Determinants of physicians’ online medical services uptake: a cross-sectional study applying social ecosystem theory

ObjectiveTo investigate the determinants of willingness and practice of physicians’ online medical services (OMS) uptake based on social ecosystem theory, so as to formulate OMS development strategies.DesignCross-sectional survey.SettingResearch was conducted in two comprehensive hospitals and two community hospitals in Jiangsu, China, and the data were gathered from 1 June to 31 June 2020.ParticipantsWith multistage sampling, 707 physicians were enrolled in this study.Outcome measureDescriptive statistics were reported for the basic characteristics. χ2 test, Mann-Whitney U test and Spearman’s correlation analysis were used to perform univariate analysis. Linear regression and logistic regression were employed to examine the determinants of physicians’ OMS uptake willingness and actual uptake, respectively.ResultsThe mean score of the physicians’ OMS uptake willingness was 17.33 (range 5–25), with an SD of 4.39, and 53.3% of them reported having conducted OMS. In the micro system, factors positively associated with willingness included holding administrative positions (b=1.03, p<0.05), OMS-related awareness (b=1.32, p<0.001) and OMS-related skills (b=4.88, p<0.001); the determinants of actual uptake included holding administrative positions (OR=2.89, 95% CI 1.59 to 5.28, p<0.01), OMS-related awareness (OR=1.90, 95% CI 1.22 to 2.96, p<0.01), OMS-related skills (OR=2.25, 95% CI 1.35 to 3.74, p<0.01) and working years (OR=2.44, 95% CI 1.66 to 3.59, p<0.001). In the meso system, the hospital’s incentive mechanisms (b=0.78, p<0.05) were correlated with willingness; hospital advocated for OMS (OR=2.34, 95% CI 1.21 to 4.52, p<0.05), colleagues’ experiences (OR=3.81, 95% CI 2.25 to 6.45, p<0.001) and patients’ consultations (OR=2.93, 95% CI 2.02 to 4.25, p<0.001) were determinants of actual uptake. In the macro system, laws and policies were correlated with willingness (b=0.73, p<0.05) and actual uptake (OR=1.98, 95% CI 1.31 to 2.99, p<0.01); media orientation was also associated with willingness (b=0.74, p<0.05).ConclusionMultiple determinants influence physicians’ OMS application. Comprehensive OMS promotion strategies should be put forward from multidimensional perspectives including the micro, meso and macro levels.

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Sex-Based Differences in the Association between Nutrition Label Awareness and the Prevalence of Atopic Dermatitis: A Cross-Sectional Survey

Healthcare ◽

10.3390/healthcare8030210 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 8 (3) ◽

pp. 210

Author(s):

Soo Jin Kwon ◽

Yoonjung Kim

Keyword(s):

Atopic Dermatitis ◽

Food Selection ◽

Univariate Analysis ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Nutrition Label ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Nutrition Labels ◽

Men And Women ◽

The Relationship

Atopic dermatitis is a chronic allergic disease with multifactorial causation. Although its association with diet has been demonstrated, it remains unclear whether the prevalence of atopic dermatitis among adults is associated with nutrition label awareness. Nutrition label awareness indicates knowledge of the existence of nutrition labels on processed food, and the use of them for food selection. In this cross-sectional study, we analyzed the relationship between nutrition label awareness and the prevalence of atopic dermatitis among men and women using data from the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey VI (2013–2015), including a nationally representative sample of 13,505 Korean adults (aged > 19 years). The relationship between the prevalence of atopic dermatitis and nutrition label awareness was evaluated using t-tests, χ2 tests and multivariate adjusted logistic regression analysis. Although univariate analysis showed that atopic dermatitis was associated with nutrition label awareness in both men and women, after adjustment for covariates, there was no significant association among men. The significant association between the prevalence of atopic dermatitis and nutrition label awareness among women reveals a sex-based difference in this relationship in adults, and atopic dermatitis may be managed and prevented among women by targeted education regarding nutrition labels and diet.

