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International Ophthalmology Oct 2023To identify the public level of knowledge about the common ophthalmological conditions in Saudi Arabia. (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
PURPOSE
To identify the public level of knowledge about the common ophthalmological conditions in Saudi Arabia.
METHODS
We searched Medline, Embase, and CENTRAL for relevant literature. We included questionnaire-based cross-sectional studies performed in Saudi Arabia assessing the public awareness and attitude about general knowledge, causes/risk factors, signs/symptoms, disabilities/consequences, and relieving/management measures of the common ophthalmological conditions including glaucoma, cataract, and diabetic retinopathy (DR). The meta-analysis was performed on outcomes reported in ≥ 2 studies utilizing the random-effects model. Quality assessment was done using the Appraisal tool for Cross-Sectional Studies (AXIS) tool.
RESULTS
Twenty-eight studies were deemed eligible for inclusion in this review. A total of 72 questions were reported in ≥ 2 studies and were included in the meta-analysis. The total number of participants was 14,408. The meta-analysis estimated that 57.63% (95% confidence interval (CI) 56.87-60.07%), 69.90% (95% CI 67.02-76.07%), and 68.65% (95% CI 65.94-71.23%) of the Saudi public have you ever heard or read about glaucoma, cataract, and DR, respectively. Of the public surveyed in the included studies, 43.68% (95% CI 41.54-45.85%), 55.43% (95% CI 54.03-56.82%), and 63% (95% CI 60.8-65.1%) believed that glaucoma, cataract, and DR could be treated.
CONCLUSION
This systematic review showed that the level of knowledge among the Saudi population about the common ophthalmological conditions was the highest with respect to cataract, followed by DR and glaucoma. The areas of unsatisfactory level of awareness about the common ophthalmological conditions included risk factors, signs/symptoms, complications, and management options. These areas need to be addressed appropriately by future educational interventions.
Topics: Humans; Diabetic Retinopathy; Saudi Arabia; Cross-Sectional Studies; Glaucoma; Cataract; Diabetes Mellitus
PubMed: 37314586
DOI: 10.1007/s10792-023-02757-4 -
Aging & Mental Health Apr 2021There is limited understanding about how people in the severe stages of Alzheimer's disease (AD) experience and demonstrate awareness. We synthesised all available...
There is limited understanding about how people in the severe stages of Alzheimer's disease (AD) experience and demonstrate awareness. We synthesised all available evidence with the aim of understanding how awareness is preserved or impaired in severe AD and what evidence there is for different levels of awareness according to the levels of awareness framework. A systematic search of the following databases: Embase, PsycINFO, MEDLINE and Web of Science was carried out. A narrative synthesis and analysis was conducted of all included studies. All studies were assessed for quality using the AXIS and CASP tools. Our findings suggest that lower level sensory awareness is relatively maintained in severe AD. Findings for higher level awareness are variable and this may be related to the diversity of methods that have been used to explore awareness in these circumstances. Awareness is complex, heterogeneous and varies significantly between individuals. Environmental and contextual factors have a significant impact on whether awareness is observed in people with severe AD. Adaptation of the environment has the potential to facilitate the expression of awareness while education of caregivers may increase understanding of people with severe AD and potentially improve the quality of care that is received.
Topics: Alzheimer Disease; Awareness; Caregivers; Humans
PubMed: 31942805
DOI: 10.1080/13607863.2020.1711859 -
Public Health Apr 2022Body piercing is defined as the penetration of jewellery into openings made in different body areas. In the last decades, it has become increasingly common in the... (Review)
Review
OBJECTIVE
Body piercing is defined as the penetration of jewellery into openings made in different body areas. In the last decades, it has become increasingly common in the general population. The aim is to analyse the available literature about complications from body piercing for contributing to raise the awareness towards this issue and to plan and perform appropriate prevention interventions.
STUDY DESIGN
This is a systematic review.
METHODS
The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines were used to perform this systematic review; the protocol was registered with PROSPERO [CRD42020177972]. PubMed, Scopus and Web of Science were searched from database inception to April 2020, and articles in English language reporting a proven association between piercings and health risks were included, and their quality were assessed by adequate quality assessment tools.
RESULTS
A total of 4748 studies were found, and after duplicates removal and screening, 84 articles were included. Studies dealing with microbiological effects reported these complications both locally and at distant sites as a result of the spreading of the primary site infection: mastitis, endocarditis, glomerulonephritis, cephalic tetanus, viral hepatitis, HIV, cerebellar brain abscess and toxic shock syndrome. In addition, bleeding, gingival recession, dental injuries, contact dermatitis, granulomatous dermatitis, keloid, fibroma and basal cell carcinoma were reported.
CONCLUSIONS
Health authorities should promote educational campaigns to spread the knowledge on health risks related to piercings. Besides, piercers are often not adequately aware of all the possible adverse effects due to piercings because their professional training differs among countries. It is therefore advisable to provide periodical upgrade of their education in this field.
