Search Our Scientific Publications & Authors

J Athl Train 2021 Apr 22. Epub 2021 Apr 22.

University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Context: In the spring of 2020, schools closed to in-person teaching and sports were cancelled to control the transmission of CoVID-19. The changes that took place to the physical and mental health among young athletes during this time remain unknown, however.

Objective: Identify changes in the health (mental health, physical activity and quality of life) of athletes that occurred during the CoVID-19 pandemic. Read More

Alcohol Alcohol 2021 Apr 23. Epub 2021 Apr 23.

Cancer Policy Research Centre, Cancer Research UK, 2 Redman Place, London E20 1JQ, UK.

Aims: In the UK, adolescents under the minimum legal purchasing age (<18 years) are aware of a variety of alcohol marketing activities. It is therefore important to examine how such marketing appeals and how it might shape consumption. This study assessed the relationships between positive reactions to alcohol adverts and susceptibility to drink among never drinkers and higher-risk drinking among current drinkers. Read More

Public Health 2021 Apr 19;194:127-134. Epub 2021 Apr 19.

Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Central University of Tamil Nadu, Tiruvarur, 610005, India. Electronic address:

Objectives: To map district-level tobacco hot spots and understand the Sociodemographic Indices (SDI) influencing tobacco consumption in Indian men and women.

Study Design: Cross-sectional study.

Methods: Tobacco use data from 640 districts of India were extracted from National Family Health Survey-4, carried out from 2015 to 2016 with a sample size of 103,411 men and 699,686 women. Read More

Diabetes Res Clin Pract 2021 Apr 19:108825. Epub 2021 Apr 19.

Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106. Electronic address:

Background: Given the shift from use of less expensive human to costlier analog insulins for treatment of type 2 diabetes (T2D), we examine characteristics and glycemic control associated with type of basal insulin use.

Methods: We analyzed respondents with T2D in six consecutive National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) cycles (2005-2016). Logistic regression models examined associations between demographics, socioeconomic factors, and NHANES cycle with (1) type of basal insulin use and (2) hemoglobin A1c <8. Read More

Rev Esc Enferm USP 2021 19;55:e03743. Epub 2021 Apr 19.

Escola Superior Ciências da Saúde, Hospital Regional da Asa Norte, Brasília, DF, Brazil.

Objective: To investigate the potential role of the Vulnerable Elders Survey to identify older adults with limited life expectancy in primary healthcare settings.

Method: This cross-sectional study was performed in all (nine) healthcare units in Jatai, Goiás (Brazil) from July to December 2018. A sample size of 407 older adults was obtained considering an older population (≥ 60 years old). Read More

Rev Bras Epidemiol 2021 16;24(suppl 1):e210014. Epub 2021 Apr 16.

School of Arts, Sciences and Humanities, Universidade de São Paulo - São Paulo (SP), Brazil.

Objective: To analyze sociodemographic and lifestyle factors associated with screen-based sedentary behavior (watching television ≥ 3 hours/day) among adult individuals in Brazil.

Methods: Quantitative analysis of ten editions of the cross-sectional health survey VIGITEL, representative at the population level. Individuals from states' capitals living in households with land-line telephone were randomly selected and interviewed with a structured questionnaire, through the telephone. Read More

Rev Bras Epidemiol 2021 16;24(suppl 1):e210011. Epub 2021 Apr 16.

Maternal-Child and Public Health Nursing Department, Nursing School, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais - Belo Horizonte (MG), Brazil.

Objective: To compare the prevalence of and trend in risk and protective factors for chronic non-communicable diseases (NCDs) among women beneficiaries and non-beneficiaries of Bolsa Família from 2016 to 2019.

Methods: This is a cross-sectional time-series study. We estimated the prevalence and prevalence ratios, both crude and adjusted for age and schooling, of NCD indicators with their respective confidence intervals, using the Poisson regression model. Read More

Rev Bras Epidemiol 2021 16;24(suppl 1):e210010. Epub 2021 Apr 16.

Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais - Belo Horizonte (MG), Brazil.

