Musculoskeletal symptoms among adult smartphone and tablet device users: a retrospective study

Abstract Background Previous literature suggests the use of smartphones and tablet devices may result in various postural and musculoskeletal disorders, predominantly of the neck and upper extremities. However, factors that contribute to the symptoms have not been adequately explored. Methods This study aimed to investigate the prevalence and patterns (e.g. types, sites and temporal distributions) of musculoskeletal symptoms among adult smartphone and tablet device users. It also investigated device usage in terms of usage time, postures adopted during use, operational methods and purposes of device use in order to explain the symptom occurrences. Participants from eastern states of Australia retrospectively reported device usage and symptoms in the preceding two-week period, via an online survey. Data was analysed using Chi-square [χ2] analysis to determine the relationships between categorical variables; Mann-Whitney U tests to compare two groups (e.g. smartphone-only users versus tablet users) where dependant variables were ordinal; independent samples t-tests if dependent variables were continuous and approximated a normal distribution; and Spearman’s correlation analysis to assess the relationships between pairs of continuous or ordinal variables. Results Of the 207 participants, 59.9% reported musculoskeletal symptoms during or after device use; for 64.5% of these, symptoms began within the first 30 min (mostly between 15 and 30 min) of commencing usage. No statistically significant differences were observed between smartphone-only users and tablet device users in proportions reporting symptoms during device use (χ2 = .350, N = 207, p = .554). The most prevalent symptom was stiffness. The most prevalent symptom occurred in the neck (18.1% in smartphone-only users and 19.3% in tablet device users). Tablet users who were 18–24 year-old and used their device for more than 30 min in each usage session more often experienced symptoms (82.4% prevalence) than those who used a device for 30 min or less (52.2%) (χ2 = 4.723, N = 63, p = .030). Conclusion These findings suggest that user age, duration and frequency of usage, and type of device are important factors to consider in the formation of evidence-based guidelines to reduce experiences of musculoskeletal symptoms among smartphone and tablet device users. If usage was capped at < 15 min, the majority of smartphone and tablet device users would avoid symptoms.

Download Full-text

Methods of Radiology Reports Generation and Patterns of Associated Musculoskeletal Symptoms: A Cross-Sectional Multi-Center Study

10.21203/rs.3.rs-16289/v1 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Omran Al Dandan ◽

Ali Hassan ◽

Hind Alsaif ◽

Malak Al Shammari ◽

Danya Gari ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Logistic Regression ◽

Regression Analysis ◽

Logistic Regression Analysis ◽

Online Survey ◽

Musculoskeletal Symptoms ◽

Multivariable Logistic Regression Analysis ◽

Chi Square ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Radiology Reports ◽

Multi Center Study

Abstract Objectives This study aimed to investigate the association between the methods used to generate radiology reports and the prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms among radiologists. Additionally, we investigated the factors associated with the use of such methods. Methods An online survey was sent to radiologists practicing in hospitals in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia. The survey addressed demographic characteristics, work environment, and methods used to generate radiology reports and included an evaluation of musculoskeletal symptoms using the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire. Results were analyzed descriptively using the Chi-square test and logistic regression analysis. Results The survey was completed by 198 radiologists (111 men and 87 women), including residents (40.9%), specialists (27.3%), and consultants (31.8%). Most participants (71.2%) were aged below 40 years. In total, 140 (70.7%) participants had experienced musculoskeletal symptoms in the week preceding the survey. The most popular method used to generate radiology reports was typing using a keyboard, with 64.1% of participants using this method, followed by a handheld dictation device (49.5%). Radiologists with limited years of practice more frequently generated reports via keyboard typing, particularly those with <1-year of experience (35.8%). A multivariable logistic regression analysis revealed that radiologists who used handheld dictation devices were at higher risk of developing musculoskeletal symptoms. Conclusions Musculoskeletal symptoms are common among radiologists. Radiologists who use handheld dictation devices were particularly likely to report experiencing musculoskeletal symptoms. These devices were less commonly used among radiologists with fewer years of experience.

