scholarly journals HIV/AIDS knowledge and attitudes assessment among women of child-bearing age in South Sudan: Findings from a Household Survey

PLoS ONE ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 15 (12) ◽  
pp. e0243969
Author(s):  
William Mude ◽  
Victor M. Oguoma ◽  
Hailay Abrha Gesesew ◽  
Edward K. Ameyaw ◽  
Carolyne Njue ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Perceived Risk ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Mixed Model ◽  
Linear Mixed Model ◽  
Good Knowledge ◽  
Hiv Knowledge ◽  
Knowledge And Attitudes ◽  
Positive Attitudes ◽  
Generalised Linear Mixed Model ◽  
Hiv Aids

This study assessed the determinants that shape HIV knowledge and attitudes among South Sudanese women by analysing a Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey collected from 9,061 women in 9,369 households. Generalised linear mixed model regression was performed. Fifty percent of respondents were aware of HIV/AIDS, with 21% and 22% exhibiting good knowledge and positive attitudes towards people with HIV/AIDS, respectively. When controlled for individual and community-level variables, younger women (AOR = 1.28, 95% CI: 1.01–162), women with primary (AOR = 2.19; 95% CI: 1.86–2.58) and secondary (AOR = 4.48; 95% CI: 3.38–5.93) education, and those living in urban areas (AOR = 1.40; 95% CI: 1.12–1.76) had significantly good knowledge. Women in the richer (AOR = 1.60; 95% CI: 1.08–2.36) and the richest (AOR = 2.02; 95% CI: 1.35–3.02) wealth quintiles had significant positive attitudes towards people with HIV/AIDS. Well-designed social and behavioural campaigns targeting uneducated women and those living in rural and remote settings will enhance knowledge of perceived risk, awareness, and ability to carry out preventive behaviours.

scholarly journals Factors determining speed management during distracted driving (WhatsApp messaging)

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sonia Ortiz-Peregrina ◽  
Oscar Oviedo-Trespalacios ◽  
Carolina Ortiz ◽  
Miriam Casares-López ◽  
Carlos Salas ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Perceived Risk ◽  
Mixed Model ◽  
Linear Mixed Model ◽  
Self Regulation ◽  
Texting While Driving ◽  
Driving Speed ◽  
Visual Status ◽  
Generalised Linear Mixed Model ◽  
Speed Management ◽  
Task Experience

AbstractThe objective of this work was to investigate self-regulation behaviours, particularly speed management, under distracted conditions due to WhatsApp use. We also studied the influence of different environments and driver characteristics, introducing visual status (i.e., visual acuity and contrast sensitivity) as one of them. Seventy-five drivers were evaluated in a simulator study involving two test sessions under baseline and texting conditions. A cluster analysis was used to identify two groups with different visual capacity. Lastly, possible predictors of speed management were studied developing a generalised linear mixed model. Our results show that drivers reduced their speeds in the presence of more demanding driving conditions; while replying to a WhatsApp message, on curved road segments and when parked cars are present. Driving speed also correlated with driver characteristics such as age or dual task experience and human factors such as self-perceived risk of texting while driving. Finally, although there were significant differences in visual capacity between the two groups identified, the model did not identify visual capacity membership as a significant predictor of speed management. This study could provide a better understanding of the mechanisms drivers use when WhatsApp messaging and which environments and driver conditions influence how speed is managed.

scholarly journals 103 Periodontal Health and Sarcopenia: Cross-Sectional Evidence From A Cohort of 2040 Twin Volunteers

2021 ◽  
Vol 50 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. i12-i42
Author(s):  
M B Zazzara ◽  
P M Wells ◽  
R C E Bowyer ◽  
M N Lochlainn ◽  
E J Thompson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mixed Model ◽  
Linear Mixed Model ◽  
Frailty Index ◽  
Muscle Quality ◽  
Low Grade ◽  
Periodontal Health ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Age Related ◽  
European Working ◽  
Generalised Linear Mixed Model

