scholarly journals Drug Trend Study in Mexican Population: Consumption and Cognitive Dysfunction Correlates

2019 ◽  
Vol 67 (4) ◽  
pp. 485-491
Author(s):  
Gilberto Manuel Galindo-Aldana ◽  
Carlos Murillo-Macías ◽  
Antonio Cedano-Gasca ◽  
Alfredo Padilla-López ◽  
Ibza América García-León
Keyword(s):  
Drug Abuse ◽  
Drug Use ◽  
Cognitive Dysfunction ◽  
Internal Consistency ◽  
Internal Consistency Reliability ◽  
Health Policies ◽  
Screening Tests ◽  
Public Health Policies ◽  
Trend Study ◽  
Marijuana Consumption

Introduction: Drug abuse screening tests (DAST) are a useful tool in decision making regarding the planning and implementation of drug-related public health policies. In addition, they constitute a rapid way to obtain data on the effects of drug consumption in specific populations.Objective: To describe the correlation between drug abuse (per type of drug) and cognitive dysfunction prevalence based on the information reported in a DAST.Materials and methods: A DAST was administered to 1299 individuals from 5 cities in Baja California, Mexico. In addition, an internal consistency reliability test was conducted to determine the internal consistency level of the instrument.Results: Several correlations between the consumption of different drugs were found. The main associations were found between methamphetamine and marijuana consumption. In addition, a positive correlation between the age at first drug use and cognitive impairment was found.Conclusions: DAST are brief administration instruments that allow obtaining data on drug abuse and drug addiction patterns. In addition, they can be used to identify the interaction between the consumption patterns of different drugs and the possible association between age at first drug use and cognitive dysfunction.

scholarly journals Consumo de riesgo de drogas utilizando la herramienta ASSIST modificado en estudiantes, docentes y personal administrativo de una universidad pública.

2019 ◽  
Vol 30 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Santiago Piedra ◽  
Alberto Narváez Olalla ◽  
Patricio Jácome ◽  
Raúl Terán ◽  
Dimitri Barreto ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Drug Use ◽  
University Students ◽  
Internal Consistency ◽  
Analytical Study ◽  
Significant Proportion ◽  
Internal Consistency Reliability ◽  
Public University ◽  
Moderate Risk ◽  
Social Expenditures ◽  
Significant Health

Drug use is a major cause of global morbidity and its impact generates significant health, economic and social expenditures. The highest rates of drug use are seen in the population between the ages of 18 and 25, where a significant proportion are university students. The objective of this study was to calculate the prevalence of substance risk consumption among students, professors and workers at a public university in Ecuador. In addition, the calculation of the internal consistency (reliability) of the modified ASSIST questionnaire was performed. Patients and Methods: A cross-analytical study was conducted, the Alcohol, Tobacco and Substances Consumption Detection (ASSIST) test was applied in two population groups (students and workers – teachers). The internal consistency of each subscale of the questionnaire was evaluated with Cronbach’s alpha. Percentages with 95% CI were used to estimate the prevalence of risk consumption. Results: 4958 students and 425 teachers, workers and employees responded to the ASSIST questionnaire. The calculation of the internal consistency (reliability) of the instrument, proved Cronbach satisfactory (>0.7) for consumption of tobacco, alcohol and marijuana. The prevalence of high-risk alcohol use (5.3% for students and 4.9% for workers and teachers), tobacco and cannabis were high in the groups studied. In addition, the percentage of the population with moderate risk consumption was also significant. Conclusions: Under the high rates of high and moderate risk use for drug use, it is necessary to implement a comprehensive program of promotion, prevention, treatment and rehabilitation aimed at university students. The modified ASSIST test showed satisfactory internal consistency in the assessment of substance risk consumption.

The Colorado Cognitive Assessment (CoCA): Development of an Advanced Neuropsychological Screening Tool

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ashita S. Gurnani ◽  
Shayne S.-H. Lin ◽  
Brandon E Gavett
Keyword(s):  
Construct Validity ◽  
Psychometric Properties ◽  
Cognitive Assessment ◽  
Screening Tool ◽  
Depression Scale ◽  
Internal Consistency Reliability ◽  
Screening Tests ◽  
Cognitive Screening ◽  
Analysis Model ◽  
Factor Analysis Model

