Nutritional Behaviors, Vitamin Supplementation and Physical Activity among Polish Adults during the COVID-19 Pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic and its consequences, including social isolation, movement restrictions and work instability have altered many people’s nutritional behaviors and daily lifestyle. The aim of the study was to evaluate the influence of the COVID-19 pandemic on selected eating habits, physical activity and daily lifestyle changes of Polish adults (n = 145). The self-designed and anonymous questionnaire was available online from the 1 May 2021 to the 15 May 2021. In general, 60% of respondents declared that the COVID-19 pandemic did not affect their dietary habits, whereas 26% of surveyed individuals answered in the affirmative. The effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on changing dietary habits was differentiated by age (Pearson’s χ2 = 12.604; p = 0.0134). The number of meals consumed by respondents per day differed across gender groups (Pearson’s χ2 = 9.653; df = 4; p = 0.0466). An increase in body weight during the COVID-19 pandemic was reported by 43% of women and 7.6% of surveyed men. Additionally, hybrid working women declared most often an increase in body mass independent of age, education level and living place. Moreover, the majority of respondents who reported the effect of the pandemic on changing dietary habits also declared more frequent sweets consumption. The study revealed that respondents who stated more frequent sweets consumption during the COVID-19 pandemic were more likely associated with an increase in body mass (OR = 6.75, 95% CI, 6.75–91.25). No increase in the consumption of vitamin D, C and Mg supplements and pickled products was found.

The Epidemiology of Bruxism in Relation to Psychological Factors

The aim of the present study was to establish the prevalence of sleep/awake bruxism among young students in Transylvania and to correlate the presence of this muscle activity with behavioral variations. This analytical, observational, cohort, cross-sectional, and prospective study involved 308 volunteers aged between 19 and 30 years of different nationalities, all students of the “Iuliu Hațieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy in Cluj-Napoca, Romania. Subjects were asked to complete an anonymous questionnaire which was structured in five sections. The results obtained from the questionnaires were analyzed separately for sleep bruxism and for awake bruxism. We did not find any statistically significant correlation between awake bruxism or sleep bruxism and age (p = 0.30 and p = 0.37, respectively), sex (p = 0.44 and p = 0.48, respectively), or nationality (p = 0.55 and p = 0.67, respectively). Only a high degree of stress and frustration (p = 0.035 and p = 0.020) was observed in European subjects except for the Romanians and the French, likely related to the difficulties of adapting to the language and lifestyle in Romania. Female sex was statistically significantly associated with an increased level of stress (p = 0.004), duty-related depression (p = 0.006), and duty-related anxiety (p = 0.003). Stress and anxiety can be favorable factors in the appearance of both types of bruxism; however, depression is associated only with awake bruxism.

Graduating Otolaryngology Residents’ Ideal Practice Expectations: A Longitudinal Analysis

Objective Prior literature has indicated that the number of trained otolaryngologists required to meet the need of our growing population may be insufficient. Therefore, identifying trends in the subspecialty composition of future otolaryngology practices will elucidate workforce needs. Study Design One-page anonymous questionnaire. Setting The survey was completed by examinees at the conclusion of their American Board of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery oral examination from 2011 to 2019. Methods Data included age, gender, fellowship, practice type, and ideal future practice components. Results A total of 2286 examinees were included: 58.1% were male and 57.2% completed a fellowship. Ideal practice specialties included general otolaryngology (19%), rhinology (15%), head and neck (13%), and pediatrics (11%). General and pediatric otolaryngology had a negative correlation over time ( r = −0.81, P = .01, and r = −0.75, P = .03, respectively). An overall 45% of graduates reported 1 ideal practice area ( r = 0.61, P = .10), with a statistically significant decline in the number of ideal practice areas over time ( r = −0.79, P = .018). Men more commonly reported allergy, head and neck, otology, rhinology, and sleep medicine as part of their ideal practice ( P < .05), while women more commonly reported pediatric otolaryngology ( P < .05). There was a higher mean number of ideal practice areas among men than women (2.58 vs 2.1, P < .001). Conclusion There is a growing trend for more specialized otolaryngology practices. The data demonstrate a decline in considering general and pediatrics otolaryngology as part of practices, which portends a gap in access to comprehensive otolaryngology in the future.