Objective: To analyze the contextual factors associated with type II diabetes mellitus in Belo Horizonte City.

Methods: Cross-sectional study with 5,779 adults living in Belo Horizonte City, participating in the Risk and Protection Factors Surveillance System for Chronic Diseases through Telephone Survey (Vigitel), in 2008, 2009, and 2010. Multilevel regression models were used to test the association between contextual indicators of physical and social environments, and self-reported diagnosis of diabetes, adjusted for individual sociodemographic and lifestyle factors. Read More

Rev Bras Ter Intensiva 2021 Jan-Mar;33(1):88-95

Licenciatura en Kinesiología y Fisiatría, Departamento de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Nacional de La Matanza - San Justo, Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Objective: To determine the prevalence of and risk factors for insufficient knowledge related to p-values among critical care physicians and respiratory therapists in Argentina.

Methods: This cross-sectional online survey contained 25 questions about respondents' characteristics, self-perception and p-value knowledge (theory and practice). Descriptive and multivariable logistic regression analyses were conducted. Read More

Cien Saude Colet 2021 Apr 20;26(4):1221-1231. Epub 2021 Jan 20.

Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais. Av. Alfredo Balena 190, Santa Efigênia. 30130-100 Belo Horizonte MG Brasil.

This study compares the proportion of the Brazilian adult population classified as being at high risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) based on six different CVD risk calculators in order to assess the agreement across different tools. A cross-sectional study was conducted using laboratory data from the National Health Survey (NHS). The prevalence rates of high 10-year risk of CVD among individuals aged between 45 and 64 years were as follows: Brazilian Society of Cardiology (BSC) global risk score (GRS) - 38. Read More

PLoS One 2021 22;16(4):e0250461. Epub 2021 Apr 22.

Department of Industrial Engineering, School of Applied Technical Sciences, German Jordanian University, Amman, Jordan.

Due to the sudden emergence of the novel coronavirus as a worldwide pandemic, this study aimed to evaluate the awareness and practices of both the Jordanian and Iraqi populations during the early stages of the pandemic. A cross-sectional survey was conducted between the 19th and 22nd of March to assess the public's awareness toward COVID-19. Multiple scored domains were used to assess the differences between the two populations. Read More

PLoS One 2021 22;16(4):e0248410. Epub 2021 Apr 22.

Epicentre, Paris, France.

Introduction: The Malawi Ministry of Health (MoH) has been in collaboration with Médecins sans Frontières (MSF) to increase access to quality HIV care through decentralization of antiretroviral therapy (ART) diagnosis and treatment from hospital to clinics in Nsanje District since 2011. A population-based household survey was implemented to provide information on HIV prevalence and cascade of care to inform and prioritize community-based HIV interventions in the district.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted between September 2016 and January 2017. Read More

Am J Trop Med Hyg 2021 Apr 22. Epub 2021 Apr 22.

5Department of Internal Medicine, Liaquat National Hospital & Medical College, Karachi, Pakistan.

Health-care workers are on the front line to combat the peculiar coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) pandemic and are susceptible to acquiring this infection. This study is aimed at documenting the effect of "coronaphobia" on mental well-being and to report burnout among physicians. The study was conducted as a cross-sectional survey between November 17, 2020 and January 1, 2021 via a Google form distributed among the physicians of a tertiary care hospital, in Karachi, Pakistan. Read More

J Med Internet Res 2021 Apr 20. Epub 2021 Apr 20.

Columbia University, New York, US.

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has broader geographic spread and potentially longer lasting effects than previous disasters. Necessary preventive precautions for the transmission of COVID-19 resulted in delays of in-person healthcare services, especially at the outset of the pandemic.

Objective: Among a US sample, we examined the rates of delays (defined as cancellations and postponements) to healthcare at the outset of the pandemic and characterized the reasons for delays. Read More

J Psychosoc Oncol 2021 Apr 22:1-15. Epub 2021 Apr 22.

University of Texas, School of Social Work, Austin, TX, USA.

