scholarly journals Tactile Contact as a Marketing Tool for Improving an HIV/STD Education Program’s Compliance / Retention with Crack Cocaine Users

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 01-06
Author(s):  
Ralph Jay Johnson
Keyword(s):  
Crack Cocaine ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Booster Session ◽  
Promotional Effect ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Public Setting ◽  
Cocaine Users ◽  
Marketing Tool ◽  
Study Participants

Background: This research brief reports results from an exploratory pilot study on the use of socially acceptable touch in a public setting that accompanies a request to improve program compliance with “street level” crack cocaine users. Methods: Study participants consisted of 120 crack cocaine-using participants in a larger community-based HIV/STD prevention and research program targeting at-risk African-Americans. They were required to return for a series of four booster health education sessions over 2-5 days and 6 month and 1 year follow-up assessments. The most difficult aspect of this program was no-shows for the second booster session; study participants who attended at least two sessions were much more likely to attend all sessions and complete the entire lengthy program. The program director randomly approached some participants after the first visit in a public setting and briefly touched them as part of a handshake; then, the director asked them to return for their follow-up sessions. Whether they were approached or not was random. Analysis comprised descriptive and non-parametric statistics. Results: Ninety-three percent of participants who were asked to return and were touched returned for the second session; only 75% returned who had been asked to do so but were not touched. A statistically significant difference favored being touched and complying, as measured by second-session returning participants (p < .01), though it appeared the touch / request had more of a preventive than a promotional effect. Extraneous demographic and background factors were ruled out with the exception of age (older participants), which contributed slightly. Conclusions: Results suggest that a request “anchored” to a socially acceptable public touch is promising in terms of improving program participation and engagement. Limitations and implications for future research are discussed.

scholarly journals Causes of death among crack cocaine users

2006 ◽  
Vol 28 (3) ◽  
pp. 196-202 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marcelo Ribeiro ◽  
John Dunn ◽  
Ricardo Sesso ◽  
Andréa Costa Dias ◽  
Ronaldo Laranjeira
Keyword(s):  
General Population ◽  
Mortality Risk ◽  
Causes Of Death ◽  
Crack Cocaine ◽  
Study Endpoint ◽  
Intravenous Drug Use ◽  
Common Causes ◽  
History Of ◽  
Cocaine Users

OBJECTIVE: The study accompanied 131 crack-cocaine users over a 5-year period, and examined mortality patterns, as well as the causes of death among them. METHOD: All patients admitted to a detoxification unit in Sao Paulo between 1992 and 1994 were interviewed during two follow-up periods: 1995-1996 and 1998-1999. RESULTS: After 5 years, 124 patients were localized (95%). By the study endpoint (1999), 23 patients (17.6%) had died. Homicide was the most prevalent cause of death (n = 13). Almost one third of the deaths were due to the HIV infection, especially among those with a history of intravenous drug use. Less than 10% died from overdose. CONCLUSIONS: The study suggests that the mortality risk among crack cocaine users is greater than that seen in the general population, being homicide and AIDS the most common causes of death among such individuals.

scholarly journals A110 PATIENT-GUIDED COMPLICATION TRACKING SYSTEM (PACTS): BUILDING ALLIANCES WITH PATIENTS FOR THE CONTINUED IMPROVEMENT OF POST-PROCEDURAL OUTCOMES.

2021 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 87-89
Author(s):  
L Calman T’ien ◽  
C A Macdonnell ◽  
J Yonge ◽  
C Galorport ◽  
R A Enns
Keyword(s):  
Response Rate ◽  
Tracking System ◽  
Response Rates ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Median Response ◽  
Design Elements ◽  
Design Changes ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Message Service

