Students in Dormitories Were Not Major Drivers of the Pandemic during Winter Term 2020/2021: A Cohort Study with RT-PCR and Antibody Surveillance in a German University City

The role of educational facilities, including schools and universities, in the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic is heavily debated. Specifically, the risk of infection in student dormitories has not been studied. This cohort study monitored students living in dormitories in Bochum, Germany, throughout the winter term of 2020/2021. Over the course of four months, participants were tested repeatedly for SARS-CoV-2 infections using RT-PCR from gargle samples and serological testing. An online questionnaire identified individual risk factors. A total of 810 (46.5% female) students participated. Of these, 590 (72.8%) students participated in the final visit. The cross-sectional antibody prevalence was n = 23 (2.8%) in November 2020 and n = 29 (4.9%) in February 2021. Of 2513 gargle samples analyzed, 19 (0.8%) tested positive for SARS-CoV-2, corresponding to 14 (2.4%) infections detected within the study period. Gargle samples available of cases with confirmed present infection were always positive. The person-time incidence rate was 112.7 (95% CI: 54.11–207.2) per 100,000 person weeks. The standardized incidence ratio was 0.9 (95% CI 0.51–1.46, p = 0.69). In conclusion, students living in student dormitories do not appear to be major drivers of SARS-CoV-2 infections. RT-PCR from gargle samples is a patient-friendly and scalable surveillance tool for detection of SARS-CoV-2 infections.

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Individual risk factors of metabolic syndrome in adult patients with GH deficiency: a cross-sectional case-control study

Endocrine Abstracts ◽

10.1530/endoabs.35.p939 ◽

2014 ◽

Author(s):

Ivayla Uzunova ◽

Georgi Kirilov ◽

Sabina Zacharieva ◽

Alexander Shinkov ◽

Anna-Maria Borissova ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Metabolic Syndrome ◽

Case Control Study ◽

Gh Deficiency ◽

Case Control ◽

Adult Patients ◽

Individual Risk ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Individual Risk Factors ◽

Control Study

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Eastern Cape Healthcare Workers Acquisition of SARS-CoV-2 (ECHAS): Cross-Sectional (Nested Cohort) Study Protocol

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph18010323 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 (1) ◽

pp. 323

Author(s):

Oladele Vincent Adeniyi ◽

David Stead ◽

Mandisa Singata-Madliki ◽

Joanne Batting ◽

Leo Hyera ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cohort Study ◽

Infection Rate ◽

Healthcare Workers ◽

Health Facilities ◽

Control Measures ◽

Infection Prevention And Control ◽

Eastern Cape ◽

Rt Pcr ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Increased Risk

Healthcare workers (HCWs) are at increased risk of infection by the virulent severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2). Though data exist on the positivity rate of the SARS-CoV-2 reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test as well as COVID-19-related deaths amongst HCWs in South Africa, the overall infection rate remains underestimated by these indicators. It is also unclear whether the humoral immune response after SARS-CoV-2 infection offers durable protection against reinfection. This study will assess the SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence amongst HCWs in the Eastern Cape (EC) and examine the longitudinal changes (rate of decay) in the antibody levels after infection in this cohort. Using a multi-stage cluster sampling of healthcare workers in selected health facilities in the EC, a cross-sectional study of 2250 participants will be recruited. In order to assess the community infection rate, 750 antenatal women in the same settings will be recruited. Relevant demographic and clinical characteristics will be obtained by a self-administered questionnaire. A chemiluminescent microparticle immunoassay (CMIA) will be used for the qualitative detection of IgG antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid protein. A nested cohort study will be conducted by performing eight-weekly antibody assays (X2) from 201 participants who tested positive for both SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR and serology. Logistic regression models will be fitted to identify the independent risk factors for SARS-CoV-2 infection. The cumulative SARS-CoV-2 infection rate and infection fatality rate among the frontline HCWs will be estimated. In addition, the study will highlight the overall effectiveness of infection prevention and control measures (IPC) per exposure sites/wards at the selected health facilities. Findings will inform the South African Department of Health’s policies on how to protect HCWs better as the country prepares for the second wave of the SARS-CoV pandemic.

