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European Journal of Physical and... Oct 2019Fibromyalgia is a long-term condition that is associated with widespread pain and is recognized as one of the major common causes of disability. The standard clinical... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
INTRODUCTION
Fibromyalgia is a long-term condition that is associated with widespread pain and is recognized as one of the major common causes of disability. The standard clinical guidance for fibromyalgia includes both pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions. In the latter, different interventions are implemented such as aerobic exercises, flexibility exercises, strength training, stretching and body awareness (BA) therapies. The aims of this review were to provide a summary of movement and BA therapies in patients with fibromyalgia and to compare the different therapies in relation to outcomes.
EVIDENCE ACQUISITION
The search strategy was undertaken using the following databases from inception to October 2018: PubMed, Cinahl, PEDro, PsychoInfo and The Cochrane Library. Articles were eligible if they were randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing movement and BA therapies with another intervention.
EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS
Two authors independently extracted data and assessed trial quality; 418 studies were found, twenty-two of which met the inclusion criteria. Pain symptom was improved with movement and BA therapies such as, affective self-awareness, t'ai chi, yoga, belly dance, strengthening program and Resseguier method. Forest plot analysis in short term confirms positive trend in favor of BA; however, a great heterogeneity was found between trials.
CONCLUSIONS
This systematic review and meta-analysis shows positive results in favor of movement and BA therapies as adjunct treatment to usual care in patients who suffer from fibromyalgia. Further work in identifying the mechanism of action by which BA therapies benefit outcomes should be undertaken.
Topics: Awareness; Disability Evaluation; Exercise; Exercise Therapy; Fibromyalgia; Humans; Muscle Stretching Exercises; Proprioception; Resistance Training; Surveys and Questionnaires
PubMed: 31106558
DOI: 10.23736/S1973-9087.19.05291-2 -
PloS One 2020Currently, various tools exist to evaluate knowledge and awareness of antibiotic use and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and are applied by various organizations....
BACKGROUND
Currently, various tools exist to evaluate knowledge and awareness of antibiotic use and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and are applied by various organizations. Previous systematic reviews have focused mainly on study findings such as levels of knowledge and AMR awareness. However, the survey procedures and data instruments used ought to be scrutinized as well, since they are important contributors to credible results. This review aims to assess the study methods and procedures of existing population-based surveys and explore key components which determine the general population's levels of knowledge and awareness of antibiotic use and AMR.
METHODS
We searched existing literature for population -based surveys which sought knowledge and awareness of antibiotic use or AMR in the general population. Databases searched included Ovid, MEDLINE and EMBASE, PsycINFO and Scopus, domestic journals and gray literature sources. Population-based cross-sectional studies published in English or Thai from January 2000 to December 2018 were included in the review. Quality assessment was conducted using the 'Appraisal Tool for Cross-Sectional Studies' (AXIS).
RESULTS
All 22 studies included in the analysis had clear objectives focusing on assessing people's levels of knowledge, awareness, attitudes and behavior relating to antibiotic use and awareness of AMR. These studies had employed appropriate methodologies for population-based cross-sectional surveys relative to research questions. More than half of studies (14 out of 22) had scientifically soundly designed methodologies which captured the representativeness of the population; whereas the remaining studies had unclear sample size estimations, inappropriate sample frames and selection biases. Half of the studies had tested the validity and reliability of the questionnaire. The common questions used by these surveys were categorized into four themes: behavior related to antibiotic use, knowledge and awareness of antibiotic use, knowledge and awareness of AMR and others such as receiving information about antibiotic use and AMR or cross-cutting issues like self-medication.
CONCLUSION
This review identified four key features of good practices in antibiotic use and awareness surveys: a) clear survey objective; b) scientifically sound sampling techniques ensuring representativeness; c) strategies for recruitment of samples and survey administration methods; and d) credible measurement to prevent non-sampling biases. During questionnaire design, the health systems context in terms of access to health services and antibiotics should be taken into account. In conclusion, to maximize the use of surveys, the application of findings in surveys and associated factors related to antibiotic use and AMR should primarily generate public health interventions and target specific groups to make progress in solving AMR problems.
