scholarly journals Attitudes of legal guardians and legally supervised persons with and without previous research experience towards participation in research projects: A quantitative cross-sectional study

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (9) ◽  
pp. e0256689
Author(s):  
Cedric Brune ◽  
Ulrike Stentzel ◽  
Wolfgang Hoffmann ◽  
Neeltje van den Berg
Keyword(s):  
Medical Research ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Neurological Deficits ◽  
Vulnerable Groups ◽  
Research Projects ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Legal Guardian ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Total N ◽  
Legal Guardians

Background Vulnerable groups, e.g. persons with mental illness, neurological deficits or dementia, are often excluded as participants from research projects because obtaining informed consent can be difficult and tedious. This may have the consequence that vulnerable groups benefit less from medical progress. Vulnerable persons are often supported by a legal guardian in one or more demands of their daily life. We examined the attitudes of legal guardians and legally supervised persons towards medical research and the conditions and motivations to participate in studies. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional study with standardized surveys of legal guardians and legally supervised persons. Two separate questionnaires were developed for the legal guardians and the supervised persons to asses previous experiences with research projects and the reasons for participation or non-participation. The legal guardians were recruited through various guardianship organizations. The supervised persons were recruited through their legal guardian and from a previous study among psychiatric patients. The data were analysed descriptively. Results Alltogether, 82 legal guardians and 20 legally supervised persons could be recruited. Thereof 13 legal guardians (15.6%) and 13 legally supervised persons (65.0%) had previous experience with research projects. The majority of the guardians with experience in research projects had consented the participation of their supervised persons (n = 12 guardians, 60.0%; in total n = 16 approvals). The possible burden on the participating person was given as the most frequent reason not to participate both by the guardians (n = 44, 54.4%) and by the supervised persons (n = 3, 30.0%). The most frequent motivation to provide consent to participate in a research study was the desire to help other patients by gaining new scientific knowledge (guardians: n = 125, 78.1%; supervised persons: n = 10, 66.6%). Conclusions Overall, an open attitude towards medical research can be observed both among legal guardians and supervised persons. Perceived risks and no sense recognized in the study are reasons for not participating in medical research projects.

Cognitive Performance and Neuro-Metabolites in HIV using 3T Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy: A Cross-Sectional Study from India

2020 ◽  
Vol 18 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kartik Gupta ◽  
Shivabalan ◽  
Virendra Kumar ◽  
Surabhi Vyas ◽  
RM Pandey ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Impairment ◽  
Magnetic Resonance ◽  
Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy ◽  
Motor Skills ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Resonance Spectroscopy ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Total N ◽  
Simple Motor

Background: Cognitive impairment in patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is associated with higher morbidity. The prevalence of and the metabolite changes in the brain associated with cognitive impairment in anti-retroviral therapy naïve patients with HIV is unknown. Objective: To estimate the prevalence of, and the neurometabolites associated with cognitive impairment in antiretroviral therapy (ART) naïve patients with HIV. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study among ART naïve patients with HIV aged 18-50 years in a tertiary care center in India. Cognition was tested using the Post Graduate Institute battery of brain dysfunction across five domains; memory, attentioninformation processing, abstraction executive, complex perceptual, and simple motor skills. We assessed the total N-acetyl aspartyl (tNAA), creatine (tCr) and glutamate + glutamine (Glx) using 3T magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Cognitive impairment was defined as an impairment in ≥2 domains. Results: Among 43 patients eligible for this study, the median age was 32 years (IQR 29, 40) and 30% were women. Median CD4 count and viral load were 317 cells/µL (IQR 157, 456) and 9.3 copies/ µL (IQR 1.4, 38), respectively. Impairment in at least one cognitive domain was present in 32 patients (74.4%). Impairment in simple motor skills and memory was present in 46.5% and 44% of patients, respectively. Cognitive impairment, defined by impairment in ≥2 domains, was found in 22 (51.2%) patients. There was a trend towards higher concentration of tNAA (7.3 vs. 7.0 mmol/kg), tGlx (9.1 vs. 8.2 mmol/kg), and tCr (5.5 vs. 5.2 mmol/kg) in the frontal lobe of patients with cognitive impairment vs. without cognitive impairment but it did not reach statistical significance (p>0.05 for all). There was no difference in the concentration of these metabolites in the two groups in the basal ganglia. Conclusions: There is a high prevalence of cognitive impairment in ART naïve patients with HIV. There is no difference in metabolites in patients with or without cognitive impairment. Further studies, with longitudinal follow-up, are required to understand the underlying pathophysiological mechanisms.

scholarly journals Microalbuminuria in Ischaemic Stroke and its Relationship with Neurological Defects