Download Full-text

Young consumers' perception of food safety and their trust in official food control agencies

British Food Journal ◽

10.1108/bfj-11-2020-0992 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽

Author(s):

Justyna Franc-Dąbrowska ◽

Irena Ozimek ◽

Iwona Pomianek ◽

Joanna Rakowska

Keyword(s):

Food Safety ◽

Online Survey ◽

Food Control ◽

Chi Square ◽

Data Set ◽

Content Type ◽

Food Supply Chains ◽

Young Consumers ◽

Chi Square Test ◽

Spearman’S Correlation

PurposeThe purpose of the research was to investigate how young consumers perceive food safety and if they trust that official food control agencies or other actors of food supply chains ensure a proper level of safety of food in Poland. The purpose of the paper was also to find out if young consumers are currently concerned that a proper level of food safety is not ensured.Design/methodology/approachThe analysis was based on a data set from 650 questionnaires collected in an online survey carried out in October 2020 and addressed to the group of young consumers, students of Warsaw University of Life Sciences, Poland. The analysis was carried out using standard methods of qualitative data analysis (QDA), descriptive statistics, Spearman’s correlation coefficient and Pearson’s chi-square test.FindingsLess than a half of Polish young consumers consider food to be safe and many other do not have an opinion about this matter. Young consumers do not perceive official agencies in charge of food control as the most responsible for food safety, and they either do not trust these institutions or have no opinion about it. Young consumers declare that food producers and food processing businesses are the most responsible for food safety while retailers and consumers are the least responsible ones. The majority of young consumers are not concerned about ensuring proper food safety.Originality/valueUp-to-date young consumers' perception of the role and trust in official food control agencies and food safety in Poland have not been investigated, which makes this study a novelty. The findings can be valuable to official agencies in charge of food control and consumer education, to improve their functioning. They can also be important as a basis for further studies, as young consumers’ attitudes and trust in official food control agencies can change.

Download Full-text

Ethnicity, age, and education influence perceptions of vegetable healthiness and macronutrient content

Nutrition and Health ◽

10.1177/02601060211051195 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 026010602110511

Author(s):

McKenna Aram ◽

Rachel Smallman ◽

Sherecce A. Fields ◽

Arianna Larez ◽

Namino Glantz ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Online Survey ◽

Categorical Variables ◽

Continuous Variables ◽

College Degree ◽

Nutritional Content ◽

White Potato ◽

Chi Square ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Macronutrient Content ◽

Diabetes Status

Objective: To assess perceptions of nutritional content and health value of popular vegetables. Design: Cross-sectional online survey. Participants: A total of 760 adults participated in the study. Main Outcome Measures: Likert scale ratings of healthy, calories, carbohydrates, protein, and fiber, for (i) avocado, (ii) romaine lettuce, (iii) white potato, (iv) white onion, and (v) red tomato. Analysis: ANOVAs for continuous variables and Chi-square for categorical variables. Outcomes for nutritional content were compared using separate one-way ANOVAs with ethnicity (Hispanic/Latino vs. non-Hispanic); education (college degree/no college degree); age (18–34, 35–50, 51–70, 70 + ); and diabetes status (with or without diabetes) as the grouping variables. Results: Significant ethnicity effects were found for avocado, lettuce, potato, onion, and tomato. Education level effects were found for avocado, lettuce, potato, and tomato. Age level effects were found for avocado, lettuce, potato, and tomato. Conclusions and Implications: Participant perceptions of the macronutrient content of common vegetables and fruits largely coincided with the US Department of Agriculture values. However, stratifying by ethnicity, age, and education revealed significant differences in both macronutrient perceptions and perceived healthiness. There were no consistent, significant results for interactions of ethnicity by education, nor ethnicity by age. These results suggest that dietary interventions may need to be adjusted based on participant sociodemographic characteristics linked to the perceptions of nutritional value and healthiness.

