Fetal head circumference versus fetal weight at term as a predictor of labour outcome

Background: Several models have been proposed to predict the need for an LSCS. With reference to this, the impact of the size of the fetal head traversing the birth canal is an important determinant of delivery outcomes. We examined the association between the head circumference and mode of delivery and perinatal outcomes, when compared to birth weight predicted by scan.Methods: This was a retrospective study, on 800 electronic delivery records between December 2019 and May 2021. Sociodemographic data, obstetrical parameter, term scan findings of head circumference and estimated fetal weight, and labour and perinatal outcomes were collected and analysed.Results: HC >95th centile was found to be comparatively more predictive and statistically significant compared to EFW >95th centile in the prediction of LSCS, with the most common indication being cephalopelvic disproportion. Prolonged second stage of labour was statistically significant in both cohort A and B, undergoing vaginal delivery. It was also noted that a significant number of newborns in cohort A required NICU admissions, while NICU admissions after emergency LSCS was significantly higher in the cohort B (p=0.0032) though the overall 5 and 10 minute APGAR scores and duration of stay were comparable in the groups classified on basis of EFW and HC.Conclusions: The above statistics observed on an Indian population may aid obstetricians in the planning of the mode of delivery, improve pre-labor counselling and efficient management of mothers of large babies.

Positive Emotion Regulations Among English as a Foreign Language Teachers During COVID-19

As the cores of education, teachers’ emotions have a critical place in academia. However, the power of EFL (English as a foreign language) teachers’ positive emotions and their regulation in online mode of instruction have been ignored by scholars. With the rapid shift of education from face-to-face to remote/electronic delivery, many challenges and emotional problems emerged among teachers and learners worldwide. This entailed the necessity of considering and planning for emotional regulation to generate positive outcomes. To provide a roadmap for this line of research, the present mini-review article presented the theoretical and empirical underpinnings of emotion regulation, its origins and definitions, as well as outcomes for second/foreign language education. The study also presents some implications for EFL teachers, teacher trainers, and avid scholars of this area of research pinpointing the current yawning gaps.

Electronic delivery: opportunity or exclusion?

The new regulations come into force in Poland as of 1 July 2021. The delivery by means of electronic communication will become the rule. Will it not limit the rights of people who do not have access to the Internet of who cannot use it? Will the new regulations not contribute to the even greater exclusion of people who are already excluded (seniors, the disabled or people living in poverty)? Will the new solutions make it easier for them to find their place in the modern world?

Increasing Equitable Access to Individuals with Disabilities: Participation in Electronic Public Administration Research

Individuals with disabilities (both physical and cognitive) constitute 15% of the global population and 25% of U.S. citizens. However, public administration has not given explicit thought to how current research methods and other data collection processes or tools might exclude individuals with disabilities. This lack of attention to research methods and instruments might impose barriers and limit access to participation for individuals with disabilities who would otherwise meet the requirements for participation within the research design. This omission undermines social equity, a critical pillar of public administration, by systematically excluding individuals with disabilities from the research process. Equitable research ensures that scholars are not excluding participants from the research while obtaining insights from the ‘relevant population.’ Current exclusionary practices raise several questions that are addressed in this essay including: (1) What are the implications of equitable access in electronic research? (2) What are the barriers of access for individuals with disabilities who want to participate in research, like surveys conducted through an electronic delivery system? and (3) What would an equitable data collection and research design look like?

Digital India: Opportunities and Challenges including in Context of COVID-19

Digital India is an umbrella programme that covers multiple Government Ministries and Departments. It is an effort to weave a large number of ideas and thoughts into a single, comprehensive vision so that each of them can be implemented as part of a larger goal. Digital India is to be implemented by the entire Government with overall coordination being done by the Department of Electronics and Information Technology (DeitY). It provides the much needed thrust to the nine pillars of growth areas, namely Broadband Highways, Universal Access to Mobile Connectivity, Public Internet Access Programme, eGovernance: Reforming Government through Technology, e-Kranti - Electronic Delivery of Services, Information for All, Electronics Manufacturing, IT for Jobs and Early Harvest Programmes. A number of digital health initiatives have also been rolled out under the programme, including in context of COVID-19 and pandemic response. A comprehensive real-time based IT platform ‘COVID India Portal’ has been launched in March 2020 in response to COVID -19 pandemic, for monitoring the situation, preparedness and management to control the COVID in the country.

