scholarly journals Acceptability and outcomes of transdiagnostic guided self-help bibliotherapy for internalizing disorder symptoms in adults: Results of a fully remote nationwide open trial

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lorenzo Lorenzo-Luaces ◽  
Jacqueline Howard ◽  
Robinson De Jesús-Romero ◽  
Allison Peipert ◽  
John Buss ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Internalizing Symptoms ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Well Being ◽  
The United States ◽  
Retention Rates ◽  
World Health ◽  
Self Help ◽  
Cluster Randomized ◽  
Health Organization ◽  
Internalizing Disorder

Doing What Matters in Times of Stress (DWM) is a transdiagnostic five-module guided self-help (GSH) intervention developed by the World Health Organization. %The original DWM included group guidance in-person. %It appeared efficacious in pilot trials and a cluster randomized-controlled trial. In a sample of individuals recruited from across the United States, we studied the feasibility and acceptability of an adaptation of DWM in which guidance was provided individually and remotely. We assessed internalizing symptoms, psychological well-being, work and social functioning, usability of the intervention, and emotion regulation over the course of six weeks. A total of 344 individuals started our baseline screening, and 215 completed it. Of those screened, 74% (n=159) qualified for the intervention. We reached most participants who qualified (67%, n=107) via phone to schedule a GSH session. Most of those scheduled attended a study session (84%, n=90), and most of those who attended a session completed more than half the treatment (83%, n = 75). Retention rates were comparable to meta-analytic estimates of dropout rates in GSH-CBT. Participants showed improvement on the K6, WHO5, WSAS, and ERQ subscales. Baseline acceptability on the SUS was high but did not improve over time. DWM is a freely available, seemingly efficacious transdiagnostic intervention for internalizing disorder symptoms.

scholarly journals Azithromycin Reduction to Reach Elimination of Trachoma (ARRET): study protocol for a cluster randomized trial of stopping mass azithromycin distribution for trachoma

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Abdou Amza ◽  
Boubacar Kadri ◽  
Beido Nassirou ◽  
Ahmed M. Arzika ◽  
Ariana Austin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Primary Outcome ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Clinical Signs ◽  
Cluster Randomized Trial ◽  
World Health ◽  
Baseline Assessment ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Registration Number ◽  
Cluster Randomized ◽  
Health Organization

Abstract Background The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends annual mass azithromycin distribution until districts drop below 5% prevalence of trachomatous inflammation—follicular (TF). Districts with very low TF prevalence may have little or no transmission of the ocular strains of Chlamydia trachomatis that cause trachoma, and additional rounds of mass azithromycin distribution may not be useful. Here, we describe the protocol for a randomized controlled trial designed to evaluate whether mass azithromycin distribution can be stopped prior to the current WHO guidelines. Methods The Azithromycin Reduction to Reach Elimination of Trachoma (ARRET) study is a 1:1 community randomized non-inferiority trial designed to evaluate whether mass azithromycin distribution can be stopped in districts with baseline prevalence of TF under 20%. Communities in Maradi, Niger are randomized after baseline assessment either to continued annual mass azithromycin distribution or stopping annual azithromycin distribution over a 3-year period. We will compare the prevalence of ocular C. trachomatis (primary outcome), TF and other clinical signs of trachoma, and serologic markers of trachoma after 3 years. We hypothesize that stopping annual azithromycin distribution will be non-inferior to continued annual azithromycin distributions for all markers of trachoma prevalence and transmission. Discussion The results of this trial are anticipated to provide potentially guideline-changing evidence for when mass azithromycin distributions can be stopped in low TF prevalence areas. Trial registration number This study is registered at clinicaltrials.gov (NCT04185402). Registered December 4, 2019; prospectively registered pre-results.

