Prevalence of Individuals with Deafblindness and Age-Related Dual-Sensory Loss

Introduction The authors of this paper have compiled a report on the prevalence of deafblindness and dual-sensory loss based on the review of existing estimates. The purpose is to inform readers of the importance of using consistent, well-researched definitions and survey questions in future prevalence studies. Methods Articles were extracted through ProQuest and EBSCOhost, online library databases of Cambrian College and Laurentian University. Keywords search included “deafblindness,” “dual-sensory impairment,” “dual-sensory loss,” “age-related,” “congenital,” “acquired,” and “prevalence.” Additionally, the authors conducted a search with Google for research reports and Google Scholar for other relevant peer-reviewed articles. Results This review provides a current overview of prevalence estimates of deafblindness and age-related dual-sensory loss around the world, examining 19 articles or reports published over the last 20 years (2000–2020) in 18 countries, including the European Union (consisting of 8 countries). In line with the prevalence estimates by the World Federation for the Deafblind global report 2018, the review indicates an estimated 0.2–2% prevalence of dual-sensory impairment and underscores varying ranges of prevalence among populations, studies or countries, age groups, and types of deafblindness. The review highlights that the prevalence of deafblindness or dual-sensory loss was often not comparable across studies, but it is clear that the prevalence of dual-sensory impairment increases with age. The studies varied in methods (e.g., population surveys, cross-sectional, and longitudinal studies). Implication for practitioners The review provides evidence of varying ranges of prevalence rates. Future prevalence studies may benefit from consistent definitions, standard data-collection tools to do better comparisons across countries, and identify factors that predict higher or lower prevalence rates among populations and age groups.

Leishmaniasis in the United States military veterinary patient population

OBJECTIVE To describe the presence of Leishmania infection within the animal population receiving care from US Army Veterinary Services. ANIMALS 629 canine, feline, and equine patients of US Army Veterinary Services from 2014 to 2017. PROCEDURES Personnel at the US Army Public Health Center ran a query within the Remote Online Veterinary Record system using previously validated search terms (eg, liesh, leish, and lesh) and returned data on any patient for which the master problem list included those terms. Next, a query was run to identify all leishmaniasis testing. Records identified by queries were reviewed manually, and data were collected on patient signalment, indication for and type of testing, location of testing, and previous locations or country of the patient. RESULTS Only dogs (n = 378), not cats or horses, had been tested for leishmaniasis, 54 (14.3%) of which tested positive for Leishmania infection. More specifically, 39 of 104 (37.5%) privately owned dogs tested positive, compared with 15 of 274 (5.6%) government-owned dogs. Overall, 186 dogs had no clinical signs, 12 (6.5%) of which tested positive. Forty-four of the 54 (81%) test-positive dogs were located in or had traveled to an endemic area. CLINICAL RELEVANCE The prevalence of leishmaniasis in the various subpopulations of dogs suggested the need for additional prevalence studies. Many animals travel in and out of the US, and repeated introduction of Leishmania spp could lead to this vector-borne disease becoming endemic in the US animal and human populations. Consequently, US veterinarians need to ensure proper testing and follow-up to protect one health.

Bullying and Autism Spectrum Disorder

Across schools, bullying under all of its forms (e.g., physical, verbal, relational, cyber) is a concerning phenomenon. Prevalence studies suggest that children with ASD are a particularly vulnerable population. Specifically, children with ASD are at a considerably higher risk of being bullied than their peers with other or no special educational needs. This chapter aims to examine in what way bullying occurs in ASD populations and what particular challenges individuals with ASD have to deal with. More specifically, the chapter describes and discusses key points in the existing literature on bullying and autism spectrum disorder, such as (1) types of bullying, (2) causes and determining factors, (3) risk and protective factors, (4) consequences of bullying, (5) prevention strategies and interventions where the transition to recommendations is made through thorough research specifically applied to this topic in order to provide theory and evidence-based practices for educators, teachers, school counselors, parents, and any other interested party.

Differences In Chronic Pain Prevalence Between Men And Women At Mid-Life: A Systematic Review Protocol

Background: Epidemiological literature has revealed differences in chronic pain (CP) prevalence in men and women. Women have been found to be more likely to develop CP compared to men at different points of the life-course, such as childhood and old age. Less is known about differences in prevalence by sex during mid-life. While CP is most prevalent later in life, biological and physical changes in mid-life may predispose to an earlier differentiation in CP distribution – for example due to the menopause. The aim of this study is to describe the prevalence of CP at midlife in men and women, and to identify how these differences relate to results pertaining to other periods in the life-course. Methods: This systematic review follows PRISMA guidelines. An electronic search will identify appropriate studies in the following databases: MEDLINE, to be accessed through Web of Science; and EMBASE, AMED and PSYCHinfo to be accessed through OVID. Two reviewers will independently screen each title and abstract and subsequently each full text following the inclusion criteria outlined in this protocol. The reference lists of eligible papers will also be screened to identify any further eligible studies. Any inconsistencies between reviewer decisions will be resolved through discussion. Studies eligible for data extraction will report estimates of CP prevalence, of prevalence for each sex, and difference in prevalence between sexes. Two reviewers will conduct data extraction using a standardised data extraction form. Quality assessment will be conducted using a risk of bias assessment tool for prevalence studies. The findings will be reported in a narrative synthesis and will comment on expected heterogeneity, following the Social Research Council Methods Programme guidelines. A random effects meta-analysis will be conducted where the reviewers can justify combining results.Discussion: This review will summarise the prevalence of CP in men and women at mid-life, based on existing evidence. It is expected that the results will identify gaps in knowledge and areas for further research.Systematic review registration: PROSPERO: CRD42021295895

