scholarly journals Exploring Pre-Service Teachers’ Previous Knowledge on Fundamental Physical Quantities of Measurement

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (11) ◽  
pp. 44-54
Author(s):  
Anna Mwinbuabu Naah ◽  
Valentina Osei-Himah
Keyword(s):  
Real Life ◽  
Previous Knowledge ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Measuring Devices ◽  
Units Of Measurement ◽  
Si Units ◽  
New Learning ◽  
Physical Quantities ◽  
Fundamental Physical

This study explored pre-service teachers’ previous knowledge on the measurement of some basic quantities and how they are applied in real life situations. A quantitative descriptive cross-sectional survey research design was adopted and data gathered using a close ended questionnaire. A total of 315(females 105; males 210) pre-service teachers participated in the study. All participants were on the Four-Year B.Ed Primary Education Programme offering General Biology, General Chemistry and General Physics as core courses. Analysis of the data showed that the pre-service teachers had wrong knowledge of SI units of measurement for these basic quantities. They were in particular unable to identify the SI unit symbols for Time, Mass and Length - practically exchanging upper case letters with lower case ones. They were however able to identify and correctly match measuring devices with their corresponding basic quantities. They could also correctly link these measuring devices to real life situations. Thus though their knowledge of the SI units for the basic quantities was limited, their previous knowledge about them and their measuring devices was good. The study laid bare the significance of assessing pre-service teachers’ previous knowledge. Such assessment exposes the teacher to learner needs, strengths and weaknesses. It also guides and equips the teacher on ‘what’ and ‘how’ to plan lessons for new learning concepts to be effectively delivered in a new learning environment. It was therefore recommended that learners’ prior knowledge should always be revised before introducing them to new learning concepts and activities. Keywords: Pre-service teachers’ previous knowledge, Fundamental physical quantities of measurement, SI units of measurement

scholarly journals POS0733 REAL-LIFE PHYSICAL ACTIVITY IN SLE PATIENTS: ASSOCIATIONS WITH FATIGUE AND QUALITY OF SLEEP

2021 ◽  
Vol 80 (Suppl 1) ◽  
pp. 617.1-617
Author(s):  
H. Wohland ◽  
N. Leuchten ◽  
M. Aringer
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Sleep Quality ◽  
Disease Activity ◽  
Lupus Erythematosus ◽  
Real Life ◽  
Survey Study ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Fatigue Score ◽  
The Mean

Background:Fatigue is among the top complaints of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), but only in part associated with SLE disease activity. Physical activity can help to reduce fatigue and should therefore be recommended to SLE patients. Vice versa, fatigue may arguably lead to reduced physical activity.Objectives:To investigate the extent of physical activity and the perception of fatigue and sleep quality in patients with SLE.Methods:Starting in February 2019, SLE patients were invited to participate in a cross-sectional survey study of fatigue and physical exercise during their routine outpatient clinic visits. Participants filled out a ten-page paper questionnaire focused on physical activity. To evaluate fatigue, we primarily used a 10 cm visual analogue scale (0-100 mm, with 100 meaning most fatigued), but also the FACIT fatigue score (range 0-52). Sleep quality was estimated using grades from 1 (excellent) to 6 (extremely poor).Results:93 SLE patients took part in the study. All patients fulfilled the European League Against Rheumatism/ American College of Rheumatology (EULAR/ACR) 2019 classification criteria for SLE. 91% of the patients were female. Their mean (SD) age was 45.5 (14.3) years and their mean disease duration 12.1 (9.4) years. The mean BMI was 25.2 (5.6). Of all patients, 7.5% had a diagnosis of (secondary) fibromyalgia. The mean fatigue VAS was 32 (27) mm and the mean FACIT fatigue score 35.7 (10.3). As expected, fatigue by VAS and FACIT was correlated (Spearman r=-0.61, p<0.0001). The mean SLEDAI was 1 (1) with a range of 0 to 6. Median glucocorticoid doses were 2 mg prednisolone equivalent, with a range from 0 to 10 mg.Out of 66 patients in payed jobs, 64 (97%) reported details on their working space. One person (2%) worked in a predominanty standing position, 37 (58%) worked in essentially sedentary jobs and 26 (40%) were in positions where they were mildly physically active in part. The mean fatigue VAS was 31 (24) mm for patients with partly active jobs and 27 (30) mm for those in sedentary jobs. Sleep was graded 2.9 (0.9) by those with active and 3.1 (1.3) by those with sedentary jobs.Half of the patients (51%) reported more than one physical recreational activity. 44 (47%) were walking and for five persons (5%) this was the only form of activity. Cycling was reported by 19 patients (20%), 18 of whom also practiced other activities. For transport, 52 (56%) in part chose active modes, such as walking and cycling. Patients who reported any of the above activities showed a mean fatigue VAS of 28 (25) mm, compared to 36 (28) mm in the patient group without a reported activity. Sleep quality was very similar: 3.1 (1.2) and 3.2 (1.1) for more active and more passive patients, respectively.65 (70%) patients regularly practiced sports. Of these, 39 (60%) practiced one kind of sport, 15 (23%) two, 7 (11%) three, and 2 (3%) each four and five kinds of sports. Fatigue VAS of patients practicing sports was 27 (25) mm versus 43 (28) in those who did not (p=0.0075). Sleep quality was 2.9 (1.1) in the sports cohort and 3.5 (1.1) in the no-sports cohort (p=0.0244).Conclusion:A majority of SLE patients in remission or low to moderate disease activity regularly practiced sports, and those doing so reported lesser fatigue and better sleep quality. The absolute values on the fatigue VAS were in a moderate range that made fatigue as the main cause of not performing sports rather unlikely for most patients.Disclosure of Interests:Helena Wohland: None declared, Nicolai Leuchten Speakers bureau: AbbVie, Janssen, Novartis, Roche, UCB, Consultant of: AbbVie, Janssen, Novartis, Roche, Martin Aringer Speakers bureau: AbbVie, Astra Zeneca, BMS, Boehringer Ingelheim, Chugai, Gilead, GSK, HEXAL, Lilly, MSD, Novartis, Pfizer, Roche, Sanofi, UCB, Consultant of: AbbVie, Astra Zeneca, BMS, Boehringer Ingelheim, GSK, Lilly, MSD, Roche, Sanofi, UCB

