. Surveys measured socio-demographics, perceptions and use of e-cigarettes, and motivation and attempts to quit smoking. We tested interactions between time (pre, post) and region (campaign, control).Results36.7% (95% CI 33.0% – 40.6%) of those in the intervention region recognised the campaign. In the general population, interactions were non-significant for all outcomes except for perception of e-cigarettes as effective cessation aids, with smaller increases from pre-to post-campaign in the campaign (49.9% to 54.0%) compared with the control region (40.5% to 55.0%; OR = 0.66, 95% CI 0.45 – 0.98). Among smokers, motivation to quit increased in the intervention region (44.0% to 48.0%) but decreased in the control region (40.5% to 21.5%; OR = 2.97, 95% CI 1.25 – 7.16), with no other significant differences between regions over time. A Bayesian analysis confirmed that non-significant results were inconclusive.ConclusionsCompared with the control region, the campaign was associated with an increase in smokers’ motivation to quit but a smaller increase in adults’ perception of e-cigarettes as an effective cessation aid. There was insufficient evidence to determine whether the campaign affected other outcomes.

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Evaluation of the Impact of a Regional Educational Advertising Campaign on Harm Perceptions of E-Cigarettes, Prevalence of E-Cigarette Use, and Quit Attempts Among Smokers

Nicotine & Tobacco Research ◽

10.1093/ntr/ntz236 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 22 (7) ◽

pp. 1148-1154

Author(s):

Harry Tattan-Birch ◽

Sarah E Jackson ◽

Charlotte Ide ◽

Linda Bauld ◽

Lion Shahab

Keyword(s):

Mass Media ◽

Control Region ◽

Accurate Information ◽

Advertising Campaign ◽

North East ◽

Quit Smoking ◽

Quit Attempts ◽

Motivation To Quit ◽

Intervention Region ◽

The Impact

Abstract Introduction We evaluated how effective an advertising campaign that was piloted by Cancer Research UK in January/February 2018 was at promoting quit attempts by increasing awareness of the relative harms of e-cigarettes compared with smoking. Methods Adults (≥16 years, n = 2217) living in Greater Manchester (campaign region), Yorkshire & Humber and the North East of England (control regions) completed cross-sectional surveys immediately before and after the campaign period. Surveys measured socio-demographics, perceptions and use of e-cigarettes, and motivation and attempts to quit smoking. We tested interactions between time (pre, post) and region (campaign, control). Results 36.7% (95% CI 33.0%–40.6%) of those in the intervention region recognized the campaign. In the general population, interactions were nonsignificant for all outcomes except for perception of e-cigarettes as effective cessation aids, with smaller increases from pre- to post-campaign in the campaign (49.9% to 54.0%) compared with the control region (40.5% to 55.0%; odds ratio [OR] = 0.66, 95% CI .45–0.98). Among smokers, motivation to quit increased in the intervention region (44.0% to 48.0%) but decreased in the control region (40.5% to 21.5%; OR = 2.97, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.25–7.16), with no other significant differences between regions over time. Bayes factors confirmed that nonsignificant results were inconclusive. Conclusions Compared with the control region, the campaign was associated with an increase in smokers’ motivation to quit but a smaller increase in adults’ perception of e-cigarettes as an effective cessation aid. There was insufficient evidence to determine whether the campaign affected other outcomes. Implications Past extended mass media tobacco control campaigns have been shown to change public attitudes towards smoking, improve motivation to quit smoking, and reduce smoking prevalence. Much less is known about shorter, targeted campaigns. Here we show that using mass media to communicate accurate information about the relative harms of e-cigarettes compared with smoking may be an effective strategy in increasing smokers’ motivation to quit. Moreover, even when only run for a month, such campaigns can reach a large proportion of the targeted population. Further research is needed to evaluate effects on quit attempts and success.

