Conectar
by Francesco Di Gennaro, Francesco Vladimiro Segala, Giacomo Guido, Mariacristina Poliseno, Laura De Santis, Alessandra Belati, Carmen Rita Santoro, Irene Francesca Bottalico, Carmen Pellegrino, Roberta Novara, Luisa Frallonardo, Mariangela Cormio, Michele Camporeale, Sergio Cotugno, Vincenzo Giliberti, Stefano Di Gregorio, Valentina Totaro, Nicola Catucci, Anna De Giosa, Roberta Giusto, Ilaria Viviana Lanera, Gioacchino Angarano, Sergio Lo Caputo, Annalisa Saracino
High School students, recognized as a high-risk group for sexually transmitted infections (STIs), were the focal point of an educational campaign in Southern Italy to share information and good practices about STIs and HIV/AIDS. A baseline survey comprising 76 items was conducted via the REDCap platform to assess students’ initial knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) related to STIs and HIV/AIDS. Sociodemographic variables were also investigated. The association between variables and KAP score was assessed by Kruskal-Wallis’ or Spearman’s test, as appropriate. An ordinal regression model was built to estimate the effect size, reported as odds ratio (OR) with a 95% confidence interval (CI), for achieving higher KAP scores among students features. On a scale of 0 to 29, 1702 participants achieved a median KAP score of 14 points. Higher scores were predominantly reported by students from classical High Schools (OR 3.19, 95% C.I. 1.60–6.33, pby Jingting Lu, Nur Athirah Abd Rahman, Matthew Wyon, Shazlin Shaharudin
BackgroundFundamental physical functions such as postural control and balance are vital in preserving everyday life, affecting an individual’s quality of life. Dance is a physical activity that offers health advantages across various life stages. Nevertheless, the effects of dance interventions on physical function, postural control, and quality of life among older adults have remained underexplored. The review aimed to examine the strength of evidence for dance interventions on physical function and quality of life among middle-aged and older adults.
MethodsA systematic review was conducted across four databases (PubMed, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, and Medline), focusing on studies involving more than four weeks of dance interventions. MeSH terms [dance or dance intervention or dance rehabilitation or dance movement] and [motor function or functional capacity or postural control or functional mobility or mobility or postural balance or balance or flexibility or gait] and [well-being or quality of life or life satisfaction] were utilized in the search. This review was registered in the PROSPERO database (CRD42023422857). Included studies were assessed using the Cochrane Risk of Bias.
ResultsThe search revealed 885 studies, and 16 met the inclusion criteria. The effects of various dance genres on physical functions and quality of life were compared. Most studies showed that dance intervention improved physical function, balance, postural control and quality of life. Dance intervention showed a high level of adherence compared to physiotherapy, self-care, conventional therapy, and aerobic and resistance exercise.
ConclusionIn terms of improving physical function and quality of life, structured dance is a safe and relatively effective alternative to exercise. Note the effect of movement selection and intensity in the dance interventions. Dance with music may increase participants’ interest, encouraging more physical activity among middle-aged and older adults.
by Luiza Mesesan-Schmitz, Claudiu Coman, Carmen Stanciu, Venera Bucur, Laurentiu Gabriel Tiru, Maria Cristina Bularca
This study was designed to explore mothers’ perceptions about changes in parenting behavior in the middle of the pandemic COVID 19 period. Based on the convergent mixed-method design and Parental Stress model, we illustrated these changes by taking into account the impact of the pandemic perceived by mothers and the resources they had available. Research on parenting changes was important in the Romanian context because, in that challenging period, there were no regulations to safeguard parents, especially single parents as mothers. Mothers experienced increased levels of stress, some of them having to leave their jobs to stay at home with their children. Other mothers needed to work from home and in the meantime to take care of their children. In this context we wanted to illustrate the possible changes that occurred in their parenting behavior during the pandemic period. Results from the quantitative survey showed that there is a moderate correlation between the negative impact felt by mothers and the negative changes in their parenting behavior, and this correlation was diminished by a series of resources such as: social support, parenting alliance, or high income. Qualitative data provided better understanding of mothers’ parenting behavior by showing that mothers shared both positive and negative experiences during the pandemic, regardless of the general trend mentioned. As shown by