Unbound: Breaking the Bonds of Modern Day Slavery

Undergraduate Graphic Desig

Overcoming a difficult 'area'

One of the problems of the young teacher in the primary school is to find the middle-of-the-road course between what mathematics his pupils need to know and that mathematics which is prescribed in the syllabus for the examination. In an ideal setting there should be no conflict really and this is chiefly for two reasons: (a) the primary school teacher should teach mainly mathematical concepts and later someone else will teach the necessary arithmetic rules and techniques; (b) a satisfactory treatment of primary mathematics is achieved if the teacher has clearly in his mind the correct balance and treatment of the separate topics to which the prescribed syllabus is an approximation.peer-reviewe

Treating the patient not just the disease? : Delving deeper into the possible link between affective disorders and coronary heart disease through statistical analysis of a random sample of Maltese people

Background: Ischemic heart disease is the leading cause of death in Males in Malta and globally. Affective disorders are the commonest psychological problem. This cross-sectional study utilizes a multiple regression model utilizing binary logistic to delve deeper into the link between affective disorders and coronary heart disease and also the link between coronary heart disease and anxiety and depression separately. Methods: The study was performed in the small Mediterranean island of Malta through the European health interview survey (EHIS), at a national level involving 5500 participants. The response rate attained in the actual field work was 72%. Statistical analysis involved performing chi-squared tests on all contributing variables and retaining those variables that were significant to both diseases. These were then placed in a multiple regression model using forward stepwise binary logistic to retain only the most significant variables. Results: Age, gender, BMI, diabetes prevalence, depression prevalence, anxiety prevalence, hypertension prevalence, affective disorders( having either anxiety or depression), smoking status, frequency of alcohol intake, and educational level all had a significance of <0.05, some; than less than 0.01. On fitting a multiple regression model, Anxiety (p=0.033), age (p=<0.001), gender (p=<0.001), hypertension (p=0.016) retained their significance in the model. Diabetes could not be analyzed due to power issues. Conclusion: BMI was not retained in the model having been replaced by associated conditions such as hypertension, together with age and gender as strongly associated risk factors. Anxiety nevertheless retained its independent association with coronary heart disease, in spite of the presence of the other stronger predictors described above.peer-reviewe

Clinical trials on medicinal products in Malta following EU accession

Following EU Accession, Malta has to adopt EU Directives as part of its own legislation. Three such directives concern the conduct of clinical trials in European countries ­ 2001/20/EC, 2003/94/EC and 2005/28/EC. These directives, and the respective guidelines explaining their implementation, have considerably changed the way clinical trials are conducted. While the participation of Malta in clinical trials is to be encouraged for various reasons, these have to be regulated according to the legislation set out by the European Union. In themselves, what these Directives strive to achieve are mainly the safety of the study subject and the protection of the investigators from serious consequences. This short article aims to give a brief overview of these changes to prospective investigators and hospital administrators.peer-reviewe

Investing in the health of the 41-60 year old : reaping the return in the 60+ population?

Introduction: Ageing brings an increased burden on healthcare systems. In Malta cardiovascular disease is the main cause of morbidity and mortality accounting for approximately 40% of all deaths. It is assumed that effective prevention strategies targeted at the middle-aged population would translate in better health outcomes in our elderly population. Aim: To investigate how lack of awareness of conditions such as high blood pressure and high blood glucose level in the 41-60-year age group could influence the health status of future generations of elderly in our population. Methodology: Two risk factors for cardiovascular disease namely raised blood pressure and raised blood glucose were identified for analysis: (i) The comparison of perception and measurement of the selected risk factors assessed in 2 cohorts aged 41-60 years at two different time points: (a) 1981/4 and (b) 2008/2010; (ii) The analysis of any changes in perception and measurement of these risk factors over time between the 1981/4 sample and a follow-up sample drawn from the first cohort 30 years later, now 60 plus years of age. Results: Awareness for hypertension has increased in the 41-60-year olds over the 30-year period. However, awareness for diabetes has decreased in the same cohorts. Awareness for both hypertension and diabetes has increased as the 41- 60-year olds reach 60+. Conclusion: Improved perception for hypertension and diabetes in the 60+ group is not matched with better control of the condition. Medical intervention in the 41-60-age group in the 2008/2010 sample has resulted in better control of blood pressure, but not of blood glucose. These results highlight the need for stepping up awareness and screening for these conditions especially in the 41-60 group coupled with better control.peer-reviewe

“Conceiving” the pill : the 45th birthday of the oral contraceptive pill in Europe

In 1961, the first combined oral contraceptive pill was introduced in Europe. This pill contained ethinylestradiol (0.05mg) and northisterone (4mg). Nowadays, monophasic pill preparations contain a low dose (20­35 g) of ethinylestradiol in combination with a progestogen. Progestogens include norethisterone and levonorgestrel (second generation); desogestrel and gestodene (third generation); and the newest progestogen, drospirenone (fourth generation). Risks of the combined oral contraceptive pill include venous thromboembolism and stroke. Benefits, such as protection from ovarian and endometrial cancer, apart from contraception, outweigh the risks if contraindications are observed, and low dose formulations used.peer-reviewe