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Detection of Old Diffusive Windthrow Using Low Cost Resources. the Case of Xynthia Storm in the Vosges Mountains, 28 February 2010

10.20944/preprints201709.0038.v1 ◽

2017 ◽

Author(s):

Ionel Haidu ◽

Paula Furtuna ◽

Sébastien Lebaut

Keyword(s):

Low Cost ◽

Error Matrix ◽

Vosges Mountains ◽

North East ◽

The North ◽

Knowing That ◽

First Case ◽

Before And After ◽

High Resolution Images ◽

Landsat Satellite

Unlike the contiguous windthrows, the diffuse windthrows occurred as a result of wind gusts of lower speed (100-140 km/h) than in the first case (>140 km/h) are much more difficult to detect due to their much lower areas and due to their very large number, of several hundreds in the wooded mountain massifs. The objective of this research is to present a rapid procedure for the detection of the diffuse windthrows based on low cost, Landsat type images, knowing that certain sensors cannot be accessed without significant investments. Our application is based on the study of effects caused by the Xynthia storm in the Vosges Mountains in the North-East of France, on 28 February 2010. Thus, based on two sets of Landsat satellite images, we used the “dark object” approach and the Disturbance Index, as well as a classification of the images before and after the storm, resulting in a change map. Following the detection process, 257 scattered polygons were detected, totalling 229 ha. For validation purposes, high-resolution images and orthophotoplans taken before and after storm were used. The error matrix was calculated, achieving an overall accuracy of 86%, which confirms the quality of our analysis and supports this procedure for detecting diffuse windthrow based on low cost resources.

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A scabies outbreak in the North East Region of Ghana: The necessity for prompt intervention

PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases ◽

10.1371/journal.pntd.0008902 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 14 (12) ◽

pp. e0008902

Author(s):

Yaw Ampem Amoako ◽

Richard Odame Phillips ◽

Joshua Arthur ◽

Mark Ayaaba Abugri ◽

Emmanuel Akowuah ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cross Sectional Study ◽

The Body ◽

Northern Ghana ◽

Individual Treatment ◽

Local Health ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

North East ◽

The North ◽

Resource Limited ◽

International Alliance

Background There is a dearth of data on scabies from Ghana. In September 2019, local health authorities in the East Mamprusi district of northern Ghana received reports of scabies from many parts of the district. Due to on-going reports of more cases, an assessment team visited the communities to assess the effect of the earlier individual treatment on the outbreak. The assessment team furthermore aimed to contribute to the data on scabies burden in Ghana and to demonstrate the use of the International Alliance for the Control of Scabies (IACS) diagnostic tool in a field survey in a resource limited setting. Methodology/Principal findings This was a cross sectional study. Demographic information and medical history was collected on all participants using a REDCap questionnaire. A standardised skin examination of exposed regions of the body was performed on all participants. Scabies was diagnosed based on the criteria of the International Alliance for the Control of Scabies (IACS). Participants were mostly female (61.5%) and had a median age of 18.8 years (IQR 13–25). Two hundred out of 283 (71%) of participants had scabies with most (47%) presenting with moderate disease. Impetigo was found in 22% of participants with scabies and 10.8% of those without scabies [RR 2.27 (95% CI 1.21–4.27)]. 119 participants who received scabies treatment in the past months still had clinical evidence of the disease. 97% of participants reported a recent scabies contact. Scabies was commoner in participants ≤16 years compared to those >16 years [RR 3.06 (95% CI 1.73–5.45)]. Conclusion/Significance The prevalence of scabies was extremely high. The lack of a systematic approach to scabies treatment led to recurrence and ongoing community spread. The IACS criteria was useful in this outbreak assessment in Ghana. Alternative strategies such as Mass drug administration may be required to contain outbreaks early in such settings.