Documentation of Adherence To Infection Prevention Best Practice in Patient Records – A Mixed-Methods Investigation

Background Healthcare-associated infections remain a preventable cause of patient harm in healthcare. Full documentation of adherence to evidence-based best practices for each patient can support monitoring and promotion of infection prevention measures. Thus, we reviewed the extent, nature, and determinants of the documentation of infection prevention (IP) standards in patients with HAI. Methods We reviewed the electronic patient records (EMRs) of patients included in four annual point-prevalence studies 2013-2016 who developed a device- or procedure-related HAI (catheter-associated urinary tract infection (CAUTI), central line-associated bloodstream infection (CLABSI), ventilator-associated infection (VAP), surgical site infection (SSI)). We examined the documentation quality of mandatory preventive measures published as institutional IP standards. Additionally, we undertook semi-structured interviews with healthcare providers and a two-step inductive (grounded theory) and deductive (Theory of Planned Behaviour) content analysis. Results Of overall 2972 surveyed patients, 249 patients developed 272 healthcare-associated infections (8.4%). Of these, 116 patients met the inclusion criteria, classified as patients with CAUTI, CLABSI, VAP, SSI in 21 (18%), 7 (6%), 10 (9%), 78 (67%) cases, respectively. We found a documentation of the IP measures in electronic medical records (EMR) in 432/1308 (33%) cases. Documentation of execution existed in the study patients’ EMR for CAUTI, CLABSI, VAP, SSI, and overall, in 27/104 (26%), 26/151 (17%), 46/122 (38%), 261/931 (28%), and 360/1308 (28%) cases, respectively, and documentation of non-execution in 2/104 (2%), 3/151 (2%), 0/122 (0%), 67/931 (7%), and 72/1308 (6%) cases, respectively. Healthcare provider attitude, subjective norm, and perceived behavioural control indicated reluctance to document IP standards. Conclusions EMRs rarely included conclusive data about IP standards adherence. Documentation had to be established indirectly through data captured for other reasons. It can be projected that a mandatory institutional documentation protocol and technically automated documentation would be necessary to alleviate this shortcoming in patient safety documentation.

Gestational Diabetes Mellitus in Europe: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Prevalence Studies

BackgroundGestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM) is defined as the type of hyperglycemia diagnosed for the first-time during pregnancy, presenting with intermediate glucose levels between normal levels for pregnancy and glucose levels diagnostic of diabetes in the non-pregnant state. We aimed to systematically review and meta-analyze studies of prevalence of GDM in European countries at regional and sub-regional levels, according to age, trimester, body weight, and GDM diagnostic criteria.MethodsSystematic search was conducted in five databases to retrieve studies from 2014 to 2019 reporting the prevalence of GDM in Europe. Two authors have independently screened titles and abstracts and full text according to eligibility using Covidence software. A random-effects model was used to quantify weighted GDM prevalence estimates. The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute criteria was used to assess the risk of bias.ResultsFrom the searched databases, 133 research reports were deemed eligible and included in the meta-analysis. The research reports yielded 254 GDM-prevalence studies that tested 15,572,847 pregnant women between 2014 and 2019. The 133 research reports were from 24 countries in Northern Europe (44.4%), Southern Europe (27.1%), Western Europe (24.1%), and Eastern Europe (4.5%). The overall weighted GDM prevalence in the 24 European countries was estimated at 10.9% (95% CI: 10.0–11.8, I2: 100%). The weighted GDM prevalence was highest in the Eastern Europe (31.5%, 95% CI: 19.8–44.6, I2: 98.9%), followed by in Southern Europe (12.3%, 95% CI: 10.9–13.9, I2: 99.6%), Western Europe (10.7%, 95% CI: 9.5–12.0, I2: 99.9%), and Northern Europe (8.9%, 95% CI: 7.9–10.0, I2: 100). GDM prevalence was 2.14-fold increased in pregnant women with maternal age ≥30 years (versus 15-29 years old), 1.47-fold if the diagnosis was made in the third trimester (versus second trimester), and 6.79- fold in obese and 2.29-fold in overweight women (versus normal weight).ConclusionsIn Europe, GDM is significant in pregnant women, around 11%, with the highest prevalence in pregnant women of Eastern European countries (31.5%). Findings have implications to guide vigilant public health awareness campaigns about the risk factors associated with developing GDM.Systematic Review RegistrationPROSPERO [https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/], identifier CRD42020161857.

