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Snow conditions are changing rapidly across our planet, which has important implications for wildlife managers. In Alaska, USA, the later arrival of snow is challenging wildlife managers' ability to conduct aerial fall (autumn) moose (Alces alces) surveys. Complete snow cover is required to reliably detect and count moose using visual observation from an aircraft. With inadequate snow to help generate high‐quality moose survey data, it is difficult for managers to determine if they are effectively meeting population goals and optimizing hunting opportunities. We quantified past relationships and projected future trends between snow conditions and moose survey success across 7 different moose management areas in Alaska using 32 years (1987–2019) of moose survey data and modeled snow data. We found that modeled mean snow depth was 15 cm (SD = 11) when moose surveys were initiated, and snow depths were greater in years when surveys were completed compared to years when surveys were canceled. Further, we found that mean snow depth toward the beginning of the survey season (1 November) was the best predictor of whether a survey was completed in any given year. Based on modeled conditions, the trend in mean snow depth on 1 November declined from 1980 to 2020 in 5 out of 7 survey areas. These findings, coupled with future projections, indicated that by 2055, the delayed onset of adequate snow accumulation in the fall will prevent the completion of moose surveys over roughly 60% of Alaska's managed moose areas at this time of the year. Our findings can be used by wildlife managers to guide decisions related to the future reliability of aerial fall moose surveys and help to identify timelines for development of alternate measurement and monitoring methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The 2022 Demographic Census shed light on the debate concerning the inclusion of variables that would allow one to reach sexual minorities with low or no coverage in official population surveys in Brazil. The agenda is justified, considering that the LGBTI+ population demands statistical visibility and calls for public policies to guarantee their rights. This article analyzes the process of the formulation and inclusion of the sexual orientation and gender identity variables in the IBGE's official national household surveys. To this end, a mapping of international experiences was carried out, which showed that this investigation was initially applied in health surveys through self- reports and the use of the "2-step" method to identify the trans population. Furthermore, in the light of the existing bibliography, the planning stages, challenges, and future perspectives for investigating the topic are presented. With this, we hope to contribute to an informed debate, given the current invisibility of the LGBTI+ population in official population databases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Mood and anxiety disorders are heterogeneous conditions with variable course. Knowledge on latent classes and transitions between these classes over time based on longitudinal disorder status information provides insight into clustering of meaningful groups with different disease prognosis. Methods Data of all four waves of the Netherlands Mental Health Survey and Incidence Study-2 were used, a representative population-based study of adults (mean duration between two successive waves = 3 years; N at T0 = 6646; T1 = 5303; T2 = 4618; T3 = 4007; this results in a total number of data points: 20 574). Presence of eight mood and anxiety DSM-IV disorders was assessed with the Composite International Diagnostic Interview. Latent class analysis and latent Markov modelling were used. Results The best fitting model identified four classes: a healthy class (prevalence: 94.1%), depressed-worried class (3.6%; moderate-to-high proportions of mood disorders and generalized anxiety disorder (GAD)), fear class (1.8%; moderate-to-high proportions of panic and phobia disorders) and high comorbidity class (0.6%). In longitudinal analyses over a three-year period, the minority of those in the depressed-worried and high comorbidity class persisted in their class over time (36.5% and 38.4%, respectively), whereas the majority in the fear class did (67.3%). Suggestive of recovery is switching to the healthy class, this was 39.7% in the depressed-worried class, 12.5% in the fear class and 7.0% in the high comorbidity class. Conclusions People with panic or phobia disorders have a considerably more persistent and chronic disease course than those with depressive disorders including GAD. Consequently, they could especially benefit from longer-term monitoring and disease management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High-quality health systems must provide accessible, people-centred care to both improve health and maintain population trust in health services. Furthermore, accurate measurement of population perspectives is vital to hold health systems accountable and to inform improvement efforts. To describe the current state of such measures in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC), we conducted a systematic review of facility and population-based assessments that included patient-reported experience and satisfaction measures. Five databases were searched for publications on quantitative surveys assessing healthcare quality in Spanish- or Portuguese-speaking LAC countries, focusing on the domains of processes of care and quality impacts. We included articles published since 2011 with a national sampling frame or inclusion of multiple subnational regions. We tabulated and described these articles, identifying, classifying and summarizing the items used to assess healthcare quality into the domains mentioned earlier. Of the 5584 publications reviewed, 58 articles met our inclusion criteria. Most studies were cross-sectional (95%), assessed all levels of healthcare (57%) and were secondary analyses of existing surveys (86%). The articles yielded 33 unique surveys spanning 12 LAC countries; only eight of them are regularly administered surveys. The most common quality domains assessed were satisfaction (in 33 out of 58 articles, 57%), evidence-based/effective care (34%), waiting times (33%), clear communication (33%) and ease of use (31%). Items and reported ratings varied widely among instruments used, time points and geographical settings. Assessment of patient-reported quality measures through population- and facility-based surveys is present but heterogeneous in LAC countries. Satisfaction was measured frequently, although its use in accountability or informing quality improvement is limited. Measurement of healthcare quality in LAC needs to be more systematic, regular, comprehensive and to be led collaboratively by researchers, governments and policymakers to enable comparison of results across countries and to effectively inform policy implementation.

The article presents results of the analysis of questionnaire survey data on preferences in the choice of cooking methods of different types of forest mushrooms by residents of the most contaminated south-western districts of the Bryansk region in the remote period after the Chernobyl accident. In the period from 2019 to 2022, the employees of Federal Budgetary Institution of Science «Saint-Petersburg Research Institute of Radiation Hygiene after Professor P.V. Ramzaev» conducted a face-to-face questionnaire survey of the adult population. In addition to general questions about the respondent, the questionnaires included questions about the species composition of the mushroom basket, the volume and proportion of consumption of each type of mushroom by the respondent and his family members (both in the current and last year), as well as methods of culinary processing of the mushrooms consumed. Based on the analysis of individual survey data, a group of 1 311 respondents, whose diet included various types of mushrooms, was selected. Analysis of the survey results showes that respondents prefer to process a large proportion of freshly picked forest mushrooms (59%) for long-term storage (pickling, freezing, drying, salting, etc.); 41% of mushrooms are consumed immediately. The most popular pretreatments of freshly picked mushrooms are washing and boiling (34 and 26%, respectively). When freezing, pickling and pickling up to 97% of respondents carry out pre-treatment (rinsing, soaking and / or boiling) of freshly picked mushrooms. Less popular methods of the mushroom preparation (from 2 to 4%) are pickling, drying and frying of fresh mushrooms with their subsequent preservation. Thus, the majority of respondents actively use various types of culinary processing with the use of preliminary stages of technological processing in the form of rinsing, soaking and (or) boiling. The use of the above methods of pre-cooking of freshly harvested mushrooms leads to a decrease in the 137Cs content in the consumed product.