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Cesarean delivery in Nigeria: prevalence and associated factors―a population-based cross-sectional study

BMJ Open ◽

10.1136/bmjopen-2018-027273 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 9 (6) ◽

pp. e027273 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Emmanuel O Adewuyi ◽

Asa Auta ◽

Vishnu Khanal ◽

Samson J Tapshak ◽

Yun Zhao

Keyword(s):

Logistic Regression ◽

Rural Areas ◽

Caesarean Delivery ◽

Maternal Obesity ◽

Mode Of Delivery ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Study Objective ◽

Factors Associated ◽

North East ◽

The North

ObjectiveTo investigate the prevalence and factors associated with caesarean delivery in Nigeria.DesignThis is a secondary analysis of the nationally representative 2013 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS) data. We carried out frequency tabulation, χ2test, simple logistic regression and multivariable binary logistic regression analyses to achieve the study objective.SettingNigeria.ParticipantsA total of 31 171 most recent live deliveries for women aged 15–49 years (mother–child pair) in the 5 years preceding the 2013 NDHS was included in this study.Outcome measureCaesarean mode of delivery.ResultsThe prevalence of caesarean section (CS) was 2.1% (95% CI 1.8 to 2.3) in Nigeria. At the region level, the South-West had the highest prevalence of 4.7%. Factors associated with increased odds of CS were urban residence (adjusted OR (AOR): 1.51, 95% CI 1.15 to 1.97), maternal age ≥35 years (AOR: 2.12, 95% CI 1.08 to 4.11), large birth size (AOR: 1.39, 95% CI 1.10 to 1.74) and multiple births (AOR: 4.96, 95% CI 2.84 to 8.62). Greater odds of CS were equally associated with maternal obesity (AOR: 3.16, 95% CI 2.30 to 4.32), Christianity (AOR: 2.06, 95% CI 1.58 to 2.68), birth order of one (AOR: 3.86, 95% CI 2.66 to 5.56), husband’s secondary/higher education level (AOR: 2.07, 95% CI 1.29 to 3.33), health insurance coverage (AOR: 2.01, 95% CI 1.37 to 2.95) and ≥4 antenatal visits (AOR: 2.84, 95% CI 1.56 to 5.17).ConclusionsThe prevalence of CS was low, indicating unmet needs in the use of caesarean delivery in Nigeria. Rural–urban, regional and socioeconomic differences were observed, suggesting inequitable access to the obstetric surgery. Intervention efforts need to prioritise women living in rural areas, the North-East and the North-West regions, as well as women of the Islamic faith.

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Emergency Care Capabilities in North East Haiti: A Cross-sectional Observational Study

Prehospital and Disaster Medicine ◽

10.1017/s1049023x15005221 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 30 (6) ◽

pp. 553-559 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Annelies De Wulf ◽

Adam R. Aluisio ◽

Dana Muhlfelder ◽

Christina Bloem

Keyword(s):

Observational Study ◽

Emergency Care ◽

Emergency Services ◽

Assessment Tools ◽

World Health ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

North East ◽

The North ◽

Emergency Medical ◽

Emergency Equipment

AbstractIntroductionThe North East Department is a resource-limited region of Haiti. Health care is provided by hospitals and community clinics, with no formal Emergency Medical System and undefined emergency services. As a paucity of information exists on available emergency services in the North East Department of Haiti, the objective of this study was to assess systematically the existing emergency care resources in the region.MethodsThis cross-sectional observational study was carried out at all Ministry of Public Health and Population (MSPP)-affiliated hospitals in the North East Department and all clinics within the Fort Liberté district. A modified version of the World Health Organization (WHO) Tool for Situational Analysis to Assess Emergency and Essential Surgical Care and Generic Essential Emergency Equipment Lists were completed for each facility.ResultsThree MSPP hospitals and five clinics were assessed. Among hospitals, all had a designated emergency ward with 24 hour staffing by a medical doctor. All hospitals had electricity with backup generators and access to running water; however, none had potable water. All hospitals had x-ray and ultrasound capabilities. No computed tomography scanners existed in the region. Invasive airway equipment and associated medications were not present consistently in the hospitals’ emergency care areas, but they were available in the operating rooms. Pulse oximetry was unavailable uniformly. One hospital had intermittently functioning defibrillation equipment, and two hospitals had epinephrine. Basic supplies for managing obstetrical and traumatic emergencies were available at all hospitals. Surgical services were accessible at two hospitals. No critical care services were available in the region. Clinics varied widely in terms of equipment availability. They uniformly had limited emergency medical equipment. The clinics also had inconsistent access to basic assessment tools (sphygmomanometers 20% and stethoscopes 60%). A protocol for transferring patients requiring a higher level of care was present in most (80%) clinics and one of the hospitals. However, no facility had a written protocol for transferring patients to other facilities. One hospital reported intermittent access to an ambulance for transfers.ConclusionsDeficits in the supply of emergency equipment and limited protocols for inter-facility transfers exist in North East Department of Haiti. These essential areas represent appropriate targets for interventions aimed at improving access to emergency care within the North East region of Haiti.De WulfA, AluisioAR, MuhlfelderD, BloemC. Emergency care capabilities in North East Haiti: a cross-sectional observational study. Prehosp Disaster Med. 2015;30(6):553–559.

