Tag: statistics

Child Care Health Dev. 2026 Sep;52(5):e70339. doi: 10.1111/cch.70339.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Parents of children with Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD) face barriers in accessing school-based services and supports for their children despite challenges in academic attainment related to motor coordination difficulties and secondary consequences associated with DCD. Changes to service delivery are vital for student success but need to be rooted in parent- and child-identified needs and priorities.

PURPOSE: To explore parent perspectives of children (5-18 years) with DCD on the barriers and facilitators in accessing clinical and curriculum-based services and supports across Canada.

METHOD: We circulated an online cross-sectional survey using a multi-pronged recruitment strategy to parents of children with suspected or confirmed DCD across Canada from November 2021 to June 2022. Quantitative data were analysed using descriptive statistics and chi-square tests. Exploratory content analysis was completed for qualitative data.

FINDINGS: Parents across Canada responded, with 488 included surveys. There is inconsistent availability and access to school-based therapies, creating an inequitable service delivery. There are long waitlists, limited frequency of visits and often children are ineligible for services. Despite classroom accommodations and resource support, parents report a lack of educator awareness and understanding with variable adherence to needed curriculum adaptations. Canadian school supports and services are failing to meet the needs of children with DCD, resulting in negative trajectories in physical, social, emotional and academic pursuits.

CONCLUSION: Transformative changes are required for provision of school-based clinical and curriculum services and supports. Evidence-informed approaches, such as a tiered service delivery model, can provide effective and financially viable processes, ensuring positive outcomes for students with DCD.

PMID:42675023 | DOI:10.1111/cch.70339

Hum Brain Mapp. 2026 Sep;47(13):e70608. doi: 10.1002/hbm.70608.

ABSTRACT

The postpartum period involves substantial brain changes, but whether these represent pathological aging or adaptive plasticity remains unclear. We applied machine learning-based brain age prediction to quantify postpartum brain aging trajectories in a controlled longitudinal study. Brain age gap, the difference between MRI-predicted and chronological age, was assessed in 55 women (25 postpartum and 30 nulliparous controls). Postpartum women were assessed at approximately 3 and 12 months postpartum; controls were assessed at matched intervals. Postpartum women showed elevated brain age gap at 3 months (2.5 ± 2.7 years) compared with controls (0.3 ± 3.6 years; p = 0.01, Cohen’s d = 0.69), which normalized by 12 months. Within-group analysis revealed significant brain age gap decrease in postpartum women (-3.3 ± 3.5 years; p = 0.008), while controls showed minimal change; the between-group difference in longitudinal change did not reach statistical significance (p = 0.12, Cohen’s d = -0.58). Across all participants, brain age gap correlated with working memory performance (ρ = -0.30; p = 0.03), depressive symptoms (ρ = 0.38; p = 0.004), and subjective cognitive complaints (ρ = 0.28; p = 0.04) at baseline, providing preliminary evidence of clinical relevance. Explainability analysis using Shapley additive explanations identified subcortical structures as the network most selectively associated with the postpartum elevation in brain age gap at 3 months (p = 0.006, Cohen’s d = 0.82), with normalization by 12 months. Together, these findings indicate transient brain age gap elevation in postpartum women without statistical confirmation of a trajectory differing from controls. With brain age gap providing a quantitative index of postpartum brain structural change, these preliminary findings are consistent with adaptive neuroplasticity, suggesting that such change may be temporary rather than reflecting permanent impairment.

PMID:42675020 | DOI:10.1002/hbm.70608

Vet Med Sci. 2026 Sep;12(5):e71197. doi: 10.1002/vms3.71197.