Abstract Introduction Periodontitis is a chronic inflammatory disease affecting the periodontium, ultimately leading to looseness and/or loss of teeth. Sarcopenia refers to age-related reduction in muscle mass and strength. Similar to periodontitis, chronic low-grade inflammation is thought to play a key role in its development. In addition, both increase in prevalence with advancing age. Despite known associations with other diseases involving a dysregulated inflammatory response, for example rheumatoid arthritis,, the relationship between periodontitis and sarcopenia, and whether they could be driven by similar processes, remains uncertain. The aim of this study was to explore the association between periodontitis and sarcopenia. Methods Observational study of 2040 adult volunteers [age 67.18 (12.17)] enrolled in the TwinsUK cohort study. Presence of tooth mobility and number of teeth lost were used to assess periodontal health. A binary variable was created to define periodontitis. Measurements of muscle strength, muscle quality/quantity and physical performance were used to assess sarcopenia. A categorical variable was created according to the European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People (EWGSOP2) consensus, to define sarcopenia (1: probable; 2: positive; 3: severe). Generalised linear mixed model analysis used on complete cases and age-matched (n = 1,288) samples to ascertain associations between periodontitis and sarcopenia. Results No significant association was found between periodontitis and sarcopenia in both the complete cases analysis and age-matched analysis. Results were consistent when analysis was adjusted for potential confounders including body mass index, frailty index, Mini Mental State Examination smoking, nutritional status and educational level. Conclusions This study found no significant association between periodontitis and sarcopenia in a cohort of 2040 adults. Although both periodontitis and sarcopenia have been linked to a dysregulated immune response and demonstrate an increase in prevalence with increasing age, our work is inconclusive due to the plethora of possible aetiopathogenetic pathways.

Factors influencing the occurrence of high ultimate pH in three muscles of lamb carcasses in Australia

2014 ◽  
Vol 54 (10) ◽  
pp. 1853 ◽  
Author(s):  
N. G. McPhail ◽  
J. L. Stark ◽  
A. J. Ball ◽  
R. D. Warner
Keyword(s):  
Mixed Model ◽  
Linear Mixed Model ◽  
Rectus Femoris ◽  
Carcass Weight ◽  
Mixed Model Analysis ◽  
Factors Influencing ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Generalised Linear Mixed Model ◽  
Processing Plants ◽  
Few Data

Chilled lamb meat exported from Australia has, on occasions, been rejected by importing countries due to greening, after only 6 weeks of storage time. Greening is known to be more prevalent in high ultimate pH (pHu) beef meat (>5.9). There are few data available for lamb carcasses in Australia on the occurrence of high pHu meat, which may have an impact on the understanding and control of quality and greening during storage. The aim of this project was to determine the prevalence of, and influencing factors for, high pHu meat in a range of muscle types in lamb carcasses in Australia. Muscle pHu data were collected from a total of 1614 carcasses from 78 lots at four lamb processing plants in Victoria and New South Wales in autumn and spring of 2013. The pHu of the knuckle (rectus femoris), rack (longissimus) and blade (infraspinatus) was measured and data on carcass and lot characteristics were recorded. Data were subjected to restricted maximum likelihood and generalised linear mixed model analysis. The mean pHu of the knuckle, rack and shoulder were 6.06, 5.79 and 6.12 respectively, and the main factors influencing muscle pHu and occurrence of dark-cutting were breed, season, electrical stimulation and carcass weight. Merino lambs had a higher pHu in the blade and knuckle than did other breeds (P < 0.05, P < 0.01 respectively). Lambs processed in autumn had a higher predicted pHu in the blade and knuckle and a higher percentage dark-cutting (DC; pHu >6.0) for those muscles, than did those processed in spring (P < 0.05). Carcasses that had been electrically stimulated had a higher %DC and a higher pHu in all three muscles (P < 0.05). Carcass weight had a significant effect on the pHu of all three muscles (P < 0.001), with heavier carcasses having a lower pHu and lower %DC. The pHu of the rack was not a reliable predictor for the pHu in other muscles of the lamb carcass. In conclusion, the high occurrence of DC in the muscles, particularly the blade and knuckle, suggests that these muscles may be at risk for producing greening in the vacuum bag during storage.

