Category: Statistics

Health Soc Care Community. 2021 Apr 24. doi: 10.1111/hsc.13402. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Distress secondary to the COVID-19 pandemic has been substantial, especially in vulnerable Latinx communities who are carrying an undue share of the pandemic-related social, health and economic burden in the United States. In collaboration with 43 community health workers (CHWs) and Promotor/as serving the needs of underserved Latinx communities in South Texas and guided by principles of community-based participatory research (CBPR), the purpose of this study was to identify relevant mental health stressors and related consequences, and to identify strategies for coping with distress among underserved Latinx communities during the COVID-19 pandemic. Data were collected on July 2020 using mixed methods to obtain more in-depth information. Surveys were administered, and three focus groups were conducted. Quantitative data were analysed using descriptive statistics, whereas qualitative data were analysed systematically by starting with a priori questions and themes followed by data categorisation, reduction, display and conclusion drawing. Results showed six themes related to mental health stressors including economics (e.g., job insecurity), immigration (e.g., undocumented status), misinformation, family stress (e.g., changes in family dynamics and the home environment), health (e.g., limited healthcare access) and social isolation. Coping skills of the community were categorised into four themes with multiple codes including behavioural strategies (e.g., identifying reliable information), cognitive strategies (e.g., collectivistic thinking), social support and spirituality. Findings indicate that underserved Latinx communities are dealing with substantial distress and mental health concerns secondary to the COVID-19 pandemic; yet these are resilient communities. Implications of these findings can inform development of resources, interventions, best practices and training avenues to address the mental health needs of underserved Latinx communities, while considering relevant cultural and contextual factors that may influence their effectiveness.

PMID:33894080 | DOI:10.1111/hsc.13402

Health Soc Care Community. 2021 Apr 24. doi: 10.1111/hsc.13398. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Falls impose substantial health and economic burdens on older adults. Over half of falls in older adults occur at home, with many involving bathroom areas. Limited information is available on the presence of bathroom modifications for those who experience them. Therefore, we examined factors associated with bathroom modifications among older adults with at least one fall in the United States. We analysed the nationally representative 2016 Medicare Current Beneficiary Survey Public Use File of Medicare beneficiaries aged ≥65 years with ≥1 fall (n = 2,404). A survey-weighted logistic model was used to examine associations between bathroom modifications and factors including socio-demographic characteristics, health-related conditions, and fear of falling. Among Medicare beneficiaries with ≥1 fall, 55.5% had bathroom modifications and 50.1% had repeated falls (≥2 falls). Approximately 40.2% of those with repeated falls had no bathroom modifications. In the adjusted model, non-Hispanic Blacks (odds ratio [OR] = 0.38; p < 0.001) and Hispanics (OR = 0.64; p = 0.039) had lower odds of having bathroom modifications than non-Hispanic Whites. Fear of falling and activities of daily living limitations had incremental impacts on having bathroom modifications. This study highlights the need to improve disparities in bathroom modifications for non-Hispanic Black and Hispanic Medicare beneficiaries, including those with repeated falls. With the aging population and growing number of older minorities in the United States, reducing these disparities is vital for fall prevention efforts and aging-in-place.

PMID:33894087 | DOI:10.1111/hsc.13398

Int Nurs Rev. 2021 Apr 24. doi: 10.1111/inr.12679. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

AIM: To identify the factors affecting fear, anxiety and depressive symptoms among frontline nurses working with COVID-19 patients or are in charge of COVID-19 screening in Korea.

BACKGROUND: Nurses are at a higher risk of COVID-19 infection because they are in closer, longer-duration contact with patients. These situations can negatively affect the mental health of nurses.

METHODS: This study analysed data from COVID-19 module in the Korean Nurses’ Health Study. Data from 906 participants were analysed. To identify the factors influencing mental health, descriptive statistics, Pearson’s correlation and hierarchical multiple regression analyses were performed.

RESULTS: Caring for patients who are COVID-19-positive increased levels of fear, anxiety and depressive symptoms of nurses. The hospital safety climate influenced mental well-being among nurses.

CONCLUSION: Caring for patients with COVID-19 had a negative impact on fear, anxiety and depressive symptoms. However, the higher was the perceived hospital safety climate, the lower were the nurses’ psychological symptoms. Further research on the mental health of nurses is warranted.

IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING AND HEALTH POLICY: Institutions should manage human resources to enable periodic rotation of nurses’ work and working periods related to COVID-19. In addition, hospital managers should provide sufficient personal protective equipment, related education, and safety climate.