Download Full-text

Current Knowledge, Satisfaction, and Use of E-health Mobile Application (Seha) among the General Population of Saudi Arabia: A National Survey (Preprint)

10.2196/preprints.33326 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Abdulelah Mastour Aldhahir ◽

Jaber Saud Alqahtani ◽

Malik A. Althobiani ◽

Saeed M. Alghamdi ◽

Abeer F. Alanazi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Saudi Arabia ◽

General Population ◽

Mobile Application ◽

Online Survey ◽

Current Knowledge ◽

Mobile App ◽

Categorical Variables ◽

Chi Square ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Lack Of Knowledge

BACKGROUND Background: The Saudi Ministry of Health (MOH) decided to enhance telemedicine provision by introducing the Seha mobile app; however, the perception of the Seha app has not been extensively explored from the perspective of the general population OBJECTIVE This study aims to explore the current knowledge, satisfaction, and barriers to the use of the Seha app among the general population in Saudi Arabia. METHODS A cross-sectional online survey was distributed among the general population of Saudi Arabia. Descriptive statistics were used to describe the respondents’ characteristics. Categorical variables were reported as frequencies and percentages. A chi-square (χ2) test was conducted to assess the statistical difference between respondents’ demographic characteristics and their knowledge and use of the Seha app. RESULTS 2,921 (58%) of the respondents had heard of the app, although only 1,286 (25%) had used Seha. Higher users were noticed among those above 51 years of age and females, 67 (35%) and 804 (28%), respectively. Highest Seha users were from the western region, 388 (29%: P <0.05). Consulting a doctor was the most frequently used service, 576 (58%). Respondents strongly agreed, 402 (41%), or agreed, 470 (48%), that Seha was easy to use. Moreover, 538 (54%) strongly agreed and 343 (35%) agreed that they would recommend Seha to others. The most common barrier to using the Seha app was a lack of knowledge about the app and its benefits, 1,556 (35%). CONCLUSIONS Conclusion: Utilization of the Seha app in Saudi Arabia is very low due to a lack of knowledge about the app and its benefits. Demographic factors and awareness were predictors for higher utilization. Seha was easy to use, and the majority would recommend it to others. Future studies are needed to explore the factors associated with the low rate of use.

Download Full-text

AN OPEN CONTRACTING FRAMEWORK FOR PUBLIC SECTOR PROCUREMENT: A SEM METHODOLOGY

Archives of Business Research ◽

10.14738/abr.88.8793 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 8 (8) ◽

pp. 57-68

Author(s):

Lawson Naidoo ◽

Vinessa Naidoo ◽

Emmanuel Edoun

Keyword(s):

Public Sector ◽

South African ◽

Structural Equation ◽

Online Survey ◽

Structural Model ◽

Internal Consistency Reliability ◽

Categorical Variables ◽

Sufficient Information ◽

Chi Square ◽

Convenience Sample

AN OPEN CONTRACTING FRAMEWORK FOR PUBLIC SECTOR PROCUREMENT: A SEM METHODOLOGY ABSTRACT The main purpose of this study was the development of a framework to implement Open Contracting in South African public sector procurement. The specific objective of this paper is to determine the relationship between the principles of Open Contracting and the pillars for Open Contracting. This was deemed important to provide some insight to the possible components of the recommended framework for the implementation of Open Contracting in public sector procurement. This study followed a quantitative approach. A questionnaire via an online survey was employed to collect the data from a convenience sample of 377 procurement practitioners employed in the South African public sector. Pearson chi-square test (ɑ = 0.05) was used to test for association between any pair of categorical variables. Cronbach’s alpha was applied to test for internal consistency reliability. Structural equation modelling (SEM) was used to test the measurement and structural models and simultaneously examine a series of interrelated dependence relationships among the measured variables. SEM was also used to test the hypotheses in this study. The structural model also indicated a good model fit through the various indices. Therefore, it can be concluded that there is a relationship between Open Contracting principles and pillars for Open Contracting. The findings relating to the research questions, therefore, provided sufficient information to design an Open Contracting Framework to facilitate the implementation of Open Contracting in public sector procurement.