Abstract Background In Healthcare, interventions using Short Message Service (SMS) are growing as more patients have mobile phones. To date, studies have investigated using SMS to remind patients of upcoming appointments and provide preventative medical care. Although SMS interventions exist, little is known about their potential as a post-procedural follow-up tool. SMS follow-up systems present a unique opportunity for clinics to provide support to patients having unplanned post-procedural events. Moreover, the identification of these cases promotes the adoption of preventative measures. Before SMS follow-up programs can be integrated in clinics, proof-of-concept research needs to be conducted to assess the feasibility of this intervention. Aims This study aims to determine intervention design elements to maximize the response rate of a novel follow-up program implemented at St. Paul’s Hospital in Vancouver, BC. Methods An iterative prospective study was conducted to assess the effects of various design features on the response rate of an SMS follow-up system. Outpatients having a colonoscopy and/or gastroscopy at St. Paul’s Hospital between 11/19-03/20 were considered for inclusion in this pilot. Patients were asked to participate if they understood Grade 10-level English and had a mobile phone. For this pilot, a PAtient-guided Complication Tracking System (PACTS) was designed to send SMS to patients one week post-procedure. During each program round, adjustments were made to PACTS with the goal of increasing the response rate. The design changes made to the pilot were cumulative. One-way ANOVA and Tukey’s Honestly Significant Difference tests were completed to assess response rate differences between rounds. Results A total of 1829 patients met the inclusion criteria and consented to participate in the pilot. The overall median response rate was 93%. ANOVA test revealed a statistically significant difference in response rates between rounds, F(6, 196) = 3.369, p = 0.0035. Only the mean response rates between Rounds 1 and 7 yielded a significant pairwise difference (p &lt; 0.001). Conclusions The PACTS pilot demonstrates that high response rates are achievable by SMS follow-up systems. This study identified several design elements to optimize SMS intervention response rates. These features included: sending a 1st SMS that explains the program’s purpose, sending a 2nd SMS to participants that did not respond to the first, and providing pilot information to patients upon admission and discharge. Future research on SMS follow-up systems should explore designing a program that can be integrated in clinics with minimal staff involvement. Funding Agencies None

scholarly journals Evaluation of the Effectiveness of Digital Technology Interventions to Reduce Loneliness in Older Adults: Systematic Review and Meta-analysis (Preprint)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Syed Ghulam Sarwar Shah ◽  
David Nogueras ◽  
Hugo Cornelis van Woerden ◽  
Vasiliki Kiparoglou
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Clinical Trials ◽  
Digital Technology ◽  
Randomized Clinical Trials ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Public Health Issue ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Physical And Mental Health ◽  
Significant Difference

BACKGROUND Loneliness is a serious public health issue, and its burden is increasing in many countries. Loneliness affects social, physical, and mental health, and it is associated with multimorbidity and premature mortality. In addition to social interventions, a range of digital technology interventions (DTIs) are being used to tackle loneliness. However, there is limited evidence on the effectiveness of DTIs in reducing loneliness, especially in adults. The effectiveness of DTIs in reducing loneliness needs to be systematically assessed. OBJECTIVE The objective of this study is to assess the effectiveness of DTIs in reducing loneliness in older adults. METHODS We conducted electronic searches in PubMed, MEDLINE, CINAHL, Embase, and Web of Science for empirical studies published in English from January 1, 2010, to July 31, 2019. The study selection criteria included interventional studies that used any type of DTIs to reduce loneliness in adults (aged ≥18 years) with a minimum intervention duration of 3 months and follow-up measurements at least 3 months after the intervention. Two researchers independently screened articles and extracted data using the PICO (participant, intervention, comparator, and outcome) framework. The primary outcome measure was loneliness. Loneliness scores in both the intervention and control groups at baseline and at follow-up at 3, 4, 6, and 12 months after the intervention were extracted. Data were analyzed via narrative synthesis and meta-analysis using RevMan (The Cochrane Collaboration) software. RESULTS A total of 6 studies were selected from 4939 screened articles. These studies included 1 before and after study and 5 clinical trials (4 randomized clinical trials and 1 quasi-experimental study). All of these studies enrolled a total of 646 participants (men: n=154, 23.8%; women: n=427, 66.1%; no gender information: n=65, 10.1%) with an average age of 73-78 years (SD 6-11). Five clinical trials were included in the meta-analysis, and by using the random effects model, standardized mean differences (SMDs) were calculated for each trial and pooled across studies at the 3-, 4-, and 6-month follow-ups. The overall effect estimates showed no statistically significant difference in the effectiveness of DTIs compared with that of usual care or non-DTIs at follow-up at 3 months (SMD 0.02; 95% CI −0.36 to 0.40; <i>P</i>=.92), 4 months (SMD −1.11; 95% CI −2.60 to 0.38; <i>P</i>=.14), and 6 months (SMD −0.11; 95% CI −0.54 to 0.32; <i>P</i>=.61). The quality of evidence was very low to moderate in these trials. CONCLUSIONS Our meta-analysis shows no evidence supporting the effectiveness of DTIs in reducing loneliness in older adults. Future research may consider randomized controlled trials with larger sample sizes and longer durations for both the interventions and follow-ups. INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT RR2-10.1136/bmjopen-2019-032455

