scholarly journals Adapting the ethical review process for COVID-19 research: reviewers’ perspectives from Pakistan

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sualeha S. Shekhani ◽  
Saima P. Iqbal ◽  
Aamir M. Jafarey
Keyword(s):  
Ethics Committees ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Online Discussions ◽  
Ethical Review ◽  
Scientific Quality ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Demographic Questionnaire ◽  
External Pressures ◽  
Ethical Review Process ◽  
Document Review

Background: Research ethics committees (RECs) globally have adapted their responses to provide timely reviews of research proposals in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. The REC of the National Bioethics Committee (NBC) of Pakistan has followed suit. Aims: To explore perceptions of NBC-REC reviewers who reviewed COVID-19 research proposals while describing the newly instituted Rapid Turnaround Review (RTR) system. Methods: This cross-sectional study used 3 methods of data collection: a demographic questionnaire filled in by permanent members and co-opted reviewers; qualitative in-depth interviews conducted with both groups; and document review related to COVID-19 research proposals. Results: Eight permanent members and 3 co-opted members participated. Under the RTR system, the time for review was established as 72 hours after receipt of the proposal. The Committee reviewed 55 projects over 10 months. Participants described numerous strengths of the new system, including introduction of online discussions via Zoom as well as presence of co-opted members leading to learning opportunities, particularly for junior members. The RTR system also allowed NBC-REC to gain recognition it had not enjoyed previously. Challenges identified by respondents included initial difficulty in initiating the system and tighter deadlines that may have compromised review quality. Poor scientific quality of proposals, compounded by external pressures to provide rapid approval, added to reviewers’ frustrations. While fruitful, the RTR system was considered unsustainable beyond a public health emergency. Conclusion: Adaptation of ethical review processes is essential in emergencies, however, existing guidelines have to be modified to suit contextual needs.

scholarly journals Researchers’ Perspectives on Informed Consent and Ethical Review of Biobank Research in South Africa: A Cross-Sectional Study

2019 ◽  
Vol 14 (4) ◽  
pp. 307-317
Author(s):  
Erisa Mwaka ◽  
Lyn Horn
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Informed Consent ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Ethical Issues ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Ethical Review ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Biobank Research ◽  
Ethical Review Process ◽  
The University

There is limited literature on the opinions and perspectives of researchers on the ethical issues in biobank research in South Africa. This study aimed to explore researchers’ perspectives on informed consent and ethical review of biobank research in South Africa. An online survey was conducted among researchers and scientists at Stellenbosch University and the University of Kwazulu-Natal. The majority of researchers opined that broad consent is appropriate for biobank research. However, there was no consensus on the necessity for re-consent. Researchers were also in agreement that issues concerning informed consent and future use of samples require thorough discussions during the ethical review process. Overall, the attitude of researchers on informed consent and ethical review of biobank research was positive and ethically informed.

scholarly journals Attitude of researchers towards ethics committee at a medical research institute in Coimbatore: a cross sectional study

2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 615
Author(s):  
Subhashini Ganesan ◽  
Sujatha Rajaragupathy ◽  
Kavitha Subramanian ◽  
Jayagowri Karthikeyan
Keyword(s):  
Medical Research ◽  
Undergraduate Students ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Ethics Committees ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Ethics Committee ◽  
Ethical Review ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional

Background: The role of ethics committees has been well defined, but many researchers regard ethical review as a road block to research.Methods: To assess the attitude of the researchers towards the ethics committee, a cross sectional study was conducted among 80 researchers, which includes both faculty and undergraduate students at a medical research institute.Results: Our study shows that though most of the researchers agreed that ethics committee is mandatory, they felt that ethics committee review delays research projects, undermined the role of non-medical members in the committee, felt annoyed about the documentation and answering the full board queries and presentations.Conclusions: Study concludes that though the researchers have understood the critical role of ethics committee, they lack a positive attitude when it comes to the ethics committee functioning. Therefore, training should be conducted for researchers, which addresses these issues, so that the misunderstandings and conflicts are minimized.

scholarly journals Prevalence and quality of life in high school pupils with acne in Serbia

2013 ◽  
Vol 70 (10) ◽  
pp. 935-939 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jelena Peric ◽  
Natasa Maksimovic ◽  
Janko Jankovic ◽  
Biljana Mijovic ◽  
Vesna Reljic ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
High School ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Demographic Questionnaire ◽  
Study Population ◽  
Serbian Version ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Spearman’S Correlation

