scholarly journals A cross sectional study assessing six different methods to predict the ideal position of umbilical venous catheters in neonates of different weight categories

Author(s):  
Nida Janna V. K. ◽  
Serena Mohan Varghese ◽  
Madhu George ◽  
Susan John

 Background: This was  a cross sectional study  done to find the most suitable method of assessing umbilical venous catheter (UVC)  length in seventy two neonates of four different weight categories using  six methods.Methods: Neonates were grouped into A (upto 1 kg), B (>1-1.5 kg), C (>1.5-2.5 kg) or  D (>2.5 kg)  based on their birth weight. UVC was placed using Shukla-Ferrara method and x-ray taken to finalize the catheter length. The predicted catheter length was also measured by  Dunn method, umbilicus to nipple length, umbilicus to xiphisternum length, umbilicus to midpoint of inter mammary distance, and umbilicus to symphysis pubis length. ANOVA test was used to find the methods which did not have statistically significant difference with the final length from x-ray (p>0.5). The method with the least mean difference from final length was taken as the most suitable.Results: UVC length assessed by Shukla Ferrara method and umbilicus to midpoint of inter mammary distance did not have statistically significant difference with final catheter length on x-ray in all groups. UVC length assessed by Dunn method did not have statistically significant difference with final catheter length on x-ray in group A, C and D while UVC length assessed by umbilicus to nipple length did not have statistically significant difference in group D.Conclusions: Umbilicus to the midpoint of inter-mammary distance was the most suitable method to estimate length of insertion of UVC in neonates. 

2021 ◽  
Vol 71 (5) ◽  
pp. 1582-84
Author(s):  
Hassam Anjum Mir ◽  
Mubashir Sharif ◽  
Ali Asif ◽  
Maleeha Shamim ◽  
Maaz Qureshi ◽  
...  

Objective: To determine if the traditional chewing stick Miswak was as effective in cleaning teeth as Toothbrush. Study Design: Cross sectional study. Place and Duration of Study: Armed Forces Institute of Dentistry, Rawalpindi, from Aug 2020 to Jan 2021. Methodology: A total of 300 subjects were included which were divided in two groups on the basis of whether they used miswak or toothbrush as a cleaning aid. Group A was toothbrush users and group B was Miswak user. Plaque Index was used to determine the cleanliness of teeth. The scores were recorded and data analyzed using SPSS-23. Results: The means and standard deviations of Plaque Index score for group A and B were 0.96 ± 0.58 and 0.98 ± 0.56 respectively. The comparison of Plaque Index score for both groups was insignificant with the p-value of 0.083. Conclusion: Within the limitations of this study, it is concluded that, no significant difference was found in the effectiveness of traditional miswak and tooth brush. It is recommended that if the technique of teeth cleaning is good then any of the abovementioned means of teeth cleaning can be used.


2019 ◽  
Vol 26 (02) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ayesha Baqar

Introduction: To study and compare the changes in the height of dermal papillae in the skin of different age groups in a segment of Pakistani population. Study Design: Cross sectional study. Period: Five months, from July 2010 to November 2010. Setting: Anatomy Department, Army Medical College, Rawalpindi. Materials & Method: Sixty volunteers of both sexes, after fulfilling the inclusion criteria, participated in this cross sectional study. They all gave written informed consent. They were divided into three equal groups according to their ages, Group A ranged in age from 18 – 29 years, Group B from 30 – 49 years, and Group C > 50 years. Punch biopsies were taken from the sun protected upper arm skin, from all volunteers, after giving local anaesthesia. Samples were stained with Hematoxylin and Eosin. They were observed under light microscope. Height of dermal papillae was measured at three random sites in each sample and mean was taken.The mean of all three groups was compared with each other and data was analyzed. Results: The mean of each sample was taken and then final mean of each group was calculated. They were then compared with each other. The mean height of dermal papillae of group A was 98.667µm, that of group B was 83.333µm and the mean height of dermal papillae in group C was 47.33µm. There was significant difference between the three groups and ‘p’-value was less than 0.5. Conclusion: At the end of this study, it was concluded that, the height of dermal papillae reduces significantly with age.


