scholarly journals Investigating the potential for seizure prediction in dogs with idiopathic epilepsy: owner-reported prodromal changes and seizure triggers

2020 ◽  
Vol 187 (4) ◽  
pp. 152-152 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah Louise Finnegan ◽  
Holger Andreas Volk ◽  
Lucy Asher ◽  
Monica Daley ◽  
Rowena Mary Anne Packer
Keyword(s):  
Seizure Activity ◽  
Task Force ◽  
Idiopathic Epilepsy ◽  
Seizure Prediction ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Recurrent Seizure ◽  
High Prevalence ◽  
Drug Interventions

BackgroundCanine idiopathic epilepsy (IE) is characterised by recurrent seizure activity, which can appear unpredictable and uncontrollable. The purpose of this study was to investigate the potential for seizure prediction in dogs by exploring owner-perceived seizure prediction abilities and identifying owner-reported prodromal changes (long-term changes in disposition that indicate forthcoming seizures) and seizure triggers (stimuli that precipitate seizures) in dogs with IE.MethodsThis is an online, international, cross-sectional survey of 229 owners of dogs diagnosed with IE, meeting the International Veterinary Epilepsy Task Force tier I diagnostic criteria.ResultsOver half (59.6 per cent) of owners believed they were able to predict an upcoming seizure in their dog, of whom nearly half (45.5 per cent) were able to do so at least 30 minutes before the seizure commenced. The most common ‘seizure predictors’ were preseizure behavioural changes including increased clinginess (25.4 per cent), restlessness (23.1 per cent) and fearful behaviour (19.4 per cent). Nearly two-thirds of owners reported prodromal changes (64.9 per cent), most commonly restlessness (29.2 per cent), and nearly half (43.1 per cent) reported seizure triggers, most commonly stress (39.1 per cent).ConclusionsThe relatively high prevalence of owner-reported prodromal changes and seizure triggers shows promise for utilising these methods to aid seizure prediction in dogs, which could open a window of time for pre-emptive, individualised drug interventions to abort impending seizure activity.

Determinants of Anthropometric Failure Among Tribal Children Younger than 5 Years of Age in Palghar, Maharashtra, India

2021 ◽  
Vol 42 (1) ◽  
pp. 55-64
Author(s):  
Angeline Jeyakumar ◽  
Swapnil Godbharle ◽  
Bibek Raj Giri
Keyword(s):  
Odds Ratio ◽  
Composite Index ◽  
Z Score ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Crude Odds Ratio ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Independent Variables ◽  
Child Undernutrition

Background: Measuring undernutrition using composite index of anthropometric failure (CIAF) and identifying its determinants in tribal regions is essential to recognize the true burden of undernutrition in these settings. Objective: To determine anthropometric failure and its determinants among tribal children younger than 5 years in Palghar, Maharashtra, India. Methods: A cross-sectional survey employing CIAF was performed in children <5 years to estimate undernutrition in the tribal district of Palghar in Maharashtra, India. Anthropometric measurements, maternal and child characteristics were recorded from 577 mother–child pairs in 9 villages. Results: As per Z score, prevalence of stunting, wasting, and underweight were 48%, 13%, and 43%, respectively. According to CIAF, 66% of children had at least one manifestation of undernutrition and 40% had more than one manifestation of undernutrition. Odds of anthropometric failure were 1.5 times higher among children of mothers who were illiterate (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] =1.57, 95% CI: 1.0-2.3), children who had birth weight >2.5 kg had lesser odds (AOR: 0.63, 95% CI: 0.4-0.9) of anthropometric failure, and children who had initiated early breastfeeding had 1.5 times higher odds of anthropometric failure (crude odds ratio: 1.5, 95% CI: 1.0-2.1). However, when adjusted for other independent variables, the results were not significant. Conclusion: The alarming proportion of anthropometric failure among tribal children calls for urgent short-term interventions to correct undernutrition and long-term interventions to improve maternal literacy and awareness to prevent and manage child undernutrition.

