scholarly journals Methods of Tobacco Harm Reduction Among Smokers in Malawi: Case Study of Chitipa, Ntcheu And Balaka Districts

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vita Mithi ◽  
Rebecca S. Dewey
Keyword(s):  
Harm Reduction ◽  
Qualitative Data ◽  
Service Providers ◽  
Snowball Sampling ◽  
Tobacco Harm Reduction ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Age Range ◽  
Qualitative Data Collection

Abstract The aim of the study was to investigate the methods of tobacco harm reduction products used by smokers in Malawi, in an attempt to reduce tobacco harm. The study employed a cross-sectional survey, with both quantitative and qualitative data collection, in 3 districts, one from each region across Malawi. Participants were recruited using the technique of snowball sampling. 1,258 current and ex-smokers were recruited, age range 15–55 years. The sample size for each district was calculated using the standard formula with a 95% confidence interval or significance of p = 0.05. Tobacco harm reduction products, also known as safer nicotine products, are not widely available in Malawi; as such their use is not statistically significant at 5%. However, the following resources were used to reduce tobacco harm: fruits like Malambe (Baobab), Banana, Masau (Jujube), Mtera (local herbs), sweets, chewing gum, fried maize and milk. Solutions: cigarette filters mixed with water, a mixture of pig milk, tobacco and drinking water. In addition, ngirimbo and chingambwe were used in a smokeless way to reduce tobacco harm. Across Malawi, smokers use local tobacco harm reduction products compared to safer nicotine products. This is compounded by the absence of information on safer nicotine products, a lack of service providers, poverty and use of local smokeless tobacco.

Uncertainty about cellulitis and unmet patient information needs: a mixed methods study

2018 ◽  
Vol 68 (suppl 1) ◽  
pp. bjgp18X697349
Author(s):  
Anna Lalonde ◽  
Emma Teasdale ◽  
Ingrid Muller ◽  
Joanne Chalmers ◽  
Peter Smart ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mixed Methods ◽  
Information Needs ◽  
Qualitative Data ◽  
Information Provision ◽  
Mixed Methods Study ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Patient Information Needs ◽  
History Of

BackgroundCellulitis is a common painful infection of the skin and underlying tissues that recurs in approximately a third of cases. Patients’ ability to recover from cellulitis or prevent recurrence is likely to be influenced by their understanding of the condition.AimTo explore patients’ perceptions of cellulitis and their information needs.MethodMixed methods study comprising semi-structured, face-to-face interviews and cross-sectional survey, recruiting through primary care, secondary care and advertising. Adults aged 18 or over with a history of cellulitis (first or recurrent) were invited to complete a survey, take part in an interview or both. Qualitative data was analysed thematically.ResultsThirty interviews were conducted between August 2016 and July 2017. Qualitative data revealed low prior awareness of cellulitis, uncertainty around diagnosis, concern/surprise at the severity of cellulitis, and perceived insufficient information provision. People were surprised they had never heard of the condition and that they had not received advice or leaflets giving self-care information. Some sought information from the internet and found this bewildering. Two hundred and forty surveys were completed (response rate 17%). These showed that, while most people received information on the treatment of cellulitis (60.0%, n = 144), they reported receiving no information about causes (60.8%, n = 146) or prevention of recurrence (73.3%, n = 176).ConclusionThere is a need for provision of basic information for people with cellulitis, particularly being informed of the name of their condition, how to manage acute episodes, and how to reduce risk of recurrence.

scholarly journals A study of ethnic, gender and educational differences in attitudes toward COVID-19 vaccines in Israel – implications for vaccination implementation policies

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Manfred S. Green ◽  
Rania Abdullah ◽  
Shiraz Vered ◽  
Dorit Nitzan
Keyword(s):  
Service Providers ◽  
Multiple Logistic Regression Analysis ◽  
Civil Society Organizations ◽  
Policy Implications ◽  
Vaccine Hesitancy ◽  
Specific Information ◽  
Arab Women ◽  
Snowball Sampling ◽  
Jewish Women ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey

