Yoxas/statistical_literacy huggingface dataset:
Background Anal Pap smears are imperative to screening for human papillomavirus (HPV)-associated anal squamous cell cancers, particularly in patients living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) given a higher incidence of disease. Self-collection of specimens may be favored by patients and more feasible to collect, increasing screening. Methods This was a single-center observational cohort study at a single academic medical center Infectious Diseases clinic from October to December 2021. We aimed to improve compliance of anal Pap collection documentation of "self-collected" versus "physician-collected" as well as verify if self-collected specimens (SCS) were adequate for interpretation equivalent to physician-collected specimens (PCS). Additionally, we aimed to evaluate patient and provider satisfaction with self-collected anal Paps. Results Sixty anal Pap smears were available for evaluation. The rate of documentation of the collection method (self-collected vs. physician-collected) was 88% during the intervention. A total of 75% of patients opted for self-collection, and 35/45 (78%) of these samples were adequate for interpretation. There was no difference in the adequacy of specimen (the ability of a cytopathologist to interpret the specimen) between the SCS and PCS. Conclusion Limited prior data suggest self-collected anal Pap specimens are adequate for interpretation only slightly less often than PCS. In our small cohort, there was no statistically significant difference between collection methods. Satisfaction with self-collection of specimens was high for both patients and providers. Additional validation in more diverse/larger clinical settings may be helpful to support this practice.
Background and aim: Social prescribing, which links patients to non-clinical services and involves general physicians, has been gaining traction. Community pharmacists, who are integral to primary healthcare, have untapped potential in social prescribing. This study explores social prescribing competence among Norwegian community pharmacists and pharmacy students. Method: A cross-sectional study utilizing an anonymous online questionnaire to collect quantitative data was conducted. Inspired by the limited relevant literature, the questionnaire was constructed, pilot-tested, and distributed in a one-week window within a Facebook group for Norwegian pharmacists. The questionnaire comprised 23 questions categorized into demographic details and competence assessment, covering general knowledge, attitude, and barriers/facilitators related to social prescribing. Statistical analyses were employed to determine the competence of the participants. Results: The online questionnaire collected data from 96 participants, primarily females (79.2%), aged 25-34 (40.6%), who were identified as community pharmacists (49.0%). Most (91.7%) worked in community pharmacies, with 31.3% having over 10 years of experience. Despite positive client relationships (93.8%), statistical analysis revealed no significant associations between competence and variables such as work experience, education, or gender. The custom scoring system yielded an average competence score of 1.98 on a 5-point scale, with attitudes and perceptions of participants scoring 3.82. Overall competence was calculated at 3.4, indicating a moderate level. Conclusions: The findings of this study reveal that the participants had limited knowledge regarding social prescribing, emphasizing the need for education. However, the participants showed strong enthusiasm for competence development. This groundwork paves the way for future investigations centered on pilot-testing strategies to boost social prescribing knowledge and engagement among Norwegian community pharmacists and pharmacy students.
Background and aims Persistent neck pain is common and can be detrimental to the health of those who are affected. This is particularly common after neck trauma, where it poses a challenge to health care providers. In this paper, we present the design and results of a study aimed primarily at assessing the feasibility of a supervised exercise intervention for patients with persistent neck pain after trauma. As a secondary aim, we analyzed the results of the intervention. Methods We designed and conducted a feasibility study using a mixed methods design. Ten patients with persistent neck pain (nine with a history of neck trauma and one with sudden onset of neck pain) were recruited from a specialized pain rehabilitation center and underwent a gym-based individual exercise therapy intervention, supervised by a physical therapist. We assessed the feasibility of the exercise therapy intervention based on the experiences of the patients and physical therapists. We analyzed both quantitative and qualitative results using descriptive statistics, content analysis, and questionnaires. Results The study found the exercise therapy to be a feasible alternative for patients with persistent neck pain. Most of the practical aspects of the intervention and study were executed as planned, and the study was well received by the patients, who found it a valuable part of their rehabilitation. In the quantitative analysis, improvements were observed on the Neck Disability Index, numerical rating scale for pain, EuroQol 5D, and physical activity, with scores on the Neck Disability Index showing a statistically significant improvement. Scores on the Disability Rating Index showed a non-significant deterioration. The qualitative analysis uncovered one overarching theme and four themes for the patients and three themes for the physical therapist. Conclusions The exercise therapy intervention seems to be feasible with favorable outcomes for the patients. The quantitative and qualitative analyses demonstrated exercise therapy to be beneficial from several different perspectives. However, although structured, the training needs customization and individual adaption from a clinical reasoning perspective in order to meet each patient's individual needs. Implications This study shows that supervised gym-based exercise therapy is feasible for patients with severe, persistent neck pain. It facilitates and motivates the execution of a larger, controlled trial, which might then lead to a new and potentially effective addition to the toolbox of all health care providers treating patients with persistent neck pain.