2021 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
pp. 34-39
Author(s):  
Sepideh Vahabi ◽  
Siavash Beiranvand ◽  
Arash Karimi ◽  
Bagher Jafari-Takab

Purpose: Post-anesthesia shivering is one of the most common problems after surgery and may lead to multiple complications such as hypoxemia, lactate acidosis and catecholamine release. The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of intravenous meperidine and ondansetron on postoperative shivering in patients having an elective cesarean section under spinal anesthesia. Design: Cross-sectional study Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 105 patients with the age of 18-45 years and ASA class I-II undergoing elective cesarean section were randomly assigned into three groups. Group O was administered 8mg ondansetron, group M patients were given 0.4mg/kg meperidine and group P was placebo that was administered with 2cc of saline intravenously after the delivery. The incidence and intensity of shivering and postoperative nausea was monitored and recorded by the trained nurse. The data obtained was analyzed using SPSS v18. Results: All three groups (n=35) had no significant difference in terms of age, weight and time of spinal anesthesia. Postoperative shivering was reported in 4 patients (11.4%) in group A and 3 patients (8.6%) in group B and in 14 patients (40%) in group C. The incidence of postoperative shivering was significantly less in groups A and B as compared to the placebo, p=0.03. The intensity of shivering was greater in group C as compared to groups A and B, p=0.01. The incidence and intensity of postoperative nausea was significantly less in group A, p=0.03, p<0.001, respectively, while no difference was reported in groups B and C, p<0.05. Conclusion: 8mg ondansetron and 0.4 mg/kg of meperidine are equally effective in managing postoperative shivering; however, ondansetron has an additional effect of reducing the incidence of postoperative nausea among patients undergoing caesarean section with spinal anesthesia.


BMJ Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. e046265
Author(s):  
Shotaro Doki ◽  
Shinichiro Sasahara ◽  
Daisuke Hori ◽  
Yuichi Oi ◽  
Tsukasa Takahashi ◽  
...  

ObjectivesPsychological distress is a worldwide problem and a serious problem that needs to be addressed in the field of occupational health. This study aimed to use artificial intelligence (AI) to predict psychological distress among workers using sociodemographic, lifestyle and sleep factors, not subjective information such as mood and emotion, and to examine the performance of the AI models through a comparison with psychiatrists.DesignCross-sectional study.SettingWe conducted a survey on psychological distress and living conditions among workers. An AI model for predicting psychological distress was created and then the results were compared in terms of accuracy with predictions made by psychiatrists.ParticipantsAn AI model of the neural network and six psychiatrists.Primary outcomeThe accuracies of the AI model and psychiatrists for predicting psychological distress.MethodsIn total, data from 7251 workers were analysed to predict moderate and severe psychological distress. An AI model of the neural network was created and accuracy, sensitivity and specificity were calculated. Six psychiatrists used the same data as the AI model to predict psychological distress and conduct a comparison with the AI model.ResultsThe accuracies of the AI model and psychiatrists for predicting moderate psychological distress were 65.2% and 64.4%, respectively, showing no significant difference. The accuracies of the AI model and psychiatrists for predicting severe psychological distress were 89.9% and 85.5%, respectively, indicating that the AI model had significantly higher accuracy.ConclusionsA machine learning model was successfully developed to screen workers with depressed mood. The explanatory variables used for the predictions did not directly ask about mood. Therefore, this newly developed model appears to be able to predict psychological distress among workers easily, regardless of their subjective views.