ABSTRACT

With zoological institutions placing greater emphasis on improving animal welfare, there has been more research studying the impact of animal welfare, including correlation with increased visitors. Some studies focus on the total effect of visitor presence and behaviours impacted, whereas others highlight how noise from visitors and other events impacts animal behaviour and welfare. This scoping review was conducted to determine the impact of anthropogenic noise on animal welfare in zoological settings and identify knowledge gaps. Starting with an initial pool of 1608 articles, almost all publications in this review (n = 31) were published from 2014 to 2025, indicating the area is still a niche to be further explored. Most studies focused on mammalian species (n = 22, particularly non-human primates), followed by avian species (n = 14) and reptiles (n = 3). Increased vigilance was the most common behaviour documented (n = 9). Thirteen publications suspected a negative welfare impact, while the remaining publications either found no substantial impact, could not determine impact, or did not address welfare directly. Fourteen publications recommended improving public education, sound barriers or increasing animals’ ability to choose a different location. Certain species and taxa, such as teleosts and reptiles in glass enclosures, lack representative studies on how anthropogenic noise affects their welfare. Further research that focuses on understanding the impact of noise on animal wellbeing could educate the public, allow restructure of habitats to accommodate animal needs and inform welfare assessments, which all can improve the welfare of animals in zoological settings.

PMID:42675016 | DOI:10.1002/vms3.71197

J Matern Fetal Neonatal Med. 2026 Dec;39(1):2724778. doi: 10.1080/14767058.2026.2724778. Epub 2026 Aug 31.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Operative vaginal delivery (OVD) is an important alternative to cesarean section, but the relative outcomes of vacuum, forceps, and sequential vacuum + forceps approaches remain uncertain. Moreover, predictors of instrument choice are incompletely understood. This study aimed to compare maternal, intrapartum, and neonatal outcomes across OVD modalities and to integrate conventional statistics with machine learning to identify key predictive factors.

METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed 967 singleton deliveries at a tertiary center: vacuum (n = 208), forceps (n = 706), and sequential vacuum + forceps (n = 53). Maternal characteristics, intrapartum variables, and neonatal outcomes were compared using ANOVA and chi-square tests. A Random Forest classifier was trained to rank predictors of delivery mode, with performance assessed by accuracy, AUC, and Cohen’s κ.

RESULTS: Forceps deliveries were more frequent among younger, primiparous women, while vacuum was used in older, higher-parity mothers with better base excess (BE). Vacuum + forceps deliveries had the longest decision-to-delivery interval (26.9 vs. 17.7 and 16.8 min, p < 0.001), highest rates of severe perineal laceration (73.6% vs. 34.1% and 47.5%, p < 0.001), and poorest neonatal outcomes, including lower Apgar scores and higher cephalohematoma, hyperbilirubinemia, and transfer rates. Random Forest achieved 73.7% accuracy (AUC 0.758) and identified second-stage duration, decision-to-delivery time, lactate, and BE as top predictors, some not significant in univariate tests.

CONCLUSIONS: Vacuum and forceps each have distinct maternal and neonatal risk profiles, while sequential vacuum + forceps delivery confers the greatest morbidity, largely reflecting case complexity. Traditional statistics and machine learning offer complementary insights, highlighting both established and novel predictors. Integrating these approaches may support individualized decision-making and improve OVD outcomes.

PMID:42675011 | DOI:10.1080/14767058.2026.2724778

Anim Genet. 2026 Oct;57(5):e70189. doi: 10.1002/age.70189.

ABSTRACT

This study presents a comparative analysis of the genetic structure and diversity of three red fox (Vulpes vulpes L.) populations representing different microevolutionary scenarios: panmixia (free-ranging Belarusian foxes), geographic isolation (free-ranging Scottish foxes), and anthropogenic selection (farm-bred foxes). Using a validated set of STR markers, multivariate statistical analysis was conducted to assess the genetic structure and the degree of genetic erosion across the studied groups. The wild red fox population in Belarus has been shown to maintain a state close to panmixia (P_HWE = 0.090), characterized by a high effective population size (N_e = 694) and high allelic diversity. The island population from Scotland exhibits moderate gene pool depletion (N_e = 75.9) and a pronounced heterozygote deficiency (F_IS = 0.18). Critical genetic erosion, which was characterized by a minimal effective population size (N_e = 60.2) and allelic fixation, was detected in the farm-bred group. The genetic distance between farm-bred and wild foxes (F_ST = 0.279; p = 0.001) reflects both the phylogeographic divergence between the Nearctic ancestors of farmed lineages and Palearctic wild populations, and the consequences of prolonged anthropogenic isolation, genetic drift, and selective breeding. These data indicate that artificial isolation and the impacts of genetic drift and targeted selection lead to a substantial depletion of the species’ adaptive potential.