scholarly journals Human needs in COVID-19 isolation

2020 ◽  
Vol 25 (7) ◽  
pp. 871-882 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thiago Matias ◽  
Fabio H Dominski ◽  
David F Marks
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Significant Proportion ◽  
Mental Healthcare ◽  
Well Being ◽  
World Health ◽  
Self Medication ◽  
Human Needs ◽  
Self Help ◽  
Health Organization ◽  
Mental Well Being

To reduce the spread of COVID-19, the World Health Organization and the majority of governments have recommended that the entire human population should ‘stay-at-home’. A significant proportion of the population live alone or are vulnerable to mental health problems yet, in the vast majority of cases, individuals in social isolation have no access to mental healthcare. The only resource is people themselves using self-help, self-medication and self-care. During prolonged COVID-19 isolation, an in-built system of homeostasis can help rebalance activity, thought and feeling. Increased physical activity enables a reset of physical and mental well-being. During periods of lockdown, it is recommended that exercise should be as vigorously promoted as social distancing itself.

scholarly journals Effectiveness and implementation of evriMED with short messages service (SMS) reminders and tailored feedback compared to standard care on adherence to treatment among tuberculosis patients in Kilimanjaro, Tanzania: proposal for a cluster Randomized Controlled Trial SMS reminders and tailored feedback through evriMED and adherence to TB treatment

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
I. Marion Sumari-de Boer ◽  
Francis M Pima ◽  
Kennedy M Ngowi ◽  
Geoffrey M Chelangwa ◽  
Linda Minja ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Care Facility ◽  
Health Care Facility ◽  
Cluster Randomized Trial ◽  
World Health ◽  
Tb Treatment ◽  
Sms Reminders ◽  
Cluster Randomized ◽  
Health Organization ◽  
Monitoring Technologies

Abstract Background: Adherence to Tuberculosis (TB) treatment is challenging because of many factors. The World Health Organization (WHO) has recommended the use of digital adherence monitoring technologies in its End-TB-strategy. However, there is paucity on its evidence in improving adherence. EvriMED is a real time medication monitoring (RTMM) device which was found feasible and acceptable in few studies in Asia. However, in Tanzania, there may be challenges in implementing evriMED due to stigmatization, network and power access, accuracy and cost effectiveness which may have an implication for treatment outcomes. We propose a pragmatic cluster randomized trial, to investigate the effectiveness of evriMED with reminder cues and tailored feedback on adherence to TB treatment in Kilimanjaro, Tanzania. Methods: We will create clusters in Kilimanjaro based on level of health care facility. Clusters will be randomized in an intervention arm, where evriMED will be implemented or a control arm, where standard practice Directly Observed Treatment (DOT) will be followed. TB patients in intervention clusters will take their medication from the evriMED pillbox and receive tailored feedback. We will use the ‘Stages­of-change’­model, which assumes that a person has to go through the stages of pre-contemplation, contemplation, preparation, action and evaluation to change behaviour for tailored feedback on adherence reports from the device. Discussion: If the intervention shows a significant effect on adherence and the devices are accepted, accurate and sustainable, the intervention can be scaled up within the National Tuberculosis Programmes. Trial registration: PACTR201811755733759 at 8 November 2018 at https://pactr.samrc.ac.za/

scholarly journals Enhancing family-based long-term care with a model of community integrated intermediary care (CIIC) service for Thai older adults in Chiang Mai, Thailand: Protocol for a cluster randomized controlled trial (Preprint)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Myo Nyein Aung ◽  
Saiyud Moolphate ◽  
Motoyuki Yuasa ◽  
Thin Nyein Nyein Aung ◽  
Yuka Koyanagi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older People ◽  
Long Term Care ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
World Health ◽  
Term Care ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Family Based ◽  
Cluster Randomized ◽  
Health Organization