Topics: Anti-Bacterial Agents; Awareness; Bacterial Infections; Databases, Factual; Drug Resistance, Bacterial; Drug Resistance, Microbial; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; Humans; Surveys and Questionnaires; Thailand
PubMed: 31945117
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0227973 -
Frontiers in Public Health 2021The Covid-19 physical distancing measures had a detrimental effect on adolescents' mental health. Adolescents worldwide alleviated the negative experiences of social... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
The Covid-19 physical distancing measures had a detrimental effect on adolescents' mental health. Adolescents worldwide alleviated the negative experiences of social distancing by spending more time on digital devices. Through a systematic literature search in eight academic databases (including Eric, Proquest Sociology, Communication & Mass Media Complete, Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection, PsycINFO, CINAHL, Pubmed, and Web of Science), the present systematic review and meta-analysis first summarized the existing evidence from 30 studies, published up to September 2021, on the link between mental health and digital media use in adolescents during Covid-19. Digital media use measures included social media, screen time, and digital media addiction. Mental health measures were grouped into conceptually similar dimensions, such as well-being, ill-being, social well-being, lifestyle habits, and Covid-19-related stress. Results showed that, although most studies reported a positive association between ill-being and social media use ( = 0.171, = 0.011) and ill-being and media addiction ( = 0.434, = 0.024), not all types of digital media use had adverse consequences on adolescents' mental health. In particular, one-to-one communication, self-disclosure in the context of mutual online friendship, as well as positive and funny online experiences mitigated feelings of loneliness and stress. Hence, these positive aspects of online activities should be promoted. At the same time, awareness of the detrimental effects of addictive digital media use should be raised: That would include making adolescents more aware of adverse mechanisms such as social comparison, fear of missing out, and exposure to negative contents, which were more likely to happen during social isolation and confinement due to the pandemic.
Topics: Adolescent; COVID-19; Humans; Internet; Mental Health; Pandemics; SARS-CoV-2
PubMed: 35186872
DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2021.793868 -
Climacteric : the Journal of the... Apr 2023The objective of this review was to answer the global prevalence of premature ovarian insufficiency (POI), and explore the associated factors including etiopathology and... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
OBJECTIVE
The objective of this review was to answer the global prevalence of premature ovarian insufficiency (POI), and explore the associated factors including etiopathology and regions with POI.
METHODS
The search was conducted on reports from a total of eight databases that comprised Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Wanfang, China BioMedical Literature Database (CBM), PubMed, the Cochrane Library, Embase, Web of Science and Ovid MEDLINE between 1946 and 2021. To analyze the source of heterogeneity, we performed subgroup analysis based on different etiologies and regions. Meta-analysis was carried out by Stata14.0 software.
RESULTS
The results showed that the global overall prevalence of POI among women was 3.5%. By subgroup analysis, the prevalence of POI among women with iatrogenic etiology was 11.2%, followed by autoimmunity (10.5%); the prevalence of POI by region was 11.3% at the highest in North America followed by South America (5.4%); and the prevalence of POI was 5.3% in a developing country, higher than 3.1% in a developed country. The trend of prevalence of POI over the past 20 years was on the rise (although > 0.05).
CONCLUSION
We recommend that health and medical institutions strengthen public health awareness, achieve health-education goals related to POI and increase women's awareness of and attention to POI.
Topics: Female; Humans; Prevalence; Primary Ovarian Insufficiency; Menopause, Premature; China
PubMed: 36519275
DOI: 10.1080/13697137.2022.2153033 -
Journal of the American Academy of... Jun 2022Studies found associations between atopic dermatitis (AD) and various comorbidities.
