| 1. |
- Mayega, Roy William, et al.
(författare)
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Comparison of fasting plasma glucose and haemoglobin A1c point-of-care tests in screening for diabetes and abnormal glucose regulation in a rural low income setting
- 2014
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Ingår i: Diabetes Research and Clinical Practice. - : Elsevier BV. - 0168-8227 .- 1872-8227. ; 104:1, s. 112-120
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- AimsGlycated haemoglobin (HbA1C) has been suggested to replace glucose tests in identifying diabetes and pre-diabetes. We assessed agreement between fasting plasma glucose (FPG) and HbA1C rapid tests in classifying abnormal glucose regulation (AGR), and their utility for preventive screening in rural Africa.MethodsA population-based survey of 795 people aged 35–60 years was conducted in a mainly rural district in Uganda. FPG was measured using On-Call® Plus glucometers, and classified using World Health Organization (WHO) and American Diabetes Association (ADA) criteria. HbA1C was measured using A1cNow® kits and classified using ADA criteria. Body mass index and blood pressure were measured. Percentage agreement between the two tests was computed.ResultsUsing HbA1C, 11.3% of participants had diabetes compared with 4.8% for FPG. Prevalence of HbA1C-defined pre-diabetes (26.4%) was 1.2 times and 2.5 times higher than FPG-defined pre-diabetes using ADA (21.8%) and WHO (10.1%) criteria, respectively. With FPG as the reference, agreement between FPG and HbA1C in classifying diabetes status was moderate (Kappa = 22.9; Area Under the Curve (AUC) = 75%), while that for AGR was low (Kappa = 11.0; AUC = 59%). However, agreement was high (over 90%) among negative tests and among participants with risk factors for type 2 diabetes (obesity, overweight or hypertension). HbA1C had more procedural challenges than FPG.ConclusionsAlthough low in the general sample, agreement between HbA1C and FPG is excellent among persons who test negative with either test. A single test can therefore identify the majority at lower risk for type 2 diabetes. Nurses if trained can conduct these tests.
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| 2. |
- Mayega, Roy William, et al.
(författare)
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Modifiable Socio-Behavioural Factors Associated with Overweight and Hypertension among Persons Aged 35 to 60 Years in Eastern Uganda
- 2012
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Ingår i: PLOS ONE. - : Public Library of Science (PLoS). - 1932-6203. ; 7:10, s. e47632-
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- BACKGROUND:Few studies have examined the behavioural correlates of non-communicable, chronic disease risk in low-income countries. The objective of this study was to identify socio-behavioural characteristics associated with being overweight or being hypertensive in a low-income setting, so as to highlight possible interventions and target groups.METHODS:A population based survey was conducted in a Health and Demographic Surveillance Site (HDSS) in eastern Uganda. 1656 individuals aged 35 to 60 years had their Body Mass Index (BMI) and blood pressure (BP) assessed. Seven lifestyle factors were also assessed, using a validated questionnaire. Logistic regression was used to identify socio-behavioural factors associated with being overweight or being hypertensive.RESULTS:Prevalence of overweight was found to be 18% (25.2% of women; 9.7% of men; p<0.001) while prevalence of obesity was 5.3% (8.3% of women; 2.2% of men). The prevalence of hypertension was 20.5%. Factors associated with being overweight included being female (OR 3.7; 95% CI 2.69-5.08), peri-urban residence (OR 2.5; 95% CI 1.46-3.01), higher socio-economic status (OR 4.1; 95% CI 2.40-6.98), and increasing age (OR 1.8; 95% CI 1.12-2.79). Those who met the recommended minimum physical activity level, and those with moderate dietary diversity were less likely to be overweight (OR 0.5; 95% CI 0.35-0.65 and OR 0.7; 95% CI 0.49-3.01). Factors associated with being hypertensive included peri-urban residence (OR 2.4; 95%CI 1.60-3.66), increasing age (OR 4.5; 95% CI 2.94-6.96) and being over-weight (OR 2.8; 95% CI 1.98-3.98). Overweight persons in rural areas were significantly more likely to be hypertensive than those in peri-urban areas (p = 0.013).CONCLUSIONS:Being overweight in low-income settings is associated with sex, physical activity and dietary diversity and being hypertensive is associated with being overweight; these factors are modifiable. There is need for context-specific health education addressing disparities in lifestyles at community levels in rural Africa.
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| 3. |
- Sellgren, Stina F, et al.
(författare)
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Nursing staff turnover at a Swedish university hospital: an exploratory study.