the quantitative data, the qualitative data also showed that mothers who felt more strongly the impact of the pandemic reported more negative changes in their parenting behavior. The positive changes most frequently stated involved expressing affection and communicating more often on various topics, carrying out leisure activities or activities meant to help with the personal development of the child, and involving children in domestic activities. Mothers mostly described negative aspects such as too much involvement in school life, increased control and surveillance of children, especially when it comes to school related activities and to the time children were allowed to spend on their digital devices. These changes led to conflicts and sometimes, mothers resorted to discipline practices. In addition to the resources identified in quantitative research, mothers with higher education and medium–high income also turned to specialized resources (psychologists, online courses, support groups) in order to manage conflicts, them being able to see the challenges of the pandemic as an opportunity to develop and improve the relationship with their children.by Oluwafemi Adeleke Ojo, Akingbolabo Daniel Ogunlakin, Christopher Oloruntoba Akintayo, Olaoluwa Sesan Olukiran, Juliana Bunmi Adetunji, Omolola Adenike Ajayi-Odoko, Theophilus Oghenenyoreme Ogwa, Olorunfemi Raphael Molehin, Omolara Olajumoke Ojo, Ramzi A. Mothana, Abdullah R. Alanzi
Background and objectiveDiabetic neuropathy (DN) is a complex type of diabetes. The underlying cause of diabetic nephropathy remains unclear and may be due to a variety of pathological conditions resulting in kidney failure. This study examines the protective effect of the methanolic extract of Spilanthes filicaulis leaves (MESFL) in fructose-fed streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic nephropathy and the associated pathway.
MethodsTwenty-five rats were equally divided randomly into five categories: Control (C), diabetic control, diabetic + metformin (100 mg/kg), diabetic + MESFL 150 mg/kg bw, and diabetic + MESFL 300 mg/kg bw. After 15 days, the rats were evaluated for fasting blood glucose (FBG), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), urea, uric acid, serum creatinine, reduced glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and lipid peroxidation (MDA). Gene expression levels of cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP), protein kinase A (PKA), cAMP response element-binding (CREB), cFOS and the antiapoptotic protein Bcl-2 were examined.
ResultsWe observed that MESFL at 150 and 300 mg/kg bw significantly downregulated the protein expression of cAMP, PKA, CREB, and cFOS and upregulated the Bcl-2 gene, suggesting that the nephroprotective action of MESFL is due to the suppression of the cAMP/PKA/CREB/cFOS signaling pathway. In addition, MESFL increases SOD and CAT activities and GSH levels, reduces MDA levels, and reduces renal functional indices (ALP, urea, uric acid, and creatinine).
ConclusionTherefore, our results indicate that MESFL alleviates the development of diabetic nephropathy via suppression of the cAMP/PKA/CREB/cFOS pathways.
Hip osteoarthritis (OA) is a major cause of pain and disability worldwide. Lack of effective therapies may reflect poor knowledge on its aetiology and risk factors, and result in the management of end-stage hip OA with costly joint replacement. The Worldwide Collaboration on OsteoArthritis prediCtion for the Hip (World COACH) consortium was established to pool and harmonise individual participant data from prospective cohort studies. The consortium aims to better understand determinants and risk factors for the development and progression of hip OA, to optimise and automate methods for (imaging) analysis, and to develop a personalised prediction model for hip OA.
World COACH aimed to include participants of prospective cohort studies with ≥200 participants, that have hip imaging data available from at least 2 time points at least 4 years apart. All individual participant data, including clinical data, imaging (data), biochemical markers, questionnaires and genetic data, were collected and pooled into a single, individual-level database.
World COACH currently consists of 9 cohorts, with 38 021 participants aged 18–80 years at baseline. Overall, 71% of the participants were women and mean baseline age was 65.3±8.6 years. Over 34 000 participants had baseline pelvic radiographs available, and over 22 000 had an additional pelvic radiograph after 8–12 years of follow-up. Even longer radiographic follow-up (15–25 years) is available for over 6000 of these participants.
The World COACH consortium offers unique opportunities for studies on the relationship between determinants/risk factors and the development or progression of hip OA, by using harmonised data on clinical findings, imaging, biomarkers, genetics and lifestyle. This provides a unique opportunity to develop a personalised hip OA risk prediction model and to optimise methods for imaging analysis of the hip.