Abstract Background Vaccines for COVID-19 are currently available for the public in Israel. The compliance with vaccination has differed between sectors in Israel and the uptake has been substantially lower in the Arab compared with the Jewish population. Aim To assess ethnic and socio-demographic factors in Israel associated with attitudes towards COVID-19 vaccines prior to their introduction. Methods A national cross-sectional survey was carried out In Israel during October 2020 using an internet panel of around 100,000 people, supplemented by snowball sampling. A sample of 957 adults aged 30 and over were recruited of whom 606 were Jews (49% males) and 351 were Arabs (38% males). Results The sample of Arabs was younger than for the Jewish respondents. Among the men, 27.3% of the Jewish and 23.1% of the Arab respondents wanted to be vaccinated immediately, compared with only 13.6% of Jewish women and 12.0% of Arab women. An affirmative answer to the question as to whether they would refuse the vaccine at any stage was given by 7.7% of Jewish men and 29.9% of Arab men, and 17.2% of Jewish women and 41.0% of Arab women. Higher education was associated with less vaccine hesitancy. In multiple logistic regression analysis, the ethnic and gender differences persisted after controlling for age and education. Other factors associated with vaccine hesitancy were the belief that the government restrictions were too lenient and the frequency of socializing prior to the pandemic. Conclusions The study revealed a relatively high percentage reported would be reluctant to get vaccinated, prior to the introduction of the vaccine. This was more marked so for Arabs then Jews, and more so for women within the ethnic groups. While this was not a true random sample, the findings are consistent with the large ethnic differences in compliance with the vaccine, currently encountered and reinforce the policy implications for developing effective communication to increase vaccine adherence. Government policies directed at controlling the pandemic should include sector-specific information campaigns, which are tailored to ensure community engagement, using targeted messages to the suspected vaccine hesitant groups. Government ministries, health service providers and local authorities should join hands with civil society organizations to promote vaccine promotion campaigns.

scholarly journals Possible Selves Across the Lifespan

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 449-449
Author(s):  
Victoria Chen ◽  
Alysson Light
Keyword(s):  
Possible Selves ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Self Concept ◽  
Life Stages ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Younger Adults ◽  
Midlife Adults ◽  
Age Range ◽  
The Relationship

Abstract Possible selves are defined as “personalized representations of one’s self in future states” (Cross & Markus, 1991). Research has also found that thinking frequently about possible selves predicts lower well-being, whereas thinking clearly about possible selves is associated with higher well-being (McElwee & Haugh, 2010). However, possible selves differ across the lifespan (Hooker & Kaus, 1994; Cross & Markus, 1991) and life stages can impact exploration of possible identities (Arnett, 2000). Thus we hypothesize that the relationship between thought about possible selves and well-being differs across the lifespan. In a cross-sectional survey, 240 participants (age range: 18-92) reported on frequency and clarity of possible selves, as well as general self-clarity (Campbell et al., 1996). Results indicate curvilinear moderation by age of the link between possible self-clarity and well-being, with the association being stronger among midlife adults than among younger adults and older adults. Also, as clarity of feared possible selves increases, self-concept clarity decreases. Similarly, frequency of thinking about feared possible selves was negatively correlated with self-concept clarity. However, clarity and frequency of thought about hoped-for positive possible selves had no correlation with self-concept clarity.

Evaluation of an Online System for Routine Outcome Monitoring: A Cross-Sectional Survey (Preprint)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Deanna Wiebe ◽  
Pria Nippak ◽  
Julien Meyer ◽  
Shannon Remers
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Outcome Measures ◽  
Service Providers ◽  
Routine Outcome Monitoring ◽  
Completion Rates ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Online System ◽  
Health Service Providers ◽  
Outcome Monitoring

BACKGROUND The use of Routine Outcome Monitoring (ROM) in the treatment of mental health has emerged as a method of improving psychotherapy treatment outcomes. Despite this, very few clinicians regularly use ROM in clinical practice. Online ROM has been suggested as a solution to increase adoption. OBJECTIVE To identify the influence of moving ROM online on client completion rates of self-reported outcome measures and to identify implementation and utilization barriers to online ROM by assessing clinicians’ views on their experience utilizing the online system over previous paper-based methods. METHODS Client completion rates of self-reported outcome measures were compared pre and post implementation of an online system of ROM. In addition, a survey questionnaire was administered to 340 mental health service providers regarding their perception of benefits with an online system of ROM. RESULTS Client completion rates of self-reported measures increased from 15% to 54% after moving online. Fifty-eight% of service providers found the new system less time consuming than previous paper-based ROM and 64% found that it helped monitor clients. However, the perceived value of the system remains in doubt as only 23% found it helped them identify clients at risk for treatment failure, and only 18% found it strengthened the therapeutic alliance. CONCLUSIONS Although the current study suggests mixed results regarding service providers’ views on their experience using an online system for ROM, it has identified barriers and challenges that are actionable for improvement.