2010 ◽  
Vol 15 (Number 2) ◽  
pp. 15-18
Author(s):  
S S Chowdhury ◽  
T Mehdi ◽  
F Alam ◽  
R Ishrat ◽  
S Parveen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Ischaemic Stroke ◽  
Developed Countries ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Neurological Deficits ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Common Cause ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Structured Questionnaire

Stroke is Me third common cause of death in developed countries. Ischaernic stroke accounts for about 83 percent of all cases. For ischaemic stroke, besides modifiable and nononodifiable risk factors. there are some potential nosy risk factors which include mieroalbuminuria. Site objective of this study was to observe the association of microalbuminuria with isehaemic stroke and as well as consequent neurological deficits. This cross sectional study was done among 100 diagnosed patients of ischaeoric stroke of both sexes. A structured questionnaire and checklist was used to collect data through face to face interview. Urinary microalbuminuria was mesured in all study subjects and assessment of necrological defects was done by modified Ranakin scale. The study revealed that the frequency of presence of microallmminteria was significantly high in ischaernic stroke. Higher the level of mieroalburninuria higher was the necrological deficit. So, microalbunrinuria may be a marker for the process to develop the ischamnic stroke.

scholarly journals Predictors of Ownership/Utilisation Indicators of Long-lasting Insecticide Nets in the Bamendankwe Health Area of Cameroon: A Cross-Sectional Study

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nchang F. Cho
Keyword(s):  
Multivariate Analysis ◽  
Urban Community ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Health District ◽  
Vulnerable Groups ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Health Area ◽  
Household Heads

Background: Long-lasting Insecticide Nets (LLINs) are effective in the prevention of malaria, but universal utilisation continues to be declining in parts of Cameroon. This study aimed to explore the predictors and incidences of LLINs ownership/ utilisation in a semi-urban community in the Bamenda Health District (BHD). . Methods: A cross-sectional survey involving 448 randomly selected household heads was conducted between March and April 2018 in the BHD. Data on LLINs ownership and utilisation were collected with structured questionnaires. Multivariate analysis was used to establish the predictors of LLINs utilisation and ownership. Results: Household owner ship of at least one LLINs and universal usage was 93.3% and 43.1% respectively. Conclusion: The utilisation of LLINs was low and had no significant association with ownership. Continuous educational efforts and monitoring schemes with specific emphasis on vulnerable groups should be stepped up.

scholarly journals Practice of Coronavirus Disease-19 Prevention Methods and Associated Factors in Three Zones of Southwest Ethiopia: Community based cross-sectional study

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wondimagegn Wondimu ◽  
Amare Genetu Ejigu ◽  
Mengistu Ayenew Mekonen ◽  
Angesom Weldu ◽  
Wondwossen Niguse Asmare ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Good Practice ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Vulnerable Groups ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Community Based ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Southwest Ethiopia ◽  
History Of ◽  
Prevention Methods ◽  
Study Participants

Abstract Background Coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) is an emerging contagious respiratory infection that brings a big puzzle to global health. In Ethiopia, the number of cases and related deaths are increasing exponentially. Prevention is currently available effective management, and its implementation has not been assessed adequately.Objective To assess the COVID-19 prevention practices in three zones of Southwest Ethiopia.Methods A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted in the Bench Sheko, Kafa, and West Omo zones. A multistage sampling technique was employed to select 845 study participants. The data collection tool was adapted from the WHO resources and related literature. SPSS version 20 was used to analyze the data. Participants who scored at least a mean score of practice questions were categorized as having good practice. Binary logistic regression was fitted to identify factors associated with the practice.Results In this study, 803 participants participated. About two-thirds (64.7%) of the respondents had a history of going to crowded places, while only 30.3% of the participants had a history of wearing a mask when leaving home. Two-thirds of the respondents had a history of maintaining their distance at 2 meters (64.4%) and washing their hands with soap and water or using alcohol-based hand sanitizers (64.8%). Generally, less than two-thirds (59.4%) of study participants had a good practice of COVID-19 prevention methods. Urban residence, good knowledge, positive attitude, intention to seek care, and perceived mortality were positively associated with good practice.Conclusion The proportion of individuals who had good COVID-19 prevention practices was inadequate. For such highly infectious diseases, prevention should be the priority intervention, and improving its implementation needs further effort. Community-based interventions such as risk communication and mass education should center on scaling up community knowledge and practice by prioritizing vulnerable groups such as rural residents.

scholarly journals “Nudging” intergroup contact: Normative social influences on intergroup contact engagement

2021 ◽  
pp. 136843022110160
Author(s):  
Rose Meleady
Keyword(s):  
Intergroup Contact ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Experimental Manipulation ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
New Techniques ◽  
Total N ◽  
High Prevalence ◽  
Normative Social Influence

