scholarly journals Visual Disability: Causes and Implications on Patients’ Daily Living

2013 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 21-29 ◽  
Author(s):  
Abdulkabir A Ayanniyi ◽  
Christianah O Fadamiro ◽  
Fatai O Olatunji ◽  
Mustafa B Hassan ◽  
Bola J Adkoya ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Object Recognition ◽  
Cross Section ◽  
Daily Living ◽  
Structured Interview ◽  
Normal Vision ◽  
Medical Sciences ◽  
Visual Disability ◽  
Educational Levels ◽  
Visually Disabled

Objective: To determine the causes and implications of visual disability (VD) on patients’ daily living. Methods: A cross section survey of 130 visually disabled (vd) Nigerians on visually related basic life activities, psychology and emotion in 2008. Both structured interview and relevant clinical examination were conducted for the vd to gather the necessary information. Results: VD was due mainly to cataract (82, 63.1%) and glaucoma (29, 22.3%). At least 78% of the causes of the VD were avoidable (treatable, curable). VD reduced/eliminated available manpower/workforce and increased the number of dependants. The most severely affected activities included driving, reading, threading a needle, but most vd could still cope with feeding and wearing of clothes. The activities missed most by the participants were appreciation of the beauty of nature, people/object recognition and reading. There was an association between the activities missed most and the vd levels of education (P=0.001) but not with gender (P=0.406). Most participants (85%) expressed sadness over VD and reported sadness had an association with educational levels (P=0.042) but not with gender (P=0.167). Though (97.7%) thought life was meaningless due to VD, all (100%) had hope in regaining normal vision. Most participants (82.3%) expressed sadness over dependence on the sighted for basic visual demanding tasks. Conclusion: Both cataract and glaucoma are leading causes of visual disability. Visual Disability diminishes quality of daily living and has economic, psychosocial and emotional implications. Renewed efforts towards preventing avoidable blindness and rehabilitating irreversibly blind will reduce the burden of vd. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/ajms.v4i1.6842   Asian Journal of Medical Sciences 4(2013) 21-29

scholarly journals Review, Documentation, Assessment of Treatment, and Harm Reduction Programs of Substance Use Disorder in Iranian Prisons

2021 ◽  
Vol 27 (1) ◽  
pp. 48-63
Author(s):  
Mohammad Bagher Saberi Zafarghandi ◽  
◽  
Sahar Eshrati ◽  
Reza Arezoomandan ◽  
Marziyeh Farnia ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Harm Reduction ◽  
Methadone Maintenance ◽  
Structured Interview ◽  
Medical Sciences ◽  
Tuberculosis Screening ◽  
Screening Programs ◽  
Violent Behaviors ◽  
Self Harm ◽  
Related Harm

Objectives: This study aims to assess the implementation of drug-related harm reduction programs in Iranian prisons and suggest solutions for their improvement. Methods: This study was conducted in three steps. First, library method was used for collecting data from the central library of Iran’s Prisons, Security and Corrective Measures Organization. In the second step, performance indicators were extracted based on the results of first step and two researcher-made checklists were designed. Finally, a field visit and a semi-structured interview with the authorities involved in the treatment and harm reduction services were carried out. Results: In most of prisons, drug-related harm reduction programs were underway. Despite a lack of human resources and budget at the beginning, the quality of measures was gradually increased and the attitude of authorities was improved. Methadone Maintenance Treatment and Triangular Clinics were the most common harm reduction programs, in addition to HIV and tuberculosis screening programs in collaboration with medical sciences universities. The program continued despite the change of officials. Conclusion: Harm reduction programs are able to reduce infection diseases, self-harm and violent behaviors in prisons of Iran. Cultural programs along with other harm reduction programs, briefings and seeking support from the authorities can greatly help with continuation of the programs in prisons. By eliminating the shortage of manpower and redefining the security areas for ordinary prisoners, it will be possible to make better use of the facilities of universities and research centers.

scholarly journals A Descriptive Study of 100 Patients Undergoing Palliative Nerve Blocks for Chronic Intractable Headache and Neck Ache

2000 ◽  
Vol 5 (4) ◽  
pp. 243-248 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter Rothbart ◽  
Katherine Fiedler ◽  
George D Gale ◽  
David Nussbaum ◽  
Nelson Hendlerb
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Activities Of Daily Living ◽  
Daily Living ◽  
Structured Interview ◽  
Cervicogenic Headache ◽  
Depression And Anxiety ◽  
Nerve Blocks ◽  
Control Techniques ◽  
Interview Questionnaire

