Journal of Health Sciences
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Validity and reliability of the theory of planned behavior questionnaire on the balanced dietary behavior of adolescents in a post-disaster area
Introduction: The assessment of mediator components of behavior change based on the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) can be carried out with a questionnaire instrument. Meanwhile, the questionnaire to assess the mediator of adolescents’ balanced dietary behavior in post-disaster areas has not yet been developed. Failure to recognize nutritional problems in this period can increase morbidity and mortality. Therefore, this present study attempts to provide the overview of the implementation of content and face validity as well as reliability of the TPB questionnaire on the balanced dietary behavior of adolescents in the post-disaster area by taking a study case in Palu City, Central Sulawesi, Indonesia.Methods: By involving nine expert panelists, the content validity was conducted qualitatively and quantitatively by calculating the Content Validity Index (CVI) and Kappa statistics scores. Face validity was conducted qualitatively by interviewing ten adolescents’. Meanwhile, Cronbach’s Coefficient Alpha was calculated to measure the reliability by interviewing 30 adolescents aged 15–17 years old living in the disaster site with their mothers during the massive disaster in 2018.Results: The results showed that the Item CVI and the kappa statistics scores were between 0.75 and 1 and 0.72 and 1, respectively. The final version of the questionnaire was resolved based on the panelists’ recommendation, the face validity’s findings, and the results of the questionnaire reliability assessment. There were 14 items of attitude, 12 items of subjective norms, 17 items of behavioral control, and eight items of intention components with acceptable questionnaire reliabilities.Conclusion: Overall, the TPB questionnaire on the balanced dietary behavior of adolescents has excellent validity and reliability to measure the mediator of balanced dietary behavior changes of adolescents
Determinants of sexual satisfaction among Bosnian and Herzegovinian women
Introduction: Sexual satisfaction is the pleasure an individual feels both physically and psychologically, and is the result of erotic experiences, thoughts, dreams, and autoeroticism. Purpose: The purpose of the study is to present the determinants of sexual satisfaction among Bosnian and Herzegovinian women.
Methods: The survey was conducted on 387 Bosnian and Herzegovinian women via online questionnaire that consisted of demographic data and 17 statements. The validated questionnaire was used with some adaptations and contained a 5-point Likert scale for each statement, ranging from “not at all satisfied” to “extremely satisfied.” The inclusion criteria were: (a) Age 18–60 years; and (b) completion of the questionnaire as personal consent. Data were analyzed using SPSS 26.0 statistical software.
Results: Data collection was conducted from July 2020 to September 2020. The realization rate of the sample was 24.19%. Most of the participants have a high school diploma, most are between 18 and 24 years old and most are currently married. Thirty-five percent of women sometimes experience pain during intercourse (less than half the time). The lower half of the vagina (from the vaginal entrance to the half of the vagina) and the lower part of the abdomen are usually most affected. A relationship was found between the number of children and sexual satisfaction. Women without children were the most satisfied with their sexual life, followed by women who had only one or two children.
Conclusions: Every woman has the right to feel sexual satisfaction. The complexity of sexual satisfaction is reflected in many determinants and factors that can influence it positively and negatively
Hidden association of knee-related disability with physical activities among community-dwelling older male Saudi Arabians with knee osteoarthritis
Introduction: The impact of knee osteoarthritis (OA) on physical activities of daily life was studied extensively among the elderly across the globe but not well understood in the Saudi Arabian populace with cultural consideration. This paper assessed the association between knee flexion range of motion (ROM) and ritual physical activities among elderly males due to knee OA.Methods: A cross-sectional study with a sample of 139 males aged 56–74 years diagnosed with knee OA recruited at prayer places. The subjective evaluation was carried using a disease-specific Arabic knee physical functional questionnaire Knee injury and OA Outcome Score-Physical Function Short form (KOOS-PS), and the anthropometric measure of knee flexion ROM was objectively measured by a manual goniometer.Results: The mean and standard deviation of the study sample age, height, weight, and body mass index were 66.9 ± 4.09 years, 158.4 ± 6.1 cm, 74.6 ± 7.1 kg, and 29.6 ± 1.9 kg/m2, respectively. The mean, standard deviation and median of the knee flexion ROM and Arabic-KOOS-PS Questionnaire score were 100.7 ± 7.9, 101.5 and 12.9 ± 13.7, 13.4. The non-parametric Spearman correlation coefficient between the knee stiffness and KOOS-PS physical activities resulted very strong positively correlation, r = 0.967.Conclusion: A strong positive correlation has been found between hidden knee disability and ritual physical activities among male cohorts in Saudi cultural community with knee O
Allied health workers’ role in patient education in the United States
Introduction: Patient education (PE) has been traditionally seen as the role of nurses and physicians, while allied health workers (AHWs)-who make up the biggest population of the US healthcare workforce-are sometimes reduced to providing supportive roles. This article reviews the available literature on the role of AHWs in providing PE in the US.Methods: This review was based on a search of the databases Academic Search Ultimate; Health Source-Consumer Edition; Health Source-Nursing/Academic Edition and MEDLINE initially conducted between January 10 and February 3, 2021, and later re-done between December 20 and December 22, 2021. This review applied guidelines for narrative reviews (Ferrari 2015). The search looked at papers published between 2001 and 2021, which discussed allied health professions relevant to the US health system.Results: The review derived 18 articles from the search and two articles from the reference lists of the 18 articles. The review found that AHWs seldom performed PE, although the profession of physical therapy made efforts to formalize participation in PE. It also found that expansion of roles for AHWs was warranted, although additional training may be required to develop effective PE competencies among AHWs. Finally, it found existing challenges such as interprofessional rivalries and time limitations that affected the incorporation of AHWs in PE.Conclusions: AHWs have untapped potential to contribute more to the US health system through delivery of effective PE. Policy adjustments are needed to maximize the input of AHWs in PE. Increased interprofessional collaboration in the US health system is needed to facilitate the extension of PE roles to AHWs. Further research is needed to better understand the factors limiting AHWs’ involvement in PE
Comparison of the frequency of bacteriuria in diabetic and non-diabetic patients without symptoms of urinary tract infection
Introduction: Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are the most common infections among either community or hospital-acquired infections. UTIs are common in diabetes mellitus, with glycosuria and neurogenic bladder being the predisposing factors.