scholarly journals Factors associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection and outbreaks in long-term care facilities in England: a national cross-sectional survey

2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (3) ◽  
pp. e129-e142 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laura Shallcross ◽  
Danielle Burke ◽  
Owen Abbott ◽  
Alasdair Donaldson ◽  
Gemma Hallatt ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Long Term Care ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Term Care ◽  
Factors Associated ◽  
Care Facilities

scholarly journals Prevalence of overweight and obesity and anthropometric reference centiles for Albanian children and adolescents living in four Balkan nation-states

2018 ◽  
Vol 0 (0) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jakob Tarp ◽  
Juel Jarani ◽  
Florian Muca ◽  
Andi Spahi ◽  
Anders Grøntved
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Children And Adolescents ◽  
Task Force ◽  
Overweight And Obesity ◽  
World Health ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Nation States ◽  
Country Differences ◽  
Age And Sex

Abstract Background The extent of the obesity epidemic among youth is an important public health statistic which provides an indication of the future burden of non-communicable diseases. Many developing countries, including Albania, do not have systematic and repeated monitoring systems in operation. Methods The Balkan Survey of Inactivity in Children study is a population-based cross-sectional survey including Albanian children living in the four Balkan nation-states of Albania, Kosovo, FYR Macedonia and Montenegro. In total, 19,850 children from 49 schools were approached. The LMS method was used to provide body mass index (BMI), height, weight and waist circumference reference centiles for boys and girls. The World Health Organisation (WHO) and International Obesity Task Force (IOTF) age- and sex-specific BMI cut-points were applied to evaluate adiposity levels. Results A sample of 18,460 participants aged 6–16 years old was available for creation of the BMI for age and sex reference centiles. The prevalence of overweight (including obesity) in the full sample was 21% (95% CI: 20%–21%) according to IOTF cut-off points and 28% (95% CI: 28%–29%) at WHO cut-off points. Overweight/obesity levels where higher in boys than in girls irrespective of the cut-off points applied (p<0.001). Noticeable between-country differences were observed with a prevalence of overweight/obesity of 40% (95% CI: 38%–42%) in Montenegro but only 20% (95% CI: 19%–21%) in Kosovo (WHO cut-off points). Conclusions Overweight/obesity is highly prevalent in Albanian children and adolescents. The apparent sex and country differences may inform public health actions.

scholarly journals Prevalence and Predictors of Overweight and Obesity among Somalis in Norway and Somaliland: A Comparative Study

2018 ◽  
Vol 2018 ◽  
pp. 1-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Soheir H. Ahmed ◽  
Haakon E. Meyer ◽  
Marte K. Kjøllesdal ◽  
Ahmed A. Madar
Keyword(s):  
Comparative Study ◽  
Central Obesity ◽  
Overweight And Obesity ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Somali Immigrants ◽  
High Prevalence ◽  
Prevalence Of Obesity ◽  
Study Population ◽  
High Bmi

Background and Aim. The knowledge about the health status of Somalis in Norway and Somaliland is limited. This paper reports the results of a comparative study on the prevalence and predictors of overweight/obesity among Somalis in Norway and Somaliland. Method. We conducted two cross-sectional studies using the same tools and procedures, between 2015 and 2016. The study population was adults aged 20–69 years (n=1110 (Somaliland) and n=220 (Norway)). Results. The prevalence of obesity (body mass index (BMI) ≥30 kg/m2) was 44% and 31% in women in Norway and Somaliland, respectively. In contrast, the prevalence of obesity was low in men (9% in Norway; 6% in Somaliland). Although the prevalence of high BMI was higher in Somali women in Norway than women in Somaliland, both groups had the same prevalence of central obesity (waist circumference (WC) ≥ 88 cm). In men, the prevalence of central obesity (WC ≥ 102 cm) was lower in Somaliland than in Norway. For women in Somaliland, high BMI was associated with lower educational level and being married. Conclusion. The prevalence of overweight and obesity is high among Somali immigrants in Norway, but also among women in Somaliland. The high prevalence of overweight and obesity, particularly among women, calls for long-term prevention strategies.