Background/Aim. Acne is a common problem in adolescent children with considerable emotional and psychological effects. The aim of this study was to determine the self-reported prevalence of acne and to assess its impact on the quality of life in high school pupils in Serbia. Methods. The cross-sectional study was conducted in May 2011 in two medical high schools in Serbia. Only pupils who gave a written informed consent to participate in the study (n = 440) were asked to fill in two questionnaires: short demographic questionnaire and Cardiff Acne Disability Index (CADI), a disease-specific questionnaire measuring disability induced by acne. Internal consistency (tested by Cronbach?s alpha) and item-total score correlations (Spearman's correlation analysis) were used for reliability analyses. Results. The study population consisted of 440 pupils, 281 from Belgrade and 159 from Uzice. Among them 371 (84.3%) were girls and 69 (15.7%) boys, with similar sex distribution in Belgrade and Uzice. The total mean age of pupils was 16.48 years (SD = 0.55). Out of 440 pupils 228 (51.8%) self-reported their acne. The acne prevalence was significantly higher in pupils from Uzice (73.6%) than in those from Belgrade (39.6%). The overall mean CADI score for the whole sample was 2.87 ? 2.74, with the similar quality of life impairment in adolescents from Belgrade and from Uzice. The mean Cronbach?s alpha was 0.82. Conclusion. This study shows that the quality of life impairment due to acne is mild for the majority of the affected pupils. The Serbian version of the CADI is a reliable, valid, and valuable tool for assessing the impact of acne on the quality of life.

A - 28 Mastering Concussion Reporting: Does Previous Injury and Education Play a Role in Reporting Skill?

2021 ◽  
Vol 36 (4) ◽  
pp. 668-668
Author(s):  
Tomczyk CP ◽  
Covassin T
Keyword(s):  
Linear Regression ◽  
A Priori ◽  
Collegiate Athletes ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Previous Injury ◽  
Demographic Questionnaire ◽  
Predictor Model ◽  
Study Participants ◽  
Score Range

Abstract Objective The purpose of this study was to determine whether previous injury (PI) and/or concussion education (ce) significantly predicted collegiate athlete reporting skill (RS). It was hypothesized that both PI and ce would be significant predictors of RS. Methods A cross-sectional study design was implemented, and collegiate athletes (n = 105; age = 19.77 ± 1.23; sex = 53% female) from two institutions were included in the study. Participants were administered a demographic questionnaire to determine PI and ce prior to enrollment, and the Reporting Skill Scale (5-items) was administered to measure RS. A composite score (range: 1–5) was calculated where higher values indicated greater RS. A stepwise multivariable linear regression was used to determine the predictive value of PI and ce on RS (a priori p < 0.05). Results A high percentage of the sample reported PI (n = 52, 49%), received ce (n = 83, 78%), and had high levels of RS (4.27 ± 0.68). The stepwise multivariable linear regression generated a one predictor model where ce significantly predicted RS (F(1,105) = 4.804, p = 0.03, R2 = 0.05, β = 0.35, 90% CI [0.33, 0.67]), whereas PI did not significantly predict RS (p = 0.83, β = −0.22). Conclusions The study revealed that ce partially predicts RS in collegiate athletes. Although the predicted variance was small, this highlights that educating athletes on the steps needed to report an injury is better suited for influencing the psychomotor domain of concussion reporting than simply experiencing a PI. Determining an athlete’s RS, including the factors that influence it, can aid clinicians in identifying athletes that may not fully understand how to report a concussion following injury.

scholarly journals Rapid HIV Testing in Al Buraimi Governorate Sultanate of Oman: A Cross Sectional Study

2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (11) ◽  
pp. 153
Author(s):  
Saad Rashid Saud Al Alawi ◽  
Muhammad Muqeet Ullah ◽  
Ahmed Yar Mohammed Dawood Al Balushi ◽  
Rajeev Kashyap ◽  
Vandita Kailas Patil
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Personal Information ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Ethical Review ◽  
Age Group ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Entire Study ◽  
Male Clients ◽  
Hiv Rapid Testing ◽  
And Gender

