bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Differences in Remote Mental Healthcare: Minority Ethnic Service User Experiences and Perceptions During COVID-19
Authors: Samad Lamiya , Teague Bonnie , Moreira Karen , Bagge Sophie , Elzubeir Khalifa , Marriott Emma , Wilson Jonathan , Agarwal Nita 
Published: June 2022

AimsCOVID-19 has resurfaced health inequalities but also provides new opportunities for remote healthcare. Minority ethnic service users (SUs) are substantially under-represented in secondary mental health services due to gaps in understanding needs of this priority group. We aimed to assess and identify any differences in characteristics and acceptability, with a focus on minority ethnic mental health SUs.MethodsA prospective, online feedback questionnaire was developed with the help of SUs. This was built into video consultations (VCs), using the secure Attend Anywhere platform through a survey link. We present results between July 2020 and January 2022, during which, a total of 2,565 SUs completed the online questionnaire after VCs. SPSS (version 27) was used for descriptive statistical analysis. Chi-squared test, using 5% level of significance, was conducted to test differences between the two (minority Vs majority ethnic) SU groups.ResultsOf 2,565 SUs, 119 (4.6%) were from minority ethnic groups (Asian British, Mixed/multiple, Black British, and Other), 2,398 (93.5%) were White British, and 48 (1.9%) preferred not to disclose. A higher percentage of SUs were females from both minority (55.6%) and White British (66.1%) ethnic groups (ϰ2=5.476, p < 0.05). By age group, almost half (48.7%) of minority ethnic SUs were less than 25 years old, compared with those from White British ethnicity (29.2%). In contrast, only 2.5% minority ethnic SUs were aged ≥65 years with none ≥80 years old (ϰ2 Likelihood Ratio = 27.11, p < 0.001).No significant differences were found for video technical quality, such as waiting area, joining the video call, sound, and video quality. Similar findings were observed for video care delivery aspects with no significant differences between (minority ethnic and White British) SUs. Overall, both groups felt comfortable during the video call (ϰ2=0.137, p > 0.05), their needs were met (ϰ2=0.384, p > 0.05) and felt supported (ϰ2=0.164, p > 0.05). However, according to care team, a significantly higher percentage of minority ethnic SUs (43%) had remotely consulted Specialist (Eating disorders, Well-being/IAPT) services compared with those of majority ethnicity (29%) (ϰ2 Likelihood Ratio = 21.936, p < 0.05).ConclusionBoth minority ethnic and White British SUs found video care to be acceptable, with positive experiences. A significantly high proportion of minority ethnic SUs was younger and had remotely consulted Specialist services, with none in the 80-plus age group. These findings highlight priority areas to address among this massively underrepresented group in mental healthcare services.
Service Evaluation: Patient Engagement With Online Group Psychotherapy During the COVID-19 Pandemic in West of Scotland
Authors: Vatalis Christos , McGuinness Lorraine , Ogston Elizabeth 
Published: June 2022

AimsOnline group therapy has gained popularity during the COVID-19 pandemic as an alternative to face-to-face group therapy. This service evaluation is aimed at assessing how this paradigm shift is received by the patients and how the quality of the provided services is assured and potentially improved.Methods1. We have retrospectively compared the attendance records from all psychotherapy groups in North Lanarkshire psychotherapy department between two distinct time periods: from November 2018 to January 2019 when only face-to-face groups were available (5 groups, 29 patients) and from November 2021 to January 2022 when only online groups were available (4 groups, 21 patients).2. In order to prospectively assess patient's views regarding online group therapy, Client Satisfaction Questionnaires (CSQ-4, quantitative and qualitative) were distributed to January 2022 groups only.Results1. The attendance rate was 5% lower in the face-to-face groups (76% vs 81%) while the non-attendance rate was lower by 1% in the online groups (9% vs 8%). The cancellation rate was also smaller by 5% in the online groups (14% to 9%).2. In regard to the service satisfaction rates in the online groups, 57% of patients who responded, answered that “most of their needs have been met by the online services’’, 71% answered “services helped with their problems somewhat’’, 71% answered “they think they would come back to the program again and 66% answered” they are mostly satisfied with the services received.“The predominant positive aspects of the services according to free text comments were” “communication, understanding, sense of community’’ and the negative aspects that need improvement: “return to face-to-face (71% of answers), need personal interaction’’.** We have extended the deadline for the acceptance of the responses to 20th of February 2022 due to mailing systems being slowed down by the pandemic. (7 out of 21 questionnaires have been returned)ConclusionOverall the attendance rates between the online and face-to-face group therapy exhibit minor differences. Concerning the patient satisfaction rates they reveal that the majority of patients who receive group therapy online are above-average satisfied with the services, feel that the online therapy provides a sense community but would prefer to return to face-to-face therapy.Further data and studies will be needed to reach more robust conclusions.
Health Care Burden Associated With Adolescent Prolonged Opioid Use After Surgery
Authors: Cummings Joyner Alice Kate , King Michael R. , Safranek Conrad , Parvathinathan Gomathy , De Souza Elizabeth , Anderson T. Anthony 
Published: June 2022