ABSTRACT Objective To analyze full vaccination coverage in live births in 2017 and 2018 in the capitals of the Midwest region of Brazil, according to social strata. Methods Population-based household survey with cluster sampling. Full coverage in children at 12 and 24 months of age and sociodemographic factors were analyzed. Results 5,715 children were analyzed. Full coverage at 12 months of age was 67.9% (95%CI 65.4;70.4), while at 24 months it was 48.2% (95%CI 45.3;51.1). Pneumococcal vaccine had the highest vaccination coverage (91.3%), while the second dose of rotavirus vaccine had the lowest (74.2%). In Campo Grande, no vaccine reached coverage above 90%, with BCG (82.9%) and hepatitis B (82.1%) standing out. Campo Grande and Brasília had the worst vaccination coverage in the high social stratum (24 months of age). Conclusion Vaccination coverage in the Midwest was below 80%, falling short of the recommended target and associated with socioeconomic factors.

The article presents results of the study of consumption levels of different types of forest mushrooms by residents of the most contaminated south-western territories of the Bryansk region in the remote period after the Chernobyl accident. To collect and analyze the data, the method of face-to-face questionnaire survey of adult population was applied according to individual questionnaires developed by the staff of Federal Funded Institution of Science «Saint-Petersburg Research Institute of Radiation Hygiene after Professor P.V. Ramzaev». In addition to general information, the questionnaires included questions about the species composition of the mushroom basket, the volume and proportion of consumption of each type of mushrooms by the respondent and his/her family members (both in the current and previous seasons). In the period from 2019 to 2022, within the framework of the “Program of joint activities of Russia and Belarus in the framework of the Union State for the protection of the population and rehabilitation of the territories affected by the Chernobyl NPP disaster”, the staff of the Saint-Petersburg Research Institute of Radiation Hygiene after Professor P.V. Ramzaev conducted the questionnaire survey of the respondents. Based on the analysis of data from individual interviews with 1 756 adult respondents, the group (61% of respondents) that could potentially receive an additional contribution to internal dose from mushroom consumption was identified. According to the research, the average consumption of mushrooms by the local population (including those who excluded mushrooms from their diet) is 4,7 kg/year per person, while the average consumption of mushrooms by the group of respondents whose diet includes mushrooms is 7,9 kg/year per person. The structure of the mushroom diet for respondents who eat mushrooms is as follows: cep /boletus edulis (28%), chanterelles / cantharellus cibarius (19%), annulated boletus / suillus luteus (14%), orange-cup boletus / leccinium aurantiacum (11%), rough boletus / leccinium scabrum (10%), honey fungus / armilaria mellea (9%), whitish russula /russila delica and orange milkcap / lactarius deterrimus (5%), yellow knight / tricholoma equestre(3%), russules / russula (0,3%) and various rarely consumed mushrooms (oyster mushrooms, coral milkcaps, paxils, morels, stitches, bay bolete and champignons – 1%).

Amphibians are disproportionately represented among the many vertebrate taxa that are declining globally. Few long-term studies of amphibians exist, especially in temperate climates, hindering our understanding of long-term trends in amphibian communities, which may delay or prevent management action. Here, we develop and deploy an inexpensive monitoring method with potentially broad scientific and community uptake, ‘rapid road surveys’. We test whether this protocol is useful in understanding relative abundance in an amphibian community over a 17-year period. From 2003 to 2019, we performed thousands of rapid (5–15 min) amphibian surveys and recorded the number of on-road amphibians along a single, 267 m stretch of secondary roads in rural Canada. Assuming that on-road occurrence reflects relative amphibian population sizes, we show that amphibians have declined by approximately 73% from 2003 to 2019. The decline was driven by a remarkable 91% decrease in the abundance of northern leopard frogs (Lithobates pipiens), the species comprising the most observation records, while all other species did not show a temporal trend. We cannot attribute a definitive mechanism to the L. pipiens decline. However, by ruling out a number of putative causes, we hypothesize that it may be related to land-use change or infectious disease. Our results show that a simple, temporally replicated road survey protocol, deployed in a spatially restricted area, can be a valuable tool for conservation scientists to understand trends in abundance across an entire community. We discuss how these rapid road surveys are likely a viable option for future community science initiatives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

More than 8.1 million Americans with disabilities qualify for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI). Individuals with disabilities were particularly vulnerable to COVID-19, which may have altered individual and household behavior. Research on the impact of COVID-19 on individuals with disabilities and their families remains limited. Authors analyzed 2020 National Health Interview Survey data. Logistic regression models were applied, controlling for the effects of age, race, sex, income, education, employment, and health status. Households with SSI/SSDI beneficiaries with disabilities were associated with significantly greater odds of delaying or forgoing medical care and receiving needed personal and household care at home due to COVID-19 compared with households without beneficiaries. The health and well-being of households with individuals with disabilities may require more robust and inclusive social work initiatives that aim to reduce adverse pandemic impacts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vultures are among the most threatened species in Africa, with several critically endangered species surviving mainly or only in protected areas. West African vulture declines are correlated with steep losses of natural habitat and mammalian wildlife. Major factors driving vulture extirpations include wildlife trade for traditional medicine, belief-based rituals, and bushmeat. Current data on vulture abundance and breeding ecology are crucial for conservation but lacking in many countries, including Ghana. Between 2020 and 2022, we conducted 761 km of surveys for critically endangered vultures in Mole National Park (Mole NP), a 4840 km2 protected savanna in northern Ghana. Using our count data, we estimated populations of 29–36 Hooded Vultures (Necrosyrtes monachus), 25–73 White-backed Vultures (Gyps africanus), and 3–4 White-headed Vultures (Trigonoceps occipitalis) in the southern region of Mole NP. We also documented 17 occupied vulture nests, including six Hooded Vulture nests, 10 White-backed Vulture nests, and one White-headed Vulture nest. Our findings include the first nest records for Hooded Vultures in Mole NP, the first nest description of White-backed Vultures in Ghana, and the first nest records for White-headed Vultures in Ghana, confirming the importance of Mole NP for conserving critically endangered vultures. Reducing poaching, preventing the killing of vultures for wildlife trade, and protecting vulture habitat and food resources will be paramount to the survival of critically endangered vultures in Ghana and West Africa. Los buitres están entre las especies más amenazadas en África, con varias especies en peligro crítico de extinción que sobreviven principalmente o sólo en áreas protegidas. Las disminuciones de buitres del oeste de África están correlacionadas con pérdidas pronunciadas de hábitat natural y de fauna de mamíferos, y el comercio de fauna silvestre para medicina tradicional, rituales basados en creencias y carne de caza son los factores principales que impulsan su extinción local. Los datos actuales sobre abundancia y ecología reproductiva de los buitres son cruciales para su conservación, pero faltan en muchos países, incluyendo Ghana. Entre 2020 y 2022, realizamos 761 km de censos de buitres en peligro crítico de extinción en el Parque Nacional Mole (PN Mole), una sabana protegida de 4840 km2 en el norte de Ghana. Usando nuestros datos de conteo, estimamos poblaciones de 29–36 individuos de Necrosyrtes monachus, 25–73 individuos de Gyps africanus y 3–4 individuos de Trigonoceps occipitalis en la región sur del PN Mole. También documentamos 17 nidos de buitre ocupados, incluyendo seis nidos de N. monachus, 10 nidos de G. africanus y un nido de T. occipitalis. Nuestros hallazgos incluyen los primeros registros de nidos de N. monachus en el PN Mole, la primera descripción del nido de G. africanus en Ghana y los primeros registros de nidos de T. occipitalis en Ghana, confirmando la importancia del PN Mole para conservar buitres en peligro crítico de extinción. Reducir la caza furtiva, prevenir la matanza de buitres para el comercio de fauna silvestre, y proteger el hábitat y los recursos alimenticios de los buitres será fundamental para la supervivencia de los buitres en peligro crítico de extinción en Ghana y África Occidental. [Traducción de los autores editada] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Understanding how participation is changing across domains of physical activity is important for monitoring progress and informing promotion efforts. The authors examined changes in physical activity participation in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2007/2008 to 2017/2018. Methods: The prevalence of inactivity, insufficient activity, and meeting the aerobic physical activity guideline in multidomain physical activity and each domain (leisure time, occupational/household, and transportation) was estimated for each cycle and stratified by selected characteristics. The authors tested trends over time and overall changes (2017/2018 vs 2007/2008). Results: For multidomain physical activity, the prevalence of inactivity decreased linearly; meeting the aerobic guideline increased nonmonotonically, and the 2017/2018 prevalence (68.1%) was higher than 2007/2008 (64.1%). Similar findings were observed for adults aged ≥65 years, non-Hispanic Blacks, Hispanics, high school graduates, and adults with obesity. Domain-specific results varied, but decreasing trends in inactivity and increasing trends in meeting the guideline were consistently observed across subgroups for occupational/household activity. Meeting the guideline through transportation activity was rare. Conclusions: Increases in meeting the guideline and decreases in inactivity in multidomain activity and selected domains are encouraging results, especially among subgroups historically reporting low activity participation. Activity promotion efforts are important to maintain progress, and the transportation domain may be an underutilized source of physical activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