Topics: Body Piercing; Female; Humans
PubMed: 35339940
DOI: 10.1016/j.puhe.2022.01.035 -
Acta Diabetologica Sep 2023To conduct a systematic review to summarize the definition, measurement tools, prevalence, and contributing factors of impaired awareness of hypoglycemia (IAH) in type 2... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
AIMS
To conduct a systematic review to summarize the definition, measurement tools, prevalence, and contributing factors of impaired awareness of hypoglycemia (IAH) in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).
METHODS
A reproducible search strategy was used to identify factors affecting IAH in T2DM in PubMed, MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane, PsycINFO, and CINAHL from inception until 2022. Literature screening, quality evaluation, and information extraction were performed independently by 2 investigators. A meta-analysis of prevalence was performed using Stata 17.0.
RESULTS
The pooled prevalence of IAH in patients with T2DM was 22% (95%CI:14-29%). Measurement tools included the Gold score, Clarke's questionnaire, and the Pedersen-Bjergaard scale. IAH in T2DM was associated with sociodemographic factors (age, BMI, ethnicity, marital status, education level, and type of pharmacy patients visited), clinical disease factors (disease duration, HbAlc, complications, insulin therapy regimen, sulfonylureas use, and the frequency and severity of hypoglycemia), and behavior and lifestyle (smoking and medication adherence).
CONCLUSION
The study found a high prevalence of IAH in T2DM, with an increased risk of severe hypoglycemia, suggesting that medical workers should take targeted measures to address sociodemographic factors, clinical disease, and behavior and lifestyle to reduce IAH in T2DM and thus reduce hypoglycemia in patients.
Topics: Humans; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1; Prevalence; Hypoglycemia; Insulin; Hypoglycemic Agents
PubMed: 37199797
DOI: 10.1007/s00592-023-02102-2 -
Patient Education and Counseling Jul 2022To summarize the awareness levels of breast cancer (BC) worldwide and investigate factors associated with BC awareness to determine differences in awareness between... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
OBJECTIVE
To summarize the awareness levels of breast cancer (BC) worldwide and investigate factors associated with BC awareness to determine differences in awareness between China and other countries.
METHODS
This systematic review followed the PRISMA guidelines and included 92 articles up to July, 2021. We calculated percentages for BC awareness levels and conducted subgroup analysis and cumulative meta-analysis.
RESULTS
A total 84% (95% confidence interval [95%CI]: 78-90%) of women knew about BC; however, only 51% (95%CI: 37-66%) and 40% (95%CI: 24-56%) of women were aware of BC symptoms and BC risk factors, respectively. The most commonly known BC symptom was breast lump (71%, 95%CI: 62-80%), and BC family history was the most well-known BC risk factor (61%, 95%CI: 54-69%). Subgroup analysis showed lower awareness levels among Chinese and Asian women than women from other countries. Cumulative meta-analysis showed no obvious progress in BC awareness levels over time. We investigated 15 awareness-related factors, the most frequent of which were education level (61.8%), occupation (29.4%), and age (26.5%).
CONCLUSION
BC awareness levels remain low. Improving BC awareness is critical, especially in developing countries.
PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS
Effective education programs are urgently needed to improve women's BC awareness.
Topics: Breast Neoplasms; China; Female; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; Humans
PubMed: 34952749
DOI: 10.1016/j.pec.2021.12.012 -
Evidence-based Dentistry Dec 2022Introduction UK dentists experience high levels of stress, anxiety and burnout. Poor mental health can lead practitioners to exit the profession, contributing to... (Review)
Review
Introduction UK dentists experience high levels of stress, anxiety and burnout. Poor mental health can lead practitioners to exit the profession, contributing to workforce and service loss. Therefore, there is a need to focus on interventions to protect the mental health and wellbeing of dental teams. Three levels of intervention can be deployed in the workplace to support mental health and wellbeing: primary prevention, secondary prevention, and tertiary prevention.Aim The aim of this systematic review was to identify evidence on interventions used to prevent, improve or tackle mental health issues among dental team members and dental profession students in countries of very high development.Methods This systematic review was conducted according to a predefined protocol and reported according to PRISMA guidelines. The MEDLINE, Embase CINAHL, DOSS, Scopus, and PsycINFO databases were searched. Prospective empirical studies were considered for inclusion. The Effective Public Health Practice Project Quality Assessment Tool (EPHPP) was used to assess the methodological quality of the included studies. The identified interventions were categorised according to level of prevention.Results The search yielded 12,919 results. Eight studies met the inclusion criteria. All of the studies concerned dentists or dental students. There were no studies for other groups of dental professionals. No primary prevention-level studies were identified. Secondary prevention-level studies (n = 4) included various psychoeducational interventions aiming to raise awareness and improve coping skills and led to significant improvements in stress levels and burnout of dentists and dental students. Tertiary prevention-level studies (n = 4) mainly employed counselling which was shown to be beneficial for dentists and students experiencing psychological ill-health.Conclusions Mental wellbeing awareness should be put at the centre of dental education and the workplace. Leadership and innovation are required to design primary-level interventions which can be implemented in the UK dental sector, with its distinct organisational and service characteristics.