PMID:33894067 | DOI:10.1111/inr.12679

J Viral Hepat. 2021 Apr 24. doi: 10.1111/jvh.13519. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Some studies have exposed an increase in liver cirrhosis in hepatitis E seropositive individuals living with human immunodeficiency virus. The interrelation between HEV seroprevalence and risk of liver disease in immune-competent individuals remains under-investigated. Using the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) data containing >30.000 subjects we addressed if HEV exposure leads to subclinical effects that can influence liver health. We determined the association between HEV IgM and ALT and that of HEV IgG and Fib-4 – a composite score reflecting potential liver fibrosis. These analyses were repeated in populations at risk for liver disease as well as among different races and ethnicities. The prevalence of HEV IgG was significantly associated with age as IgG positive individuals were, on average, 20 years older than IgG negative patients. We found a statistically significant increase in the likelihood of having a Fib-4 score >1.45 (significant fibrosis) in those positive for HEV IgG (RR: 1.03; 95% CI: 1.01 – 1.05). However, due to the small effect, it is unlikely that this association has clinical significance. Moreover, the effect was not present in those with pre-existing liver disease. We found no association between ALT levels and the presence of HEV IgM or IgG.This is the first study examining subclinical effects of HEV infection in the United States. Our study found that in the general U.S. population, predominantly asymptomatic HEV infections do not contribute to the overall burden of liver disease.

PMID:33894038 | DOI:10.1111/jvh.13519

Pediatr Blood Cancer. 2021 Apr 24:e29080. doi: 10.1002/pbc.29080. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Treatment for pediatric cancer generates costs that place sizeable demands on family finances relative to household income. Little is known about whether children sense that their cancer has created financial problems for the family. The study purpose was to describe parents’ perceptions about whether their child sensed that pediatric cancer created financial problems for their family.

PROCEDURE: Family Communications Theory informed our study. We used descriptive statistics and content analysis to examine parents’ (n = 417) responses to questions about the child’s sense of pediatric cancer-related financial problems from a larger survey study.

RESULTS: Approximately 56.2% of parents indicated that their child had no sense of the pediatric cancer-related financial problems and 44.1% indicated their child had some. Proportions of children perceived to sense these financial problems steadily increased with age grouping, while proportions perceived to have none declined. With content analysis, we identified cognitive capacity as the key child factor influencing children’s sense of these problems. Influential context factors included social norms, observed changes in family routines and spending patterns, and overheard conversations between adults. Child psychological outcomes included guilt, anxiety about money, and feelings of being a burden.

CONCLUSION: Pediatric oncology professionals and staff should be mindful of parent preferences about burdening children with sensitive financial information, and modify their behaviors and processes accordingly. They can also provide anticipatory guidance and psycho-education about psychological responses related to the effects of pediatric cancer on family finances and the role of cognitive development in the evolution of children’s awareness of those effects.

PMID:33894050 | DOI:10.1002/pbc.29080

Laryngoscope. 2021 Apr 24. doi: 10.1002/lary.29585. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to add to the body of evidence for efficacy of Superior Laryngeal Nerve (SLN) blocks for treatment of neurogenic cough. Efficacy at short- and long-term intervals are presented as well as relationships with laryngoscopic findings.

METHODS: A retrospective chart review of patients treated with SLN block between 2018 and 2020 was conducted. Patient demographics, videostroboscopic findings, and patient-subjective perception of outcomes were recorded and analyzed. Cough Severity Index (CSI) scores from pre-injection, short-term follow-up, and long-term follow-up were compared.

RESULTS: Twenty patients underwent SLN block in the clinic setting. Four patients were excluded for incomplete records. The indication was neurogenic cough refractory to medical management and/or cough suppression therapy. Patients with short-term follow-up (n = 13) had statistically significant decrease in CSI scores, with a mean baseline CSI of 24.3 decreasing to 16.15 (P = .006). Patients with evidence of Vocal Fold Motion/Vibratory Abnormalities (VFA) (n = 8) showed improvement in short-term CSI scores, with a mean baseline CSI of 24.13 decreasing to 14.5 (P = .004). Those without evidence of VFA did not have statistically significant improvement in short-term CSI scores. At long-term follow-up, patients with VFA had improvements that approached statistical significance with a mean baseline CSI of 22.56 decreasing to 14.56 (P = .057), while patients without VFA showed no improvement.

CONCLUSIONS: Our results are consistent with previous literature indicating efficacy of SLN block. The presence of VFA may be an indicator of patients who experience increased therapeutic effect.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 4 Laryngoscope, 2021.

PMID:33894012 | DOI:10.1002/lary.29585

Biochem Mol Biol Educ. 2021 Apr 24. doi: 10.1002/bmb.21523. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

In the past 5 years, the MOOC-based teaching method has been extensively applied as an experimental educational method in medical education in China. However, the effects of this teaching method on medical education are still controversial and ambiguous. To assess the effectiveness of the MOOC-based teaching method in medical education in China, we conducted the meta-analysis. Literature search was performed through the PubMed, Embase, Web of Knowledge and CNKI databases through March 3, 2020. Studies evaluating the effectiveness of the MOOC-based teaching method in medical education in China were included in our meta-analysis. All data were pooled using a fixed- or random-effect model based on a heterogeneity test. Hedges’ g was calculated to evaluate the effectiveness of the MOOC-based teaching method on the final exam knowledge scores of participants. Subgroup analyses were also carried out. There were 27 studies (25 records) identified in our meta-analysis. The final exam knowledge scores of participants were statistically higher in the MOOC group compared with the controls in medical courses in China (Hedges’ g = 1.080, 95%CI 0.592-1.567, p < 0.001). Obvious heterogeneity across studies was found in the study. Further analysis demonstrated that a significant difference in favor of the MOOC-based teaching method compared with the traditional teaching method in medical students and doctors. The MOOC-based teaching method may be applicable to medical education in China, strengthening the roles of MOOCs in medical education.