scholarly journals Physical Activity and Attitudes Toward Social Media Use of Active Individuals During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Saudi Arabia: Cross-Sectional Survey

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mezna A. AlMarzooqi
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Social Media ◽  
Saudi Arabia ◽  
Media Use ◽  
Real Life ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Social Media Use ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Physically Active ◽  
Social Media Platforms

Background: Social media became an integral part of the lives of people because it encourages social relations and shares interests, activities, and real-life connections. As quarantine and lockdown orders are prolonged, many people, as well as those physically active individuals, typically responded to this stressful condition by using social media platforms.Objective: This study aimed to examine the level of physical activity of physically active individuals and their attitudes toward social media use during the COVID-19 pandemic.Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional survey was conducted among physically active individuals in Saudi Arabia between June 2020 and July 2020. An online survey was employed among eligible participants who completed a self-administered questionnaire that covered reasons for physical activity and attitudes toward social media platforms during the COVID-19 pandemic.Results: Of these 323 participants, 29.1% were in the age group of 18–24 years, 66.6% were women, and 67.8% were single. The proportion of participants whose metabolic equivalent of tasks-min/week from vigorous activity &lt;1,680 was 31.9%, and all of the participants follow people or pages in social media related to sports teams and fitness models. The average number of hours spent on social media per day was 2.95 ± 0.90 h. The majority of the participants showed positive attitudes toward social media used for exercise and physical activity. Of the eight variables, age, level of physical activity, and the average of hours spent on social media emerged as significant predictors of attitudes toward the use of social media (P &lt; 0.05).Conclusions: The present survey results indicate adverse consequences of home quarantine as reflected by a small proportion of participants who had differences in levels of vigorous activities during the COVID-19 pandemic in Saudi Arabia. Social media appears to be a key avenue to promote and disseminate health interventions to promote physical activity during this COVID-19 pandemic.

scholarly journals General practitioner attitudes and confidence to deprescribing for elderly patients

2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Pier Riccardo Rossi ◽  
Sarah E. Hegarty ◽  
Vittorio Maio ◽  
Marco Lombardi ◽  
Andrea Pizzini ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Primary Care ◽  
Primary Care Physicians ◽  
Real Life ◽  
Care Physician ◽  
Local Health Authority ◽  
Local Health ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Patient Centered ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Factors Affecting

