scholarly journals Give Time or Take Action? Clinical Challenges of Prolonged Labour: Perspectives from Tanzania

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aase Irene Høifødt ◽  
Johanne Mamohau Egenberg Huurnink ◽  
Signe Egenberg ◽  
Deodatus Amedeus Massay ◽  
Bariki Mchome ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Qualitative Content Analysis ◽  
University Hospital ◽  
Prolonged Labour ◽  
Nulliparous Women ◽  
Northern Tanzania ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Professional Perspective ◽  
Nurse Midwives ◽  
Group Interviews ◽  
Definition Of

Abstract Background: Globally, some evidence suggests that up to one third of nulliparous women experience delay in the first stage of labour. Diagnosing prolonged labour is complicated by uncertainty related to the definition of both onset of labour and normal labour progression.Prolonged labour inhabits an increased risk of poor neonatal and maternal outcomes. To our knowledge, few studies have assessed the clinical challenges of prolonged labour from a health care professional perspective. In this study we aim to improve understanding of how clinical challenges related to prolonged labour are perceived by doctors and nurse-midwives in Tanzania. Methods: A qualitative study with group interviews of either doctors (2 interviews) or nurse-midwives (7 interviews). A qualitative content analysis was performed. The study setting comprised one zonal consultant university hospital and one regional referral hospital in Northern Tanzania. Results: A total of 37 respondents, among them 32 registered nurse-midwives and 5 doctors, all with experience from labour ward. Five categories emerged. Challenges were expressed in relation to 1) various ways of understanding prolonged labour, 2) assessing progress in labour, 3) monitoring foetal heart rate, 4) appropriate intervention at the appropriate time and 5) working as a team. Conclusions: The study provides a broader understanding of the clinical challenges encountered by nurse-midwives and doctors when managing prolonged labour. The grounds on which decisions are made, are somewhat inconsistent. The respondents request clear guidelines and frequent training.

scholarly journals Duration of Methicillin-ResistantStaphylococcus aureusCarriage, According to Risk Factors for Acquisition

2006 ◽  
Vol 27 (11) ◽  
pp. 1206-1212 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jonas Marschall ◽  
Kathrin Mühlemann
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Risk Factor ◽  
Methicillin Resistance ◽  
Tertiary Care ◽  
University Hospital ◽  
Modifiable Risk Factor ◽  
Lower Probability ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Antibiotics Use ◽  
Definition Of

Objective.To examine the duration of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) carriage and its determinants and the influence of eradication regimens.Design.Retrospective cohort study.Setting.A 1,033-bed tertiary care university hospital in Bern, Switzerland, in which the prevalence of methicillin resistance amongS. aureusisolates is less than 5%.Patients.A total of 116 patients with first-time MRSA detection identified at University Hospital Bern between January 1, 2000, and December 31, 2003, were followed up for a mean duration of 16.2 months.Results.Sixty-eight patients (58.6%) cleared colonization, with a median time to clearance of 7.4 months. Independent determinants for shorter carriage duration were the absence of any modifiable risk factor (receipt of antibiotics, use of an indwelling device, or presence of a skin lesion) (hazard ratio [HR], 0.20 [95% confidence interval {CI}, 0.09-0.42]), absence of immunosuppressive therapy (HR, 0.49 [95% CI, 0.23-1.02]), and hemodialysis (HR, 0.08 [95% CI, 0.01-0.66]) at the time MRSA was first MRSA detected and the administration of decolonization regimen in the absence of a modifiable risk factor (HR, 2.22 [95% CI, 1.36-3.64]). Failure of decolonization treatment was associated with the presence of risk factors at the time of treatment (P= .01). Intermittent screenings that were negative for MRSA were frequent (26% of patients), occurred early after first detection of MRSA (median, 31.5 days), and were associated with a lower probability of clearing colonization (HR, 0.34 [95% CI, 0.17-0.67]) and an increased risk of MRSA infection during follow-up.Conclusions.Risk factors for MRSA acquisition should be carefully assessed in all MRSA carriers and should be included in infection control policies, such as the timing of decolonization treatment, the definition of MRSA clearance, and the decision of when to suspend isolation measures.

scholarly journals Development and Validation of the Perceived Societal Marginalization Scale

