Inequalities in the frequency of free sugars intake among Syrian 1-year-old infants: a cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND: High frequency of free sugars intake, during the first year of life is probably the greatest risk factor for early childhood caries. The latter is a global public health challenge. Very little is known about the social determinants of infant’s frequency of free sugars intake, particularly in low-income countries. Thus, the present study aimed to assess the association between the frequency of free sugars intake among 1-year-old Syrian infants and each of parents’ socioeconomic position (SEP), maternal frequency of free sugars intake and knowledge of infant’s oral health behaviour. METHODS: Using a cross-sectional design, 323 1-year-old infants, attending vaccination clinics in 3 maternal and child health centres (MCHCs) in Damascus, Syria, were selected. A systematic random sampling was applied using the MCHCs’ monthly vaccination registries. The 3 MCHCs were located in affluent, moderate and deprived areas. Infants’ mothers completed a structured questionnaire on socio-demographics, infant’s and mother’s frequency of free sugars intake from cariogenic foods and beverages, and mother’s knowledge about infant’s oral health behaviour. Binary and multiple regression analyses were performed. The level of significance was set at 5 %. RESULTS: The response rate was 100 %. Overall, 42.7 % of infants had high frequency of free sugars intake (>4times a day). Infants whose fathers were not working were more likely to have high frequency of free sugars intake. Similarly, infants whose mothers had low level of knowledge about infant’s oral health behaviour, or high frequency of free sugars intake were more likely to have high frequency of free sugars intake. The association between father’s occupation and infant’s frequency of free sugars intake attenuated after adjustment for mother’s knowledge and frequency of free sugars intake (adjusted OR = 1.5, 1.8, 3.2; 95%CI = 0.5–4.8, 1.1–3, 1.4–7.4; respectively). CONCLUSIONS: There are socioeconomic inequalities in the frequency of free sugars intake among Syrian 1-year-old infants. Integrated pre/post-natal interventions, targeting mothers from low SEP and aiming at reducing their free sugars intake and improving their knowledge about infant’s oral health behaviour, will potentially reduce socioeconomic inequalities in infant’s frequency of free sugars intake

Switching to Online and its Impact on Feedback Processes: A Case Study of Seven L2 English Writing Teachers

This case study explored how the sudden switch from face-to-face to online teaching/learning has impacted the corrective feedback strategies of 7 middle and high school L2 English language writing teachers in a private school in Lebanon. The aim of the study was to investigate how these teachers adapted or altered their feedback processes in the assessment of writing. Teachers’ assessment identities are dynamic constructs composed of assessment knowledge and skills, which are impacted by social, personal, and contextual experiences. Through a feedback assessment survey, an online feedback assessment survey and an open-ended interview, the teachers critically reflected on their former corrective feedback practices as a way to unpack their current online approaches to writing assessment. This study explored the shift to online teaching, the impact on corrective feedback processes and assessment strategies, and professional development needs. Findings indicate that the teachers applied feedback formatively, used feedback to re-teach concepts, and encouraged self-assessment in their practices. However, in most instances, their varied feedback processes declined with the advent of online teaching, and they could not clearly articulate how their assessment practices altered with the adoption of online instruction.  Most stated that they would go back to their original practices as soon as they were back face-to-face in the classroom. Finally, some teachers agreed that professional development would have helped them with the switch to online learning, but they adapted to this environment on their own

Switching to Online and Its Impact on Feedback Processes: a Case Study of Seven L2 English Writing Teachers

This case study explored how the sudden switch from face-to-face to online teaching/learning has impacted the corrective feedback strategies of 7 middle and high school L2 English language writing teachers in a private school in Lebanon. The aim of the study was to investigate how these teachers adapted or altered their feedback processes in the assessment of writing. Teachers' assessment identities are dynamic constructs composed of assessment knowledge and skills, which are impacted by social, personal, and contextual experiences. Through a feedback assessment survey, an online feedback assessment survey and an open-ended interview, the teachers critically reflected on their former corrective feedback practices as a way to unpack their current online approaches to writing assessment. This study explored the shift to online teaching, the impact on corrective feedback processes and assessment strategies, and professional development needs. Findings indicate that the teachers applied feedback formatively, used feedback to re-teach concepts, and encouraged self-assessment in their practices. However, in most instances, their varied feedback processes declined with the advent of online teaching, and they could not clearly articulate how their assessment practices altered with the adoption of online instruction.  Most stated that they would go back to their original practices as soon as they were back face-to-face in the classroom. Finally, some teachers agreed that professional development would have helped them with the switch to online learning, but they adapted to this environment on their own