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Healthcare workers preparedness for COVID-19 pandemic in the occupied Palestinian territory: a cross-sectional survey

BMC Health Services Research ◽

10.1186/s12913-021-06804-7 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 21 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Osaid Alser ◽

Heba Alghoul ◽

Zahra Alkhateeb ◽

Ayah Hamdan ◽

Loai Albarqouni ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Healthcare Workers ◽

Gaza Strip ◽

Univariate Analysis ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Online Questionnaire ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Occupied Palestinian Territory ◽

Governmental Institutions ◽

Palestinian Territory

Abstract Background The COVID-19 pandemic threatens to overwhelm the capacity of a vulnerable healthcare system in the occupied Palestinian territory (oPt). We aimed to evaluate the availability of personal protective equipment (PPE) and the level of preparedness among HCWs in the oPt. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted using a validated online questionnaire distributed through convenient sampling between March 30, 2020 and April 12, 2020. Outcomes were availability of PPE, healthcare workers (HCWs) preparedness in oPt for COVID-19 pandemic, and regional and hospital differences in oPt in terms of availability of PPE and HCWs preparedness. Descriptive statistics and univariate analysis were used in this study. Results Of 138 respondents, only 38 HCWs (27.5%) always had access to facemasks and 15 (10.9%) always had access to isolation gowns. Most HCWs did not find eye protection (n = 128, 92.8%), N95 respirators (n = 132, 95.7%), and face shields (n = 127, 92%) always available. Compared to HCWs in West Bank, those in the Gaza Strip were significantly less likely to have access to alcohol sanitizers (p = 0.03) and gloves (p < 0.001). On average, governmental hospitals were significantly less likely to have all appropriate PPE than non-governmental institutions (p = 0.001). Only 16 (11.6%) surveyed felt confident in dealing with a potential COVID-19 case, 57 (41.3%) having received any COVID-19-related training, and 57 (41.3%) not having a local hospital protocol. Conclusion HCWs in oPt appear to be underprepared and severely lacking adequate PPE provision. The lack of PPE provision will exacerbate spread of COVID-19 and deepen the crisis, whilst putting HCWs at risk.

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Substance Use and Associated Factors among University Students in Ethiopia: A Cross-Sectional Study

Journal of Addiction ◽

10.1155/2014/969837 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 2014 ◽

pp. 1-8 ◽

Cited By ~ 32

Author(s):

Gezahegn Tesfaye ◽

Andualem Derese ◽

Mitiku Teshome Hambisa

Keyword(s):

Substance Use ◽

University Students ◽

Associated Factors ◽

Strong Association ◽

Sampling Technique ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

College And University ◽

Multistage Sampling

Studies indicate that substance use among Ethiopian adolescents is considerably rising; in particular college and university students are the most at risk of substance use. The aim of the study was to assess substance use and associated factors among university students. A cross-sectional survey was carried out among 1040 Haramaya University students using self-administered structured questionnaire. Multistage sampling technique was used to select students. Descriptive statistics, bivariate, and multivariate analysis were done. About two-thirds (62.4%) of the participants used at least one substance. The most commonly used substance was alcohol (50.2%). Being male had strong association with substance use (AOR (95% CI), 3.11 (2.20, 4.40)). The odds of substance use behaviour is higher among third year students (AOR (95% CI), 1.48 (1.01, 2.16)). Being a follower of Muslim (AOR (95% CI), 0.62 (0.44, 0.87)) and Protestant (AOR (95% CI), 0.25 (0.17, 0.36)) religions was shown to be protective of substance use. Married (AOR (95% CI), 1.92 (1.12, 3.30)) and depressed (AOR (95% CI), 3.30 (2.31, 4.72)) students were more likely to use substances than others. The magnitude of substance use was high. This demands special attention, emergency preventive measures, and targeted information, education and communication activity.