BACKGROUND: Due to one of the highest HIV prevalent province in Oman, Voluntary Counselling Testing (VCT) services were integrated in health system of Al Buraimi Governorate, Oman since December 2014. AIM & OBJECTIVE: The study aimed to analyze the situation on HIV rapid testing in Al Buraimi Governorate with objective to identify client’s risk factor among common age group and gender. METHODOLOGY: Cross sectional retrospective study was conducted in Al Buraimi Governorate, Oman among 1412 registered adult VCT clients, unbooked pregnant women with no documented HIV status at the time of delivery or abortion at Buraimi Hospital and clients during outreach community awareness activities on HIV. Retrospective analysis was performed for 3 years from December 2014 to December 2017 on parameters like Age, gender, nationality, risk factors, outcome and place of testing (Hospital and Outreach) using standard national client information form. Descriptive statistics was applied in Microsoft excel and SPSS version 24. Clients’ personal information and confidentiality of the record was maintained during entire study period with approval from regional research and ethical review committee. RESULTS: Of 1412 clients for Rapid Diagnostic Tests (RDTs), 990 (70.1%) were females and 422 (29.9%) were males with mean age 27.13±7.02. Majority, 806 (57.1%) RDTs were in outreach followed by 470 (33.3%) and 136 (9.6%) at Maternity ward and Couselling Clinic respectively. Clients included 1294 (91.6%) Omani nationals and 118 (8.4%) non-Omani nationals. The risky behavior was found to be 126 (9%) among clients with heterosexual contributes 65 (4.6%). Among all risk factors, male clients contributed 124 (8.7%) with common age group 26-35 years 56 (3.9%). CONCLUSION: RDTs were utilized mainly during outreach activities that highlight the need of promoting VCT facilities in the clinical setting as services are available 24/7 through hotline. This baseline study would facilitate to develop plan for client’s risk reduction.

scholarly journals Assessment of patients waiting and service times in the ophthalmology clinic of a public tertiary hospital in Nigeria

2020 ◽  
Vol 54 (4) ◽  
pp. 231-237
Author(s):  
Lateefat B. Olokoba ◽  
Kabir A. Durowade ◽  
Feyi G. Adepoju ◽  
Abdulfatai B. Olokoba
Keyword(s):  
Waiting Time ◽  
Waiting Times ◽  
Sampling Technique ◽  
Tertiary Hospital ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Ethical Review ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Arrival Times ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Service Times

Introduction: Long waiting time in the out-patient clinic is a major cause of dissatisfaction in Eye care services. This study aimed to assess patients’ waiting and service times in the out-patient Ophthalmology clinic of UITH. Methods: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study conducted in March and April 2019. A multi-staged sampling technique was used. A timing chart was used to record the time in and out of each service station. An experience based exit survey form was used to assess patients’ experience at the clinic. The frequency and mean of variables were generated. Student t-test and Pearson’s correlation were used to establish the association and relationship between the total clinic, service, waiting, and clinic arrival times. Ethical approval was granted by the Ethical Review Board of the UITH. Result: Two hundred and twenty-six patients were sampled. The mean total waiting time was 180.3± 84.3 minutes, while the mean total service time was 63.3±52.0 minutes. Patient’s average total clinic time was 243.7±93.6 minutes. Patients’ total clinic time was determined by the patients’ clinic status and clinic arrival time. Majority of the patients (46.5%) described the time spent in the clinic as long but more than half (53.0%) expressed satisfaction at the total time spent at the clinic. Conclusion: Patients’ clinic and waiting times were long, however, patients expressed satisfaction with the clinic times.

scholarly journals Depression, Death Anxiety, and the Related Factors in Nurses Caring for COVID-19 Patients at Kosar Hospital, Semnan, Iran

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Monir Nobahar ◽  
Elnaz Talebi ◽  
Sara Amaniyan ◽  
Mansoreh Tarahomy
Keyword(s):  
Work Experience ◽  
Death Anxiety ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Anxiety And Depression ◽  
Related Factors ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Risk Of Death ◽  
Effective Interventions ◽  
Demographic Questionnaire ◽  
High Incidence

Background: The high incidence of COVID-19 has provided a challenge for healthcare systems in Iran, and may result in some psychological problems. Objectives: The study aims at describing depression, death anxiety, and the related factors in nurses caring for COVID-19 Patients at Kosar Hospital, Semnan, Iran. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 89 nurses caring for COVID-19 patients were selected in October 2020 via the census method. A demographic questionnaire, Beck’s Depression inventory, and Templer Death Anxiety scale were used to collect the required data. The collected data were analyzed using SPSS software version 20. Results: The mean scores of death anxiety and depression among nurses were 7.32 ± 1.75 and 10.82 ± 8.50 respectively. The results of the Pearson’s correlation-coefficient showed a significant positive correlation between death anxiety and depression (P = 0.05), death anxiety and nurses’ age (P < 0.05), death anxiety, and nurses’ work experience (P < 0.05). Conclusions: The findings of the study revealed that nurses caring for COVID-19 patients are at high risk of death anxiety and depression. Thus, there is a need to identify these problems to prevent or reduce them with effective interventions.

scholarly journals Knowledge About Dengue Fever Prevention Among People Visiting Benazir Bhutto Hospital