PMID:42675008 | DOI:10.1002/age.70189

Cancer Rep (Hoboken). 2026 Sep;9(9):e70663. doi: 10.1002/cnr2.70663.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Rural patients experience healthcare disparities due to multiple factors including travel distance. However, the impact on colorectal cancer (CRC) care for Veterans remains undefined.

AIMS: We aimed to describe the association between distance and timeliness of care for Veterans with CRC.

METHODS AND RESULTS: We assembled a retrospective cohort of Veterans with Stage I-III CRC who underwent resection at a Veterans Affairs Medical Center (VAMC) between 2001 and 2018. Time from diagnosis to initiation of treatment, length of stay, 30-day readmissions and mortality were compared based on distance (≤ 40 mi; 41-100 mi, and > 100 mi). Among 375 patients, the median travel distance was 67.9 mi and median time to treatment initiation was 33 days. In a multivariable linear regression adjusted for age, stage, year of surgery, race and co-morbidities, the time to initial treatment was 11.8 days longer for patients > 100 mi away compared to those who live within 40 mi (CI 1.4-22.1, p = 0.026). No significant difference was observed for patients within 40 mi vs. 41-100 mi away (0.13 days, CI -9.4 to 9.8, 0.98). Common contributors to delays > 60 days included transitions from non-VAMC care, cardiac optimization and additional testing or treatment. There were no associations between distance and surgical length of stay, 30-day readmissions, or mortality.

CONCLUSION: Travel distance > 100 mi was associated with timeliness of care for Veterans, though no differences in clinical outcomes were observed. Distance-related outcome disparities may be mitigated through integrated, high-volume VA care system.

PMID:42675007 | DOI:10.1002/cnr2.70663

Sante Publique. 2026;38(HS1):83-97. doi: 10.3917/spub.hs1.2026.0083.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: This study aims to assess the self-reported mental health among Ottawa&amp;#8217;s French-speaking Black community in Canada by identifying associated sociodemographic factors, with the goal of informing public health interventions. Our study draws on three theoretical frameworks: public mental health, psychosocial determinants of health, and intersectionality. These frameworks allow us to examine how social determinants and social identities influence mental health status and access to services among Francophone Black individuals living in a linguistic minority context in Ottawa.

METHODOLOGY: This is a cross-sectional study conducted among adults (&amp;#8805;18 years) who identify as members of the Black Francophone community and reside in Ottawa. Data were collected between June 2023 and December 2024 using an online questionnaire. Sociodemographic variables, self-reported mental health status, and perceptions of healthcare needs and access were assessed. Analyses included descriptive statistics and intergroup comparisons.

RESULTS: A total of 126 Black French-speaking individuals in Ottawa completed the questionnaire. Of these, 40.6% reported poor self-perceived mental health. Participants with poor mental health were predominantly women (76.9%), young adults (43.6% aged 18&amp;#8211;19; 41.0% aged 20&amp;#8211;29) and single individuals (70.6%). Perceived stress varied significantly according to mental health status (p &amp;lt; 0.0001), with those reporting poorer mental health more frequently reporting high or extreme stress.

DISCUSSION: The results highlight significant disparities in mental health and perceived stress within this population, reflecting the influence of intersecting social and demographic factors. These findings underscore the need to consider relevant cultural and linguistic determinants when addressing mental health inequalities.

CONCLUSION: These findings demonstrate the urgent need to adapt public health policies and interventions to the cultural and linguistic realities of this population. Such an approach is essential to ensure equitable access to mental health care.

PMID:42675003 | DOI:10.3917/spub.hs1.2026.0083

Sante Publique. 2026;38(HS1):63-82. doi: 10.3917/spub.hs1.2026.0063.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Black immigrant communities in Canada and Europe have faced disproportionate mental health challenges, further exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Structural racism, social isolation, and cultural stigma are among the key factors contributing to mental health distress in these populations. This scoping review aims to explore the mental health outcomes, experiences, and access to care among Black African immigrants in Canada and Europe after the COVID-19 pandemic, using an intersectional lens that considers the combined impact of race, migration, and minority status.