National mental health surveys play a critical role in determining the prevalence of mental disorders in a population and informing service planning. However, current surveys have important limitations, including the exclusion of key vulnerable groups and increasing rates of non-response. This review aims to synthesise information on excluded and undersampled groups in national mental health surveys. We conducted a targeted review of nationally representative adult mental health surveys performed between 2005 and 2019 in high-income OECD countries. Sixteen surveys met our inclusion criteria. The response rate for included surveys ranged between 36.3% and 80.0%. The most frequently excluded groups included people who were homeless, people in hospitals or health facilities and people in correctional facilities. Males and young people were the most commonly underrepresented groups among respondents. Attempts to collect data from non-responders and excluded populations were limited, but suggest that mental health status differs among some of these cohorts. The exclusion of key vulnerable groups and high rates of non-response have important implications for interpreting and using the results of national mental health surveys. Targeted supplementary surveys of excluded or hard-to-reach populations, more inclusive sampling methodologies, and strategies aimed at improving response rates should be considered to strengthen the accuracy and usefulness of survey findings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Objective Currently, the prevalence of hypertension is mainly ascertained using a one-visit population survey, which may lead to overestimation. The purpose of this study was to assess the accuracy of hypertension prevalence determined by a one-visit population survey. Methods For this cross-sectional study, we continuously enrolled 1116 volunteers without a hypertension history in Hebei province from January 2018 to December 2019. The study population included 511 (45.80%) males and 605 (54.20%) females with a mean age of 48 years. The hypertension prevalence was assessed using two methods: one-visit screening and daytime ambulatory blood pressure (BP) monitoring. We directly compared the performances of daytime ambulatory BP monitoring and one-visit screening in the same group of subjects. In addition, we explored possible thresholds to improve the detection of hypertension. Results During the one-visit survey, the mean BP value was about 8 mmHg higher than that determined by daytime ambulatory BP monitoring. The prevalence of hypertension was 29.84% and 14.07% during the one-visit and daytime multiple visit surveys, respectively. The risk factors for overestimated hypertension were female sex, body mass index

Background: Hospice/palliative care emphasizes excellent care for patients, but what about longer-term caregiver outcomes after their caregiving role? What is the role of services in working to ensure that caregivers can re-engage with all aspects of life, including paid employment given that this is an identified stressor for caregivers? Aim: This hypothesis-generating study aimed to explore self-reported, post-care workforce participation, and any association with hospice/palliative care contact. Design: Cross-sectional random population interviews. Setting/Participants: People in the general population were randomly selected for face-to-face interviews about well-being including end-of-life care in South Australia. Questions included experiences of people dying an expected death and whether interviewees provided care. Demographic data included current workforce participation. A regression model explored associations with workforce participation. Results: Of 8945 interviews over three years, 171 participants aged 20–60 years (working age) provided intermittent hands-on care: two in five were men and two in three had qualifications beyond high school; one in two decedents had accessed palliative care services. Reflecting the bivariable analyses, logistic regression models showed associations with workforce participation and: being male (odds ratio [OR] 6.71); use of palliative care services (OR 4.85); and higher levels of education (OR 3.54). Conclusion: An association between workforce participation after caregiving ceased and the use of palliative care services was described, controlling for key factors. Reasons may include continued working, greater rates of return to work, earlier return to work or that people in the workforce are more likely to access services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT Objective: The national vaccination coverage survey on full vaccination at 12 and 24 months of age was carried out to investigate drops in coverage as of 2016. Methods: A sample of 37,836 live births from the 2017 or 2018 cohorts living in capital cities, the Federal District, and 12 inner cities with 100 thousand inhabitants were followed for the first 24 months through vaccine record cards. Census tracts stratified according to socioeconomic levels had the same number of children included in each stratum. Coverage for each vaccine, full vaccination at 12 and 24 months and number of doses administered, valid and timely, were calculated. Family, maternal and child factors associated with coverage were surveyed. The reasons for not vaccinating analyzed were: medical contraindications, access difficulties, problems with the program, and vaccine hesitancy. Results: Preliminary results showed that less than 1% of children were not vaccinated, full coverage was less than 75% at all capitals and the Federal District, vaccines requiring more than one dose progressively lost coverage, and there were inequalities among socioeconomic strata, favorable to the highest level in some cities and to the lowest in others. Conclusion: There was an actual reduction in full vaccination in all capitals and the Federal District for children born in 2017 and 2018, showing a deteriorating implementation of the National Immunization Program from 2017 to 2019. The survey did not measure the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, which may have further reduced vaccination coverage.