The Utility and Feasibility of Routine Use of a Patient-Reported Outcome Measure in Paediatric Dentistry

Within healthcare services, there is increasing emphasis to incorporate patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs), rather than relying solely on clinical outcomes. A 12-item caries-specific measure (CARIES-QC) has been developed and validated for children aged 5–16 years. To date, the routine use of PROMs in paediatric dentistry new patient clinics (NPC) has not been reported. The aim was to conduct a pilot study to assess the feasibility, utility and validity of routine use of a PROM in paediatric dentistry NPC in a UK teaching hospital. Children attending NPC over a four-week period were asked to complete CARIES-QC with an additional free-text box. Interviews were held with members of staff to assess the feasibility of using a PROM routinely. CARIES-QC was completed by 99 children. Almost half of the participants had caries (n = 49, 49.5%). CARIES-QC demonstrated good internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.9) and reliability with the global question (r = 0.75, p = 0.01). Clinical staff valued the information provided by the PROM. An electronic delivery method would be beneficial to both clinical and administrative staff. CARIES-QC was able to capture impacts for children with a range of oral conditions. Its use aided treatment planning and future studies should investigate the use of an electronic delivery system to reduce the administrative burden.

Communicating With Diverse Patients About Participating in a Biobank: A Randomized Multisite Study Comparing Electronic and Face-to-Face Informed Consent Processes

Some individuals’ understanding of informed consent (IC) information may improve with electronic delivery, but others may benefit from face-to-face (F2F). This randomized, multisite study explores how individuals from diverse backgrounds understand electronic IC documents versus F2F, their confidence in understanding, and enrollment in research. A total of 501 patients at two U.S. biobanks with diverse populations participated. There were no overall differences between electronic and F2F understanding, but F2F predicted higher confidence in understanding and enrollment. Ethnicity and a higher educational level predicted higher understanding and confidence. Study findings suggest that electronic consent may lead to better understanding for non-Hispanic patients of higher socioeconomic status. F2F processes may lead to better understanding and higher enrollment of patients from Hispanic and lower socioeconomic levels. Researchers should carefully consider how they implement electronic IC processes and whether to maintain an F2F process to better address the needs and limitations of some populations.

E-cigarette advertising exposure among South African adults in 2017: findings from a nationally representative cross-sectional survey

ObjectivesIn South Africa, the Control of Tobacco and Electronic Delivery Systems Bill seeks to regulate e-cigarettes as tobacco products, including their advertising, promotion and sponsorship. Population data on e-cigarette advertising in South Africa are needed to inform public health programs, practice and policy. We examined self-reported e-cigarette advertising exposure during 2017.DesignCross-sectional.SettingHousehold-based survey.Participants3063 individuals who participated in the 2017 South African Social Attitudes survey, a nationally representative, in-person survey of the non-institutionalised civilian adult population aged ≥16 yearsExposure‘In the past 12 months, have you seen advertisements or promotions for e-cigarettes (including e-shisha, e-pipe) on any of the following media: newspapers/magazines, billboards, in the malls or any other source?’Main outcomesBeliefs and attitudes regarding e-cigarettes.FindingsParticipants’ mean age was 37.7 years. Overall, 20.1% reported exposure to e-cigarette advertisements. By age, exposure was most prevalent among those aged 16–19 years (24.6%). Top sources of exposure among those exposed were stores, 40.7%; malls, 30.9%; and television, 32.5%. Of those aware of e-cigarettes, 61.2% believed ‘e-cigarette advertisements and promotion may make adolescents think of smoking traditional cigarettes’; 62.7% believed that ‘e-cigarette advertisements and promotions may make ex-smokers think of starting smoking cigarettes again’; and 59.5% supported the statement that ‘e-cigarette smoking should be banned indoors just as traditional cigarette smoking’. Notably, teens aged 16–19 reported the lowest prevalence (49.0%) of those believing that ‘e-cigarette advertisements and promotion may make adolescents think of smoking traditional cigarettes’, whereas this percentage was highest among those aged 55–64 years (73.2%).ConclusionComprehensive regulatory efforts are needed to address e-cigarette advertising, marketing and sponsorship in order to protect public health. The urgent enactment of the new tobacco control legislation, The Control of Tobacco Products and Electronic Delivery Systems Bill, can help reduce youth exposure to e-cigarette advertising in South Africa.

Surveys

Chapter 7 of Performing Music Research describes the main features of surveys and discusses when it is appropriate to use them. It considers the key decisions that must be taken when designing a survey, when and how to choose a questionnaire that has already been validated, and how to adapt or construct a new questionnaire. It highlights different types of data, and the different types of questions that are available to researchers, including open and closed questions, rating and measurement scales, and ranking systems. The chapter outlines the overall structure of an effective questionnaire and discusses the relative advantages of paper-based (print) and electronic delivery. It also considers the pros and cons of surveys and describes how to report their results.