To analyse the influence of the COVID-19 pandemic and the perception of self-efficacy on the health professionals of the Spanish out-of-hospital emergency services.
Observational, cross-sectional and descriptive with a survey methodology of 1710 participants from Spain (1 February–30 April, 2021).
The mental health of healthcare workers was assesed in terms of stress, anxiety and depression, as well as their self-efficacy. Linear and logistic regression models were fitted to predict these variables. A moderation analysis was conducted to determine the effect of self-efficacy on mental health.
The means of the sample for stress, anxiety, depression and self-efficacy were 20.60, 15.74, 13.07 and 70.87, respectively. In the regression models, being a woman was the most significant factor for severe mental health impairment. Female gender was also a relevant factor for self-efficacy. Self-efficacy had a direct effect on the mental health for working in patient care.
Healthcare workers showed moderate stress, severe anxiety, mild depression and good self-efficacy. Direct patient care was associated with more stress and severe anxiety. Age, female gender, job changes and job adjustment were associated with levels of stress, anxiety and depression. Self-efficacy is a determining factor of mental health in the direct care modality.
The mental health of healthcare workers has been of great importance in the aftermath of the pandemic, but out-of-hospital emergency workers have been neglected in research. The levels of stress, anxiety and depression during the pandemic justify the creation of prevention and early diagnosis programmes, as they are essential in a health disaster. Surprisingly, their high level of perceived self-efficacy directly impact on the mental health of patient helthcare workers, so improving it will reduce the psychological risk.
We have followed the STROBE guidelines. It has been partially funded by the Asistencia Sanitanitaria Interprovincial de Seguros - ASISA Foundation (Spain).
‘No patient or public involvement’.
by Claudia Yahalom, Ana Navarrete, Atara Juster, Ayan Galbinur, Anat Blumenfeld, Karen Hendler
PurposeTo determine if visual maturation continues beyond the first decade of life in children with albinism and whether this is related to albinism type, presence of nystagmus, eye muscle surgery or refractive errors.
DesignCase series based on retrospective study of children with confirmed genetic diagnosis of albinism.
MethodsClinical data were obtained from medical files of children examined during school years, including albinism type, visual acuity, eye muscle surgery, nystagmus, and others on different visits (Visit 1: ages 7–9; Visit 2: ages: 10–12; Visit 3: ages 13–16; Visit 4: ages >16).
ResultsSeventy-five children with albinism were included in the study. Patients were divided into different groups according to the albinism type including OCA1A: 17; OCA1B: 28; OCA2: 26; HPS: 3; OCA4: 1. Follow-up ranged from 3–13 years. Progressive visual acuity improvement was seen in all three main groups. T-test paired samples showed a statistically significant improvement when comparing vision from Visit 1 and Visit 3 in both OCA1A and OCA2 groups, with a mean vision improvement of 2 lines. There was no correlation between visual improvement and refractive error, eye muscle surgery or nystagmus.
ConclusionAn improved visual performance was seen in a large percentage of children with albinism during the second decade of life. The reason for this late improvement in vision is not clear but may be related to late foveal maturation or improvement in nystagmus with time. This information is useful for clinicians of these patients and when counseling parents.
by Nandana D. Rao, Rozenn N. Lemaitre, Colleen M. Sitlani, Jason G. Umans, Karin Haack, Veronica Handeland, Ana Navas-Acien, Shelley A. Cole, Lyle G. Best, Amanda M. Fretts
ObjectivesTo examine the associations of dietary Mg intake with inflammatory biomarkers (C-reactive protein (CRP) and interleukin 6 (IL-6)), and the interaction of dietary Mg intake with single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) rs3740393, a SNP related to Mg metabolism and transport, on CRP and IL-6 among American Indians (AIs).
MethodsThis cross-sectional study included AI participants (n = 1,924) from the Strong Heart Family Study (SHFS). Mg intake from foods and dietary supplements was ascertained using a 119-item Block food frequency questionnaire, CRP and IL-6 were measured from blood, and SNP rs3740393 was genotyped using MetaboChip. Generalized estimating equations were used to examine associations of Mg intake, and the interaction between rs3740393 and dietary Mg, with CRP and IL-6.
ResultsReported Mg intake was not associated with CRP or IL-6, irrespective of genotype. A significant interaction (p-interaction = 0.018) was observed between Mg intake and rs3740393 on IL-6. Among participants with the C/C genotype, for every 1 SD higher in log-Mg, log-IL-6 was 0.04 (95% CI: -0.10 to 0.17) pg/mL higher. Among participants with the C/G genotype, for every 1 SD higher in log-Mg, log-IL-6 was 0.08 (95% CI: -0.21 to 0.05) pg/mL lower, and among participants with the G/G genotype, for every 1 SD higher in log-Mg, log-IL-6 was 0.19 (95% CI: -0.38 to -0.01) pg/mL lower.
ConclusionsMg intake may be associated with lower IL-6 with increasing dosage of the G allele at rs3740393. Future research is necessary to replicate this finding and examine other Mg-related genes that influence associations of Mg intake with inflammation.
The present study aimed to develop the Risk Perception Scale of Disease Aggravation for older patients with non-communicable diseases and evaluate its psychometric properties.
Instrument development and cross-sectional validation study were conducted.
