scholarly journals The Necessity of Developing AIDS and Reproductive Health Indicators for Iranian Adolescents in the National Health System; The Evaluation of Indicators among 18-24 Year Old University Students of Shahroud, Iran: A Cross-Sectional Study

2018 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 339-347 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katayon Vakilian ◽  
Afsaneh Keramat ◽  
Mousavi Seyyed Abbas
Keyword(s):  
Reproductive Health ◽  
National Health System ◽  
Health Indicators ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Male Students ◽  
Validity And Reliability ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Service Programs ◽  
The Difference ◽  
The Impact

Background and Objectives:Indicators are required to assess health needs as well as monitor, implement and evaluate the impact of health promotion programs. In the present study, efficacious indicators in the prevention of HIV/AIDS and enhancement of reproductive health were developed and measured.Materials and Methods:After creating a database, the indicators were presented to a panel of experts. A total of 28 indicators, which were divided into three domain categoriesviz: “knowledge”, “attitude” and “behavior” were developed after prioritization. In the next stage, 1500 male and female students within the age bracket of 18-24 were included after ascertaining the validity and reliability of some of the study's questionnaires. Multistage sampling was employed. After obtaining approval from universities and the respective professors, the questionnaires were distributed to students. Data were analyzed using SPSS software, version 20 and Pearson's descriptive-analytical statistics.Results:Responding to whether “AIDS can be transmitted through the use of a previously used toilet by an individual suffering from AIDS” or not, 168 (18.8%) female and 166 (32.0%) male students answered correctly, with the difference being statistically significant (p = 0.001). A total of 293 (40.6%) male students believed that the perfect age for males to get married was 26 or under. A total of 157 (30.4%) female and 267 (29.5%) male students believed that the majority of their single friends had never had sexual relations, respectively.Conclusion:Planning can be carried out to reduce factors that adversely affect the enhancement of adolescents’ reproductive and sexual health through the measurement of such indicators, including educational and service programs that provide a better access to such services for adolescents.

Evaluation of Somnoplasty using Snoring Symptom Inventory

2008 ◽  
Vol 139 (2_suppl) ◽  
pp. P82-P82 ◽  
Author(s):  
Venkat R Srinivasan ◽  
Christopher Low ◽  
Paul W A Goodyear ◽  
Steve Derbyshire ◽  
Aneesh Veetil
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Sleep Apnoea ◽  
Long Term Results ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
The Difference ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Radiofrequency Volumetric Tissue Reduction ◽  
Tissue Reduction

Objective To assess whether radiofrequency volumetric tissue reduction of the palate can improve patients’ snoring symptoms and quality of life. Methods A prospective cross-sectional study was undertaken. Over an 18-month period, consecutive habitual snorers without sleep apnoea were asked to complete a validated Snoring Symptoms Inventory (SSI) questionnaire before and 3–6 months after radiofrequency surgical treatment. It contained 25 questions on the impact of snoring symptoms, including social, work, physical and emotional aspects. Most patients underwent 2 operations (Somnoplasty® Somnus device) with a 2-month interval. A scale of 0 (no snoring) to 10(extremely loud snoring) was used to assess partners’ perception of the snoring intensity. Paired T-test was used to compare the mean difference in the SSI before and after surgery. Partners’ scores were analysed with Wilcoxon signed ranks test. Results 26 patients (19 male, 7 female) aged between 33 and 74 (mean=48) were recruited. Preoperative BMI scores ranged from 19 to 35 (mean=28). Pre- and postoperative mean SSI scores were 60.5 (SD 12.3) and 42.8 (SD 17.4). The difference between the 2 means is 17.6 (95% Confidence Interval, 11.0 to 24.2), P<0.0001. The median for pre- and postoperative partners’ scores is 10 and 5 respectively. and the difference is statistically significant (P<0.0001). Conclusions Radiofrequency volumetric tissue reduction can improve habitual snorers’ snoring symptoms, snoring-related quality of life, and partner's perception of their snoring. Long-term results of this procedure need to be ascertained with further studies.

