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Measurement Properties of the Most Common Performance-Based Measures of Physical Function in CKD: A Systematic Review
No full textFrom Crossref journal articles via Jisc Publications RouterPublication status: PublishedPelagia Koufaki - ORCID: 0000-0002-1406-3729 https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1406-3729Item is not available in this repository.pubpu
Predicting higher child BMI z-score and obesity incidence in Malaysia: a longitudinal analysis of a dynamic cohort study
Get PDFFrom Springer Nature via Jisc Publications RouterHistory: received 2023-11-20, registration 2024-05-21, accepted 2024-05-21, epub 2024-05-27, online 2024-05-27, collection 2024-12-01Acknowledgements: The authors would like to express their appreciation to the SEACO Field Teams and survey participants. The research described in this paper was supported by the South East Asia Community Observatory (SEACO, https://www.monash.edu.my/seaco). The views, however, are those of the authors and there is no real or implied endorsement by SEACO.Publication status: PublishedFunder: UK Medical Research Council and the Malaysian Ministry of Higher Education/UK-MY Joint Partnership on Non-Communicable Diseases; Grant(s): 2019/MR/T018984/1, 2019/MR/T018984/1, 2019/MR/T018984/1, 2019/MR/T018984/1, 2019/MR/T018984/1, 2019/MR/T018984/1Daniel Reidpath - ORCID: 0000-0002-8796-0420
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8796-0420Background: To target public health obesity prevention, we need to predict who might become obese i.e. predictors of increasing Body Mass Index (BMI) or obesity incidence. Predictors of incidence may be distinct from more well-studied predictors of prevalence, therefore we explored parent, child and sociodemographic predictors of child/adolescent BMI z-score and obesity incidence over 5 years in Malaysia. Methods: The South East Asia Community Observatory in Segamat, Malaysia, provided longitudinal data on children and their parents (n = 1767). Children were aged 6–14 years at baseline (2013-14) and followed up 5 years later. Linear multilevel models estimated associations with child BMI z-score at follow-up, adjusting for baseline BMI z-score and potential confounders. Predictors included parent cardiometabolic health (overweight/obesity, central obesity, hypertension, hyperglycaemia), and socio-demographics (ethnicity, employment, education). Logistic multilevel models explored predictors of obesity incidence. Results: Higher baseline BMI z-score predicted higher follow-up BMI z-score both in childhood to late adolescence (0.60; 95% CI: 0.55, 0.65) and early to late adolescence (0.76; 95% CI: 0.70, 0.82). There was inconsistent evidence of association between child BMI z-score at follow-up with parent cardiometabolic risk factors independent of baseline child BMI z-score. For example, maternal obesity, but not overweight, predicted a higher BMI z-score in childhood to early adolescence (overweight: 0.16; 95% CI: -0.03, 0.36, obesity: 0.41; 95% CI: 0.20, 0.61), and paternal overweight, but not obesity, predicted a higher BMI z-score in early to late adolescence (overweight: 0.22; 95% CI: 0.01, 0.43, obesity: 0.16; 95% CI: -0.10, 0.41). Parental obesity consistently predicted five-year obesity incidence in early to late adolescence, but not childhood to early adolescence. An adolescent without obesity at baseline with parents with obesity, had 3–4 times greater odds of developing obesity during follow-up (incidence OR = 3.38 (95% CI: 1.14–9.98, mother) and OR = 4.37 (95% CI 1.34–14.27, father) respectively). Conclusions: Having a higher BMI z-score at baseline was a stronger predictor of a higher BMI z-score at follow-up than any parental or sociodemographic factor. Targeting prevention efforts based on parent or sociodemographic factors is unwarranted but early childhood remains a key period for universal obesity prevention.24pubpub
Body Composition and Its Response to Intradialytic Exercise in Kidney Failure: A Combined Analysis of the PEDAL and CYCLE-HD Randomised Controlled Trials
No full textFrom Crossref journal articles via Jisc Publications RouterPublication status: PublishedTom Mercer - ORCID: 0000-0002-5078-4769
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5078-4769Item is not available in this repository.pubpu
Global assessment of swallow function (GASF) following VMAT radiotherapy for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma
Get PDFKate Toft - ORCID: 0000-0002-0129-9329
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0129-9329Aim
This study aimed to conduct a global assessment of swallow function (GASF) using a range of swallow outcome tools, in a cohort of patients pre- and post-treatment with image-guided volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) radiotherapy.
Materials and methods
All patients receiving radical (chemo)radiation for SCC of the larynx, oro-, hypo- or nasopharynx between October 2016 – 2021 were eligible for inclusion. Patients were treated with VMAT radiotherapy according to institutional and national protocols.
Patients underwent GASF pre- and 6 months post-treatment. Data were collated from the MD Anderson Dysphagia Inventory (MDADI), the Functional Oral Intake Scale (FOIS), the Performance Status Scale-Head and Neck: Normalcy of Diet scale (PSS-NoD), the 100 ml water swallow test (WST) for capacity and maximal interincisal opening (MIO).