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Bollwerk ◽  
Bernd Schlipphak ◽  
Mitja Back
Keyword(s):  
Qualitative Content Analysis ◽  
Psychometric Validation ◽  
Total N ◽  
Psychological Determinants ◽  
Threat Perceptions ◽  
Subjective Perceptions ◽  
Structure Reliability ◽  
Group Interviews ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
Development And Validation

Current societal conflicts are characterized by identity struggles and discontent concerning globalization and modernization. While the literature identifies several psychological determinants of this discontent, systematic measurement approaches based on well-defined constructs are rare. Here, we present the development and validation of the Perceived Societal Marginalization (PSM) scale, which aims to assess individual differences in people’s subjective perceptions of the insignificance and lack of recognition of their own social groups in the economy, culture, and politics. We first provide a definition of PSM and a conceptual analysis of its components based on (a) a top-down review of relevant psychological, sociological and political science theories and (b) a bottom-up approach involving semi-structured group interviews with various German citizen associations followed by a qualitative content analysis. We then present the results of a psychometric validation of the PSM scale (factor structure, reliability) based on three large online surveys with heterogeneous samples (total N = 2,566) and explore sociodemographic, personality, and attitudinal correlates. The discussion focuses on applications of the PSM scale, that is, the role of PSM in explaining societal cleavages as well as threat perceptions towards and rejection of cultural, ethnic, and religious minorities.

scholarly journals Development and Validation of the Perceived Societal Marginalization Scale

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-13
Author(s):  
Michael Bollwerk ◽  
Bernd Schlipphak ◽  
Mitja D. Back
Keyword(s):  
Qualitative Content Analysis ◽  
Psychometric Validation ◽  
Total N ◽  
Psychological Determinants ◽  
Threat Perceptions ◽  
Subjective Perceptions ◽  
Structure Reliability ◽  
Group Interviews ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
Development And Validation

Abstract. Current societal conflicts are characterized by identity struggles and discontent concerning globalization and modernization. While the literature identifies several psychological determinants of this discontent, systematic measurement approaches based on well-defined constructs are rare. Here, we present the development and validation of the Perceived Societal Marginalization (PSM) scale, which aims to assess individual differences in people’s subjective perceptions of the insignificance and lack of recognition of their own social groups in the domains of economy, culture, and politics. We first provide a definition of PSM and a conceptual analysis of its components based on (a) a top-down review of relevant psychological, sociological, and political science theories and (b) a bottom-up approach involving semi-structured group interviews with various German citizen associations followed by qualitative content analysis. We then present the results of psychometric validation of the PSM scale (factor structure, reliability) based on three large online surveys with heterogeneous samples (total N = 2,566) and explore sociodemographic, personality, and attitudinal correlates. The discussion focuses on applications of the PSM scale, that is, the role of PSM in explaining societal cleavages as well as threat perceptions towards and rejection of cultural, ethnic, and religious minorities.

Pelvic congestion syndrome and left renal compression syndrome - clinical features and therapeutic approaches

VASA ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 45 (4) ◽  
pp. 275-282 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christina Jeanneret ◽  
Konstantin Beier ◽  
Alexander von Weymarn ◽  
Jürg Traber
Keyword(s):  
Varicose Veins ◽  
Left Renal Vein ◽  
Standing Position ◽  
Ovarian Vein ◽  
Pelvic Congestion Syndrome ◽  
Compression Syndrome ◽  
Abstract Knowledge ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
Pelvic Congestion

Abstract. Knowledge of the anatomy of the pelvic, gonadal and renal veins is important to understand pelvic congestion syndrome (PCS) and left renal vein compression syndrome (LRCS), which is also known as the nutcracker syndrome. LRCS is related to PCS and to the presence of vulvar, vaginal and pudendal varicose veins. The diagnosis of the two syndromes is difficult, and usually achieved with CT- or phlebography. The gold standard is the intravenous pressure measurement using conventional phlebography. The definition of PCS is described as pelvic pain, aggravated in the standing position and lasting for more than 6 months. Pain in the left flank and microhaematuria is seen in patients with LRCS. Women with multiple pregnancies are at increased risk of developing varicose vein recurrences with pelvic drainage and ovarian vein reflux after crossectomy and stripping of the great saphenous vein. The therapeutic options are: conservative treatment (medroxyprogesteron) or interventional (coiling of the ovarian vein) or operative treatment (clipping of the ovarian vein). Controlled prospective trials are needed to find the best treatment.

