| 1. |
- Berman, Anne H., et al.
(författare)
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Children's Quality of Life Based on the KIDSCREEN-27 : Child Self-Report, Parent Ratings and Child-Parent Agreement in a Swedish Random Population Sample
- 2016
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Ingår i: PLOS ONE. - : Public Library of Science (PLoS). - 1932-6203. ; 11:3
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background The KIDSCREEN-27 is a measure of child and adolescent quality of life (QoL), with excellent psychometric properties, available in child-report and parent-rating versions in 38 languages. This study provides child-reported and parent-rated norms for the KIDSCREEN-27 among Swedish 11-16 year-olds, as well as child-parent agreement. Sociodemographic correlates of self-reported wellbeing and parent-rated wellbeing were also measured. Methods A random population sample consisting of 600 children aged 11-16, 100 per age group and one of their parents (N = 1200), were approached for response to self-reported and parentrated versions of the KIDSCREEN-27. Parents were also asked about their education, employment status and their own QoL based on the 26-item WHOQOL-Bref. Based on the final sampling pool of 1158 persons, a 34.8% response rate of 403 individuals was obtained, including 175 child-parent pairs, 27 child singleton responders and 26 parent singletons. Gender and age differences for parent ratings and child-reported data were analyzed using t-tests and the Mann-Whitney U-test. Post-hoc Dunn tests were conducted for pairwise comparisons when the p-value for specific subscales was 0.05 or lower. Child-parent agreement was tested item-by-item, using the Prevalence-and Bias-Adjusted Kappa (PABAK) coefficient for ordinal data (PABAK-OS); dimensional and total score agreement was evaluated based on dichotomous cut-offs for lower well-being, using the PABAK and total, continuous scores were evaluated using Bland-Altman plots. Results Compared to European norms, Swedish children in this sample scored lower on Physical wellbeing (48.8 SE/49.94 EU) but higher on the other KIDSCREEN-27 dimensions: Psychological wellbeing (53.4/49.77), Parent relations and autonomy (55.1/49.99), Social Support and peers (54.1/49.94) and School (55.8/50.01). Older children self-reported lower wellbeing than younger children. No significant self-reported gender differences occurred and parent ratings showed no gender or age differences. Item-by-item child-parent agreement was slight for 14 items (51.9%), fair for 12 items (44.4%), and less than chance for one item (3.7%), but agreement on all dimensions as well as the total score was substantial according to the PABAK-OS. Visual interpretation of the Bland-Altman plot suggested that when children's average wellbeing score was lower parents seemed to rate their children as having relatively higher total wellbeing, but as children's average wellbeing score increased, parents tended to rate their children as having relatively lower total wellbeing. Children living with both parents had higher wellbeing than those who lived with only one parent. Conclusions Results agreed with European findings that adolescent wellbeing decreases with age but contrasted with some prior Swedish research identifying better wellbeing for boys on all dimensions but Social support and peers. The study suggests the importance of considering children's own reports and not only parental or other informant ratings. Future research should be conducted at regular intervals and encompass larger samples.
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| 2. |
- Berman, Anne H., et al.