- 2009
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Ingår i: Journal of Clinical Nursing. - : Wiley. - 1365-2702 .- 0962-1067. ; 18, s. 3181-3189
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Aim. The aim was to explore opinions on individual needs and other factors that may influence nursing staff turnover. Background. High staff turnover is a great problem for many hospitals. It is shown to have a negative effect on the quality of nursing care and to increase hospital costs. Design. In 2004 in a large university hospital in Sweden five focus group discussions (FGDs) including department heads (1), nursing managers (2) and members of nursing staff (2) were carried out. The questions to be addressed were 'Why do nurses leave?' and 'Why do nurses stay?' In addition, register data of staff turnover for 2002-2003 were analysed in relation to different facts about the units, such as number of employees, type of care and medical specialty. Categories of opinions identified in the FGDs were compared with results of the statistical analyses on the relationship between staff turnover and unit parameters to identify overall factors that may influence on nurse staff turnover. Findings. Four major factors were identified as having a possible influence on staff turnover: 'intrinsic values of motivation', 'work load', 'unit size 'and 'leadership'. Smaller units had lower staff turnover as well as outpatient units and day care. It was not possible to compare statements from participants from smaller units with those from participants from larger units. Two factors had diverging data, 'salary' and 'spirit of the time'. A surprising finding was the little mention of patient care in relation to staff turnover. Relevance to clinical practice. It is important for managers to ensure that intrinsic values of nurses are met to minimise the risk for high turnover rates. Inpatient care must receive adequate staffing and nursing care could be organised into smaller units or work teams to avoid dissatisfaction and high turnover.
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| 4. |
- Bastholm Rahmner, Pia, et al.
(författare)
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"Limit work to here and now" : A focus group study on how emergency physicians view their work in relation to patients' drug treatment
- 2008
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Ingår i: International Journal of Qualitative Studies on Helath and Well-being. - : Informa UK Limited. - 1748-2623 .- 1748-2631. ; 3:3, s. 155-164
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Patients come to the emergency department (ED) with complex medication and some patients present symptoms of adverse drug effects. Drug treatment is a complex process for physicians to handle. The aim of this study was to explore how a group of ED physicians view their work in relation to patients’ drug treatment. Three semi-structured focus group discussions with 12 physicians in an ED in Sweden were conducted and analysed thematically. The core theme was ‘‘limit work to here and now’’. Three descriptive themes were identified in relation to the main theme; (1) focussing to cope with work; (2) decision making on limited patient-specific information; and (3) actively seeking learning moments. The findings show that the physicians actively seek learning moments in work. Signing their own notes in the computerized medical record is a way of getting feedback on the treatment they have initiated and it was seen as a large part of their clinical education. If we want to support the physicians with new technology for safer drug treatment, such as a computerized drug prescribing support system, the support system should be adapted to the different learning styles and needs.
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| 5. |
- Bastholm Rahmner, Pia, et al.
(författare)
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Variations in understanding the drug-prescribing process : a qualitative study among Swedish GPs
- 2009
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Ingår i: Family Practice. - : Oxford University Press (OUP). - 0263-2136 .- 1460-2229. ; 26:2, s. 121-127
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- BACKGROUND: A majority of doctor-patient meetings result in the patient getting a prescription. This underlines the need for a high-quality prescription process. While studies have been made on single therapeutic drug groups, a complete study of the physicians' general thought process that comprises the prescription of all drugs still remains to be made. OBJECTIVE: To identify variations in ways of understanding drug prescribing among GPs. METHODS: A descriptive qualitative study was conducted with 20 Swedish physicians. Informants were recruited purposively and their understandings about prescribing were studied in semi-structured interviews. Data were analysed using a phenomenographic approach. RESULTS: Five categories were identified as follows: (A) GP prescribed safe, reliable and well-documented drugs for obvious complaints; (B) GP sought to convince the patient of the most effective drug treatment; (C) GP chose the best drug treatment taking into consideration the patient's entire life situation; (D) GP used clinical judgement and close follow-up to minimize unnecessary drug prescribing and (E) GP prescribed drugs which are cheap for society and environmentally friendly. The categories are interrelated, but have different foci: the biomedical, the patient and the society. Each GP had more than one view but none included all five. The findings also indicate that complexity increases when a drug is prescribed for primary or secondary prevention. CONCLUSIONS: GPs understand prescribing differently despite similar external circumstances. The most significant factor to influence prescribing behaviour was the physician's patient relation approach. GPs may need to reflect on difficulties they face while prescribing to enhance their understandings.
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| 6. |
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| 7. |
- Burström, Bo, et al.