Download Full-text

The Impact of E-learning During COVID-19 Pandemic on Body Aches Among Students in a Palestinian University

10.21203/rs.3.rs-778931/v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Qais B. Yaseen ◽

Heba Salah

Keyword(s):

University Students ◽

Negative Effects ◽

Chi Square ◽

Tablet Devices ◽

Learning Programs ◽

E Learning ◽

Tablet Device ◽

Correlation Statistics ◽

Chi Square Analysis ◽

The Impact

Abstract Background: Musculoskeletal system pain is a major concern in our life due to its negative effects on our ability to perform our daily functions. During the COVID-19 pandemic several countries around the world switched their teaching programs into e-learning programs, where students spend long hour using desktop/ laptop or tablet devices. The use of these devices was associated with several complains among the students like neck, shoulder and back pain. The aim of this study is to evaluate the degree of different body aches associated with e-learning on university students and to find a link between the most common body posture, the duration of usage of desktop/ laptop or tablet devices with the negative health outcome on these students. Methods: The subjects of this study were students from An-Najah university in Palestine. 385 questionnaires were filled using Google forms as a web-based questionnaire and all the subjects were using e-learning approach due to COVID-19 pandemic. Upon completion of the study, descriptive statistics, correlation statistics with Pearson coefficient and Chi square analysis were used to study the sample.Results: Our study showed that a large percentage of participants used the desktop/ laptop or tablet devices for e-learning during the pandemic. The Duration of these devices use was correlated with the duration and degree of pain among the participants, and also associated with the difficulty in their ability to perform several daily activities. In addition, most of the students used the sitting position with the supine bent forward during the device usage. When comparing the pain level and duration associated with desktop/ laptop or tablet device usage in both genders, female tend to have higher duration and more severe pain compared to male. Conclusion: The university students that participated in this study had an increase in body aches during the e-learning process, and the aches duration and severity increases if the duration of desktop/laptop or tablet usage increase.

Download Full-text

Young Consumers’ Concerns About Meeting Their Food Needs During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Problemy Zarzadzania ◽

10.7172/1644-9584.94.4 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 4/2021 (94) ◽

pp. 38-50

Author(s):

Irena Ozimek ◽

◽

Joanna Rakowska ◽

Keyword(s):

Quantitative Methods ◽

Online Survey ◽

Eating Habits ◽

Sample Selection ◽

Food Prices ◽

Chi Square ◽

Young Consumers ◽

Chi Square Test ◽

Food Needs ◽

Spearman’S Correlation

Purpose: The aim of the study was to identify young consumers’ concerns about the increase in food prices and its consequences for young consumers’ eating habits and meeting food needs during the COVID-19 pandemic. Design/methodology/approach: An online survey of 702 young consumers – students – was carried out in October and November 2020. The questionnaire was available to respondents as a Google form. The obtained data was processed using a standard qualitative analysis and selected quantitative methods, including descriptive statistics, Spearman’s correlation coefficient and Pearson’s chi-square test. Findings: Nearly 63% of respondents agreed or rather agreed that the food needs of their household are fully met. Almost 44% of respondents stated that they are afraid of the lack of money to meet their food needs during the pandemic, and quite a similar share of respondents (47.3%) stated that they have no concerns in this regard. Although as many as 72% of the surveyed young consumers are concerned about rising food prices, only 22% are concerned that they will have to change their eating habits during the pandemic. The vast majority of respondents (92%) pay attention to the price when buying food and 83% agree that food is wasted in households. Research limitations/implications: Due to the limited possibilities during COVID-19, the research was conducted among 702 respondents, who were mainly students of the Warsaw University of Life Sciences (SGGW). Such a number of respondents and the sample selection do not fully authorize the generalization of the results. Consequently, the conclusions should not be treated as representative for the whole population of Polish young consumers. Moreover, the questionnaire survey is related to the subjective interpretation of questions and the declarativeness of respondents, which may influence the obtained results. However, despite these limitations, the findings allow for approximating the concerns of this consumer group during the COVID-19 pandemic. Originality/value: As COVID-19 is a new social and economic challenge, young consumers’ concerns in such conditions have not been investigated so far and this study is to fill this gap. Moreover, this research may be a basis for further research as the pandemic situation evolves and may change both young consumers’ economic situation and their concerns about meeting their food needs.