METHODOLOGY: A total of 19 peer-reviewed studies published during the post-COVID-19 period (2021&amp;#8211;2024) were included. These studies employed qualitative, quantitative, or mixed methods and focused on adult Black immigrants in Canada or the UK. Data were extracted on mental health prevalence, perceptions, and barriers and facilitators to care.

RESULTS: Findings reveal high rates of depression, anxiety, and psychosis among Black immigrants, often linked to systemic racism, cultural stigma, and poor living conditions. Major barriers to care include mistrust of Eurocentric services, lack of culturally competent providers, financial constraints, and language barriers. Facilitators included strong community ties, religious support, and access to culturally sensitive professionals.

CONCLUSION: The review highlights a critical need for culturally appropriate mental health services and community-based interventions. It also underscores the importance of policy changes and future research, particularly in underrepresented European regions and among groups experiencing intersectional marginalization.

PMID:42675001 | DOI:10.3917/spub.hs1.2026.0063

Sante Publique. 2026;38(HS1):43-62. doi: 10.3917/spub.hs1.2026.0043.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Data on farmers&amp;#8217; psychological health at work and its determinants remain limited. This study aimed to describe the psychological health at work of farmers in the Grand Est region (France) and to identify the sociodemographic and psychosocial factors associated with it.

METHODS: This study used data from questionnaires administered at baseline of the CAGRIMENT cohort. Psychological health at work was measured using a validated self-report questionnaire comprising two dimensions: psychological well-being at work and psychological distress at work. Scores range from 0 to 100 (best possible psychological well-being at work/worst possible psychological distress at work). Multivariate linear regression models were used to assess their associations with sociodemographic and psychosocial characteristics.

RESULTS: Among the 1,084 farmers included (35.6% women; mean age = 49.2 &amp;#177; 11.9 years), the mean psychological well-being at work and psychological distress at work scores were 66.6 (&amp;#177;&amp;#160;14.2) points and 27.1 (&amp;#177; 15.3) points, respectively. Psychological well-being at work scores were lower among women (&amp;#946;=-2.3; p=0.04), farmers in socially vulnerable situations (&amp;#946;=-8.0; p&amp;lt;0.01), and those who had experienced life events perceived as difficult (&amp;#946;=-6.5; p&amp;lt;0.01). Similar patterns were observed for psychological distress at work.

CONCLUSION: These results provide a description of psychological health at work among farmers and highlight the need for actions to promote psychological health at work, particularly among women farmers, farmers in socially vulnerable situations, and those who have experienced life events perceived as difficult.

PMID:42675000 | DOI:10.3917/spub.hs1.2026.0043

Sante Publique. 2026;38(HS1):213-218. doi: 10.3917/spub.hs1.2026.0213.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Mental Health Awareness Weeks (SISM, Semaines d&amp;#8217;information sur la sant&amp;#233; mentale) are an annual initiative aimed at promoting mental health among the general population across French territories. Through post-film discussions, exhibitions, and workshops, participants receive information, reflect on social representations, and identify individual and collective resources. These initiatives are led by diverse stakeholders organized within local SISM collectives. Given the growing number of events and participating groups, this study aims to analyze collaboration practices within these collectives in order to identify key factors associated with effective partnerships.

METHODS: A quantitative study was conducted using a self-administered questionnaire analyzed with descriptive statistics. The instrument was developed following exploratory semi-structured interviews.

RESULTS: We obtained 143 responses, primarily from peer support organizations and local authorities. The findings highlight the diversity of partnerships within the collectives. Collaborative work relies on regular meetings, coordination tools, and a climate of trust among members. Internal coordination is characterized by shared responsibilities and adaptive governance. These elements foster a sense of collective efficacy and pride regarding the perceived impact of SISM activities.

DISCUSSION: Our findings align with the existing literature on health partnerships. The study identifies concrete facilitators of collaboration, including flexible leadership, in-person meetings, and both formal and informal opportunities for exchange, as well as the use of charters and action plans. Volunteer engagement is widespread, and co-construction with individuals experiencing mental health conditions contributes to reducing interprofessional silos across territories.

CONCLUSION: Partnership dynamics within local SISM collectives contribute to mental health promotion across territories and may provide a model for other local stakeholder networks.

PMID:42674992 | DOI:10.3917/spub.hs1.2026.0213