Safety and use of complementary and alternative medicine in Norway during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic using an adapted version of the I-CAM-Q; a cross-sectional survey

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic lockdown has had a profound impact on physical and mental well-being throughout the world. Previous studies have revealed that complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is frequently used for, and can be potential benefcial for strengthening physical mental resilience. The aims of this study were therefore to determine the prevalence and reasons for use of CAM during the frst wave of the COVID-19 pandemic among a representative sample of the Norwegian population, and further determine self-reported efects and adverse efects of the CAM modalities used. Methods: Computer assisted telephone interviews using a COVID-adapted I-CAM-Q questionnaire were conducted with 1008 randomly selected Norwegians aged 16 and above using multistage sampling during April and May 2020 applying age and sex quotas for each area. Frequencies, Pearson’s chi-square tests, Fisher exact tests, and independent sample t-test were used to identify the users of CAM, what they used, why they used it and whether they experienced efect and/or adverse efects of the modalities used, and further to describe diferences in sociodemographic factors associated with CAM use. Cronbach’s alpha tests were used to test for internal consistency in the diferent groups of CAM. Signifcance level was set to pResults: The study revealed that two thirds of the respondents (67%) had used CAM within the frst 3 months of the COVID-19 pandemic, in particular CAM modalities that did not involve a provider. Most used were natural remedies and dietary supplement (57%, mainly vitamins and minerals), but self-help practices like yoga and meditation were also widely used (24%). Women used CAM modalities signifcantly more than men (77% vs. 58%). Most of the respondents found the modalities they used benefcial, and few reported adverse efects of the treatments. Conclusions: A large proportion of the Norwegian population used CAM during the frst wave of the COVID-19 pandemic with high satisfaction and few reported adverse efects. CAM was rarely used to prevent or treat COVID-19, but rather to treat a long-term health condition, and to improve well-being

Use of Complementary and Alternative Medicine in the context of cancer; prevalence, reasons for use, disclosure, information received, risks and benefits reported by people with cancer in Norway

Background Research exploring the use of specific Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) modalities by Norwegian cancer patients is sparse. The aims of this study were therefor to map the different CAM modalities cancer patients use and further investigate their rationale for use, communication about use, self-reported benefits and harms, and their sources of information about the different modalities. Methods In cooperation with the Norwegian Cancer Society (NCS), we conducted an online cross-sectional study among members of their user panel with present or previously cancer (n = 706). The study was carried out in September/October 2021 using a modified cancer-specific version of the International Questionnaire to Measure Use of Complementary and Alternative Medicine (I-CAM-Q). In total, 468 members, 315 women and 153 men, agreed to participate resulting in a response rate of 67.2%. The study was reported in accordance with the National Research Center in Complementary and Alternative Medicine’s (NAFKAM) model of reporting CAM use. Results A large proportion of the participants (79%, n = 346) had used some form of CAM with a mean of 3.8 modalities each (range 1-17); 33% (n = 143) had seen a CAM provider, 52% (n = 230) had used natural remedies, while 58% (n = 253) had used self-help practices. Most of the participants used CAM to increase their quality of life, cope with the cancer disease or for relaxation/well-being (64%-94%), mostly with high satisfaction and low rates of adverse effects. Few used CAM to treat cancer or prevent it from spreading (16%, n = 55). The main information sources were health care providers (47%), the internet (47%), and family and friends (39%). More than half (59%) of the cancer patients discussed their use of at least one CAM modality with a physician. Conclusions The results of this survey will provide health professionals with more in-depth insight into the patterns of CAM use by cancer patients and facilitate better-informed discussions with their patients. Considering the high use of CAM, reliable information provision supporting cancer care providers’ knowledge and health literacy among patients as well as good communication are crucial. The cooperation between the NCS and NAFKAM provides an example of how to address these issues

Mapping patterns of complementary and alternative medicine use in cancer: An explorative cross-sectional study of individuals with reported positive "exceptional" experiences

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>While the use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) among cancer patients is common and widespread, levels of commitment to CAM vary. "Committed" CAM use is important to investigate, as it may be associated with elevated risks and benefits, and may affect use of biomedically-oriented health care (BHC). Multiple methodological approaches were used to explore and map patterns of CAM use among individuals postulated to be committed users, voluntarily reporting exceptional experiences associated with CAM use after cancer diagnosis.</p> <p>Method</p> <p>The verbatim transcripts of thirty-eight unstructured interviews were analyzed in two steps. First, manifest content analysis was used to elucidate and map participants' use of CAM, based on the National Center for Complementary Medicine (NCCAM)'s classification system. Second, patterns of CAM use were explored statistically using principal component analysis.</p> <p>Findings</p> <p>The 38 participants reported using a total of 274 specific CAM (median = 4) consisting of 148 different therapeutic modalities. Most reported therapies could be categorized using the NCCAM taxonomy (n = 224). However, a significant number of CAM therapies were not consistent with this categorization (n = 50); consequently, we introduced two additional categories: <it>Spiritual/health literature </it>and <it>Treatment centers</it>. The two factors explaining the largest proportion of variation in CAM usage patterns were a) number of CAM modalities used and b) a category preference for <it>Energy therapies </it>over the categories <it>Alternative Medical Systems </it>and <it>Treatment centers </it>or vice versa.</p> <p>Discussion</p> <p>We found considerable heterogeneity in patterns of CAM use. By analyzing users' own descriptions of CAM in relation to the most commonly used predefined professional taxonomy, this study highlights discrepancies between user and professional conceptualizations of CAM not previously addressed. Beyond variations in users' reports of CAM, our findings indicate some patterns in CAM usage related to number of therapies used and preference for different CAM categories.</p

