254 research outputs found

    Perceptions of Emergency Room Nurses Regarding Needle Exchange Programs

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    Objective: In 2018, over 586,000 US citizens were reported to be addicted to intravenous heroin. It was reported by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) that in 2017, 70,237 people ages 25 years to over 65 years died from a drug overdose in the United States; analogous to roughly the number of people residing in Portland, Maine. Needle exchange programs have been found to be effective at reducing needlestick injuries in the community, reducing associated health care costs and improving the short-term and long-term health of people who use injection drugs (PWUID). Of all health care providers, emergency department nurses who work in the emergency department are most likely to provide care to PWUID and have the opportunity to provide resources and compassionate care for individuals struggling with injection drug use, thus they are uniquely positioned to inform PWUID of the availability and benefits of needle exchange programs. The purpose of this study is to describe the perceptions of emergency department nurses regarding the needle exchange program in Bangor, Maine and to see how to increase the utilization of NEPs. Methods: An anonymous survey to determine perceptions of needle exchange facilities was distributed to emergency department nurses (ED) in Bangor, Maine. There are 75 nurses in total who work in the ED in one hospital in Bangor, ME and out of these 75, nine surveys (12 %) were returned. One nurse did leave their contact information to set up an interview, however the interview was not able to take place due the inability to get in contact with them

    Access to livelihood assets among youth with and without disabilities in South Africa: Implications for health professional education

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    Purpose. This study compared access to 5 livelihood assets among disabled and non-disabled youth, to inform health professionals on inequities related to disability and to monitor the transformation agenda aimed at creating an inclusive society. Methods. Fieldworkers interviewed 989 youth (18 - 35 years; 523 (52.9%) disabled youth (DY), 466 (47.1%) non-disabled youth (NDY)) at 9 sites in 5 South African provinces. Descriptive statistics were used to describe demographic characteristics and livelihood assets. Chi-squared and t-tests were used for comparisons. Results. Doctors at hospitals and nurses at clinics are health professionals most frequently seen. Far fewer DY than NDY attended and completed school. Unemployment was markedly more common among DY than among NDY. Barriers to accessing employment for DY were poor health and lack of skills development, and a lack of job opportunities for NDY. Both groups received the same amount of support from immediate household members, but significantly more NDY received support from extended family, friends, partners, and neighbours. They spent significantly more time engaging in all free-time activities. NDY reported more access to bathrooms, phone, and newspapers, as well as public services and the business sector. Participation and access were limited for both groups because of inaccessible public transport. Conclusion. This paper shows that DY have a greater struggle to access livelihood assets than non-disabled peers. The Disability Studies Academic Programme at the University of Cape Town is an initiative that seeks to take specific focused action with disability organisations in order to address the inequities faced by disabled youth to ensure their inclusion in development to the same degree as their non-disabled peers

    Flexibility for Intensity Dosing in Lingual Resistance Exercises: A Large Randomized Clinical Trial in Typically Aging Adults as Proof of Principle

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    Objective: The objective of this study was to determine the effect of intensity dosing during tongue exercise on tongue pressure generation, adherence, and perceived effort. Design: This was a five-site, prospective, randomized clinical trial. Outcome measures were obtained across multiple baselines, biweekly during exercise, and 4-weeks post-intervention. Setting: The general community at each study site. Participants: Typically aging adults between 55–82 years of age with no history of neurological or swallowing disorders. Eighty-four volunteers completed the study. Interventions: Participants were randomly assigned to one of four exercise groups: (a) maximum intensity/no biofeedback, (b) progressive intensity/no bio- feedback, (c) maximum intensity/biofeedback, and (d) progressive intensity/ biofeedback. Half of the participants completed a maintenance exercise program. Outcome Measures: Maximum isometric pressure (MIP), regular effort saliva swallow pressure, adherence, and the Borg Rating of Perceived Exertion Scale. Results: All exercise protocols were efficacious for gains in MIP (large effect sizes; Cohen’s d). Group 3 made gains in regular effort saliva swallow pressure (medium effect size). There was a significant change in perceived exertion for regular effort saliva swallow pressure at 8 weeks. Tongue pressure gains were maintained at 1 month, regardless of maintenance group status. Mean adherence across groups was high. Conclusions: All groups improved pressure generation. Intensity dosing differences did not affect strength gains, adherence, or detraining. Regular effort saliva swallow pressure may be most responsive to maximum intensity with biofeedback. The findings suggest flexibility in approach to tongue exercise protocols. Tongue muscles may differ from limb muscles in terms of dose response and neuroplasticity principles

    Blood-borne infections in healthcare workers in South Africa

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    The risks associated with infection of healthcare workers and students with blood-borne pathogens, specifically HIV, hepatitis B virus and hepatitis C virus, are often neglected. South Africa (SA) currently has no official policies or guidelines in place for the prevention and management of these infections. This article reviews the available data and international guidelines with regard to infected healthcare practitioners and makes minimum recommendations for the SA setting.http://www.samj.org.zahb201
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