Pre-eclampsia (PE) affects about 5% of Chinese pregnant women and is a major cause of maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality. The first trimester screening model developed by the Fetal Medicine Foundation, which uses the Bayes theorem to combine maternal characteristics and medical history together with measurements of biomarkers, has been proven to be effective and has superior screening performance to that of the traditional risk factor-based approach for the prediction of PE. Prophylactic use of low-dose aspirin in women at risk for PE has resulted in a lower incidence of preterm-PE. However, there is no consensus on the preferred aspirin dosage for the prevention of preterm-PE. Evidence has also suggested that metformin has the potential benefit in preventing PE in pregnant women who are at high risk of the disorder.
We present a protocol (V.2.0, date 17 March 2022) for the AVERT trial, which is a multicentre, double-blinded, 3-arm randomised controlled trial (RCT) that uses an effective PE screening programme to explore the optimal dosage of aspirin and the role of metformin for the prevention of PE among high-risk pregnant women in China. We intend to recruit 66 000 singleton pregnancies without treatment of low-dose aspirin and metformin at 11–13 weeks’ gestation and all eligible women attending for their first trimester routine scan will be invited to undergo screening for preterm-PE by the combination of maternal factors, mean arterial pressure and placental growth factor. Women found to be at high risk of developing preterm-PE will be invited to take part in the RCT. This study will compare the incidence of preterm-PE with delivery at
Ethical approval for the study was obtained from the Joint Chinese University of Hong Kong–New Territories East Cluster Clinical Research Ethics Committee (CREC Ref. No. 2021.406) in Hong Kong and the Ethics Committee of each participating hospital in Mainland China. The study is registered at ClinicalTrials.gov. The results of the AVERT trial will be disseminated at international academic conferences and published in high-impact factor journals.
In over 50 years since the genetic counseling (GC) profession began, a systematic study of GC communication skills and patient-reported outcomes in actual sessions across multiple clinical specialties has never been conducted. To optimize GC quality and improve efficiency of care, the field must first be able to comprehensively measure GC skills and determine which skills are most critical to achieving positive patient experiences and outcomes. This study aims to characterise GC communication skills using a novel and pragmatic measure and link variations in communication skills to patient-reported outcomes, across clinical specialties and with patients from diverse backgrounds in the USA. Our community-engagement and provider-engagement approach is crucial to develop recommendations for quality, culturally informed GC care, which are greatly needed to improve GC practice.
A mixed methods, sequential explanatory design will be used to collect and analyze: audio-recorded GC sessions in cancer, cardiac, and prenatal/reproductive genetic indications; pre-visit and post-visit quantitative surveys capturing patient experiences and outcomes and post-visit qualitative interview data. A novel, practical checklist will measure GC communication skills. Coincidence analysis will identify patterns of GC skills that are consistent with high scores on patient-reported measures. Two-level, multilevel models will be used to evaluate how GC communication skills and other session/patient characteristics predict patient-reported outcomes. Four community advisory boards (CABs) and a genetic counselor advisory board will inform the study design and analysis.
This study has been approved by the single Institutional Review Board of the University of Minnesota. This research poses no greater than minimal risk to participants. Results from this study will be shared through national and international conferences and through community-based dissemination as guided by the study’s CABs. A lay summary will also be disseminated to all participants.
Patients with congenital heart disease (CHD) have an increased cancer risk. The aim of this study was to determine cancer-related mortality in CHD patients compared with non-CHD controls, compare ages at cancer diagnosis and death, and explore the most fatal cancer diagnoses.
Registry-based cohort study.
CHD patients born between 1970 and 2017 were identified using Swedish Health Registers. Each was matched by birth year and sex with 10 non-CHD controls. Included were those born in Sweden with a cancer diagnosis.
Cancer developed in 758 out of 67814 CHD patients (1.1%), with 139 deaths (18.3%)—of which 41 deaths occurred in patients with genetic syndromes. Cancer was the cause of death in 71.9% of cases. Across all CHD patients, cancer accounted for 1.8% of deaths. Excluding patients with genetic syndromes and transplant recipients, mortality risk between CHD patients with cancer and controls showed no significant difference (adjusted HR 1.17; 95% CI 0.93 to 1.49). CHD patients had a lower median age at cancer diagnosis—13.0 years (IQR 2.9–30.0) in CHD versus 24.6 years (IQR 8.6–35.1) in controls. Median age at death was 15.1 years (IQR 3.6–30.7) in CHD patients versus 18.5 years (IQR 6.1–32.7) in controls. The top three fatal cancer diagnoses were ill-defined, secondary and unspecified, eye and central nervous system tumours and haematological malignancies.