Gynecological morbidity in girls and adolescent girls in a large industrial city

The results of randomized complex clinical andlaboratory examination of 1540 girls and juveniles are drawn, which characterize the rate and the structure of gynecological pathology under conditions of an industrial city. Gynecological morbidity proved to be closely associated with the state of somatic health in girls. Disorders of menstrualfunction occupy the most important place in the structure of gynecological pathology, dysfunctional uterine bleedings prevailing over other kinds of pathology. Anonymous questionnaire of 1700juveniles revealed some peculiarities of their reproductive and contraceptive behavior. The age of the beginning of sexual life at the average comes up to 14,6 0,5 years in the city of Ufa (an average age over Russia 16,1 years), the rate of juveniles who use adequate contraceptives being very low (9,5%). The article gives light to the problems of elaborating the system of organizational and medico-prophy lactic measures for girls and juveniles with gynecological pathology andputtingthem into practice.

The use of digital dental photography in an Eastern European country

Aims. To assess the use of digital photography in dentistry and its relation with the professional experience of the dental practitioners in Romania. Methods. An anonymous questionnaire including eight questions was distributed online to collect information on the use of dental photography. Results. 84.84% of the respondents were using a photographic equipment in their clinical practice. Regarding the type of photographic equipment used, 51.79% of the participants indicated DSLR cameras, 44.05% smartphones, 2.38% compact cameras and 1.78% other devices for taking clinical images. There was a significant association (p<0.05) between the experience of the practitioners and the use of dental photography, type of equipment and protocol used. Conclusions. Respondents with more than 10 years of experience were more likely to use digital photography in their practice than those with less experience. Most of the digital photography users with more than 10 years of experience were taking images with a DSLR Camera (65.52%) followed by 31.04% smartphone users. Conversely, 56.42% of the clinical photography users with less than 5 years of experience mainly preferred a smartphone device and 41.02% a DSLR Camera.

The Sexual Rights of People with Physical and Psychical Disabilities: Attitudes of Italians and Socio-Demographic Factors Involved in Recognition and Denial

The aims of this study were: (1) to analyze the level of agreement of a sample of Italian people with the rights of people with physical and psychical disabilities (PwPHDs and PwPSYDs) to have satisfying sexuality, to marry, to adopt a child; (2) to inquire if PwPSYDs were subject to less recognition than PwPHDs; (3) to verify if socio-demographic characteristics, such as age, sex, education, occupation, geographical origin, relational status, sexual orientation, and religiosity, associated with being against these sexual and parenting rights (SPRs). An online anonymous questionnaire inquired the level of agreement or disagreement with statements regarding the SPRs of PwPHDs and PwPSYDs. 973 participants, aged 18 &ndash; 84 years (71.1% females) were considered for analyses; At least 7 out of 10 participants declared in favor of the SPRs of PwPHDs, while the SPRs of PwPSYDs were always subjected to higher underrecognition. Religiosity almost invariably associated to being against the SPRs of PwDs. Being male, of higher age and lower education also associated with lower recognition. A better identification of the less tolerant respondents and of the less recognized categories may allow for specific strategies for promoting the recognition of the SPRs for PwDs.

Acceptance of COVID-19 Vaccination among Healthcare and Non-Healthcare Workers of Hospitals and Outpatient Clinics in the Northern Region of Slovakia

The purpose of this study was to analyse attitudes, motivation, and reasons for hesitancy toward COVID-19 vaccination among healthcare workers (HCWs) in northern Slovakia. A cross-sectional study was conducted between 30 August 2021 and 30 September 2021. An anonymous questionnaire was administered. The study was completed by 1277 employees. Multivariate logistic regression was used to identify predictors of COVID-19 vaccination status. A total of 1076 (84.3%) were vaccinated, and 201 (15.7%) were unvaccinated. Physician job type (OR = 1.77; CI95 1.13–2.78), history of COVID-19 (OR = 0.37; CI95 0.26–0.37), influenza vaccination at any time (OR = 1.97; CI95 1.12–3.46), compulsory vaccination for HCWs (OR = 9.15; CI95 2.92–28.62), and compulsory vaccination for selected groups (OR = 9.71; CI95 2.75–34.31) were the predictors significantly associated with COVID-19 vaccination acceptance. Non-physician HCWs, employees in hospitals, and employees without a history of COVID-19 significantly more distrusted the efficacy of vaccines against COVID-19. Results of our study confirmed that physicians have higher vaccination rates and lower hesitance to get vaccinated than non-physician HCWs. HCWs play an important role in influencing vaccination decisions and can be helpful in vaccine advocacy to the general public.

