466 research outputs found

    The Experience of Establishing Data Sharing & Linkage Platforms for Administrative, Research and Community-Service Data

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    Introduction Innovative data platforms (e.g. biobanks, repositories) continually emerge to facilitate data sharing. Extant and emerging data platforms must navigate myriad tensions for successful data sharing and re-use. Two Alberta data platforms navigated such processes and factors regarding administrative, research and nonprofit data: the Child & Youth Data Laboratory (CYDL) and Secondary Analysis to Generate Evidence (SAGE). Objectives To clarify the social and policy factors that influenced CYDL and SAGE establishment and implementation, and the relationships, if any, between these factors and data type. Methods This paper involves a qualitative secondary analysis of two developmental evaluations on CYDL and SAGE establishment. Six-years post-implementation, the CYDL evaluation entailed document review; website user analysis; informant interviews (n=30); online stakeholder survey (n=260); and an environmental scan. One-year post implementation, the SAGE evaluation included 15 interviews and document review. We used thematic analysis and comparisons with the literature to identify key factors. Results Three (not mutually exclusive) categories of social and policy factors influenced the navigation towards CYDL and SAGE realization: trusting relationships; sustainability amidst readiness; and privacy within social context. For these platforms to be able to manage, link or share data, trust had to be fostered and maintained across multiple, dynamic and intersecting relationships between primary data producers, data subjects, secondary users and institutions. Platform sustainability and readiness required capacity building and innovation. Privacy and information sharing evolved culturally and correspondingly for these data platforms, which required constant flexibility and awareness. Conclusions This commentary calls for more empirical research on the value of data re-use or the detriment in not re-using data. While the culture of information sharing is progressing towards greater openness and capacity for data sharing and re-use, successful data platforms must advocate, facilitate and mobilize analysis and innovation using data re-use while being cognizant of social and policy influences

    Usability analysis of contending electronic health record systems

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    In this paper, we report measured usability of two leading EHR systems during procurement. A total of 18 users participated in paired-usability testing of three scenarios: ordering and managing medications by an outpatient physician, medicine administration by an inpatient nurse and scheduling of appointments by nursing staff. Data for audio, screen capture, satisfaction rating, task success and errors made was collected during testing. We found a clear difference between the systems for percentage of successfully completed tasks, two different satisfaction measures and perceived learnability when looking at the results over all scenarios. We conclude that usability should be evaluated during procurement and the difference in usability between systems could be revealed even with fewer measures than were used in our study. © 2019 American Psychological Association Inc. All rights reserved.Peer reviewe

    Determinants of pubertal development in an urban South African cohort

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    Age at the initiation of puberty and at menarche are key maturational indicators. They reflect health both within and between populations; in that a declining average age is associated with improving health, nutrition, and socio-economic conditions. Knowledge of the timing of pubertal development and menarche is important as earlier development within a population, in particular, has been linked with an increased risk of negative sequelae including overweight and obesity, development of risk factors for non-communicable diseases such as hypertension and insulin resistance, and engagement in risk behaviours such as early sexual debut and substance abuse. The main aims of this study were to investigate the timing of, and the early life factors (such as body composition and growth velocities) associated with pubertal development and age at menarche in Black and White urban South African adolescents. Mixed-longitudinal data (n = 401) from the Birth to Twenty (Bt20) birth-cohort study, initiated in 1990 and set in SowetoJohannesburg, South Africa were used. Median age at the initation of puberty and at menarche was derived by fitting logistic curves to cumulative frequency plots. Logistic regression models were constructed to examine the early life predictors of the timing of puberty and menarche. Data were also collected from adolescents and Bt20 staff (n = 72) using focus groups to explore views on the pubertal development questionnaire used in the Bt20 study. Median age at the initiation of genitalia development was 10.4 years (95% Cl = 8.4, 12.4) for Black boys and 9.8 years (95% Cl = 9.4, 10.2) for White boys. Median age for the initiation of pubic hair development for Black males was 10.8 years (95% Cl = 9.6, 12.0) compared to White males, which was 10.2 years (95% Cl = 8.4, 12.0). Median age at the initiation of breast development in Black females was 10.1 years (95% Cl = 9.3, 10.9) compared to White females which was 10.2 years (95% Cl = 8.2, 12.2). Median age for the initiation of pubic hair was 10.3 years (95% Cl = 9.3, 11.3) and 10.5 years (95% Cl = 8.7, 12.3) for Black and White girls, respectively. Results from logistic regression showed that a greater weight and height velocity in late childhood significantly increased the odds of achieving early breasU genitalia development. Furthermore, a low socio-economic status (SES) index at 9/10 years significantly reduced the odds of achieving early breasUgenitalia development. A greater weight, height, body mass index (BM I), and growth rate during infancy and childhood significantly increased the odds of achieving early pubic hair development. Median age at menarche for Black females was 12.4 years (95% Cl = 12.2, 12.6) and 12.5 . years (95% Cl = 11.7,13.3) for White females. Average menarcheal age for Black girls has declined by 0.56 years per decade and 0.32 years for White girls in South Africa, when comparing the current study findings with those from previous studies. Results from logistic regression showed that being taller, fatter and heavier in late childhood significantly increased the odds of achieving earlier menarche. The focus groups provided a range of opinions relating to the Bt20 pubertal development questionnaire and procedure. The majority of views were positive and included the ease of understanding and completion of the tool. Negative views revolved around the language used and privacy issues. These qualitative results provided a unique insight into the way in which pubertal development data are assessed and how these methods can potentially be improved to enhance the reliability and accuracy of pubertal development data collection. The results from this study provide the most recent estimates of age at the. initiation of puberty and age at menarche for urban Black and White South African adolescents. This is particularly important given the social, nutritional, and economic transition currently occurring in this country as these key maturity indicators reflect population health. This study has also added to our knowledge of the factors that are associated with pubertal development, showing that proximate rather than distal factors are the most sensitive indicators in this urban transitioning environment. In addition, the results from the focus groups provided a unique insight into how pubertal development data are assessed and how these methods could be improved. The negative health outcomes which have been associated with earlier pubertal development and age at menarche are major public health concerns, particularly in the South African context given the HIV/AIDS epidemic and rising levels of obesity. This study highlights the need for renewed research and resources for intervention strategies and policy programmes which target appropriate sex and obesity education in urban South African children.EThOS - Electronic Theses Online ServiceGBUnited Kingdo