Cancer-related deaths constituted 1.8% of all mortalities across all CHD patients. Among CHD patients with cancer, 18.3% died, with cancer being the cause in 71.9% of cases. Although CHD patients have an increased cancer risk, their mortality risk post-diagnosis does not significantly differ from non-CHD patients after adjustements and exclusion of patients with genetic syndromes and transplant recipients. However, CHD patients with genetic syndromes and concurrent cancer appear to be a vulnerable group.
A meta-analysis was conducted to comprehensively explore the effects of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) combined with negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) in treating patients with chronic wounds. Computer searches were conducted, from database infection to November 2023, in EMBASE, Google Scholar, Cochrane Library, PubMed, Wanfang and China National Knowledge Infrastructure databases for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on the use of PRP combined with NPWT technology for treating chronic wounds. Two researchers independently screened the literature, extracted data and conducted quality assessments according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Stata 17.0 software was employed for data analysis. Overall, 18 RCTs involving 1294 patients with chronic wounds were included. The analysis revealed that, compared with NPWT alone, the use of PRP combined with NPWT technology significantly improved the healing rate (odds ratios [OR] = 1.92, 95% confidence intervals [CIs]: 1.43–2.58, p < 0.001) and total effective rate (OR = 1.31, 95% CI: 1.23–1.39, p < 0.001), and also significantly shortened the healing time of the wound (standardized mean difference = −2.01, 95% CI: −2.58 to −1.45, p < 0.001). This study indicates that the treatment of chronic wounds with PRP combined with NPWT technology can significantly enhance clinical repair effectiveness and accelerate wound healing, with a high healing rate, and is worth further promotion and practice.
The accurate assessment of wound healing post-caesarean section, especially in twin pregnancies, remains a pivotal concern in obstetrics, given its implications for maternal health and recovery. Traditional methods, including conventional abdominal ultrasonography (CU), have been challenged by the advent of transvaginal ultrasonography (TU), offering potentially enhanced sensitivity and specificity. This meta-analysis directly compares the efficacy of TU and CU in evaluating wound healing and scar formation, crucial for optimizing postoperative care. Results indicate that TU is associated with significantly better outcomes in wound healing, demonstrated by lower REEDA scores (SMD = −20.56, 95% CI: [−27.34.20, −13.77], p < 0.01), and in scar formation reduction, evidenced by lower Manchester Scar Scale scores (SMD = −25.18, 95% CI: [−29.98, −20.39], p < 0.01). These findings underscore the potential of integrating TU into routine post-caesarean evaluation protocols to enhance care quality and patient recovery.
To make a descriptive comparison of antibodies to four major periodontal bacteria and their relation to the respiratory diseases asthma and bronchitis/emphysema, and to cancer incidence.
The serum of a random sample of men with no history of cancer incidence (n=621) was analysed by the ELISA method for antibody levels of four periodontal bacteria; the anaerobes of the so-called red complex Tannerella forsythia (TF), Porphyromonas gingivalis (PG), and Treponema denticola (TD), and the facultative anaerobe Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans (AA). The antibody readings were divided into quartiles and the distribution of cases of the relevant diseases as compared with the non-cases. Comparisons of the quartile distributions were by the Pearson 2 test. Data and serum from the Oslo II study of Norwegian men from 2000 were used. The ELISA analyses were performed on thawed frozen serum. Cancer data from 17.5 years of follow-up were provided by the Norwegian Cancer Registry.
In all, 52 men had reported asthma and 23 men had bronchitis/emphysema at the health screening. Results on cancer incidence are given for all respiratory cancers, n=23, and bronchi and lung cancers separately, n=18. Stratified analyses were performed for the four endpoints showing significant association with low levels of TD antibodies for bronchitis; p=0.035. Both TF and TD were significant for low levels of antibodies among daily smokers; p=0.030 for TF and p
A low level of TD was associated with bronchitis/emphysema compared with the rest of the cohort. In the total study sample, low levels of antibodies to both TF and TD were associated with daily smoking.
