Satisfaction in Population-Based Cancer Screening in a Chinese Rural High-Risk Population: The Yangzhong Early Diagnosis and Treatment of Upper Gastrointestinal Cancer

Background Screening for upper gastrointestinal cancer (UGC) effectively reduces morbidity and mortality in gastric and oesophageal cancers. It is considered one of the effective measures for cancer control in China, but studies on its functional quality are lacking. Our study assessed the quality of screening service funded by Upper Gastrointestinal Cancer Early diagnosis and treatment (UGCEDAT) and its correlation in Yangzhong People’s hospital, China. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted among 516 screening users at a screening centre in Yanghzong People’s hospital from April to July 2021. The service quality questionnaire (SERVQUAL) base on the service quality gap (SQG) model was adopted. We calculated the mean scores of perceptions and expectations and their gap. To determine the association between overall SQG and related features of participants, we used a multivariate logistic regression. Results The average scores of screening service users’ perceptions and expectations were 4.05 and 4.55, respectively. The SQG of five dimensions (tangibles, reliability, responsiveness, assurance and empathy) were negative, and the overall SQG was − 0.51. The responsiveness dimension had the largest gap, and tangibles had the smallest gap. Occupation status (AOR:0.575; CI:0.371–0.890), health self-assessment (AOR:4.965; CI:1.352–18.232), endoscopy experience (AOR:0.551; CI:0.377–0.806), distance from screening hospital (AOR:1.847; CI:1.249–2.733) and frequency of visit (AOR:1.646; CI:1.100-2.462) were associated with the overall SQG. Conclusions We observed a negative gap between perceptions and expectations of the function quality of screening service, implying a high dissatisfaction across different dimensions. Service providers should take adequate measures to bridge the dimension with the largest quality gap. Meanwhile, attention should be paid to identifying the influencing factors of the overall gap and the characteristics of dimensional expectations and perceived scores to improve the effectiveness of the intervention.

Prevalence of hypertension and diabetes in the population of Kosovo

Objectives To observe the prevalence of arterial pressure and glycemia in Kosovo and to provide free screening service through health promotion. Methods This prospective study was conducted over a 3-year period, during 2017–2019. All data were collected by AAB College staff in 11 Kosovo cities prior to a random sample with 7254 observations. Data included demographic information as well as blood pressure and glycemic level measurements. Results The overall prevalence of arterial pressure was registered at 27.6% and diabetes mellitus at 9.2%. Arterial pressure in females had a tendency to increase with age (r = 0.3552, P < 0.001), as well as the glycemic index (r = 0.1997, P < 0.001). Nevertheless, age had a stronger impact on males than in females, with regard to higher arterial pressure in the year 2017 (P < 0.001). In the following years, 2018 and 2019, the ratio had reversed. Glycemia had strong correlation with systolic arterial pressure value (P < 0.001). For a 1 mmol/L increase in glycemia, the diastolic value increased by 0.19 mmHg on average. Conclusions This study concluded that at younger ages the values of arterial pressure and glycemia remain within the commonly observed range, but over the years the probability for higher blood pressure or glicemia increases. Through continuous control of arterial pressure and glycemia at an early age, it is possible to identify abnormal diagnostics, in order to address them in time. Educational initiatives and screenings should take place in order to increase awareness of the citizens for checking themselves regularly.

Visual inspection with acetic-acid (VIA) service utilization and associated factors among women in Hawassa city, southern Ethiopia: a community based cross-sectional study

Background Reducing cervical cancer mortality and morbidity using visual inspection with acetic acid (VIA) is a primary option, particularly in resource constrained countries. Although VIA screening is a priority program in Ethiopia, there is limited scientific evidence on prevalence of VIA screening service utilization and factors influencing screening practices in the community. This study aimed to assess the magnitude of visual inspection with acetic-acid (VIA) service utilization and associated factors in an urban community among women in Hawassa city, Southern Ethiopia. Methods This community-based cross-sectional study was conducted among women aged 30–49 years old who were residents of Hawassa city. The study population (n = 419) was recruited using a multistage random sampling technique. A pretested and structured interviewer-administered questionnaire was used to obtain information on sociodemographic characteristics, reproductive and behavioral variables, awareness of cervical cancer and VIA screening, and VIA screening practices. Multivariate logistic regression models were used to determine factors associated with VIA screening service utilization. Results A total of 411 women aged 30–49 were interviewed with a response rate of 98.1%. The visual inspection with acetic-acid (VIA) screening service was utilized by 85 women (20.7%). Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that use of VIA screening service was significantly associated with older age (adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 4.64, 95%CI: 2.15–10.01), having a history of sexually transmitted infection (STI), (AOR = 3.90, 95%CI: 2.02–7.53), having awareness about cervical cancer and VIA screening (AOR = 3.67, 95%CI:1.68–8.04), self-perceived susceptibility (AOR = 3.52,95%CI:1.74–7.13),receiving information from health workers (AOR = 4.519, 95%CI: 1.686–12.114) and having received community health education from health extension workers (AOR = 6.251, 95%CI:2.994–13.050). Conclusion Self-reported use of VIA screening was low in the study area. Age of participants, history of STI, awareness of cervical cancer and VIA screening, self- perceived susceptibility, receiving information from health workers and community health education from health extension workers were associated with increased prevalence of VIA screening service utilization. These findings suggest that educational and clinical interventions at the community levels and in healthcare facilities should be strengthened to improve cervical cancer risk knowledge, and to encourage women to seek cervical cancer screening in approved settings to order to increase utilization of the service.