BACKGROUND:
Prolonged opioid use after surgery (POUS), defined as the filling of at least 1 opioid prescription filled between 90 and 180 days after surgery, has been shown to increase health care costs and utilization in adult populations. However, its economic burden has not been studied in adolescent patients. We hypothesized that adolescents with POUS would have higher health care costs and utilization than non-POUS patients.

METHODS:
Opioid-naive patients 12 to 21 years of age in the United States who received outpatient prescription opioids after surgery were identified from insurance claim data from the Optum Clinformatics Data Mart Database from January 1, 2003, to June 30, 2019. The primary outcomes were total health care costs and visits in the 730-day period after the surgical encounter in patients with POUS versus those without POUS. Multivariable regression analyses were used to determine adjusted health care cost and visit differences.

RESULTS:
A total of 126,338 unique patients undergoing 132,107 procedures were included in the analysis, with 4867 patients meeting criteria for POUS for an incidence of 3.9%. Adjusted mean total health care costs in the 730 days after surgery were $4604 (95% confidence interval [CI], $4027–$5181) higher in patients with POUS than that in non-POUS patients. Patients with POUS had increases in mean adjusted inpatient length of stay (0.26 greater [95% CI, 0.22–0.30]), inpatient visits (0.07 greater [95% CI, 0.07–0.08]), emergency visits (0.96 greater [95% CI, 0.89–1.03]), and outpatient/other visits (5.78 greater [95% CI, 5.37–6.19]) in the 730 days after surgery (P < .001 for all comparisons).

CONCLUSIONS:
In adolescents, POUS was associated with increased total health care costs and utilization in the 730 days after their surgical encounter. Given the increased health care burden associated with POUS in adolescents, further investigation of preventative measures for high-risk individuals and additional study of the relationship between opioid prescription and outcomes may be warranted.
Factors associated with the presence of cataracts in the Peruvian population older than 50 years: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Bendezu-Quispe Guido , Fernandez-Guzman Daniel , Caira-Chuquineyra Brenda , Evelyn Lazo Lisbeth , Vargas-Fernández Rodrigo 
Published: June 2022