Nationally representative surveys provide an opportunity to assess trends in recent human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection based on assays for recent HIV infection. We assessed HIV incidence in Kenya in 2018 and trends in recent HIV infection among adolescents and adults in Kenya using nationally representative household surveys conducted in 2007, 2012, and 2018. To assess trends, we defined a recent HIV infection testing algorithm (RITA) that classified as recently infected (<12 months) those HIV-positive participants that were recent on the HIV-1 limiting antigen (LAg)-avidity assay without evidence of antiretroviral use. We assessed factors associated with recent and long-term (≥12 months) HIV infection versus no infection using a multinomial logit model while accounting for complex survey design. Of 1,523 HIV-positive participants in 2018, 11 were classified as recent. Annual HIV incidence was 0.14% in 2018 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.057–0.23], representing 35,900 (95% CI 16,300–55,600) new infections per year in Kenya among persons aged 15–64 years. The percentage of HIV infections that were determined to be recent was similar in 2007 and 2012 but fell significantly from 2012 to 2018 [adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 0.31, p < .001]. Compared to no HIV infection, being aged 25–34 versus 35–64 years (aOR = 4.2, 95% CI 1.4–13), having more lifetime sex partners (aOR = 5.2, 95% CI 1.6–17 for 2–3 partners and aOR = 8.6, 95% CI 2.8–26 for ≥4 partners vs. 0–1 partners), and never having tested for HIV (aOR = 4.1, 95% CI 1.5–11) were independently associated with recent HIV infection. Although HIV remains a public health priority in Kenya, HIV incidence estimates and trends in recent HIV infection support a significant decrease in new HIV infections from 2012 to 2018, a period of rapid expansion in HIV diagnosis, prevention, and treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Proboscis monkeys, an iconic Bornean endemic species, are facing threats from habitat loss, degradation, and fragmentation due to human activities. Past surveys have covered only a limited number of proboscis monkey populations across their range, leaving the status of many populations largely unknown. We surveyed the previously unexplored Kota Belud region in northwestern Sabah, Malaysian Borneo, to determine the population and distribution of proboscis monkeys. Our assessment of the threats to their survival focused specifically on land-use and land-cover patterns, with the primary goal of evaluating the population status of proboscis monkeys in this region through an analysis of habitat change. Between January and September 2022, we conducted boat-based surveys in wetland forests—potential habitats of the proboscis monkeys. Of the six sites we surveyed, we directly observed proboscis monkeys at just one, although local residents reported their presence at other sites. Our observations identified 25 individuals in at least three one-male-multifemale groups and one all-male group, all along the Tempasuk River near the coastline. Overall, our study highlights the concerning state of the proboscis monkey population in Kota Belud, which is small, highly fragmented, and likely reaching its limits of adaptability to habitat changes due to human activities. While acknowledging the need for further studies, urgent conservation strategies are needed. For the long-term survival of the proboscis monkeys in Kota Belud, we recommend prioritizing the identification and protection of remaining habitats, rehabilitation, reconnection of isolated areas, and proactive measures to prevent further habitat fragmentation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To examine: the impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on access to health services by middle-aged and older Australians; and the use of telehealth services during the COVID-19 pandemic and its ongoing usefulness. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among participants who completed the COVID-19 supplement in the 45 and Up Study 2020 Survey. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to examine the association between socio-demographic characteristics and health conditions with missed/delayed access to health services, changes in health outcomes resulting from missed/delayed access, and use of telehealth services. Results: Data for 45 071 participants were analysed (56% female, 72% aged ≥65 years). Almost half (42.2%) reported they had missed/delayed access to health care due to COVID-19; mainly for dental services (26.1%), visits to a general practitioner (GP) (16.3%) and specialists (12.6%). Missed/delayed visits to GPs and specialists were more likely among females, participants from non-English-speaking backgrounds, with disability/illness, living in outer regional/remote areas or with chronic health conditions. People with a disability or high/very high psychological distress were twice as likely to report worse health as a result of missed/delayed care. Half (48.0%) the study participants used telehealth during the COVID-19 pandemic and 81.9% indicated telehealth would be useful post-pandemic. Conclusions: The COVID-19 pandemic impacted access to healthcare services, particularly for people with a disability, and chronic or mental health issues who also reported worse health. This may account for their higher use of telehealth services as an alternate way of accessing health care. Ongoing evaluation of telehealth services for vulnerable groups post-pandemic is required. What is known about the topic ? The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on healthcare usage and access. What does this paper add? This paper identifies the impact of access to health care during the COVID-19 pandemic on vulnerable subgroups within middle-aged and older Australians, including those with chronic and mental health issues. Telehealth is an acceptable way to facilitate access to services for these groups. What are the implications for practitioners? Practitioners are strategically positioned to provide alternatives to face-to-face visits during times of limited access and identify those who are in most need of additional care by way of telehealth intervention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Deaths of four Golden Eagles (Aquila chrysaetos) due to collision trauma at a new wind energy facility in east-central New Mexico during 2004–2005 prompted concerns about the species' population status in the encompassing Southern Great Plains region, primarily because its breeding distribution there was poorly documented and wind energy development was expanding rapidly. Therefore, we conducted aerial searches for Golden Eagle nests across northeastern New Mexico, northwestern Texas, western Oklahoma, and adjacent portions of Colorado and Kansas during 2006–2009 and 2015–2020. We delineated five Golden Eagle Nest Search Areas (NSAs) with unique physiographic/geological origins. Individual NSAs were searched partially or entirely for up to 8 yr. Collectively, we identified 123 nesting territories (NTs) occupied by Golden Eagles ≥ 1 yr, of which 94 (76%) were in northeastern New Mexico. The most NTs (40) were in the 11,720-km2 Highlands NSA. Greatest NT density (126.6 km2/NT) and shortest NT nearest neighbor distance (7.4 km) were in the 3533-km2 Northern Caprock NSA. Wind turbines existed near (within 3.2 km) eight nests distributed among five of 28 NTs in the Northern Caprock and were planned for sites in two occupied NTs. Elsewhere, only potential turbines were near nests and only within six NTs. The number of nesting territories we found underscores the importance of the Southern Great Plains to Golden Eagles, even though this region lies at the eastern margin of the species' western North American breeding range. Our data provide strong support for protecting breeding habitat from potential threats, particularly those posed by wind energy development, and are also a foundation for long-term population monitoring. La muerte de cuatro individuos de Aquila chrysaetos debido a traumatismos por colisión en una nueva instalación de energía eólica en el centro-este de Nuevo México durante 2004–2005 generó preocupación sobre el estado poblacional de la especie en la región de las Grandes Llanuras del Sur, principalmente debido a que allí su distribución reproductiva estaba mal documentada y el desarrollo de la energía eólica se estaba expandiendo rápidamente. Por lo tanto, realizamos búsquedas aéreas de nidos de A. chrysaetos en el noreste de Nuevo México, el noroeste de Texas, el oeste de Oklahoma y partes adyacentes de Colorado y Kansas durante 2006–2009 y 2015–2020. Delineamos cinco Áreas de Búsqueda de Nidos (ABN) de A. chrysaetos con orígenes fisiográficos/geológicos únicos. Las ABN individuales fueron exploradas parcial o totalmente durante un máximo de 8 años. En conjunto, identificamos 123 territorios de nidificación (TN) ocupados por ejemplares de A. chrysaetos ≥ 1 año, de los cuales 94 (76%) se encontraron en el noreste de Nuevo México. La mayoría de los TN (40) se encontraron en el ABN de Highlands, con una superficie de 11.720 km2. La mayor densidad de TN (126.6 km2/TN) y la menor distancia al TN del vecino más cercano (7.4 km) se encontraron en el ABN de Northern Caprock, de 3533 km2. Hubo presencia de parques eólicos cerca (dentro de los 3.2 km) de 8 nidos distribuidos en cinco de los 28 TN en Northern Caprock, y otros parques fueron planificados para lugares cercanos a dos TN ocupados. En otras partes, solo parques eólicos potenciales estuvieron cerca de los nidos y sólo seis dentro de TN. La cantidad de territorios de nidificación que encontramos subraya la importancia de las Grandes Llanuras del Sur para A. chrysaetos, a pesar de que esta región se encuentra en el margen este del área de reproducción oeste de la especie en Norteamérica. Nuestros datos proporcionan un apoyo sólido para proteger el hábitat de cría de posibles amenazas, en particular de aquellas que plantea el desarrollo de la energía eólica, y también son una base para el seguimiento de la población a largo plazo. [Traducción del equipo editorial] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Existing studies on disease course usually apply relatively short follow-up periods and narrow definitions of disease course resulting in too optimistic views on disease prognosis. This study explores the relevance of using a longer and broader (cross-disorder) perspective.Methods: Respondents with a 12-month disorder at baseline and available at 3-, 6- and 9-year follow-up were selected (major depressive disorder, MDD: n = 208; anxiety disorder: n = 220) from a general population study (N = 6646). DSM-IV disorders were assessed with the Composite International Diagnostic Interview. Disease course was described using a short and narrow perspective (i.e., 3-year follow-up, and considering presence of the index disorder only) and a long and broad perspective (9-year follow-up, and considering presence of any mood, anxiety or substance use disorder as outcome).Results: The recovery rates of both MDD and anxiety disorder reduced by half when the perspective switched from short and narrow (MDD: 74.0 %; anxiety disorder: 79.5 %) to long and broad (35.6 % and 40.0 % respectively). At 9-year follow-up, the rates of a persistent disorder (a disorder at each follow-up assessment) tripled when the perspective switched from narrow to broad (MDD: from 4.8 % to 13.9 %; anxiety disorder: from 4.5 % to 15.5 %).Limitations: The findings are not generalizable to the most severe depressed and anxious patients.Conclusions: Most people with MDD or anxiety disorder in the general population have a rather favourable prognosis when a narrow perspective is applied, but an unfavourable prognosis when a long-term and broad perspective is applied. Consequently, MDD and anxiety disorder should not merely be perceived as episodic disorders, and require longer-term disease monitoring and management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Introduction: Population‐based biomarker surveys are the gold standard for estimating HIV prevalence but are susceptible to substantial non‐participation (up to 30%). Analytical missing data methods, including inverse‐probability weighting (IPW) and multiple imputation (MI), are biased when data are missing‐not‐at‐random, for example when people living with HIV more frequently decline participation. Heckman‐type selection models can, under certain assumptions, recover unbiased prevalence estimates in such scenarios. Methods: We pooled data from 142,706 participants aged 15–49 years from nationally representative cross‐sectional Population‐based HIV Impact Assessments in seven countries in sub‐Saharan Africa, conducted between 2015 and 2018 in Tanzania, Uganda, Malawi, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Lesotho and Eswatini. We compared sex‐stratified HIV prevalence estimates from unadjusted, IPW, MI and selection models, controlling for household and individual‐level predictors of non‐participation, and assessed the sensitivity of selection models to the copula function specifying the correlation between study participation and HIV status. Results: In total, 84.1% of participants provided a blood sample to determine HIV serostatus (range: 76% in Malawi to 95% in Uganda). HIV prevalence estimates from selection models diverged from IPW and MI models by up to 5% in Lesotho, without substantial precision loss. In Tanzania, the IPW model yielded lower HIV prevalence estimates among males than the best‐fitting copula selection model (3.8% vs. 7.9%). Conclusions: We demonstrate how HIV prevalence estimates from selection models can differ from those obtained under missing‐at‐random assumptions. Further benefits include exploration of plausible relationships between participation and outcome. While selection models require additional assumptions and careful specification, they are an important tool for triangulating prevalence estimates in surveys with substantial missing data due to non‐participation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and aims: Previous analyses of the effect of e‐cigarettes on real world smoking cessation success have mainly been based on surveys undertaken in the United States and United Kingdom, where nicotine e‐cigarettes can be readily obtained. In Australia, regulations have made obtaining e‐cigarettes containing nicotine difficult. The effectiveness of e‐cigarette use as a smoking cessation aid in Australia might therefore be lower than survey‐based estimates published to date. This study aimed to estimate the effect of using e‐cigarettes for a smoking cessation attempt on past‐year smoking cessation success in Australia. Design: Multivariable logistic regression models for past‐year smoking cessation success. Setting and participants: Respondents to the 2019 wave of Australia's National Drug Strategy Household Survey who made a smoking cessation attempt in the 12 months leading up to the survey. Measurements Past‐year smoking cessation success was assumed if a smoking cessation attempt resulted in abstinence of more than a month at the time of the survey. Findings In 2019, Australians who attempted to quit smoking using e‐cigarettes achieved greater success than smokers attempting to quit without e‐cigarettes [adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 1.68; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.09–2.60]. If people who only tried e‐cigarettes once or twice are considered not to have used e‐cigarettes, the estimated effect was slightly stronger (aOR = 1.98; 95% CI = 1.27–3.10). Also, the estimated odds ratio was higher among vapers who acquired their e‐cigarettes from overseas websites (aOR = 2.24; 95% CI = 1.02–4.93). Conclusions: Use of e‐cigarettes for a smoking cessation attempt appears to be associated with greater success among Australians who attempted to quit tobacco in 2019 compared with Australians attempting to quit without e‐cigarettes, after adjusting for confounding effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Remote detectors are being used increasingly often to study aquatic and aerial species, which move significantly differently from terrestrial species. Camera‐trapping studies have used frameworks based on animal movement patterns to show that a species’ detection frequency, along with movement speed and detector specifications, can be used to estimate absolute population density. This approach, however, has not yet been adapted to cases where movement is three‐dimensional. Here we adapt one such framework to three‐dimensional movement, to characterize the relationship between population density, animal speed, characteristics of a remote sensor's detection zone and detection frequency. The derivation involves defining the detection zone mathematically and calculating the mean area of the profile it presents to approaching individuals. We developed two variants of the model—one assuming random movement of all individuals, and one allowing for different probabilities for each approach direction (e.g. that animals more often swim/fly horizontally than vertically). We used computer simulations to evaluate model performance for a wide range of animal and detector densities. Simulations show that in ideal conditions the method approximates true density well, and that estimates become increasingly accurate using more detectors, or sampling for longer. Moreover the method is robust to violations of assumptions, accuracy is decreased only in extreme cases where all detectors are facing the same way. We provide equations for estimating population density from detection frequency and outline how to estimate the necessary parameters. We discuss how environmental variables and species‐specific characteristics affect parameter estimates and how to account for these differences in density estimations. Our method can be applied to common remote detection methods (cameras and acoustic detectors), which are currently being used to study a diversity of species and environments. Therefore, our work may significantly expand the number and diversity of species for which density can be estimated.

