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Objectives. This study assessed the physical and psychological burden of lead apron use on Jordanian interventionists and investigated the attitudes and knowledge of interventional personnel toward ergonomic guidelines and practices. Methods. A cross-sectional investigation of a randomly sampled Jordanian cohort of interventional personnel was conducted using a self-administered questionnaire. Results. A nationwide sample of 130 practitioners with a mean 9.3 ± 8.1 years of experience in interventional procedures participated. Practitioners were aware of their apron's weight but not of its lead equivalence (71.5%). More than 60% of respondents complained of back pain. While 66.9% did not develop musculoskeletal pathologies, 64.3% of those with already established musculoskeletal pathologies experienced worse pain due to apron usage. Despite believing in the effect of lead aprons on muscular strain and work performance, 78.5% adhere to its usage. In terms of ergonomics, only 39.2% were aware of ergonomic guidelines; however, 90.0% believe that ergonomic practices are essential as 49.2% have experienced discomfort due to bad ergonomics. In terms of psychological burden, anxiety and depression were suggested in 16.4 and 21.6% of the sample. Conclusion. Jordanian interventionists portray positive attitudes toward lead aprons; nevertheless, their awareness of ergonomic practices warrants the implementation of evidenced-based interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim Materials and Methods Results Conclusions Elevated body mass index (BMI) presents a significant public health challenge in the United States, contributing to considerable morbidity, mortality and economic burden. This study investigates the health burden of overweight and obesity in the United States from 1990 to 2021, leveraging the Global Burden of Disease data set to analyse trends, disparities and potential determinants of high BMI‐related health outcomes.Our study focused on the United States, analysing trends in disability‐adjusted life years (DALY) and deaths attributable to high BMI, defined as a BMI of 25 kg/m2 or higher for adults. Statistical analyses included estimated annual percentage change (EAPC) in age‐standardized DALY rates and age‐standardized death rates. Pearson correlation was performed between EAPCs and the socio‐demographic index (SDI), with significance set at p < 0.05.From 1990 to 2021, age‐standardized DALY rates attributable to high BMI increased by 24.9%, whereas the age‐standardized death rates increased by 5.2%. Age disparities showed DALYs peaking at 60–64 years for males and 65–69 years for females, with deaths peaking at 65–69 years for males and 90–94 years for females. A strong negative correlation was found between the EAPC in age‐standardized DALY and death rates and the SDI.Overweight and obesity significantly impact public health in the United States, especially among older adults and lower socio‐demographic regions. Comprehensive public health strategies integrating behavioural, technological and environmental interventions are crucial. Future research should focus on longitudinal studies, personalized interventions and policy‐driven approaches to address the multifaceted influences on high BMI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: This study aimed to evaluate the factors associated with diagnosis delay in children with cancer who are treated at a single institution, which caters to most children with cancer in Jordan., Methods: This was a cross-sectional study with a retrospective chart review of selected patients who were diagnosed from August 2018 to December 2021. Data on patient and household characteristics, medical history, and diagnostic delay were collected through structured interviews. Univariable and multivariable linear and logistic regression models were used to identify predictors of delay., Results: The study included a cohort of 202 patient-caregiver pairs, with a median total delay from symptom onset to treatment initiation of 47 days (interquartile range [IQR], 21 to 114 d). Notably, 86% of families pursued medical consultation within a month of recognizing symptoms. A regression model revealed CNS tumors as a significant independent predictor of increased total delay (P=0.002), with affected patients experiencing a median delay markedly longer than those with other cancer types. In addition, older patient age predicted longer total delay (P=0.025). Symptomatology played a pivotal role in the timeliness of the diagnosis; specifically, visible symptoms such as pallor, bruises, and jaundice were associated with more expedient medical attention, with significantly shorter delays (P values: 0.011, <0.001, and 0.045, respectively). Furthermore, our investigation disclosed a notable variance in symptom prevalence across different cancer categories, elucidating the complex relationship between clinical presentation and diagnostic timelines., Conclusions: This study highlights the importance of the diagnosis of CNS tumors, patient age, and symptoms in predicting diagnosis delay in pediatric oncology patients. These findings can inform interventions to reduce delays in diagnosis and improve outcomes for these patients. These insights are crucial for developing targeted educational programs aimed at healthcare professionals and families to accelerate the recognition and referral of pediatric cancer cases., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2024 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.)