scholarly journals The results of teachers' awareness about visual impairment prevention among school-age children study

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 57-60
Author(s):  
N.V. Medvedovska ◽  
O.G. Shekera ◽  
L.І. Denisyuk ◽  
Ye.M. Anisimov ◽  
N.M. Yanovskaya
Keyword(s):  
Visual Impairment ◽  
Prevention Program ◽  
Preventive Measures ◽  
Visual Impairments ◽  
Information Support ◽  
School Age Children ◽  
Sociological Research ◽  
Willingness To Participate ◽  
Medical Statistics ◽  
Number Of Children

Background. According to the Center for Medical Statistics of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine, the number of children with ophthalmic diseases has increased significantly over the last decade. The purpose of the study was to determine the awareness of teachers of secondary schools (schools, lyceums) on the problem of visual impairment among schoolchildren with the identification of their willingness to participate in preventive measures. Materials and methods. The materials of the study were the results of a sociological survey of teachers of schools and lyceums in Ukraine (a total of 6215 questionnaires were subject to analysis). We used the method of sociological research and methods of medical statistics, in particular to calculate the representativeness and reliability of the survey results. The study complied with modern European requirements for anonymity; each of the respondents was involved in the survey only after prior oral voluntary consent. The results revealed a lack of awareness of teachers in the prevention of visual impairment among schoolchildren, their willingness to participate in prevention activities and the high need for information support for modern prevention technologies. The majority of respondents supported the need to introduce regular vision testing in childhood, including in the framework of the relevant state prevention program. Conclusions. The majority of teachers (99.40 ± 0.10 %) supporting the expediency of introducing regular vision testing in children, (97.38 ± 0.20 %) support the introduction of a state prevention program to preserve vision from childhood. Based on the results of the study, promising for further research is the study of the possibility of involving teachers in preventive measures and participation in comprehensive programs for the prevention of ophthalmic pathology among students. It is also important to find effective ways of information support for educators on modern prevention technologies, risk factors for the formation of visual impairments in schoolchildren in order to prevent the formation of stigma against children with visual impairments and disorders in their environment.

Awareness of teachers at preschool educational institutions about the issues concerning visual impairments prevention in childhood

2020 ◽  
Vol 26 (2-3) ◽  
pp. 75-79
Author(s):  
N.V. Medvedovska ◽  
◽  
Y.M. Malyshevska ◽  
L.I. Denysiuk ◽  
◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Visual Impairment ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Preventive Measures ◽  
Preschool Teachers ◽  
Family Doctor ◽  
Educational Institutions ◽  
Sociological Research ◽  
Willingness To Participate ◽  
Preventive Work ◽  
Preschool Educators

The aim of our study was to examine awareness of preschool teachers in Ukraine about the manifestations of visual impairment in childhood, as well as their willingness to participate in preventive measures. Materials and Methods. Results of a sociological survey conducted among preschool teachers in Ukraine (4712 questionnaires). Methods of sociological research and medical statistics were used. Results and Discussion. The majority of respondents (87.97±0.47%) believe that a preschool worker mustpossess knowledge about the signs of visual impairment in children; 85.97±0.51% are familiar with the hygienic norms on visual load in childhood and promptly and continuously inform children about the risk of eye diseases and injuries. A vast majority (89.03±0.46%) of respondents noted the presence of medical professionals (nurses) at the institution where they work, whose functions include preventive work. In case of a visual impairment in a child, the teachers of preschool educational institutions would rather entrust supervision of the child's visual function to a pediatric ophthalmologist, and much less often to a pediatrician or a family doctor. Conclusions. A large-scale Ukraine-wide survey of preschool teachers revealed the lack of their awareness about the problems of preserving vision in childhood. The majority of respondents support the expediency of conducting regular inspections of visual functions, and the possible introduction of the state prevention programs to preserve vision in childhood. Key words: visual impairment, children, preschool educators

INFORMATION SUPPORT FOR MAKING MANAGEMENT DECISIONS IN THE FIELD OF PREVENTION OF EYE DISEASES AT STUDENTS BASED ON MULTI-VARIANT SIMULATION AND FORECASTING

