Nevin Manimala

Sci Prog. 2021 Apr-Jun;104(2):368504211010604. doi: 10.1177/00368504211010604.

ABSTRACT

The outcomes of patient care are improved by adequate knowledge, practical skills, and positive attitude. Currently, there is a lack of data on medical research activities among resident doctors in Saudi Arabia. This study aimed to evaluate the perception, barriers, and research attitudes among various residency programs running in different cities of Saudi Arabia. A total of 434 surgical and medical residents participated in the current study. A cross-sectional study encompassing multiple training centers in the eastern province of Saudi. Convenient sampling technique was used to include all the working training residents. A self-administered questionnaire was formulated for data collection. Descriptive statistics were employed to analyze the data. The mean age of the residents with various specialties was 27.83 ± 2.41 years. Approximately 61.7% had participated in research, while 38.3% had never participated in any research. A total of 26% of junior and 44% of senior residents have one publication only. While 11% of junior and 9% of senior residents have three publications or more. Inadequate facilities for research, lack of baseline research skills, and personal commitments were the reasons which over 60% of respondents had agreed on. Institutional reasons: lack of professional supervisor support and lack of research curriculum in the training program was reported by 308 (71%) and 305(70.3%) residents, respectively. A lack of interest for research was prevailed more in males (19%) compared to females (14%) (OR 1.43, 95% CI: 0.86-2.38, p-value 0.17). A subset of residents had one or three publications, while some had none. A lack of baseline research skills and inadequate facilities for scientific explorations, time, and funds were the main constraints among training residents. However, several residents had a positive attitude toward research but fewer publications. Thus, training in medical research methodology should be obligatory in the residency curriculum in all specialties. Further research is needed.

PMID:33970049 | DOI:10.1177/00368504211010604

Afr J Prim Health Care Fam Med. 2021 Apr 30;13(1):e1-e7. doi: 10.4102/phcfm.v13i1.2677.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Solid waste dump sites have proven to have potentially high risk to human health as it serves as a source of air, soil and underground water pollution.

AIM: This study aimed to assess and compare the knowledge, respiratory disorders and skin disorders between residents living close to and far from landfill sites in Lagos State, Nigeria.

SETTING: Igando (a community within 5 km close to) and Badagry (a community beyond 5 km from) Solous Landfill sites in Lagos state, Nigeria.

METHODS: A comparative cross-sectional study amongst 103 respondents recruited from each of the two study sites by multistage sampling method was carried out. Data were collected using pretested, structured, interviewer-administered questionnaire, and analysed using Microsoft Excel 2007, EPI Info 7 and WinPepi statistical software packages. Student t-test, Fisher’s exact and Chi-square tests were carried out. The p ≤ 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

RESULTS: The mean age of Igando and Badagry respondents was 34.18 ± 10.21 years and 32.62 ± 9.84 years, respectively. The two communities differed significantly (p 0.0001) with respect to distance of workplace from landfill site and duration of stay in the residential location. The mean knowledge score of respondents on respiratory and skin disorders associated with solid waste dump site close to landfill sites (82.53 ± 20.60) was statistically significantly higher than those of respondents far from landfill sites (71.84 ± 20.57) (p = 0.0003). Respiratory and skin disorders experiences of respondents close to landfill sites were statistically significantly (p 0.0001) higher than those of residents far from landfill sites with respect to wheezing, frequent sneezing, unpleasant odour, fever and skin rashes.

CONCLUSION: Respiratory and skin disorders experienced by respondents close to landfill sites are higher than those of residents far from landfill sites. Landfill sites should not be located close to human settlements.

PMID:33970013 | DOI:10.4102/phcfm.v13i1.2677

Afr J Prim Health Care Fam Med. 2021 Apr 30;13(1):e1-e7. doi: 10.4102/phcfm.v13i1.2653.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Umbilical cord infection contributes significantly to neonatal mortality rate in sub-Saharan Africa. Studies have shown low knowledge of chlorhexidine (CHX) gel for umbilical cord management amongst mothers in low-resource settings, including Nigeria.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to assess the effectiveness of a supportive-educative nursing intervention programme on knowledge of CHX gel amongst mothers in Cross River State, Nigeria.

METHODS: A quasi-experimental study design was used, and study participants comprised 168 expectant mothers, who were purposely selected and assigned to randomised control and intervention groups. The instrument for data collection was a researcher-developed structured questionnaire. The data were analysed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 23 for descriptive and inferential statistics at significant level was set at p 0.05.

RESULTS: The result showed that at post-test the knowledge score of mothers on CHX gel improved significantly in the intervention group (t 77 = 24.394; p 0.05). The result showed no significant difference between mothers’ demographic variables and knowledge of CHX gel.