BMJ Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. e043814
Author(s):  
Mesfin Tadese ◽  
Andargachew Kassa ◽  
Abebaw Abeje Muluneh ◽  
Girma Altaye

ObjectivesThe study aimed to provide an association between dysmenorrhoea and academic performance among university students in Ethiopia. Further, the study attempts to determine the prevalence and associated risk factors of dysmenorrhoea.Design and methodInstitution-based cross-sectional study was conducted from 1 April to 28 April 2019. A semistructured and pretested self-administered questionnaire was used to collect data. Binary logistic regression analysis and one-way analysis of variance were performed to model dysmenorrhoea and academic performance, respectively.Setting and participantsEthiopia (2019: n=647 female university students).OutcomesThe primary outcome is dysmenorrhoea, which has been defined as painful menses that prevents normal activity and requires medication. The self-reported cumulative grade point average of students was used as a proxy measure of academic performance, which is the secondary outcome.ResultsThe prevalence of dysmenorrhoea was 317 (51.5%). The educational status of father (adjusted OR (AOR) (95% CI) 2.64 (1.04 to 6.66)), chocolate consumption (AOR (95% CI) 3.39 (95% 1.28 to 8.93)), daily breakfast intake (<5 days/week) (AOR (95% CI) 0.63 (0.42 to 0.95)), irregular menstrual cycle AOR (95% CI) 2.34 (1.55 to 3.54)) and positive family history of dysmenorrhoea AOR (95% CI) 3.29 (2.25 to 4.81)) had statistically significant association with dysmenorrhoea. There was no statistically significant difference in academic performance among students with and without dysmenorrhoea (F (3611)=1.276, p=0.28)).ConclusionsDysmenorrhoea was a common health problem among graduating University students. However, it has no statistically significant impact on academic performance. Reproductive health officers should educate and undermine the negative academic consequences of dysmenorrhoea to reduce the physical and psychological stress that happens to females and their families.


2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Abeer Alharbi ◽  
Joharah Alzuwaed ◽  
Hind Qasem

Abstract Background The Ministry of Health in Saudi Arabia is expanding the country’s telemedicine services by using advanced technology in health services. In doing so, an e-health application (app), Seha, was introduced in 2018 that allows individuals to have face-to-face visual medical consultations with their doctors on their smartphones. Objective This study evaluated the effectiveness of the app in improving healthcare delivery by ensuring patient satisfaction with the care given, increasing access to care, and improving efficiency in the healthcare system. Methods A cross-sectional study design was used to assess the perceptions of users of the Seha app and non-users who continued with traditional health services. The data were collected using an online survey via Google Forms between June 2020 and September 2020. Independent t tests and chi-square (χ2) tests were conducted to answer the research questions. Results There was a significant difference between users and non-users in terms of ease of access to health services (t =  − 9.38, p < 0.05), with app users having a higher mean score (4.19 ± 0.91) than non-users (3.41 ± 1.00); satisfaction with health services (t =  − 6.33, p < 0.05), with users having a higher mean score (3.96 ± 0.91) than non-users (3.45 ± 0.94); and efficiency (only one visit needed for treatment) (t =  − 3.20, p < 0.05), with users having a higher mean score (3.71 ± 0.93) than non-users (3.45 ± 0.93). There were significant associations between the use of the Seha app and age (χ2 = 8.79, p < 0.05), gender (χ2 = 22.19, p < 0.05), region (χ2 = 19.74, p < 0.05), and occupation (χ2 = 22.05, p < 0.05). There were significant relationships between the three items (on access, satisfaction, and efficiency) and experiencing technical issues (t = 4.47, t = 8.11, and t = 3.24, respectively, p < 0.05), with users who faced technical problems having significantly lower mean scores for all three items. Conclusion This study provided evidence that the Seha app improved the delivery of healthcare in Saudi Arabia. Users of the app had a better health experience in terms of their perceived ease of access to healthcare services; their satisfaction with healthcare services; and the efficiency of the system, measured by the number of required doctor visits. Other factors that appeared to influence the use of the app included age, gender, usual source of care, and technical difficulties.