scholarly journals Therapeutic efficacy of macrolides in management of patients with mild COVID-19

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alaa Rashad ◽  
Asmaa Nafady ◽  
Mohammed H. Hassan ◽  
Haggagy Mansour ◽  
Usama Taya ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Complete Blood Count ◽  
Standard Of Care ◽  
Symptomatic Treatment ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Early Improvement ◽  
Reactive Protein ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Study Participants ◽  
Negative Conversion

Abstract Evidence on the efficacy of adding macrolides (azithromycin or clarithromycin) to the treatment regimen for COVID-19 is limited. We testify whether adding azithromycin or clarithromycin to a standard of care regimen was superior to standard of supportive care alone in patients with mild COVID-19.The study included three groups of patients with COVID-19. The azithromycin group included, 107 patients who received azithromycin 500 mg/24 h for 7 days, the clarithromycin group included 99 patients who received clarithromycin 500 /12 h for 7 days, and the control group included 99 patients who received standard care only. All three groups received only symptomatic treatment for control of fever and cough .Clinical and laboratory evaluations of the study participants including assessment of the symptoms duration, real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (rRT-PCR), C-reactive protein (CRP), serum ferritin, D-dimer, complete blood count (CBC), non-contrast chest computed tomography (CT), were performed.The overall results revealed significant early improvement of symptoms (fever, dyspnea and cough) in patients treated with either azithromycin or clarithromycin compared to control group, also there was significant early conversion of SARS-CoV-2 PCR to negative in patients treated with either azithromycin or clarithromycin compared to control group (p˂0.05 for all).There was no significant difference in time to improvement of fever, cough, dyspnea, anosmia, GIT symptoms and time to PCR negative conversion between patients treated with azithromycin compared to patients treated with clarithromycin (p˃0.05 for all). Follow up chest CT done after 2 weeks of start of treatment showed significant improvement in patients treated with either azithromycin or clarithromycin compared to control group (p˂0.05 for all).Adding Clarithromycin or Azithromycin to the therapeutic protocols for COVID-19 could be beneficial for early control of fever and early PCR negative conversion in Mild COVID-19

Prevention of Alcohol-related Incidents in the U.S. Air Force: Results From a Cluster Randomized Trial

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Melissa A Little ◽  
Robert C Klesges ◽  
Indika Mallawaarachchi ◽  
Timothy McMurry ◽  
Kinsey Pebley ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Air Force ◽  
Cluster Randomized Trial ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Alcohol Intervention ◽  
Primary Analysis ◽  
Training Costs ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Cluster Randomized ◽  
The U.S