This study contained four phases. In phase I, a systematic literature review was conducted to identify the conception of disease aggravation and risk perception. In phase II, a draft scale was formulated from face-to-face semi-structured in-depth interviews by Colaizzi's seven-step qualitative analysis method and group discussions among the researchers. In phase III, domains and items of the scale were revised in accordance with the suggestions from Delphi consultation and patient feedback. In phase IV, psychometric properties were evaluated.
Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses determined four structural factors. Convergent and discriminant validities were acceptable because the average variance extracted coefficients ranged from .622 to .725, and the square roots of the average variance extracted coefficients for the four domains were larger than those of bivariate correlations between domains. The scale also exhibited excellent internal consistency and test–retest reliability (Cronbach's alpha coefficient = .973, intraclass correlation coefficient = .840).
Risk Perception Scale of Disease Aggravation is a new instrument that measures the risk perception of disease aggravation for older patients with non-communicable diseases, including possible reason, serious outcome, behaviour control and affection experience. The scale contains 40 items that are scored on a 5-point Likert scale, and it has acceptable validity and reliability.
The scale is applied to identify different levels of risk perception of disease aggravation for older patients with non-communicable diseases. Clinical nurses can provide targeted interventions to improve older patients' risk perception of disease aggravation based on levels of risk perception during hospitalization and the period before discharge.
Experts provided suggestions for revising the scale dimensions and items. Older patients participated in the scale revision process to improve the wording of the scale.
by Abarna Nadeshkumar, Gitanjali Sathiadas, Shalini Sri Ranganathan
IntroductionOral liquid dosage forms remain popular in several middle income countries. The accuracy of liquid dosage form dosing depends on the accuracy and availability of measuring devices. Lack of quality oral liquid measuring devices will lead to medication errors. Hence there is an urgent need to describe the quality of manufacturer supplied measuring devices enclosed with paediatric oral liquid dosage forms currently registered in Sri Lanka.
MethodologyStandards for measuring devices were developed after a detailed literature search. Multidisciplinary panel rated each standard for the necessity criteria on a 9 point Likert scale. Standards with overall panel median score of ≥ 7 with agreement were selected. A cross-sectional study was done. All the measuring devices, labels and instructions enclosed with the registered products were assessed against the standards developed. Three volumes of liquid antibacterials were measured using the enclosed measuring device. Accuracy of the volumes was measured.
ResultsOf the total products (n = 202) only 126 were packed with a dosing device. Around quarter of the oral liquid dosage forms (n = 36) did not have a measuring device. More than half of the measuring devices aligned with all the standards developed. Out of 44 oral liquid paediatric antimicrobials measuring cups (n = 25, 56.8%, 95% CI: 41%-72%) were enclosed more and less error was seen with measuring cups.
ConclusionThe quality of oral liquid measuring devices were not satisfactory. Quality could be further improved if the regulatory body request the manufactures/importers to adhere to the standards developed. Correct volumes were not measured using the measuring devices provided with the liquid antimicrobial agents
Objetivo: Estimar la relación entre la autorregulación del peso con la actividad física y hábitos de alimentación en adolescentes. Material y métodos: Estudio descriptivo, correlacional y trasversal. Muestra de 470 participantes. Muestreo no probabilístico por conveniencia. Se empleó la cédula de datos sociodemográficos y clínicos; Inventario de Autorregulación del peso y cuestionario Health Behaviour in School-aged Children-HBSC. Se utilizó el Statistical Package for the Social Sciences para el análisis de resultados, estadística descriptiva e inferencial con el coeficiente de correlación Rho de Spearman. Resultados: La autorregulación del peso en la actividad física y en los hábitos alimentarios fue baja Ⱦ = 22.90 y Ⱦ = 20.41, respectivamente. El 74.3% de los adolescentes obtuvo un nivel bajo de actividad física y el 54.6% hábitos de alimentación regular. La autorregulación del peso en los hábitos alimentarios mostró correlación positiva con la actividad física (rs = .35, p < .01) y hábitos de alimentación (rs = .22, p < .01). Discusión: La autorregulación del peso en los hábitos alimentarios se relacionó positivamente con la actividad física global y los hábitos de alimentación. Aunque, el adolescente tenga autorregulación del peso, pueden presentarse barreras que impiden el cumplimiento en la frecuencia e intensidad de la actividad física, como, falta de tiempo, ausencia de práctica de algún deporte, ambiente e instalaciones inapropiadas para realizar la actividad física.
ABSTRACT
Objective: Estimate the relationship between self-regulation of weight with physical activity and eating habits in adolescents with normal weight and overweight. Methodology: Descriptive, correlational and cross-sectional study. Sample of 470 participants. Non-probabilistic sampling for convenience. The sociodemographic and clinical data card was used; Weight Self-Regulation Inventory and Health Behavior in School-aged Children-HBSC questionnaire. The Statistical Package for the Social Sciences was used for the analysis of results, descriptive and inferential statistics with Spearman's correlation coefficient. Results: Weight self-regulation in physical activity and eating habits was low Ⱦ = 22.90 and Ⱦ = 20.41, respectively. 74.3% of adolescents obtained a low level of physical activity and 54.6% regular eating habits. Weight self-regulation in eating habits showed a positive correlation with physical activity (rs = .35, p < .01) and eating habits (rs = .22, p < .01). Discussion: Weight self-regulation in eating habits was positively related to global physical activity and eating habits. Although the adolescent has self-regulation of weight, there may be barriers that prevent compliance in the frequency and intensity of physical activity, such as lack of time, absence of practice of any sport, environment and inappropriate facilities to perform physical activity.