Chronic wounds, characterized by prolonged healing processes, pose a significant medical challenge with multifaceted aetiologies, including local and systemic factors. Here, it explores the complex pathogenesis of chronic wounds, emphasizing the disruption in the normal phases of wound healing, particularly the inflammatory phase, leading to an imbalance in extracellular matrix (ECM) dynamics and persistent inflammation. Senescent cell populations further contribute to impaired wound healing in chronic lesions. Traditional medical management focuses on addressing underlying causes, but many chronic wounds resist to conventional treatments, necessitating innovative approaches. Recent attention has turned to autologous orthobiologics, such as platelet-rich plasma (PRP), platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) and mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), as potential regenerative interventions. These biologically derived materials, including bone marrow aspirate/concentrate (BMA/BMAC) and adipose tissue-derived stem cells (ADSCs), exhibit promising cytokine content and regenerative potential. MSCs, in particular, have emerged as key players in wound healing, influencing inflammation and promoting tissue regeneration. This paper reviews relevant scientific literature regarding basic science and brings real-world evidence regarding the use of orthobiologics in the treatment of chronic wounds, irrespective of aetiology. The discussion highlights the regenerative properties of PRP, PRF, BMA, BMAC and SVF, showcasing their potential to enhance wound healing. Despite advancements, further research is essential to elucidate the specific roles of each orthobiologic and determine optimal applications for different wound types. The conclusion underscores the evolving landscape in chronic wound management, with a call for more comprehensive studies to refine treatment strategies and maximize the benefits of regenerative medicine.
The triglyceride glucose (TyG) index has been confirmed a predictive value for type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). However, no research has yet confirmed whether there is a linear correlation between the TyG index and MACCEs in DFUs. The present study aimed to delve into the association between the TyG index and the risk of MACCEs in patients with DFUs. A total of 960 inpatients with DFUs were recruited. All participants were followed up every 6 months for 11 years with a median of 83 months. According to the cut-off value of the TyG index acquired from receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis, the subjects were divided into two groups: low-level (<9.12, n = 480) and high-level (≥9.12, n = 480). The relationship between the TyG index and MACCEs was evaluated by the multivariable Cox regression model, restricted cubic spline (RCS) model, stratified analysis and the Kaplan–Meier survival analysis. Out of 960 participants, 271 experienced MACCEs (28.22%), of whom 79 (29.15%) died. ROC analysis got the optimal TyG index cut-off value of 9.12. Multivariable Cox regression analysis combined with the RCS model showed that the TyG index was positively associated with MACCEs in an S-shaped non-linear dose-dependent manner within the range of TyG index 7.5–9.5 (p < 0.001). The Kaplan–Meier survival analysis indicated the higher the TyG index, the greater the cumulative incidence of MACCEs (log-rank, p < 0.001). The study first confirmed an S-shaped non-linear dose-dependent positive relationship between the TyG index and the risk of MACCEs in DFUs. Consequently, lowering the TyG index level aids in improving the prognosis of patients with DFUs.
Early identification and intervention of the frailty of the elderly will help lighten the burden of social medical care and improve the quality of life of the elderly. Therefore, we used machine learning (ML) algorithm to develop models to predict frailty risk in the elderly.
A prospective cohort study.
We collected data on 6997 elderly people from Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Study wave 6–7 surveys (2011–2012, 2014). After the baseline survey in 1998 (wave 1), the project conducted follow-up surveys (wave 2–8) in 2000–2018. The osteoporotic fractures index was used to assess frailty. Four ML algorithms (random forest [RF], support vector machine, XGBoost and logistic regression [LR]) were used to develop models to identify the risk factors of frailty and predict the risk of frailty. Different ML models were used for the prediction of frailty risk in the elderly and frailty risk was trained on a cohort of 4385 elderly people with frailty (split into a training cohort [75%] and internal validation cohort [25%]). The best-performing model for each study outcome was tested in an external validation cohort of 6997 elderly people with frailty pooled from the surveys (wave 6–7). Model performance was assessed by receiver operating curve and F2-score.
Among the four ML models, the F2-score values were similar (0.91 vs. 0.91 vs. 0.88 vs. 0.90), and the area under the curve (AUC) values of RF model was the highest (0.75), followed by LR model (0.74). In the final two models, the AUC values of RF and LR model were similar (0.77 vs. 0.76) and their accuracy was identical (87.4% vs. 87.4%).
Our study developed a preliminary prediction model based on two different ML approaches to help predict frailty risk in the elderly.
The presented models from this study can be used to inform healthcare providers to predict the frailty probability among older adults and maybe help guide the development of effective frailty risk management interventions.