BACKGROUND
Studies found associations between atopic dermatitis (AD) and various comorbidities.
OBJECTIVE
To appraise evidence of the association between AD and comorbidities among adults.
METHODS
Our multidisciplinary work group conducted a systematic review of the association between AD and selected comorbidities. We applied the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation for prognosis approach for assessing the certainty of the evidence, providing statements of association based on the available evidence.
RESULTS
Analysis of the evidence resulted in 32 statements. Clear evidence of the association of AD in adults and select allergic, atopic, immune-mediated mental health and bone health conditions and skin infections was identified. There is some evidence supporting an association between AD and substance use, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, and elements of metabolic syndrome. Evidence suggests a small association with various cardiovascular conditions. The association between AD in adults and autism spectrum disorders, myocardial infarction, stroke, and metabolic syndrome is inconclusive.
LIMITATIONS
This analysis is based on the best available evidence at the time it was conducted. This guideline does not make recommendations for screening or management of comorbidities in adults with AD.
CONCLUSIONS
Clinicians should be aware of comorbidities associated with AD. Further research is needed to determine whether screening or management of comorbidities is beneficial for adults with AD.
Topics: Adult; Comorbidity; Dermatitis, Atopic; Dermatology; Humans; Metabolic Syndrome; Myocardial Infarction; United States
PubMed: 35085682
DOI: 10.1016/j.jaad.2022.01.009 -
The Cochrane Database of Systematic... Sep 2019The use of clinical signs, or end-tidal anaesthetic gas (ETAG), may not be reliable in measuring the hypnotic component of anaesthesia and may lead to either overdosage...
BACKGROUND
The use of clinical signs, or end-tidal anaesthetic gas (ETAG), may not be reliable in measuring the hypnotic component of anaesthesia and may lead to either overdosage or underdosage resulting in adverse effects because of too deep or too light anaesthesia. Intraoperative awareness, whilst uncommon, may lead to serious psychological disturbance, and alternative methods to monitor the depth of anaesthesia may reduce the incidence of serious events. Bispectral index (BIS) is a numerical scale based on electrical activity in the brain. Using a BIS monitor to guide the dose of anaesthetic may have advantages over clinical signs or ETAG. This is an update of a review last published in 2014.
OBJECTIVES
To assess the effectiveness of BIS to reduce the risk of intraoperative awareness and early recovery times from general anaesthesia in adults undergoing surgery.
SEARCH METHODS
We searched CENTRAL, MEDLINE, Embase, and Web of Science on 26 March 2019. We searched clinical trial registers and grey literature, and handsearched reference lists of included studies and related reviews.
SELECTION CRITERIA
We included randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and quasi-RCTs in which BIS was used to guide anaesthesia compared with standard practice which was either clinical signs or end-tidal anaesthetic gas (ETAG) to guide the anaesthetic dose. We included adult participants undergoing any type of surgery under general anaesthesia regardless of whether included participants had a high risk of intraoperative awareness. We included only studies in which investigators aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of BIS for its role in monitoring intraoperative depth of anaesthesia or potential improvements in early recovery times from anaesthesia.
DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS
Two review authors independently assessed studies for inclusion, extracted data, and assessed risk of bias. We assessed the certainty of evidence with GRADE.