Background and objective Academic dishonesty or misconduct among nursing students is a crucial concern within educational institutions. In nursing education, academic dishonesty hinders the development of knowledge and skills among students, thereby jeopardizing both patient safety and the effectiveness of clinical practice. This study aimed to assess the prevalence and forms of academic dishonesty among nursing students in Saudi Arabia. Methodology The participants comprised 482 nursing students from two governmental universities in Saudi Arabia. A newly developed self-reported questionnaire was used to collect data on academic dishonesty, comprising two distinct sections: a 16-item Academic Dishonesty Questionnaire during examinations and an 11-item Academic Dishonesty Questionnaire related to assignments. Results A one-sample binomial test indicates a significant proportion of students engaging in at least one form of academic dishonesty (n = 452, 93.8%; χ²(1) = 19.176; P < 0.001). Notably, 432 (89.9%) students reported dishonesty in examinations and 385 (79.9%) in assignments. Multiple-response analysis of 7,712 responses from 482 students using the 16-item Examination Dishonesty Questionnaire showed that the majority of the students (n = 4,010, 52%) were cheating on the examination. Similarly, of the 5,302 total responses from the 11-item Assignment Dishonesty Questionnaire, 2,773 (52.3%) responses revealed engagement in academic dishonesty during the assignment. The most prevalent and statistically significant form of academic dishonesty during examinations was studying previous examination questions without the knowledge of the teacher (n = 370, 76.5%), followed by providing and collecting previous examination question papers (n = 316, 65.6%) and (n = 304, 63.1%), respectively. Similarly, the common and significant form of academic dishonesty during the completion of assignments included unfair collaboration (n = 331, 68.7%), allowing a friend to copy assignments (n = 304, 63.1%), and copying from the internet (n = 286, 59.3%) without citing the source (P < 0.001). Conclusions Our study identified a significant prevalence of academic dishonesty among Saudi nursing students, a particularly noteworthy concern within the context of a respected governmental educational institution. This emphasizes the need for implementing rigorous preventive measures to curb academic dishonesty. Based on the findings of our study, recommended interventions include providing educational workshops or similar initiatives to educate students on the consequences of cheating and plagiarism, using diverse questions to assess knowledge and skills during theory examinations and assignments, enforcing stringent penalties for copying and cheating, establishing a code of ethics, and proactively promoting ethical practices among nursing students by leveraging the influence of Islamic religious principles to address this issue.
Background and objective The significance of YouTube as a prominent source of healthcare-related information cannot be overstated. Its influence on patient education is substantial. However, despite its popularity, there has been little research into the quality and comprehensibility of videos related to ankle fractures, a condition with increasing incidence rates, particularly in the context of Turkey. To address this gap in the literature and the growing reliance on digital platforms for health information during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, this study aims to assess the quality, clarity, and pedagogical value of YouTube videos on ankle fractures for the Turkish population. Methodology A comprehensive examination of 150 YouTube videos concerning ankle fractures, employing exacting inclusion and exclusion criteria to identify 52 videos for in-depth analysis was undertaken. The investigation entailed an assessment of content quality, presentation style, and user interaction, utilizing the criteria established by the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) and the Patient Education Materials Assessment Tool (PEMAT), as well as a novel measurement known as the Ankle Fracture Content Score (AFCS). A statistical analysis was executed to gauge the educational value and dependability of the information presented. Results The majority of ankle fracture management videos were found to be uploaded by medical professionals, covering various aspects such as rehabilitation and patient testimonials. However, the overall educational quality was suboptimal, with patient-shared videos lacking in depth and accuracy. Statistical analysis showed no significant differences in content quality across different uploader categories, except for notably lower educational quality in videos shared by patients. Conclusions The findings underscore a significant need for healthcare professionals and academic institutions in Turkey to produce and share high-quality, reliable, and comprehensible videos on ankle fractures. Leveraging YouTube's extensive reach can significantly improve health literacy among the Turkish public, ensuring access to accurate and trustworthy health information.