2020 ◽  
pp. 147-153
Author(s):  
Юлия Владимировна Татаркова ◽  
Татьяна Николаевна Петрова ◽  
Олег Валериевич Судаков ◽  
Александр Юрьевич Гончаров ◽  
Ольга Николаевна Крюкова
Keyword(s):  
Preventive Measures ◽  
Influential Factors ◽  
Eye Diseases ◽  
Information Support ◽  
Factor Space ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Eye Fatigue ◽  
Modeling And Forecasting ◽  
Medical Examinations

В настоящей статье представлен обзор основных решений, доступных сегодня для формирования как краткосрочных, так и долгосрочных проекций заболеваемости болезней глаза и его придаточного аппарата в студенческой среде. С другой стороны, существует ряд проблем, связанных с многообразием факторов, влияющих на заболеваемость, статистической необоснованностью и противоречивостью имеющихся результатов анализа данных. Представлены результаты математического моделирования зависимости показателя заболеваемости от наиболее влиятельных факторов образовательной и социальной среды. Перечислены важнейшие направления разработки математических моделей распространения заболеваемости. С помощью разработанного программного комплекса проведена серия вычислительных экспериментов по оценке и прогнозированию заболеваемости обучающихся в вузах разного профиля. Показана эффективность применения методики многовариантного моделирования и прогнозирования, указаны их ограничения и возможности практического применения. По расположению обобщенной области благоприятного прогноза в факторном пространстве можно определить время воздействия неблагоприятных для зрения факторов, которое должно составлять не более 10 ... 11 часов в сутки, количество профилактических мероприятий должно составлять не менее 3 ... 4. При этом риск развития миопии составит не более 0,4, вероятность усталости глаз за компьютером составит не более 0,4, вероятность дискомфорта глаз на занятиях составит не более 0,15. Исходя из характера прогноза, определяется длительность диспансерного наблюдения, а также потребность профилактических мероприятий по устранению или ослаблению действия неблагоприятно влияющих социально-гигиенических и медико-биологических факторов конкретного больного. Использование прогностической матрицы в практическом здравоохранении позволяет существенно улучшить работу по профилактике офтальмологической заболеваемости и является одним из эффективных мероприятий диспансеризации студенческой молодежи, так как дает возможность выделить из числа обучающихся группу с высоким риском неблагоприятного исхода заболевания This article provides an overview of the main solutions available today for the formation of both short-term and long-term projections of the incidence of eye diseases and its adnexa in the student environment. On the other hand, there are a number of problems associated with a variety of factors affecting the incidence, statistical unreasonability and inconsistency of the available data analysis results. The results of mathematical modeling of the dependence of the incidence rate on the most influential factors of the educational and social environment are presented. The most important areas of developing mathematical models for the spread of morbidity are listed. With the help of the developed software package, a series of computational experiments was carried out to assess and predict the incidence of students in universities of various profiles. The effectiveness of the application of multivariate modeling and forecasting methods is shown, their limitations and practical application possibilities are indicated. By the location of the generalized region of favorable prognosis in the factor space, it is possible to determine the exposure time of factors unfavorable for vision, which should be no more than 10 ... 11 hours a day, the number of preventive measures should be at least 3 ... 4. At the same time, the risk of development myopia will be no more than 0.4, the probability of eye fatigue at the computer will be no more than 0.4, the likelihood of eye discomfort in the classroom will be no more than 0.15. Based on the nature of the forecast, the duration of the follow-up observation is determined, as well as the need for preventive measures to eliminate or weaken the action of adverse social, hygienic and biomedical factors of a particular patient. The use of the prognostic matrix in practical health care can significantly improve the work on the prevention of ophthalmic morbidity and is one of the effective medical examinations for students, since it makes it possible to distinguish among the students a group with a high risk of an unfavorable outcome of the disease

The Association Between Presenting Visual Impairment, Health, and Employment Status

2021 ◽  
Vol 115 (3) ◽  
pp. 204-214
Author(s):  
Michele C. McDonnall ◽  
Zhen S. McKnight
Keyword(s):  
Visual Impairment ◽  
Labor Force ◽  
Visual Impairments ◽  
Data Sets ◽  
Chi Square ◽  
Health And Nutrition ◽  
Labor Force Status ◽  
The People ◽  
Self Reports ◽  
Study Participants

