scholarly journals Communication Priorities and Experiences of Caregivers of Children With Cancer in Guatemala

2021 ◽  
pp. 1529-1536
Author(s):  
Dylan E. Graetz ◽  
Silvia Elena Rivas ◽  
Huiqi Wang ◽  
Yuvanesh Vedaraju ◽  
Ana Lucia Fuentes ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Information Exchange ◽  
Cultural Awareness ◽  
The United States ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Children With Cancer ◽  
Disease Extent ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Healing Relationships ◽  
Almost All

PURPOSE Although > 90% of children with cancer live in low- and middle-income countries, little is known about communication priorities and experiences of families in these settings. We examined communication priorities and the quality of information exchange for Guatemalan caregivers of children with cancer during diagnostic communication. METHODS A cross-sectional survey including items used in pediatric communication studies from high-income countries and novel questions was verbally administered to 100 caregivers of children with cancer in Guatemala. RESULTS Guatemalan caregivers prioritized communication functions of exchanging information (99%), fostering healing relationships (98%), decision making (97%), enabling self-management (96%), and managing uncertainty (94%) over responding to emotions (66%) and cultural awareness (48%). Almost all caregivers wanted as many details as possible about their child's diagnosis and treatment (96%), likelihood of cure (99%), and late effects (97%). Only 67% were always given the information they needed without asking for it, and most caregivers sometimes (56%) or always (18%) had questions they wanted to discuss but did not. Approximately half of the caregivers (54%) correctly identified their child's diagnosis, primary site, disease extent (localized v metastatic), proposed treatment length, and treatment intent (curative v palliative). Caregivers of children with leukemia were more likely to correctly identify all attributes than those whose children had solid tumors ( P < .001). CONCLUSION Caregivers in Guatemala prioritize many of the same aspects of diagnostic communication as parents in the United States, and experience similar challenges. Shared communication values offer potential for adaptation of communication interventions across settings with varying resources and diverse cultures.

Pediatric cancer communication in Guatemala.

2021 ◽  
Vol 39 (15_suppl) ◽  
pp. e18508-e18508
Author(s):  
Dylan E. Graetz ◽  
Silvia Elena Rivas ◽  
Huiqi Wang ◽  
Yuvanesh Vedaraju ◽  
Meenakshi Devidas ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Information Exchange ◽  
Cultural Awareness ◽  
The United States ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Children With Cancer ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Communication Processes ◽  
Healing Relationships

e18508 Background: Effective diagnostic communication is a cornerstone of cancer care. While > 90% of children with cancer live in low- and middle-income countries, little is known about patients’ and families’ communication priorities and experiences. We examined parent priorities for communication and the quality of information-exchange and decision-making during diagnostic communication in Guatemala. Methods: This study was conducted at Unidad Nacional de Oncologia Pediatrica. A cross-sectional survey was verbally administered in Spanish to 100 parents of children with cancer within 8 weeks of diagnosis. The survey included items utilized in pediatric communication studies from high-income countries and novel questions developed specifically for the study population. Results: Guatemalan parents prioritized communication functions including information exchange (99%), fostering healing relationships (98%), decision-making (97%), enabling self-management (96%) and managing uncertainty (94%) over functions such as responding to emotions (66%) and cultural awareness (48%). Almost all Guatemalan parents (96%) wanted as many details as possible about their child’s cancer. However, only 67% reported that they were always given the information they needed without asking for it, and most said they sometimes (56%) or always (18%) had questions they wanted to discuss with the doctor but did not. Half of parents (54%) correctly identified their child’s diagnosis, primary site, extent of disease (localized versus metastatic), length of proposed treatment, and treatment intent (curative versus palliative). Parents of children diagnosed with leukemia were more likely to understand all pieces of information than those whose children had solid tumors (p < 0.001). Most parents (76%) preferred to share in decision-making with oncologists. Two-thirds of parents (65%) held their preferred role in decision-making, with fathers more likely to hold their preferred role than mothers (p = 0.02). Reflecting on decisions they had made, 94% of parents strongly agreed they had made the right decisions. However, 17% of parents endorsed feeling that their choices had caused their children harm. Conclusions: Similar to findings from the United States, parents in Guatemala prioritize many aspects of diagnostic communication, especially information exchange, development of healing relationships, and decision-making. Nonetheless, many parents report challenges in information exchange and decision-making, suggesting a need for interventions to support communication processes.

