scholarly journals The Effectiveness of Low-Investment Pachinko/Pachislot in Reducing Gambling-Related Harms: A Cross Sectional Study

Author(s):  
Kengo Yokomitsu ◽  
Kazuya Inoue ◽  
Tomonari Irie

Abstract BackgroundPachinko and pachislot are popular types of gambling activities in Japan. Prior studies in Japan have reported a concerning prevalence of problem gambling among adult players. While these studies have identified various gambling-related harms, Japanese research on harm-minimization strategies is scarce. Therefore, the present study aimed to analyze the effectiveness of low-investment pachinko and pachislot as a harm-reduction strategy. MethodsWe considered gamblers who played games that cost the typical amount of money to be “normal-pachi players.” Those who played low-investment games were categorized as “half-pachi players” and “quarter-pachi players,” reflecting those who played games at half or one quarter the cost of a typical machine, respectively. To assess the harm-reduction effect, a one-way ANCOVA was conducted to compare the impact of the groups (normal-pachi players [n= 101], half-pachi players [n= 104], and quarter-pachi players [n= 100]) on dependent variables, namely the number of days players had gambled during the prior month; total time and amount of money spent on gambling; debts caused by gambling; gambling severity; cognitive distortion; depressive symptoms; and problems in work, family, and social life. ResultsWe demonstrated that the amount of money spent by quarter-pachi players on gambling during the past month was lower than that of normal-pachi players. However, we did not find significant differences with respect to any other gambling-related harms among normal-, half-, and quarter-pachi players. ConclusionLow-investment pachinko and pachislot can reduce the amount of money spent on gambling. It can thus partly act as a harm-minimization strategy. Moreover, the results of the present study indicate that the problems at work affect various outcomes for gamblers. Given that 90% of the participants in this study were employed, the results of this study may have important implications for employed gamblers.

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kengo Yokomitsu ◽  
Kazuya Inoue ◽  
Tomonari Irie

Abstract Background: Pachinko and pachislot are popular types of gambling activities in Japan. Prior studies in Japan have reported a concerning prevalence of gambling disorder among university students and adult players. While these studies have identified various gambling-related harms, Japanese research on harm-minimization strategies is scarce. Therefore, the present study aimed to analyze the effectiveness of low-investment pachinko and pachislot as a harm-reduction strategy. Methods: We also called gamblers who played for the normal amount as “normal-pachi players,” those who played pachinko and pachislot for half of the normal amount were called “half-pachi players,” and those who played for a quarter of the normal amount were called “quarter-pachi players.” To assess the effect of harm reduction, a one-way ANCOVA was conducted to compare the impact of the groups (normal-pachi players [n= 101], half-pachi players [n= 104], and quarter-pachi players [n= 100]) on dependent variables, namely the number of days players had gambled during the prior month, the total time and amount of money spent on gambling, debts caused by gambling, gambling severity, cognitive distortion, depressive symptoms, and disability. Results: We demonstrated that the amount of money spent by quarter-pachi players on gambling during the past month was lower than that of normal-pachi players. However, we did not find significant differences with respect to any other gambling-related harms among normal-, half-, and quarter-pachi players. Conclusion: Low-investment pachinko and pachislot can reduce the amount of money spent on gambling. It can thus partly act as a harm-minimization strategy. Moreover, the results of present study indicate that the level of disability at work affects various outcomes for gamblers. Given that 90% of the participants in this study were employed, the results of this study may have important implications for employed gamblers. Interventions should be devised to reduce work-related disabilities among employed adults with a gambling disorder.


PLoS ONE ◽  
2022 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
pp. e0262325
Author(s):  
Nazish Imran ◽  
Fauzia Naz ◽  
Muhammad Imran Sharif ◽  
Sumbul Liaqat ◽  
Musarrat Riaz ◽  
...  