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The Role of Demographic Characteristics and Spiritual Dimensions in Predicting Empathy: A Study in Muslim Pre-Service Teachers

Islamic Guidance and Counseling Journal ◽

10.25217/igcj.v4i2.1553 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 4 (2) ◽

Author(s):

Fifi Khoirul Fitriyah ◽

Nur Hidayah ◽

Muslihati Muslihati ◽

Im Hambali ◽

Mursyidul Ibad

Keyword(s):

Formal Education ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Reactivity Index ◽

Online Questionnaire ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

And Gender ◽

Data Collection Technique ◽

Spirituality Assessment ◽

The Relationship

Although many studies have examined the relationship between spirituality and empathy, very few studies have focused on demographic and spiritual dimensions in influencing empathy for pre-service teachers. This study analyzes the effect of gender, age, and years of formal education on spirituality and empathy and analyzes the influence of the spiritual dimensions on empathy. This research is a cross-sectional study, with 319 Muslim pre-service teachers as respondents. The data collection technique used an online questionnaire adapted from the Spirituality Assessment Scale (SAS) and the Interpersonal Reactivity Index (IRI). The results show that age affects spirituality, while empathy is influenced by age and gender. One unanticipated finding was that years of formal education had no effect on either spirituality or empathy. The most important finding of this study is the higher the level of innerness, the more likely it is to have high empathy. This study's findings are useful as an assessment material and creating counseling designs to increase empathy for pre-service teachers. This is a part of forming the ideal profile of counselors in schools later. Integrating Islamic values is also an essential alternative in counseling for Muslims.

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Business case effectiveness: the critical role of the organization

International Journal of Managing Projects in Business ◽

10.1108/ijmpb-10-2019-0255 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 13 (5) ◽

pp. 1051-1075

Author(s):

Frank Einhorn ◽

Jack Meredith ◽

Carl Marnewick

Keyword(s):

Critical Role ◽

Organizational Factors ◽

Business Case ◽

It Projects ◽

Online Questionnaire ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Content Type ◽

Business Cases ◽

Effective Use

PurposeLiterature indicates that the business case for projects is difficult to use and suggests that there are organizational factors that can facilitate effective use of the business case. This paper aims to identify such facilitators, measure their presence and importance, and relate them to the actual practice of business case processes.Design/methodology/approachA cross sectional quantitative method was used, with data on facilitators and business case process usage gathered through an online questionnaire.FindingsThe findings for the 43 organizational facilitators are that each one is considered more important than its presence in the respondents' organizations. High correlations emerge between the presence of the facilitators and the use of business case processes, indicating the pivotal role of the facilitators.Research limitations/implicationsThe research was conducted for business IT projects implemented by organizations based in South Africa. It furthers our understanding of project business cases and suggests additional research avenues in this area.Practical implicationsThe findings indicate that organizations could improve key facilitators at an affordable cost. Such improvement would enable more effective use of the business case throughout the project's lifetime – from initial concept until planned benefits have been substantially realized. Better use of the business case would also support governance and increase the success rate of business IT projects.Originality/valueOrganizational facilitators of business case processes are identified and categorized for the first time, leading to measurements of their perceived importance and presence in organizations. Hence, the relationship between these facilitators and actual business case usage is determined, suggesting areas of optimum impact.

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Newly qualified doctors’ perceived effects of assistantship alignment with first post: a longitudinal questionnaire study

BMJ Open ◽

10.1136/bmjopen-2018-023992 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 9 (3) ◽

pp. e023992 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Stephanie E Wells ◽

Alison Bullock ◽

Lynn V Monrouxe

Keyword(s):

Questionnaire Study ◽

Limited Evidence ◽

Online Questionnaire ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Confidence Levels ◽

Preparedness For Practice ◽

Experience Effects ◽

Perceived Effects ◽

The Impact

PurposeGrowing evidence supports the role of student assistantships in enhancing graduates’ preparedness for practice. However, there is limited evidence concerning the impact of aligning assistantships with graduates’ first doctor post. The aims of our study were to determine newly-qualified doctors’ views on the value their assistantship experience, effects on anxiety levels, confidence and preparedness for increased responsibilities, exploring change over time and whether effects differ according to assistantship alignment.DesignWe conducted a longitudinal cross-sectional online questionnaire study examining experiences of aligned and non-aligned assistantships across the transition from medical student to newly-qualified doctor. The questionnaire was distributed to final year medical students within Wales, UK (n=351) and those commencing their first post in Wales, UK (n=150) in June 2015 at Time 1 (T1), and repeated in September 2015 (1 month following transition, T2) and January 2016 (T3).ResultsResponse rates at T1 were 50% (n=251, aligned=139, non-aligned=112), T2 36% (n=179, aligned=83, non-aligned=96) and T3 28% (n=141, aligned=69, non-aligned=72): 15% (n=73, aligned=36, non-aligned=37) completed all questionnaires. Paired longitudinal analysis was undertaken where possible. Significant differences were observed between participants on aligned and non-aligned assistantships in terms of the value they place on their assistantship experiences, their anxiety, confidence levels and preparedness for responsibility.ConclusionAlthough not sustained, aligned assistantships seem to provide graduates with additional benefits during the August transition. Further work is required to establish what it is about the aligned assistantship programme that works and why.