scholarly journals Bayesian spatial and spatio-temporal approaches to modelling dengue fever: a systematic review

2018 ◽  
Vol 147 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Aswi ◽  
S. M. Cramb ◽  
P. Moraga ◽  
K. Mengersen
Keyword(s):  
Dengue Fever ◽  
Random Effects ◽  
Mixed Model ◽  
Linear Mixed Model ◽  
Assessment Tool ◽  
Temporal Dynamics ◽  
Random Effect ◽  
Temperature And Precipitation ◽  
Generalised Linear Mixed Model ◽  
Spatio Temporal

AbstractDengue fever (DF) is one of the world's most disabling mosquito-borne diseases, with a variety of approaches available to model its spatial and temporal dynamics. This paper aims to identify and compare the different spatial and spatio-temporal Bayesian modelling methods that have been applied to DF and examine influential covariates that have been reportedly associated with the risk of DF. A systematic search was performed in December 2017, using Web of Science, Scopus, ScienceDirect, PubMed, ProQuest and Medline (via Ebscohost) electronic databases. The search was restricted to refereed journal articles published in English from January 2000 to November 2017. Thirty-one articles met the inclusion criteria. Using a modified quality assessment tool, the median quality score across studies was 14/16. The most popular Bayesian statistical approach to dengue modelling was a generalised linear mixed model with spatial random effects described by a conditional autoregressive prior. A limited number of studies included spatio-temporal random effects. Temperature and precipitation were shown to often influence the risk of dengue. Developing spatio-temporal random-effect models, considering other priors, using a dataset that covers an extended time period, and investigating other covariates would help to better understand and control DF transmission.

scholarly journals Are good knowledge and positive attitudes regarding the cigarettes and other tobacco products act prevalent among rural Indian adults?

2017 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 289
Author(s):  
Pracheth R. ◽  
Varun N. ◽  
Ravindra Y. M. ◽  
Preethi S. ◽  
Tasmiya K. ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Primary School ◽  
Rural Area ◽  
Economic Status ◽  
Good Knowledge ◽  
Tobacco Products ◽  
Socio Economic Status ◽  
Knowledge And Attitudes ◽  
Positive Attitudes ◽  
Knowledge And Attitude ◽  
Study Participants

Background: Cigarettes and other tobacco products (COTPA) Act is a legislation passed to curb tobacco use in India by imposing restrictions on tobacco products. This study appraised knowledge and attitudes regarding COTPA Act among adults in a rural area and elicited socio-demographic predictors of knowledge and attitudes regarding COTPA Act among study participants.Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from September to December 2014 on adults (aged ≥18 years) in a rural area of Coastal Karnataka. A pre-designed, pre-tested proforma was used to collect information from study participants regarding their knowledge and attitudes about COTPA Act. Knowledge and attitude scores were computed. A score of ≥4 was good knowledge and ≥3 was regarded as positive attitudes.Results: Nearly 49.14% had good knowledge, while 51.29% displayed positive attitudes. Those belonging to upper and upper middle socio-economic class (Class I+Class II) had higher odds for good knowledge (AOR=2.09, 95% CI=0.82-5.92), when compared to their counterparts belonging to other socio-economic classes. Age ≥60 years (AOR=3.80, 95% CI= 0.30-9.98), education beyond primary school (AOR=2.88, 95% CI=1.24-6.19), upper and upper middle class socio-economic status (AOR=3.68, 95% CI=1.34-7.02) were the key predictor variables for positive attitudes.Conclusions:Nearly half the study participants had good knowledge and positive attitudes towards COTPA Act. High socio-economic status could predict good knowledge, while age ≥60 years, education beyond primary school and a high socio-economic status were the key variables predicting positive attitudes. Educational campaigns can help improve knowledge. Assessment of knowledge and attitude is imperative prior to implementation of policies to ensure effectiveness. 

