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From Survivors to Care Providers: A Multi-Dimensional Study on Physical Activity in Cancer Care
No full textAs the population of cancer survivors grows, understanding the dynamics of physical activity (PA) engagement is critical due to its potential benefits in reducing adverse health outcomes and mortality associated with cancer. Despite known benefits, both adherence to and promotion of PA among cancer survivors face significant challenges. This comprehensive study examines PA levels, barriers, facilitators, and perceptions among cancer survivors and oncology care providers over a ten-year period. The objectives are to assess adherence levels to PA among cancer survivors, explore the perceived barriers and facilitators to PA engagement from the survivors\u27 perspectives, and understand the barriers, facilitators, and educational needs of oncology care providers regarding PA prescription. The study employs a mixed-method approach spanning quantitative analysis of nationally representative samples from 2010, 2015, and 2020, as well as qualitative phenomenological studies involving interviews with cancer survivors and oncology care providers in Nebraska, USA. Findings indicate fluctuating PA adherence among cancer survivors, with a peak in 2015 followed by a decline. Major barriers include physical limitations, lack of awareness, and insufficient social support, while facilitators include knowledge of health benefits and support from healthcare providers. Oncology care providers recognize the importance of PA but report significant gaps in guidelines, training, and prioritization of PA counseling within routine cancer care. The study highlights the complex interplay of personal, social, and systemic factors influencing PA engagement among cancer survivors. It underscores the need for targeted educational interventions and systematic changes to enhance PA promotion in oncology settings, aiming to integrate PA as a fundamental component of cancer survivorship care
Association Between Depression and Coronary Heart Disease: A cross-sectional study using Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS), 2022
Get PDFObjectives: To examine the association of depression and coronary heart disease in U.S. adults.
Methods: This cross-sectional study uses the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS), 2022 data for non-institutionalized U.S adults aged 18 and older. The exposure variable is depression, the outcome is coronary heart disease (CHD), and covariates are age, race, education, and physical activity. Performed univariate, bivariate, and multivariate analyses to assess the association between depression and CHD.
Results: The analytical sample size consisted of 427,217 individuals. A total of 88,841(20.7%) of the population reported having coronary heart disease, while 338,376(70.3%) reported having no coronary heart disease. A total of 25,442(4.4%) participants reported having depression (Table 1). Those with depression have 1.6 higher odds of having coronary heart disease than those without depression (95% CI = 1.49,1.71). Being Hispanic is associated with lower odds of having coronary heart disease compared to Whites (POR=0.47, 95%CI = 0.51,0.68). The odds of having CHD are 2.36 times higher for those with less than a high school education (95% CI= 1.87,2.98) and lowest among college graduates (Adjusted OR= 1.63, 95% CI: 1.46,1.82). The odds of having CHD are 0.52 times lower in Hispanics (95%CI: 0.41,0.66) with less than high school education compared to all other races/ethnicities and whites.
Conclusion: In conclusion, there is a positive association between depression and developing coronary heart disease, and education levels, race/ethnicity, exercise level, and age help explain this association
Cervical Cancer Screening and Affordability of Medical Care: A Cross-Sectional Study
Get PDFObjective: To determine if, among women aged 21-65, there is a positive association between avoiding healthcare due to cost and not being up to date on cervical cancer screening.
Methods: This cross-sectional study utilized the 2022 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System dataset. A total of 123,275 women, aged 18-69 without a hysterectomy, were analyzed with bivariate and multivariate analyses. The outcome was length of time since last cervical cancer screening. The exposure was avoiding healthcare in the last 12 months due to cost.
Results: Women who avoided healthcare due to cost had higher odds of not being up to date on cervical cancer screening (aPOR 1.57; 95% CI 1.34,1.84). Risk factors included increased age (Aged 60-69: aPOR 4.02; 95% CI 3.16, 5.11), insurance status, certain races, lacking transportation, lacking primary healthcare providers, and location. Protective factors included increased annual income ($100,000+: aPOR 0.72; 95% CI 0.58, 0.89), speaking Spanish, increased education, and certain races.