In this concluding part of the paper, we continue an empirical analysis based on dividing the generation of millennials into two age cohorts. Special attention is drawn to a group of millennials designated as “3S” (“smartphones”, “social media”, “decline of the economy”). This younger generation began entering the period of adulthood since the year 2008, which has been marked by a continuous economic recession and broad dissemination of the technologies and digital consumer services. Data were collected from the annual Russian Longitudinal Monitoring Survey (RLMS–HSE) in 1994–2018. The results obtained show a divide in the millennial generation measured by a multiplicity of social indicators along with the preservation of many inter-generational differences. In the second part of the paper, we show that the younger generation of “3S” millennials demonstrates a decline in alcohol consumption and smoking, while being more involved in sports. “3S” millennials watch TV less frequently and are more engaged in reading and cultural activities. They reveal lower religious affiliations and are more optimistic in regards to their material status and life prospects. Many intra- and intergenerational differences are significant and robust over the time of observation when controlling for age and other standard variables. In conclusion, four types of inter-relations between intra- and intergenerational differences are delineated.

This article is about developing a sociological approach towards generational cohort analysis. The previously examined generation of millennials is divided into two age cohorts. A specific group of so-called “3S” millennials (“smartphones”, “social media”, “slump in the economy”) is distinguished. This younger generation entered their period of adulthood starting in the year of 2008, which was marked by continuous economic recession and a broad dissemination of new technologies and digital consumer services. Data was gathered from the annual Russian Longitudinal Monitoring Survey (RLMS–HSE) for the years 1994–2018. The obtained results show a divide within the millennial generation, measured by a multiplicity of social indicators along with the preservation of many inter-generational differences. In part one of the paper published in this issue of the journal, we reveal that the younger “3S” generation of millennials has been dealing with new digital technologies since their early adolescent years. They are better educated, have more educated parents, and often postpone important decisions like marriage, first pregnancy, having children, employment in the labor market. Many intra- and intergenerational differences remain stable during the observation period when controlling for age and other standard variables.

Abstract Background Against a backdrop of population aging and improving survival rates for chronic noncommunicable diseases (CNCD), researchers are placing growing emphasis on health-related quality of life (HRQoL). The aim of this study was to identify the QoL assessment instruments used in population-based studies with adults conducted around the world. Methods A systematic review of original research published in all languages between 2008 and 2018 was conducted. Systematic reviews and meta-analyses were excluded. Results Sixty-three articles (38.1% conducted in the Americas) fitted the eligibility criteria. Based on the AHRQ checklist for cross-sectional studies and the Newcastle-Ottawa scale for cohort studies, methodological quality was shown to be fair in the majority of studies (55.6%) and good in 44.4%. The country with the highest number of publications was Brazil (20.6%). Twelve types of generic instruments and 11 specific instruments were identified. The generic instrument SF-36 was the most frequently used measure (33.3% of studies). In-home interviewing was exclusively used by 47.6% of the studies, while 39 studies (61.9%) reported the use of self-administered questionnaires. Over two-thirds of the studies (34.9%) used questionnaires to investigate the association between chronic diseases and/or associated factors. Conclusions It was concluded that the wide range of instruments and modes of questionnaire administration used by the studies may hinder comparisons between population groups with the same characteristics or needs. There is a lack of research on QoL and the factors affecting productive capacity. Studies of QoL in older persons should focus not only on the effects of disease and treatment, but also on the determinants of active aging and actions designed to promote it. Further research is recommended to determine which QoL instruments are best suited for population-based studies.