scholarly journals Cerebral malaria is associated with long-term mental health disorders: a cross sectional survey of a long-term cohort

2016 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard Idro ◽  
Angelina Kakooza-Mwesige ◽  
Benjamin Asea ◽  
Keron Ssebyala ◽  
Paul Bangirana ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Cerebral Malaria ◽  
Mental Health Disorders ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Health Disorders

Medicinal plants’ use among patients with dyslipidemia: an Iranian cross-sectional survey

2018 ◽  
Vol 16 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohammad Hashem Hashempur ◽  
Seyed Hamdollah Mosavat ◽  
Mojtaba Heydari ◽  
Mesbah Shams
Keyword(s):  
Side Effects ◽  
Medicinal Plants ◽  
Demographic Data ◽  
Zingiber Officinale ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Herbal Preparations ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
High Prevalence

Abstract Background Despite growing demand for medicinal plants, there is little data about their use by patients with dyslipidemia. We aimed to determine the prevalence, pattern, and associated factors for the use of medicinal plants among patients with dyslipidemia. Methods A 17-item semi-structured questionnaire was filled out by 195 patients with dyslipidemia in a cross-sectional study carried out in two academic endocrinology clinics in Shiraz, Iran. The questionnaire comprised of three main domains of demographic data (6 questions), clinical data (2 of them), and data related to the use of medicinal plants (totally 9 questions). Results A total of 77.4% of patients took medicinal plants. The most common medicinal herbs used by dyslipidemic patients were Zataria multiflora, Cinnamomum zeylanicum, and Zingiber officinale. Duration of dyslipidemia was significantly longer in herbal users than non-herbal users (p=0.04). Patients believing that concomitant use of conventional drugs and herbal preparations had synergic positive effects in addition to those persuaded that herbal preparations possessed less side effects, were significantly more likely to use medicinal plants (p=0.008 and 0.005, respectively). Additionally, most of the medicinal herb users (87.4%) changed neither the pattern nor the dosage of their medications all during herbal preparations use. Conclusions This study demonstrated a high prevalence of medicinal plants’ use among patients with dyslipidemia, which was associated with the duration of dyslipidemia, patients’ viewpoints about herbal preparations’ synergic positive effects, and their fewer side effects.

scholarly journals A cross-sectional survey assessing the preparedness of the long-term care sector to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic in Ontario, Canada

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Henry Yu-Hin Siu ◽  
Lorand Kristof ◽  
Dawn Elston ◽  
Abe Hafid ◽  
Fred Mather
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Long Term Care ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Term Care ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Significant Public Health ◽  
Public Health Officials ◽  
The Government

Abstract Background: The COVID-19 pandemic is a significant public health emergency that impacts all sectors of healthcare. The negative health outcomes for the COVID-19 infection have been most severe in the frail elderly dwelling in Canadian long-term care (LTC) homes.Methods: An online cross-sectional survey of Ontario LTC Clinicians working in LTC homes in Ontario Canada was conducted to provide the LTC clinician perspective on the preparedness and engagement of the LTC sector during the COVID-19 pandemic. The survey questionnaire was developed in collaboration with the Ontario Long-Term Care Clinicians organization (OLTCC) and was distributed between March 30, 2020 to May 25, 2020. All registered members of the OLTCC and Nurse-led LTC Outreach Teams were invited to participate. The primary outcomes were: 1) the descriptive report of the screening measures implemented, communication and information received, and the preparation of the respondent’s LTC home to a potential COVID-19 outbreak; and 2) the level of agreement, as reported using a five-point Likert scale), to COVID-19 preparedness statements for the respondent’s LTC home was also assessed.Results: The overall response rate was 54% (160/294). LTC homes implemented a wide range of important interventions (e.g. instituting established respiratory isolation protocols, active screening of new LTC admissions, increasing education on infection control processes, encouraging sick staff to take time off, etc). Ample communications pertinent to the pandemic were received from provincial LTC organizations, the government and public health officials. However, the feasibility of implementing public health recommendations, as well as the engagement of the LTC sector in pandemic planning were identified as areas of concern. Medical director status was associated with an increased knowledge of local implementation of interventions to mitigate COVID-19, as well as endorsing increased access to reliable COVID-19 information and resources to manage a potential COVID-19 outbreak in their LTC home.Conclusions: This study highlights the communication to and implementation of recommendations in the Ontario LTC sector, despite some concerns regarding feasibility. Importantly, LTC clinician respondents clearly indicated that better engagement with LTC leaders is needed to plan a coordinated pandemic response.