Behavioural responses to SARS-CoV-2 antibody testing in England: REACT-2 study

Background: This study assesses the behavioural responses to SARS-CoV-2 antibody test results as part of the REal-time Assessment of Community Transmission-2 (REACT-2) research programme, a large community-based surveillance study of antibody prevalence in England. Methods: A follow-up survey was conducted six weeks after the SARS-CoV-2 antibody test. The follow-up survey included 4500 people with a positive result and 4039 with a negative result. Reported changes in behaviour were assessed using difference-in-differences models. A nested interview study was conducted with 40 people to explore how they thought through their behavioural decisions. Results: While respondents reduced their protective behaviours over the six weeks, we did not find evidence that positive test results changed participant behaviour trajectories in relation to the number of contacts the respondents had, for leaving the house to go to work, or for leaving the house to socialise in a personal place. The qualitative findings supported these results. Most people did not think that they had changed their behaviours because of their test results, however they did allude to some changes in their attitudes and perceptions around risk, susceptibility, and potential severity of symptoms. Conclusions: We found limited evidence that knowing your antibody status leads to behaviour change in the context of a research study. While this finding should not be generalised to widespread self-testing in other contexts, it is reassuring given the importance of large prevalence studies, and the practicalities of doing these at scale using self-testing with lateral flow immunoassay (LFIA).

The epidemiology of common mental disorders in Libya: a systematic review

Introduction There has been a global increase in the prevalence of common mental disorders (CMD), particularly in conflict hotspots. The limited amount of resources is one of the key barriers to effective treatment within Low- and Middle-income countries (LAMICs). The lack of service provision for mental health disorders in LAMICs has resulted in limited opportunities to conduct mental health research. Libya is a North African country that has suffered from ongoing conflict with the current political unrest in Libya further impacting the mental health of the population. Main text The aim of this review is to conduct a synthesis of evidence regarding the estimated prevalence and associated risk factors of CMD in Libya. A search was completed in the academic databases; PubMed, Medline, EMBASE, PsychINFO, CINHAL, and the Institute for Development, Research, Advocacy and Applied Care (IDRAAC) from inception to March 2020. Only studies that investigated prevalence and associated risk factors of CMD in Libya were included. A total of 219 studies were identified of which 15 met the inclusion criteria for the review. There were (n = 3) papers investigated the prevalence of depression, (n = 4) studies were focused on stress-related disorders and the remaining papers looked at both anxiety and depression. Statistically, sample sizes of the included studies ranged from (n = 41–13,031) for the prevalence studies (mean = 1188.6, median = 233). Conclusion The status of Libya as a conflict hotspot has led to a reduced level of epidemiological data on mental health, with a vital need to conduct research in CMD. Libya requires better clinical governance which can allow for more scientific research into CMD and enabling the Libyan government to develop evidence-based policy initiatives for CMD.

EFFECTIVENESS OF SAHACHARADI TAILAM FOURTEEN TIMES AVARTHI WITH PRE-MEDICATION IN QUALITY OF LIFE OF PARKINSON’S DISEASE AS AN ADD ON TO MODERN MEDICINE

Parkinsons disease (PD) is an idiopathic degenerative disorder that affects mainly old age. Community-based prevalence studies from India have documented crude prevalence rates of PD from 7 to 328 per 100,000 in the overall population. The current management in PD is effective in alleviating signs and symptoms but the quality of life is not preserved. This study was undertaken to the clinical evaluation of Sahacharadi Tailam fourteen times Avarthi with premedication in improving the quality of life in Parkinson's patients. Since Kapha and Vata plays an important role in Samprapthi of Parkinson's disease, Kapha Vatha Hara Chikitsa should be effective. All types of Sneha Dravya are used in Vatha Vyadhi Chikitsa and Taila is more effective when Vatha is associated with Kapha. Most of the drugs in Sahachaadi Tailam have Vata Kapha Hara properties. The study design was an interventional study pre and post evaluation with a sample size of ten patients. Parkinson's disease of age group 40-70 years of both sex attending the OPD and IPD of Department of Kayachikitsa, Govt. Ayurveda College, Thiruvananthapuram was selected for the study. The patient selected for the study was subjected to Deepana – Pachana with Gandharvahastadi Kashayam 48 ml at7 am & 7 pm one hour before food and vaiswanarachoorna 6 gm with Kasayam internally and Udvarthana with Kolakulathadi Choorna externally for 1-7 days, Snehapana with Rasnadasamoola Gritham starting with 25ml with increasing dosage for 3-7 days, abhyanga and Ushma Sveda with Balatailam and Virechana with Gandharveranda Tailam 30-45ml and Samsarjanakrama as a preparatory phase for the administration of study drug. Then patients received Sahacharadi Tailam fourteen times Avarthi for two months. Follow up was done 15 days after the intervention. On statistical analysis, there was a significant reduction in symptoms like tremor rigidity and pain before treatment, after Shodhana, after interven- tion & after follow up assessments. Keywords: PD, Sahacharadi Tailam fourteen times Avarthi, Deepana- Pachana, Udvarthana, Snehapana, Abyanga, Ushma Sveda, Virechana, Samsarjana Krama, Kaphavatahara and Vata Vyadhi.