BACKGROUND Thailand is one of the most rapidly aging countries in Asia. Traditional family-based care that has been the basis of most care for the older people is becoming unsustainable as families become smaller. In addition, women tend to be adversely affected as they still form the bulk of caregivers for older people, and many are likely to exit the labour market in order to provide care. Many family caregivers also have no or minimal training, and they may be called upon to provide quite complex care, raising the spectre of older people receiving sub-optimal care if they rely only on informal care that is provided by families and friends. Facing a rising burden of non-communicable diseases and age-related morbidity, Thai communities are increasingly in need of community integrated care model for older persons which can link existing health system and reduce the burden upon caring families. This need is common to many countries in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). OBJECTIVE In this study, we aimed to assess the effectiveness of community-integrated intermediary care (CIIC) model to enhance family-based care for older people. METHODS This paper describes a cluster randomized controlled trial, comprising six intervention clusters and six control clusters that aim to recruit 2000 participants in each arm. This research protocol has been approved by the World Health Organization (WHO) Ethics Review Committee (ERC). The intervention clusters will receive an integrated model of care structured around 1) a community respite service, 2) the strengthening of family care capacity; and 3) an exercise program that aims to prevent entry into long-term care for older people. Control group clusters receive usual care i.e., the current system of long-term care common to all provinces in Thailand, consisting principally of a volunteer-assisted homecare service. The trial will be conducted in a period of two years. The primary outcome is the burden of family caregivers measured at a six month follow up, applying the caregiver burden inventory. Secondary outcomes consist of bio-psychosocial indicators including functional ability applying activity of daily living scale, depression applying geriatric depression scale and quality of life of older people applying the EuroQol 5-dimensions 5-levels scale. Intention-to-treat analysis will be followed. RESULTS n/A CONCLUSIONS Since ASEAN and many Asian countries share similar traditional family-based long-term care systems, the proposed CIIC model and the protocol for its implementation and evaluation may benefit other countries wishing to adopt similar community integrated care models for older people at risk of needing long-term care. CLINICALTRIAL World Health Organization Ethical Review Committee approval: WHO/ERC ID; ERC.0003064 Thailand Clinical Trial Registry, Trial registration number TCTR20190412004

scholarly journals Effect of a comic story on orphan children's knowledge and hand washing practice about pandemic of COVID-19

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (12) ◽  
pp. 89
Author(s):  
Hoda Mohamed Nafee ◽  
Eman Abd Elsamea Elguoshy ◽  
Omayma Mustafa Abu Samra
Keyword(s):  
Well Being ◽  
The United States ◽  
Hand Washing ◽  
World Health ◽  
Governmental Agencies ◽  
Quasi Experimental ◽  
Precautionary Measures ◽  
Correct Technique ◽  
Health Organization ◽  
Age Range

World Health Organization (WHO) declared COVID-19 as a pandemic in 11th of March 2020. COVID-19 that disrupts Children’s growth and development, friendships, daily routines and has a negative consequence for their well-being, development and protection. About 1 in 3 children hospitalized with COVID-19 in the United States were admitted to the intensive care unit. Aim: The aim of this study was evaluating the effect of a comic story on children’s knowledge and hand washing practices about pandemic of COVID-19. Study design: A quasi-experimental design was used. Setting: Nour Al-Huda Charitable Society that caring males and females orphaned children in separate setting Sample: A convenient sample including all children in the orphanage, there was 41 children and their age range between 3 to less than 12 years. Tools of data collection: An interview questionnaire sheet as a tool one that had two parts first one concerned with sociodemographic data of children and second one assessed children’s knowledge about pandemic of COVID-19, an observational check list sheet as a tool two and had two parts; where part one assessed facilities required for applying precautionary measures inside the home, while part two assessed children’s hand washing practice inside the home. Results: there was a statistically significant differences between the total children’s knowledge regarding COVID-19 and total observed practice score regarding correct technique of hand washing pre/post comic story implementation. Conclusion: It was concluded that the implementation of a comic story had improved children’s total mean score of knowledge and hand washing practice regarding COVID-19 with statistically significant differences of both in relation to pre and post comic story implementation. Recommendations: The study recommended that to breakdown the ring of transmission of COVID-19; the collaboration between governmental and non-governmental agencies and stakeholders are main supporters for those children via appropriate  and friendly communication tools that improve their knowledge; practice and also providing those setting by funding and resources for applying precautionary measures of COVID-19 with periodical follow up for personals, setting, services and resources.