Epidemiological Trends in Attempted Suicide in Adolescents and Young Adults Between 1996 and 2004

Crisis ◽  
2009 ◽  
Vol 30 (3) ◽  
pp. 115-119 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephanie De Munck ◽  
Gwendolyn Portzky ◽  
Kees Van Heeringen
Keyword(s):  
Young Adults ◽  
Attempted Suicide ◽  
Suicide Attempts ◽  
Epidemiological Studies ◽  
Adolescents And Young Adults ◽  
University Hospital ◽  
International Studies ◽  
Suicide Attempters ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Epidemiological Trends

Background: Notwithstanding the epidemiological studies indicating an increased risk of attempted suicide among adolescents and young adults, there is a scarcity of international studies that examine long-term epidemiological trends in rates and characteristics of this vulnerable group. Aims: This article describes the results of a 9-year monitoring study of suicide attempts in adolescents and young adults referred to the Accident and Emergency Department of the Gent University Hospital (Belgium). Methods: Between January 1996 and December 2004, trends, sociodemographic, and methodrelated characteristics of suicide attempts were assessed by a psychiatrist on data sheets. Results: Attempted suicide rates declined from 1996 to 2001 and then rose until 2004, but did not exceed previous rates. During the 9 years of monitoring, there was a preponderance of female suicide attempters, except for 1997. Rates of attempts and of fatal suicide were negatively correlated. Significantly more males than females deliberately injured themselves. Younger attempters, especially females, significantly more often poisoned themselves with analgesics. In nearly one in five attempts, alcohol was used in combination with other methods, and alcohol intake was more commonly observed in older suicide attempters. Nearly half of the adolescents were identified as repeaters. Conclusions: The results of this study warrant further monitoring of trends and characteristics of young suicide attempters.

scholarly journals Haemostatic and thrombo-embolic complications in pregnant women with COVID-19: a systematic review and critical analysis

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Juliette Servante ◽  
Gill Swallow ◽  
Jim G. Thornton ◽  
Bethan Myers ◽  
Sandhya Munireddy ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Venous Thrombosis ◽  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Clinical Evidence ◽  
Case Reports ◽  
Standard Form ◽  
Test Results ◽  
Maternal Deaths ◽  
High Clinical Suspicion ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Definition Of

Abstract Background As pregnancy is a physiological prothrombotic state, pregnant women may be at increased risk of developing coagulopathic and/or thromboembolic complications associated with COVID-19. Methods Two biomedical databases were searched between September 2019 and June 2020 for case reports and series of pregnant women with a diagnosis of COVID-19 based either on a positive swab or high clinical suspicion where no swab had been performed. Additional registry cases known to the authors were included. Steps were taken to minimise duplicate patients. Information on coagulopathy based on abnormal coagulation test results or clinical evidence of disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC), and on arterial or venous thrombosis, were extracted using a standard form. If available, detailed laboratory results and information on maternal outcomes were analysed. Results One thousand sixty-three women met the inclusion criteria, of which three (0.28, 95% CI 0.0 to 0.6) had arterial and/or venous thrombosis, seven (0.66, 95% CI 0.17 to 1.1) had DIC, and a further three (0.28, 95% CI 0.0 to 0.6) had coagulopathy without meeting the definition of DIC. Five hundred and thirty-seven women (56%) had been reported as having given birth and 426 (40%) as having an ongoing pregnancy. There were 17 (1.6, 95% CI 0.85 to 2.3) maternal deaths in which DIC was reported as a factor in two. Conclusions Our data suggests that coagulopathy and thromboembolism are both increased in pregnancies affected by COVID-19. Detection of the former may be useful in the identification of women at risk of deterioration.

scholarly journals “I’ve Heard of It, Yes, but I Can’t Remember What Exactly It Was”—A Qualitative Study on Awareness, Knowledge, and Use of the UV Index

