Assessment of the quality of effluent management from university hospitals in the Littoral department in Benin

Abstract Background Liquid discharges from hospitals (effluents) threaten the environment and are now a central concern of all stakeholders in the health system and those in the protection of the environment. The management of effluents is a major problem in developing countries. The objective of this study was to assess the quality of effluent management at the level of university hospital centers (CHU) in the Littoral region in Benin. Methods It was a cross-sectional, descriptive, evaluative study that took place in 2020 to assess the “structure”, “process” and “results” components according to standard thresholds (Bad: < 60%; Acceptable: [60–80% [and Good: ≥ 80%). Results In all the CHUs, all the components, as well as the overall quality of the management of hospital effluents, had a score between 0 and 60%, with an assessment deemed bad. The poor quality of the process highlighted the non-compliance with standards relating to the management of hospital liquid discharges. Several factors linked to the “structure”, “process” and “results” components at the same time explain this poor management of university hospitals effluents. Conclusion These effluents discharged without prior treatment into wastewater could constitute a source of dissemination of potentially pathogenic microorganisms. It is therefore important to develop methods for treating these effluents before they are released into the natural environment.

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Validation and Repeatability of Inferior minus Superior Value and its Cut-off Value in Anterior Sagittal Curvature Map Using Pentacam in Early Keratoconus

QJM ◽

10.1093/qjmed/hcab109.021 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 114 (Supplement_1) ◽

Author(s):

Mohammed El Sharkawy Mohammed Yousef ◽

Rania Serag Elkitkat ◽

Maged Maher Salib Roshdy ◽

Khaled Abdel Wahab Eltagoury

Keyword(s):

Refractive Surgery ◽

Poor Quality ◽

University Hospitals ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

High Area ◽

Quality Of Vision ◽

Significant Difference ◽

The Right ◽

Is Value

Abstract Background : Keratoconus (KC) is a bilateral asymmetric localised inferior and central corneal thinning and ectasia. Usually, it causes high myopia and irregular astigmatism resulting in a poor quality of vision. One of the most important ways of avoiding iatrogenic ectasia in cornea during refractive surgery is to detect KC in its earliest stage using the Pentacam. An important asymmetry decentration index is the inferior minus superior (IS) value. Purpose : Detection of Inferior minus Superior (IS) value and its Cut-off Value Methods : This is a cross-sectional, case control study that included 92 right eyes of 92 subjects, who presented to the outpatient clinic of “Al Watany Eye Hospitals” seeking refractive surgery or routine medical consultations. Our study focused on the measurement of the IS-value in early KC (TKC grade 1 and FFKC) and normal eyes. The right eye of each candidate was scanned 5 times in the same setting using the Pentacam. The study adhered to the tenets of the Declaration of Helsinki, and an approval was obtained from the ethical committee of Ain Shams University Hospitals. Results : We detected remarkably high statistically significant difference between patients and controls regarding the IS-value (p < 0.001). The mean (±SD) of control and cases group was 0.3 ± 0.2 and 1.4 ± 0.6, respectively. The cut-off point of 0.69 with high area under the receiver operating characteristic (AUROC). Coefficient of variation median (95% CI) for cases and controls were 1.4% (0.9 to 3.1%) and 6.2% (3 to 9.4%), respectively. Conclusion : The IS-value has a high repeatability and AUROC for differentiating early KC from normal corneas. It can be regarded as an accurate parameter for early KC detection.