Aims: Prevalence estimates of child and youth mental disorder and mental health-related service contacts are needed for policy formulation, research, advocacy and resource allocation. Our aim is to compare prevalence estimates of child and youth mental disorder and mental health-related service contacts derived from general population survey data v. linked administrative health data. Methods: Provincially representative 2014 Ontario Child Health Study data were linked to administrative health records for 5563 children and youth aged 4–17 in Ontario. Emotional disorders (mood and anxiety) and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder were assessed using a standardised diagnostic interview in the survey and using diagnostic codes in administrative health data. Physician-based mental health-related service contacts were assessed using parent self-reports from the survey and administrative data related to mental health-related diagnostic codes. Prevalence estimates were calculated and compared based on one-sample z -tests and ratios of survey data to administrative data-based prevalence. Sensitivity, specificity and agreement between classifications were compared using κ. Prevalence estimates were calculated by age, sex and geography sub-groups and consistent group differences across data source were counted. Results: Disorder prevalence and service contact estimates were significantly higher in survey data in all cases, except for mood disorder. Ratios of survey data to administrative data-based prevalence varied, ranging from 0.80 (mood) to 11.01 (attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder). Specificity was high (0.98–1.00), sensitivity was low (0.07–0.41) and agreement ranged from slight (κ = 0.13) to moderate (κ = 0.46). Out of 18 sub-group difference comparisons, half were non-significant in either data source. In the remaining nine comparisons, the only significant differences between groups that were consistent across data source were for sex-based differences (attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and service contacts). There were no consistent age- or geography-based differences in prevalence across data sources. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that conclusions drawn about prevalence, service contacts and sub-group differences in these estimates are dependent on data source. Further research is needed to understand who and what is being captured by each source. Researchers should conduct data linkage where possible to access and compare multiple sources of information. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fungicide use has become a fundamental part of many crop protection systems around the world, including to control blackleg disease on canola (Brassica napus L.). In Australia, most canola growers routinely apply at least one fungicide, and potentially multiple fungicides with different modes of action, in a single growing season. There is evidence for the emergence of fungicide resistance in Leptosphaeria maculans , the causal agent of blackleg disease, to the demethylation inhibitor (DMI) class of fungicides in Australia. However, it is not known whether resistance exists towards other chemical classes such as the succinate dehydrogenase inhibitors (SDHI). In this work, 397 samples were screened for resistance towards seven fungicide treatments in stubble-borne L. maculans populations collected from eight canola-growing agro-ecological regions of Australia from 2018 to 2020, a time frame that bridges the introduction of new chemicals for blackleg control. We confirmed that DMI resistance in L. maculans is pervasive across all of the sampled canola-growing regions, with 15% of fungal populations displaying high levels (resistance scores >0.5) of resistance towards the DMI fungicides. Although resistance to newly introduced SDHI fungicides was low, we found evidence of positive cross-resistance between established DMI-only fungicides and a newly introduced combined DMI and quinone outside inhibitor fungicide, suggesting that the efficacy of the latter may be limited by widespread DMI resistance. Proactive surveillance, as performed here, may provide a means to avoid the rapid loss of fungicide efficacy in the field. Fungicide use has become a fundamental part of many crop protection systems around the world, including to control blackleg disease on canola. However, with increased fungicide use comes the risk of fungicide resistance. In this study we survey almost 400 blackleg populations from across Australia to determine the current status of fungicide resistance to all commercially available fungicides. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The long-term study of bat communities often depends on a diverse set of sampling methodologies that are chosen based on the species or habitat management priorities of the research project. Integrating the data from a diverse set of methodologies (such as acoustic monitoring and mist net sampling) would improve our ability to characterize changes in community structure or composition over time, such as one would expect following an emergent infectious disease such as white-nose syndrome. We developed a Bayesian state-space model to integrate these disparate data into a common currency (relative abundance). We collected both acoustic monitoring and mist net capture data over an 8-y period (2006-2014) to document shifts in the bat community in central New England, USA, in response to the onset of white-nose syndrome in 2009. The integrated data model shows a significant decline in the abundance of little brown bat Myotis lucifugus, northern long-eared bat Myotis septentrionalis, and hoary bat Lasiurus cinereus, and an increase in abundance of the eastern small-footed bat Myotis leibii and the eastern red bat Lasiurus borealis. There was no evidence for a change in abundance in the big brown bat Eptesicus fuscus since the onset of white-nose syndrome. The consistency of this model with regional estimates of decline over the same time period support the validity of our relative abundance estimate. This model provides the opportunity to quantify shifts in other communities where multiple sampling methodologies were employed, and therefore provides natural resource managers with a robust tool to integrate existing sampling data to quantify changes in community composition that can inform conservation and management recommendations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Agreed measures of cannabis use and impacts are essential in evaluating regulatory change and supporting policy decisions driven by public health evidence. A shared understanding of measures also responds to the call for greater collaboration and coordination in cannabis research. The iCannToolkit provides a collaborative foundation that can be expanded to additional domains and to address emerging and context-specific data needs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective. To update malnutrition prevalence and its trends over the last 30 years and identify factors associated with stunting in a national sample of children <5 y in Mexico. Materials and methods. Malnutrition prevalences in children <5 y in 2018-19 were compared with prevalences from the previous 30 years. Associations of stunting with geographic, household, maternal and individual factors were assessed using multiple logistic regressions. Results. 4.8% of children <5 y were underweight, 14.2% stunted and 1.4% wasted. Between 1988-2012 a decreasing trend in stunting was observed that was interrupted between 2012-2018. Stunting was positively associated with children living in rural localities, the Southern Region, poorer households, with indigenous mothers or whose mothers had a greater number of children. A negative association was found with diet diversity. Conclusions. Stunting is a persistent problem associated with social vulnerability that had been declining in the last 30 years; however its descending trend was interrupted between 2012 and 2018. It is imperative to implement a national strategy for the prevention of stunting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Data on episode duration of anxiety disorders are required for informing patients and for disease management, but such data from population studies are lacking. Methods: Three‐year longitudinal data were used from the Netherlands Mental Health Survey and Incidence Study‐2, a psychiatric epidemiological cohort study among the general adult population (N = 6646). Respondents with a new (first or recurrent) anxiety disorder were selected (n = 158). DSM‐IV diagnoses were assessed with the Composite International Diagnostic Interview; the Life Chart Interview assessed episode duration and recovery rates. Results: Among those with anxiety disorder, median episode duration was 7.5 months and mean duration was 15.2 months. 38.8% had not recovered at 12 months and 30.1% not at 36 months. Longer duration was associated with older age, not having a paid job, higher neuroticism, more physical disorders, and worse physical functioning. Conclusions: Also, in the general population, anxiety disorder has a rather chronic course. After 12 months the cumulative recovery rate flattened. To prevent and manage chronicity, timely treatment, and chronic disease management are required. The risk indicators found may help to identify individuals with an anxiety disorder at risk for chronicity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Remote detectors are being used increasingly often to study aquatic and aerial species, which move significantly differently from terrestrial species. Camera‐trapping studies have used frameworks based on animal movement patterns to show that a species' detection frequency, along with movement speed and detector specifications, can be used to estimate absolute population density. This approach, however, has not yet been adapted to cases where movement is three‐dimensional. Here we adapt one such framework to three‐dimensional movement, to characterize the relationship between population density, animal speed, characteristics of a remote sensor's detection zone and detection frequency. The derivation involves defining the detection zone mathematically and calculating the mean area of the profile it presents to approaching individuals. We developed two variants of the model—one assuming random movement of all individuals, and one allowing for different probabilities for each approach direction (e.g. that animals more often swim/fly horizontally than vertically). We used computer simulations to evaluate model performance for a wide range of animal and detector densities. Simulations show that in ideal conditions the method approximates true density well, and that estimates become increasingly accurate using more detectors, or sampling for longer. Moreover the method is robust to violations of assumptions, accuracy is decreased only in extreme cases where all detectors are facing the same way. We provide equations for estimating population density from detection frequency and outline how to estimate the necessary parameters. We discuss how environmental variables and species‐specific characteristics affect parameter estimates and how to account for these differences in density estimations. Our method can be applied to common remote detection methods (cameras and acoustic detectors), which are currently being used to study a diversity of species and environments. Therefore, our work may significantly expand the number and diversity of species for which density can be estimated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In Part 2 of “Astrology and Science: A Precarious Relationship”, the results of a population survey are first presented to reveal definitory problems in determining astrology. When investigating "astrology", of crucial importance are which concepts and practices to include. After definitional clarification, the anomalistic aspects of astrology or astrological practice are attended to with a distinction made between the above-below-theorem as the traditional basic assumption of astrology and possible psi phenomena that can occur in astrological counseling practice. Further sections describe problems in scientific studies on the validity of astrology. Such problems could have led to the failure of these efforts. Furthermore, specific methodological problems in the investigation of the above-below-theorem and in matching tests are addressed. In a final step, various scientific approaches to astrology are listed with their respective specific questions, methodological approaches and relevance for the scientific world view or astrological practice.

Abstract Background Chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection can progress to cirrhosis and end-stage liver disease in a substantial proportion of patients. The infection is frequently asymptomatic, leaving many infected individuals unaware of the diagnosis until complications occur. This advocates the screening of healthy individuals. The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of HCV infection in the general adult population of the municipality of Tromsø, Norway, and to evaluate the efficiency of such an approach in a presumed low-prevalence area. Methods The study was part of the seventh survey of the Tromsø Study (Tromsø 7) in 2015–2016. Sera from 20,946 individuals aged 40 years and older were analysed for antibodies to HCV (anti-HCV). A positive anti-HCV test was followed up with a new blood test for HCV RNA, and the result of any previous laboratory HCV data were recorded. Samples positive for anti-HCV and negative for HCV RNA were tested with a recombinant immunoblot assay. All HCV RNA positive individuals were offered clinical evaluation. Results Among 20,946 participants, HCV RNA was detected in 33 (0.2%; 95% CI: 0.1–0.3), of whom 13 (39.4%; 95% CI: 22.7–56.1) were unaware of their infection. The anti-HCV test was confirmed positive in 134 individuals (0.6%; 95% CI: 0.5–0.7) with the highest prevalence in the age group 50–59 years. Current or treatment-recovered chronic HCV-infection was found in 85 individuals (0.4%; 95% CI: 0.3–0.5) and was associated with an unfavorable psychosocial profile. Conclusion In this population-based study, the prevalence of viraemic HCV infection was 0.2%. A substantial proportion (39%) of persons with viraemic disease was not aware of their infectious status, which suggests that the current screening strategy of individuals with high risk of infection may be an inadequate approach to identify chronic HCV infection hidden in the general population.

This article discusses the four dimensions generating fiscal illusion through a survey answered by a sample of the population of the northern region of Portugal. The surveyed dimensions were (1) bias in the taxpayers' perception of the costs and benefits of public programs; (2) ignorance or inattention about the fiscal reality (like about tax structure or associated collection); (3) taking advantage of the taxpayer's timing and expectations for an optimized tax collection; and (4) association of the surrounding socioeconomic reality with the tax structure. The results show that the most serious dimension present among the analyzed Portuguese taxpayers is the relative lack of attention to fiscal reality. Through an analysis using appropriate tests, it was observed that some dimensions, such as education and taxpayer income, significantly influence the individual risk of fiscal illusion.