scholarly journals Recruiting Cancer Survivors to a Mobile Mindfulness Intervention in the United States: Exploring Online and Face-to-Face Recruitment Strategies

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (19) ◽  
pp. 10136
Author(s):  
Celine Isabelle Arnobit ◽  
Kiana Loo ◽  
Ian Pagano ◽  
Mai Uchiyama ◽  
Jami Fukui ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cancer Survivors ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Well Being ◽  
The United States ◽  
Retention Rates ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Recruitment Strategies ◽  
Mindfulness Intervention ◽  
Patient Reported ◽  
Online Recruitment

Cancer survivorship research faces several recruitment challenges, such as accrual of a representative sample, as well as participant retention. Our study explores patterns in recruited demographics, patient-reported outcomes (PROs), and retention rates for a randomized controlled trial (RCT) utilizing a mobile mindfulness intervention for the well-being of cancer survivors. In total, 123 participants were recruited using traditional and online strategies. Using the chi-square test of independence, recruitment type was compared with demographic and clinical variables, PROs, and retention at Time 2 and Time 3. Online recruitment resulted in almost double the yield compared to traditional recruitment. Online-recruited participants were more often younger, from the continental U.S., Caucasian, diagnosed and treated less recently, at a later stage of diagnosis, diagnosed with blood cancer, without high blood pressure, and with less reported pain. The recruitment method was not significantly associated with retention. Online recruitment may capture a larger, broader survivor sample, but, similar to traditional recruitment, may also lead to selection biases depending on where efforts are focused. Future research should assess the reasons underlying the higher yield and retention rates of online recruitment and should evaluate how to apply a mix of traditional and online recruitment strategies to efficiently accrue samples that are representative of the survivor population.

scholarly journals Effectiveness of the World Health Organization Safe Childbirth Checklist (WHO-SCC) in preventing poor childbirth outcomes: a study protocol for a matched-pair cluster randomized control trial

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Tieba Millogo ◽  
Kadidiatou Raïssa Kourouma ◽  
Aïssatou Diallo ◽  
Marie Laurette Agbre-Yace ◽  
Mamadou Diouldé Baldé ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Low Cost ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Healthcare Providers ◽  
World Health ◽  
Matched Pair ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Safe Childbirth Checklist ◽  
Cluster Randomized ◽  
Health Organization ◽  
Safe Childbirth

Abstract Background Women delivering in health facilities in sub-Saharan Africa and their newborns do not always receive proven interventions needed to prevent and/or adequately manage severe complications. The gaps in quality of care are increasingly pointed out as major contributing factor to the high and slow declining perinatal mortality rates. The World Health Organization Safe Childbirth Checklist (WHO-SCC), as a quality improvement strategy, targets low cost and easy to perform interventions and suits well with the context of limited resource settings. In this matched-pair cluster randomized controlled trial, we assess the effectiveness of the WHO-SCC in improving healthcare providers’ adherence to best practices and ultimately improving childbirth outcomes. Methods This is a multi-country study. In each country we will carry out a matched-pair cluster randomized controlled trial whereby four pairs of regional hospitals will be randomized on a 1:1 basis to either the intervention or control group. A context specific WHO-SCC will be implemented in the intervention facilities along with trainings of healthcare providers on best childbirth practices and ongoing supportive supervisions. The standard of care will prevail in the control group. The primary outcome is a summary composite metric that combine the following poor childbirth outcomes: stillbirths, maternal deaths, early neonatal deaths, severe postpartum hemorrhage, maternal infections, early neonatal infections, prolonged obstructed labor, severe pre-eclampsia, uterine rupture in the health facility, eclampsia and maternal near miss. The occurrence of these outcomes will be ascertained in a sample of 2530 childbirth events in each country using data extraction. A secondary outcome of interest is the adherence of healthcare providers to evidence best practices. This will be measured through direct observations of a sample of 620 childbirth events in each country. Discussion Our study has the potential to provide strong evidence on the effectiveness of the WHO-SCC, a low cost and easy to implement intervention that can be easily scaled up if found effective. Trial registration The trial was registered in the Pan-African Clinical Trials Registry on 21st January 2020 under the following number: PACTR202001484669907. https://pactr.samrc.ac.za/TrialDisplay.aspx?TrialID=9662