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Relações entre o trabalho em turnos e a qualidade de sono em enfermeiros: estudo descritivo

Online Brazilian Journal of Nursing ◽

10.17665/1676-4285.20175577 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 16 (1) ◽

pp. 57 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Kézia Katiane Medeiros Silva ◽

Milva Maria Figueiredo De Martino ◽

Maria Cleia de Oliveira Viana ◽

Clarissa Maria Bandeira Bezerra ◽

Francisco Arnoldo Nunes Miranda

Keyword(s):

Sleep Quality ◽

Poor Quality ◽

University Hospital ◽

Quality Of Sleep ◽

Night Time ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Sleep Log ◽

Perception Of Self ◽

Shift Work Schedule

Aim: to analyze the sleep-wake cycle and the quality of sleep of nurses working in shifts in a university hospital. Method: a cross-sectional and descriptive study with a quantitative approach. Results: the sleep-wake cycle of a total of 104 nurses with a mean age of 39 years was evaluated through a sleep log diary. To measure sleep quality, we calculated the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). The perception of self-reported sleep quality measured by the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) was 6.79 points on average for daytime sleep and 5.36 points for the group recording night time sleep, with a statistical difference. The group scored an average of 7 points in P S Q I . C onclusion: the data allowed us to evaluate nurses’ sleep as being of poor quality for the nocturnal group. The lack of sports activities and the shift work schedule may have influenced the quality of sleep.

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Quality of life, symptoms and dietary habits in oncology outpatients with malnutrition: A cross-sectional study

Medical Oncology ◽

10.1007/s12032-021-01460-7 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 38 (2) ◽

Author(s):

Mira Sonneborn-Papakostopoulos ◽

Clara Dubois ◽

Viktoria Mathies ◽

Mara Heß ◽

Nicole Erickson ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

At Risk ◽

Side Effects ◽

Dietary Habits ◽

Nutritional Assessment ◽

Mini Nutritional Assessment ◽

University Hospital ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

European Organization

AbstractCancer-related malnutrition has a high prevalence, reduces survival and increases side effects. The aim of this study was to assess oncology outpatients and risk of malnutrition. Reported symptoms and quality of life (QoL) in patients found to be at risk of malnutrition or malnourished were compared to patients without malnutrition. Using a standardized questionnaire, the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Questionnaire for Quality of Life and the Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA), patients in an outpatient cancer clinic undergoing chemotherapy treatment at a German University Hospital were assessed for nutrition, risk of malnutrition and quality of life. Based on the MNA, 39 (45.9%) patients were categorized as malnourished or at risk for malnutrition. Loss of appetite (n = 37.6%, p < 0.001) and altered taste sensation (n = 30,3%, p < 0.001) were the symptoms most frequently associated with reduced food intake. Patients with risk of malnutrition scored lower on the global health status (n = 48.15%, p = 0.001). Side effects of cancer treatments lead to a higher risk of malnutrition and as a consequence lower QoL. These side effects should be addressed more efficiently in cancer care.

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Assessing burden, risk factors, and perceived impact of uterine fibroids on women’s lives in rural Haiti: implications for advancing a health equity agenda, a mixed methods study

International Journal for Equity in Health ◽

10.1186/s12939-020-01327-9 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 20 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Christophe Millien ◽

Anatole Manzi ◽

Arlene M. Katz ◽

Hannah Gilbert ◽

Mary C. Smith Fawzi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Mixed Methods ◽

Black Women ◽

Uterine Fibroids ◽

Mixed Methods Study ◽

University Hospital ◽

Gynecologic Surgery ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Women's Lives