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Factors affecting the manual linking of clinical progress notes to problems in daily clinical practice: A retrospective quantitative analysis and cross sectional survey

Health Informatics Journal ◽

10.1177/14604582211007534 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 27 (2) ◽

pp. 146045822110075

Author(s):

Felix Cillessen ◽

Pieter de Vries Robbé ◽

Hans Bor ◽

Marion Biermans

Keyword(s):

Work Experience ◽

Mixed Model ◽

Univariate Analysis ◽

Patient Characteristics ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Added Value ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Medical Specialties ◽

Progress Notes

This cross sectional study examines how patient characteristics, doctor characteristics, and doctors’ education and attitudes affect the extent to which doctors link progress notes to clinical problems. The independent effects of patient characteristics on the linking of notes was examined with a mixed model logistic regression. The effects of doctor characteristics and doctors’ education and attitudes on the link ratio was analyzed with univariate analysis of variance. A survey was used to obtain arguments and attitudes on linking notes. For “patient characteristics”, the odds of linking increased with an increase in the number of problems or hospital days, decreased, with an increase in the number of involved doctors, medical specialties or the number of notes. For “doctor characteristics”, the link ratio increased with more work experience. For “doctors’ education and attitudes”, the link ratio increased with more familiarity in linking notes and belief in the added value of problem oriented charting. “Overview” was the most cited reason for linking; “I don’t know how” the most cited reason for not linking. There is a huge variation within and between all disciplines. Important arguments, for and against, are found. Recommendations for policymakers and medical leadership are given to maximize the benefits.

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MORBIDITY PATTERN AMONG ADOLESCENT SCHOOL GIRLS IN RURAL AND URBAN SCHOOL OF JHANSI (U.P.)- A COMPARATIVE CROSS-SECTIONAL SURVEY

International Journal of Medical and Biomedical Studies ◽

10.32553/ijmbs.v3i9.582 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 3 (9) ◽

Author(s):

Shubhanshu Gupta ◽

Sanjeev Kumar ◽

Piyush D Swami ◽

Anjana Niranjan

Keyword(s):

Health Status ◽

Adolescent Girls ◽

Low Socioeconomic Status ◽

Optimal Level ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

World Health ◽

World Population ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Rural And Urban

Background: According to World Health Organization, adolescents constitute about one fifth of the world population, and in India they constitute about 21% of the total population. Most of the surveys show that health status of adolescent girls is at sub-optimal level. Objectives: To assess nutritional status and morbidity pattern among the adolescent girls and to suggest measures for improvement of health status of adolescent girls. Method: A community based cross-sectional study was carried out among 250 adolescent schoolgirls in Rural and urban field practice area of Jhansi school from January 2017 to July 2014. Results: Among the various morbidities eye problem was seen in maximum no of adolescent girls. Eye problem was present in 44.8% of adolescent girls followed by respiratory 14.7% and ear 13.06% disease. Skin disease was present in 3.2% of adolescent girls, which was more in rural girls 6.7% than in urban girls 1.7%, may be due to better hygienic practice in urban schoolgirls. Conclusions: Rural background, low socioeconomic status, illiteracy, birth rate and order, income and number of members in a family have shown to be significant determinants of morbidity pattern in the adolescent girls. Keywords: Adolescent, anemia, morbidity, vaginal discharge.

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Comparison of Non-radiographic Axial Spondyloarthritis and Ankylosing Spondyltis from a Single Rheumatology Hospital in Morocco

Current Rheumatology Reviews ◽

10.2174/1573397115666190222195923 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 16 (3) ◽

pp. 240-244 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Nessrine Akasbi ◽

Siar Nihad ◽

Zoukal Sofia ◽

El Kohen Khadija ◽

Harzy Taoufik

Keyword(s):

Disease Burden ◽

Axial Spondyloarthritis ◽

Univariate Analysis ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Low Back ◽

New Classification ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Asas Criteria ◽