CONCLUSION: A supportive-educative nursing intervention programme could effectively improve knowledge of CHX gel for umbilical cord management amongst mothers. This underscores the need to improve mothers’ knowledge of CHX gel by healthcare personnel.

PMID:33970012 | DOI:10.4102/phcfm.v13i1.2653

Afr J Prim Health Care Fam Med. 2021 Apr 30;13(1):e1-e6. doi: 10.4102/phcfm.v13i1.2664.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of diabetes mellitus is increasing dramatically in developing countries, where diabetic patients usually present with poor glycaemic control, leading to complications and worsening the prognosis.

AIM: The aim of this study was to determine the extent of poor glycaemic control and its determinants in diabetic patients.

SETTING: The study was conducted in a rural area of the province of Kwilu, Democratic Republic of the Congo.

METHODS: This research comprised a cross-sectional study involving 300 Type 1 and 2 diabetic patients attending Vanga Evangelical Hospital in the Democratic Republic of the Congo from January 2018 to March 2018. Patients’ sociodemographic, clinical and biological characteristics, accessibility to the health structure and treatment were described. The determinants of poor glycaemic control were identified using multivariate logistic regression at the p 0.05 level of statistical significance.

RESULTS: The mean age of participants was 46.9 ± 16.3 years, 68.4% were men, and 62.3% had Type 2 diabetes mellitus. Poor glycaemic control was present in 78% of patients. The independent determinants of poor glycaemic control were tobacco use (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]: 2.01 [1.77-5.20], p = 0.015), the presence of comorbidities (aOR: 2.86 [1.95-6.65], p = 0.007), the presence of a factor contributing to hyperglycaemia (aOR: 2.74 [1.83-3.67], p = 0.014), missing scheduled appointments (aOR: 2.59 [1.94-7.13], p = 0.006) and non-adherence to treatment (aOR: 4.09 [1.35-6.39], p = 0.008).

CONCLUSION: This study shows that more than three-quarters of diabetics undergoing treatment are not controlled, with mainly patient-related factors as the main explanatory factors for this poor glycaemic control. Therefore, the establishment of a therapeutic education programme and wider integration of diabetes care services, mainly at the primary level of the healthcare pyramid, should contribute to improved diabetes treatment.

PMID:33970011 | DOI:10.4102/phcfm.v13i1.2664

Afr J Prim Health Care Fam Med. 2021 Apr 28;13(1):e1-e6. doi: 10.4102/phcfm.v13i1.2424.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Episiotomy was introduced into clinical practice without clear evidence of its benefits.The knowledge and understanding of episiotomy guidelines and practice by healthcare workers is substandard in our setting; hence, the injudicious use of this procedure have led to high rates.

AIM: To assess the knowledge, perception and practice of episiotomy by healthcare workers.

SETTING: Research was conducted in a Pietermaritzburg complex, South AfricaMethods: A questionnaire-based survey was conducted amongst healthcare workers regarding episiotomy practice. In addition to providing demographic data, the participants were requested to respond to 35 proposed statements regarding episiotomy practice. Data were analysed using SPSS (Statistical Package for the Social Sciences) software.

RESULTS: One hundred and forty-two midwives and 66 medical practitioners completed the questionnaires. There were variations in responses to several statements on episiotomy practice by medical practitioners and nurses based on their level of experience. This study found that the majority of HCWs did not have access to a protocol or policy on episiotomy practice in their units; furthermore, nor knowledge of the South African guidelines for maternity care on episiotomy practice. Significantly, more medical practitioners felt a need for more in-service training and an increase in the number of episiotomies performed under supervision. The commonly reported reason for performing an episiotomy by both medical practitioners and midwives was to reduce 3rd – 4th degree perineal tears.

CONCLUSION: Healthcare workers in our setting displayed poor knowledge about the practice of episiotomy and were not aware of existing national guidelines on episiotomy practice.

PMID:33970009 | DOI:10.4102/phcfm.v13i1.2424

J Agric Food Chem. 2021 May 10. doi: 10.1021/acs.jafc.1c00878. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

This work involved a systematic comparison between serum and urine for the monitoring of anabolic androgenic steroids in livestock. Incurred samples were collected over 120 days from crossbred steers treated with intramuscular injections containing boldenone undecylenate. Independent high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS) methods were used for the assessment of the respective detection windows, which were larger for serum samples. Both matrices presented adequate performance in terms of long-term stability, assessed using an isochronous approach during 196 days at -20 °C and for five freeze-thaw cycles. The effectiveness of the enzymatic hydrolysis reaction using Helix pomatia juice was also compared. The calculated concentrations in serum samples were not statistically influenced by the deconjugation reaction. On the other hand, urine hydrolysis conditions were studied using a 3³ Box-Behnken Design, in which a central point condition led to a satisfactory deconjugation performance. It could be observed that serum exhibited equivalent or better performance than urine for most of the evaluated criteria; thus, its inclusion in the regulatory analysis of boldenone in cattle is supported.