Background: Cataracts are a public health problem, especially in low- and middle-income countries, where the greatest limitations of health care systems are observed, making access to treatment difficult. This study aimed to determine the factors associated with the presence of cataracts in adults over 50 years of age in Peru. Methods: A cross-sectional analytical observational study was performed of data from the 2019 Demographic and Family Health Survey (ENDES – acronym in Spanish). The dependent variable was the self-reported diagnosis of cataracts (yes or no). Crude and adjusted prevalence ratios (aPR) were calculated using a generalized linear model of the Poisson family with a log link function to estimate factors associated with self-reported cataract diagnosis. Results: We analyzed the data of 8775 Peruvian adults older than 50 years; 1322 (16.68%) self-reported a diagnosis of cataract. A higher prevalence of having cataracts was associated with being aged 60-69 years (aPR: 1.40; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.21-1.61) and 70 years and older (aPR: 2.78; 95% CI: 2.44-3.18), identifying as being of native ethnicity (aPR: 1.30; 95% CI: 1.16-1.47), having undergone ophthalmologic evaluation in the last 12 months (aPR: 2.29; 95% CI: 2.07-2.53) and having diabetes mellitus (aPR: 1.30; 95% CI: 1.13-1.51). The prevalence of cataracts was lower in subjects belonging to the poorest wealth quintile (aPR: 0.55; 95% CI: 0.43-0.70) and those with a higher level of education (aPR: 0.74; 95% CI: 0.62-0.88). Conclusions: In Peru, one out of six adults older than 50 years self-reported a diagnosis of cataracts. People older than 60 years, being of native ethnicity, having had a visual acuity evaluation in the last 12 months and having diabetes were associated with a higher prevalence of cataracts. These factors should be considered when implementing strategies for health education, promotion and prevention to ensure access to early ophthalmologic care.
Case Report: Adrenocortical carcinoma in an adult male with hypokalemic hypertensive: Report of a rare case in Nepal
Authors: K.C. Indu , Alam Md Zafar , Simkhada Nabin , Jang Rayamajhi Rabindra , Alam Rizwan 
Published: June 2022

Adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC), with an incidence of 2-5 percent, is an uncommon source of unilateral adrenal mass and hyperaldosteronism. In Nepal, there is no literature on this uncommon adrenocortical cancer. A forty-year-old Nepalese army regular with resistant hypertension on various antihypertensive medicines presenting with a background of considerable weight loss decreased appetite, and repeated episodes of vomiting were described. His blood tests revealed hypokalemia and a high aldosterone/renin ratio. A tumor in the left adrenal gland was discovered during an abdominal CECT scan. He was operated on for left adrenal incidentaloma and the procedure was uneventful. We recommend clinicians suspect hyperaldosteronism in an adult with refractory hypertension and hypokalemia.
Case Report: Long QT syndrome in the setting of post COVID depression
Authors: Noamen Aymen , Ben Ayed Houssem , Ebn Ebrahim Youssef , Chenik Sarra , Hajlaoui Nadhem , Fehri Wafa 
Published: June 2022

Long QT syndrome is a genetically inherited heart disease caused by mutations in genes coding for the ion channels expressed in the heart cells. Like any other hereditary pathology Long QT Syndrome manifestations often start at a young age. We report the case of a 65-year-old woman who presented a syncope after taking antidepressants, revealing a congenital long QT syndrome. The onset of cardiovascular symptoms in elderly subjects with such an unrecognized entity is very rare and is most often due to transient biological disturbances or to the use of certain drugs, which prolong the QT interval.
Developing a model for health determinants research within local government: lessons from a large, urban local authority
Authors: West Jane , Wright John , Bridges Sally , Cartwright Chris , Ciesla Kayley , Pickett Kate E. , Shore Robert , Witcherley Phil , Flinders Mathew , McEachan Rosemary R.C. , Mon-Williams Mark , Bird Pippa , Lennon Laura , Cooper Duncan , Muckle Sarah , England Kersten , Sheldon Trevor 
Published: June 2022

Background: Socio-economic, cultural and environmental conditions strongly affect health across the life course. Local government plays a key role in influencing these wider determinants of health and levels of inequality within their communities. However, they lack the research infrastructure and culture that would enable them to develop an evidence-based approach to tackling the complex drivers of those conditions. Methods: We undertook a scoping project using some research methods and some descriptive summaries to explore the potential for, and what would be needed to develop a local authority research system for the City of Bradford, UK. This included identifying the current research landscape and any barriers and enablers to research activity within the local authority using qualitative individual and focus group interviews, a rapid review of existing local research system models, scoping and description of the use of evidence in decision making and training opportunities and existing support for local government research. Results: We identified four key themes important to developing and sustaining a research system: leadership, resource and capacity, culture, partnerships. Some use of research in decision making was evident but research training opportunities within the local authority were limited. Health research funders are slowly adapting to the local government environment, but this remains limited and more work is needed to shift the centre of gravity towards public health, local government and the community more generally. Conclusions: We propose a model for a local authority research system that can guide the development of an exemplar whole system research framework that includes research infrastructure, data sharing, research training and skills, and co-production with local partners, to choose, use, generate, and deliver research in local government.
To the Question of Teaching Staff Readiness to Digital Training
Authors: Stolbova Irina , Nosov Konstantin , Tarasova Lyubov' 
Published: June 2022