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (4) ◽  
pp. 1615
Author(s):  
Katharina Diehl ◽  
Tatiana Görig ◽  
Charlotte Jansen ◽  
Maike Carola Hruby ◽  
Annette B. Pfahlberg ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Qualitative Content Analysis ◽  
Sun Protection ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Protection Factor ◽  
Protection Measures ◽  
Uv Index ◽  
Correct Definition ◽  
Definition Of

Pharmacists and pharmaceutical technicians play an important role in counselling customers regarding sunscreen use and sun protection measures. A potentially helpful tool that can be used during counselling is the ultraviolet index (UVI), which informs individuals when and what sun protection measures are needed at a specific place and time. Our aim in this qualitative study was to explore awareness, knowledge, and use of the UVI during counselling in pharmacies. We used semi-structured interviews with pharmacists and pharmaceutical technicians (n = 20) to answer our research questions. Interviews were audiotaped, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed using qualitative content analysis. During the interviews pharmacists and pharmaceutical technicians revealed a lot of uncertainty and lack of knowledge regarding the UVI. Eight professionals were able to give a correct definition of UVI. Amongst others, the UVI was confused with sun protection factor. Overall, the UVI was hardly used during the counselling of customers. The UVI was developed to provide guidance when which type of sun protection is required to avoid detrimental effects of ultraviolet radiation. For effective implementation, both the general population and health professionals (e.g., pharmacists) have to increase their knowledge about the UVI. This would strengthen its use during professional counselling in pharmacies and may help to reduce the incidence of skin cancer over the long term.

scholarly journals Causes of death and comorbidities in hospitalized patients with COVID-19

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sefer Elezkurtaj ◽  
Selina Greuel ◽  
Jana Ihlow ◽  
Edward Georg Michaelis ◽  
Philip Bischoff ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cause Of Death ◽  
Causes Of Death ◽  
Pulmonary Infection ◽  
Diffuse Alveolar Damage ◽  
University Hospital ◽  
Health Conditions ◽  
Teaching Hospitals ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Clinical Records ◽  
Full Body

AbstractInfection by the new corona virus strain SARS-CoV-2 and its related syndrome COVID-19 has been associated with more than two million deaths worldwide. Patients of higher age and with preexisting chronic health conditions are at an increased risk of fatal disease outcome. However, detailed information on causes of death and the contribution of pre-existing health conditions to death yet is missing, which can be reliably established by autopsy only. We performed full body autopsies on 26 patients that had died after SARS-CoV-2 infection and COVID-19 at the Charité University Hospital Berlin, Germany, or at associated teaching hospitals. We systematically evaluated causes of death and pre-existing health conditions. Additionally, clinical records and death certificates were evaluated. We report findings on causes of death and comorbidities of 26 decedents that had clinically presented with severe COVID-19. We found that septic shock and multi organ failure was the most common immediate cause of death, often due to suppurative pulmonary infection. Respiratory failure due to diffuse alveolar damage presented as immediate cause of death in fewer cases. Several comorbidities, such as hypertension, ischemic heart disease, and obesity were present in the vast majority of patients. Our findings reveal that causes of death were directly related to COVID-19 in the majority of decedents, while they appear not to be an immediate result of preexisting health conditions and comorbidities. We therefore suggest that the majority of patients had died of COVID-19 with only contributory implications of preexisting health conditions to the mechanism of death.

scholarly journals Patients with infective endocarditis and history of injection drug use in a Swedish referral hospital during 10 years

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Anna Damlin ◽  
Katarina Westling
Keyword(s):  
Infective Endocarditis ◽  
Drug Use ◽  
Injection Drug Use ◽  
Clinical Characteristics ◽  
National Registry ◽  
Injection Drug ◽  
University Hospital ◽  
Prosthetic Heart Valves ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
History Of