MAIN RESULTS
We included 52 studies with 41,331 participants; two studies were quasi-randomized and the remaining studies were RCTs. All studies included participants undergoing surgery under general anaesthesia. Three studies recruited only participants who were at high risk of intraoperative awareness, whilst two studies specifically recruited an unselected participant group. We analysed the data according to two comparison groups: BIS versus clinical signs; and BIS versus ETAG. Forty-eight studies used clinical signs as a comparison method, which included titration of anaesthesia according to criteria such as blood pressure or heart rate and, six studies used ETAG to guide anaesthesia. Whilst BIS target values differed between studies, all were within a range of values between 40 to 60.BIS versus clinical signsWe found low-certainty evidence that BIS-guided anaesthesia may reduce the risk of intraoperative awareness in a surgical population that were unselected or at high risk of awareness (Peto odds ratio (OR) 0.36, 95% CI 0.21 to 0.60; I = 61%; 27 studies; 9765 participants). However, events were rare with only five of 27 studies with reported incidences; we found that incidences of intraoperative awareness when BIS was used were three per 1000 (95% CI 2 to 6 per 1000) compared to nine per 1000 when anaesthesia was guided by clinical signs. Of the five studies with event data, one included participants at high risk of awareness and one included unselected participants, four used a structured questionnaire for assessment, and two used an adjudication process to identify confirmed or definite awareness.Early recovery times were also improved when BIS was used. We found low-certainty evidence that BIS may reduce the time to eye opening by mean difference (MD) 1.78 minutes (95% CI -2.53 to -1.03 minutes; 22 studies; 1494 participants), the time to orientation by MD 3.18 minutes (95% CI -4.03 to -2.33 minutes; 6 studies; 273 participants), and the time to discharge from the postanaesthesia care unit (PACU) by MD 6.86 minutes (95% CI -11.72 to -2 minutes; 13 studies; 930 participants).BIS versus ETAGAgain, events of intraoperative awareness were extremely rare, and we found no evidence of a difference in incidences of intraoperative awareness according to whether anaesthesia was guided by BIS or by ETAG in a surgical population at unselected or at high risk of awareness (Peto OR 1.13, 95% CI 0.56 to 2.26; I = 37%; 5 studies; 26,572 participants; low-certainty evidence). Incidences of intraoperative awareness were one per 1000 in both groups. Only three of five studies reported events, two included participants at high risk of awareness and one included unselected participants, all used a structured questionnaire for assessment and an adjudication process to identify confirmed or definite awareness.One large study (9376 participants) reported a reduced time to discharge from the PACU by a median of three minutes less, and we judged the certainty of this evidence to be low. No studies measured or reported the time to eye opening and the time to orientation.Certainty of the evidenceWe used GRADE to downgrade the evidence for all outcomes to low certainty. The incidence of intraoperative awareness is so infrequent such that, despite the inclusion of some large multi-centre studies in analyses, we believed that the effect estimates were imprecise. In addition, analyses included studies that we judged to have limitations owing to some assessments of high or unclear bias and in all studies, it was not possible to blind anaesthetists to the different methods of monitoring depth of anaesthesia.Studies often did not report a clear definition of intraoperative awareness. Time points of measurement differed, and methods used to identify intraoperative awareness also differed and we expected that some assessment tools were more comprehensive than others.
AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS
Intraoperative awareness is infrequent and, despite identifying a large number of eligible studies, evidence for the effectiveness of using BIS to guide anaesthetic depth is imprecise. We found that BIS-guided anaesthesia compared to clinical signs may reduce the risk of intraoperative awareness and improve early recovery times in people undergoing surgery under general anaesthesia but we found no evidence of a difference between BIS-guided anaesthesia and ETAG-guided anaesthesia. We found six studies awaiting classification and two ongoing studies; inclusion of these studies in future updates may increase the certainty of the evidence.
Topics: Anesthesia Recovery Period; Anesthesia, General; Anesthetics; Electroencephalography; Humans; Intraoperative Awareness; Monitoring, Intraoperative; Postoperative Period; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
PubMed: 31557307
DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD003843.pub4 -
The Cochrane Database of Systematic... Jul 2023Apical vaginal prolapse is the descent of the uterus or vaginal vault (post-hysterectomy). Various surgical treatments are available, but there are no guidelines to... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Apical vaginal prolapse is the descent of the uterus or vaginal vault (post-hysterectomy). Various surgical treatments are available, but there are no guidelines to recommend which is the best.