ABSTRACT Background Alcohol misuse poses significant public health concerns in the U.S. Military. An Alcohol Misconduct Prevention Program (AMPP), which includes a brief alcohol intervention (BAI) session, plus random breathalyzer program, has been shown to reduce alcohol-related incidents (ARIs) among Airmen undergoing training. Purpose The current study sought to examine whether a booster BAI administered at the end of Airmen’s training reduced ARIs out to a 1-year follow-up. Methods Participants were 26,231 U.S. Air Force Technical Trainees recruited between March 2016 and July 2018. Participants were cluster randomized by cohort to two conditions: AMPP + BAI Booster or AMPP + Bystander Intervention. The primary analysis was a comparison of the interventions’ efficacies in preventing Article 15 ARIs at a 1-year follow-up, conducted using a generalized estimating equations logistic regression model controlling for covariates. Results There was no significant difference by condition in Article 15 ARIs at the 1-year follow-up (P = .912). Conclusions Findings suggest that a booster may not be necessary to produce maximum effects beyond the initial AMPP intervention. It is also possible that alcohol behaviors changed as a result of the intervention but were not captured by our outcome measures. Future research should consider alternative outcomes or participant-tracking measures to determine whether a different or more intensive BAI booster is effective. The majority of Article 15 ARIs were for underage drinking; therefore, developing an intervention focused on this problem behavior could lead to large reductions in training costs in the military.

A Preliminary Psychometric Assessment of the Attitude of Tertiary Health Trainee Undergraduate Students Towards Breast - Self Examination in K.N.U.S.T, Ghana

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christian Amoah ◽  
Nceba Z. Somhlaba ◽  
Frimpong-Manso Addo ◽  
Vida Maame Kissiwa Amoah ◽  
Ebenezer Otu Ayeboafo Ansah ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Undergraduate Students ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Attitude Score ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Breast Self Examination ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Research And Education ◽  
Study Participants ◽  
Self Examination ◽  
Mixed Gender

Breast self-Examination (BSE) is the cheapest most recommended Breast Cancer (BC) preventive tool for resource deprived settings. There is paucity in the Attitude research domain of the BSE literature. The purpose of this study is to assess the combined and exclusive gender BSE attitude of undergraduate health trainees and to determine significant difference between scores of both genders. Online cross-sectional method was used to assess BSE attitude of 336 mixed gender purposively sampled KNUST College of Health Sciences (CoHS) students. Compared to the constructors&rsquo; average BSE attitude score of 101.17 (SD = 9.55), our Study Participants&rsquo; BSE attitude is lower (92.51; SD = 11.80). However, using popular attitude mid-point and 3 part scoring methods, our Study Participants (SPs) attitude scores are comparable to sub-regional and national findings. Also contrary to the authors&rsquo; expectation, the male participants scored generally high BSE attitude but significantly lower compared to their female compatriots (p &lt; 0.5). Implication, contextual challenges and recommendations for future research have been discussed. BSE KAP research and education must involve more males as important BSE stake holders and there is the need to adjust the curicullum of all health trainee students in developing nations to reflect relevant BC preventive measures.

scholarly journals Internet-Based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Adults With ADHD in Outpatient Psychiatric Care

2016 ◽  
Vol 21 (6) ◽  
pp. 508-521 ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard Pettersson ◽  
Staffan Söderström ◽  
Kerstin Edlund-Söderström ◽  
Kent W. Nilsson
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy ◽  
Adult Adhd ◽  
Behavioral Therapy ◽  
Waiting List ◽  
Cognitive Behavioral ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Self Help ◽  
Significant Difference

Objective: The purpose of the study was to evaluate an Internet-based cognitive behavioral therapy (iCBT) program targeting difficulties and impairments associated with adult ADHD. Method: Forty-five adults diagnosed with ADHD were randomized to either self-help (iCBT self-help format [iCBT-S]), self-help with weekly group sessions (iCBT group-therapy format [iCBT-G]), or a waiting-list control group. Treatment efficacy was measured at pre- and posttreatment and at 6-month follow-up. Results: Intention-to-treat (ITT) analysis showed a significant reduction in ADHD symptoms for the iCBT-S group in comparison with the waiting-list controls at posttreatment, with a between-group effect size of d = 1.07. The result was maintained at 6-month follow-up. No significant difference was found at posttreatment or 6-month follow-up between the iCBT-S and iCBT-G groups. Conclusion: The findings show that a CBT treatment program administered through the Internet can be a promising treatment for adult ADHD. Limitations of the study design and directions for future research are discussed.