The Importance of the Political and the Social in Explaining Mortality Differentials among the Countries of the OECD, 1950–1998

2003 ◽  
Vol 33 (3) ◽  
pp. 419-494 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vicente Navarro ◽  
Carme Borrell ◽  
Joan Benach ◽  
Carles Muntaner ◽  
Agueda Quiroga ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Infant Mortality ◽  
Life Expectancy ◽  
Political Parties ◽  
Health Indicators ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
The Political ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Social Democratic ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Political Variables

This article analyzes (within the conceptual frame defined in the previous article) the impact of political variables such as time of government by political parties (social democratic, Christian democratic or conservative, liberal, and ex-dictatorial that have governed the OECD countries during the 1950–1998 period) and their electoral support on (1) redistributional policies in the labor market and in the welfare state; (2) the income inequalities measured by Theil and Gini indexes; and (3) health indicators, such as infant mortality and life expectancy. This analysis is carried out statistically by a bivariate and a multivariate analysis (a pooled cross-sectional study). Both analyses show that political variables play an important role in defining how public and social policies determine the levels of inequalities and affect the level of infant mortality. In general, political parties more committed to redistributional policies, such as social democratic parties, are the most successful in reducing inequalities and improving infant mortality. Less evidence exists, however, on effects on life expectancy. The article also quantifies statistically the relationship between the political and the policy variables and between these variables and the dependent variables—that is, the health indicators.

scholarly journals What the impact of the economic crisis on the Brazilian’s lifestyle between 2013 and 2016? A long-term trend cross-sectional study.

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sonny Állan Bezerra ◽  
Denilson Menezes Santos ◽  
Michele Maria Oliveira ◽  
Claudia Vanisse Costa ◽  
Elaynne de Oliveira ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Economic Crisis ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Health Indicators ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Sharp Drop ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Long Term Trend

Abstract Background: Brazil has been going through a period of economic crisis since 2015 and the impact on health indicators and the quality of life of the most recent crisis is unclear. This study sought to establish a relationship between the impact of the economic crisis experienced by Brazil during the period 2013-2016 and the lifestyle of adult populations in the 27 capitals of the Brazilian state.Results: According to the binary logistic regression model, at least completing secondary education increases the probability of individuals presenting higher LS by 4.9% (OR=1,049, 95% CI 1,029–1,070); being involved in some type of relationship decreases the probability of presenting a higher LS by 5.3% (OR=0.947, 95% CI 0.029-0.965); having an adequate body mass index increases LS by 27.3% (OR=1.273, 95% CI 1,245.10.10). Living in a city with a lower unemployment rate increases the probability of having a higher LS score by 3.8%(OR=1,038, 95% CI 1,012-1.064); living in a city with a more basic food basket decreases the probability of having a higher LS score by 5.4% (OR=0.946, 95% CI 0.910-0.982). Presenting higher yields decreases the probability of having a higher LS by 12% (OR=0.880, 95% CI 0.860-0.900). In addition, there was an increase in the percentage of leisure-time PA in 2015 (20.9%), followed by a decrease to 18.1% in 2016, after a stabilization period in 2013 (19.5%) and 2014 (19.6%). The physical exercise showed a steady annual increase, with a score of 49.6% in 2013, followed by 50.9% and 51.9% in 2014 and 2015, respectively, and ending with 54.5% in 2016. The "Watch TV 5x per week" indicator recorded a sharp drop between 2013 (27.9%) and 2015 (22.7%), as well as the consumption of soft drinks, which went from stable values in 2013 (19.5%) and 2014 (19%) 17.3% in 2015.Conclusion: In the case of Brazil, the economic crisis initially started in 2015 had a negative impact on the population over time, but these effects were only observed in the second year of crisis, being preceded by a temporary improvement of indicators.

scholarly journals Study of the knowledge regarding reproductive health among the second PUC students from the colleges of Bangalore city