Results
One hundred and seventy-five patients were included. 55.2 % of patients experienced a fall in MDADI-Composite score greater than the published meaningful clinical important difference (MCID).A trend for a decrease in FOIS score reflects a decrease in range of diet textures and increase in reliance on enteral feeding at 6 months post-treatment. Mean PSS-NoD score decreased reflecting increased restriction in diet textures.20 patients’ WST capacity improved by the minimal clinically important difference of > 4mls whilst 37 % of patients experienced a decrease in WST capacity of 4mls or more. 12.6 % of patients developed trismus following radiotherapy.
Conclusions
This paper adds new detail to the understanding of the decline in measured eating, drinking and swallowing function that patients treated with VMAT radiotherapy experience at 6 months post treatment. However, gaps are highlighted in the evidence base in terms of interpretation of swallow outcomes tool scores; future research in HNC should include ongoing discussion and development around robust outcomes tools and data collection.Dr. Noble acknowledges funding from an NHS Scotland NRS Research Fellowship, Edinburgh and Lothian Health Foundation and the Jamie King Foundation.
Publications costs funded by the Edinburgh & Lothian Health Foundation.https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tipsro.2024.100272pubpu
Assessment of socioeconomic and health vulnerability among urban slum dwellers in Bangladesh: a cross-sectional study
Get PDFFrom Springer Nature via Jisc Publications RouterHistory: received 2024-01-28, registration 2024-10-16, accepted 2024-10-16, epub 2024-10-24, online 2024-10-24, collection 2024-12-01Acknowledgements: This study was funded by the Sida through internal research funding of icddr, b. icddr, b acknowledges with gratitude the commitment of Sida to its research efforts and funding for this study. icddr, b is also thankful to the Governments of Bangladesh and Canada for providing core/unrestricted support.Publication status: PublishedFunder: Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida)Daniel Reidpath - ORCID: 0000-0002-8796-0420
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8796-0420Background: Bangladesh is rapidly urbanizing and approximately half of its urban population resides in deprived slums with limited access to basic needs. However, there is a dearth of information on vulnerability levels among slum dwellers. We aimed to assess the level of vulnerability within and between slums via various socioeconomic and health indicators. Methods: A cross-sectional survey of 810 randomly selected households was conducted in two purposively selected slums, Korail and Shyampur, in Dhaka from November to December 2021. Data was collected on various indicators, including demographics, education, employment, access to utility, and healthcare services. Principal component factor analysis was employed to identify the key indicators to construct the socioeconomic and health vulnerability index for the urban slums of Bangladesh (SEHVI-BD). Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin, Bartlett’s test, and Cronbach’s alpha coefficient test were used to assess indicators’ suitability. The selected indicators were used to generate an index on a scale of 100, with a higher index value indicating a higher level of vulnerability. The estimated scores were used to categorize the vulnerability status into three levels: mild, moderate, and severe vulnerability. The Mann-Whitney-U test and Kruskal-Wallis test were applied between the generated index and other socioeconomic variables to validate the relationship. Results: A total of 27 socioeconomic and health indicators were identified that explained 60% of the variance. The indicators were then grouped into six domains on the basis of their relevance. The prevalence of severe vulnerability in the Korail slum was approximately 9% and moderate vulnerability was 30% whereas these values were approximately 58% and 37%, respectively, in the Shyampur slum. The difference in the vulnerability level between the two slums was also evident across the domains. Households in the poorest wealth quintile, with lower education levels of household heads, and having irregular income experienced higher levels of vulnerability. Conclusions: The SEHVI-BD offers a critical tool for policymakers to identify and address vulnerabilities, facilitating more targeted public health interventions in urban Bangladesh and similar low-income settings. This study further emphasizes the importance of integrating comprehensive vulnerability assessments into public health policies to reduce inequalities and improve well-being, especially for the urban marginalized slum population.pubpu
IMPACTS OF HOUSING CRISES ON THE MENTAL HEALTH OF POSTGRADUATE STUDENTS IN EDINBURGH
No full textHousing as a basic need has been acknowledged as a determinant of various health problems including mental health, when it is inadequate. Considering the demanding nature of advance studies on the postgraduate students, adding housing crisis could be impactful on their mental wellbeing with associated academic challenges.
Therefore, this study explored the lived experiences of the postgraduate students facing housing crisis in Edinburgh and the impacts of such experience on their mental health. The influence of the experiences on the academic performance and the expected supports to alleviate the challenges were also identified by the study.
This mixed-methods study was conducted among the postgraduate students of Institutes of Global Health and Development at Queen Margaret University using an online survey and focus group discussions for data collection. The survey analysis was descriptive quantitative while reflexive thematic qualitative analysis was used for the data collected from the focus group discussions. Constructivist epistemological position was maintained under the relativist ontological perspective in the course of the study.