The Effect of Treatment Completion on Recidivism Among TASC Program Clients

2018 ◽  
Vol 62 (15) ◽  
pp. 4776-4795 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael O. Maume ◽  
Christina Lanier ◽  
Kristen DeVall
Keyword(s):  
North Carolina ◽  
Crack Cocaine ◽  
The United States ◽  
Program Completion ◽  
Policy Implications ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Effect Of Treatment ◽  
Program Entry ◽  
Research And Policy

Despite the enormous resources spent by states in the United States on bridging the gap between criminal justice and behavioral health services, there have been relatively few statewide evaluations of drug treatment client recidivism. We present the results of an evaluation of recidivism outcomes for a sample of individuals ( n = 1,274) referred to the Treatment Accountability for Safer Communities (TASC) program in North Carolina from 2007 to 2008. The methodology accounted for both client and offense characteristics drawn from TASC, court, and corrections records. Multivariate analyses indicated that program completion is the most important predictor of re-arrest in the 3-year follow-up period, followed by a number of protective and risk factors. More specifically, being female, older at the time of program entry, as well as higher levels of educational attainment decreased the odds of re-arrest, whereas using crack/cocaine increased the odds of re-arrest. Suggestions for future research and policy implications are provided.

Follow-Up Study of Crack Cocaine Users: Situation of the Patients After 2, 5, and 12 Years

2008 ◽  
Vol 29 (3) ◽  
pp. 71-79 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andréa Costa Dias ◽  
Marcelo Ribeiro ◽  
John Dunn ◽  
Ricardo Sesso ◽  
Ronaldo Laranjeira
Keyword(s):  
Crack Cocaine ◽  
Follow Up Study ◽  
Cocaine Users

scholarly journals Krebs von den Lungen 6 (KL-6) as a marker for disease severity and persistent radiological abnormalities following COVID-19 infection at 12 weeks

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (4) ◽  
pp. e0249607
Author(s):  
David T. Arnold ◽  
Charmaine Donald ◽  
Max Lyon ◽  
Fergus W. Hamilton ◽  
Anna J. Morley ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cell Injury ◽  
Research Question ◽  
Acute Infection ◽  
Clinical Manifestations ◽  
Clinical Severity ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Pulmonary Epithelial Cell ◽  
Dysfunctional Breathing

Introduction Acute presentations of COVID-19 infection vary, ranging from asymptomatic carriage through to severe clinical manifestations including acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Longer term sequelae of COVID-19 infection includes lung fibrosis in a proportion of patients. Krebs von den Lungen 6 (KL-6) is a mucin like glycoprotein that has been proposed as a marker of pulmonary epithelial cell injury. We sought to determine whether KL-6 was a marker of 1) the severity of acute COVID-19 infection, or 2) the persistence of symptoms/radiological abnormalities at medium term follow up. Methods Prospective single centre observational study. Results Convalescent KL-6 levels were available for 93 patients (male 63%, mean age 55.8 years) who attended an 12-week follow up appointment after being admitted to hospital with COVID-19. For 67 patients a baseline KL-6 result was available for comparison. There was no significant correlations between baseline KL-6 and the admission CXR severity score or clinical severity NEWS score. Furthermore, there was no significant difference in the baseline KL-6 level and an initial requirement for oxygen on admission or the severity of acute infection as measured at 28 days. There was no significant difference in the 12-week KL-6 level and the presence or absence of subjective breathlessness but patients with abnormal CT scans at 12 weeks had significantly higher convalescent KL-6 levels compared to the remainder of the cohort (median 1101 IU/ml vs 409 IU/ml). Conclusions The association between high KL-6 levels at 12 weeks and persisting CT abnormalities (GGO/fibrosis), is a finding that requires further exploration. Whether KL-6 may help differentiate those patients with persisting dyspnoea due to complications rather than deconditioning or dysfunctional breathing alone, is an important future research question.

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