Background COVID-19 has posed unique challenges for adolescents in different dimensions of their life including education, home and social life, mental and physical health. Whether the impact is positive or negative, its significance on the overall shaping of adolescents’ lives cannot be overlooked. The aim of the present study was to explore impacts of the pandemic on the adolescents’ everyday lives in Pakistan. Methods Following ethical approval, this cross-sectional study was conducted through September to December, 2020 via an online survey on 842 adolescents with the mean age of 17.14 ± SD 1.48. Socio-demographic data and Epidemic Pandemic Impact Inventory-Adolescent Adaptation (EPII-A) was used to assess the multi-dimensional effects of the pandemic. Results Among the 842 participants, 84% were girls. Education emerged as the most negatively affected Pandemic domain (41.6–64.3%). Most of the adolescents (62.0–65.8%) had reported changes in responsibilities at home including increased time spent in helping family members. Besides, increase in workload of participants and their parents was prominent (41.8% & 47.6%). Social activities were mostly halted for approximately half (41–51%) of the participants. Increased screen time, decreased physical activity and sedentary lifestyle were reported by 52.7%, 46.3% and 40.7% respectively. 22.2–62.4% of the adolescents had a direct experience with quarantine, while 15.7% experienced death of a close friend or relative. Positive changes in their lives were endorsed by 30.5–62.4% respondents. Being male and older adolescents had significant association with negative impact across most domains (p<0.05). Conclusions Results have shown that COVID-19 exert significant multidimensional impacts on the physical, psycho-social, and home related domains of adolescents that are certainly more than what the previous researches has suggested.


2021 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 37-43
Author(s):  
Anita Kandel ◽  
Bima Thapa Chhetri

Introduction: Work-Life Balance (WLB) is defined as a degree to which a person is engaged in and satisfied with their work, family and social life. The objective of this study was to assess the level of WLB among nurses working in tertiary level hospital and to measure the association between independent variables and level of WLB. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 95 nurses working in different wards of tertiary level hospital by using non-probability purposive sample method during the month of March 2020 for two weeks. Self-developed, semi structured pretested questionnaire was used for data collection. Results: The respondents who had achieved a moderate level of WLB balance was 86.3%, whereas 3.2 % have managed to maintain balance and the remaining 10.5% have reported an imbalanced state of WLB. There was a significant relationship between the type of family (p=0.03), work experience (p=0.04) and the number of earning members in the family (p=0.047) with the level of WLB respectively.   Conclusions: The study concludes that nurses are able to maintain a moderately balanced state of work-life.


Geriatrics ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (4) ◽  
pp. 96
Author(s):  
Bruno Corrado ◽  
Benedetto Giardulli ◽  
Francesco Polito ◽  
Salvatore Aprea ◽  
Mariangela Lanzano ◽  
...  

Urinary incontinence is a hygienic and psychosocial problem that often brings people to restrict their social life and to experience depression. The main aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of urinary incontinence on quality of life among residents of the Metropolitan City of Naples, Italy, using a newly designed multidimensional questionnaire. The secondary objective was to find which variables affect the quality of life and symptom severity in these patients. To do so, a sample composed of twenty-eight patients was recruited in a multicentre cross-sectional study. Most of the participants had a mild impairment (60%) concerning social life and self-perception, especially those whose education was above the primary level (p = 0.036) and those who followed a pelvic floor rehabilitation program (p = 0.002). Overflow urinary incontinence was associated with a greater deterioration in the aspirational and occupational domain (p = 0.044). Symptom severity was worse in those who had comorbidities (p = 0.038), who had a high body mass index (p = 0.008) or who used diuretics (p = 0.007). In conclusion, our results suggest that there is a significant impairment of quality of life in patients who have only primary education and who follow a pelvic floor rehabilitation program.


2020 ◽  
Vol 79 (Suppl 1) ◽  
pp. 493.2-493
Author(s):  
B. Fortuna ◽  
I. Peláez-Ballestas ◽  
F. García-Rodríguez ◽  
E. Faugier ◽  
S. Mendieta ◽  
...  