    WHAT SEX SPECIFIC ROLES DO CULTURAL CONNECTEDNESS AND SOCIAL SUPPORT PLAY IN MEETING PHYSICAL ACTIVITY GUIDELINES AMONG FIRST NATIONS AND MÉTIS PEOPLES IN SASKATCHEWAN?

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    Introduction: Physical activity (PA) and social support (SS) lower chronic illness risks among males and females. How cultural connectedness (CC) and SS affect PA among Métis and First Nations-Status (FN) males and females is unknown. Objective: This study examines sex-specific associations of CC and SS on PA among Métis and FN-Status in Saskatchewan. Methods: Indigenous Peoples at the University of Saskatchewan completed online surveys evaluating sex, PA, CC, SS, family/friends SS for PA, home communities (HM), foster care (FC) and discrimination experiences. Identity and sex-specific analyses evaluated CC and SS scores on muscle strengthening (MS) and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) guidelines. Across HM, discriminatory and FC experiences, identity, and sex-specific MS and MVPA were compared. Results: Participants included 66 Métis and 115 FN-Status. Métis females meeting MVPA guidelines reported lower SS from community than those not meeting MVPA guidelines (12.6±2.4 vs. 14.2±2.1, p=0.03). FN-Status females meeting MVPA guidelines reported lower CC spirituality (18.3±6.5 vs. 21.7±5.7, p=0.04) than FN-Status females not meeting MVPA guidelines. FN-Status males meeting MVPA guidelines reported higher identity (53.2±3.1 vs.41.8±7.8, p=0.003) and overall CC (97.9±13.4 vs. 74.0±16.0, p=0.02) than FN-Status males not meeting MVPA guidelines. FN-Status females reported higher MS when encouraged (2.0±2.1 times/week vs.1.1±1.6 times/week, p=0.04) or watched (1.9±2.0 times/week vs. 1.2±1.8 times/week, p=0.04) by family/friends or family/friends participated in PA (2.1±2.1 times/week vs.1.1±1.8 times/week, p=0.02) than those without SS for PA. FN-Status females reported higher MVPA when encouraged (195.6±220.8 min/week vs. 99.3±165.8 min/week, p=0.01) or watched (183.6±215.9 min/week vs. 124.9±188.0 min/week, p=0.02) by family/friends than those without SS for PA. FN-Status females meeting MS guidelines reported greater discriminatory experiences (6.7±1.7 vs. 5.7±1.7, p=0.01) than those not meeting MS guidelines. FN-Status females with personal/family FC experiences reported lower MVPA than those without FC experiences (135.5±194.8 min/week vs. 221.3±234.2 min/week, p=0.03). FN-Status females from off-reserve HM reported higher MVPA than on-reserve or both. FN-Status males and females from southern versus northern HM reported higher MVPA. Conclusion: Community SS is associated with lower MVPA among Métis females. Among FN-Status males and females, CC, family/friends SS for PA, FC and off-reserve or southern HM are associated with greater PA

    WHAT SEX SPECIFIC ROLES DO CULTURAL CONNECTEDNESS AND SOCIAL SUPPORT PLAY IN MEETING PHYSICAL ACTIVITY GUIDELINES AMONG FIRST NATIONS AND MÉTIS PEOPLES IN SASKATCHEWAN?

