Tuberculosis in cattle: the results of the four-area project

<p/> <p>The four-area project was undertaken to further assess the impact of badger removal on the control of tuberculosis in cattle herds in Ireland. It was conducted between 1997 and 2002 in matched removal and reference areas in four counties, namely Cork, Donegal, Kilkenny and Monaghan, representing a wide range of Irish farming environments. In the removal areas, a proactive programme of badger removal was conducted, on two or three occasions each year, whereas in the reference areas, badger removal was entirely reactive following severe outbreaks of tuberculosis amongst cattle. A detailed statistical analysis of this study has already been presented by Griffin <it>et al. </it><abbrgrp><abbr bid="B13">13</abbr></abbrgrp>; this paper presents further, mainly descriptive, findings from the study. In total, 2,360 badgers were captured in the removal areas of which 450 (19.5%) were considered positive for tuberculosis and 258 badgers were captured in the reference areas, with 57 (26.1%) positive for tuberculosis. The annual incidence of confirmed herd restrictions was lower in the removal area compared to the reference area in every year of the study period in each of the four counties. These empirical findings were consistent with the hazard ratios found by Griffin <it>et al. </it><abbrgrp><abbr bid="B13">13</abbr></abbrgrp>. Further, the effect of proactive badger removal on cattle tuberculosis in the four-area project and in the earlier east-Offaly project, as measured using the number of reactors per 1,000 cattle tested, were very similar, providing compelling evidence of the role of badgers in the epidemiology of tuberculosis in Irish cattle herds. The validity of the four-area project was discussed in detail. Efforts to minimise badger-to-cattle transmission in Ireland must be undertaken in association with the current comprehensive control programme, which has effectively minimised opportunities for cattle-to-cattle transmission.</p

Physical activity and exercise: perspectives of adults with ankylosing spondylitis

BACKGROUND: Exercise is a key component of the management of ankylosing spondylitis (AS). Despite numerous benefits, compliance with exercise programs is low. Little attention has been accorded to the experiences of individuals with AS toward physical activity (PA). This study aimed to explore the attitudes toward PA and exercise of adults with AS. METHODS: A qualitative descriptive design using thematic analysis was used. Seventeen adults with AS participated in individual, semistructured interviews. Interviews were recorded, transcribed, coded and analyzed for themes and subthemes. RESULTS: Four themes emerged from the analysis: (1) benefits, (2) barriers, (3) motivation, and (4) strategies and enablers. Benefits included amelioration of symptoms, improvements in general health, and enhancement of quality of life. Subthemes of barriers to PA included lack of resources, negative attitudes to exercise, misinformation, and condition-related factors. Motivation to exercise was influenced by intrinsic and extrinsic factors. Participants proposed strategies to enhance PA participation and exercise engagement. CONCLUSIONS: Awareness of the benefits of PA appears insufficient to motivate individuals with AS to exercise; a number of factors influence individual motivation to exercise. Many perceived barriers to PA may be considered modifiable. Individually-tailored interventions, collaboratively developed by the individual and the healthcare professionals, were proposed as strategies for effective PA and exercise prescription

Testing the effectiveness of a Fatigue and Activity Management Education for Work (FAME-W) intervention for individuals with inflammatory arthritis: study protocol for a randomized control trial

Background: A work-focused fatigue management intervention, Fatigue and Activity Management Education for Work (FAME-W) programme was developed for individuals with inflammatory arthritis (IA) to manage fatigue in order to maintain demands of their work activities and tasks. This paper presents the protocol for a randomized control trial that will test the effectiveness and acceptability of FAME-W in improving work performance. Methods: This protocol presents a multisite randomized control trial and mixed methods process evaluation. Eligible participants will be aged 18-65 years with a diagnosis of inflammatory arthritis and will be in paid employment. The primary outcome of the study will be Work Role Functioning (WRF) questionnaire, and the secondary outcomes will be fatigue, mood, health-related quality of life (HRQOL) and pain. Data will be collected immediately pre- and post-intervention and at 3 months of follow-up. The process evaluation will consist of focus groups and individual interviews to explore participants' experiences of FAME-W. Occupational therapists delivering the programme will complete a facilitator log to assess the fidelity and quality of intervention implementations. Facilitators will participate in individual interviews to explore intervention delivery and acceptability. Results: Results will be expected to show that FAME-W will improve work performance by helping participants gain self-management strategies around managing fatigue and other symptoms related to fatigue. Conclusion: It is hoped that FAME-W will be an effective and acceptable intervention for individuals with IA in improving work performance by helping them manage their symptoms. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT05138445, Registered on 30 November 2021.</p

Testing the effectiveness of a Fatigue and Activity Management Education for Work (FAME-W) intervention for individuals with inflammatory arthritis: study protocol for a randomized control trial

Background: A work-focused fatigue management intervention, Fatigue and Activity Management Education for Work (FAME-W) programme was developed for individuals with inflammatory arthritis (IA) to manage fatigue in order to maintain demands of their work activities and tasks. This paper presents the protocol for a randomized control trial that will test the effectiveness and acceptability of FAME-W in improving work performance. Methods: This protocol presents a multisite randomized control trial and mixed methods process evaluation. Eligible participants will be aged 18-65 years with a diagnosis of inflammatory arthritis and will be in paid employment. The primary outcome of the study will be Work Role Functioning (WRF) questionnaire, and the secondary outcomes will be fatigue, mood, health-related quality of life (HRQOL) and pain. Data will be collected immediately pre- and post-intervention and at 3 months of follow-up. The process evaluation will consist of focus groups and individual interviews to explore participants' experiences of FAME-W. Occupational therapists delivering the programme will complete a facilitator log to assess the fidelity and quality of intervention implementations. Facilitators will participate in individual interviews to explore intervention delivery and acceptability. Results: Results will be expected to show that FAME-W will improve work performance by helping participants gain self-management strategies around managing fatigue and other symptoms related to fatigue. Conclusion: It is hoped that FAME-W will be an effective and acceptable intervention for individuals with IA in improving work performance by helping them manage their symptoms. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT05138445, Registered on 30 November 2021.</p

Behaviour change intervention increases physical activity, spinal mobility and quality of life in adults with ankylosing spondylitis: a randomised trial

no abstract availabl