Deprescribing is a patient-centered process of medication withdrawal intended to achieve improved health outcomes through discontinuation of one or more medications that are either potentially harmful or no longer required. The objective of this study was to assess the perceptions of primary care physicians on deprescribing and potential barriers to deprescribing in the Local Health Authority (LHA) of Turin, Piedmont, Italy. Secondary objective was to evaluate educational needs of primary care physician. Cross sectional survey of primary care physicians working in the LHA of Turin, Piedmont, Italy. 439 GPs (71.3% of the total number of primary care physicians) attended an educational session related to deprescribing and were asked to anonymously answer a paper survey. Participants were asked to complete a previously published questionnaire about deprescribing and potential factors affecting the deprescribing process. A correlation coefficient was calculated to assess the association between physicians’ confidence in deprescribing and attitudes or barriers associated with deprescribing. Many GPs (71%) reported general confidence in their ability to deprescribe. Most respondents (83%) reported they were comfortable deprescribing preventive medications, however almost half expressed doubts regarding deprescribing when medication was initially prescribed by a colleague (45%) or when patient and/or caregiver supported the opportunity to continue the assumption (49%). Around a third of doctors maintain that the absence of strong evidence supporting deprescribing prevents them from considering it (38%), that they do not have the necessary time to effectively go through the process of deprescribing (29%), and that fear of possible effects due on withdrawal prevents them from deprescribing (31%). There was no strong correlation between physicians’ confidence and attitudes or barriers associated with deprescribing. The present study confirms that general practitioners sense the importance of deprescribing and feel prepared to face it managing communication with patients and caregivers, but find barriers when enacting the practice in a real-life context.

scholarly journals Nationwide surveillance for Telmisartan alone or with combination at real world therapy in Indian patients with hypertension (START)

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (10) ◽  
pp. 3091
Author(s):  
Manoj B. Chopda ◽  
Sunil G. Gadkar ◽  
Yashwanth A. L. ◽  
Ravi Kumar L. ◽  
Dhammadeep C. Dabhade ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Categorical Data ◽  
Angiotensin Receptor Blockers ◽  
Real Life ◽  
Clinical Settings ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Medical Practitioners ◽  
Prescribing Behaviour ◽  
Receptor Blockers ◽  
Nationwide Surveillance

Background: Angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) are amongst the most preferred class of antihypertensive as reported at various evidences or guidelines. However, choice amongst ARBs differs between practicing physicians in real-life scenario. This survey aimed to understand the usage preferences of telmisartan therapy alone and in combination for treating hypertension (HT) among practitioners at various clinical settings in real-life scenario in India.Methods: A cross‑sectional survey was conducted with a pre-validated survey questionnaire consisting of 15 questions pertaining to the telmisartan and its combination usage in HT management. Total 498 registered medical practitioners (mostly physicians and cardiologists) had participated in survey. They were approached for seeking their perception, opinions, and prescribing behaviour. Categorical data was summarized by number (n) and percentage (%) in each category. Data were summarised in frequency tables.Results: Key findings from the data analysed were as follows: Around 20-40% of patients been reported to have co-morbid hypertension and diabetes as reported by the majority of the physicians. Preferred class of drug in patients with hypertension with diabetes reported to be ARB. Around 90.36% of doctors reported that telmisartan was the most preferred ARB in patients with hypertension associated with high cardiovascular risk. Around 90.76% of doctors reported for their preference for telmisartan in patients with hypertension for 24-hr BP control. Around 82.93% of doctors preferred telmisartan in patients with hypertension and stroke/post-MI status.Conclusions: Indian healthcare practitioners prefer telmisartan as the most preferred ARB either alone or in a combination in patients with hypertension, including those with comorbidities.

scholarly journals “I Don’t Feel Like the Odd One”: Utilizing Content Analysis to Compare the Effects of Social Media Use on Well-Being Among Sexual Minority and Nonminority US Young Adults

2019 ◽  
Vol 34 (3) ◽  
pp. 285-293 ◽  
Author(s):  
César Escobar-Viera ◽  
Ariel Shensa ◽  
Megan Hamm ◽  
Eleanna M. Melcher ◽  
Daniel I. Rzewnicki ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Social Capital ◽  
Social Media ◽  
Real Life ◽  
Well Being ◽  
National Sample ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
And Bisexual ◽  
Mental Well Being