Impact of a pharmacist-driven tardive dyskinesia screening service

Introduction Tardive dyskinesia (TD) is defined as involuntary movements that can develop with prolonged antipsychotic use. Regular monitoring using the Abnormal Involuntary Movement Scale (AIMS) is recommended to be conducted every 3 to 6 months for early recognition, although the AIMS is underused. Several studies have investigated risk factors that may be associated with TD, including age, sex, and long-term antipsychotic use. This study aimed to increase the monitoring and treatment of TD for those assessed to be at higher risk. Methods This was a prospective quality improvement study on the effectiveness of a psychiatric pharmacist–driven TD screening service (PPDTSS) in an inpatient psychiatric facility. Participants were composed of adult patients admitted between May and November 2018. Patients were screened daily by a clinical pharmacist and, if determined to be high risk based on studied risk factors, prioritized to receive a formal TD screening via the AIMS. The primary objective was to optimize standard of care by increasing the number of AIMS screenings conducted. The secondary objective was to increase the treatment of TD. Results A total of 402 patients were assessed prior to implementation of the PPDTSS, and 390 patients were screened following implementation. The PPDTSS increased the number of AIMS screenings attempted by 85.1% for high-risk individuals. Of the 75 patients who had an AIMS screening attempted in the postintervention group, 46 (61.3%) had an AIMS screening completed, of which 3 (6.5%) were positive. Discussion The results of this study demonstrate that psychiatric pharmacists can be used to improve the regular monitoring of patients at high risk for TD.

Cervical Cancer Screening Uptake and Determinant Factors Among Women in Ambo Town, Western Oromia, Ethiopia: Community based Cross Sectional Study

Background: Cervical cancer is one of the principal causes of cancer death among women worldwide. It is the second most common cancer and the leading cause of cancer-related death in Ethiopian women; about 77.6% of women died of 6,294 new cases reported in 2019. Early screening for cervical cancer has substantial advantage to reduce the incidence, morbidity, and mortality attributed to cervical cancer. So far, there are limited evidence on the level of cervical cancer screening uptake and its determinant in low- and middle-income countries including Ethiopia. Consequently, the current study aimed to assess the level of cervical cancer screening uptake and its determinant among women of Ambo town, western Oromia, Ethiopia.Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 422 women aged 20-65years. Systematic random sampling was employed to recruit the eligible women from randomly selected sub-districts found in Ambo town. Interviewer-administered questionnaire was used to collect the data. Epi info was used for data entry and management from which it was exported to SPSS version 25 for detailed analysis. Variables in binary logistic regression with a p-value <0.25 were candidate for multivariable logistic regression. Estimates were presented using odds ratios (ORs) with 95% CI. Statistical Significance was declared at p value<0.05.Results: In the present study 392 women were participated giving a response rate of 93%. Overall, 63% of the respondents were known the availability of cervical cancer screening service. Only 8.7% (34) of the study participants were received cervical cancer screening in their lifetime. Being in the age group of 30-39 years (AOR=3.2; 95% CI [1.22, 8.36]) and 40-49years (AOR=4.8; 95% CI [1.42, 16.41]), having cervical cancer related discussion with health care provider (AOR=3.5; 95% CI [1.17, 10.7]), and knowing availability cervical cancer screening service (AOR=2.8; 95% CI [1.03, 7.87]) were significantly associated with uptake of cervical cancer screening. Conclusion: In this study, cervical cancer screening uptake is very low. The study also highlighted important factors that affect uptake of cervical cancer screening service. Therefore, this study result call urgent interventions by all stockholders to increase cervical cancer service uptake through continues promotions and by securing its availability and accessibility for all eligible women at all levels.