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Diversity and Equality Management System and Perceived Organisational Performance: A Mediating Role of Organisational Citizenship Behaviour

Business Perspectives and Research ◽

10.1177/2278533720963515 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 227853372096351

Author(s):

Bignya Patnaik ◽

Mahendra Kumar Shukla

Keyword(s):

Management System ◽

Human Resource Managers ◽

Organisational Performance ◽

Online Questionnaire ◽

It Industry ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Mediating Role ◽

Resource Managers ◽

The Impact

A structured diversity and equality management system (DEMS) contributes to the smooth and peaceful functioning of organisations. The review of literature shows that the impact of DEMS on organisational performance and growth is found to be positive in Western countries. However, there appears to be a lack of research on the role of DEMS in Indian organisations, especially in the IT industry. This study makes an attempt to assess the impact of DEMS on perceived organisational performance and organisational citizenship behaviour (OCB) and empirically validate the mediating role of OCB in Indian IT firms. This study used descriptive research design, and the nature of research questions mandated the primary cross-sectional data collection method. The online questionnaire was e-mailed to human resource managers as well as executives of IT firms in India. Responses of 220 respondents were analysed to test the hypotheses of the research using CB-SEM. The results confirm a mediating role of OCB on the linkage between DEMS and perceived organisational performance. Findings suggest that organisations should promote OCB as it contributes significantly in establishing a positive, committed and conflict-free work environment.

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Malnutrition and related risk factors in older adults from different health-care settings: an enable study

Public Health Nutrition ◽

10.1017/s1368980019002271 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 23 (3) ◽

pp. 446-456 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Eva Kiesswetter ◽

Miriam G Colombo ◽

Christa Meisinger ◽

Annette Peters ◽

Barbara Thorand ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Older Adults ◽

Older Age ◽

Dietary Behaviour ◽

Individual Risk ◽

Mobility Limitations ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Living Situation ◽

Poor Appetite ◽

Individual Risk Factors

AbstractObjective:The origin of malnutrition in older age is multifactorial and risk factors may vary according to health and living situation. The present study aimed to identify setting-specific risk profiles of malnutrition in older adults and to investigate the association of the number of individual risk factors with malnutrition.Design:Data of four cross-sectional studies were harmonized and uniformly analysed. Malnutrition was defined as BMI < 20 kg/m2 and/or weight loss of >3 kg in the previous 3–6 months. Associations between factors of six domains (demographics, health, mental function, physical function, dietary intake-related problems, dietary behaviour), the number of individual risk factors and malnutrition were analysed using logistic regression.Setting:Community (CD), geriatric day hospital (GDH), home care (HC), nursing home (NH).Participants:CD older adults (n 1073), GDH patients (n 180), HC receivers (n 335) and NH residents (n 197), all ≥65 years.Results:Malnutrition prevalence was lower in CD (11 %) than in the other settings (16–19 %). In the CD sample, poor appetite, difficulties with eating, respiratory and gastrointestinal diseases were associated with malnutrition; in GDH patients, poor appetite and respiratory diseases; in HC receivers, younger age, poor appetite and nausea; and in NH residents, older age and mobility limitations. In all settings the likelihood of malnutrition increased with the number of potential individual risk factors.Conclusions:The study indicates a varying relevance of certain risk factors of malnutrition in different settings. However, the relationship of the number of individual risk factors with malnutrition in all settings implies comprehensive approaches to identify persons at risk of malnutrition early.

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Adult attachment and relationship satisfaction: The mediating role of gratitude toward the partner

Journal of Social and Personal Relationships ◽

10.1177/0265407519841712 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 36 (11-12) ◽

pp. 3875-3886 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Manja Vollmann ◽

Sem Sprang ◽

Femke van den Brink

Keyword(s):

Relationship Satisfaction ◽

Couples Therapy ◽

Romantic Relationship ◽

Attachment Anxiety ◽

Attachment Avoidance ◽

Online Questionnaire ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Mediating Role ◽

Cross Sectional Design

Previous research indicated that insecure attachment, that is, higher levels of attachment avoidance and attachment anxiety, is negatively associated with relationship satisfaction. The present study investigated the mediating role of gratitude toward the partner in this association. In a cross-sectional design, 362 participants (84% female, age range 18–70 years) involved in a romantic relationship completed an online questionnaire assessing attachment avoidance and anxiety, gratitude toward the partner, and relationship satisfaction. Data were analyzed by means of regression and bootstrap analyses. The regression analysis revealed significant negative total and direct effects of both avoidance and anxiety on relationship satisfaction. The bootstrap analyses revealed a significant negative indirect effect of avoidance, but not anxiety, on relationship satisfaction via gratitude toward the partner. Specifically, higher levels of avoidant attachment were related to less gratitude toward the partner, which in turn was associated with lower relationship satisfaction. These findings suggest that it might be valuable applying gratitude interventions to clients high in attachment avoidance attending couples therapy.

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