Characteristics of “chūnibyō” identified by a questionnaire

Background “Chūnibyō” is a term that represents a distinctive, transient mental state during puberty in Japan, but its characteristics and precise definition have not been standardized. Increased awareness of chūnibyō could lead to a better environment for those who experience it. This study aimed to identify the characteristics of and problems related to chūnibyō using an anonymous questionnaire. Materials and methods An anonymous online questionnaire was conducted in February 2021 in Japan. In total, 314 volunteers completed the anonymous online questionnaire. Respondents were divided into the chūnibyō group (n = 122) and the non-chūnibyō group (n = 192), and the questionnaire responses were compared between the two groups. Furthermore, the responses were compared between the chūnibyō with problems subgroup (n = 82) and the other subgroup (n = 232). The main outcome was the identification of the chūnibyō group based on the responses to the item “I have experienced chūnibyō” or “I have been told that I exhibited chūnibyō”. Results The median age of the chūnibyō group was 31 years old; this group was predominantly male (n = 79, 64.8%) and had a relatively high proportion of respondents with any problems (n = 82, 67.2%). The chūnibyō group had higher proportions of respondents who felt that academic tests did not reflect their true worth (n = 58 (47.5%) vs. n = 66 (35.4%), p = 0.024), who felt uncomfortable in the world (n = 77 (61.1%) vs. n = 67 (34.9%), p<0.001), and who had an imaginary/fantasy friend or boyfriend/girlfriend (n = 39 (32.0%) vs. n = 10 (5.2%), p<0.001). The results were similar between the chūnibyō with problems subgroup and the other subgroup. Eighty respondents (25.4%) had negative impressions of chūnibyō, whereas twenty-one respondents (6.7%) had positive impressions. Conclusions This study is the first to report the characteristics of chūnibyō by collecting the experiences and thoughts of people who experienced chūnibyō.

Emotional state of anesthesiologists and intensivists in different periods of the COVID-19 pandemic�

Objective: identifcation of the peculiarities of the emotional states of anesthesiologists and intensivists in different periods of the COVID-19 Pandemic.Material and Methods. The study was conducted using an anonymous questionnaire survey in the frst and second waves of the pandemic COVID-19 among anesthesiologists and intensivists of the Arkhangelsk region: in May 2020 (in the frst wave of the COVID-19 pandemic), 58 doctors participated; the average age was 32.7 ± 1.7 years (M ± SD); in October 2020 (during the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic), 43 doctors were involved; the average age was 28.0 ± 1.2 years (M ± SD). The repeated questionnaire survey was conducted among the same doctors.Results. During the second wave of COVID-19, male doctors more often noted poor health, signifcant heaviness and intensity of their work versus the frst wave, while women on the contrary during the frst wave had a poorer emotional state and higher level of emotional burnout. During the second wave of COVID-19, anesthesiologists and intensivists involved in caring for patients with COVID-19 were more likely to experience poor emotional state, anxiety, low mood, irritability, and a high level of burnout compared to the frst wave.Summary. The second wave of COVID-19 is accompanied by further exhaustion of emotional resources of anesthesiologists and intensivists.

84. Paying for Parenthood: Misinterpretation of ABIM Leave Policies May Lead to Unnecessary Extension of ID Fellowships

Background Many trainees plan pregnancy during fellowship training. A study of internal medicine program directors (PDs) demonstrated frequent misinterpretation of American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) leave policies when applied to parental leave. The ABIM has since attempted to clarify its leave and deficits in training policies. The primary aim of this study was to investigate how infectious disease (ID) program directors interpret the current ABIM leave policies in crafting parental leave for trainees. Methods We surveyed 155 ID program directors in an online, anonymous questionnaire regarding their knowledge of ABIM leave policies and application toward trainees’ leaves of absence. Results 75/155 (48%) of program directors responded to the survey. Most respondents incorrectly identified the leave limits permitted by ABIM policies, and a majority mistakenly chose to extend training when a clinically competent fellow was within their allowed duration of leave.(Figure 1) Most respondents correctly identified that equal time is permitted for both birth and non-birth parent parental leave, however, reported leave durations did not reflect this equity. PDs reported the majority (60.4%) of ID trainee maternity/birth parent leaves at their programs were ≤7weeks and 4.6% were≤3 weeks, while only 7% were≥12 weeks. In contrast, 50% of paternity/non birth parent leaves were ≤3weeks and none were ≥12 weeks. (Figure 2) PDs utilize various strategies to prevent extending training for fellows taking parental leaves that exceed the limits allowed by ABIM policies, including creating “home electives,” though 34% counsel trainees to take “a shorter maternity leave.” Conclusion Fellowship program directors often misinterpret ABIM leave policies, and misapply them when given example scenarios. These findings have clear implications for trainees’ family planning and may lead to shortened parental leaves and inappropriate fellowship training extensions. Disclosures All Authors: No reported disclosures