PMID:33894023 | DOI:10.1002/bmb.21523

Int J Clin Pract. 2021 Apr 24:e14269. doi: 10.1111/ijcp.14269. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

AIMS: To assess the effect of oral anticoagulant (OAC) administration on incidence of dementia in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) with Systematic review and meta-analysis.

METHODS: We systematically searched the electronic databases including Pubmed, Embase, Cochrane library, and ClinicalTrails.gov for relevant articles. The primary outcome was the incidence of dementia. The adjusted risk ratio (RR), odds ratio, or hazard ratio were extracted and pooled by the random-effects models. Subgroup analysis was performed according to the setting observational window. Risk of bias was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale, while publication bias was assessed by the Begg’s and Egger’s tests.

RESULTS: Nine studies were included in this review (2 prospective and 7 retrospective observational studies, including 613,920 patients). The results presented the significant association between OAC therapy and the reduced risk of dementia compared with no treatment (RR [95%CI] =0.72 [0.60, 0.86], I² =97.2%; P =0.000). In the subgroup analysis with an observational window, the pooled RR became statistically non-significant (including four studies, RR [95%CI] =0.75 [0.51, 1.10], I² =98.8%; P =0.000). There is no significant risk of bias and publication bias.

CONCLUSIONS: This study indicated the protective effect of OAC therapy for dementia in patients with AF. However, the results are limited because of high heterogeneity, inconsistent direction of effect in subgroup analysis with an observational window. Further prospective well-designed study is needed with longer follow-up duration in younger patients.

PMID:33894031 | DOI:10.1111/ijcp.14269

Sci China Life Sci. 2021 Apr 20. doi: 10.1007/s11427-020-1896-x. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Evidence about the response patterns of fruit and vegetable consumption with the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and all-cause mortality was inconsistent. These associations were examined using a large-scale, population-based Chinese cohort comprising 100,728 participants. A food-frequency questionnaire was used to assess fruit and vegetable consumption. Outcomes were ascertained by interviewing individuals or their proxies and checking hospital records or death certificates. Cox proportional hazards regression was used to calculate hazard ratios (HRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). At the 736,668 person-years of follow-up, 3,677 CVD cases and 5,466 deaths were identified. The multivariable-adjusted HRs for CVD across increasing quartiles of total fruit and vegetable consumption were 1 (reference), 0.94 (95%CI=0.85-1.04), 0.89 (95%CI=0.80-0.98), and 0.85 (95% CI=0.11-0.95). Moreover, participants in the highest quartile displayed a 13% lower risk of all-cause mortality (HR=0.81; 95% CI=0.80-0.95). A nonlinear dose-response relation was found for CVD, without additional benefits beyond a consumption of 600 g d^-1, whereas the all-cause mortality risk decreased along with higher consumption, with a linear trend. These associations remained significant for fruit consumption but not for vegetable consumption. Our findings indicated that greater fruit and vegetable consumption was significantly associated with a lower risk of CVD and all cause mortality. Increasing fruit and vegetable consumption, especially fruit, in the general population would prevent CVD and premature mortality.

PMID:33893978 | DOI:10.1007/s11427-020-1896-x

Scand J Caring Sci. 2021 Apr 24. doi: 10.1111/scs.12987. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Care left undone is a worldwide problem for both the quality of health care and the safety of patients. In surgical nursing, care left undone is a critical issue arising from the intensive pace of work, invasive procedures and the pressure for efficiency. Previous knowledge about care left undone in surgical contexts is missing.

OBJECTIVE: To describe care left undone and its relationship to nursing and organisational characteristics in the surgical wards of regional and central hospitals in Estonia.

METHODS: A cross-sectional study with an online questionnaire took place from June to October of 2018. The target population (N = 570) consisted of nurses working in the surgical wards of two regional and three central hospitals at the time of the study. The data were analysed using descriptive statistics and Fisher’s exact test. The open-ended questions were analysed with deductive content analysis.

RESULTS: Nursing care in the surgical wards was reported as having been left undone sometimes or often by 88% of the nurses. Most often, the documentation and evaluation of care plans (33%) were reported as undone and most rarely, disinfection measures were left undone (5%). Nurses with a shorter employment history left care undone more frequently, and when the number of patients per nurse increased, the amount of care left undone increased as well. More than half of the participants (59%) considered work organisation to be the cause of care left undone.

CONCLUSIONS: Work organisation and staffing in surgical wards require more attention at the management level, as nursing care left undone occurred to a significant degree in the investigated wards, and more than half of the nurses considered work organisation to be the reason for care left undone.

PMID:33894008 | DOI:10.1111/scs.12987