The majority of the participants with housing crisis were females, international students and with either partner or family. Six themes emerged from the qualitative data set which are unaffordability, instability, support system, discrimination, background drivers, and expectations. This study recommended increased awareness for the student support service and amendment to the university accommodation and general rental policies, to accommodate the diversity in the postgraduate students’ characteristics
“Learning about it!” What are Primary Education Students’ Experiences of Learning about the Relationships, Sexual Health and Parenthood Curriculum in Initial Teacher Education in Scotland? A Qualitative Pilot Study
No full textBackground
Comprehensive sexuality education, understood as Relationships, Sexual Health, and Parenthood (RSHP) education in Scotland, has long been understood as an effective method for improving sexual and reproductive health. Despite this, it is globally recognised that many teachers responsible for the delivery of comprehensive sex education are not appropriately prepared to teach the subject. Scotland struggles to address the current sexual and reproductive health burden. To date, there is no research in Scotland highlighting how pre-service teachers (those enrolled in a university teacher education program and working toward teacher certification) are prepared to deliver RSHP education upon graduation.
Purpose
This research aims to pilot the methods for understanding fourth year BA Primary Education students’ experiences of learning about RSHP. It also aims to understand whether pre-service teachers feel appropriately prepared to deliver RSHP education upon graduation as a result of their education.
Methods
Five semi-structured qualitative interviews were conducted with fourth year BA Primary Education students at Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh. One interview was also conducted with a key informant who was a lecturer in the field of Primary Education. All interviews were carried out online through Teams technology. Interviews were analysed using thematic analysis.
Results
Participants in the current study recalled very few experiences of learning about RSHP education in university. They were often prohibited from engaging practically with the RSHP curriculum during teacher placements, especially regarding sexual health topics. This resulted in feelings of apprehension about delivering RSHP education upon graduation.
Conclusions and implications
Semi-structured interviews should be ruled out in future research due to participants limited experiences of learning about RSHP. Future research should utilise quantitative methods to produce more generalisable results that have the potential to inform policy. While results cannot be generalised, this study would suggest that pre-service teachers in Scotland are not being appropriately prepared to deliver RSHP education. Primary school students in Scotland are therefore likely to be missing out on the knowledge necessary to prepare them to protect themselves and their peers SRH
Effect of contributing factors on the incidence of non-communicable diseases among adults with common mental health disorders: a systematic review
Get PDFFrom Crossref journal articles via Jisc Publications RouterPublication status: PublishedAlastair Ager - ORCID: 0000-0002-9474-3563
0000-0002-9474-3563Background Individual, social and environmental factors play a dynamic role in determining mental health outcomes. The linkage between mental health and non-communicable disease is widely noted, but the mechanisms are poorly understood. The current systematic review aims to identify common contributing factors linking mental health to non-communicable disease incidence among adults to inform planned preventive interventions for high-risk non-communicable disease and mental ill-health populations. Methods MEDLINE, PsycINFO, EMBASE and CINAHL were searched from February to August 2019 for case-control and longitudinal studies of adults with common mental health disorders (depression and anxiety) assessing the causal effect of individual, environmental and social factors on the incidence of common non-communicable diseases (cancers, cardiovascular diseases, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and diabetes mellitus). There were no geographical restrictions for the selected studies and the results were generated utilising a narrative synthesis. Results Of 15,266 unique documents identified by search terms, 419 met criteria for full-text review and 11 studies met inclusion criteria for data extraction. None of the identified studies had the onset of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease as an outcome. The majority of the studies showed a significant effect of depression and/or post-traumatic stress disorder on non-communicable disease incidence. The chronicity of mental health disorders appears to exacerbate their effect on non-communicable disease onset. Older age, higher body mass index, female sex, smoking status and number of cigarettes smoked, low educational attainment and ethnicity were found to exert a significant effect on the association between mental health disorders and non-communicable disease onset. Conclusion Findings from this review provide evidence to guide health practice and policy to reduce the burden of non-communicable diseases and mental health disorders. Interventions targeted towards identifying and treating mental health illnesses and the factors linking mental and physical health lower the burden of mental disorders and prevent the subsequent development of non-communicable diseases. Funding This article presents independent research funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Global Health Research programme (NIHR award ref: 16/136/100). A plain language summary of this research article is available on the NIHR Journals Library Website https://doi.org/10.3310/CTDH4677.pubpu
Age and Nationality: Identity Tensions in Kuwait
No full textHelen Donaghue - ORCID: 0000-0002-7227-7864
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7227-7864Item is not available in this repository.This chapter examines identity tensions experienced by in-service female Kuwaiti English language teachers. Using a multimodal narrative approach, this chapter analyzes stories in the forms of written narratives and multimodal texts and images produced by Kuwaiti teachers to find out which identities and identity tensions are relevant to them in their working lives. In reading and responding to each other’s stories and sharing similar experiences, the participants came to an understanding that their identity struggles were due to the underlying tensions between younger and older teachers and Kuwaiti and non-Kuwaiti teachers. A significant contextual influencer was a political agenda (Kuwaitization) dividing local and non-local teachers. This chapter provides a language teacher identity perspective from Kuwait and the Middle East which is rarely heard. This study contributes a further understanding of two identity tensions: age (specifically, being young in the profession) and nationality. © 2024 selection and editorial matter, Zia Tajeddin and Bedrettin Yazan; individual chapters, the contributors.pubpu
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