Background and Objective Timely palliative care involvement offers demonstrable benefits for traumatic brain injury (TBI) patients; however, palliative care consultations (PCCs) are used inconsistently during TBI management. This study aimed to employ advanced machine learning techniques to elucidate the primary drivers of PCC timing variability for TBI patients. Methods Data on admission, hospital course, and outcomes were collected for a cohort of 232 TBI patients who received both PCCs and neurosurgical consultations during the same hospitalization. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and K-means clustering were used to identify patient phenotypes, which were then compared using Kaplan-Meier analysis. An extreme gradient boosting model (XGBoost) was employed to determine drivers of PCC timing, with model interpretation performed using SHapley Additive exPlanations (SHAP). Results Cluster A (n = 86) consisted mainly of older (median [IQR] = 87 [78, 94] years), White females with mild TBIs and demonstrated the shortest time-to-PCC (2.5 [1.0, 7.0] days). Cluster B (n = 108) also sustained mild TBIs but comprised moderately younger (81 [75, 86] years) married White males with later PCC (5.0 [3.0, 10.8] days). Cluster C (n = 38) represented much younger (46.5 [29.5, 59.8] years), more severely injured, non-White patients with the latest PCC initiation (9.0 [4.2, 17.0] days). The clusters did not differ by discharge disposition (p = 0.4) or frequency inpatient mortality (p > 0.9); however, Kaplan-Meier analysis revealed a significant difference in the time from admission to PCC (p < 0.001), despite no differences in time from admission to mortality (p = 0.18). SHAP analysis of the XGBoost model identified age, sex, and race as the most influential drivers of PCC timing. Conclusions This study highlights crucial disparities in PCC timing for TBI patients and underscores the need for targeted strategies to ensure timely and equitable palliative care integration for this vulnerable population.
Background and Objective: Menopause can be associated with many clinical manifestations: vasomotor symptoms, urogenital problems, and additional psychological disturbances, such as anxiety, mood changes, and sleep alterations. The prolonged lack of hormones also increases the risk of long-term consequences. Hormone Replacement Treatment (HRT) in menopause consists of the administration of estrogen, alone or associated to progesterone, to relieve these uncomfortable disturbances and to prevent the onset of other pathologic conditions. The aim of this study is to examine the prevalence of HRT use in a sample of menopausal women and their experience with menopause and HRT. This study also investigates the knowledge of general practitioners (GPs) and gynecologists about HRT and its prescription. Materials and Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional population survey on 126 women of 50-59 years in an industrial city in the North of Italy, Vercelli (Novara), in Eastern Piedmont. We also presented a questionnaire on the topic to 54 medical doctors (GPs and gynecologists) of the same area. Results: The prevalence of HRT use in our sample was 11.9%. In total, a good percentage of the users affirmed to be satisfied with HRT. Additionally, a minority of women reported being ideally against the use of replacement hormones, were advised against using HRT by doctors, and did not use it because of the fear of side effects. We found a positive association between patient education, health care attitude, and HRT usage. A significant number of women knew about HRT from the media, and most of them were not informed by a health professional. Despite this, the interviewed doctors considered their knowledge about HRT as 'good' and would recommend HRT: only 5.6% would not prescribe it. Conclusions: Our results highlight the need for information about HRT among patients and health professionals, along with the need for more effective communication, evaluation, and suggestion of treatment.
Background and Objective: The aim of this study was to analyze trends in surgical and non-surgical service utilization for common shoulder disorders in Korea from 2010 to 2019. Methods and Materials: This retrospective, cross-sectional, descriptive study utilized National Patient Sample data from the Health Insurance and Review Assessment Service (HIRA) of Korea. These data constitute a 2% sample out of the entire Korean population and include data for a variety of parameters instrumental for health care research. Patients with at least one medical service use for rotator cuff syndrome or tear, impingement syndrome, or adhesive capsulitis between January 2010 and December 2019 were included. Trends in healthcare utilization by disorder type, patient demographics, seasonal service use, and treatment details were examined. Results: There was an upward trend in the total number of patients and costs for shoulder disorders, from 35,798 patients and USD 5,485,196 in 2010 to 42,558 and USD 11,522,543 in 2019, respectively. The number of patients aged ≥60 and hospital visits increased. March had the highest number of claims. Physical therapy was the most common non-surgical procedure, while nerve block claims more than doubled. Opioid prescription rates also tripled. Surgical treatments were dominated by shoulder rotator cuff repair and acromioplasty. Conclusions: There was a significant increase in healthcare utilization for shoulder disorders, marked by rising costs and patient numbers. The use of nerve blocks and opioids notably increased. These data are valuable for clinicians, researchers, and policymakers.