Abstract Background Uterine fibroids, the most common cause of gynecologic surgery, have a reported cumulative incidence of 59% among Black women in the U.S. Uterine fibroids negatively impact the quality of women’s lives. No study has been found in the literature about fibroids in Haiti. We conducted a mixed methods study to assess the burden and risk factors of uterine fibroids, as well as their effects on women’s quality of life. Methods A convergent mixed methods study was conducted between October 1, 2019 and January 31, 2020 at MUH’s (Mirebalais University Hospital) OB-GYN outpatient department. Quantitatively, in a cross-sectional study 211 women completed consecutively a structured questionnaire. In-depth interviews with 17 women with fibroids and 7 family members were implemented for the qualitative component. Descriptive statistics were calculated for clinical and social demographic variables. Logistic regression was performed to examine associations between fibroids and related risk factors. An inductive thematic process was used to analyze the qualitative data. A joint display technique was used to integrate the results. Results Of 193 women analyzed 116 had fibroids (60.1%). The mean age was 41.3. Anemia was the most frequent complication— 61 (52.6%). Compared to women without uterine fibroids, factors associated with uterine fibroids included income decline (AOR = 4.7, 95% CI: 2.1–10.9, p = < 0.001), excessive expenses for transport (AOR = 4.4, 95% CI: 1.6–12.4, p = 0.005), and family history with uterine fibroids (AOR = 4.6, 95% CI: 1.6–13.6, p = 0.005). In contrast, higher level of education and micro polycystic ovarian syndrome were associated with lower prevalence (AOR = 0.3, 95% CI: 0.1–0.9, p = 0.021) and (AOR = 0.2, 95% CI: 0.1–0.97, p = 0.044), respectively. The qualitative findings delineate how contextual factors such as health system failures, long wait times, gender inequality and poverty negatively affect the quality of women’s lives. The poverty cycle of uterine fibroids emerged. Conclusions A vicious cycle of poverty negatively impacts access to care for uterine fibroids in Haiti. Health insurance, social support, and income generating activities may be keys to promote social justice through access to adequate care for women with uterine fibroids in Haiti.

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Health-related quality of life in different trimesters during pregnancy

Health and Quality of Life Outcomes ◽

10.1186/s12955-021-01811-y ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 19 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Huailiang Wu ◽

Weiwei Sun ◽

Hanqing Chen ◽

Yanxin Wu ◽

Wenjing Ding ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Pregnant Women ◽

Demographic Data ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

University Hospital ◽

Health Related Quality ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Related Quality ◽

Health Related

Abstract Background Pregnant women experience physical, physiological, and mental changes. Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) is a relevant indicator of psychological and physical behaviours, changing over the course of pregnancy. This study aims to assess HRQoL of pregnant women during different stages of pregnancy. Methods This cross-sectional study was performed using the The EuroQoL Group’s five-dimension five-level questionnaire (EQ-5D-5L) to assess the HRQoL of pregnant women, and demographic data were collected. This study was conducted in a regional university hospital in Guangzhou, China. Results A total of 908 pregnant women were included in this study. Pregnant women in the early 2nd trimester had the highest HRQoL. The HRQoL of pregnant women rose from the 1st trimester to the early 2nd trimester, and dropped to the bottom at the late 3rd trimester due to some physical and mental changes. Reports of pain/discomfort problem were the most common (46.0%) while self-care were the least concern. More than 10% of pregnant women in the 1st trimester had health-related problems in at least one dimension of whole five dimensions. In the whole sample, the EuroQoL Group’s visual analog scale (EQ-VAS) was 87.86 ± 9.16. Across the gestational stages, the HRQoL remained stable during the pregnancy but the highest value was observed in the 1st trimester (89.65 ± 10.13) while the lowest was in the late 3rd trimester (87.28 ± 9.13). Conclusions During pregnancy, HRQoL were associated with gestational trimesters in a certain degree. HRQoL was the highest in the early 2nd trimester and then decreased to the lowest in the late 3rd trimester due to a series of physical and psychological changes. Therefore, obstetric doctors and medical institutions should give more attention and care to pregnant women in the late 3rd trimester.

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Two dominant patterns of low anterior resection syndrome and their effects on patients’ quality of life

Scientific Reports ◽

10.1038/s41598-021-82149-9 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Min Jung Kim ◽

Ji Won Park ◽

Mi Ae Lee ◽

Han-Ki Lim ◽

Yoon-Hye Kwon ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Risk Factors ◽

Anterior Resection ◽

Low Anterior Resection ◽

University Hospital ◽

Postoperative Treatment ◽

Low Anterior Resection Syndrome ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Anterior Resection Syndrome