2020 ◽  
Vol 24 (1) ◽  
pp. 23-26
Author(s):  
Tamanna Fayyaz ◽  
Maria Yasin ◽  
Ahsan Tariq ◽  
Aashi Mughal ◽  
Mujtaba Haider Bukhari ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Dengue Virus ◽  
Dengue Fever ◽  
Public Awareness ◽  
Virus Transmission ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Ethical Review ◽  
Health Campaigns ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
High Knowledge ◽  
Public Health Campaigns

Background: The higher incidence of dengue fever in Pakistan demands additional efforts in order to limit the disease. Despite active public health campaigns, low public awareness is one of the factors facilitating dengue virus transmission. For effective preventive measures, the assessment of the knowledge gap and then taking appropriate steps to fill the gap is required.The objective of this study is to assess knowledge about dengue fever prevention among people visiting Benazir Bhutto Hospital, Rawalpindi.Methods: The descriptive cross-sectional study of 6 months duration was conducted with 280 participants selected via nonprobability convenience sampling. After informed consent, an interview was conducted based on a questionnaire that assessed socio-demographic parameters and knowledge about dengue virus transmission and prevention. Data were analyzed through SPSS v. 22. The study was approved by the Ethical Review Board (ERB) of Rawalpindi Medical University and Allied hospitals.Results: Out of 280 respondents, 54.6% were males and 45.4% females and the mean age was 35.0 ± 13.1 years. The respondents having high knowledge scores were 66(23.6%) while those having moderate and low scores were 159 (56.8%) and 55 (19.6%) respectively. Educated respondents (p=0.03) and urban residents (p=0.05) had higher knowledge scores.Conclusion: The majority of the participants know about dengue fever. However, only one out of every four respondents has good knowledge scores for dengue fever prevention.

scholarly journals Psychiatric Disorders in Diabetic Patients in Rafsanjan

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-4
Author(s):  
Reza Bidaki ◽  
Parvin Agha Mohamad Hasani ◽  
Maryam Alireza Zade ◽  
Rezvan Sadr Mohammadi ◽  
Reza Bidaki ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Psychiatric Disorders ◽  
Common Mental Disorders ◽  
Risk Groups ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Diabetic Patients ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Demographic Questionnaire ◽  
Patients With Diabetes ◽  
Diabetes Center

Objective: To determine prevalence rates, associated features, and risk factors for psychiatric disorders subsequent to the diagnosis of IDDM. Methods: In this cross-sectional study were been selected 100 randomly who referred to Rafsanjan Diabetes Center. The data of this study is gathered demographic questionnaire and Minnesota Multi-phasic Personality Inventory (MMPI). Data was analysed with software SPSS-17. Results: 76% of the patients were female and 24% were men 45.4% of the illiterate population. The results showed hypochondriasis (22%) and schizophrenia (19%) and depression (11%) are three psychiatric disorders that patients with diabetes in high-risk groups have reported. Conclusion: The present study demonstrated that about 30-45% of patients with diabetes suffered from common mental disorders. The prevalence of some psychiatric disorders is considerable in diabetic patients in Rafsanjan.

scholarly journals Assessment of biochemistry request forms

2017 ◽  
Vol 5 (3) ◽  
pp. 18-24 ◽  
Author(s):  
S Singh ◽  
S Khatiwada
Keyword(s):  
Laboratory Data ◽  
Tertiary Hospital ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Successful Outcome ◽  
Ethical Review ◽  
Sample Type ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Laboratory Errors ◽  
Specimen Collection ◽  
Drug History

Oversight of information on biochemistry requisition forms may lead to laboratory errors. The aim of this study was to evaluate the level of completion of these forms. The observational cross-sectional study was conducted between December 2014 and March 2015 in the biochemistry department of a tertiary hospital in Kathmandu after approval by the Institutional Ethical Review Committee. Two thousand and thirty nine request forms were randomly assessed for the completeness of information provided by the requesting physician. Microsoft excels software and SPSS-17 was used for analysis. Patient confidentiality was maintained. Out of 2039 request forms examined, the only 100% documented parameter was the pa­tient’s name. Date of specimen collection was recorded in 79.74% of forms and age in 98.53%. The working diagnosis was recorded in 28.44% but no information regarding patient preparation. While the consultants name were stated in 13.29% of cases, drug history in 0.24%. Parameters like gender were recorded in 98.82%, sample type in 0.29%. Whether the patient was present in the ward or in the outpatient department was documented in 15.11% whereas patient number in 38.35%. Doctors were more likely to sign the forms rather than providing their name/designation. This study demonstrates that the custom of completion of request forms was poor. As laboratory data plays a significant role in medical diagnosis and re­search, incomplete data provided to the laboratory could significantly impact on the comments and successful outcome of treatment. Closer interaction between clinicians and laboratory personnel by means of request forms can improve the quality of services to patients.

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