2018 ◽  
Vol 5 (6) ◽  
pp. 2301
Author(s):  
Margaret Menzil ◽  
Deepa L. N.
Keyword(s):  
Reproductive Health ◽  
Bacterial Infections ◽  
Hiv Transmission ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Science Students ◽  
Unsafe Sex ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Health Accounts ◽  
To Come

Background: According to an analysis by the World Bank and WHO, reproductive ill-health accounts for over 30% of the overall burden of disease and disability among women, compared with 12% for men. Reproductive health of adolescent girls is crucial since it determines the health of future generations to come. With this in background we conducted a study to find out the difference in the knowledge among the science and the non-science students and to find the relationship between the knowledge scores regarding the reproductive health with respect to select variables.Methods: A cross sectional study was done during July 2004 and January 2005, on 600 girl students (300 each from science and non-science stream) using a pre validated self administered questionnaire amongst II PUC students.Results: 68% science students knew that RTIs can be caused by unhygienic conditions, bacterial infections, STDs and unsafe abortions when compared to only 28% non-science students who knew the cause of RTIs. 64% Science students knew that the predominant routes of HIV transmission is unsafe sex, unsterilized instruments, contaminated blood transfusion, infected mother to child as compared to only 42% non-science students.74% science students knew that STDs can be prevented by use of condoms as compared to only 44.3% non-science students.Conclusions: The science students were found to be more knowledgeable than the non-science students.

scholarly journals Consumption of bakery products, sweetened soft drinks and yogurt among children aged 6–7 years: association with nutrient intake and overall diet quality

2003 ◽  
Vol 89 (3) ◽  
pp. 419-428 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fernando Rodríguez-Artalejo ◽  
Esther López García ◽  
Lydia Gorgojo ◽  
Carmen Garcés ◽  
Miguel Ángel Royo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Energy Intake ◽  
Diet Quality ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Healthy Eating Index ◽  
Soft Drinks ◽  
Bakery Products ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Saturated Fats ◽  
The Difference ◽  
The Impact

The present study tests the hypothesis that higher consumption of bakery products, sweetened soft drinks and yogurt is associated with higher intake of energy, saturated fats, sugars and worse overall diet quality among Spanish children. This is a cross-sectional study covering 1112 children aged 6.0–7.0 years in four Spanish cities. Nutrient and food intake were obtained through a food-frequency questionnaire, and overall diet quality calculated using the healthy-eating index (HEI) developed by <bibr rid="b20">Kennedy et al. (1995)</bibr>. Standardized methods were used to measure anthropometric variables. Associations of interest were summarized as the difference in nutrient and food consumption between the value of the fifth and the first quintile of consumption (dq) of bakery products, sweetened soft drinks or yogurt, adjusted for energy intake and BMI. Bakery products, sweetened soft drinks and yogurt supplied 15·5, 1·0 and 5·6 % energy intake respectively. Higher consumption of these three foods was associated with greater energy intake (P<0·001), but not with higher BMI. Consumption of bakery products was associated with the proportion of energy derived from intake of total carbohydrates (dq 4·5 %, P<0·001) and sugars (dq 2 %, P<0·001), but did not show association with the HEI. Consumption of sweetened soft drinks was associated with a lower consumption of milk (dq −88 ml, P<0·001) and Ca (dq −175 m/, P<0·001), and worse HEI (dq −2, P<0·01). Consumption of yogurt, while associated with higher energy intake from saturated fats (dq 1·77 %, P<0·001) and sugars (dq 2·02 %, P<0·001), showed no association with the HEI. Differences in the intake of nutrients and foods across quintiles of consumption of bakery products, sweetened soft drinks and yogurt were usually very small. We conclude that the impact of the consumption of bakery products, sweetened soft drinks and yogurt on the quality of the diet of Spanish children is only modest, although it may contribute to aggravating certain unhealthy characteristics of their diet, particularly excess energy, saturated fats and sugars. Therefore, consumption of bakery products and sweetened soft drinks should be moderated, and priority given to consumption of low-fat, low-sugar yogurt.