Relationship between the Responsiveness of Service Providers with Patient Satisfaction at Three Conventional Radiography Services in Denpasar

2016 ◽  
pp. 75
Author(s):  
Cokorda Istri Ariwidyastuti ◽  
P.P. Januraga ◽  
Dyah Pradnyaparamita Duarsa
Keyword(s):  
Patient Satisfaction ◽  
Service Providers ◽  
Univariate Analysis ◽  
Conventional Radiography ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Chi Square ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Chi Square Test ◽  
The Relationship

Background and purpose: Patient satisfaction, including on radiography services, is an important component of health care provision. Surveys on patient satisfaction have been carried out particularly in government hospitals, but a more detailed study to determine the relationship between patient satisfaction with the responsiveness of service providers has yet to be carried out. This study aims to determine the relationship between the six domains of responsiveness of service providers and outpatient satisfaction at three conventional radiography facilities in Denpasar.Methods: Study was conducted by cross-sectional survey of 158 respondents selected consecutively in three conventional radiography services, namely a government hospital, a private hospital and a private radiology clinic. Data were collected through interviews using modified questionnaires on responsiveness from WHO. Data were analyzed by univariate, bivariate (chi-square test) and multivariate logistic regression method.Results: Univariate analysis indicated that patient satisfaction was 69% but still below the minimum service standards (>80,0%). Multivariate analysis showed that factors associated with satisfaction were the domain of attention (AOR= 3.77; 95%CI: 1.62-8.76), the quality of infrastructure (AOR=4.57; 95%CI: 1.61-12.93) and communication (AOR=6.30; 95%CI: 1.75-22.64).Conclusion: Patient satisfaction was generally still below the standard. Domains of responsiveness associated with patient satisfaction were the quality of infrastructure, level of attention and communication skills of service providers.

scholarly journals Health Care for Mitochondrial Disorders in Canada: A Survey of Physicians

2019 ◽  
Vol 46 (6) ◽  
pp. 717-726 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karen Paik ◽  
Matthew A. Lines ◽  
Pranesh Chakraborty ◽  
Sara D. Khangura ◽  
Maureen Latocki ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Brain Magnetic Resonance Imaging ◽  
Research Priorities ◽  
Mitochondrial Diseases ◽  
Mitochondrial Disorders ◽  
Snowball Sampling ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Treatment Practices ◽  
Important Variation ◽  
Physician Care

ABSTRACT:Background:An improved understanding of diagnostic and treatment practices for patients with rare primary mitochondrial disorders can support benchmarking against guidelines and establish priorities for evaluative research. We aimed to describe physician care for patients with mitochondrial diseases in Canada, including variation in care.Methods:We conducted a cross-sectional survey of Canadian physicians involved in the diagnosis and/or ongoing care of patients with mitochondrial diseases. We used snowball sampling to identify potentially eligible participants, who were contacted by mail up to five times and invited to complete a questionnaire by mail or internet. The questionnaire addressed: personal experience in providing care for mitochondrial disorders; diagnostic and treatment practices; challenges in accessing tests or treatments; and views regarding research priorities.Results:We received 58 survey responses (52% response rate). Most respondents (83%) reported spending 20% or less of their clinical practice time caring for patients with mitochondrial disorders. We identified important variation in diagnostic care, although assessments frequently reported as diagnostically helpful (e.g., brain magnetic resonance imaging, MRI/MR spectroscopy) were also recommended in published guidelines. Approximately half (49%) of participants would recommend “mitochondrial cocktails” for all or most patients, but we identified variation in responses regarding specific vitamins and cofactors. A majority of physicians recommended studies on the development of effective therapies as the top research priority.Conclusions:While Canadian physicians’ views about diagnostic care and disease management are aligned with published recommendations, important variations in care reflect persistent areas of uncertainty and a need for empirical evidence to support and update standard protocols.