The question of teaching staff readiness to digitalize the educational process is considered in this paper. Digital education is a prerequisite for training of specialists meeting the requirements for the XXI century digital economy. There are a number of challenges in introducing digital learning, including those in engineering education. Digitalization of the technical subject area is very costly process that has its own specifics and requires developers to possess not only professional competencies related to a particular discipline, but also to be advanced in the arear of information and communication technologies. Besides modern teaching and laboratory facilities, and computer systems for various purposes, an important condition for promoting of digitization in subject teaching is teaching staff willingness to improve their teaching skills along with fluency in modern digital technologies.
As an example of subject teaching, in this paper are considered informatization and digitalization of basic geometric and graphic training for students at technical higher education institutes. The analysis is carried out from the point of view related to preparation of the academic teaching staff for creation and implementation of the educational environment that meets the requirements for dynamically developing design as a type of engineering activity. The scheme for realization of mixed learning has been presented, which introduction is determined by students' individual work implementation, and the process of students' online geometric-graphic training during self-isolation for COVID-19 prevention has been described. An analysis of teacher's activity content increase in the full online training mode has been carried out. Has been presented a set of practical measures acting to raise the chair’s teaching staff qualification and providing readiness to solving urgent problems of students’ learning through the digital educational environment.
As a conclusion of the study, it is stated that in digitalization conditions the most successful form for implementing of basic geometric and graphic training is the form of blended learning.
The emergence of COVID-19 in the Democratic Republic of Congo: Community knowledge, attitudes, and practices in Kinshasa
Authors: Akilimali Pierre Z. , Mashinda Désiré K. , Lulebo Aimé M. , Mafuta Eric M. , Onyamboko Marie A. , Tran Nguyen Toan 
Published: June 2022

Background
The first COVID-19 case in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) was reported on 10 March 2020 in Kinshasa, prompting the government to promote internationally agreed non-pharmacological interventions for infection prevention and control. Public compliance to these measures is critical and depends on the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) of communities regarding COVID-19, for which there was no data. This study aimed to bridge that gap.

Methods
A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted in Kinshasa in June 2020, during the emergency state, following a four-stage sampling process. Master’s students from the Kinshasa School of Public Health conducted the survey. Descriptive and regression analyses were performed.

Results
The study enrolled 726 women and 600 men (mean age: 43; SD 16-85). Nearly everyone heard about COVID-19 (mainly through television, radio, and street reports), but only 17% were highly knowledgeable about its transmission modes, signs and symptoms, and preventive measures. More than 80% of participants believed in the disease’s seriousness; however, only 21% found the total lockdown acceptable. Nonetheless, 86% reported regular hand cleaning and mask-wearing followed by physical distancing (72%). Poorer, younger, and non-Catholic participants were overall markedly less knowledgeable and had comparatively lower levels of health-protective attitudes, acceptance, and practices. The education level and household size did not matter. Female participants tended to show fewer enabling attitudes and practices toward COVID-19 prevention measures compared to men.

Conclusion
Adequate public health information to improve the population’s KAP related to COVID-19 is critical and must be designed with and delivered to the community—considering the specific needs of diverse sub-groups and contexts. Studies in Kinshasa and similar settings are necessary to understand the barriers to and enablers of acquiring, applying, and maintaining the optimal population’s KAP for COVID-19 prevention and control.
Validity and reliability of handgrip dynamometry in older adults: A comparison of two widely used dynamometers
Authors: Benton Melissa J. , Spicher Jefferson M. , Silva-Smith Amy L. 
Published: June 2022