PubMed: 36477677
DOI: 10.1038/s41432-022-0831-0 -
Cureus Oct 2022Virtual reality is a novel approach for distracting and alleviating anxiety, pain, and other complications during medical procedures, and it can be more effective than... (Review)
Review
Virtual reality is a novel approach for distracting and alleviating anxiety, pain, and other complications during medical procedures, and it can be more effective than conventional methods. In virtual reality, the patient is completely immersed in the virtual environment, which is used to make patients feel more comfortable and can provide a positive prognosis. The data were searched by using the Boolean operator "AND" between the search phrases "Virtual reality," and "Pediatrics" and the relevant literature was extracted. The inclusion criteria were the free full text, randomized controlled trials, studies between 2016 and 2022 and pediatric patients. This systematic review was conducted to compare randomized controlled trials of virtual reality applications in pediatric patients in different clinical settings. Of the included 15 randomized controlled trials, 12 studies were on pain and anxiety, two on brain injury and cerebral palsy, and one on awareness among asthmatic patients. This review concluded that virtual reality exposure has a beneficial effect on pediatric patients in reducing pain and anxiety, improving muscle strength and dexterity, and awareness among asthmatic patients.
PubMed: 36320795
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.30543 -
Advances in Experimental Medicine and... 2023Higher education's expectations place demands on students' attainment, leading them to experience stress and anxiety, which negatively affect their academic improvement...
Higher education's expectations place demands on students' attainment, leading them to experience stress and anxiety, which negatively affect their academic improvement and life satisfaction. The aim of this systematic review was to investigate (a) if mindfulness as an inner ability is related to academic attainment, through dependent variables, including compassion, engagement, stress or anxiety state, depression, self-efficacy, mindfulness's facets (non-reactivity, acting with awareness) and (b) if mindfulness-based interventions positively affect the academic performance of college and university students. The systematic review was conducted in accordance with the PRISMA statement. PubMed, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library Wiley were screened to identify studies published relevant to the topic. In total, 568 papers were retrieved in the initial search. Five papers met the eligibility criteria and were included in the systematic review: a randomized controlled trial, a non-randomized controlled trial, a quasi-experimental study, a quantitative exploratory pilot study, and a longitudinal randomized controlled study. Most interventional studies revealed a non-significant direct effect of practicing mindfulness technique on academic attainment. Further research, especially randomized controlled trials are necessary to clarify the effect of mindfulness on academic performance of college and university students.
Topics: Humans; Academic Performance; Depression; Mindfulness; Pilot Projects; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Stress, Psychological; Students; Universities
PubMed: 37581795
DOI: 10.1007/978-3-031-31986-0_20 -
International Journal of Environmental... Apr 2022Several studies have attempted to identify how people's risk perceptions differ in regard to containing COVID-19 infections. The aim of the present review was to... (Review)
Review
Several studies have attempted to identify how people's risk perceptions differ in regard to containing COVID-19 infections. The aim of the present review was to illustrate how risk awareness towards COVID-19 predicts people's preventive behaviors and to understand which features are associated with it. For the review, 77 articles found in six different databases (, , , , , and ) were considered, the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines was followed, and data synthesis was conducted using a mixed-methods approach. The results indicate that a high-risk perception towards COVID-19 predicts, in general, compliance with preventive behaviors and social distancing measures. Additionally, risk awareness was found to be associated with four other key themes: demographic factors, individual factors, geographical factors, and timing. Therefore, gaining a greater understanding of individual and cultural differences as well as how people behave could be the basis of an effective strategy for raising public risk awareness and for countering COVID-19.
Topics: COVID-19; Data Management; Humans; Perception
PubMed: 35457521
DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19084649 -
Journal of Education and Health... 2021Iran is disaster-prone country in the world. Lack of awareness and failure to have a proper response to natural disasters cause heavy damages to nations and national... (Review)
Review
Iran is disaster-prone country in the world. Lack of awareness and failure to have a proper response to natural disasters cause heavy damages to nations and national assets. Risk management is essential to prevent, intervene, and fight disasters as it can attenuate the destructive effects. The present study reviews studies on health in disasters in Iranian schools with an emphasis on readiness to deal with crises. The study was carried out through a systematic search using keywords in Persian and English in Iranian and international databases such as Google Scholar, SID, Magiran, Web of Sciences, PubMed, and Scopus. The time range of the search included all articles published before September 2020. The reference lists were also checked to find more articles. Totally, 575 articles were found and full-text of 32 articles were examined. After omitting repetitious items, the articles were checked by two independent researchers in terms of inclusion and exclusion criteria so that 15 articles entered the final analysis phases. The target population consisted of students, teachers, managers, and experts of disaster resilience. The articles were mostly focused on earthquake, fire, and structural safety. Implementation of health school models through improving awareness and crisis management knowledge in school officials plays a key role in improving and preserving health in school environment and safety of students. Measures like paying more attention to safety of building and physical space of schools, adding crisis management skills to curriculum as practical educations, informing parents about such risk, and educating students about safety and prevention of risks are recommended.
PubMed: 34912901
DOI: 10.4103/jehp.jehp_1263_20