AbstractTo identify low anterior resection syndrome (LARS) patterns and their associations with risk factors and quality of life (QOL). This cross-sectional study analyzed patients who underwent restorative anterior resection for left-sided colorectal cancer at Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea. We administered LARS questionnaires to assess bowel dysfunction and quality of life between April 2017 and November 2019. LARS patterns were classified based on factor analyses. Variable effects on LARS patterns were estimated using logistic regression analysis. The risk factors and quality of life associated with dominant LARS patterns were analyzed. Data of 283 patients with a median follow-up duration of 24 months were analyzed. Major LARS was observed in 123 (43.3%) patients. Radiotherapy (odds ratio [OR]: 2.851, 95% confidence interval [95% CI]: 2.504–43.958, p = 0.002), low anastomosis (OR: 10.492, 95% CI: 2.504–43.958, p = 0.001), and complications (OR: 2.163, 95% CI: 1.100–4.255, p = 0.025) were independently associated with major LARS. LARS was classified into incontinence- or frequency-dominant types. Risk factors for incontinence-dominant LARS were radiotherapy and complications, whereas those for frequency-dominant LARS included low tumor location. Patients with incontinence-dominant patterns showed lower emotional function, whereas those with frequency-dominant patterns showed lower global health QOL, lower emotional, cognitive, and social functions, and higher incidence of pain and diarrhea. Frequency-dominant LARS had a greater negative effect on QOL than incontinence-dominant LARS. These patterns could be used for preoperative prediction and postoperative treatment of LARS.

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Usability of India’s government statistics1

Statistical Journal of the IAOS ◽

10.3233/sji-200721 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 1-17

Author(s):

Vikas Kumar

Keyword(s):

National Sample ◽

Poor Quality ◽

Sample Surveys ◽

Sources Of Information ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Jammu And Kashmir ◽

The Poor ◽

Government Statistics

The quality of metadata is a crucial determinant of usability/interpretability of data. This paper draws attention to the poor quality of India’s government statistics and the paucity of metadata necessary to understand the problems. The paper suggests that there has been a decline in India both in terms of the availability and quality of metadata for key government sources of information including maps, decennial population censuses and National Sample Surveys amidst growing sophistication in the understanding of metadata. The poor quality of metadata impairs cross-sectional as well as inter-temporal comparisons and policymaking apart from concealing biases and lapses of government statisticians. The paper draws on the experience of three states – erstwhile Jammu and Kashmir, Manipur and Nagaland – where government statistics have been affected by serious errors that are not well-understood due to the lack of adequate metadata.

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Quality of life in multiple sclerosis: The differential impact of motor and cognitive fatigue

Multiple Sclerosis Journal - Experimental Translational and Clinical ◽

10.1177/2055217321996040 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 7 (1) ◽

pp. 205521732199604

Author(s):

Sabina David Ruban ◽

Claudia Christina Hilt ◽

Thor Petersen

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Multiple Sclerosis ◽

Short Form ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

University Hospital ◽

Cognitive Fatigue ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Impact Scale ◽

Assessment And Treatment

Background Multiple sclerosis is a chronic disease leading to reduced quality of life. Objectives To investigate whether motor and cognitive fatigue impact differently on aspects of quality of life among patients with multiple sclerosis, independently from bodily disability. Methods 79 patients with multiple sclerosis from Aalborg University Hospital, Denmark were included in an observational, cross-sectional study. Each subject completed two separate questionnaires regarding fatigue (Fatigue Scale for Motor and Cognitive Functions and Modified Fatigue Impact Scale) and one regarding quality of life (Short Form 36). Disability was measured with the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS)-scores obtained from patient records. Results All fatigue scores were significantly correlated to all areas of quality of life (p < 0,05). This remained significant after adjustment for age, disease duration and EDSS-score. When looking at each type of fatigue separately, cognitive fatigue correlated mainly with mental health aspects of quality of life and motor fatigue with physical health areas of quality of life. Conclusion Increased motor and cognitive fatigue lead to a differential reduction in physical and mental quality of life, independently of bodily disability. This underlines the importance of proper assessment and treatment of fatigue among patients with multiple sclerosis.