scholarly journals A National Cross-Sectional Survey to Assess Tobacco and Nicotine Product Usage Patterns and Behaviour Since the Introduction of Tobacco Heating Products in Japan: Wave 1

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joshua Jones ◽  
Jason Adamson ◽  
Claudia Kanitscheider ◽  
Krishna Prasad ◽  
Oscar M. Camacho ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Population Level ◽  
Tobacco Product ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Product Usage ◽  
Usage Patterns ◽  
Japanese Residents ◽  
Risk Potential ◽  
Current Tobacco

Providing data on usage patterns is key to assessing the reduced-risk potential of novel tobacco and nicotine products at a population level. We performed a nationwide cross-sectional survey of the general population in Japan to assess usage patterns after the introduction of tobacco heating products (THPs). Eligible participants were Japanese residents, aged 20 years or older who consented to complete the survey. Individuals living in institutions were excluded. A three-stage probability sampling method was applied that was geographically stratified by street blocks proportionate to population density. Respondents self-reported patterns of product use and reasons for THP use. Complete responses were available from 5,306 individuals, of whom 933.5 (17.6%) were current users, 984.2 (18.5%) were former users and 3388.4 (63.9%) were never users of tobacco products. Cigarettes were used by 14.6% of current tobacco product users and THPs by 5.3%. Cigarettes and THPs were used exclusively by 64.5% and 12.2%, respectively, and both were used by 12.7%. The most common reasons reported for THP use were perceived reduction in harm to self and others compared to cigarettes. While the prevalence of cigarette use in Japan is decreasing, THPs seem to be increasingly used as long-term alternatives to cigarette smoking.

Assessing the Health Status of Children Entering Foster Care

PEDIATRICS ◽  
1994 ◽  
Vol 93 (4) ◽  
pp. 594-601 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robin Chernoff ◽  
Terri Combs-Orme ◽  
Christina Risley-Curtiss ◽  
Alice Heisler
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Foster Care ◽  
Care Delivery ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Children In Foster Care ◽  
High Prevalence ◽  
Complete Health ◽  
History Of ◽  
Short Time

Objective. Most research on health problems of children in foster care has been cross-sectional, resulting in overselection of children who have been in care long-term and underrepresentation of children who are in care for a short time. Methodology. This paper reports on the health of a large cohort of children who had complete health examinations at the time of entry into foster care in a middle-size city during a 2-year period. Results. Results indicate that &gt;90% of the children had an abnormality in atleast one body system, 25% failed the vision screen, and 15% failed the hearing screen. The children were also lighter and shorter than the norm. Mental health screening revealed that 75% had a family history of mental illness or drug or alcohol abuse. Of children older than 3 years of age, 15% admitted to or were suspect for suicidal ideation and 7% for homicidal ideation. Of the children younger than 5 years of age, 23% had abnormal or suspect results on developmental screening examinations. At the time of entry into foster care, 12% of the children required an antibiotic. More than half needed urgent or nonurgent referrals for medical services and, for children &gt;3 years of age, more than half needed urgent or nonurgent referrals for dental and mental health services. Just 12% of the children required only routine follow-up care. Conclusions. The high prevalence and broad range of health needs of children at the time they enter foster care necessitate the design and implementation of better models of health care delivery for children in foster care.

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