scholarly journals Speech-Language and Cognitive Findings in Patients with HIV/AIDS

2015 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 101-107
Author(s):  
K James Kallail ◽  
Julie Scherz ◽  
David W Downs ◽  
Donna Sweet ◽  
Rosalee E Zackula

BACKGROUND: Few adult patients with HIV/AIDS are screened regularly for speech-language and cognitive disorders even though they may manifest communication difficulties. No comprehensive studies assessing the broad range of speech-language and cognitive disorders of adults with HIV/AIDS appear in the literature. As such, clinicians may be unfamiliar with the types of communication disorders that may be manifested. This study assessed the prevalence of speech-language and cognitive disorders in adults with HIV/AIDS using a broad inventory of speech, language, and cognitive skills. METHODS: A cross-sectional design was used to investigate communication disorders in a convenience sample of patients living with HIV/AIDS. Adult patients from a general internal medicine clinic in Wichita, Kansas were recruited as they presented for medical appointments. Each participant received a speech-language and cognitive test battery consisting of 10 assessments. RESULTS: The primary outcomes were: (1) presence of any speech-language or cognitive disorder, and (2) degree of communication disorder, as measured by the number of positive results. Eighty-two adults with HIV/AIDS were evaluated for communication disorders. Prevalence was 95%; 78 out of 82 participants manifested abnormal findings on at least one assessment in the test battery. Test results revealed a variety of cognitive and language issues, mostly related to integrating information on the picture description task (45%), timed word generation (44%), and memory-related story retelling (35%). Two participants revealed abnormal results on all ten assessments. CONCLUSION: Speech-language and cognition deficits are common in adult patients with HIV/AIDS. Every patient with HIV/AIDS should be assessed to determine the impact of these communication deficits on their daily living skills.

2020 ◽  
Vol 23 (18) ◽  
pp. 3387-3393
Author(s):  
Nanette Stroebele-Benschop ◽  
Kerstin Wolf ◽  
Katharine Palmer ◽  
Casey J Kelley ◽  
Stephanie B Jilcott Pitts

AbstractObjective:To assess availability, variety, price and quality of different food products in a convenience sample of supermarkets in Germany and the USA.Design:Cross-sectional study using an adapted version of the Bridging the Gap Food Store Observation Form.Setting:Information on availability, quality, price and variety of selected food products in eight German and seven US supermarkets (discount and full service) was obtained and compared by country.Results:A general tendency for lower prices of fruits and vegetables in Germany was observed, while produce quality and variety did not seem to differ between countries, with the exception of the variety of some vegetables such as tomatoes. Chips and cereals did not differ significantly in variety nor price. In both countries, high energy-dense foods were lower in energy costs than lower energy-dense foods.Conclusions:The influence of food prices and availability on consumption should be further explored, including the impact of country differences.


2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S459-S459
Author(s):  
Hyun-E Yeom ◽  
Eunyoung Park ◽  
Misook Jung

Abstract Midlife is a transitional period with considerable stress related to health changes and interpersonal responsibilities. Understanding how self-perception of aging and family function affect stress is essential to improve quality of life in midlife and beyond. The purpose of this study was to examine the association among self-perception of aging, family function, and stress with a specific focus on the interaction between self-perception of aging and family function, which affect stress in midlife Koreans. This is a cross-sectional study. Data on a convenience sample of 249 midlife Koreans (age mean= 50.6, 50.1% male) were collected through a self-administered survey and analyzed using the PROCESS macro for SPSS. Self-perception of aging was significantly related to family function (r= -.121, p=.045), and family function was related to stress (r= -.402, p<.000). Self-perception of aging was a significant predictor for stress (β= -.130, p=.008) after adjusting for age, gender, subjective health status, and chronic health problems. A significant interaction between family function and self-perception of aging on stress was found (β= -.261, p=.006), indicating that the influence of self-perception of aging on stress was different depending on family function. Self-perception of aging was a strong predictor of stress in individuals who reported poorer support from family members, but not in those who reported better support. Our findings emphasize the importance of supportive family function, which could regulate the impact of self-perception of aging on stress in midlife. Developing psycho-cognitive interventions to improve self-perception of aging and supportive interaction between family members is warranted.


2017 ◽  
Vol 13 (7S_Part_7) ◽  
pp. P380-P380
Author(s):  
Teemu Paajanen ◽  
Shadi Mahdiani ◽  
Marie Bruun ◽  
Marta Baroni ◽  
Hanneke FM. Rhodius- Meester ◽  
...  

Author(s):  
Phillip J. Wallace ◽  
Ricardo S Martins ◽  
Jake S Scott ◽  
Scott W Steele ◽  
Matthew Greenway ◽  
...  