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Prevalence, Symptoms, and Associated Factors of Chronic Constipation Among Older Adults in North-East of Peninsular Malaysia

Clinical Nursing Research ◽

10.1177/10547738211033934 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 105477382110339

Author(s):

Patimah Abdul Wahab ◽

Dariah Mohd Yusoff ◽

Azidah Abdul Kadir ◽

Siti Hawa Ali ◽

Lee Yeong Yeh

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Chronic Constipation ◽

Older Patients ◽

Associated Factors ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Peninsular Malaysia ◽

Plain Water ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

North East ◽

The North

This study aimed to determine the prevalence, symptoms, and associated factors of chronic constipation among older adults in the North-East of Peninsular Malaysia. A cross-sectional study was conducted among older patients from four health clinics. A total of 400 older patients participated, with a mean age of 68.7 ( SD = 6.4) years. The prevalence of chronic constipation was 14.8%. The highest symptom reported was the inability to pass stool (98.3%). Chronic constipation was significantly associated with older age (OR = 2.97; 95% CI [1.17, 7.54]; p = .022), inadequate plain water intake per day (OR = 2.13; 95% CI [1.13, 4.02]; p = .020), hypertension (OR = 2.22; 95% CI [1.07, 4.61]; p = .033), and hyperlipidemia (OR = 2.52; 95% CI [1.24, 5.11]; p = .010). Identification of chronic constipation should be done as part of routine clinic visits, especially for older patients with cardiovascular disease.

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Economic burden of cardiovascular diseases before and after Iran’s health transformation plan: evidence from a referral hospital of Iran

Cost Effectiveness and Resource Allocation ◽

10.1186/s12962-020-00250-8 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 19 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Vahid Alipour ◽

Hamed Zandian ◽

Vahid Yazdi-Feyzabadi ◽

Leili Avesta ◽

Telma Zahirian Moghadam

Keyword(s):

Cardiovascular Diseases ◽

Economic Burden ◽

Indirect Costs ◽

Structured Interviews ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Direct And Indirect Costs ◽