scholarly journals Thalamic white matter macrostructure and subnuclei volumes in Parkinson’s disease depression

2022 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Bhome ◽  
A. Zarkali ◽  
G. E. C. Thomas ◽  
J. E. Iglesias ◽  
J. H. Cole ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Parkinson’S Disease ◽  
Parkinson's Disease ◽  
White Matter ◽  
Mixed Model ◽  
Linear Mixed Model ◽  
Neural Structure ◽  
Generalised Linear Mixed Model ◽  
Antidepressant Use ◽  
The Relationship

AbstractDepression is a common non-motor feature of Parkinson’s disease (PD) which confers significant morbidity and is challenging to treat. The thalamus is a key component in the basal ganglia-thalamocortical network critical to the pathogenesis of PD and depression but the precise thalamic subnuclei involved in PD depression have not been identified. We performed structural and diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) on 76 participants with PD to evaluate the relationship between PD depression and grey and white matter thalamic subnuclear changes. We used a thalamic segmentation method to divide the thalamus into its 50 constituent subnuclei (25 each hemisphere). Fixel-based analysis was used to calculate mean fibre cross-section (FC) for white matter tracts connected to each subnucleus. We assessed volume and FC at baseline and 14–20 months follow-up. A generalised linear mixed model was used to evaluate the relationship between depression, subnuclei volume and mean FC for each thalamic subnucleus. We found that depression scores in PD were associated with lower right pulvinar anterior (PuA) subnucleus volume. Antidepressant use was associated with higher right PuA volume suggesting a possible protective effect of treatment. After follow-up, depression scores were associated with reduced white matter tract macrostructure across almost all tracts connected to thalamic subnuclei. In conclusion, our work implicates the right PuA as a relevant neural structure in PD depression and future work should evaluate its potential as a therapeutic target for PD depression.

scholarly journals The SARS-CoV-2 Alpha variant is associated with increased clinical severity of disease

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
David J Pascall ◽  
Guy Mollett ◽  
Rachel Blacow ◽  
Naomi Bulteel ◽  
Robyn Campbell ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Growth Rate ◽  
Cohort Study ◽  
Mixed Model ◽  
Linear Mixed Model ◽  
Transmission Rate ◽  
Severe Disease ◽  
Positive Association ◽  
Clinical Severity ◽  
Generalised Linear Mixed Model ◽  
The Impact

Background The Alpha (B.1.1.7) SARS-CoV-2 variant of concern has been associated with increased transmission and increased 28-day mortality. We aimed to investigate the impact of infection on clinical severity of illness, including the need for oxygen or ventilation in a national cohort study. Methods In this prospective clinical cohort study, 1475 SARS-CoV-2 sequences were obtained from patients infected in Scotland, UK between the 1st November 2020 and 30th January 2021 and matched to clinical outcomes as the lineage became dominant in Scotland. We modelled the association between B.1.1.7 infection and severe disease using a cumulative generalised linear mixed model employing a 4-point scale of maximum severity based on requirement of respiratory support at 28 days. We also estimated the growth rate of B.1.1.7-associated infections as it emerged in Scotland using a phylogenetic exponential growth rate population model. Results The B.1.1.7 lineage was responsible for a third wave of SARS-CoV-2 infection in Scotland in association with a transmission rate 5-fold higher than the preceding second wave B.1.177 lineage. Of 1475 patients, 364 were infected with B.1.1.7, 1030 with B.1.177 and 81 with other lineages. Our analysis found a positive association between increased clinical severity and lineage (B.1.1.7 versus non-B.1.1.7; cumulative odds ratio: 1.40, 95% CI: 1.02, 1.93). Viral load was higher in B.1.1.7 samples than in non-B.1.1.7 samples, as measured by cycle threshold (Ct) value (mean Ct change: -2.46, 95% CI: -4.22, -0.70). Conclusions The B.1.1.7 lineage was associated with more severe clinical disease in Scottish patients than co-circulating lineages.