OBJECTIVES
To evaluate the safety and efficacy of any surgical intervention compared to another intervention for the management of apical vaginal prolapse.
SEARCH METHODS
We searched the Cochrane Incontinence Group's Specialised Register of controlled trials, which contains trials identified from the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), MEDLINE, ClinicalTrials.gov, WHO ICTRP and handsearching of journals and conference proceedings and ClinicalTrials.gov (searched 14 March 2022).
SELECTION CRITERIA
We included randomised controlled trials (RCTs).
DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS
We used Cochrane methods. Our primary outcomes were awareness of prolapse, repeat surgery and recurrent prolapse (any site).
MAIN RESULTS
We included 59 RCTs (6705 women) comparing surgical procedures for apical vaginal prolapse. Evidence certainty ranged from very low to moderate. Limitations included imprecision, poor methodology, and inconsistency. Vaginal procedures compared to sacral colpopexy for vault prolapse (seven RCTs, n=613; six months to f four-year review) Awareness of prolapse was more common after vaginal procedures (risk ratio (RR) 2.31, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.27 to 4.21, 4 RCTs, n = 346, I = 0%, moderate-certainty evidence). If 8% of women are aware of prolapse after sacral colpopexy, 18% (10% to 32%) are likely to be aware after vaginal procedures. Surgery for recurrent prolapse was more common after vaginal procedures (RR 2.33, 95% CI 1.34 to 4.04; 6 RCTs, n = 497, I = 0%, moderate-certainty evidence). The confidence interval suggests that if 6% of women require repeat prolapse surgery after sacral colpopexy, 14% (8% to 25%) are likely to require it after vaginal procedures. Prolapse on examination is probably more common after vaginal procedures (RR 1.87, 95% CI 1.32 to 2.65; 5 RCTs, n = 422; I = 24%, moderate-certainty evidence). If 18% of women have recurrent prolapse after sacral colpopexy, between 23% and 47% are likely to do so after vaginal procedures. Other outcomes: Stress urinary incontinence (SUI) was more common after vaginal procedures (RR 1.86, 95% CI 1.17 to 2.94; 3 RCTs, n = 263; I = 0%, moderate-certainty evidence). The effect of vaginal procedures on dyspareunia was uncertain (RR 3.44, 95% CI 0.61 to 19.53; 3 RCTs, n = 106, I = 65%, low-certainty evidence). Vaginal hysterectomy compared to sacral hysteropexy/cervicopexy (six RCTS, 554 women, one to seven year review) Awareness of prolapse - There may be little or no difference between the groups for this outcome (RR 1.01 95% CI 0.10 to 9.98; 2 RCTs, n = 200, very low-certainty evidence). Surgery for recurrent prolapse - There may be little or no difference between the groups for this outcome (RR 0.85, 95% CI 0.47 to 1.54; 5 RCTs, n = 403; I = 9%, low-certainty evidence). Prolapse on examination- there was little or no difference between the groups for this outcome (RR 0.78, 95% CI 0.54 to 1.11; 2 RCTs n = 230; I = 9%, moderate-certainty evidence). Vaginal hysteropexy compared to sacral hysteropexy/cervicopexy (two RCTs, n = 388, 1-four-year review) Awareness of prolapse - No difference between the groups for this outcome (RR 0.55 95% CI 0.21 to 1.44; 1 RCT n = 257, low-certainty evidence). Surgery for recurrent prolapse - No difference between the groups for this outcome (RR 1.34, 95% CI 0.52 to 3.44; 2 RCTs, n = 345; I = 0%, moderate-certainty evidence). Prolapse on examination- There were little or no difference between the groups for this outcome (RR 0.99, 95% CI 0.83 to 1.19; 2 RCTs n =367; I =9%, moderate-certainty evidence). Vaginal hysterectomy compared to vaginal hysteropexy (four RCTs, n = 620, 6 months to five-year review) Awareness of prolapse - There may be little or no difference between the groups for this outcome (RR 1.0 95% CI 0.44 to 2.24; 2 RCTs, n = 365, I = 0% moderate-quality certainty evidence). Surgery for recurrent prolapse - There may be little or no difference between the groups for this outcome (RR 1.32, 95% CI 0.67 to 2.60; 3 RCTs, n = 443; I = 0%, moderate-certainty evidence). Prolapse on examination- There were little or no difference