North West ◽

The North ◽

Hospitalization Costs ◽

Before And After

Abstract Background Different countries have set different policies to control and decrease the costs of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). Iran was aiming to reduce the economic burden of different disease by a recent reform from named as health transformation plan (HTP). This study aimed to examine the economic burden of CVDs before and after of HTP. Methods This cross-sectional study was conducted on 600 patients with CVDs, who were randomly selected from a specialized cardiovascular hospital in the north-west of Iran. Direct and indirect costs of CVDs were calculated using the cost of illness and human capital approaches. Data were collected using a researcher-made checklist obtained from several sources including structured interviews, the Statistical Center of Iran, Iran’s Ministry of Cooperatives, Labor, and Social Welfare, the central bank of Iran, and the data of global burden of disease obtained from the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation to estimate direct and mortality costs. All costs were calculated in Iranian Rials (IRR). Results Total costs of CVDs were about 5571 and 6700 billion IRR before and after the HTP, respectively. More than 62% of the total costs of CVDs accounted for premature death before (64.89%) and after (62.01%) the HTP. The total hospitalization costs of CVDs was significantly increased after the HTP (p = 0.038). In both times, surgical services and visiting had the highest and lowest share of hospitalization costs, respectively. The OOP expenditure decreased significantly and reached from 54.2 to 36.7%. All hospitalization costs, except patients’ OOP expenditure, were significantly increased after the HTP about 1.3 times. Direct non-medical costs reached from 2.4 to 3.3 billion before and after the HTP, respectively. Conclusion Economic burden of CVDs increased in the north-west of Iran after the HTP due to the increase of all direct and indirect costs, except the OOP expenditure. Non-allocation of defined resources, which coincided with the international and national political and economic challenges in Iran, led to unsustainable resources of the HTP. So, no results of this study can be attributed solely to the HTP. Therefore, more detailed studies should be carried out on the reasons for the significant increase in CVDs costs in the region.

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A cross-sectional questionnaire study of the rules governing pupils’ carriage of inhalers for asthma treatment in secondary schools in North East England

PeerJ ◽

10.7717/peerj.2006 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 4 ◽

pp. e2006

Author(s):

Wendy Funston ◽

Simon J. Howard

Keyword(s):

Secondary Schools ◽

Outcome Measures ◽

Clinical Medicine ◽

Postal Questionnaire ◽

Primary Objective ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Ethical Practices ◽

Parental Permission ◽

North East ◽

The North

Objectives.The primary objective of this study was to assess the rules governing secondary school pupils’ carriage of inhalers for emergency treatment of asthma in the North East of England.Design.This study was based upon a postal questionnaire survey.Setting.The setting for this study was mainstream free-to-attend secondary schools which admit 16 year old pupils within the 12 Local Authority areas which make up the North East of England.Participants.All 153 schools meeting the inclusion criteria were invited to participate in the study, of which 106 (69%) took part.Main Outcome Measures.Our three main outcome measures were: whether pupils are permitted to carry inhalers on their person while at school; whether advance permission is required for pupils to carry inhalers, and from whom; and whether the school has an emergency ‘standby’ salbutamol inhaler for use in asthma emergencies, as permitted since October 2014 under recent amendments to The Human Medicines Regulations 2012.Results.Of 98 schools submitting valid responses to the question, 99% (n= 97) permitted pupils to carry inhalers on their person while at school; the remaining school stored pupils’ inhalers in a central location within the school. A total of 22% of included schools (n= 22) required parental permission before pupils were permitted to carry inhalers. Of 102 schools submitting valid responses to the question, 44% (n= 45) had purchased a ‘standby’ salbutamol inhaler for use in asthma emergencies.Conclusions.Most secondary schools in North East England permit pupils to carry inhalers on their person. The requirement in a minority of schools for parental permission to be given possibly contravenes the standard ethical practices in clinical medicine for children of this age. Only a minority of schools hold a ‘standby’ salbutamol inhaler for use in asthma emergencies. Wider availability may improve outcomes for asthma emergencies occurring in schools.

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Knowledge and perception as critical components in recognition of Covid-19 symptoms

Nigerian Journal of Parasitology ◽

10.4314/njpar.v42i1.2 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 42 (1) ◽

pp. 9-18

Author(s):