Study the Anatomy and Physiology of Body's Urinary System and Fibromyalgia Syndrome (FMS) for the Design an Intelligent Alarm System for Monitoring of FMS

2019 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 72-81
Author(s):  
Hamidreza Shirzadfar ◽  
Narsis Gordoghli
Keyword(s):  
Chronic Pain ◽  
International Association ◽  
Continuous Process ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Chronic Illnesses ◽  
World Health ◽  
Definitive Treatment ◽  
Psychological Consequences ◽  
Medical Problems ◽  
Health Organization

In recent years, chronic medical problems have become increasingly prevalent. Chronic ‎illnesses challenge the view of life as a regular and continuous process, a challenge that has ‎important psychological consequences. The long duration of people suffering from these ‎diseases, the long process of treatment and the fact that there is no proper and definitive ‎treatment for most of these diseases and their associated complications have made chronic ‎diseases a detrimental factor in public health. According to the World Health Organization ‎‎(2006), the prevalence of chronic and non-communicable diseases is increasing in all countries, ‎especially developing countries, so that the major challenge for the health system in the present ‎century, is not living people, but better adapted to chronic illnesses and maintaining their ‎mental and social health and well-being Ed's life-threatening chronic physical illness.‎ Chronic pain is a pain that lasts longer than usual, and according to the criteria of the ‎International Association of Pain, this time is defined as at least 3 months to 6 months. Chronic ‎pain is such that not only faced the sick person whit the pressure of the pain but also with many ‎other pressure that affect different parts of her life. Fibromyalgia is one of the most rheumatologic disorders and one of the most resistant chronic ‎pain syndromes. Fibromyalgia is one of the most common musculoskeletal disorders in adults ‎and chronic pain is one of the most common complaints in this group of patients.

scholarly journals How Loud and Clear Rung the Alarm Bell: The Communication Efforts of WHO on the Beginning of COVID-19 Outbreak

2021 ◽  
pp. 002073142110249
Author(s):  
Huriye Toker
Keyword(s):  
Risk Communication ◽  
International Development ◽  
International Health ◽  
Well Being ◽  
World Health ◽  
The Public ◽  
News Releases ◽  
The Media ◽  
Credible Information ◽  
Health Organization

As seen clearly from the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, health is an important foreign policy and diplomatic issue connected with security, economic well-being, and international development. According to risk communication researchers, effective, transparent, and timely information sharing is the most important tool after vaccines for responding to pandemics. This study aims to start a scholarly discussion on the risk communication efforts of the World Health Organization (WHO) during the COVID-19 outbreak. We analyzed WHO’s communication efforts during the first 3 months of the COVID-19 pandemic. As the leading international health organization, WHO was responsible for providing rapid, up-to-date, and credible information for the public and the media. The selected research items were 42 news releases and statements provided by WHO between December 31, 2019, and March 30, 2020. These were subjected to qualitative and quantitative content analyses using the NVivo 12 qualitative analysis software program for coding. The data were coded under 6 variables (date of publication, topics, frequency, wording of the COVID-19 outbreak, sourcing, and themes of the releases). While 54.7% of WHO's communications were devoted to the COVID-19 outbreak, more than half were not issued until March. That is, instead of early risk communication and clear warnings about the outbreak, WHO acted overcautiously, preferring messages related to solidarity and cooperation during the most devastating pandemic of the 21st century.

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