(författare)
-
Children’s Quality of Life Based on the KIDSCREEN-27
- 2016
-
Ingår i: PLoS ONE. ; 11:3
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background: The KIDSCREEN-27 is a measure of child and adolescent quality of life (QoL), with excellent psychometric properties, available in child-report and parent-rating versions in 38 languages. This study provides child-reported and parent-rated norms for the KIDSCREEN-27 among Swedish 11-16 year-olds, as well as child-parent agreement. Sociodemographic correlates of self-reported wellbeing and parent-rated wellbeing were also measured. Methods: A random population sample consisting of 600 children aged 11-16, 100 per age group and one of their parents (N = 1200), were approached for response to self-reported and parent-rated versions of the KIDSCREEN-27. Parents were also asked about their education, employment status and their own QoL based on the 26-item WHOQOL-Bref. Based on the final sampling pool of 1158 persons, a 34.8% response rate of 403 individuals was obtained, including 175 child-parent pairs, 27 child singleton responders and 26 parent singletons. Gender and age differences for parent ratings and child-reported data were analyzed using t-tests and the Mann-Whitney U-test. Post-hoc Dunn tests were conducted for pairwise comparisons when the p-value for specific subscales was 0.05 or lower. Child-parent agreement was tested item-by-item, using the Prevalence- and Bias-Adjusted Kappa (PABAK) coefficient for ordinal data (PABAK-OS); dimensional and total score agreement was evaluated based on dichotomous cut-offs for lower well-being, using the PABAK and total, continuous scores were evaluated using Bland-Altman plots. Results: Compared to European norms, Swedish children in this sample scored lower on Physical wellbeing (48.8 SE/49.94 EU) but higher on the other KIDSCREEN-27 dimensions: Psychological wellbeing (53.4/49.77), Parent relations and autonomy (55.1/49.99), Social Support and peers (54.1/49.94) and School (55.8/50.01). Older children self-reported lower wellbeing than younger children. No significant self-reported gender differences occurred and parent ratings showed no gender or age differences. Item-by-item child-parent agreement was slight for 14 items (51.9%), fair for 12 items (44.4%), and less than chance for one item (3.7%), but agreement on all dimensions as well as the total score was substantial according to the PABAK-OS. Visual interpretation of the Bland-Altman plot suggested that when children's average wellbeing score was lower parents seemed to rate their children as having relatively higher total wellbeing, but as children's average wellbeing score increased, parents tended to rate their children as having relatively lower total wellbeing. Children living with both parents had higher wellbeing than those who lived with only one parent. Conclusions: Results agreed with European findings that adolescent wellbeing decreases with age but contrasted with some prior Swedish research identifying better wellbeing for boys on all dimensions but Social support and peers. The study suggests the importance of considering children's own reports and not only parental or other informant ratings. Future research should be conducted at regular intervals and encompass larger samples.
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| 3. |
- Chiappa, Giulia, et al.
(författare)
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A Novel High Discriminatory Protocol for the Detection of Borrelia afzelii, Borrelia burgdorferi Sensu Stricto and Borrelia garinii in Ticks
- 2022
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Ingår i: Pathogens. - : MDPI. - 2076-0817. ; 11:11
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Bacteria of the Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato complex are the causative agents of Lyme borreliosis (LB). Even if the conventional diagnosis of LB does not rely on the species itself, an accurate species identification within the complex will provide a deepened epidemiological scenario, a better diagnosis leading to a more targeted therapeutic approach, as well as promote the general publics awareness. A comparative genomics approach based on the 210 Borrelia spp. genomes available in 2019 were used to set up three species-specific PCR protocols, able to detect and provide species typing of Borrelia afzelii, Borrelia burgdorferi sensu stricto (s.s.) and Borrelia garinii, the three most common and important human pathogenic Lyme Borrelia species in Europe. The species-specificity of these protocols was confirmed on previously identified B. afzelii, B. burgdorferi s.s. and B. garinii specimens detected in Ixodes ricinus samples. In addition, the protocols were validated on 120 DNA samples from ticks collected in Sweden, showing 88% accuracy, 100% precision, 72% sensitivity and 100% specificity. The proposed approach represents an innovative tool in epidemiological studies focused on B. burgdorferi s.l. occurrence in ticks, and future studies could suggest its helpfulness in routine diagnostic tests for health care.
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| 4. |
- Grandi, Giulio, et al.
(författare)
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Characterization of the bacterial microbiome of Swedish ticks through 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing of whole ticks and of individual tick organs
- 2023
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Ingår i: Parasites & Vectors. - : BMC. - 1756-3305. ; 16:1
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background The composition of the microbial flora associated with ixodid ticks has been studied in several species, revealing the importance of geographical origin, developmental stage(s) and feeding status of the tick, as well as substantial differences between tissues and organs. Studying the microbiome in the correct context and scale is therefore necessary for understanding the interactions between tick-borne pathogens and other microorganisms as well as other aspects of tick biology. Methods In the present study the microbial flora of whole Ixodes ricinus, I. persulcatus and I. trianguliceps ticks were analyzed with 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing. Additionally, tick organs (midguts, Malpighian tubules, ovaries, salivary glands) from flat and engorged I. ricinus female ticks were examined with the same methodology. Results The most abundant bacteria belonged to the group of Proteobacteria (Cand. Midichloria mitochondrii and Cand. Lariskella). 16S amplicon sequencing of dissected tick organs provided more information on the diversity of I. ricinus-associated microbial flora, especially when organs were collected from engorged ticks. Bacterial genera significantly associated with tick feeding status as well as genera associated with the presence of tick-borne pathogens were identified. Conclusions These results contribute to the knowledge of microbial flora associated with ixodid ticks in their northernmost distribution limit in Europe and opens new perspectives for other investigations on the function of these bacteria, including those using other approaches like in vitro cultivation and in vitro models.