S.O. Sam-Wobo ◽

C.N. Ukaga ◽

D. Pam ◽

I.C.J. Omalu ◽

A. Mogaji ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Online Survey ◽

Preventive Measures ◽

Age Distribution ◽

Preventive Measure ◽

Face Mask ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

North West ◽

North East ◽

Endemic Diseases ◽

The North

The knowledge, attitude, and practices (KAP) people hold towards a new disease could play a major role in the way they accept measures put in place to curb its spread as Symptoms of COVID-19 are similar to those of other endemic diseases, especially malaria. A cross-sectional KAP/symptomatology online survey was conducted from August –September 2020 across the six geopolitical regions of Nigeria. Data were entered into Google sheets and analyses performed using SPSS version 20. From the 900 respondents, majority 66% were from the North west while 1.2% were from the North east. By sex and age distribution, 69% were males while females were 31%. Age group 15-25 years were more (32.22%) and the least (11%) among respondents were above 65years. Majority of respondents (57.89%), had not experienced symptoms associated with COVID-19 in the past 3 months before this study, however 96.0% of respondents have heard about COVID19 prior the time of survey. Hyperthemia (high fever) 636(70.67%) was accurately recognized by respondents as the most common symptoms. Other highly mentioned symptoms were dry or chesty cough, shortness of breath, catarrh and cough, difficulty in breathing at night, painful breathing, and weakness or tiredness, with significant differences in the responses recorded for the recognition of COVID-19 symptoms across the geopolitical zones (p=0.00). In terms of preventive measures, 771(85.67%) respondents perceive regular hand washing with soap as the major preventive measure for COVID19 infection. This was followed by the usage of face mask 659(73.22%). Also, 794(88.22%) respondents accurately recognized hyperthemia as the most common overlapping symptom between malaria and COVID-19. Other highly mentioned overlapping symptoms were weakness or tiredness 591(65.67%), loss of appetite 504 (56.00%), loss of taste and smell 388(43.11%), and catarrh and cough 313(34.78%). We conclude that awareness of COVID-19 symptoms is fairly high in the country. Awareness strategies should target those with limited access to information on the disease. Keywords: COVID-19, Knowledge, Symptoms, Preventive measures

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Economic Burden of Cardiovascular Diseases Before and After the Iran’s Health Transformation Plan: A Cross-Sectional Study on Referral Hospital in the North-West of Iran

10.21203/rs.2.22249/v1 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Vahid Alipour ◽

Hamed Zandian ◽

Vahid Yazdi-Feyzabadi ◽

Leili Avesta ◽

Telma Zahirian Moghadam

Keyword(s):

Economic Burden ◽

Indirect Costs ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Direct And Indirect Costs ◽

North West ◽

The North ◽

Hospitalization Costs ◽

Before And After

Abstract Background Different countries have set different policies to control and decrease the costs of Cardiovascular Diseases(CVDs). Iran aiming reducing the economic burden of different disease by a recent reform from named as health transformation plan(HTP). This study aimed to examine economic burden of CVDs before and after of HTP, Methods This cross-sectional study was conducted on 600 patients with CVDs, who were randomly selected from a specialized cardiovascular hospital in the north-west of Iran. Direct and indirect costs of CVDs were calculated using cost of illness and human capital approaches. Data were collected using a researcher-made checklist obtained from several sources including structured interviews, the Statistical Center of Iran, Iran's Ministry of Cooperatives, Labor, and Social Welfare, central bank of the Iran, and the data of global burden of disease obtained from the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation to estimate direct and mortality costs. All costs were calculated in Iranian Rials(IRR). Results Total costs of CVDs were about 5571 and 6700 billion IRR before and after the HTP, respectively. More than 62% of the total costs of CVDs accounted for premature death before (64.89%) and after(62.01%) the HTP. The total hospitalization costs of CVDs was significantly increased after the HTP (p=0.038). In both times, surgical services and visiting had the highest and lowest share of hospitalization costs, respectively. The OOP expenditure decreased significantly and reached from 54.2% to 36.7%. All hospitalization costs, except patients' OOP expenditure, were significantly increased after the HTP about 1.3 times. Direct non-medical costs reached from 2.4 to 3.3 billion before and after the HTP, respectively. Conclusion The economic burden of CVDs after the HTP increased in the north-west of Iran due to the increase of all direct and indirect costs, except the OOP expenditure. Non-allocation of defined resources, which coincided with the international and national political and economic challenges in Iran, led to unsustainable resources of the HTP. So, no results of this study can be attributed solely to the HTP. Therefore, studies that are more detailed should be carried out on the reasons for the significant increase in CVDs costs in the region.

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