Purpose: Describe the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the work structure, daily care provided, personal lives, and practice models for pediatric oncology social workers (POSW).

Research Approach: Cross-sectional online survey on APOSW professional listserv from 10/5/2020 to 11/20/2020.

Sample: 101 surveys were completed by POSW from 31 states and the District of Columbia. Read More

Hum Vaccin Immunother 2021 Apr 22:1-6. Epub 2021 Apr 22.

Hugh Downs School of Human Communication, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, USA.

This study assessed 27 Arizona community pharmacists' and pharmacy interns' human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine administration behaviors and influences. We recruited community pharmacists and pharmacy interns from a statewide pharmacy conference to complete a 40-item cross-sectional survey. Informed by the Theory of Planned Behavior, the survey assessed pharmacists' HPV vaccine-related behaviors, intentions, attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control to vaccinate against HPV. Read More

Issues Ment Health Nurs 2021 May 10;42(5):430-436. Epub 2020 Sep 10.

Turning Point, Eastern Health Clinical School, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.

While families have a central role supporting relatives with alcohol and other drug (AOD) misuse, this can undermine their own well-being and hopefulness. The aims of this study were to assess the effect of supporting a relative with AOD misuse on affected family members' (AFMs) psychological and physical well-being and hope for the future about their relative, and to identify factors associated with AFMs' well-being and hope. A cross-sectional survey design with 90 AFMs. Read More

Womens Health (Lond) 2021 Jan-Dec;17:17455065211010655

Pennington Biomedical Research Center, Baton Rouge, LA, USA.

Objectives: Household chaos, including disorder, noise, and crowding within the home, is a risk factor for poor mental and physical health. Household chaos may act upon maternal behaviors of physical activity and sleep, potentially via higher stress. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the relationships among household chaos, maternal stress, and maternal physical activity and sleep, and identify barriers to home organization during the COVID-19 outbreak. Read More

J Rural Health 2021 Apr 22. Epub 2021 Apr 22.

Department of Geography, University of Victoria, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada.

Purpose: To document the prevalence of functional impairment in middle-aged and older adults from rural regions and to determine urban-rural differences.

Methods: We have conducted a secondary analysis using data from an ongoing population-based cohort study, the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging (CLSA). We used a cross-sectional sample from the baseline wave of the "tracking cohort. Read More

JAMA Netw Open 2021 Apr 1;4(4):e217476. Epub 2021 Apr 1.

Department of Health Care, RAND Corporation, Santa Monica, California.

Importance: Electronic health records (EHRs) are widely promoted to improve the quality of health care, but information about the association of multifunctional EHRs with broad measures of quality in ambulatory settings is scarce.

Objective: To assess the association between EHRs with different degrees of capabilities and publicly reported ambulatory quality measures in at least 3 clinical domains of care.

Design, Setting, And Participants: This cross-sectional and longitudinal study was conducted using survey responses from 1141 ambulatory clinics in Minnesota, Washington, and Wisconsin affiliated with a health system that responded to the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society Annual Survey and reported performance measures in 2014 to 2017. Read More

Endosc Ultrasound 2021 Mar-Apr;10(2):116-123

Department of Gastroenterology, Digestive Disease Institute, The Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA.

Background And Objectives: The accuracy of EUS and endoscopic pancreatic function test (ePFT) for diagnosis of early or minimal-change chronic pancreatitis (MCCP) is poorly understood. We hypothesized that the natural history of the disease may be used as a "gold standard" to assess the ability of EUS and ePFT to predict the eventual development of overt chronic pancreatitis (CP) changes on computed tomography/magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (CT/MRCP). The aim of the study was to determine the ability of EUS and ePFT to predict disease progression in patients with suspected MCCP who had nondiagnostic baseline imaging. Read More

Int J Clin Pract 2021 Apr 21:e14242. Epub 2021 Apr 21.

College of Nursing, Taibah University, Universities Road, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Medina, PO Box: 344.