Background:Pediatric rheumatic diseases (PRD) have an important impact on different aspects of the patients’ and caregivers’ life, such as physical, emotional, economic, and social. Some studies have shown that parents of patients with PRD have important impact but there is a lack of information of this topic from Latinamerican countries.Objectives:The aim of this study is to describe and analyze the impact of juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA), juvenile systemic lupus erythematosus (JSLE), and juvenile dermatomyositis (JDM) on Mexican primary caregivers.Methods:This is a multicenter cross-sectional study conducted in third-level reference pediatric hospitals in Mexico from December 2018 to November 2019. We included primary caregivers of pediatric patients with JIA, JSLE, and JDM that were treated in participant centers.CAREGIVERS questionnaire, a validated multiassesment tool to measure the impact of PRD on caregivers, was applied to the participants. Collection of social, demographic, and clinical data was also performed and correlated with questionnaire results.Results:A total of 200 primary caregivers participates in the study (109 JIA, 28 JDM, and 63 JSLE), aged 38 (IQR 32 – 46), mostly women (84.5%), from 6 centers, representing 13/32 Mexican states (Figure). One third (78) had a remunerated job, 123 (61.5%) had a relationship, 77 (38.5%) reached high school or higher, and 131 (65.5%) spends more than one hour to get to the center. Patients cared aged 12 (IQR 9 – 16), mostly women (67%), 87 (43.5%) with active disease, 43 (21.5%) with any disability, 94% and 29% treated with DMARD and biologics, respectively.Feelings of worry and sadness predominant at diagnosis that decreased over time (42.5% and 28.5% vs 9.5% and 31.5%, respectively) and changed for peace (44%). Concerns about disabilities were more frequent on JIA group (34%), while pain and economic issues in JSLE (47% and 30%, respectively. Most of the caregivers feel anxiety about the future of their patients (148, 74%), regardless of the diagnosis. Participants reported that the way they spend the time, social life, and personal health worsened since diagnosis (49.5%, 32%, and 34.5%, respectively), especially in those with JSLE (60%, 39%, 46%). In 126 (63%) participants the economic situation worsened, 129 (64.5%) borrowed money (76% in JSLE, P = .03), 63 (31.5%) had problems to buy medications, and 48.5% have had problems at work. In 25 (12.5%), the family relationship was affected after diagnosis, however, the main supportive network reported were family members.Conclusion:This work described the main impacted areas in life of primary caregivers of patients with PRD, showing a perspective of the burden of the disease.References:[1]Cohen EM. Pediatr Rheumatol [Internet]. Pediatric Rheumatology; 2017;15(1):6.[2]Torres-Made.Pediatr Rheumatol18,3 (2020).Disclosure of Interests:None declared


VASA ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 48 (3) ◽  
pp. 262-269 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christian-Alexander Behrendt ◽  
Tilo Kölbel ◽  
Thea Schwaneberg ◽  
Holger Diener ◽  
Ralf Hohnhold ◽  
...  

Abstract. Background: Worldwide prevalence of peripheral artery disease (PAD) is increasing and peripheral vascular intervention (PVI) has become the primary invasive treatment. There is evidence that multidisciplinary team decision-making (MTD) has an impact on in-hospital outcomes. This study aims to depict practice patterns and time changes regarding MTD of different medical specialties. Methods: This is a retrospective cross-sectional study design. 20,748 invasive, percutaneous PVI of PAD conducted in the metropolitan area of Hamburg (Germany) were consecutively collected between January 2004 and December 2014. Results: MTD prior to PVI was associated with lower odds of early unsuccessful termination of the procedures (Odds Ratio 0.662, p < 0.001). The proportion of MTD decreased over the study period (30.9 % until 2009 vs. 16.6 % from 2010, p < 0.001) while rates of critical limb-threatening ischemia (34.5 % vs. 42.1 %), patients´ age (70 vs. 72 years), PVI below-the-knee (BTK) (13.2 % vs. 22.4 %), and rates of severe TASC C/D lesions BTK (43.2 % vs. 54.2 %) increased (all p < 0.001). Utilization of MTD was different between medical specialties with lowest frequency in procedures performed by internists when compared to other medical specialties (7.1 % vs. 25.7 %, p < 0.001). Conclusions: MTD prior to PVI is associated with technical success of the procedure. Nonetheless, rates of MTD prior to PVI are decreasing during the study period. Future studies should address the impact of multidisciplinary vascular teams on long-term outcomes.


