Exploring the experiences of nurses caring for patients with COVID-19: a qualitative study in Iran

Background The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is now a major public health emergency in the world. Nurses as key members of the COVID-19 patient care team are exposed to most challenges caused by the disease. As exploring the experiences of nurses as patient supporters and caregivers can play an important role in improving the quality of care for patients with COVID-19 disease, the present study explored the experiences of nurses caring for patients with COVID-19. Methods The study employed a qualitative design. This study employed purposive sampling to select 10 nurses with bachelors and master’s degrees in nursing who were taking care of patients with COVID-19 in ICUs or inpatient wards in southern Iran. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews. The collected data were analyzed using the qualitative content analysis procedure proposed by Graneheim and Lundman. Results The analysis of the data revealed four main themes and ten sub-themes: A) physical, psychological, and social burden of care (excessive workload; fear, anxiety, worry; unpleasant social experiences; compassion fatigue) B) unmet needs (personal needs and professional needs) C) positive experiences (pleasant social experiences and inner satisfaction), and D) strategies (problem-solving strategies and stress symptom mitigation strategies). Conclusions An analysis of the themes and subthemes extracted in this study suggested that the nurses who participated in this study faced many personal and professional challenges. Therefore, health officials and specialists need to pay special attention to nurses’ challenges and needs.

Differences in Incidence and Risk Factors of Infertility Between Couples Who Desire a First and Second Child: A Prospective Cohort Study

Background: With the implementation of the two-child policy in China, more couples expressed their desire to have a child. We conducted this study to evaluate the incidence and risk factors of infertility in couples intending to have a first child and second child.Methods: Couples who presented to the pre-pregnancy clinical centers were enrolled from 2013 to 2017. Participants were categorized into “first child intention” and “second child intention” groups based on the number of children they already had. Couples were followed up every three months until pregnancy or 12 months. Data regarding the sociodemographic characteristics, history of reproduction and gynecology, history of male disease, and laboratory and imaging examination results were collected. Odds ratios (ORs) and their corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated and adjusted for potential confounding factors.Results: The overall infertility incidence was 16.95% (369/2177). The infertility incidence of “first child intention” and “second child intention” was 19.30% (355/1839) and 4.14% (14/338). The study showed great differences in infertility risk factors between two groups. Risk factors for “first child intention” infertility included advanced age (>35 years), abnormal body mass index (BMI), longer menstrual durations, endometrial polyps, polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), salpingostomy, and history of mycoplasma. However, in “second child intention” group, clinical risk factor was slightly different, such as leiomyoma, higher age (>40 years).Conclusion: The incidence and risk factors of infertility are significantly different between “first child intention” group and “second child intention” group. Early and targeted intervention for couples in different groups at high risk can help reduce infertility and social burden.

Epidemiology, diagnosis, and assessment of diabetes mellitus in the elderly population: a purposive review

The elderly population with diabetes mellitus is rapidly growing worldwide and has become a major social burden with significant impact on health and economics. This social category requires considerations that are not traditionally associated with diabetes mellitus management. Several epidemiological studies have shown that the prevalence of diabetes mellitus increases with advancing age. According to the recent International Diabetes Federation (IDF) published data, the number of people with diabetes mellitus among those 65 and over has reached 136 million (19.3%) with more frequent diabetes mellitus complications and co-morbidities compared to the young counterparts. Cardiovascular complications are the leading cause of death and the quality of life is strongly impacted by geriatric syndromes such as poor vision, dementia and functional dependence. The elderly diabetic population is classified into three categories; the robust, the fragile and the patient at the end of life. In practical terms, they can also be classified into two categories: the autonomous patients and the dependent patients, requiring support and assistance. Keywords: diabetes mellitus, elderly, epidemiology, geriatric syndromes, geriatric evaluation.