between the groups for this outcome (RR 1.44, 95% CI 0.79 to 2.61; 2 RCTs n =361; I =74%, low-certainty evidence). Other outcomes: Total vaginal length (TVL) was shorter after vaginal hysterectomy (mean difference (MD) 0.89cm 95% CI 0.49 to 1.28cm shorter; 3 RCTs, n=413, low-certainty evidence). There is probably little or no difference between the groups in terms of operating time, dyspareunia and stress urinary incontinence. Other analyses There were no differences identified for any of our primary review outcomes between different types of vaginal native tissue repair (4 RCTs), comparisons of graft materials for vaginal support (3 RCTs), pectopexy versus other apical suspensions (5 RCTs), continuous versus interrupted sutures at sacral colpopexy (2 RCTs), absorbable versus permanent sutures at apical suspensions (5 RCTs) or different routes of sacral colpopexy. Laparoscopic sacral colpopexy is associated with shorter admission time than open approach (3 RCTs) and quicker operating time than robotic approach (3 RCTs). Transvaginal mesh does not confer any advantage over native tissue repair, however is associated with a 17.5% rate of mesh exposure (7 RCTs).
AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS
Sacral colpopexy is associated with lower risk of awareness of prolapse, recurrent prolapse on examination, repeat surgery for prolapse, and postoperative SUI than a variety of vaginal interventions. The limited evidence does not support the use of transvaginal mesh compared to native tissue repair for apical vaginal prolapse. There were no differences in primary outcomes for different routes of sacral colpopexy. However, the laparoscopic approach is associated with a shorter operating time than robotic approach, and shorter admission than open approach. There were no significant differences between vaginal hysteropexy and vaginal hysterectomy for uterine prolapse nor between vaginal hysteropexy and abdominal hysteropexy/cervicopexy. There were no differences detected between absorbable and non absorbable sutures however, the certainty of evidence for mesh exposure and dyspareunia was low.
Topics: Female; Humans; Dyspareunia; Suspensions; Urinary Incontinence, Stress; Uterine Prolapse
PubMed: 37493538
DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD012376.pub2 -
International Journal of Geriatric... Dec 2022Research priority setting aims to collate stakeholder opinion to determine the most pressing research questions. Priority setting exercises influence decisions around... (Review)
Review
OBJECTIVES
Research priority setting aims to collate stakeholder opinion to determine the most pressing research questions. Priority setting exercises influence decisions around research funding, development and policy. We compared published dementia research priority setting exercises from international healthcare systems.
METHODS
Four multidisciplinary, international, electronic databases were searched for relevant studies (2010 until 2021). Priorities were extracted, coded and assigned to categories using thematic analysis. The Nine Common Themes of Good Practice (9CTGP) and the Reporting guideline for priority setting of health research (REPRISE) checklists were used to assess methodological and reporting quality respectively.
RESULTS
From 265 titles, 10 priority setting exercises (1179 participants, 147 priorities) were included. Studies spanned four continents and the majority included people living with dementia and their care-givers in the priority setting process (68%). Only one paper met all the best practice indicators. Issues around inclusiveness, implementation and evaluation of the priorities were apparent in nine papers. We categorised priorities under eight themes: caregivers (25%, n = 37), support (24%, n = 35), awareness and education (16%, n = 24), drugs and interventions (14%, n = 21), diagnosis (8%, n = 12), pathology (6%, n = 9), research design (5%, n = 7), and prevention (1%, n = 2). Priorities varied by geographical region, with awareness and education of higher priority in low-middle income countries, compared to caregivers and support in high income countries.