2018 ◽  
Vol 31 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jolanta Majer ◽  
Sandra Pyda ◽  
Jerzy Robert Ladny ◽  
Antonio Rodriguez-Nunez ◽  
Lukasz Szarpak

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dave L Dixon ◽  
William L Baker

BACKGROUND The impact and quality of a faculty members publications is a key factor in promotion and tenure decisions and career advancement. Traditional measures, including citation counts and journal impact factor, have notable limitations. Since 2010, alternative metrics have been proposed as another means of assessing the impact and quality of scholarly work. The Altmetric Attention Score is an objective score frequently used to determine the immediate reach of a published work across the web, including news outlets, blogs, social media, and more. Several studies evaluating the correlation between the Altmetric Attention Score and number of citations have found mixed results and may be discipline-specific. OBJECTIVE To determine the correlation between higher Altmetric Attention Scores and citation count for journal articles published in major pharmacy journals. METHODS This cross-sectional study evaluated articles from major pharmacy journals ranked in the top 10% according to the Altmetric Attention Score. Sources of attention that determined the Altmetric Attention Score were obtained, as well each articles open access status, article type, study design, and topic. Correlation between journal characteristics, including the Altmetric Attention Score and number of citations, was assessed using the Spearman’s correlation test. A Kruskal-Wallis 1-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to compare the Altmetric Attention Scores between journals. RESULTS Six major pharmacy journals were identified. A total of 1,376 articles were published in 2017 and 137 of these represented the top 10% with the highest Altmetric Attention Scores. The median Altmetric Attention Score was 19 (IQR 15-28). Twitter and Mendeley were the most common sources of attention. Over half (56.2%) of the articles were original investigations and 49.8% were either cross-sectional, qualitative, or cohort studies. No significant correlation was found between the Altmetric Attention Score and citation count (rs=0.07, P = 0.485). Mendeley was the only attention source that correlated with the number of citations (rs=0.486, P<0.001). The median Altmetric Attention Score varied widely between each journal (P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS The overall median Altmetric Attention score of 19 suggests articles published in major pharmacy journals are near the top 5% of all scientific output. However, we found no correlation between the Altmetric Attention Score and number of citations for articles published in major pharmacy journals in the year 2017.


2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-12
Author(s):  
Agune Ashole Alto ◽  
Wanzahun Godana ◽  
Genet Gedamu

Background. Diarrheal diseases are still one of the major causes of morbidity in under-five children in sub-Saharan Africa. In Ethiopia, diarrhea is responsible for 9% of all deaths and is the major cause of under-five mortality. Objective. To assess the impact of community-led total sanitation and hygiene on the prevalence of diarrheal disease and factors associated among under-five children in Gamo Gofa Zone. Methods. Community-based comparative cross-sectional study design was used to compare the impact of community-led total sanitation and hygiene intervention on under-five diarrheal disease. Multistage sampling method was employed. The data were collected by using pretested structured questionnaires. Data quality was ensured by daily supervision completeness and consistency. The data were coded, entered, and cleaned by using Epi Info version 7 and were analyzed by using SPSS version 20. Bivariate and multivariable analyses were carried out by using binary logistic regression. Significance was declared by using p value of <0.05 and AOR with 95% confidence intervals. Results. The response rate of this study was 93.3%. The overall diarrhea prevalence was 27.5% (CI = (24.06, 30.97)) which was 18.9% (CI = (14.94, 23.2)) in implemented and 36.2%. (CI = (30.41, 41.59)) in nonimplemented woredas. Children whose age was between 12 and 23 months (AOR = 1.6) and greater than 24 months (AOR = 5), availability of handwashing facilities (AOR = 4), disposal of waste in open field (AOR = 9.7), unimproved source of drinking water (AOR = 6.5), using only water for handwashing (AOR = 6), children who started complementary feeding less than 6 months (AOR = 5.6) and greater than 6 months (AOR = 5.2), and utensils used to feed children such as bottle (AOR = 3.9) were the factors positively associated with diarrhea. Conclusion. The overall prevalence of under-five diarrhea was 27.5%. The prevalence was low in CLTSH woredas as compared with non-CLTSH woredas. The study showed that handwashing facility, using only water for handwashing, open refuse disposal, and unimproved source of drinking water among under-five had a statistically significant association with diarrhea occurrence in CLTSH nonimplemented areas. Integrated efforts are needed from the Ministry of Health together with the WASH Project in improving drinking water, handwashing facilities, and solid waste disposal practices.


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