History Of ◽

High Level

Background: According to the new classification criteria developed by The Assessment of SpondyloArthritis International Society, patients with axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) can be classified in 2 subgroups: Patients with radiographic axial spondyloarthritis: ankylosing spondylitis patients (AS) and those with non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis (nr-axSpA). Objective: The aim of the present study is to describe and discuss the differences and similarities between the two subgroups. Patients and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in a single rheumatology hospital in Morocco. These included patients diagnosed as having axial spondyloarthritis according to ASAS criteria 2010, during a period of 6 years. The AS and the nr-axSpA subgroups were compared for the various axSpA-related variables. Results: Of the 277 patients with a diagnosis of axial SpA who were included in this study, 160 had AS and 117 had nr-axSpA. AS and nr-ax-SpA shared a similar age at diagnosis, similar prevalence of low back pain, lumbar stiffness, extra-articular manifestations, BASDAI and BASFI. In the multivariate analysis, AS patients were mainly male with cervical stiffness, enthesitis, coxitis and high level of ESR (erythrocyte sedimentation rate). The females generally had a family history of SpA and arthritis and were associated to the nr-axSpA form in the univariate analysis. Conclusion: This was the first study to characterise patients with AS and nr-axSpA in Morocco. Consistent with other studies published, this study showed that patients with nr-axSpA and patients with AS shared a comparable degree of disease burden.

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Disposal Practices of Unused and Leftover Medicines in the Households of Dhaka Metropolis

Pharmacy ◽

10.3390/pharmacy9020103 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 (2) ◽

pp. 103

Author(s):

Mst. Marium Begum ◽

Sanzana Fareen Rivu ◽

Md. Mahmud Al Hasan ◽

Tasnova Tasnim Nova ◽

Md. Motiar Rahman ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Government Officials ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Key Informants ◽

Finding Study ◽

Fact Finding ◽

Laws And Policies ◽

Almost All ◽

Key Informant Interview ◽

Medicine Disposal

Background: This fact-finding study aimed to attain an overall idea and knowledge about medicine disposal practices in Dhaka Metropolitan households. Methods: This mixed study (both quantitative and qualitative) was orchestrated to inspect the household leftover medicine disposal pattern’s governing status. A cross-sectional survey was conducted following a structured questionnaire and key informant interview with a household person and in-depth interviews with the top pharmaceutical and government officials. Results: Findings disclose that, for most of the key informants, the terms “drug disposal” and “drug pollution” were unknown; more precisely, 67% and 74% of key informants even did not hear these two terms. Almost all (87%) households faced undesired incidents due to the insecure storage of medicines. People disposed of excess and expired medication in regular dustbins (47%), threw out of the window (19%), flushed within commode (4%), burnt in fire (2%), and reused (4%). A good percentage of people (21%) returned unexpired drugs to the pharmacy and bought other medicines on a need basis. A total of 72% wanted a medicine take-back program, and 100% agreed on mass education on this issue. Officials of pharmaceuticals conferred mixed opinion: top-ranked pharmaceuticals will adopt leftover medicine disposal practices; middle and low-ranked pharmaceutical companies are reluctant, merely denied mentioning the less important issue. Conclusions: The absence of mass awareness and standard laws and policies may explain these existing aberrant practices.

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Psychiatrists and homicidal threats: a cross-sectional study

Irish Journal of Psychological Medicine ◽

10.1017/ipm.2021.14 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-5

Author(s):

Musaab Elzain ◽

Ahmed Bashir ◽

Noreen Moloney ◽

Colum P. Dunne ◽

Brendan D. Kelly ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Frequency Characteristics ◽

Specific Method ◽

Professional Lives ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Personal Lives ◽

Urban Rural ◽

History Of ◽

Outpatient Settings

Objectives: To investigate the frequency, characteristics and impact of death threats by patients towards psychiatrists. Methods: A cross-sectional survey of psychiatrists (n = 60) was undertaken to investigate the frequency, characteristics and impact of death threats by patients in one Irish healthcare region serving a mixed urban–rural population of 470,000. Results: Forty-nine responses (82%) were received. Thirty-one per cent of respondents experienced death threats by patients during their careers. Victims were more likely to be male and in a consultant role. Patients making the threats were more likely to be males aged 30–60 with a history of violence and diagnosis of personality disorder and/or substance misuse. A majority of threats occurred in outpatient settings and identified a specific method of killing, usually by stabbing. Prosecution of the perpetrator was uncommon. Of the victimised psychiatrists, 53% reported that such threats affected their personal lives, and 67% believed their professional lives were impacted. In half of the incidents, there were adverse incidents subsequent to the threats, involving either the patient or the clinician. Conclusions: Death threats by patients have significant psychological and professional impacts on psychiatrists. Early liaison with employers and police and transferring the care of the patient to another clinician may be useful measures.