Purpose: Although there is evidence of associations between social media (SM) use and mental well-being among the general population, these associations among lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) persons are poorly understood. This study compared the influence of SM experiences on mental well-being between LGB and non-LGB persons. Design and Setting: Online cross-sectional survey. Participants: National sample of 2408 US adults aged 18 to 30 years. Method: We asked participants to provide examples of when SM affected their well-being separately in good and bad ways. We coded, summed, and used rate ratios (RRs) to compare responses of LGB and non-LGB individuals. Thematically similar codes were described and grouped into categories. Results: Most responses described positive SM effects. However, of 6 codes that were significantly more frequent among LGB respondents, only social capital (RR = 1.58, 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.17-2.12) described a positive effect. Five codes described negative effects of SM for LGB users: negative emotional contagion (RR = 1.28, 95% CI, 1.04-1.58), comparison with others (RR = 1.28, 95% CI, 1.01-1.62), real-life repercussions (RR = 1.86, 95% CI, 1.18-2.94), envy (RR = 2.49, 95% CI, 1.48-4.19), and need for profile management (RR = 2.32, 95% CI, 1.07-5.03). Conclusion: These findings suggest that, for LGB persons, gaining social capital from SM is valuable for establishing and maintaining connections. Increased negative SM experiences may pose a risk for the mental well-being of LGB individuals.

scholarly journals Preference of blood pressure measurement methods by primary care doctors in Hong Kong: A cross-sectional survey

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eric Kam Pui Lee ◽  
Ryan Chun Ming Choi ◽  
Licheng Liu ◽  
Tiffany Gao ◽  
Benjamin Hon Kei Yip ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Blood Pressure ◽  
Primary Care ◽  
Hong Kong ◽  
Blood Pressure Measurement ◽  
Real Life ◽  
Measurement Methods ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Common Chronic Disease ◽  
Diagnosis And Management

Abstract Background Hypertension is the most common chronic disease and is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality. Its screening, diagnosis, and management depend heavily on accurate blood pressure (BP) measurement. It is recommended that the diagnosis of hypertension should be confirmed or corroborated by out-of-office BP values, measured using ambulatory BP monitoring (ABPM) and home BP monitoring (HBPM). When office BP is used, automated office BP (AOBP) measurement method, which automatically provides an average of 3–5 BP readings, should be preferred. This study aimed to describe the BP measurement methods commonly used by doctors in primary care in Hong Kong, to screen, diagnose, and manage hypertensive patients.Methods In this cross-sectional survey, all doctors registered in the Hong Kong “Primary Care Directory” were mailed a questionnaire, asking their preferred BP-measuring methods to screen, diagnose, and manage hypertensive patients. Furthermore, we also elicited information on the usual number of office BP or HBPM readings obtained, to diagnose or manage hypertension.Results Out of the 1738 doctors in the directory, 445 responded. Manual measurement using a mercury or aneroid device was found to be the commonest method to screen (63.1%), diagnose (56.4%), and manage (72.4%) hypertension. There was a significant underutilisation of ABPM, with only 1.6% doctors using this method to diagnose hypertension. HBPM was used by 22.2% and 56.8% of the respondents to diagnose and manage hypertension, respectively. A quarter (26.7%) of the respondents reported using only one in-office BP reading, while 40% participants reported using ≥12 HBPM readings. Doctors with specialist qualification in family medicine were more likely to use AOBP in clinics and to obtain the recommended number of office BP readings for diagnosis and management of hypertension.Conclusion Doctors in Hong Kong primary care prefer to use manual office BP values, measured using mercury or aneroid devices, to screen, diagnose, and manage hypertension, highlighting a marked underutilisation of AOBP and out-of-office BP measuring techniques, especially that of ABPM. Further studies are indicated to understand the underlying reasons and to minimise the gap between real-life clinical practice and those recommended, based on scientific advances.

scholarly journals HEALTH SAFETY ENVIRONMENT: A CRITICAL SUCCESS FACTOR FOR OPERATIONAL PERFORMANCE

2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (7) ◽  
pp. 1-12
Keyword(s):  
Value Chain ◽  
Manufacturing Sector ◽  
Real Life ◽  
Positive Culture ◽  
Operational Performance ◽  
Success Factor ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Health Safety ◽  
Validated Questionnaire

The study sought to investigate the effect of health safety environment on the operational performance of Astral waters Nigeria limited, Lagos State. Although, the manufacturing sector is perceived to be the real life of the economy and the engine that drives economic growth in the country, the increased number of work-related injuries and accidents has increased operational cost for the firm thereby leading to a decline in the operational performance of the firm. A cross sectional survey research design was adopted, and a survey of 40 employees was carried out using a validated questionnaire. The findings showed that health safety environment has a positive and significant effect on operational performance of the sampled firm. The study therefore recommends that manufacturing firms and others along the same value chain must strive to adapt and sustain health safety environment that will ensure environmental standards, show commitment to safety by establishing a positive culture, ensure employees are actively involved and participate in safety-related activities that will ensure workers have a sense of safety while carrying out their tasks, in order to enhance the firms’ operational performance.

scholarly journals Setting Research Priorities Within Allied Health: What Do Clinicians Think?