scholarly journals Challenges Faced by Devolved Governance in Quality Service Delivery: A Case Study of Turkana Central Sub-county, Turkana County, Kenya

2017 ◽  
Vol 7 (4) ◽  
pp. 87
Author(s):  
James K. Sirite ◽  
Henry Ongori ◽  
Darius Bosire
Keyword(s):  
Service Delivery ◽  
Survey Design ◽  
Quality Service ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
County Governments ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
To Come

The purpose of this study was to identify the challenges faced in quality service delivery to Turkana Central Sub-county citizens of Turkana County. The study used cross-sectional survey design. The sample size selected for the study was 261.  Data was collected using questionnaires and interview guides. Data was analyzed by descriptive statistics and presented in tables and figures for ease interpretation. The major findings of the study show that devolved governance faces some challenges. For instance the devolved governance is faced with corruption, lack of transparency and accountability and inadequate funds. This adversely   affects quality service delivery to its citizens. The findings of the study would inspire policy makers at the county and national government level to come up with appropriate strategies to mitigate the challenges identified in order to improve the quality of services offered by the county governments.

scholarly journals Determinants of COVID-19 Vaccine Acceptance in Ghana

2022 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 175-187
Author(s):  
Sumani Abdul-Manan ◽  
Alhassan Iddrisu Abdullai ◽  
Buhari Gunu Yussif
Keyword(s):  
Rural Areas ◽  
Sampling Technique ◽  
P Value ◽  
Snowball Sampling ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Vaccine Acceptance ◽  
Vaccine Preventable Diseases ◽  
Negative Effect ◽  
Social Media Platforms

Background: A proven strategy for saving lives from vaccine-preventable diseases is the timely vaccination of the people. In Ghana, there is considerable hesitation about the Covid-19 vaccines due to anxieties and uncertainties about their safety. With varying perceptions and believes being developed about Covid-19 vaccines, there is a likely negative effect on vaccine acceptance or otherwise. This study aims to ascertain the levels of acceptance of potential Covid-19 vaccine among Ghanaian adults, to identify predictors of vaccine acceptance or hesitance. Methodology: A web based cross-sectional survey conducted among Ghanaians above 18 years, conducted between the month of February and March, 2021. Data were collected by administering online google forms (Questionnaire). The questionnaire was shared through social media platforms. A snowball sampling technique was used where researchers shared google forms to close friends and family. Analyses were conducted at p-value <0.05 using descriptive statistics, cross-tabula­tions and logistic regression. Results: A total of 350 responses were achieved by end of data collection. Out of these, only 348 were considered for analysis based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Majority of the respondents (65.2%) were male, a third (30%) of them live in rural areas and about 57.5% were married. Factors such as age, educational level, prior vaccine acceptance history, personal vulnerability and self-feeling of health were significantly associated with covid-19 vaccine acceptance. Conclusion: The results depict low acceptance rate for potential covid-19 vaccine among Ghanaians. Government and MoH should engage the media on its role in combating misinformation with regards the Covid-19 vaccine. Key words: coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19), vaccine, hesitance, acceptance.

scholarly journals An assessment of factors influencing empowerment levels of females: a case study of Pokhara

2012 ◽  
pp. 1-8
Author(s):  
Arjun Kumar Thapa ◽  
Leena Gurung
Keyword(s):  
Work Experience ◽  
Service Providers ◽  
Economic Status ◽  
Intervention Strategy ◽  
Demographic Factors ◽  
Positive Influence ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Heated Debate ◽  
Condition Of Women

This study is an attempt to analyze the association between social, economic and demographic factors on the female teachers’ empowerment level. A cross?sectional data was generated following two stage random sampling. First 20 schools were selected then 189 respondents were randomly selected and interviewed. In this study rather than women’s age, age at marriage, work experience and husband’s education and occupation, women’s self achievement to earn more income, economic status and positive attitude towards job have positive influence in enhancing empowerment. This study underpins the importance of economic interventions to empower and uplift all round condition of women. Along with it this paper again stirs the most heated debate among the activist, academicians and service providers regarding appropriate intervention strategy for upliftment of women.Key words: Empowerment; Women; Economic; Social and demographic factors; PokharaEconomic Journal of Development IssuesVol. 11 & 12 No. 1-2 (2010) Combined IssuePage: 1-8Uploaded date: 10 April, 2012

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