Download Full-text

Hypertension self-management and antihypertensive prevalence amid patients in Saudi Arabia via knowledge, attitude, and practice assessment

International Journal of Family & Community Medicine ◽

10.15406/ijfcm.2021.05.00233 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 5 (4) ◽

pp. 123-133

Author(s):

Sharaf E Sharaf

Keyword(s):

Blood Pressure ◽

Saudi Arabia ◽

Online Survey ◽

Pearson Correlation ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Self Management ◽

Categorical Variables ◽

Chi Square ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Linear Correlations

Background: Diagnosed cases with hypertension (HT) are elevating worldwide and in Saudi Arabia (SA). HT self-management amid patients is important for controlling the disease and its complications. The aim of this study is to perform an HT KAP evaluation amid patients with HT in SA. Subjects and methods: This Cross-sectional study was performed between January and April 2021. An administered validated online survey was presented to the patients via the Survey Monkey website-link. Data collectors contacted possible patients in several sites comprising; hospitals, shopping malls, and leisure-centers. The associations amid categorical variables were assessed via the chi-square test application. The Pearson correlation coefficient (r) measured potential correlations between the patients’ KAP and outcome variables. Results: This study surveyed 410 patients with HT with mean systolic blood pressure (SBP) of 144.1 mmHg ± 15.4 and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) 90.2 mmHg ± 10.2, mean age 56 ± 11 years, range 18–80 years. Generally, 73% of patients showed good HT knowledge and 78% showed good HT attitude, whereas 77% revealed poor HT practice. Significant positive linear correlations were found amid attitude versus (with) knowledge (r= 0.40, P <0.001), practice with knowledge (r= 0.26, P <0.001), practice with attitude (r= 0.26, P <0.001), SBP with DBP (r= 0.57, P <0.001), whereas significant negative linear correlations were found amid SBP with knowledge (r= −0.13, P <0.05), SBP with attitude (r= −0.11, P <0.05), SBP with practice (r= −0.10, P <0.05), DBP with knowledge (r= −0.10, P <0.05), DBP with attitude (r= −0.14, P <0.05), and DBP with practice (r= −0.10, P <0.05). Surprisingly, 59% of patients didn’t administer any prescribed anti-hypertensives. Conclusion: The patients showed a very good attitude and knowledge regarding HT; however, these were not mirrored in their practice towards HT. Unproper administration of prescribed anti-hypertensive medicines without a proper healthy diet and exercise caused a direct contribution resulted in poor HT practice despite increased HT knowledge and awareness. Consequently, patients are advised to participate in the free HT health education programs provided by the ministry of health (MOH) to increase their knowledge of the importance of drug compliance and applications for improving HT self-management to better manage HT and its complications.

Download Full-text

P657 Acceptability of a COVID-19 vaccine among cohort of Croatian IBD patients treated in tertiary IBD centre

Journal of Crohn s and Colitis ◽

10.1093/ecco-jcc/jjab076.777 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 15 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. S585-S585

Author(s):