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Annette Davis ◽  
Den-Ching Angel Lee ◽  
Lisa-Anabell Wenzel ◽  
Terry Haines
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Allied Health ◽  
Real Life ◽  
Research Priorities ◽  
Research Direction ◽  
Publicly Funded ◽  
Research Activity ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Health Care Organisation ◽  
Cross Sectional

Background: Research activity among allied health clinicians working in publicly funded health care organisations is growing, yet little attention has been paid to how these activities are prioritised. Without a specific framework to guide research direction, it is likely that research will be conducted in areas that are prioritised by individual clinicians. However, it is presently unknown what areas are prioritised by clinicians and the reasoning behind their prioritisation. Purpose: The aims of this study were to identify what clinicians identify to be the highest priority research across personal, department, and health service levels, and the reasons why. It also sought to identify barriers and enablers to conducting this research. Methods: Qualitative, cross-sectional survey with n=95 allied health clinician respondents within one organisation. Survey items relating to research priority were structured across three levels. Survey format consisted of open-ended questions and thematic content analysis was used to categorise responses. Results: The highest priority research across personal, departmental and organisational levels were related to areas of personal work, departmental service and models of care evaluation respectively. The top three priorities in all levels combined were “testing solutions”, “understanding problems or developing solutions” and “implementing evidence-based approaches in real life”. The primary reason provided as to why the research was considered to be of the highest priority was related to the anticipated effectiveness of intervention on patient outcomes and the efficiency of service delivery models being investigated. Time shortages/workload/competing priorities were the most frequently identified barriers to conducting this research, while mentoring /access to university partners/organisational culture/leadership and priorities that favoured research were the most frequently identified enablers. Conclusions: Considerations can be taken from our findings to guide the development of a framework or system to prioritise research projects in the publicly funded health care organisation.

scholarly journals Novel Use of a Social-Media-Based Survey to Detect Regional Differences in Management of Monochorionic–Diamniotic Twins

2020 ◽  
Vol 37 (09) ◽  
pp. 890-897
Author(s):  
Ilina D. Pluym ◽  
Bettina Paek ◽  
Martin Walker ◽  
Hui Liu ◽  
Lorna Kwan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
English Language ◽  
Real Life ◽  
The United States ◽  
Patient Survey ◽  
Provider Type ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Chi Square ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Patient Reported

Abstract Objective This study aims to evaluate the utility of social media to distribute a patient survey on differences in management and outcomes of monochorionic–diamniotic (MCDA) pregnancies. Study Design A cross-sectional survey was posted to an English-language MCDA twins patient-centered support group within the social media site, Facebook from April 2, 2018 to June 26, 2018. Subjects were recruited through a technique called “snowballing,” whereby individuals shared the survey to assist with recruiting. Patient reported data were analyzed using Chi-square and Kruskal–Wallis's tests to explore characteristics associated with surveillance and outcomes as related to region and provider type. Results Over 3 months, the post “reached” 14,288 Facebook users, among which 5,653 (40%) clicked on the post. A total of 2,357 respondents with MCDA pregnancies completed the survey. Total 1,928 (82%) were from the United States (US) and 419 (18%) from other countries. Total 85% of patients had co-management with maternal–fetal medicine (MFM), more in the US compared with the rest of the world (87 vs. 74%, p < 0.01). MFM involvement led to increased adherence to biweekly ultrasounds (91 vs. 65%, p < 0.01), diagnosis of monochorionicity by 12 weeks (74 vs. 69%, p < 0.01) and better education about twin–twin transfusion syndrome (90 vs. 66%, p < 0.01). Pregnancies with MFM involvement had a higher take-home baby rate for both babies (92 vs. 89%, p < 0.01) or for at least one baby (98 vs. 93%, p < 0.01) compared with those without MFM involvement. Conclusion A survey distributed via social media can be effective in evaluating real-life management and outcomes of an uncommon obstetrical diagnosis. This survey elucidates wide international variation in adherence to guidelines, management, and outcomes.

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