OBJECTIVE: To ascertain whether repeated (palliative) nerve blocks over a long period of time provide benefit to patients with chronic intractable headache and neck ache.SUBJECTS AND METHODS: One hundred patients who were receiving repeated nerve blocks as part of their pain management regimen completed a structured interview questionnaire. The patients had all been investigated and received a diagnosis of cervicogenic headache. Changes in pain rating, depression rating, anxiety rating, activities of daily living and quality of life were measured.RESULTS: After each nerve block session, the subjects reported significant improvement in their levels of pain, depression and anxiety. They also reported improvements in their quality of life and in their ability to participate in activities of daily living.CONCLUSIONS: Repeated (palliative) nerve blocks appear to be a useful modality in the armamentarium of pain control techniques for patients with chronic intractable headache and neck ache of cervical origin.

Pain in multiple sclerosis: a clinical and instrumental approach

2008 ◽  
Vol 14 (4) ◽  
pp. 506-513 ◽  
Author(s):  
MG Grasso ◽  
A Clemenzi ◽  
A Tonini ◽  
L Pace ◽  
P Casillo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Multiple Sclerosis ◽  
Activities Of Daily Living ◽  
Daily Living ◽  
Rating Scale ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Short Form ◽  
Structured Interview ◽  
Significant Difference

Background Pain is a frequent and disabling symptom in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients. In this study we assess the frequency and intensity of pain, as well as its impact on the quality of life and activities of daily living, in a sample of MS patients. Methods One hundred and twenty eight MS patients underwent a neurological examination, a structured interview designed to assess pain, and a Medical Outcome 36-item Short Form Health Survey. Functional status was assessed by means of the Barthel Index (BI) and Rivermead Mobility Index. We also assessed the presence of depression, by means of the Montgomery and Asberg Depression Rating Scale, and fatigue, by means of the Fatigue Severity Scale. An algometer was used to measure thermal and discomfort thresholds in all of the patients and a group of 61 age- and sex-matched healthy subjects. Results Pain was present in 61 patients. No differences were found between patients with and those without pain in disease duration, disease form or Expanded Disability Status Scale and its functional systems. Patients with pain had a lower vitality score ( p = 0.008), mental health score ( p = 0.03) and physical ( p < 0.001) and mental composite scores ( p = 0.01) than patients without pain. Furthermore, there was a significant difference between patients with and those without pain in the BI ( p = 0.04). Both thermal and discomfort thresholds, as assessed by means of the algometer, were statistically lower in MS patients than in controls, whereas no difference was observed between patients with and those without pain. There was a statistically significant improvement in the thermal threshold in patients with pain who were treated pharmacologically when compared with those who were not treated ( p = 0.049). Conclusion The results of this study provide further evidence of the negative impact that the presence of pain has on both the quality of life and activities of daily living in MS patients. The lower thermal and discomfort thresholds observed in our MS patients, compared with controls, may represent a predisposition to develop pain during the course of the disease.

The impact of monocular and binocular visual impairment on the quality of life of Brazilian children

2021 ◽  
pp. 026461962199488
Author(s):  
Tais Siqueira Venâncio ◽  
Bruna Michele Freire de Araújo ◽  
João Vitor Ramos de Toledo Negrão ◽  
Lívia de Andrade Freire ◽  
Niro Kasahara
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Visual Impairment ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Visual Disability ◽  
Quality Of Life Inventory ◽  
And Gender ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Visually Disabled ◽  
Normal Controls

The purpose of this case–control study was to assess the quality of life (QoL) in children with visual impairment from an urban area in Brazil. Participants included children with binocular and monocular visual impairment and normal controls aged between 4 and 15 years. All subjects underwent a basic ophthalmic exam and answered the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory™ (PedsQL). The score results were compared among the groups with analysis of variance (ANOVA). The sample included 45 children with visual disability (24 binocular and 21 monocular) and 30 age-matched controls. The groups did not differ in age and gender distribution. The child self-report score for the binocular visual impairment group was lower when compared to controls in all four core scales; as compared to monocular children, the binocular group scored lower in physical health and social functioning. The total score of binocular children (67.9 ± 25.2) was lower than that for monocular children (83.0 ± 13.3, p = .01) and controls (84.2 ± 13.6, p < .001). Children with monocular visual disability presented very similar scores to controls in both self-reported and parent proxy inventory (81.6 ± 15.2, p = .97 and 81.9 ± 15.3, p = .99, respectively). These data should help governments develop public health interventions and rehabilitation strategies for visually disabled children.