Final Validation of the Pediatric Tracheotomy Health Status Instrument (PTHSI)

2002 ◽  
Vol 126 (3) ◽  
pp. 228-233 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher J. Hartnick ◽  
Barbara K. Giambra ◽  
Cynthia Bissell ◽  
Cynthia M. Fitton ◽  
Robin T. Cotton ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Status ◽  
Pearson Correlation ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Physical Symptoms ◽  
Validity And Reliability ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Specific Criterion ◽  
Health Status Instrument ◽  
Related Quality ◽  
The Impact

OBJECTIVE: We sought to describe the development and final testing of an instrument designed to evaluate the impact of tracheotomy on the health-related quality of life of affected families in whom a child has had a tracheotomy (the Pediatric Tracheotomy Health Status Instrument [PTHSI]). STUDY DESIGN: This cross-sectional study designed to analyze a disease-specific health status instrument to establish validity and reliability. RESULTS: The PTHSI was initially pilot tested in 130 families during a 3-month period from September through November 2000. After initial analysis and revision, from January 2001 through July 2001, 154 different families completed the revised instrument. The overall Cronbach's α coefficient for the instrument was 0.91, with domain-specific coefficients ranging from 0.66 for physical symptoms to 0.87 for caregiver stress and coping. Specific criterion validity analysis produced a Pearson correlation coefficient of 0.8 ( P < 0.0001). Construct validity testing via Wilcoxon matched sum testing suggested statistically significant differences between subpopulations ( P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: After initial testing and revision of the PTHSI, final instrument administration and analysis reveal the instrument to be valid and reliable. Future studies are planned to evaluate its responsiveness in longitudinal application.

scholarly journals Career Satisfaction among Community Pharmacists

2020 ◽  
pp. 33-41
Author(s):  
Muhammad Shahid Iqbal ◽  
Muhammad Zahid Iqbal
Keyword(s):  
Career Satisfaction ◽  
Community Pharmacists ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Current Level ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Content Validation ◽  
Contributing Factors ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
The Difference ◽  
The Impact

Objective: This study's objective was to determine the level of career satisfaction among practicing Community Pharmacists (CPs) and the impact of various factors on career satisfaction. Methods: This cross-sectional study used a self-administered instrument to access the current level of career satisfaction among CPs. The survey instrument questions were adopted from previous studies and were contextualized to suit study objectives and revalidated using face and content validation. The study instrument was distributed and collected.  Results: A total of 172 responses from CPs were received, 112 (65.1%) from males and 60 (34.9%) from females. The difference in age categories was significantly profound in the less than 34 years old group being 113 (65.7%) compared with the more than 34 years old being 59 (34.3%). Around 98 (57%) were working in chain pharmacies and 74 (43%) in independent pharmacy stores. The study result showed126 (73.3%) were unsatisfied in their careers and 46 (26.7%) were satisfied. Conclusion: Age and working experience are both major contributing factors to career satisfaction levels. Only 36.5% reported having higher career satisfaction levels among total participated CPs.

scholarly journals MODES OF USE OF THE CELL PHONE AND HEALTH OF SCHOOLCHILDREN

2019 ◽  
Vol 98 (8) ◽  
pp. 857-862 ◽  
Author(s):  
Olga A. Vyatleva ◽  
A. M. Kurgansky
Keyword(s):  
Sleep Disorders ◽  
Age Differences ◽  
Radiation Intensity ◽  
Health Indicators ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Relative Risks ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Age Dependent ◽  
The Impact