Detecting frailty at an early stage and implementing timely targeted interventions may help to improve the allocation of health care resources and to reduce frailty-related burden. Identifying risk factors for frailty could be beneficial to provide tailored and personalized care intervention for older adults to more accurately prevent or improve their frail conditions so as to improve their quality of life.
The study has adhered to STROBE guidelines.
No patient or public contribution.
To examine family planning through the community’s perception, belief system and cultural impact; in addition to identifying the determining factors for family planning uptake.
A descriptive exploratory study.
Three communities were selected from three local government areas, each in the three senatorial districts in Ekiti State.
The study was conducted among young unmarried women in the reproductive age group who were sexually active as well as married men and women in the reproductive age group who are currently living with their partners and were sexually active.
Eight focus group discussions were conducted in the community in 2019 with 28 male and 50 female participants. The audio recordings were transcribed, triangulated with notes and analysed using QSR NVivo V.8 software. Community perception, beliefs and perceptions of the utility of family planning, as well as cultural, religious and other factors determining family planning uptake were analysed.
The majority of the participants had the perception that family planning helps married couple only. There were diverse beliefs about family planning and mixed reactions with respect to the impact of culture and religion on family planning uptake. Furthermore, a number of factors were identified in determining family planning uptake—intrapersonal, interpersonal and health system factors.
The study concluded that there are varied reactions to family planning uptake due to varied perception, cultural and religious beliefs and determining factors. It was recommended that more targeted male partner engagement in campaign would boost family planning uptake.
by Longgang Zhao, Yuan Wang, Eric Mishio Bawa, Zichun Meng, Jingkai Wei, Sarah Newman-Norlund, Tushar Trivedi, Hatice Hasturk, Roger D. Newman-Norlund, Julius Fridriksson, Anwar T. Merchant
BackgroundCognitive impairment has multiple risk factors spanning several domains, but few studies have evaluated risk factor clusters. We aimed to identify naturally occurring clusters of risk factors of poor cognition among middle-aged and older adults and evaluate associations between measures of cognition and these risk factor clusters.
MethodsWe used data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) III (training dataset, n = 4074) and the NHANES 2011–2014 (validation dataset, n = 2510). Risk factors were selected based on the literature. We used both traditional logistic models and support vector machine methods to construct a composite score of risk factor clusters. We evaluated associations between the risk score and cognitive performance using the logistic model by estimating odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI).
ResultsUsing the training dataset, we developed a composite risk score that predicted undiagnosed cognitive decline based on ten selected predictive risk factors including age, waist circumference, healthy eating index, race, education, income, physical activity, diabetes, hypercholesterolemia, and annual visit to dentist. The risk score was significantly associated with poor cognitive performance both in the training dataset (OR Tertile 3 verse tertile 1 = 8.15, 95% CI: 5.36–12.4) and validation dataset (OR Tertile 3 verse tertile 1 = 4.31, 95% CI: 2.62–7.08). The area under the receiver operating characteristics curve for the predictive model was 0.74 and 0.77 for crude model and model adjusted for age, sex, and race.
ConclusionThe model based on selected risk factors may be used to identify high risk individuals with cognitive impairment.
As an integral part of emergency medical rescue teams during public health events, understanding the core competencies that nursing personnel should possess—including theoretical knowledge, practical skills, comprehensive abilities and personal traits—can provide a practical basis for better preparation and targeted training for future emergency rescue works. Thus, this study aims to provide a scientific and applicable reference for perfecting the routine training strategy of nursing personnel assembled by emergency medical rescue teams and improving the overall guarantee ability level of this group.
This is a qualitative study conducted using individual semi-structured interviews. All interviews were recorded and transcribed verbatim for the purpose of thematic analysis and extraction.
Participants were recruited from February to March 2023, from four comprehensive hospitals in Chongqing China with the highest number of emergency relief works.
A sample of experts (N=15) with extensive experience in emergency relief works was recruited in Chongqing, China.
60% of the experts held master’s degrees or higher, 73.3% held senior or higher titles, 36.7% had participated in work execution more than five times and 73.3% held leadership positions in their current units and in the execution of emergency relief works. Four main themes and 22 corresponding subthemes were derived for the core competencies required for nursing personnel selected for emergency medical rescue teams in public health events, including theoretical knowledge, practical skills, comprehensive abilities and personal traits.