Objective: The Colorado Cognitive Assessment (CoCA) was designed to improve upon existing screening tests in a number of ways, including enhanced psychometric properties and minimization of bias across diverse groups. This paper describes the initial validation study of the CoCA, which seeks to describe the test; demonstrate its construct validity; measurement invariance to age, education, sex, and mood symptoms; and compare it to the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA). Method: Participants included 151 older adults (MAge = 71.21, SD = 8.05) who were administered the CoCA, MoCA, Judgment test from the Neuropsychological Assessment Battery (NAB), 15-item version of the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS-15), and 10-item version of the Geriatric Anxiety Scale (GAS-10). Results: A single factor confirmatory factor analysis model of the CoCA fit the data well, CFI = 0.955; RMSEA = 0.033. The CoCA’s internal consistency reliability was .84, compared to .74 for the MoCA. The CoCA had stronger disattenuated correlations with the MoCA (r = .79) and NAB Judgment (r = .47) and weaker correlations with the GDS-15 (r = -.36) and GAS-10 (r = -.15), supporting its construct validity. Finally, when analyzed using multiple indicators, multiple causes (MIMIC) modeling, the CoCA showed no evidence of measurement non-invariance, unlike the MoCA. Conclusions: These results provide initial evidence to suggest that the CoCA is a valid cognitive screening tool that offers numerous advantages over the MoCA, including superior psychometric properties and measurement non-invariance. Additional validation and normative studies are warranted.

scholarly journals Influence of Masks Protecting against SARS-CoV-2 on Thermal Comfort

Energies ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (11) ◽  
pp. 3315
Author(s):  
Ewa Zender-Świercz ◽  
Marek Telejko ◽  
Beata Galiszewska
Keyword(s):  
Thermal Comfort ◽  
Public Spaces ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
The Other ◽  
Health Policies ◽  
Thermal Manikin ◽  
Public Health Policies ◽  
Protective Shield ◽  
Full Face ◽  
The Impact

Due to the spread of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, most countries have tightened their public health policies. One way to limit the spread of the virus is to make mouth and nose cover compulsory in public spaces. The article presents the impact of wearing masks on the perception of thermal comfort. The following masks were analysed: FFP2, cotton, medical, PM2.5, half-face protective shield plastic and full-face protective shield plastic. The research was carried out for two scenarios of an ambient temperature: −20 and 30 °C. A thermal manikin was used for the tests. In the case of when a temperature equals 20 °C, the dry masks increase comfort, both general and local, while wet masks reduce comfort. On the other hand, at 30 °C, only wet masks do not increase discomfort. In addition, moist masks require less heat flux to achieve a certain skin temperature. However, it should be remembered that it is not advisable to wet the masks from the health point of view.

scholarly journals Population simulations of COVID-19 outbreaks provide tools for risk assessment and continuity planning

JAMIA Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bo Peng ◽  
Rowland W Pettit ◽  
Christopher I Amos
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Risk Assessment ◽  
Emergency Response ◽  
Robustness Analysis ◽  
Health Policies ◽  
Command Line ◽  
Public Health Policies ◽  
Continuity Planning ◽  
Quantitative Estimates ◽  
Community Infection

Abstract Objectives We developed COVID-19 Outbreak Simulator (https://ictr.github.io/covid19-outbreak-simulator/) to quantitatively estimate the effectiveness of preventative and interventive measures to prevent and battle COVID-19 outbreaks for specific populations. Materials and methods Our simulator simulates the entire course of infection and transmission of the virus among individuals in heterogeneous populations, subject to operations and influences, such as quarantine, testing, social distancing, and community infection. It provides command-line and Jupyter notebook interfaces and a plugin system for user-defined operations. Results The simulator provides quantitative estimates for COVID-19 outbreaks in a variety of scenarios and assists the development of public health policies, risk-reduction operations, and emergency response plans. Discussion Our simulator is powerful, flexible, and customizable, although successful applications require realistic estimation and robustness analysis of population-specific parameters. Conclusion Risk assessment and continuity planning for COVID-19 outbreaks are crucial for the continued operation of many organizations. Our simulator will be continuously expanded to meet this need.

scholarly journals Characterization of death from colorectal cancer in Mato Grosso State/Legal Amazon/Brazil, 2000-2016

2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (Supplement_5) ◽  
Author(s):  
R S Caló ◽  
B S N Souza ◽  
N D Galvão ◽  
R A G Souza ◽  
J C S Oliveira ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Colorectal Cancer ◽  
International Classification Of Diseases ◽  
Health Policies ◽  
Rectosigmoid Junction ◽  
Mato Grosso ◽  
Public Health Policies ◽  
Goods And Services ◽  
Classification Of Diseases ◽  
Using Data