Much research has shown that intergroup contact is associated with a reduction in prejudice. Far less attention has been paid to the conditions that promote intergroup contact. This research explored the role of normative social influence in predicting contact engagement (total N = 1,538). Cross-sectional Study 1 found that individuals’ perception of descriptive levels of intergroup contact amongst the ingroup predicted their own contact engagement whilst controlling for outgroup attitudes. Study 2 and Study 3 demonstrated that an experimental manipulation of descriptive norms promoted outgroup approach intentions, and actual approach behaviour. Participants were more open to future intergroup contact when they learnt of the high prevalence of this behaviour amongst the ingroup. Study 4 then considered how normative techniques could be used when intergroup contact is not commonplace. Together, the findings provide a new understanding of the antecedents of intergroup contact and new techniques for encouraging greater inclusion and integration.

scholarly journals Utilization of Electronic Medical Records Data for Medical Research in a Hospital in China: A Cross-Sectional Study (Preprint)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rui Li ◽  
Yue Niu ◽  
Sarah Robbins Scott ◽  
Chu Zhou ◽  
Lan Lan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Medical Research ◽  
Electronic Medical Records ◽  
Medical Records ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Data Availability ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Data Utilization ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Research Activities ◽  
Per Capita

BACKGROUND With the proliferation of electronic medical records systems (EMRs), there is an increasing interest in utilizing EMRs data for medical research, yet there is no quantitative research on EMRs data utilization for medical research purposes. OBJECTIVE Understand the current status of clinical data utilization in clinical research activities, including trends in recent years and differences between different populations, to find out the present problems in the use of EMR data for research, and provide a reference for promoting the utilization of EMR data in scientific research. METHODS For this descriptive, cross-sectional study, the utilization of EMRs data by staff at Xuanwu Hospital in Beijing, China between 2016 and 2019 was analyzed. The utilization of EMRs data was described as the number of requests, the proportion of requesters, and the frequency of requests per capita. The comparison by year, professional title, and age was conducted by double-sided chi square test. RESULTS From 2016 to 2019, EMRs data utilization was poor, as the proportion of requesters was 5.8% and the frequency was 0.1 times / person / year. The frequency per capita gradually slowed and more older, senior level staff used EMRs data compared to younger staff. CONCLUSIONS The value of using EMRs data for research purposes does not get enough attention among researchers in Chinese hospitals. Ensuring equal availability of EMRs data and highlighting the benefits of such systems can help promote its use in research settings. Future research should focus on mechanisms that encourage data utilization, ensure fair data availability, and promote data sharing.

scholarly journals Access Differentials in Primary Healthcare among Vulnerable Populations in a Health Insurance Setting in Kumasi Metropolis, Ghana: A Cross-Sectional Study

2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 ◽  
pp. 1-14
Author(s):  
Gertrude Acquah-Hagan ◽  
Daniel Boateng ◽  
Emmanuel Appiah-Brempong ◽  
Peter Twum ◽  
Joseph Amankwa Atta ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Insurance ◽  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Vulnerable Populations ◽  
Primary Healthcare ◽  
Healthcare Access ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Vulnerable Groups ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional

Background. Access to healthcare remains a challenge towards the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals in Ghana. There still remain inequalities in the distribution of health services especially among vulnerable groups despite sustained efforts to strengthen the health system. This study was conducted to analyze access differentials among different vulnerable groups in the context of primary healthcare under a National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) in Ghana. Methods. This study was a descriptive cross-sectional study conducted among multilevel participants of vulnerable groups in Kumasi Metropolis: 710 vulnerable people constituting elderly/aged (n = 359), pregnant women (n = 117), head poters (teenage girls who migrated from the northern Ghana mainly to the capital cities of the Ashanti and Greater Accra region to help in carrying of goods for their livelihood) (n = 86), sex workers (n = 75), and other vulnerable groups (people with disabilities and street participants) (n = 73). Data were collected using a semistructured questionnaire. Poisson regression with robust variance was used to access the association between vulnerability and access to healthcare. Results. Close to a fifth, 18.5% of the study respondents were unable to access care at any point in time during the last 12 months. Reasons for the inability to access healthcare included limited funding (69.7%), poor attitude of service providers (7.6%), distance to health centers (8.3%), and religious reasons (6.2%). More than 95% of respondents were insured under the NHIS, but acceptability of service provision under the NHIS was low among the vulnerable groups. In the crude models, pregnant women had lower prevalence of access to medications as compared to the elderly (prevalence ratio (PR): 0.88; 95% CI: 0.80–0.98). Head poters and other vulnerable groups were also less likely to view healthcare as affordable as compared to the elderly. The differences in healthcare access observed were attenuated after adjustment for sociodemographic characteristics and healthcare-related factors. Conclusions. Despite the introduction of a NHIS in Ghana, this study highlights challenges in healthcare access among vulnerable populations independent of the type of vulnerability. This suggests the need for stakeholders to work to address access differentials in the NHIS and adopt other innovative care strategies that may have broader applicability for all populations.

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