PROFESSORS' PERCEPTION OF SCIENTIFIC ACTIVITY IN THE FACULTY OF MEDICAL SCIENCES OF THE UNIVERSITY OF GUAYAQUIL

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (10) ◽  
pp. 70-76
Author(s):  
Jorge Daher Nader ◽  
Amelia Patricia Panunzio ◽  
Marlene Hernández Navarro
Keyword(s):  
Scientific Research ◽  
Scientific Activity ◽  
Medical Sciences ◽  
Research Activity ◽  
University Environment ◽  
Empirical Level ◽  
Teachers And Students ◽  
Scientific Nature ◽  
The University

Research is considered a function aimed at obtaining new knowledge and its application for the solution to problems or questions of a scientific nature, The universities framed in the fulfillment of their social function have a complex task given by training a competent professional who assumes research as part of their training and who learns to ask questions that they are able to solve through scientific research.  Scientific research is an indicator of the quality of processes in the university environment, so it must be increased by virtue of the results of the work carried out by research teachers and students the objective of this work is to know the perception of the teachers of the Faculty of Medical Sciences of the University of Guayaquil about the scientific activity. Objective: to know the perception of the teachers of the Faculty of Medical Sciences of the University of Guayaquil about the scientific activity. Methods: theoretical and empirical level were used, a questionnaire with closed questions aimed at knowing the opinions on the research activity in this institution was applied. Result: that of the sample analyzed 309 (39.3%) said they agreed with the training for the writing of scientific articles. 38.6% said they agree with the training on research projects. Conclusion: that teacher’s research should be enhanced to ensure the formation and development of research skills in students.

Current Progress in Biomedical Applications of Chitosan-Carbon Nanotube Nanocomposites: A Review

2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (16) ◽  
pp. 1619-1632
Author(s):  
Katarzyna Pieklarz ◽  
Michał Tylman ◽  
Zofia Modrzejewska
Keyword(s):  
Carbon Nanotube ◽  
Medical Science ◽  
Antimicrobial Properties ◽  
Polymer Materials ◽  
Biological Macromolecules ◽  
Medical Sciences ◽  
New Generation ◽  
High Degree ◽  
Dressing Materials

The currently observed development of medical science results from the constant search for innovative solutions to improve the health and quality of life of patients. Particular attention is focused on the design of a new generation of materials with a high degree of biocompatibility and tolerance towards the immune system. In addition, apart from biotolerance, it is important to ensure appropriate mechanical and technological properties of materials intended for intra-body applications. Knowledge of the above parameters becomes the basis for considerations related to the possibilities of choosing the appropriate polymer materials. The researchers' interest, as evidenced by the number of available publications, is attracted by nanobiocomposites based on chitosan and carbon nanotubes, which, due to their properties, enable integration with the tissues of the human body. Nanosystems can be used in many areas of medicine. They constitute an excellent base for use as dressing materials, as they exhibit antimicrobial properties. In addition, they can be carriers of drugs and biological macromolecules and can be used in gene therapy, tissue engineering, and construction of biosensors. For this reason, potential application areas of chitosan-carbon nanotube nanocomposites in medical sciences are presented in this publication, considering the characteristics of the system components.

An Ayurvedic Visual Rehabilitation In Lebers Congenital Amaurosis - Prospective Case Study

2018 ◽  
Vol 3 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Dr. Vidhyasri M ◽  
Dr. S. M. Pasha
Keyword(s):  
Marked Improvement ◽  
Clinical Case ◽  
Treatment Plan ◽  
Visual Disability ◽  
Visual Rehabilitation ◽  
Potential Risks ◽  
The Subject ◽  
Slow Frequency

Introduction: This is the case report of child who was diagnosed with LCA reported with complaints of large-amplitude, slow-frequency, roving nystagmus, frequent tendency to press on his eyes, enopthalmos, with completely normal ophthalmoscopic examination with normal appearing optic nerve and retina and has a non recordable ERG; considering this condition under the lines of Vataja Nanatmaja Vyadhi treatment was structured to render effective visual rehabilitation which showed marked results. Methods: 4 years old male child who was diagnosed with lebers congenital amaurosis was brought by his parents to Eye OPD, GAMC, Bengaluru. The presentation of this case includes bibliographic review of the subject, presentation of a clinical case and description of the importance of Ayurvedic prespective of handling of these patients. Results: The child showed improvement in fixing for light and also nystagmus showed marked improvement and there were considerable behavioural changes observed. Discussion: It is important to deepen the environment of the disease to know the possible implications in Ayurvedic management, recognize the magnitude of visual disability that our patient presents for the establishment of the treatment plan and provide an integral care of excellence in an interdisciplinary way in favor of visual rehabilitation of our patients and also help to restore quality of life with no potential risks of side effects.

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