Background: The unavailability of data on the long-term efficacy of COVID-19 vaccines and of effective specific treatment, in addition to the emergence of new COVID-19 variants, make nonpharmaceutical measures a mainstay for preventing the spread of infection. The policy responses of governments to the pandemic should be integrated with public behavioral changes. This study examines public attitudes, practices and perceived quarantine competency in Saudi Arabia during the COVID-19 pandemic. Read More

J Behav Med 2021 Apr 21. Epub 2021 Apr 21.

Department of Human Development and Family Studies, Colorado State University, 1570 Campus Delivery, Fort Collins, CO, 80523-1570, US.

Sleep difficulties may be one explanatory factor in the association between depression and insulin resistance; yet, explicit tests of this hypothesis are lacking. We determined if there was an indirect effect of depression symptoms on insulin resistance through sleep duration in adolescents at risk for excess weight gain. We also investigated whether dispositional mindfulness moderated the interconnections among depression, sleep, and insulin resistance. Read More

Afr J Infect Dis 2020 31;14(2):30-35. Epub 2020 Jul 31.

Department of Animal Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture, Egerton University, P.O. Box 536-20115, Egerton, Kenya.

Background: Porcine Cysticercosis (PC) infection is globally classified as a neglected and re-emerging tropical disease. The disease is endemic in Western Kenya yet smallholder farmers continue to practice scavenging pig production, thereby posing public health risk. This study determined the prevalence of PC infection at the farms and slaughter slabs in a cross-sectional survey in two Counties (Busia and Kakamega) of Western Kenya. Read More

Afr J Infect Dis 2020 31;14(2):16-22. Epub 2020 Jul 31.

Department of Animal Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture, Egerton University, P.O. Box 536-20115, Egerton, Kenya.

Background: The demand for pork is increasing in Africa with the increasing need for animal protein in the household diets. But pork safety and quality remains a pervasive concern that needs intervention to assure consumers of protection from Porcine Cysticercosis (PC) contamination. This study assessed among farmers, butcher-owners and consumers in Western Kenya about their awareness, attitudes and perceptions about safety practices regarding risk of PC. Read More

J Rehabil Med Clin Commun 2020 30;3:1000036. Epub 2020 Jun 30.

Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Care and Public Health Research Institute, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands.

Objective: Public health legislation during the CO-VID-19 pandemic has resulted in forced transitioning to the use of remote care in order to continue the provision of pain rehabilitation worldwide. The objective of this study was to gain insight into clinicians' initial experiences with the provision of interdisciplinary pain rehabilitation via videoconferencing.

Design: Observational, cross-sectional design. Read More

Risk Manag Healthc Policy 2021 15;14:1563-1573. Epub 2021 Apr 15.

Nursing Department, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanning, 530022, People's Republic of China.

Purpose: This study explored the impact of COVID-19 on the mental health and adaptation of behavior of Zhuang women in China to provide more specific guidance for the social and medical practice of pregnant women during public health emergencies.

Participants And Methods: This cross-sectional study recruited 446 pregnant Zhuang women from obstetric outpatient clinics in four tertiary hospitals and online maternity schools in Nanning, Guangxi, between February 24 and March 1, 2020. Self-designed questionnaires and the Self-Rating Anxiety Scale were used. Read More

Risk Manag Healthc Policy 2021 15;14:1541-1550. Epub 2021 Apr 15.

Faculty of Health Science, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia.

Objective: To investigate factors in association with high psychological distress in people with disabilities.

Methods: We used the 2015 national survey on disability in Australia to derive the representative study population of 7936 people with disabilities aged 18+ years. The Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K10) was used to define high psychological distress (scores ≥22). Read More

Risk Manag Healthc Policy 2021 13;14:1491-1497. Epub 2021 Apr 13.

Department of Microbiology, Kabul University of Medical Sciences, Kabul, Afghanistan.

Background: The coronavirus pandemic has had devastating effects on many nations, including Afghanistan. Public awareness and following recommendations play an important part in managing such a large-scale crisis, which are affected largely by knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP). Medical students can act as reliable sources of information for the public in such a scenario. Read More