Dopamine activity can modulate physical performance in the heat, but less is known about its effects on cognition during thermal stress. Twelves males completed a randomized, double-blinded protocol consisting of oral ingestion of 20 mg of methylphenidate (MPH) or placebo (lactose pill) during passive heating using a water-perfused suit (water temperature ~49°C). To identify the impact of peripheral versus central thermal strain, a cognitive test battery was completed at four different thermal states: baseline (BASE; 37.2±0.6˚C core, 32.9±0.7˚C skin), neutral core-hot skin (NC-HS; 37.2±0.3˚C, 37.4±0.3˚C), hyperthermic core-hot skin (HC-HS; 38.7±0.4˚C, 38.7±0.2˚C), and hyperthermic core-cooled skin (HC-CS; 38.5±0.4˚C, 35.1±0.8˚C). The cognitive test battery consisted of the 2-back task (i.e. working memory), set-shifting (i.e. executive function), Groton Maze Learning Task (i.e. executive function) and detection task (i.e. psychomotor processing). MPH led to significantly higher heart rates (~5-15 b·min-1) at BASE, NC-HS, and HC-HS (all p<0.05). There were no significant differences in the number of errors made on each task (all p<0.05). Participants were significantly faster (p<0.05) on the set-shifting task in the HC-HS timepoint, irrespective of drug condition (p>0.05). In summary, we demonstrated that 20 mg of MPH did not significantly alter cognitive function during either normothermia or moderate hyperthermia. Novelty: ● 20 mg of MPH did not significantly alter cognitive function during passive heat stress ● MPH led to significant higher heart rates (~5-15 bmin-1) in thermoneutral and during passive heat stress ● Future studies are needed to determine the mechanisms of why MPH improves physical but not cognitive performance during heat stress


2020 ◽  
Vol 26 (7) ◽  
pp. 171-178
Author(s):  
Samantha Holloway ◽  
Ann Taylor ◽  
Michal Tombs

Aims/Background Existing literature in the healthcare setting indicates that individuals enter higher education, particularly postgraduate programmes, to gain in-depth knowledge of a subject area, with a view to improving their career opportunities. Evidence also suggests that, in addition to perceived career enhancement, individuals also report benefits such as personal growth and broadening of perspectives, which have helped their clinical practice. The aim of this study was to examine the impact of postgraduate study on healthcare professionals' academic practice and discuss the potential links to improvements in clinical practice. Method This was a descriptive cross-sectional survey of a convenience sample of graduates from a range of postgraduate healthcare programmes at one UK university. A survey comprising 18 questions was designed to explore perceptions of impact and was distributed to 962 graduates with a response rate of 9.81% (n=98). Results The majority of respondents were doctors (n=54, 55.1%), women (n=59, 60.2%), based within the UK (n=36, 36.7%) and had completed their programme between 2014 and 2016 (n=72, 73.4%). With regards to achievements in professional practice, participants felt more confident in relation to research and evaluating evidence. In relation to impact on clinical practice, improvements in multidisciplinary team working as well as increased confidence emerged as main themes. Conclusions Findings support existing evidence in relation to the importance of postgraduate study, which is able to instil an increased sense of confidence in graduates' ability. This was particularly related to having a better understanding of speciality-related evidence and its application in clinical practice. This is something that previous studies do not seem to have reported and may reflect the multiprofessional nature of many of the postgraduate programmes provided.


2019 ◽  
Vol 28 (5) ◽  
pp. 470-476 ◽  
Author(s):  
AlMunther Alhasawi ◽  
Saroj Bala Grover ◽  
Ali Sadek ◽  
Ibrahim Ashoor ◽  
Iqbal Alkhabbaz ◽  
...  

Objectives: An estimated 1.8 million individuals worldwide became newly infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in 2016, which amounts to 5,000 new infections per day. This includes 160,000 children. The HIV epidemic not only affects the health of individuals but also impacts households, communities, and the development and economic growth of nations [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="ref1">1</xref>]. The prevention and control of HIV infection and acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) are recognized as a national priority in Kuwait. This study assesses the knowledge, awareness, and attitudes about HIV/AIDS among senior high school students in Kuwait. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in a convenience sample of 346 students in 8 randomly selected high schools in 3 governorates of Kuwait, using a questionnaire designed to measure the student’s knowledge and attitude towards HIV/AIDS. The survey questionnaire was administered to the students in their classrooms. Results: This study revealed that the students were knowledgeable with regard to the nature and mode of transmission of HIV/AIDS, but they needed a more detailed understanding of the disease to prevent stigmatization and discrimination of an infected person. Conclusion: This study provides a benchmark for further elaborate studies in the community to develop appropriate health education and awareness programs.