Abstract Background Patients with injection drug use (IDU) have increased risk of developing infective endocarditis (IE). Previous studies have reported recurrent IE, increased duration of hospital stay, poor adherence and compliance as well as higher mortality and worse outcomes after surgery in the IDU-IE patient group. Further studies are needed to provide a basis for optimized care and prevention of readmissions in this population. This study aims to describe the clinical characteristics and outcomes among patients with IDU-IE. Methods Data of adults with IDU-IE and non-IDU-IE, treated between 2008 and 2017 at the Karolinska University Hospital in Stockholm were obtained from the Swedish National Registry of Infective Endocarditis. Clinical characteristics, microbiological results, treatment durations, results from echocardiography and in-hospital mortality were compared between the groups. Results Of the total 522 patients, 165 (32%) had IDU-IE. Patients with IDU-IE were younger than the patients with non-IDU-IE (mean age IDU-IE: 41.6 years, SD 11.9 years; non-IDU-IE: 64.3 years, SD 16.4 years; P <  0.01). No difference in distribution of gender was observed, 33% were females in both the IDU-IE and the non-IDU-IE group. History of previous IE (IDU-IE: n = 49, 30%; non-IDU-IE: n = 34, 10%; P <  0.01) and vascular phenomena (IDU-IE: n = 101, 61%; non-IDU-IE: n = 120, 34%; P <  0.01) were more common among patients with IDU-IE while prosthetic heart valves (IDU-IE: n = 12, 7%; non-IDU-IE: n = 83, 23%; P <  0.01) and known valvular disease (IDU-IE: n = 3, 2%; non-IDU-IE: n = 78, 22%; P <  0.01) were more common among patients with non-IDU-IE. Aetiology of Staphylococcus aureus (IDU-IE: n = 123, 75%; non-IDU-IE: n = 118, 33%; P <  0.01) as well as tricuspid (IDU-IE: n = 91, 55%; non-IDU-IE: n = 23, 6%; P <  0.01) or pulmonary valve vegetations (IDU-IE: n = 7, 4%; non-IDU-IE: n = 2, 1%; P <  0.01) were more common in the IDU-IE group. The overall incidence of IDU-IE decreased during the study period, while the incidence of definite IE increased (P <  0.01). Conclusions This study presents that patients with IDU-IE were younger, less frequently treated with surgery and had higher prevalence of vascular phenomena and history of previous IE, aspects that are important for improved management of this population.

scholarly journals Individuals with familial hypercholesterolemia have increased risk of re-hospitalization after acute myocardial infarction compared with controls

2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (Supplement_2) ◽  
Author(s):  
K Svendsen ◽  
H.W Krogh ◽  
J Igland ◽  
G.S Tell ◽  
L.J Mundal ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Myocardial Infarction ◽  
Acute Myocardial Infarction ◽  
Familial Hypercholesterolemia ◽  
Cox Regression ◽  
Public Institution ◽  
University Hospital ◽  
Funding Source ◽  
Hazard Ratios ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
University Of Oslo

Abstract Background and aim We have previously reported that individuals with familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) have a two-fold increased risk of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) compared with the general population. The consequences of having an AMI on re-hospitalization and mortality are however less known. The aim of the present study was to compare the risk of re-hospitalization with AMI and CHD and risk of mortality after incident (first) AMI-hospitalization between persons with and without FH (controls). Methods The original study population comprised 5691 persons diagnosed with FH during 1992–2014 and 119511 age and sex matched controls randomly selected from the general Norwegian population. We identified 221 individuals with FH and 1947 controls with an incident AMI registered in the Norwegian Patient Registry (NPR) or the Cardiovascular Disease in Norway Project during 2001–2017. Persons with incident AMI were followed until December 31st 2017 for re-hospitalization with AMI or coronary heart disease (CHD) registered in the NPR, and for mortality through linkage to the Norwegian Cause of Death Registry. Risk of re-hospitalization was compared with sub-hazard ratios (SHR) from competing risk regression with death as competing event, and mortality was compared using hazard ratios (HR) from Cox regression. All models were adjusted for age. Results Risk of re-hospitalization was 2-fold increased both for AMI [SHR=2.53 (95% CI: 1.88–3.41)] and CHD [SHR=1.82 (95% CI: 1.44–2.28)]. However, persons with FH did not have increased 28-day mortality following an incident AMI (HR=1.05 (95% CI: 0.62–1.78), but the longer-term (&gt;28 days) mortality after first AMI was increased in FH [HR=1.45 (95% CI: 1.07–1.95]. Conclusion This study yields the important finding that persons with FH have increased risk of re-hospitalization of both AMI and CHD after incident AMI. These findings call for more intensive follow-up of individuals with FH after an AMI. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding source: Public Institution(s). Main funding source(s): University of Oslo and Oslo University Hospital

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