Pre-, peri- and postnatal influences on ophthalmologic outcome - a study on children born after intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) and children born preterm

The aims of the present study were to investigate the effects of prenatal factors in children born after intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) and peri- and postnatal factors in children born preterm on visual function and ocular fundus morphology at school age. In the children born preterm the ophthalmologic outcomes, including optic nerve morphology were analysed in relation to gestational age (GA), birth weight (BW) standard deviation score (SDS), serum levels of insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I), weight at week 32 (SDS), and weight, length and head circumference (SDS) at school age. We found that there was no significant difference in visual function between children born after ICSI (n=137) and matched control children (n=159). Furthermore, we found that boys born after ICSI (n=35) had slightly abnormal retinal vascularisation with significantly fewer central retinal vessel branching points in comparison with the control group (n=203). Among the preterm children (n=66), with a mean GA at birth of 27.5 weeks, 74 % had some kind of ophthalmologic abnormality, and 17 % had visual impairment. Early as well as later growth was closely related to visual acuity and perception at school age. In addition low IGF-I levels and poor growth during the first weeks/months of life were correlated with small head circumference and refraction anomalies at school age. We also found an association between a small neuronal rim area in the optic disc and low BW and poor early growth, indicating the importance of early weight gain for neural development in children born preterm. A gender specific effect of the ICSI procedure on vascular development in the eyes of boys cannot be excluded. In the preterm child the early postnatal growth and the growth factor IGF-I seem of importance for optimal development of visual functions, refraction and for head circumference at school age

Mäns våld mot kvinnor : Omöjliga män eller män med möjligheter?

The purpose of this survey has been to find the answer to the following three questions: What resources are available in Scania for men involved in domestic violence? Who are these men that will come for help? What type of treatment is available? To do this we have interviewed representatives from the following sources: - the local police department in the north-west region of Scania - the local authorities of Malmoe, Lund and Landskrona department for men in crisis - the local authority of Malmoe department for women in crisis - the local authority of Helsingborg department for the social services Our survey showed that attention has increased on this social problem. It is not easy to explain men’s violence against women although one significant factor we found in these men was a great feeling of powerlessness. We could see, that by receiving help in time, men can be prevented from being violent. Bearing that in mind it is of great interest, for society, to put the recourses that is needed, to help this social problem. There are two institutions for men located in Malmoe and Lund as well as a department in Landskrona. From this we could see a need for more institutions in Scania

Impartiality and autonomy : Preconditions for journalism in weak states

The autonomous role of Swedish journalists has been won after centuries of bitter struggle since the first laws on liberties for the printed press was legislated in 1766. Sweden is well repudiated for this professional culture, which implies an independent and impartial social role for mass media, free from state censorship, open to investigative reporting and critical debate; in other words autonomous media able to sustain impartial reporting.   Efforts to create a similar position for the media in post-conflict or transition states are countered by strong political and economic forces, by a path dependency of older rules and norms and also by lack of professionalism and investigative resources. In these statesthere is limited or legal protection ofcriticaljournalismandlack ofacivil society thatplaces demands onthose in powerand constitutesa counter-forceagainst oppression andarbitrarinessin the community.   In several states, especially those who previously lacked democratic mass media, there has emerged a plethora of new media which are independent in form but not in content. They are not functioning as correctives to power and offer no room for impartial journalism. Instead, they have become a megaphone for special interests. The question is why this development has taken place and which strategies internal and external actors apply to change the situation. Currently there are extensive studies of journalism in war, conflict and change phases. But there is very limited research on the development of journalism in subsequent periods. The chapter addresses the points of departure for future research on the conditions for journalism in states after crisis, open conflict and substantial social transitions. Studies in states such as Afghanistan and Kosovo demonstrate that international actors, companies and aid agencies have acted inconsistent and ended up in the role-conflicts which frustrated efforts to create autonomous and impartial journalism.

FIDIC dispute adjudication: outline and core elements

Aborda sobre a resolução de conflitos. Examina o Livro Vermelho da FIDIC, que trata dos “Dispute Adjudication Boards”