The impact of COVID-19 on oncologists: Experience from Egyptian physicians.

2021 ◽  
Vol 39 (15_suppl) ◽  
pp. e13514-e13514
Author(s):  
Abeid Mohamed Athman Omar ◽  
Marwa Ramadan ◽  
Yomna Khamis ◽  
Abdelsalam A. Ismail
Keyword(s):  
Family Support ◽  
Occupational Safety ◽  
Family Members ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Middle Income Countries ◽  
Burnout Rate ◽  
Almost All ◽  
The Impact

e13514 Background: The unprecedented emergence of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has disrupted the patients' and physicians' daily activities, including cancer care. However, little is known on how COVID-19 has impacted oncologists from low and middle-income countries. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional survey among eighty-eight practicing oncologists in Alexandria governorate, Egypt. An electronic, anonymized self-reporting survey was distributed in February 2020 to collect information on occupational safety measures, the prevalence of COVID-19 among respondents, workload, and family support during the pandemic Results: Out of 88 contacted oncologists, 75% completed the survey (n=66). Nearly half (45%) of respondents were residents, 36% were specialists, and 18% were consultants. The mean age of respondents was 34.79 years (SD ±10.42). More than half of the respondents were not comfortable managing cancer patients during the pandemic (56%) and did not feel well-protected at the workplace (58%). However, most (79%) had managed a cancer patient with COVID-19 more than once. Furthermore, almost all participants (98%) have worked with an infected colleague. Nevertheless, to more than half (54%), it made no difference working with a colleague who was previously infected. Most physicians (79%) felt overwhelmed with workload than the pre-pandemic period. Despite being COVID-19 negative, nearly half reported their family members had reduced contact with them due to the fear of being infected. In contrast, 24% are now getting more family support, whereas 27% are experiencing the same contact level as before the COVID-19 era. Physicians lacking family support had a significantly higher burnout rate than those who had family support (p=0.038). However, the burnout rate was similar regardless of doctors' rank, or treating COVID-19 patients, or feeling protected at work. The majority of the participants (75%) had experienced COVID-19 like symptoms, and one third (n=21) were confirmed COVID-19 infected: residents - 52%, specialists - 33%, and consultants - 14%. Nevertheless, we found no association between the rank and being infected with COVID-19 (p=0.632). Most participants thought they were infected at the hospital (38% by patients; 24% by colleagues), and 14% by family members. However, there was no significant association between being infected and feeling protected at work (p=0.823). Most of the infected physicians (61%) received moral support from both the family and colleagues, and 33% received family support only. There was no association between burnout rate and being COVID-19 infected (p=0.719). Conclusions: One-third of the oncologists were COVID-19 positive. Besides, most oncologists feel overwhelmed with workload and experience more burnout than before the COVID-19 era, and it worsens if one lacks family support.

scholarly journals Adults’ Acceptance of COVID-19 Vaccine for Children in Selected Lower- and Middle-Income Countries

Vaccines ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 11
Author(s):  
Suzanna Awang Bono ◽  
Ching Sin Siau ◽  
Won Sun Chen ◽  
Wah Yun Low ◽  
Edlaine Faria de Moura Villela ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
The United States ◽  
Demographic Information ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
School Closures ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Middle Income Countries ◽  
Negative Effect ◽  
Promotion Strategies ◽  
Vaccines For Children