Methods: This was a retrospective observational study. The study population consisted of 100 diabetic and 40 non-diabetic patients. The rates of bacteriuria and pyuria were investigated in diabetic and non-diabetic patients who had been hospitalized and who did not have any complaints of UTI. Urine samples of patients were collected and each sample was tested through microscopy and culture. Furthermore, the urine samples were inoculated on blood agar and eosin methylene blue agar medium and incubated for 18–24 h at 37°C. Diabetic patients were evaluated to obtain data on age, gender, duration and type of diabetes, body mass index, retinopathy, nephropathy, glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) level, and fasting plasma glucose (FPG) level.
Results: A higher rate of bacteriuria was detected in diabetic patients (21%) than in non-diabetic patients (5%) (p = 0.02). Infections were detected more frequently in patients with high HbA1c level (p = 0.001), those in the advanced age group (p = 0.014), and those with nephropathy (p < 0.01).
Conclusion: Asymptomatic bacteriuria was more prevalent in diabetic than in non-diabetic patients, with poor glycemic control, age, and nephropathy being significant risk factors. Escherichia coli is the most common organism that causes bacteriuria in diabetic patients
Influence of nurse performance on children’s anxiety and pain during venipuncture procedures: An observational study
Introduction: Venipuncture has been practiced for centuries and is still one of the most common invasive procedures in health care. However, practice varies considerably between countries and between institutions and individuals within the same country. The purpose of this study was to examine the association between nurses’ clinical performance and the level of pain and anxiety experienced by children during venipuncture procedures.Methods: Participants were conveniently enrolled in this prospective cross-sectional study, the pain and anxiety levels of 400 children aged 6-12 years old were measured and correlated with measurements of clinical performance by 20 nurses during the venipuncture procedure. A major pediatric hospital in Iraqi Kurdistan recruited patients for 3 months between September 2019 and August 2020.Results: The study found that there was no statistically significant difference in the overall clinical performance of male and female nurses or between those who worked in different departments. However, nurses with a higher level of education, whether working in the public or private sector, had higher levels of clinical performance. The level of pain and anxiety of children during venipuncture decreased significantly in relation to increased levels of nurse performance (r-values: −0.137 and −0.137), which included both their pain-related performance (r-values: −0.224 and −0.229) and their anxiety-related performance (r-values: −0.177 and −0.204; p < 0.0001). The factors contributing to higher levels of clinical performance by the nurses during venipuncture procedures were a higher level of education, sufficient sleep and working in the medical department, being older in age, and having longer clinical experience.Conclusions: This study highlights that children’s pain and anxiety decreased when nurses’ clinical performance levels increased. The levels of pain and anxiety in the children were significantly decreased in those patients who received better clinical treatment from nurses during the venipuncture procedure
Urogenital dysfunction and quality of life in women after stroke: Pilot study
Introduction: Research shows that urinary and sexual dysfunction is very common neurological sequelae of stroke with a markedly significant impact on body self-image and quality of life. Still, there is a lack of recent research to address this problem in female stroke survivors. The study aimed to examine the existence and level of urinary and sexual dysfunction, quality of life, and self-reported body image in a group of women after stroke and compare findings with those found in a group of women with other chronic non-neurological diseases.
Methods: This study’s sample consisted of 30 females; two groups composed of 15. The stroke group consisted of subjects after stroke and the non-neurological group with different chronic non-neurological, mainly muscle-skeletal conditions. This study’s specific interest data were collected from respondents through pelvic floor distress inventory (PFDI-20), the pelvic floor impact questionnaire (PFIQ-7), female sexual function index (FSFI), and an eight-item body image scale (BIS). The SPSS v.26 program was used for statistical processing.