V Tomasic ◽

A Bišćanin ◽

P Ćaćić ◽

D Kralj ◽

Z Dorosulić ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Online Survey ◽

Disease Duration ◽

Rapid Development ◽

Vaccination Campaign ◽

High Risk Group ◽

Vaccine Hesitancy ◽

Categorical Variables ◽

Continuous Variables ◽

Chi Square ◽

Significant Difference

Abstract Background Several different types of COVID-19 vaccines are currently available in the EU. Although the massive prophylactic vaccination campaign is the best global solution that may bring an end to the pandemic, a certain proportion of the population seems to remain reluctant to it. No specific data for IBD patients is yet available. We aimed to assess prevalence and characteristics of IBD patients with COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy. Methods Adult IBD patients treated in our centre were invited to fulfil anonymous online survey from January 17th to February 25th, 2021. Participants’ characteristics were assessed using descriptive statistics. Normal distribution was assessed using Kolmogorov-Smirnov and Shapiro-Wilk tests. Continuous variables were compared with independent t-test and Mann–Whitney test when appropriate. Categorical variables were analyzed using the Chi-square test. Results A total of 120 subjects (43.3% female, mean age 34.5±12.3 years, 56.7% Crohn’s disease) completed the survey with a response rate of 96%. Median of disease duration was 8 years (IQR 3–12 years) and 65.8% of participants were on biologics. Overall, only 51.7% were willing to get a COVID-19 vaccine. Mean age of subjects who were inclined to vaccination was higher compared to those who are not (38.1 vs 30.4 years), t(118)=3.43, p=.001. There wasn’t statistically significant difference in median of disease duration between these two groups U=1551, N1=58, N2=62, p=.194, two-tailed. Mean BMI was higher in group of patients who were willing to get vaccinated (25.4 vs 23.2 kg/m2) t(111.67)=2.94, p=.004. There was no difference in vaccine acceptance between IBD patients who identified themselves as a high-risk group and the other which didn’t. Also, acceptability of a COVID-19 vaccine in IBD patients with or without comorbidities didn’t differ significantly (χ 2 (1, N = 120) = .52, p < .47). Connection between biologic use and willingness to vaccination wasn’t observed (χ 2 (1, N = 120) = 2.06, p < .15). Reported reasons for COVID-19 vaccine unacceptability were belief that vaccine can’t be safe because of its rapid development (55%), fear from possible interaction between IBD therapy and vaccine (44%), and fear that vaccine may lead to disease flare (36%). Conclusion A high proportion of Croatian IBD patients are unwilling to get vaccinated against COVID-19. Further patient education, motivation strategies and positive vaccination campaign by gastroenterologists are warranted. Those could be the most significant factors in driving the compliance to COVID-19 vaccination and in reducing IBD patient’s hesitancy to get vaccinated.

Download Full-text

Impact of the Covid-19 Pandemic on Otolaryngology Residency Training: A Cross-Sectional Study

10.21203/rs.3.rs-437083/v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Serafín Sánchez-Gómez ◽

Juan Manuel Maza-Solano ◽

Luz López-Flórez ◽

Pablo Parente Arias ◽

David Lobo Duro ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Clinical Training ◽

Online Survey ◽

Close Contact ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Categorical Variables ◽

Chi Square ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Research Activities ◽

Chi Square Test ◽

The Impact

Abstract BackgroundTraining in surgical specialties has declined during the COVID-19 pandemic. A study was carried out to further analyze the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on specific aspects of clinical, training, and research activities performed by the otolaryngology residents in Spain.MethodsA cross-sectional qualitative study was conducted during the last two weeks of February 2021. The study consisted of an online survey taken by otolaryngology residents who had undertaken one-year continuing training from February 15, 2020 to February 15, 2021 and consisted of 26 questions exploring the impact of the COVID-19 on the health of the ENT residents and training activities. Categorical variables were reported as frequency and percentage. When indicated, Pearson´s Chi-square test (c2) with Yates´s correction and Pearson's correlation coefficient (r) were used.Results143 completed surveys were received from 264 Residents (54.17%). 36 residents (25.2%) have suffered from the disease due to SARS-CoV-2. Most of them only developed mild symptoms (86.1%), with 3 requiring hospitalization (8.3%). The origin of infection was unknown in all cases and the need for confinement was principally due to either attending an asymptomatic patient in 9 cases (6.3%) or to being in close contact with an asymptomatic person off hospital grounds in 22 (15.4%). 60.1% of the residents surveyed reported having lost more than 6 months of their training period, and in 18.8% of cases, it was as high as 10 and 12 months. There has been a reduction of more than 75% of what was planned in surgical training (p < 0.05) of tympanoplasty, mastoidectomy, stapedectomy, cochlear implants, endoscopic sinonasal and anterior skull base surgery, septoplasty and turbinoplasty.ConclusionsThe decline in ENT activity and residents having to assist in other COVID-19 units during the most critical moments of the pandemic, has caused the main reduction in their training capacity. Virtual activities have been widely accepted, but they have not completely replaced all residents’ training needs. Specialized ENT training should be extended from 6 months to 1 year to ensure adequate training, especially for recovering the surgical Otology and Rhinology hands-on training lost during the pandemic.

Download Full-text