Since emergency approval of COVID-19 vaccines for children aged between 12 and 15 years old was recently obtained in the United States and Europe, we aimed to assess the willingness to vaccinate children with a COVID-19 vaccine in lower- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Therefore, we launched an online cross-sectional survey in several LMICs. Questions relating to socio-demographic information, knowledge of COVID-19, level of fear/worry of being infected with COVID-19, and willingness to vaccinate children with the COVID-19 vaccine at 50%, 75% and 95% effectiveness levels, were asked. Of the 6571 participants (mean age = 39 ± 14 years), 64.0%, 72.6%, and 92.9% were willing to vaccinate children at 50%, 75%, and 95% effectiveness levels, respectively. Respondents who were undergraduates, who were more worried/fearful about COVID-19, had higher knowledge scores regarding COVID-19, and a higher belief that COVID-19 vaccination is important to protect others, were more willing to accept COVID-19 vaccination of children. COVID-19 vaccination of children will limit the spread of the virus, especially in schools; it may decrease the need for school closures which has a negative effect on child development. Findings from this study are useful for health promotion strategies during COVID-19 vaccination implementation among children in LMICs.

scholarly journals Global scientific production in the field of knee arthroplasty: A cross-sectional survey of research activities

2017 ◽  
Vol 45 (3) ◽  
pp. 897-903 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lu Wang ◽  
Lingxia Li ◽  
Cai Cheng ◽  
Hua Tian ◽  
Yang Li ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Knee Arthroplasty ◽  
The United States ◽  
Scientific Production ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Research Activities ◽  
Number Of Publications ◽  
Number Of Citations

Objective To determine the quantity and quality of articles in the field of knee arthroplasty worldwide and elucidate the characteristics of global scientific production. Methods Web of Science was used to identify articles in the field of knee arthroplasty from 2011 to 2015. The total number of papers, number of papers per capita, total number of citations, and mean number of citations were collected. Results In total, 11,590 papers were identified. The number of publications significantly increased from 2011 to 2015. Most originated from North America, East Asia, and West Europe. Most (88.51%) were from high-income countries, 11.48% were from middle-income countries, and only 0.01% were from lower-income countries. The United States had the most articles and total citations. Sweden had the highest mean citations, followed by Denmark and Canada. However, when adjusted by population size, Denmark had the most articles per million population, followed by Switzerland and the Netherlands. Conclusions The number of knee arthroplasty publications has rapidly increased in recent years. The United States is the most prolific, but some European countries are more productive relative to their population.

scholarly journals Exploring the Use of Mobile and Wearable Technology among University Student Athletes in Lebanon: A Cross-Sectional Study

Sensors ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (13) ◽  
pp. 4472
Author(s):  
Marco Bardus ◽  
Cecile Borgi ◽  
Marwa El-Harakeh ◽  
Tarek Gherbal ◽  
Samer Kharroubi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Student Athletes ◽  
The United States ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Self Monitoring ◽  
American University ◽  
Fitness Tracker

The markets of commercial wearables and health and fitness apps are constantly growing globally, especially among young adults and athletes, to track physical activity, energy expenditure and health. Despite their wide availability, evidence on use comes predominantly from the United States or Global North, with none targeting college student-athletes in low- and middle-income countries. This study was aimed to explore the use of these technologies among student-athletes at the American University of Beirut (AUB). We conducted a cross-sectional survey of 482 participants (average age 20 years) enrolled in 24 teams during Fall 2018; 230 students successfully completed the web-based survey, and 200 provided valid data. Fifty-three (26.5%) have owned a fitness tracker, mostly for self-monitoring. The most popular were Fitbit, Apple Watch, and Garmin. Similarly, 82 students (40%) used apps, primarily MyFitnessPal, Apple Health, and Samsung Health. Nevertheless, many participants discontinued use due to loss of interest or technical issues (breaking, usability, obsolescence, or lack of engagement). Wearable devices were considered superior to mobile phones alone as physical activity monitors. However, forming regular habits made self-monitoring via technology irrelevant. Further research is needed to better understand what motivates continuous use among student-athletes, who could use trackers to improve athletic performance and overall health.