Gender Differences in Knowledge and Risk Perception towards HIV/AIDS among Rohingyas in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shihabul Islam ◽  
Shah Ehsan Habib
Keyword(s):  
Gender Differences ◽  
Risk Perception ◽  
Perceived Risk ◽  
Sampling Technique ◽  
Knowledge Score ◽  
High Risk Group ◽  
Systematic Sampling ◽  
Hiv Knowledge ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Hiv Aids

Background: Rohingyas living in refugee camps of Bangladesh have been identified as a high-risk group for HIV transmission. This study aimed to assess gender differences in risk perception towards HIV/AIDS among Rohingyas in Cox’s Bazar. Methods: A cross-sectional design was adopted to assess the level of risk perception towards HIV/AIDS. This analysis utilizes data from a survey of 130 Rohingya people through face-to-face interviews utilizing a 28-item HIV-Knowledge Questionnaire. A systematic sampling technique was used to accomplish data collection survey. Analyzing was done by SPSS 25. Results: Only 41.8% of males and 58.2% of females had a good knowledge score (8 out of 11 items) regarding the transmission of HIV. Knowledge is significantly associated with female gender (χ2 = 8.927, p < 0.005). Gender differences were also significantly associated with the perceived risk of contracting HIV/AIDS in the future (p < 0.001). When rank averages were investigated, perceived risk of contracting HIV/AIDS score of the female participants (mean rank = 76.71) appeared to be higher compared to the score of male participants (mean rank = 54.29). Conclusion: Female Rohingyas perceive a higher risk of contracting HIV/AIDS than male Rohingyas. Programs should address harmful gender norms, HIV testing and education emphasizing the risks involved in transactional sex within the camps.

Symptomatic Relief is Related to Serum Free Triiodothyronine Concentrations during Follow-up in Levothyroxine-Treated Patients with Differentiated Thyroid Cancer

2018 ◽  
Vol 126 (09) ◽  
pp. 546-552 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rolf Larisch ◽  
John Midgley ◽  
Johannes Dietrich ◽  
Rudolf Hoermann
Keyword(s):  
Mixed Model ◽  
Clinical Decision Making ◽  
Linear Mixed Model ◽  
Reference Range ◽  
Symptomatic Relief ◽  
Symptom Relief ◽  
Multivariable Analysis ◽  
Free Triiodothyronine ◽  
Generalised Linear Mixed Model

Abstract Aim Patients on levothyroxine-treatment frequently have complaints although TSH is within the reference range. Moreover, FT3 is often low in these patients. The clinical significance of this disequilibrium is studied here. Patients, methods We conducted a retrospective longitudinal study including 319 patients with differentiated thyroid carcinoma on LT4-medication (1.8 [1.6,2.1] µg/kg body weight). Patients were followed at 2309 visits for at median 63 [46,81] months. Association of reported complaints during follow-up with changes in thyroid parameters were analysed using a generalised linear mixed model accounting for within-variability and intra-subject correlations. Results 26% of patients expressed hypothyroid and 9.7% hyperthyroid complaints at any one visit, rates per visit being 6.5% and 2%, respectively. During follow-up, median changes in spans were as follows, LT4-dose 0.49 [IQR 0.29,0.72] µg/kg, FT3 1.77 [1.25,2.32] pmol/l, FT4 9.80 [6.70,12.8] pmol/l and TSH 1.25 [0.42,2.36] mIU/l. While rates of both hypothyroid or hyperthyroid symptoms were significantly related to all three thyroid parameters, the relationship of hypothyroid symptoms with FT3 extended to a below reference TSH range. Hypothyroid symptom relief was associated with both a T4 dose giving TSH-suppression below the lower reference limit and FT3 elevated further into the upper half of its reference range. In multivariable analysis, relationships between complaints and FT3 concentrations remained significant after adjusting for gender, age and BMI. Conclusion Residual hypothyroid complaints in LT4-treated patients are specifically related to low FT3 concentrations. This supports an important role of FT3 for clinical decision making on dose adequacy, particularly in symptomatic athyreotic patients.

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