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| 5. |
- Kjellander, Petter, et al.
(författare)
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Winter activity of Ixodes ricinus in Sweden
- 2023
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Ingår i: Parasites & Vectors. - : BMC. - 1756-3305. ; 16:1
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- BackgroundIn Europe, Ixodes ricinus (Acari: Ixodidae) is the most widespread and abundant tick species, acting as a vector for several microorganisms of medical and veterinary importance. In Northern and Central Europe, the tick has a bimodal activity pattern consisting of a peak in spring to the beginning of summer and a second peak at the end of summer. However, several findings of ticks on animals during winter have been reported, which raises the question of whether this is an overwintering strategy or whether ticks are active during winter in Scandinavia. The objectives of our study were to determine (i) whether ticks were active and finding hosts during winter, (ii) whether they parasitize their hosts, and (iii) what climatic factors-i.e., temperature, snow depth and precipitation-govern tick winter activity.MethodsThroughout three winter seasons, we examined wild-living and free-ranging roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) for ticks on 332 occasions. In total, 140 individual roe deer were captured in two climatically contrasting sites in south-central Sweden, Grimso and the Bogesund research area, respectively. We re-examined individual roe deer up to 10 times within the same winter or approximately once a week (mean 10 days, median 7 days between re-examinations) and recorded the absence or presence of ticks on the animals, and tested to what extent meteorological factors affected tick activity. To determine the attachment day, we used the coxal/scutal index of 18 nymphs and 47 female ticks.ResultsIn total, 243 I. ricinus were collected from 301 roe deer captures between 14 December and 28 February at the Bogesund study site during three subsequent years (2013/2014-2015/2016). We found attached ticks every third to every second examination (32%, 48% and 32% of the examinations, respectively). However, we collected only three I. ricinus females from 31 roe deer captures at the Grimso study site between 17 December 2015 and 26 February 2016. At the Bogesund study site, based on 192 captures of previously examined deer, we collected 121 ticks, and ticks were found at 33%, 48% and 26% of the examinations during the respective winters. The probability of finding an attached tick on a roe deer at a temperature of -5 & DEG;C was > 8% & PLUSMN; 5 (SE), and that probability increased to almost 20% & PLUSMN; 7 (SE) if the air temperature increased to 5 & DEG;C.ConclusionsTo the best of our knowledge, this is the first time that winter-active nymphs and female ticks have been documented to attach and feed on roe deer during winter (December to February) in Scandinavia. The main weather conditions regulating winter activity for females were temperature and precipitation, and the lowest estimated air temperature for finding an active tick was well below 5 & DEG;C. The behaviour of winter-active and blood-feeding ticks was documented over several winters and in two contrasting areas, implying that it is a common phenomenon that should be investigated more thoroughly, since it may have important consequences for the epidemiology of tick-borne pathogens.
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| 6. |
- Liu, Bojing, et al.
(författare)
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Child self-report and parent ratings for the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire : Norms and agreement in a Swedish random population sample
- 2017
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Ingår i: Scandinavian Journal of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychology. - : Walter de Gruyter GmbH. - 2245-8875. ; 5:1, s. 13-27
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background: The Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) measures behavioral problems among children and adolescents. Prior research in Sweden has included child self-report or parent ratings from community or population data. Objective: To provide child-reported and parent-rated SDQ norms for 11- to 16-year-olds, as well as data on child-parent agreement and parental sociodemographic correlates: education, employment status, and quality of life. Method: A random population sample with 600 children aged 11 to 16 years, 100 per age group, and one of their parents (N=1200) yielded a sampling pool of 1158 participants and a 34.8 % response rate, including 175 child-parent pairs and 27 and 26 child/parent singletons. Responses to child and parent versions of the extended SDQ were analyzed by child gender and age. Child-parent agreement was evaluated using the Prevalence- and Bias-Adjusted Kappa and Bland-Altman plots. Results: Older children reported greater difficulties compared with younger children, while girls reported a higher negative impact of difficulties on daily life in comparison to boys. Child-parent item-by-item agreement was fair to slight on 15 of the 25 SDQ items, perfect to moderate on 9 items, and less than chance on 1 item, but generally high regarding dichotomous assignment to the "raised difficulties" or "normal" groups, based on subscales and the total SDQ score. Greater difficulties for children were reported by parents born outside Sweden, parents of children born outside Sweden, parents lacking regular employment, and parents with lower education or lower quality of life. In relation to other child-parent pairs, parents born outside Sweden perceived greater difficulties for their children compared with the children's own ratings. Parents with better physical health and social relationships rated their children as having fewer difficulties compared with the rates reported by children. Conclusions: Gender differences contrasted with prior Swedish studies showing higher ratings for boys on hyperactivity and total difficulties and for girls on emotional symptoms. However, findings on increased difficulties with age concurred with prior studies. Research on children's mental health should be widely and systematically conducted at regular intervals and encompasses large, representative samples in order to inform national public health and health-care policy regarding measures to support children and enhance their mental health.