Introduction: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of visual impairment and correctable visual impairment (i.e., uncorrected refractive errors) on being out of the labor force and on unemployment. The effect of health on labor force status was also investigated. Method: National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) data from 1999 to 2008 ( N = 15,650) was used for this study. Participants were classified into three vision status groups: normal, correctable visual impairment, and visual impairment. Statistical analyses utilized were chi-square and logistic regression. Results: Having a visual impairment was significantly associated with being out of the labor force, while having a correctable visual impairment was not. Conversely, having a correctable visual impairment was associated with unemployment, while having a visual impairment was not. Being out of the labor force was not significantly associated with health for those with a visual impairment, although it was for those with correctable visual impairments and normal vision. Discussion: Given previous research, it was surprising to find that health was not associated with being out of the labor force for those with visual impairments. Perhaps other disadvantages for the people with visual impairments identified in this study contributed to their higher out-of-the-labor-force rates regardless of health. Implications for practitioners: Researchers utilizing national data sets that rely on self-reports to identify visual impairments should realize that some of those who self-identify as being visually impaired may actually have correctable visual impairments. Current research is needed to understand why a majority of people with visual impairments are not seeking employment and have removed themselves from the labor force.

Using Labels: A Study of Client Preference

1990 ◽  
Vol 84 (5) ◽  
pp. 218-220 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. Abaglo ◽  
J. Downing
Keyword(s):  
Visual Impairment ◽  
Visual Impairments ◽  
Handicapped Person ◽  
Significant Preference ◽  
Client Preference ◽  
Adolescents And Adults ◽  
Visually Handicapped

Fifty-one adolescents and adults with a variety of visual impairments were interviewed to determine their preference for different labels used to describe them. Participants were asked to choose among labels that state the disability before the person (“the visually handicapped person”) and labels that state the person before the disability (“the person with a visual impairment”). Results showed no statistically significant preference. Reasons provided by participants for their preference were characterized and presented thematically. The importance of stressing abilities and needs to be treated as normal were the most common reasons given by the participants for their selections. Participants who chose the person-first labels cited these reasons more often than those who chose the disability-first labels.

scholarly journals Is the Travel Bubble under COVID-19 a Feasible Idea or Not?

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (11) ◽  
pp. 5717
Author(s):  
Jo-Hung Yu ◽  
Hsiao-Hsien Lin ◽  
Yu-Chih Lo ◽  
Kuan-Chieh Tseng ◽  
Chin-Hsien Hsu
Keyword(s):  
Health Beliefs ◽  
Preventive Measures ◽  
Health Assessment ◽  
Willingness To Participate ◽  
Physical And Mental Health ◽  
Statistical Validation ◽  
Mental Health Assessment ◽  
Expert Opinions ◽  
Wait And See ◽  
Travel Decisions

The present study aimed to understand Taiwanese people’s willingness to participate in the travel bubble policy. A mixed research method was used to collect 560 questionnaires, and SPSS 22.0 software was used for the statistical validation and Pearson’s performance correlation analysis. Expert opinions were collected and the results were validated using multivariate analysis. Findings: People were aware of the seriousness of the virus and the preventive measures but were not afraid of the threat of infection. They looked forward to traveling to heighten their enthusiasm, relieve stress, and soothe their emotions. However, the infection and death rates have been high, there have been various routes of infection, and it has been difficult to identify the symptoms. The complex backgrounds of people coming in and out of airports, hotels and restaurants may create pressure on the participants of events. In addition, the flawed policies and high prices resulted in a loss of confidence in the policies and a wait-and-see attitude toward tourism activities. Thus, travel decisions (0.634), physical and mental health assessment (0.716), and environmental risk (−0.130) were significantly (p < 0.05) related to travel intentions, and different issues were affected to different degrees, while health beliefs had no significant effect (p > 0.05).

scholarly journals Is Hay for the Birds? Investigating Landowner Willingness to Time Hay Harvests for Grassland Bird Conservation