Erratum to: Inequalities in the frequency of free sugars intake among Syrian 1-year-old infants: a cross-sectional study(vol 16, 94, 2016)

Erratum to: Joury E, et al. Inequalities in the frequency of free sugars intake among Syrian 1-year-old infants: a cross-sectional study. BMC Oral Health. 2016;16:94. doi:10.1186/s12903-016-0287-8. Erratum Unfortunately, the original version of this article [1] was missing funding information within the funding section. Please note that open access for this article was funded by King’s College London

Current practice in the management of ocular toxoplasmosis

Background Ocular toxoplasmosis is common across all regions of the world. Understanding of the epidemiology and approach to diagnosis and treatment have evolved recently. In November 2020, an international group of uveitis-specialised ophthalmologists formed the International Ocular Toxoplasmosis Study Group to define current practice. Methods 192 Study Group members from 48 countries completed a 36-item survey on clinical features, use of investigations, indications for treatment, systemic and intravitreal treatment with antiparasitic drugs and corticosteroids, and approach to follow-up and preventive therapy. Results For 77.1% of members, unilateral retinochoroiditis adjacent to a pigmented scar accounted for over 60% of presentations, but diverse atypical presentations were also reported. Common complications included persistent vitreous opacities, epiretinal membrane, cataract, and ocular hypertension or glaucoma. Most members used clinical examination with (56.8%) or without (35.9%) serology to diagnose typical disease but relied on intraocular fluid testing-usually PCR-in atypical cases (68.8%). 66.1% of members treated all non-pregnant patients, while 33.9% treated selected patients. Oral trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole was first-line therapy for 66.7% of members, and 60.9% had experience using intravitreal clindamycin. Corticosteroid drugs were administered systemically by 97.4%; 24.7% also injected corticosteroid intravitreally, almost always in combination with an antimicrobial drug (72.3%). The majority of members followed up all (60.4%) or selected (35.9%) patients after resolution of acute disease, and prophylaxis against recurrence with trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole was prescribed to selected patients by 69.8%. Conclusion Our report presents a current management approach for ocular toxoplasmosis, as practised by a large international group of uveitis-specialised ophthalmologists

Grand Challenges in global eye health: a global prioritisation process using Delphi method

Background: We undertook a Grand Challenges in Global Eye Health prioritisation exercise to identify the key issues that must be addressed to improve eye health in the context of an ageing population, to eliminate persistent inequities in health-care access, and to mitigate widespread resource limitations. Methods: Drawing on methods used in previous Grand Challenges studies, we used a multi-step recruitment strategy to assemble a diverse panel of individuals from a range of disciplines relevant to global eye health from all regions globally to participate in a three-round, online, Delphi-like, prioritisation process to nominate and rank challenges in global eye health. Through this process, we developed both global and regional priority lists. Findings: Between Sept 1 and Dec 12, 2019, 470 individuals complete round 1 of the process, of whom 336 completed all three rounds (round 2 between Feb 26 and March 18, 2020, and round 3 between April 2 and April 25, 2020) 156 (46%) of 336 were women, 180 (54%) were men. The proportion of participants who worked in each region ranged from 104 (31%) in sub-Saharan Africa to 21 (6%) in central Europe, eastern Europe, and in central Asia. Of 85 unique challenges identified after round 1, 16 challenges were prioritised at the global level; six focused on detection and treatment of conditions (cataract, refractive error, glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, services for children and screening for early detection), two focused on addressing shortages in human resource capacity, five on other health service and policy factors (including strengthening policies, integration, health information systems, and budget allocation), and three on improving access to care and promoting equity. Interpretation: This list of Grand Challenges serves as a starting point for immediate action by funders to guide investment in research and innovation in eye health. It challenges researchers, clinicians, and policy makers to build collaborations to address specific challenges. Funding: The Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee Trust, Moorfields Eye Charity, National Institute for Health Research Moorfields Biomedical Research Centre, Wellcome Trust, Sightsavers, The Fred Hollows Foundation, The Seva Foundation, British Council for the Prevention of Blindness, and Christian Blind Mission. Translations: For the French, Spanish, Chinese, Portuguese, Arabic and Persian translations of the abstract see Supplementary Materials section.</p