2019 ◽  
Vol 90 (3) ◽  
pp. e31.1-e31
Author(s):  
T Samuel ◽  
K Aquilina ◽  
W Dawes

ObjectivesTo investigate the current understanding parents have of concussion in their rugby-playing children aged 9–17.DesignCross-sectional studySubjects86 parents from four clubs completed an online questionnaireMethodsAreas covered (1) Parental experience of concussion (2) Rate of viewing of the RFU concussion educational video (RFUCEV), (3) Identification of symptoms of concussion (4) Understanding of the risk of concussion. Each participant was given a composite score, out of 19, based on their performance in symptom identification and true/false questions. Independent-sample two-tailed t-tests were conducted to analyse scores, primarily controlling for viewing of the RFUCEVResultsThere was a significant difference in the scores between the group that had viewed the RFUCEV (n=32, M=14.75, SD=2.55) and those who had not (n=54, M=13.05, SD=2.87); t(84)=2.75, p=0.00721. Additionally, over 25% of parents reported that their child had suffered a concussion, and this was also found to significantly improve the awareness score (p=0.04678)ConclusionsStatistically significant improvement in composite scores after viewing the RFUCEV makes it reasonable to require compulsory parental education prior to signing up a child to play rugby. This would build on the protocol changes made by the RFU in 2014 and further progress the safety of the sport. We suggest the video be improved to emphasise the areas highlighted as inadequately understood, including the increased risk of concussion in under-18s compared to adults.


2014 ◽  
Vol 26 (3) ◽  
pp. 447-453 ◽  
Author(s):  
Whye Lian Cheah ◽  
Hazmi Helmy ◽  
Ching Thon Chang

Abstract Rural communities have shown marked increase in metabolic syndrome among young people, with physical inactivity as one of the main contributing factors. This study aimed to determine factors associated with physical inactivity among male and female rural adolescents in a sample of schools in Malaysia. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 145 students aged 13–15 years. Data on socio-demographic, health-related, and psychosocial factors (perceived barriers, self-efficacy, social influences) were collected using a self-administered questionnaire. Anthropometric measurement was taken to generate body mass index (BMI)-for-age, while physical activity (PA) level was assessed using pedometers. The mean steps per day was 6251.37 (SD=3085.31) with males reported as being more active. About 27% of the respondents were either overweight or obese, with more females in this group. There was no significant difference in steps among males and females (p=0.212), and nutritional status (BMI-for-age) (p=0.439). Females consistently scored higher in most items under perceived barriers, but had significantly lower scores in self-efficacy’s items. Males were more influenced by peers in terms of PA (p<0.001) and were more satisfied with their body parts (p=0.047). A significantly higher body size discrepancy score was found among females (p=0.034, CI –0.639, –0.026). PA level was low and almost one-third of the respondents were overweight and obese. Female students faced more barriers and had lower self-efficacy with regards PA. Based on the findings, it is recommended that interventions focus on reducing barriers while increasing support for PA. This is particularly important in improving the health status of the youth, especially among the females.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohammad Nour Shashaa ◽  
Mohamad Shadi Alkarrash ◽  
Mohammad Nour Kitaz ◽  
Roaa Rhayim ◽  
Mohammed Ismail ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Sudden cardiac arrest considers one of the most leading cause for death in all over the world. It is important for all medical students to train basic life support. This study evaluated the awareness of basic life support among medical students. Methods An electronic questionnaire based cross sectional study was conducted in November 2020 among 2114 medical student in Syria, Iraq and Jordan. We evaluated BLS skills according to mean score. A chi-squared test was used to determine if there were differences between those who attended a basic life support course and those who did not. Results 1656 of the participants (78.3%) stated that they did not attend a basic life support course. There was a significant difference between the participants from different countries where the mean score in Syria, Jordan and Iraq was 18.3, 24.3 and 18.8 respectively (p < 0.05). The participants were divided into 3 level according to total score; low (0–12), moderate (13–24) and high (25–37). In total, 18.3%, 72.8% and 8.9% of participants had high, intermediate and low level respectively. Conclusions The overall knowledge of basic life support among medical students is not adequate and need significant improvements. This study showed that an attendance a basic life support course previously had an effect on knowledge level. Hence, there is an urgent need to apply basic life support courses into the pre-clinical stage at universities.


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