PMID:33970002 | DOI:10.1021/acs.jafc.1c00878

Geospat Health. 2021 May 5;16(1). doi: 10.4081/gh.2021.966.

ABSTRACT

The number of homicides in Brazil has reached record numbers, and when the race/colour of the victims is considered-an extreme inequality is evident- with a particularly high number of deaths in black and brown populations. The goal of this work was to analyse homicide rates of black people in Brazil from the years 2000 to 2016, using generalized additive regression models, with a geo-spatial component. The statistics were applied to understand the social reasons for homicide risks in the black population in Brazil’s 26 states and Federal District with reference to the human development index and its components (education, longevity and income) as well as social inequality indices (Gini and Theil). This socioecological, epidemiological study to estimate the risk of homicide in the black population with a time series component, shows that this risk has increased linearly over time. Less longevity and low income correlated with a greater risk of homicide-while the Gini and Theil indices showed that in places where there are greater inequalities, there is also a higher risk of homicide in both black and non-black populations. The results – regarding the possibility of relating social indicators to homicide risk in the regional units under study, would support implementation of interventional public policy measures.

PMID:33969968 | DOI:10.4081/gh.2021.966

Geospat Health. 2021 May 5;16(1). doi: 10.4081/gh.2021.964.

ABSTRACT

This study examines the relationship between the suicide mortality rate and structural covariates in South Korea from 2008 to 2017 under Durkheim’s theory of suicide. It applies the dynamic spatial panel data model to explore both spatial and temporal aspects of the suicide phenomena recognising statistical limitations in previous suicide research based on either cross-sectional or longitudinal methodology. The results demonstrate that the suicide mortality rates in South Korea are spatially and temporally dependent on those of neighbouring units or its own time-lagged suicide mortality rates. Moreover, this study estimates that the divorce rate, unemployment rate and land price index, which are assumed to be proxies of social integration and regulation, significantly impact the suicide mortality rates. The results imply that deteriorating socioeconomic conditions are risk factors for the suicide mortality rate and suggests implementing policies to alleviate the high level of social disintegration caused by Korea’s deteriorating socioeconomic conditions.

PMID:33969967 | DOI:10.4081/gh.2021.964

Geospat Health. 2021 May 5;16(1). doi: 10.4081/gh.2021.961.

ABSTRACT

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is the current worldwide pandemic as declared by the World Health Organization (WHO) in March 2020. Being part of the ongoing global pandemic, Malaysia has recorded a total of 8639 COVID-19 cases and 121 deaths as of 30th June 2020. This study aims to detect spatial clusters of COVID-19 in Malaysia using the Spatial Scan Statistic (SaTScan™) to guide control authorities on prioritizing locations for targeted interventions. The spatial analyses were conducted on a monthly basis at the state-level from March to September 2020. The results show that the most likely cluster of COVID-19 occurred in West Malaysia repeatedly from March to June, covering three counties (two federal territories and one neighbouring state) and moved to East Malaysia in July covering two other counties. The most likely cluster shows a tendency of having moved from the western part to the eastern part of the country. These results provide information that can be used for the evidence- based interventions to control the spread of COVID-19 in Malaysia.

PMID:33969966 | DOI:10.4081/gh.2021.961

J Sports Med Phys Fitness. 2021 May 10. doi: 10.23736/S0022-4707.21.12484-3. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: A paucity of research exists examining whether resistance training with a greater number of sets per exercise enhances the development of muscular endurance. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of ten sets versus five sets of resistance training on muscle endurance.

METHODS: Fifteen healthy males (age 23.7 ± 4.6 y) with at least 1 year resistance training experience were randomly assigned to 6 weeks of 10 sets (10-SET) or 5 sets (5-SET) of 10 repetitions at 60-80% one-repetition maximum (1RM) for specific compound resistance exercises with rest intervals between sets of 60-90 s and 60 s between exercises, performed 3 times per week. Relative muscle endurance test was assessed via maximal repetitions using 70% 1RM for the bench press, lat pulldown and leg press.

RESULTS: There was a significant increase in the number of repetitions to failure in the muscle endurance test for the leg press in 10-SET (40.9%, p = 0.04) and 5-SET (27.9%; p = 0.03), although no statistical differences between groups in the post-intervention results. Both groups increased volume-load in the muscle endurance test for the bench press (≥14.3%, p<0.05) and leg press (≥36.7%, p<0.05), but there were no statistical differences between groups in the post-intervention results.

CONCLUSIONS: Findings suggest that performing 10 sets compared to 5 sets of resistance training does not enhance the development of relative muscle endurance. The volume-load accrued within an individual set rather than across sets may be of greater importance when targeting muscular endurance.

PMID:33969958 | DOI:10.23736/S0022-4707.21.12484-3