Abstract Background Colorectal cancer has been one of the cancers that most contributed to mortality, in both sexes in the world. In Brazil, cancer is among the top five causes of death and colorectal cancer is ranked on the fifth position. Of the Federative Units belonging to the Legal Amazon, Mato Grosso stands out for the higher adjusted incidence of colorectal cancer for both sexes. Thus, the objective is to characterize deaths from colorectal cancer, according to sociodemographic variables in Mato Grosso from 2000 to 2016. Methods A descriptive study was carried out, using data from the Mortality Information System, made available by the Department of Health of the Mato Grosso State. Deaths of all ages were selected, whose basic cause was identified by the codes from the International Classification of Diseases: (C.18) colon cancer, (C.19) rectosigmoid junction cancer, (C.20) rectal cancer or (C.21) anus cancer. Results Between 2000 and 2016, 31,607 deaths from cancer were registered. Of these, 1,750 (5.6%) were due to colorectal cancer. An increased number of deaths was observed at the end of the period, with a variation from 46 deaths in 2000 from 173 in 2016. Highest frequency was verified in men (51.3%), people aged 60 years or older (59.7%), black (54.6%), married (52.3%) and those with primary education (55.2%). According to Brazilian occupation classification options or those answers filled out on the death certificate, highest frequency were for “Retired” (26.2%), “Housewife” (23.1%), Agricultural/Forestry and Fisheries” (11.3%) and “Production of Industrial Goods and Services” (10.3%). Conclusions This study evidenced the increased number of deaths due to colorectal cancer in Mato Grosso State, and identified priority groups for interventions through public health policies which should include screening and early diagnosis to cope with the disease. Key messages Evidenced the increased number of deaths due to colorectal cancer in Mato Grosso State. Identified priority groups for interventions through public health policies.

scholarly journals How do we assess resilience and grit among internal medicine residents at the Mayo Clinic? A longitudinal validity study including correlations with medical knowledge, professionalism and clinical performance

BMJ Open ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (12) ◽  
pp. e040699
Author(s):  
Fares Alahdab ◽  
Andrew J Halvorsen ◽  
Jayawant N Mandrekar ◽  
Brianna E Vaa ◽  
Victor M Montori ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Internal Medicine ◽  
Internal Consistency ◽  
Test Performance ◽  
Mayo Clinic ◽  
Clinical Performance ◽  
Medical Knowledge ◽  
Internal Consistency Reliability ◽  
Validity Study ◽  
Training Environment ◽  
Conference Attendance

BackgroundThere has been limited research on the positive aspects of physician wellness and to our knowledge there have been no validity studies on measures of resilience and grit among internal medicine (IM) residents.ObjectivesTo investigate the validity of resilience (10 items Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC 10)) and grit (Short Grit Scale (GRIT-S)) scores among IM residents at a large academic centre, and assess potential associations with previously validated measures of medical knowledge, clinical performance and professionalism.MethodsWe evaluated CD-RISC 10 and GRIT-S instrument scores among IM residents at the Mayo Clinic Rochester, Minnesota between July 2017 and June 2019. We analysed dimensionality, internal consistency reliability and criterion validity in terms of relationships between resilience and grit, with standardised measures of residents’ medical knowledge (in-training examination (ITE)), clinical performance (faculty and peer evaluations and Mini-Clinical Evaluation Examination (mini-CEX)) and professionalism/dutifulness (conference attendance and evaluation completion).ResultsA total of 213 out of 253 (84.2%) survey-eligible IM residents provided both CD-RISC 10 and GRIT-S survey responses. Internal consistency reliability (Cronbach alpha) was excellent for CD-RISC 10 (0.93) and GRIT-S (0.82) overall, and for the GRIT subscales of consistency of interest (0.84) and perseverance of effort (0.71). CD-RISC 10 scores were negatively associated with ITE percentile (β=−3.4, 95% CI −6.2 to −0.5, p=0.02) and mini-CEX (β=−0.2, 95% CI −0.5 to −0.02, p=0.03). GRIT-S scores were positively associated with evaluation completion percentage (β=2.51, 95% CI 0.35 to 4.67, p=0.02) and conference attendance (β=2.70, 95% CI 0.11 to 5.29, p=0.04).ConclusionsThis study revealed favourable validity evidence for CD-RISC 10 and GRIT-S among IM residents. Residents demonstrated resilience within a competitive training environment despite less favourable test performance and grittiness that was manifested by completing tasks. This initial validity study provides a foundation for further research on resilience and grit among physicians in training.

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