Animals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 1030
Author(s):  
Matthew Gruntorad ◽  
Katherine Graham ◽  
Nico Arcilla ◽  
Christopher Chizinski
Keyword(s):  
Great Plains ◽  
Critical Factor ◽  
Information Support ◽  
Conservation Strategies ◽  
Bird Conservation ◽  
Willingness To Participate ◽  
Population Declines ◽  
Grassland Bird ◽  
The North ◽  
Hunting Activity

Birds in agricultural environments have exhibited steep global population declines in recent decades, and effective conservation strategies targeting their populations are urgently needed. In grasslands used for hay production, breeding birds’ nest success improves substantially if hay harvests are delayed until after mid-July. However, few studies have investigated private hay producers’ willingness to alter their harvesting practices, which is a critical factor for bird conservation where most land is privately owned, such as in the North American Great Plains. We surveyed Nebraska hay producers to examine whether livestock production, wildlife knowledge, and hunting activity affects their willingness to alter haying practices for bird conservation. The majority (60%) of respondents expressed willingness to delay harvesting hay to allow birds time to nest successfully. Livestock producers and those more knowledgeable about wildlife were more willing to delay hay harvests, whereas active hunters were less willing to do so. Our findings suggest that a majority of private producers show a high potential for engaging in grassland bird conservation activities. Landowners’ willingness to participate in bird conservation programs and actions could be further encouraged through extension and education efforts connecting hay producers with information, support, and funding for bird conservation.

Effects of a Disability Simulation Activity on the Achievement, Efficacy, Attitudes, and Interests of Preservice Professionals

2021 ◽  
pp. 0145482X2110466
Author(s):  
Alexandra Hollo ◽  
Carla B. Brigandi ◽  
Casey M. Jelsema ◽  
Mingming Shi
Keyword(s):  
Visual Impairment ◽  
Skill Acquisition ◽  
Professional Education ◽  
Low Vision ◽  
Visual Impairments ◽  
Cluster Randomized Trial ◽  
Single Class ◽  
Related Services ◽  
Disability Simulation ◽  
Experimental Group

Introduction: Disability simulation activities are commonly used for various purposes in higher education; however, instructors may be unaware of controversies regarding their use. The purpose of this research was to assess the effects of an activity using low vision goggles to simulate visual impairment in the context of an undergraduate course in special education. We highlight the need for instructors to consider the appropriateness of disability simulation activities given possible countertherapeutic effects. Methods: In this cluster-randomized trial, 11 classes (248 students) of preservice education and related services professionals were randomized to experimental (lecture + simulation) or control (lecture only) conditions. During a single class session, all students received basic information about visual impairment and watched a video on being a human guide. Students in the experimental group then practiced guiding and being guided while wearing low vision goggles. At the end of class, students completed three Likert-type surveys and later completed a quiz using publisher-developed materials. Results: Results showed individuals in the experimental group reported higher levels of interest and enjoyment than those in the control condition; however, there were no statistically significant differences in attitudes toward persons with visual impairments, confidence or self-efficacy for working with students with visual impairments, content knowledge, or perceptions of activity usefulness. Discussion: Findings of positive engagement in the absence of harmful effects indicate that disability simulation activities should be neither promoted nor denigrated wholesale; instead, instructors must weigh carefully potential benefits and drawbacks. Discussion includes considerations for professional education programs in using such simulations to promote skill acquisition via positive and respectful learning experiences. Implications for practitioners: Instructors who use disability simulation activities are encouraged to consider whether to discontinue this practice or incorporate principles recommended by the disability community and assess outcomes to ensure they are not perpetuating harmful stereotypes.

Behavioral Correlates of Depression Among Adults with Visual Impairments

2021 ◽  
pp. 0145482X2110466
Author(s):  
Justin A. Haegele ◽  
Xihe Zhu ◽  
Sean Healy
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Visual Impairment ◽  
Sleep Duration ◽  
Visual Impairments ◽  
The United States ◽  
Sitting Time ◽  
Hierarchical Regression ◽  
Regression Analyses ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Negative Predictor