2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
pp. 184-194
Author(s):  
Rossida Kusuma Dewi ◽  
Tanjung Anitasari Indah Kusumaningrum ◽  
Mayang Widya Saputri ◽  
Dicha Febriyanti ◽  
Sonia Pebrianti

The prevention program of the impact of HIV / AIDS is a form of handling the existence of the stigma and discrimination of PLWHA. This study aims to analyze the relationship of personal factors consisting of knowledge, perceptions and attitudes of friends about prevention the impact of HIV / AIDS with the stigma of student at the PLWHA, as well as looking for the factors that most influence student stigma against people living with HIV/AIDS. This research is an analytic observational study with a cross sectional approach with a research population of all students of the 2016 and 2017 batches classes of the University in Sukoharjo, totaling 12,457 students with a sample used was 500 students with Proportional Random Sampling. The data collection was using a self administered questionnaire and the data were analyzed using the Chi-Square test in the bivariate test while the logistic regression test was used for multivariate analysis. The results of the bivariate test showed that knowledge (p value = 0,0001), perception (p value = 0,0001), and the attitudes of friends (p value = 0,0001) with stigma of students towards PLWHA with a significant level of a = 0,05. The multivariate test found that the attitude of friends is the most influential factor on student stigma in PLWHA (OR=5,627). It is necessary to provide information to students and the scope of their friendship about HIV/AIDS, as well as HIV prevention programs to reduce stigma in PLWHA.  Keywords : personal factors, friend attitude, HIV/AIDS, stigma, PLWHA


2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. 455-455
Author(s):  
Amelia Sullivan ◽  
Leigh Neptune ◽  
Kayla Parsons ◽  
Ashley Reynolds ◽  
Carol Byrd-Bredbenner ◽  
...  

Abstract Objectives The objective was to examine the relationship between grit and health outcomes in college undergraduate students. Methods A cross-sectional convenience sample of college undergraduate students completed an online survey assessing Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQOL), the National Cancer Institute Fruit and Vegetable Screener, and the 2-item Hager Food Insecurity Screener. Grit was assessed by generating a mean score using the 8-item short grit scale. Independent t-tests were used to compare health outcomes between students who reported above/below the average grit score of the sample. Chi-square tests were used to examine group differences between grit level and prevalence of food insecurity. Results Participants (N = 655) were 19.8 ± 1.5 years old, mostly female (63%), and white (84%). The average grit score was 3.27 ± 0.54 out of 5. Results indicated that students who were grittier than average (n = 372) reported fewer days/months (d/m) with poor mental health (8.1 ± 8.5 vs. 11.6 ± 9.6, P &lt; 0.001), fewer d/m feeling sad/depressed (6.2 ± 7.7 vs. 9.9 ± 9.3, P &lt; 0.001), more d/m with restful sleep (12.9 ± 9.8 vs. 10.3 ± 8.6, P &lt; 0.001), more d/m feeling very healthy and full of energy (12.6 ± 8.8 vs. 8.4 ± 7.5, P &lt; 0.001), and ate more servings of fruits and vegetables per day (2.4 ± 1.3 vs. 2.1 ± 1.32, P &lt; 0.01). Grittier participants were also less likely to report being food insecure (16.0%) vs. less grittier participants (23.3%), P &lt; 0.05. Conclusions This data indicates that students who were grittier than average reported better HRQOL, consumed a more healthful diet, and were more likely to be food secure. This provides justification for future research to explore grit as a mediating factor that may contribute to better health outcomes, especially in populations particularly susceptible to experiencing poor HRQOL and food insecurity. Funding Sources This project was supported by the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture, Hatch project number #ME0022104 through the Maine Agricultural & Forest Experiment Station. NJ Agriculture Experiment Station.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 1120-1133
Author(s):  
José Magano ◽  
Diogo Guedes Vidal ◽  
Hélder Fernando Pedrosa e Sousa ◽  
Maria Alzira Pimenta Dinis ◽  
Ângela Leite

This cross-sectional study aims to determine the psychological factors that contribute to the perceived impact of COVID-19 on travel using a convenience sample (N = 1122) from the general population to whom instruments assessing the perception of the COVID-19 pandemic’s impact on travel, anxiety, fear, phobia, risk perception, and stress were applied. The participants were mainly female (65.6%), had not attended university, and who were professionally active, with a mean age of around 30-years-old (M = 31.91, SD = 13.76, Min = 18, Max = 81). The perceived impact of COVID-19 on travel correlates with all of the psychological variables, mainly in terms of the emotional fear of COVID-19. Together with the perceived risk of COVID-19, social phobia due to COVID-19, and COVID-19 stress contamination, these variables explain 20% of the perceived impact of COVID-19 on travel variance. The relationship between COVID-19 stress socio-economic consequences and the perception of the pandemic’s impact on travel is moderated by the emotional perceived risk of COVID-19. Fear and perception of this risk explain the impact of the COVID-19 on travel in pandemic times, suggesting that the psychological impact of fear and anxiety induced by the pandemic needs to be handled as a public health priority.


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