Introduction. The broad spread of cell phones (CP) among schoolchildren and the absence of age standards for their safe use determined the purpose of the study: to reveal the regimens of CP use, critical for the health of children and adolescents. Material and methods. In a cross-sectional study in 2008-2010, by the questionnaire data of 2,137 schoolchildren aged 6-15 years there was assessed the impact of CP usage indices (daily number of calls - CN, call duration - CD, and total daily duration of calls - TCDD) on health (the incidence of headaches and sleep disorders, number of colds). Student and Mann-Whitney criteria and assessment of relative risks were used. Results. The study revealed age-dependent critical values of usage indices (in 6-10 years: CN=2, TCDD=6 minutes.; in 11-13 years: CN=6; in 14-15 years CN=6, CD=3 minutes., TCDD=4 -10 min.), the exceeding of which due to risks: in 6-10 years - to have more than 4 colds a year (OR 2.25, 95% CI 1.09-4.62); in 11-13 years to have several headaches per week (OR 1.61, 95% CI 1.12-2.30); in 14-15 years - to have several headaches (OR 1.79, 95% CI 1.27-2.54) and several sleep disorders (OR 1.66, 95% CI 1.17-2.37) per week. Discussion. Age differences in critical modes of CP use and in health violations, as well as the importance of radiation intensity are discussed. Conclusions. Age-related CP use regimens, critical for health, were established. It was shown the need to develop more precise age criteria for safe CP use with taking into account a wider range of health indicators and radiation intensity.

scholarly journals Study of Perceived Accessibility in Daily Travel within the Metropolis

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (6) ◽  
pp. 868-883
Author(s):  
Anastasia Vladimirovna Lukina ◽  
Roman Roaldovich Sidorchuk ◽  
Sergey Vladimirovich Mkhitaryan ◽  
Anastasia Alexeevna Stukalova ◽  
Irina Ivanovna Skorobogatykh
Keyword(s):  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Residential Areas ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Transport Accessibility ◽  
Synthetic Index ◽  
Statistical Program ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Social Demographic ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The Relationship

The growth of metropolises and the number of vehicles cruising within their boundaries creates a permanent problem of dissatisfaction with transport accessibility. This study aims to identify the difference between perceived (PA) and objective (OA) transport accessibility. For its implementation, it was necessary: to explore PA between different residential areas and travel modes, reveal the influence of the travel regime on the PA, compare the impact of social-demographic factors on the individuals' PA. The research methodology is based on a large cross-sectional study with 2,275 respondents. A quota sample was used for 12 administrative districts of the Moscow metropolis. The data was processed by IBM SPSS Statistics 20 statistical program to obtain descriptive statistics indicators. Correlation analysis of the respondent's answers to the four items for PA assessment was performed to assess the relationship between the results of the solutions. Next, a synthetic index of PA was calculated and analyzed differences using the integral index PA. The relationship significance was assessed using F-criterion-based one-way ANOVA. The novelty of our study is as follows: it contributes to previous research on the possibility of measuring perceived affordability in metropolitan areas and benchmarking OA and RA. Doi: 10.28991/esj-2021-01316 Full Text: PDF

scholarly journals Item Analysis: The impact of distractor efficiency on the discrimination power of multiple choice items

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Assad Ali Rezigalla ◽  
Elwathiq Khalid Ibrahim ◽  
Amar Babiker ElHussein
Keyword(s):  
Item Analysis ◽  
Multiple Choice ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Validity And Reliability ◽  
Multiple Choice Questions ◽  
Discrimination Power ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Positive Correlation ◽  
Difficulty Index ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Background Distractor efficiency of multiple choice item responses is a component of item analysis used by the examiners to to evaluate the credibility and functionality of the distractors.Objective To evaluate the impact of functionality (efficiency) of the distractors on difficulty and discrimination indices.Methods A cross-sectional study in which standard item analysis of an 80-item test consisted of A type MCQs was performed. Correlation and significance of variance among Difficulty index (DIF), discrimination index (DI), and distractor Efficiency (DE) were measured.Results There is a significant moderate positive correlation between difficulty index and distractor efficiency, which means there is a tendency for high difficulty index go with high distractor efficiency (and vice versa). A weak positive correlation between distractor efficiency and discrimination index.Conclusions Non-functional distractor can reduce discrimination power of multiple choice questions. More training and effort for construction of plausible options of MCQ items is essential for the validity and reliability of the tests.

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