BackgroundAmong older adults, decreased handgrip strength is associated with greater risk of frailty, and loss of physical function, mobility, lean mass, and overall muscular strength and power. Frailty is also associated with sarcopenia, for which handgrip strength measurement has been recommended for diagnostic purposes. Specific cutoff points for diagnosis have been identified, but use of different devices may affect measurement. Therefore to assess validity and reliability, we compared the two most frequently used devices, the Jamar hydraulic and Smedley spring handgrip dynamometers.MethodsSixty-seven older (76.2 ± 0.9 years) men (n = 34) and women (n = 33) completed two trials of handgrip strength measurement on sequential days (T1, T2) using both devices in random order. Intraclass correlations were used to assess test-retest reliability, and Bland-Altman analysis was used to assess validity as the level of agreement between devices.ResultsThere were significant (p< 0.001) relationships between devices at T1 (r= 0.94) and T2 (r= 0.94) and strong (p< 0.001) intraclass correlations were observed for both devices (Jamar = 0.98; Smedley = 0.96), indicating excellent reliability. However, there were significant differences between devices. Strength measured with Jamar was greater than Smedley at both T1 (27.4 ± 1.4 vs. 23.4 ± 1.1 kg,p< 0.001) and T2 (25.3 ± 1.4 vs. 21.8 ± 1.2 kg,p< 0.001). Bland-Altman analysis confirmed these differences. Subgroup analysis to evaluate the effect of gender and age indicated that in women and old-old (>75 years) participants, differences between devices were closer to zero for both measurements compared to men and young-old (65–75 years) participants.ConclusionsOur results demonstrate that despite excellent reliability, there is poor agreement between devices, indicating a lack of validity. For use as a diagnostic tool, standardization and device-specific cutoff points for handgrip dynamometry are needed.
Comorbidities and therapy for chronic non-specific low back pain and fibromyalgia
Authors: Nasonova T. I. , Parfenova E. V. 
Published: June 2022

Fibromyalgia (FM) often occurs under the mask of non-specific low back pain (NLBP).Objective: to compare the combined disorders and treatment efficacy in FM and chronic NLBP (chNLBP).Patients and methods. We examined 33 patients with chNLBP (27 women and 6 men, mean age 51.5±16.7 years) and 53 patients with FM (47 women and 6 men, mean age 46.8±14.6 years). Pain intensity was assessed using a numerical rating scale (NRS), using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), the Screening for Somatoform Symptoms-2 (SOMS-2), the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS), Insomnia Severity Index (ISI), updated Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQR; disability in patients with FM), Oswestry Index (IO; disability in patients with chNLBP). Comprehensive treatment of patients included educational conversations, cognitive behavioral therapy, kinesitherapy, among drugs antidepressants, and in patients with FM anticonvulsants.Results and discussion. Previously, the diagnosis of FM was established only in 15% of patients, the diagnosis of chNLBP – in 82% of patients. The intensity of pain in FM was 7.1±1.9 points according to the NRS and was higher than in chNLBP (5.6±2.4 points; p=0.002). In the group of patients with FM compared to patients with chNLBP, significantly higher values of anxiety according to HADS (10.9±4.5 and 6.9±4.0 points; p<0.001), sleepiness according to ESS (8.2±4.6 and 6.2±4.6 points; p=0.014), somatization according to SOMS-2 (28.0 and 20.0 points; p<0.001) were detected. Possible anatomical causes of pain have been identified in all patients with chNLBP and only in 13% of patients with FM. 6 months after thestart of treatment in the FM group, pain intensity significantly (p<0.001) decreased to 3.7±2.6 points according to the NRS, anxiety to 6.7±3.5 points according to HADS, depression to 4.7±2 .6 points according to HADS, disability from 54.9±18.4 to 34.0±20.2 points according to FIQR; in chNLBP group pain intensity significantly (p<0.05) decreased to 2.6±2.1 points according to the NRS, anxiety decreased to 4.2±2.5 points according to HADS, depression to 6.5±3.3 points according to HADS, disability from 37.8±17.4 to 14.5±14.2 points according to IO.Conclusion. FM is less frequently diagnosed in comparison with chNLBP, accompanied by a higher pain intensity, anxiety, sleepiness and somatization. Complex therapy leads to a stable positive effect both in chNLBP and in FM.