Results: Results show a statistically higher scores in stroke group (M = 219.65 ± 34.573) on PFDI-20 than in non-neurological group (M = 118.54 ± 27.734). Furthermore, statistically significant higher scores were found in stroke group in PFIQ-7 (Mdn = 233.33) and BIS (Mdn = 16.00) than in non- neurological group (Mdn = 28.57) – PFIQ-7; (Mdn = 11.00) – BIS. Also, statistically significant lower scores were found in stroke group (Mdn=10.40) on FSFI index than in non-neurological group (Mdn=24.60).
Conclusions: Women after stroke show significantly more urinary and sexual dysfunction, lower quality of life, and poorer body self-image than the non-neurological group of chronic non-neurological conditions. There is a clear need for research on this issue in women after stroke
Quantification of some additives in energy drinks using high-performance liquid chromatography
Introduction: Energy drinks (EDs) are products in the form of a beverage or concentrated liquid designed to increase both mental and physical stimulations. Their popularity has grown tremendously, especially among children and adolescents, regardless of the growing number of undesirable health consequences associated with their consumption. This study aimed to evaluate the content of additives in EDs available in the Bosnian and Herzegovinian (B&H) markets.
Methods: Twenty-two EDs from 15 brands were analyzed. The contents of quinine (QUIN), caffeine (CAF), benzoic acid (BZA), and sorbic acid (SA) were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography.
Results: The median value of QUIN, CAF, SA, and BZA was 0.15 ppm, 309.05 ppm, 75.35 ppm, and 90.80 ppm, respectively. The highest CAF content variation was found in EDs of brand 4, and the lowest was in brand 6. A statistically significant difference was found between the obtained values in relation to the recommended daily intake of CAF for adolescents by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the American Academy of Pediatrics (p < 0.001).
Conclusion: The CAF content in EDs deviates by 10% from the content stated in the product declaration. All EDs on the B&H market should carry a clear warning: “High CAF content must not be mixed with alcohol and is not recommended for children, pregnant and/or lactating women, and CAF-sensitive individuals.” Given the behavioral trends associated with the potential risks of excessive CAF consumption, particularly among youth, national agencies in B&H should recognize areas of intervention such as responsible marketing and advertising, and education and awareness-raising. Further research and monitoring would be needed to determine the effectiveness of the various aspects of the proposed risk management approach
Sedentary habits and physical health of secondary school students in online classes during the pandemic COVID-19
Introduction: Due to the declaration of a state of emergency in the country due to the pandemic COVID-19, the education system was changed to online teaching. The implementation of distance education has led to an increased sedentary lifestyle, decreased physical activity, and increased use of information technologies. The purpose of this study was to analyze the sedentary habits of female students and their physical health during a period of restricted physical activity with reference to online instruction.Methods: The research was conducted among the first to third grade students of Secondary School Konjic, 45 days after the implementation of online instruction. Students of general secondary school (N = 83), business school (N = 68), and medical school (N = 55) completed the questionnaire after their parents gave their consent.Results: The total number of students surveyed was 206, with students from all three schools studied participating in online classes for up to 4 hours. Medical school students spend more than 3 hours completing schoolwork, while students at the other two schools spend up to 2 hours. Statistically significant differences in non-use of information technology during free time exist among medical students (p = 0.00). Female medical students reported daily symptoms such as headaches, reactions to the visual organ (dry eye, redness, and tearing), and pain in the fist area (twitching, cramps, and tingling). Statistically significant differences in the occurrence of pain in the upper back and chest girdle occurred in students of business school (p = 0.00) and general high school (p = 0.00) compared to medical students.Conclusion: Medical students who use information technology the most reported headaches, pain in the fist area, and frequent reactions to the sense of sight (dry eye, lacrimation, and redness). Assuming inappropriate positions during prolonged use of technology may contribute to poor posture
Defectological support for educational inclusion of person with cerebral palsy and other associated disabilities
Introduction: The education system of Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina includes 60% of people with cerebral palsy (CP), hearing impairment and other associated difficulties, of which 37.50% in regular schools and 22.50% in special schools. From the total number of students, 44.44% attending schools according to the regular curriculum, and 55.56% according to the adjusted curriculum (1).
Methods: The study is retrospective and analytical-descriptive. The study was conducted on a sample of 120 respondents from four cantons of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Each Canton was used as one subsample of respondents. The data are presented in tabular form using classical descriptive statistics methods. The parametric statistics, analysis of variance (ANOVA) at the level of statistical significance of 0.05 was used to examine the statistical significance of differences between the sub-samples of the respondents.
Results: The results of the study showed that persons with cerebral palsy, hearing impairment and other associated difficulties do not have adequate support in educational inclusion. Defectological support at school is provided for 17.50% of persons with cerebral palsy, hearing impairment and other associated difficulties, and only 6.66% of persons have the support of a teaching assistant.
Conclusion: Persons with cerebral palsy, hearing impairment and other associated difficulties do not have adequate support in educational inclusion. There is no statistically significant difference between the subsamples of respondents when it comes to special education support and assistant support in the educational inclusion