CONCLUSIONS
Key priorities were identified with some commonality around themes considered of greatest importance. There is scope to improve the process and reporting of priority setting. Priorities differed according to contextual factors and so, priorities specific to one healthcare setting may not be applicable to others.
Topics: Humans; Dementia; Research
PubMed: 36326065
DOI: 10.1002/gps.5836 -
Cureus Oct 2023Epistaxis, commonly known as nasal bleeding, ranks among the most prevalent emergencies encountered in otorhinolaryngology. The etiology of epistaxis is multifaceted,... (Review)
Review
Epistaxis, commonly known as nasal bleeding, ranks among the most prevalent emergencies encountered in otorhinolaryngology. The etiology of epistaxis is multifaceted, arising from both local and systemic factors. In Saudi Arabia, a country with a relatively high prevalence of epistaxis, understanding the level of awareness and attitudes toward first aid management of epistaxis is of paramount importance. This systematic review aims to bridge this knowledge gap by evaluating the awareness of and attitudes toward epistaxis first aid in Saudi Arabia. This systematic review and meta-analysis adhered to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines. A comprehensive electronic search was executed across PubMed, Google Scholar, and Web of Science databases, encompassing studies published between January 2015 and July 2023. The study included exclusively cross-sectional studies, assessing awareness and attitude toward epistaxis first aid in Saudi Arabia across all populations and studies in English. The 17 selected studies were all published after October 2017, with three published in the year of this systematic review (2023). Sample sizes exhibited substantial variability, ranging from 57 to 2,441 individuals. Despite widespread awareness of epistaxis, the general population often disregards it as a minor health issue. This discrepancy highlights the importance of addressing epistaxis seriously, given the potential for severe bleeding as a medical emergency. The review of 17 studies revealed significant variations in epistaxis awareness levels, influenced by factors such as age, gender, and varying sample sizes. Notably, higher awareness levels were observed in studies involving the general Saudi population and those employing self-administered questionnaires. The average awareness and knowledge of epistaxis and its management among Saudi residents were moderate, with an estimated awareness level of 63%. A large-scale epidemiological survey, considering sociodemographic factors, is recommended to provide a more comprehensive understanding of epistaxis awareness.
PubMed: 37933345
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.46590 -
Reproductive Health Jun 2023In recent years, a growing number of researchers have begun to study fertility awareness (FA). Evidence suggests that college students in their reproductive years have a... (Review)
Review
INTRODUCTION
In recent years, a growing number of researchers have begun to study fertility awareness (FA). Evidence suggests that college students in their reproductive years have a common understanding of fertility, risk factors for infertility, and assisted reproductive technologies. Therefore, this systematic review summarizes these studies and explores the factors affecting college students' fertility awareness.
METHODS
A systematic literature search of databases (PUBMED/MEDLINE, Cochrane, Web of Science, Embase, and EBSCO) was conducted from inception to September 2022. Studies that assessed the levels of fertility awareness and factors influencing college students were considered for the review. The qualities of the included studies were evaluated using the Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology guidelines. This systematic review is reported according to the preferred reporting items for systematic review (PRISMA) guidelines.
RESULTS
Twenty-one articles met the eligibility criteria and were included. The preliminary results showed that participants reported low to moderate FA. Female medical students demonstrated higher levels of fertility awareness. The association between age, years of education, and FA was insufficient.
CONCLUSION
The results of the current study suggest that increased FA interventions are warranted, especially for the male, non-medical student population. Governments and educational institutions should strengthen education programs for young students on reproductive health to help them raise awareness about childbirth, and society should provide family support for young people.
Topics: Humans; Male; Female; Adolescent; Universities; Fertility; Infertility; Students; Risk Factors
PubMed: 37280685
DOI: 10.1186/s12978-023-01628-6