Introduction: This study sought to examine: (a) the associations between physical activity, sedentary time, and sleep duration, as discrete behaviors, with depression among adults with visual impairments; and (b) the impact of meeting none, one, two, or three of the guidelines for these behaviors on depression among adults with visual impairments. Materials: One hundred eighty-two ( Mage = 44.8) adults with visual impairments, recruited via email through two visual impairment organizations in the United States, completed the International Physical Activity Questionnaire–Short Form, a sleep duration question, the Major Depression Inventory, and a demographic questionnaire. Based on results from the questionnaires, dichotomous variables for meeting or not meeting physical activity, sleep, and sitting guidelines were created. Data were analyzed using three components: a descriptive analysis, Pearson product-moment correlation analyses, and hierarchical regression analyses. Results: Overall, 14.8% of participants were categorized as having some degree of depression. Meeting the sleep guideline was a significant negative predictor of depression scores in the hierarchical regression analyses. The number of guidelines met was a negative predictor for depression score controlling for other variables. Discussion: Adequate sleep, as well as meeting all three guidelines synergistically, was meaningful in influencing depression among this population. The current study’s results should prompt the continued examination of health-behaviors among adults with visual impairment using a more holistic 24-hour activity cycle framework. Implications for practitioners: This study supports the utilization of multi-behavioral interventions to reduce the risk of depression by enhancing physical activity and sleep, while reducing sitting time, among this population.

scholarly journals Neuroplasticity in visual impairments

2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Paulo Ramiler Silva ◽  
Tiago Farias ◽  
Fernando Cascio ◽  
Levi Dos Santos ◽  
Vinícius Peixoto ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Visual Acuity ◽  
Visual Impairment ◽  
Visual Impairments ◽  
Cortical Reorganization ◽  
Pubmed Database ◽  
Visual Areas ◽  
Visual Acuity Loss ◽  
The Brain

The visual acuity loss enables the brain to access new pathways in the quest to overcome the visual limitation and this is wellknown as neuroplasticity which have mechanisms to cortical reorganization. In this review, we related the evidences about the neuroplasticity as well as cortical anatomical differences and functional repercussions in visual impairments. We performed a systematic review of PUBMED database, without date or status publication restrictions. The findings demonstrate that the visual impairment produce a compensatory sensorial effect, in which non-visual areas are related to both cross (visual congenital) and multimodal (late blind) neuroplasticity.

Adapting the Brief COPE for Chinese Adolescents with Visual Impairments

2017 ◽  
Vol 111 (1) ◽  
pp. 20-32 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wei Yuan ◽  
Li-fang Zhang ◽  
Bing Li
Keyword(s):  
Visual Impairment ◽  
Psychometric Properties ◽  
Visually Impaired ◽  
Sample Selection ◽  
Visual Impairments ◽  
Self Esteem ◽  
Three Dimensions ◽  
Adolescent Students ◽  
Brief Cope ◽  
Chinese Adolescent

Introduction The present research pioneered the effort in assessing adolescents’ coping with visual impairment through adapting the Brief COPE in an eastern context. The first study preliminarily explored the applicability of the Brief COPE to Chinese adolescent students with visual impairments. Based on the results, the Brief COPE was modified and renamed, COPE-Revised. The second study tested the internal psychometric properties and the criterion-related validity of the COPE-Revised. Criterion-related validity was obtained through investigating the correlation between coping and self-esteem. Method The first study involved 176 adolescent students with visual impairments, comprising a survey using the Brief COPE and follow-up interviews. In the second study, another cohort of 170 adolescent students with visual impairments responded to the COPE-Revised together with an inventory assessing self-esteem. Results The COPE-Revised showed adequate psychometric properties. Three higher-order factors, namely self-directed, other-directed, and relinquished-control coping, were identified. The way in which self-esteem was correlated with these three dimensions of coping provided evidence for the criterion-related validity of the COPE-Revised. Discussion The findings indicate that the COPE-Revised has sound psychometric properties among adolescents with visual impairments. Limitations regarding the sample-selection bias and the means of questionnaire survey among visually impaired adolescents are noted. Implications for practitioners This research tailored a coping inventory for educators, counselors, and researchers who are interested in investigating adolescents’ ability to cope with visual impairments. The relationship between coping with visual impairment and self-esteem found in this research has reference significance for educational and counseling services for visually impaired adolescents.

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