    Get PDF
    Introduction: Physical activity (PA) and social support (SS) lower chronic illness risks among males and females. How cultural connectedness (CC) and SS affect PA among Métis and First Nations-Status (FN) males and females is unknown. Objective: This study examines sex-specific associations of CC and SS on PA among Métis and FN-Status in Saskatchewan. Methods: Indigenous Peoples at the University of Saskatchewan completed online surveys evaluating sex, PA, CC, SS, family/friends SS for PA, home communities (HM), foster care (FC) and discrimination experiences. Identity and sex-specific analyses evaluated CC and SS scores on muscle strengthening (MS) and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) guidelines. Across HM, discriminatory and FC experiences, identity, and sex-specific MS and MVPA were compared. Results: Participants included 66 Métis and 115 FN-Status. Métis females meeting MVPA guidelines reported lower SS from community than those not meeting MVPA guidelines (12.6±2.4 vs. 14.2±2.1, p=0.03). FN-Status females meeting MVPA guidelines reported lower CC spirituality (18.3±6.5 vs. 21.7±5.7, p=0.04) than FN-Status females not meeting MVPA guidelines. FN-Status males meeting MVPA guidelines reported higher identity (53.2±3.1 vs.41.8±7.8, p=0.003) and overall CC (97.9±13.4 vs. 74.0±16.0, p=0.02) than FN-Status males not meeting MVPA guidelines. FN-Status females reported higher MS when encouraged (2.0±2.1 times/week vs.1.1±1.6 times/week, p=0.04) or watched (1.9±2.0 times/week vs. 1.2±1.8 times/week, p=0.04) by family/friends or family/friends participated in PA (2.1±2.1 times/week vs.1.1±1.8 times/week, p=0.02) than those without SS for PA. FN-Status females reported higher MVPA when encouraged (195.6±220.8 min/week vs. 99.3±165.8 min/week, p=0.01) or watched (183.6±215.9 min/week vs. 124.9±188.0 min/week, p=0.02) by family/friends than those without SS for PA. FN-Status females meeting MS guidelines reported greater discriminatory experiences (6.7±1.7 vs. 5.7±1.7, p=0.01) than those not meeting MS guidelines. FN-Status females with personal/family FC experiences reported lower MVPA than those without FC experiences (135.5±194.8 min/week vs. 221.3±234.2 min/week, p=0.03). FN-Status females from off-reserve HM reported higher MVPA than on-reserve or both. FN-Status males and females from southern versus northern HM reported higher MVPA. Conclusion: Community SS is associated with lower MVPA among Métis females. Among FN-Status males and females, CC, family/friends SS for PA, FC and off-reserve or southern HM are associated with greater PA

    The chalenges for families in the digital age.

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    UID/CCI/04667/2016It is with great pleasure that we present the 2018 Yearbook from the International Clearinghouse on Children, Youth and Media at Nordicom: Digital Parenting: The Challenges for Families in the Digital Age. The topics addressed in the 2018 Yearbook – how to relate to or mediate children’s use of digital media, generational gaps in the use of media and the use of social media to display or seek support in parenthood – are timely and relevant in many respects and have engaged many qualified scholars from around the world. Parenting in the digital media environment is a theme often discussed in news media and among parenting groups. Balancing the opportunities of digital media and at the same time considering potentially unwanted and/or negative effects can be a challenge, both for adults and for the younger generation. There are no established policies, long traditions or experience to turn to and many are seeking advice. The 2018 Yearbook is the result of a great collaborative effort. Nordicom is deeply grateful to the editors of this new anthology, Giovanna Mascheroni, Cristina Ponte and Ana Jorge, as well as to all the contributors who have made this publication possible. It is our hope that the collection of articles will make interesting reading all around the world, stimulate new research and debate and provide new ideas regarding the topical and highly relevant issue of being a parent in the digital age. In the work of the Clearinghouse, the global dimension is a core principle, both with respect to the content we publish and distribute and to the contributors who produce it. Digital Parenting represents this principle by presenting contributions and examples and involving authors from many areas of the world. All books published by the Clearinghouse aim to shed light on different aspects concerning children, youth and media, spread current information and knowledge and hopefully stimulate further research. Various groups of users are targeted; researchers, policymakers, media professionals, voluntary organizations, teachers, students and interested individuals. It is our hope that this new Yearbook will be of interest and provide new insights on the topic of digital parenting to a broad range of readers. Göteborg, October 2018 Catharina Bucht Jonas Ohlsson Information coordinator Directorpublishersversionpublishe
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