Conclusions: This study demonstrates the effect of cost on cervical cancer screening and draws attention to the need for cost-effective health services for at-risk women
Heartache Beyond the Physical: Unraveling the Nexus Between Myocardial Infarction History and Depressive Disorders in US Adults
Get PDFObjective: To estimate the prevalence of depressive disorders among US adults and explore the association between a history of Myocardial Infarction (MI) and depressive disorders, considering potential risk factors and demographic variables.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from 2022 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System data, including 390,429 US adults. Logistic regression was used to estimate the association between the history of MI and depressive disorders, adjusting for age, gender, race, smoking status, health insurance, education level, and BMI. Effect modification by age was assessed.
Results: The prevalence of depressive disorders was 21.19%, with 4.46% reporting a history of MI. A significant positive association was found between MI history and depressive disorders (POR 1.45, 95% CI 1.36-1.55). All the covariates were significantly associated with depressive disorders. Stratified analysis by age revealed varying effects across different age groups.
Conclusion: Demonstration of significant association between a history of MI and depressive disorders among US adults suggesting the importance of mental health screening and targeted interventions among MI patients to improve overall health outcomes and quality of life
Evaluating the Performance of FlukeCatcher at Detecting Urogenital Schistosomiasis
Get PDFUrine filtration microscopy (UFM) lacks sensitivity in detecting low-intensity Schistosoma haematobium infections. In pursuit of a superior alternative, this study evaluated the performance of FlukeCatcher microscopy (FCM) at detecting S. haematobium eggs in human urine samples. Urine samples were collected from 572 school-age children in Afar, Ethiopia in July 2023 and examined using UFM and FCM approaches. Using the combined UFM and FCM results as a reference, the sensitivity, negative predictive value, and agreement levels for the two testing methods in detecting S. haematobium eggs in urine samples were calculated. The sensitivity and negative predictive value of detecting S. haematobium eggs in urine samples for FCM was 84% and 97%, respectively, compared to 65% and 93% for UFM. The FCM test results had an agreement of 61% with the UFM results, compared to 90% with the combined results of FCM and UFM. However, the average egg count estimates were lower when using FCM (6.6 eggs per 10 mL) compared to UFM (14.7 eggs per 10 mL) (p \u3c 0.0001). Incorporating FCM into specimen processing could improve the diagnosis of S. haematobium infection but may underperform in characterizing the intensity of infection
Peer Feedback on Online Teaching Rubric
Get PDFThe Peer Feedback on Online Teaching Rubric was developed to support online educators in improving their design, delivery and teaching presence in the asynchronous learning environment. It provides meaningful feedback to individuals to make incremental improvements in their teaching, course development and delivery.
Key topics covered in the rubric include: Instructor presence Learning communities, collaboration and discussions Instructional design elements, including layout, delivery methods, assessment and external learning materials Technology usage and audio/video components Accessibility and ADA compliance Copyright and fair use
Educators can use the rubric in three ways: For self-reflection to assess their own teaching To review an experienced online teacher\u27s course to identify important techniques and see how they are effectively implemented To receive peer feedback by having a fellow educator evaluate an online coursehttps://digitalcommons.unmc.edu/iae_tools/1001/thumbnail.jp
Development of Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy in 46-Year-Old With Refractory Crohn\u27s Disease
Get PDFRampant autoimmune disease has the potential to ravage the entirety of the body in a systemic fashion. Rarely, it has been reported for Takotsubo cardiomyopathy develop as a result of refractory inflammatory bowel disease. Balancing the comprehensive cares required to support both the cardiovascular system and treat the underlying autoimmune condition care present unique challenges. Here, we describe a patient who developed late-onset Takotsubo cardiomyopathy after prolonged systemic stress as a result of uncontrolled Crohn’s disease. While this patient unfortunately did succumb to the disease process, it is our hope that highlighting these rare cases may progress care for future patients