(författare)
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Equity aspects of the Primary Health Care Choice Reform in Sweden - a scoping review
- 2017
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Ingår i: International Journal for Equity in Health. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1475-9276. ; 16
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background: Good health and equal health care are the cornerstones of the Swedish Health and Medical Service Act. Recent studies show that the average level of health, measured as longevity, improves in Sweden, however, social inequalities in health remain a major issue. An important issue is how health care services can contribute to reducing inequalities in health, and the impact of a recent Primary Health Care (PHC) Choice Reform in this respect. This paper presents the findings of a review of the existing evidence on impacts of these reforms. Methods: We reviewed the published accounts (reports and scientific articles) which reported on the impact of the Swedish PHC Choice Reform of 2010 and changes in reimbursement systems, using Donabedian's framework for assessing quality of care in terms of structure, process and outcomes. Results: Since 2010, over 270 new private PHC practices operating for profit have been established throughout the country. One study found that the new establishments had primarily located in the largest cities and urban areas, in socioeconomically more advantaged populations. Another study, adjusting for socioeconomic composition found minor differences. The number of visits to PHC doctors has increased, more so among those with lesser needs of health care. The reform has had a negative impact on the provision of services for persons with complex needs. Opinions of doctors and staff in PHC are mixed, many state that persons with lesser needs are prioritized. Patient satisfaction is largely unchanged. The impact of PHC on population health may be reduced. Conclusions: The PHC Choice Reform increased the average number of visits, but particularly among those in more affluent groups and with lower health care needs, and has made integrated care for those with complex needs more difficult. Resource allocation to PHC has become more dependent on provider location, patient choice and demand, and less on need of care. On the available evidence, the PHC Choice Reform may have damaged equity of primary health care provision, contrary to the tenets of the Swedish Health and Medical Service Act. This situation needs to be carefully monitored.
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| 8. |
- Cars, Otto, et al.
(författare)
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Building bridges to operationalise one health : A Sino-Swedish collaboration to tackle antibiotic resistance
- 2016
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Ingår i: One Health. - : Elsevier. - 2352-7714. ; 2, s. 139-143
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Antibiotic resistance is a complex global health challenge. The recent Global Action Plan on antimicrobial resistance highlights the importance of adopting One Health approaches that can cross traditional disciplinary boundaries. We report on the early experiences of a multisectoral Sino-Swedish research project that aims to address gaps in our current knowledge and seeks to improve the situation through system-wide interventions. Our research project is investigating antibiotic use and resistance in a rural area of China through a combination of epidemiological, health systems and laboratory investigations. We reflect here on the challenges inherent in conducting long distance cross-disciplinary collaborations, having now completed data and sample collection for a baseline situation analysis. In particular, we recognise the importance of investing in aspects such as effective communication, shared conceptual frameworks and leadership. We suggest that our experiences will be instructive to others planning to develop similar international One Health collaborations.
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| 9. |
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| 10. |
- Guo, Cheng, 1985-, et al.
(författare)
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Adolescent mental health policies in Sweden and China : a comparative study
- 2017
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Ingår i: European Journal of Public Health, 27, issue supplement 3, 1. - : Oxford University Press.
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Konferensbidrag (refereegranskat)abstract
- BackgroundBoth Sweden and China face challenges of decreasing mental health among adolescents, although the two countries are very different in political system, income level, number of population and national culture traits. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first comparative study of implementation of adolescent mental health policies in Sweden and China.AimTo describe and compare how adolescent mental health policies in Sweden and China are implemented. Our more specific research question was to find out how Sweden and China differ from each other regarding context, policy implementation process, content and actors in adolescent mental health.MethodsQualitative semi-structured interviews on policy actors from Västerås, Sweden and Weifang, China and policy document analysis were conducted.ResultsIn both countries, the national level coordinates strategies and interventions on the regional and local levels. In Sweden, this is done by means of funding for intersectoral work and by establishing cooperation between several policy-actors on different levels. The Swedish policymakers on the national level gives the regional and local level actors a certain amount of freedom to organise their activities provided that actors cooperate. In China, the national coordination aims for interventions for improvement of adolescent mental health in one sector, the educational organisation, and the actions of policy actors are guided in detail to a higher degree. The content of the Swedish adolescent mental health policy documents focus on counselling adolescents, while the Chinese documents focus on knowledge dissemination.ConclusionsThe policy implementation of the two countries differs in number of actors involved, and the freedom given to regional and policy actors to perform interventions. In both countries, schools play a crucial part in policy implementation.Key messages:The adolescent mental health policies in Sweden and China are compared in policy context, implementation process, content and actors based on the policy triangle framework.The policy systems in these two countries share similarities in several aspects and also show differences in other parts.
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