Background and objectives Oral cancer is a significant health issue in India, with one of the highest incidence rates globally. Family caregivers play a crucial role in the care of oral cancer patients, but their mental health often faces challenges. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of anxiety, depression, and perceived stress among family caregivers of oral cancer patients in a tertiary care hospital in central India and explore the associated psychosocial factors. Population and method The study was carried out between March 2023 and August 2023 in a tertiary care hospital in Wardha, Maharashtra. Family caregivers (N=82, mean age = 36.1 (SD 10.5) years) of patients with clinically diagnosed oral cancer were subjected first to structured psychiatric clinical interviews to screen for psychiatric diagnoses and then were given self-reporting questionnaires for socio-demographic data, Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-II) for measuring the emotional, cognitive, and motivational symptoms of depression, Manifest Anxiety Scale (MAS) to assess the degree of anxiety and Perceived Stress Scale-10 (PSS-10) to assess stress level. Data was analysed using IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, Version 26.0 (Released 2019; IBM Corp., Armonk, New York, United States). Chi-square test and logistic regression analyses were conducted wherever appropriate in order to explore predictive factors of depressive, anxious, or stress symptoms. Result In the studied population, the majority experienced symptoms of depression (65.1%), anxiety (69.5%), and perceived stress (74.7%). Caregivers of patients with advanced oral cancer were found to have a higher likelihood of experiencing depression (χ2 (1) = 16.76, p < .001) and anxiety related to unemployment (χ2 (1) = 10.12, p = .001) or insufficient earnings (χ2 (1) = 28.63, p < .001). Additionally, participants with no or little formal education (χ2 (1) = 4.63, p = 0.031) and lower income (χ2 (1) = 28.63, p < .0001) were significantly more likely to experience distress compared to those with higher levels of education. Conclusion This study highlights the need for comprehensive support systems for family caregivers of oral cancer patients. Educational programs, financial assistance, and mental health services should be tailored to caregivers' specific needs. Early identification and intervention strategies can help mitigate the psychological impact of caregiving. Further research is essential to develop targeted interventions that enhance the well-being of caregivers and improve the quality of life for both patients and caregivers.
Background and Objectives: Before COVID-19 vaccinations became available, adhering to non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs), like social distancing (SD), wearing masks, and hand hygiene, were crucial to mitigating viral spread. Many studies reported that younger individuals were more reluctant to follow these measures compared with older ones. We hypothesized that it would be worthwhile to find factors that influenced SD compliance among young people during the pre-vaccination phase of a pandemic. Materials and Methods: We analyzed data of adults aged 19-44 from the 2020 South Korean Community Health Survey and compared socio-demographic, health-related behavioral, and psychological factors between compliant and non-compliant cohorts. Results: A total of 59,943 participants were enrolled and we found that older age groups (30-39 and 40-44) and safety concerns (such as viral infection, virus-related death, economic damage, and transmitting virus to vulnerable people) were significantly associated with adherence to SD. Conversely, participants who were not living with a spouse, were unable to stay at home despite symptoms, smoked, drank, and had a negative attitude toward government policy statistically correlated with non-compliance. Conclusions: In times when NPIs were the primary defense against the pandemic, it is essential to identify factors that positively or negatively affect individual compliance with them, especially among young people. Using a large-scale, well-designed national survey, we could gain insights into the early recognition of risk factors for non-compliance and appropriate follow-up interventions (i.e., education campaigns, clear communication of public guidelines, and implementation of guidelines), which will help people to avoid suffering from other waves of future infectious diseases.
Background and Objectives: Breastmilk is the safest and most suitable food for an infant, playing the role of their first vaccine and containing all the essential nutrients for the first months of life. The World Health Organisation recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months of life and continued breastfeeding while introducing a child to complementary foods until 2 years and beyond. According to Latvian statistics from 2022, only 27.4% of babies were breastfed for 12 months. The aim of this study was to determine the socio-economic factors and factors related to pregnancy, childbirth and postpartum that influence breastfeeding for more than 6 months in Latvia. Materials and Methods: Data were used from the cross-sectional survey "Research on factors and behaviours affecting the sexual and reproductive health of the population of Latvia", which was conducted in 2023. A study sample was randomised and stratified by gender and five age groups. The analyses in this study are based on a sample of women who had given birth at least once (n = 1407), and the dependent variable was the duration of breastfeeding their last child. Binary logistic regression was conducted to identify the associated factors. Results: The point prevalence of longer duration of breastfeeding for the last child was 47.9% (n = 674). The odds of longer breastfeeding duration were higher among mothers who did not smoke during pregnancy (vs. smokers, aOR 2.1, p < 0.001), of Latvian nationality (vs. Russian, aOR 1.3, p = 0.03), who had two childbirth (vs. one, aOR 1.5, p = 0.003), who had the highest level of education (vs. primary education, aOR 2.0, p = 0.03), started breastfeeding immediately after the birth (vs. later than the first day, aOR 1.7, p = 0.01) or on the first day (vs. later, aOR 1.6, p = 0.01). Conclusions: We documented socio-demographic pregnancy and childbirth factors associated with longer breastfeeding durations. Efforts to promote breastfeeding practices should target mothers from the most vulnerable groups.