Our study revealed that through interviews with 15 experts with extensive experience in the public health event, the essential elements of core competencies for nursing personnel assigned to emergency medical rescue teams during the public health event were identified. These can serve as a reference standard for the selection of nursing personnel in public health events, and provide a basis for the cultivation and evaluation of competency for nursing personnel assigned to emergency medical rescue teams in the public health event in China and globally.
This study aimed to understand how staff in children’s hospitals view their responsibility to reduce health inequalities for the children and young people who access their services.
We conducted an exploratory qualitative study.
The study took place at nine children’s hospitals in England.
217 members of staff contributed via interviews and focus groups conducted January–June 2023. Staff were represented at all levels of the organisations, and all staff who volunteered to contribute were included in the study.
Data were analysed using Rapid Research Evaluation and Appraisal (RREAL) methodology for rapid assessment procedures (RAP).
All of the children’s hospitals were taking some action to reduce health inequalities. Two key themes were identified. First, it was clear that reducing health inequalities was seen as something that was of vital import and should be part of staff’s day-to-day activity, framed as ‘everyone’s business.’ Many staff felt that there was an obligation to intervene to ensure that children and young people receiving hospital treatment were not further disadvantaged by, for example, food poverty. Second, however, the deeply entrenched and intersectional nature of health inequalities sometimes meant that these inequalities were complex to tackle, with no clear impetus to specific actions, and could be framed as ‘no-one’s responsibility’. Within a complex health and social care system, there were many potential actors who could take responsibility for reducing health inequalities, and staff often questioned whether it was the role of a children’s hospital to lead these initiatives.
Broadly speaking, senior leaders were clear about their organisational role in reducing health inequalities where they impacted on access and quality of care, but there was some uncertainty about the perceived boundaries of responsibility. This led to fragility in the sustainability of activity, and a lack of joined-up intervention. Most hospitals were forging ahead with activity, considering that it was more important to work to overcome health inequalities rather than debate whose job it was.
Objetivo: evaluar cualitativamente la experiencia de pacientes con esclerosis múltiple (PEM) y cuidadores familiares (CFPEM) vinculados al programa de esclerosis múltiple del Hospital Universitario Nacional de Colombia (PrEM-HUNC), durante la formación y consolidación de una comunidad compasiva (CC), para la inclusión social y promoción de calidad de vida. Materiales y Método: estudio cualitativo interpretativo, con entrevistas a profundidad a nueve colaboradores. Con el método de análisis de espiral de Creswell y Poth, emergieron cuatro categorías y un tema. Resultados: el tema “Un nido comunitario de crecimiento y transformación” señala el proceso de conformación de la CC como una experiencia que posibilitó cambios de significados en torno a la enfermedad, la situación personal y familiar; revela un proceso de descubrimiento y aprendizaje de conformación de diferentes relaciones y roles. Conclusiones: La CC es una opción para construcción de redes de apoyo, fortalecimiento de las capacidades personales y familiares, una forma para hacer frente a los diferentes impactos y retos que implica vivir con esclerosis múltiple, se constituye en una alternativa para la promoción de la calidad de vida y la inclusión social.
El presente trabajo tiene como objetivo, caracterizar la violencia en pareja en personas con seropositividad (prevalencia, tipos de acciones violentas, variables de riesgo/ protectoras y consecuencias), para lo cual se realizó una revisión sistemática a través del protocolo PRISMA. La búsqueda de artículos se realizó en Scopus, Web of Science, Eric, Scielo y Pubmed publicados hasta 2021. Se encontraron 113 artículos, de los cuales 22 cumplieron con los criterios de elegibilidad. Los resultados indican que la violencia en pareja en personas seropositivas, además de manifestarse de manera física, psicológica, patrimonial, sexual y verbal, se puede presentar a través del uso del VIH para ejercer la violencia. La prevalencia varía en función del contexto geográfico en un intervalo del 19,6% al 43,1%; la cual es superior en población migrante y en hombres que tienen sexo con hombres (HSH) mujeres seropositivas, parejas no heterosexuales y en parejas en la que ambos miembros son seropositivos. Las variables de riesgo/protectoras identificadas se asociaron con las dimensiones: informativas, motivacionales, de habilidades conductuales, sociodemográficas, culturales, de salud, sociofamiliares y políticas. Asimismo, se evidenciaron consecuencias sociales, económicas y de salud.
FreshRSS 