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| 7. |
- Liu, Bojing, et al.
(författare)
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Child self-report and parent ratings for the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire
- 2017
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Ingår i: Scandinavian Journal of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychology. - : Walter de Gruyter GmbH. - 2245-8875. ; 5:1
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background:The Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) measures behavioral problems among children and adolescents. Prior research in Sweden has included child self-report or parent ratings from community or population data.Objective:To provide child-reported and parent-rated SDQ norms for 11- to 16-year-olds, as well as data on child–parent agreement and parental sociodemographic correlates: education, employment status, and quality of life.Method:A random population sample with 600 children aged 11 to 16 years, 100 per age group, and one of their parents (N=1200) yielded a sampling pool of 1158 participants and a 34.8% response rate, including 175 child–parent pairs and 27 and 26 child/parent singletons. Responses to child and parent versions of the extended SDQ were analyzed by child gender and age. Child–parent agreement was evaluated using the Prevalence- and Bias-Adjusted Kappa and Bland–Altman plots.Results:Older children reported greater difficulties compared with younger children, while girls reported a higher negative impact of difficulties on daily life in comparison to boys. Child–parent item-by-item agreement was fair to slight on 15 of the 25 SDQ items, perfect to moderate on 9 items, and less than chance on 1 item, but generally high regarding dichotomous assignment to the “raised difficulties” or “normal” groups, based on subscales and the total SDQ score. Greater difficulties for children were reported by parents born outside Sweden, parents of children born outside Sweden, parents lacking regular employment, and parents with lower education or lower quality of life. In relation to other child–parent pairs, parents born outside Sweden perceived greater difficulties for their children compared with the children’s own ratings. Parents with better physical health and social relationships rated their children as having fewer difficulties compared with the rates reported by children.Conclusions:Gender differences contrasted with prior Swedish studies showing higher ratings for boys on hyperactivity and total difficulties and for girls on emotional symptoms. However, findings on increased difficulties with age concurred with prior studies. Research on children’s mental health should be widely and systematically conducted at regular intervals and encompasses large, representative samples in order to inform national public health and health-care policy regarding measures to support children and enhance their mental health.Graphical ABSTRACT
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| 8. |
- Lundin, Anna, 1973-
(författare)
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Folkbildningsforskning som fält : från framväxt till konsolidering
- 2008
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- This thesis is treating how Swedish liberal adult education research (folkbildningsforskning) has emerged and consolidated. The concepts of doxa, consecration, capital and field of Pierre Bourdieu are used to reconstruct liberal adult education research as a social field. The empirical material consists of texts and documents, structured chronologically between the years of 1954-2007. Central questions are: In which way can liberal adult education research be reconstructed as a field? How does it emerge? Which are the central values (doxa) that hold the field together and going, and where are the boundaries of the field? Who are the central agents of the field? How do they achieve recognition, and on which grounds? Which are the arenas that work as concecrating instances? The study indicates that the area establishes common concepts and references. A gradual expansion occurs. This involves increased opportunities, but also involves competition. Four different phases can be reconstructed as central: the emergence (1954-1979), the expansion (1980-1989), the institutionalisation (1990-1999) and the consolidation (2000-2007). Research summaries as well as organizations of special interests are contributing to the glow of the area. A number of strong positions are established as are a number of pretenders. These relate, in different ways, to the area and to broader perspectives and settings. The area is successfully handling and employing different kinds of challenges and opportunities. This is considered a sign of relative strength of the reconstructed field of liberal adult education research.
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