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Hand Hygiene Knowledge, Perception, and Practices among Domestic Visitors to the Prophet’s Mosque in Al Madinah City Amid the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Cross-Sectional Study

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph18020673 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 (2) ◽

pp. 673

Author(s):

Hashim A. Mahdi ◽

Hamza M. Assaggaf ◽

Mohammad Alfelali ◽

Omar B. Ahmed ◽

Radi Alsafi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Hand Hygiene ◽

Graduate Education ◽

Formal Education ◽

Demographic Data ◽

Knowledge Score ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Cross Sectional

This study aimed to assess hand hygiene knowledge, perception, and practices of visitors to the Prophet’s Mosque in Al Madinah City, Saudi Arabia. Using a self-administered electronic questionnaire, a cross-sectional survey was conducted among domestic residents, who visited the mosque between 31 July and 3 August 2020. Participants’ demographic data, hand hygiene knowledge, perception, and practices were collected. Four hundred participants aged 18–65 (median 36) years completed the survey, of which 215 (53.8%) were female. The visitors’ mean knowledge score about hand hygiene was 6.4 (± standard deviation (SD) 1.35) of total 12. Most participants (392, 98%) were aware of the role of hand hygiene in preventing Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19); nevertheless, 384 (96%) said hand hygiene lowers body immunity and 316 (79%) thought <60% alcohol is sufficient for hand disinfection. Males had a higher knowledge score than females (6.46 (±1.41) vs. 6.14 (±1.27), p = 0.02) and, visitors who had no formal education scored higher than those with post-graduate education (6.88 (±1.45) vs 5.73 (±1.12), p = 0.01). Washing hands with soap and water was the predominant method practiced after a meal (365, 91.7%), after toilet visit (354, 88.5%), after touching a surface (262, 65.7%), after waste disposal (332, 83.2%), and when hands were visibly dirty (357, 89.5%). Al Madinah visitors had moderate knowledge about hand hygiene, but demonstrated some knowledge gaps and negligence in practice that are crucial to curb the spread of COVID-19.

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Government management capacities and the containment of COVID-19: a repeated cross-sectional study across Chinese cities

BMJ Open ◽

10.1136/bmjopen-2020-041516 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (4) ◽

pp. e041516

Author(s):

Wenchao Li ◽

Jing Li ◽

Junjian Yi

Keyword(s):

Outcome Measures ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Control Measures ◽

Secondary Outcome ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Travel Restrictions ◽

Government Management ◽

The Government ◽

Laws And Policies ◽

Novel Coronavirus

ObjectivesBetter understanding of the dynamics of the COVID-19 (2019 novel coronavirus disease) pandemic to curb its spread is now a global imperative. While travel restrictions and control measures have been shown to limit the spread of the disease, the effectiveness of the enforcement of those measures should depend on the strength of the government. Whether, and how, the government plays a role in fighting the disease, however, has not been investigated. Here, we show that government management capacities are critical to the containment of the disease.SettingWe conducted a statistical analysis based on cross-city comparisons within China. China has undergone almost the entire cycle of the anticoronavirus campaign, which allows us to trace the full dynamics of the outbreak, with homogeneity in standards for statistics recording.Primary and secondary outcome measuresOutcome measures include city-specific COVID-19 case incidence and recoveries in China.ResultsThe containment of COVID-19 depends on the effectiveness of the enforcement of control measures, which in turn depends on the local government’s management capacities. Specifically, government efficiency, capacity for law enforcement, and the transparency of laws and policies significantly reduce COVID-19 prevalence and increase the likelihood of recoveries. The organisation size of the government, which is not closely related to its capacity for management, has a limited role.

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