Prevalence and related factors of alcohol consumption among ethnic minority boarding high schoolers in Southern Vietnam

Hazardous levels of alcohol use have caused many diseases, posing a great economic and social burden to the community. Alcohol use in some provinces of Vietnam shows that alcohol consumers are getting younger and younger. This study aimed to determine the proportion of alcohol consumption among students at Binh Phuoc Ethnic Minority High School in 2020 and a number of factors leading to the alcohol consumption. The result showed that the alcohol use proportion in the past 12 months was 62% and the risky drinkers rate was 11.2%. Some factors concerning the use of alcohol among students such as gender, age, grade level, behavior, smoking, alcohol use family members, alcoholic friends, and friends influence were also revealed in the study.

The correlation between economic development and self -employment of the population in Kazakhstan

The purpose of the article is to determine the place of self-employment in the development of the economy of Kazakhstan and analyze its relationship. In the specifics of the development of the market economy of Kazakhstan, the development of the labor market is always in the spotlight. The functioning of the national economy directly depends on the dynamism and state of this labor market. The problem of unemployment in the labor market is one of the most important indicators of economic development. It is known that an increase in the unemployment rate has a negative effect on the development of the economy, accordingly, the economic and social burden in the state increases. One of ways out of this problem is to involve the unemployed in economic activity through selfemployment and the creation of individual jobs. This practice makes it possible to eliminate the social consequences of the rise in unemployment for many countries in the cyclical development of the economy by opening their own enterprises without hired workers. The information base of statistical analysis in the article is mainly the data of the National Bureau of Statistics of the Agency for Strategic Planning and Reforms of the Republic of Kazakhstan. To determine the correlation between self-employment and economic development in Kazakhstan, the main economic indicator - the dynamics of GDP growth was obtained.

Сytogenetic techniques in current biomedical research. part i: history and theoretical basis of human cytogenetics

Cytogenetics is an essential part of human genetics which studies the structure of chromosomes and their collection which is called karyotype. Cytogenetic techniques are employed while interrogating DNA organisation and compaction. Analysis of the chromosomal structure contributes to uncovering the molecular basis of various cellular processes in normal and pathological conditions. Furthermore, spectrum and frequency of chromosome abnormalities serves as an indicator of mutagenic effects. Cytogenetic techniques became indispensable for discovering the genetic causes of human diseases at different stages of ontogenesis. Genetic abnormalities are a common cause of impaired reproductive function, abnormal pregnancy, and neonatal malformations. Genetic screening for chromosomal abnormalities and congenital anomalies is a powerful tool for reducing the genetic load in human populations as well as disease, psychological and social burden on families and societies. This paper begins the cycle of lectures on molecular basis of human cytogenetics, cytogenetic techniques, and the corresponding research and clinical applications. The lecture is primarily aimed at biomedical students and physicians who often have an unmet need to analyse and interpret the results of cytogenetic analyses.

Advances in the Progression and Prognosis Biomarkers of Chronic Kidney Disease

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is one of the increasingly serious public health concerns worldwide; the global burden of CKD is increasingly due to high morbidity and mortality. At present, there are three key problems in the clinical treatment and management of CKD. First, the current diagnostic indicators, such as proteinuria and serum creatinine, are greatly interfered by the physiological conditions of patients, and the changes in the indicator level are not synchronized with renal damage. Second, the established diagnosis of suspected CKD still depends on biopsy, which is not suitable for contraindication patients, is also traumatic, and is not sensitive to early progression. Finally, the prognosis of CKD is affected by many factors; hence, it is ineviatble to develop effective biomarkers to predict CKD prognosis and improve the prognosis through early intervention. Accurate progression monitoring and prognosis improvement of CKD are extremely significant for improving the clinical treatment and management of CKD and reducing the social burden. Therefore, biomarkers reported in recent years, which could play important roles in accurate progression monitoring and prognosis improvement of CKD, were concluded and highlighted in this review article that aims to provide a reference for both the construction of CKD precision therapy system and the pharmaceutical research and development.