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Analysis of quality of life among asthmatic individuals with obesity and its relationship with pulmonary function: cross-sectional study

Sao Paulo Medical Journal ◽

10.1590/1516-3180.2016.0342250217 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 135 (4) ◽

pp. 332-338 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Letícia Baltieri ◽

Luiz Claudio Martins ◽

Everton Cazzo ◽

Débora Aparecida Oliveira Modena ◽

Renata Cristina Gobato ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Pulmonary Function ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

University Hospital ◽

Morbidly Obese ◽

Life Questionnaire ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Anthropometric Data ◽

Cross Sectional

ABSTRACT CONTEXT AND OBJECTIVE: The combined effect of obesity and asthma may lead to significant impairment of quality of life (QOL). The aim here was to evaluate the prevalence of asthma among obese individuals, characterize the severity of impairment of quality of life and measure its relationship with pulmonary function. DESIGN AND SETTING: Observational cross-sectional study in public university hospital. METHODS: Morbidly obese individuals (body mass index > 40 kg/m2) seen in a bariatric surgery outpatient clinic and diagnosed with asthma, were included. Anthropometric data were collected, the Standardized Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire (AQLQ(S)) was applied and spirometry was performed. The subjects were divided into two groups based on the median of the score in the questionnaire (worse < 4 and better > 4) and were compared regarding anthropometric data and pulmonary function. RESULTS: Among the 4791 individuals evaluated, 219 were asthmatic; the prevalence of asthma was 4.57%. Of these, 91 individuals were called to start multidisciplinary follow-up during the study period, of whom 82 answered the questionnaire. The median score in the AQLQ(S) was 3.96 points and, thus, the individuals were classified as having moderate impairment of their overall QOL. When divided according to better or worse QOL, there was a statistically difference in forced expiratory flow (FEF) 25-75%, with higher values in the better QOL group. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of asthma was 4.57% and QOL was impaired among the asthmatic obese individuals. The worst QOL domain related to environmental stimuli and the best QOL domain to limitations of the activities. Worse QOL was correlated with poorer values for FEF 25-75%.

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Assessing the Quality of Patient Information for Cholesteatoma on the Video Sharing Platform YouTube

10.22541/au.162235730.09626486/v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Rithvik Reddy ◽

Horace Cheng ◽

Nicholas Jufas ◽

Nirmal Patel

Keyword(s):

Video Quality ◽

Scoring Systems ◽

Poor Quality ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Kappa Score ◽

Good Reliability ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Youtube Videos ◽

Scoring Tool

Objectives: The objective of this study is to assess quality of the most popular cholesteatoma videos on YouTube using recognized scoring systems and to determine if video quality metrics correlated with video popularity based on likes and views Design: Cross sectional survey of available data Setting: Metadata acquisition using YouTube searches using Australian IP addresses Participants: Three independent neuro-otologists partaking in scoring videos Main outcome measures: Each video was viewed and scored by three independent assessors using both a novel tool to score the usefulness of the video as well as the validated DISCERN scoring tool. Popularity metrics were analyzed and compared to video popularity. Results: A total of 90 YouTube videos were analyzed with an average 55,292 views per video with an average of 271 likes and 22 dislikes. The inter-rater correlation was moderate with Fleiss-kappa score 0.42 [P < 0.01] using a novel scoring tool for cholesteatoma and inter-rater correlation coefficient was 0.78 [95% CI = 0.58 - 0.90] indicating good reliability for DISCERN scores. The overall video quality was poor with higher DISCERN scores found in videos uploaded from Academic Institutions. Conclusions: Informative video quality on YouTube on cholesteatoma is overall of poor quality. Videos with unclassified sources or more dislikes correlated poorly with video quality. Given the increase in patients turning to the internet for information regarding their health conditions, otology and otolaryngology societies should be encouraged to publish high quality YouTube videos on cholesteatoma and other ear conditions.

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