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

Pharmacy ◽  
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.

scholarly journals Analyzing Predictors of Control Measures and Psychosocial Problems Associated with COVID-19 Pandemic: Evidence from Eight Countries

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (8) ◽  
pp. 106
Author(s):  
Sheikh Saifur Rahman Jony ◽  
Ubydul Haque ◽  
Nathaniel J. Webb ◽  
Emily Spence ◽  
Md. Siddikur Rahman ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Psychological Health ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Psychosocial Problems ◽  
Relevant Information ◽  
The United States ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Online Questionnaire ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Primary Determinant

COVID-19 has harshly impacted communities globally. This study provides relevant information for creating equitable policy interventions to combat the spread of COVID-19. This study aims to predict the knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) of the COVID-19 pandemic at a global level to determine control measures and psychosocial problems. A cross-sectional survey was conducted from July to October 2020 using an online questionnaire. Questionnaires were initially distributed to academicians worldwide. These participants distributed the survey among their social, professional, and personal groups. Responses were collected and analyzed from 67 countries, with a sample size of 3031. Finally, based on the number of respondents, eight countries, including Bangladesh, China, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, Pakistan, the United States, and Zambia were rigorously analyzed. Specifically, questionnaire responses related to COVID-19 accessibility, behavior, knowledge, opinion, psychological health, and susceptibility were collected and analyzed. As per our analysis, age groups were found to be a primary determinant of behavior, knowledge, opinion, psychological health, and susceptibility scores. Gender was the second most influential determinant for all metrics except information about COVID-19 accessibility, for which education was the second most important determinant. Respondent profession was the third most important metric for all scores. Our findings suggest that greater encouragement from government health authorities and the promotion of health education and policies are essential in the dissemination of COVID-19-awareness and increased control of the spread of COVID-19.

scholarly journals Psychosocial Factors, Smoke-Free Restrictions, and Media Exposure in Relation to Smoking-Related Attitudes and Behaviors among Adults in Armenia and Georgia

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (8) ◽  
pp. 4013
Author(s):  
Christina N. Wysota ◽  
Marina Topuridze ◽  
Zhanna Sargsyan ◽  
Ana Dekanosidze ◽  
Lela Sturua ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Smoking Status ◽  
Media Exposure ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Middle Income Countries ◽  
Quit Attempts ◽  
Multivariable Regression ◽  
Readiness To Quit ◽  
Perceived Harm

Background: Perceived harm, social influences, smoke-free policies, and media exposure have been understudied in relation to tobacco-related attitudes/behaviors in aggregate or in low and middle-income countries; thus, this study examined these factors collectively in relation to smoking-related outcomes among Armenian and Georgian adults. Methods: Using 2018 cross-sectional survey data (n = 1456), multivariable regression analyses examined these factors in relation to smoking status, perceived harm among nonsmokers, and readiness to quit and past-year quit attempts among smokers. Results: Significant predictors (p < 0.05) of current smoking (27.3%) included lower perceived harm, more smoking friends, and fewer home and vehicle restrictions. Among nonsmokers, more home and restaurant/bar restrictions, fewer vehicle restrictions, greater anti-tobacco media exposure, and less pro-tobacco media exposure predicted greater perceived harm. Among smokers, greater perceived social acceptability of smoking, less anti-tobacco media exposure, and greater pro-tobacco media exposure predicted readiness to quit (12.7% of smokers). More smoking friends, more home restrictions, less anti-tobacco media exposure, and greater pro-tobacco media exposure predicted past-year quit attempts (19.2%). Conclusions: Findings support the importance of smoke-free policies but were counterintuitive regarding the roles of social and media influences, underscoring the need to better understand how to address these influences, particularly in countries with high smoking rates.

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