The Social Burden of Witchcraft accusation and Its Victims: An Exercise in Philosophy

The killing and burning of witches in contemporary era seem to be unabated. The contemporary minds have not succeeded in ‘scienticising’ belief in witchcraft. In Africa, Canada and India, the incidence, accusations and extrajudicial sanctions against witches are routine. The phenomenon of witchcraft is justified to be real. Before a misfortune could be plausibly attributed to witchcraft, it had to be seen as the outcome of a certain type of social situation. For in a witch-case the suspect was usually a person who had been involved in a relationship of real or presumed hostility towards the victim, then an accusation of witchcraft originated with someone living in close proximity to the suspect, and was meant to explain some local and personal misfortune. We then explain the socialization of witchcraft accusation in terms of the immediate social environment of the witch and her accuser. What we have in mind is that there are a lot of socialization between the witch and her victims in such a way that witches do not attack stranger and the victim can easily guess who is socially responsible for his/her misfortunes. We shall argue therefore, that once we are able to explain witchcraft causal reasonable explanation, the kind of metaphysical change of mind on witchcraft and the subsequent incidence, accusations and extrajudicial sanctions against witches would be reduced.

Gambaran Radiologis pada Bidang Neurologis Tumor Otak

Along with increasing life expectancy and advances in medical technology, the incidence of brain tumors continues to increase. Brain tumors can cause changes in mental status, neurological deficits, and create a large social burden. The incidence of benign brain tumors is 71% and these benign brain tumors develop twice as often in women as in men. Diagnosis brain tumors requires radiological examinations that can quickly diagnose brain tumors and must be done immediately. Source searches were carried out on the online portal of journal publications as many as 20 sources from MedScape, Google Scholar and the Nation Center for Biotechnology Information / NCBI with the keywords "brain tumor" and "radiology of brain tumor". Brain tumors cause progressive neurological disorders. Neurologic disorders in brain tumors are usually caused by two factors, namely focal disturbances due to tumors and increased intracranial pressure. The most commonly used radiological techniques are T1/T2-Weighted MRI, MR Spectroscopy, Diffusion MRI, Perfusion MRI, and Brain Tumor CT Scan. MRI is a powerful and flexible instrument for evaluating patients with primary brain tumors. Integration of the RANO criteria into treatment evaluation helps reduce premature discontinuation of effective therapy due to treatment-related imaging changes.

Future Trends in Disability and Its Determinants Among Chinese Community Patients With Anxiety Disorders: Evidence From a 5-Year Follow-Up Study

Background: Anxiety disorders (ADs) are a group of disorders with a high disability rate and bring a huge social burden. In China, information on future trends in the disability among community ADs patients and its determinants are rare. The objectives of this study are to describe the future trends in the disability among ADs patients living in community and to investigate the determinants of the disability.Methods: Participants diagnosed with 12-month ADs in the China Mental Health Survey (CMHS) were followed up by telephone from April to June 2018 to assess the future trends in the disability in a 5-year interval using the World Health Organization's Disability Assessment Schedule 2.0. The disability rate was reported and its determinants were analyzed by complex sample design multivariate logistic regression.Results: Totally 271 patients were interviewed by telephone and 33 informants finished proxy interviews. The disability rates were 45.9% and 14.3% among ADs patients at baseline and during the follow-up. Patients with general anxiety disorder (GAD) or agoraphobia with/without panic disorder (AGP) had the lower decrease and higher disability during the follow-up than patients with other subtypes. Patients aged in middle age (aged 40–49 years old, OR = 11.12, 95% CI: 4.16–29.72), having disability at baseline (OR = 7.18, 95% CI: 1.37–37.73), having comorbidity with three or more physical diseases (OR = 9.27, 95% CI: 2.48–34.71), and having comorbidity with other mental disorders (OR = 3.97, 95% CI: 1.13–13.96) had higher disability during the follow-up.Conclusions: The disability rate tends to decrease among ADs patients living in communities. Treatment priority should be given for ADs patients with disability and those in middle age. Treatments for the comorbidity of other mental disorders or physical diseases should be considered when treating anxiety.