With the increase in the number of modern powerful pig complexes in Ukraine, the risks to the health of the population living in a residential area bordering the sanitary protection zones of pig complexes have significantly increased. In addition to the direct influence of chemicals that are present in the emissions, the smell pollutionof ambient air being the risk to human health. The aim of the study was to substantiate new tools for assessing the impact of pig farms on public health and improving sanitary and epidemiological expertise. The article presents the materials of the complex hygienic research of the negative influence of atmospheric air pollution, in particular, smell pollution, in one of the modern pig farms with a capacity of 8.2 thousand heads of animals per year carried out by the laboratory of air quality of SI "O.M. Marseev Institute for Public Health" NAMSU. To accomplish these tasks, several stages of the research were carried out: questioning of the population, analysis of design materials and results of some permission documents such as sanitary and epidemiological expertise, in-situ measurements of ambient air and mathematical modeling of the distribution of chemicals on the territory of investigation. Based on the results of the study, the conclusions were drawn about the indirect effects of chemicals with odor properties on the health of the local population; A new tool for the needs of sanitary and epidemiological expertise, based on the method of mathematical modeling is proposed.

Objective: We set forth to build a prediction model of individuals who would develop bipolar disorder (BD) using machine learning techniques in a large birth cohort. Methods: A total of 3748 subjects were studied at birth, 11, 15, 18, and 22 years of age in a community birth cohort. We used the elastic net algorithm with 10‐fold cross‐validation to predict which individuals would develop BD at endpoint (22 years) at each follow‐up visit before diagnosis (from birth up to 18 years). Afterward, we used the best model to calculate the subgroups of subjects at higher and lower risk of developing BD and analyzed the clinical differences among them. Results: A total of 107 (2.8%) individuals within the cohort presented with BD type I, 26 (0.6%) with BD type II, and 87 (2.3%) with BD not otherwise specified. Frequency of female individuals was 58.82% (n = 150) in the BD sample and 53.02% (n = 1868) among the unaffected population. The model with variables assessed at the 18‐year follow‐up visit achieved the best performance: AUC 0.82 (CI 0.75–0.88), balanced accuracy 0.75, sensitivity 0.72, and specificity 0.77. The most important variables to detect BD at the 18‐year follow‐up visit were suicide risk, generalized anxiety disorder, parental physical abuse, and financial problems. Additionally, the high‐risk subgroup of BD showed a high frequency of drug use and depressive symptoms. Conclusions: We developed a risk calculator for BD incorporating both demographic and clinical variables from a 22‐year birth cohort. Our findings support previous studies in high‐risk samples showing the significance of suicide risk and generalized anxiety disorder prior to the onset of BD, and highlight the role of social factors and adverse life events. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Revista Ciência & Saúde Coletiva is the property of Associacao Brasileira de Pos-Graduacao em Saude Coletiva and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Background: Against a backdrop of population aging and improving survival rates for chronic noncommunicable diseases (CNCD), researchers are placing growing emphasis on health-related quality of life (HRQoL). The aim of this study was to identify the QoL assessment instruments used in population-based studies with adults conducted around the world.Methods: A systematic review of original research published in all languages between 2008 and 2018 was conducted. Systematic reviews and meta-analyses were excluded.Results: Sixty-three articles (38.1% conducted in the Americas) fitted the eligibility criteria. Based on the AHRQ checklist for cross-sectional studies and the Newcastle-Ottawa scale for cohort studies, methodological quality was shown to be fair in the majority of studies (55.6%) and good in 44.4%. The country with the highest number of publications was Brazil (20.6%). Twelve types of generic instruments and 11 specific instruments were identified. The generic instrument SF-36 was the most frequently used measure (33.3% of studies). In-home interviewing was exclusively used by 47.6% of the studies, while 39 studies (61.9%) reported the use of self-administered questionnaires. Over two-thirds of the studies (34.9%) used questionnaires to investigate the association between chronic diseases and/or associated factors.Conclusions: It was concluded that the wide range of instruments and modes of questionnaire administration used by the studies may hinder comparisons between population groups with the same characteristics or needs. There is a lack of research on QoL and the factors affecting productive capacity. Studies of QoL in older persons should focus not only on the effects of disease and treatment, but also on the determinants of active aging and actions designed to promote it. Further research is recommended to determine which QoL instruments are best suited for population-based studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To assess whether estimates of survey structured interview diagnoses of mood and anxiety disorders were concordant with diagnoses of these disorders obtained from health administrative data. Methods: All Ontario respondents to the 2012 Canadian Community Health Survey‐Mental Health (CCHS‐MH) were linked to health administrative databases at ICES (formerly known as the Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences). Survey structured interview diagnoses were compared with health administrative data diagnoses obtained using a standardized algorithm. We used modified Poisson regression analyses to assess whether socio‐demographic factors were associated with concordance between the two measures. Results: Of the 4157 Ontarians included in our sample, 20.4% had either a structured interview diagnosis (13.9%) or health administrative diagnosis (10.4%) of a mood or anxiety disorder. There was high discordance between measures, with only 19.4% agreement. Migrant status, age, employment, and income were associated with discordance between measures. Conclusions: Our findings indicate that previous estimates of the 12‐month prevalence of mood and anxiety disorders in Ontario may be underestimating the true prevalence, and that population‐based surveys and health administrative data may be capturing different groups of people. Understanding the limitations of data commonly used in epidemiologic studies is a key foundation for improving population‐based estimates of mental disorders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Didactic predoctoral dental implant education is part of the curriculum in most US dental schools. However, fewer than half offer laboratory instruction, and only a few allow dental students to place and restore dental implants. The additional time necessary for laboratory and clinical experience encroaches on an already crowded curriculum. Is the additional time necessary in the curriculum for laboratory and clinical experience by dental students reflected by the practice patterns of graduates who have completed such a program over the past 10 years? Materials and Methods: A survey was designed to determine the implant practice patterns of graduates of the Creighton School of Dentistry, Omaha, Nebraska, for the 10-year period 1988 to 1997. These graduates had all participated in a formal undergraduate didactic and laboratory curriculum in implant dentistry. Approximately half also had the opportunity to place and/or restore dental implants while students. The survey was also sent to graduates (also 1988 to 1997) from a midwestern dental school without a formal laboratory or clinical component (used as a control group). The data were analyzed statistically. Results: In comparison to the control group (56% versus 23%), more than twice as many Creighton graduates restore dental implants as a part of their general practice, surgically place more dental implants, refer more implant patients to surgical specialists, and seek more continuing education hours related to implant dentistry. These conclusions were all supported by statistical analysis of the data. Discussion: Student clinical experience with implant dentistry appears to significantly increase the incorporation of implant dentistry into future dental practices. Even if clinical experience was not an option, a school curriculum which included both didactic and laboratory participation still significantly increased the number of graduates who included implant dentistry in their practices. Conclusion: The inclusion of laboratory and clinical experience in implant dentistry in the CUSD undergraduate curriculum resulted in significantly greater participation in implant dentistry at the general practice level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Objective: To examine the associations of physical activity (PA) and sitting time (sit) with cardio‐metabolic diseases. Methods: Cross‐sectional data from the Australian National Nutrition and Physical Activity Survey 2011–2012 (n=9,435) were used to classify adults into low and high risk groups based on their physical activity and sitting behaviour profiles. Logistic regression models examined associations between low and high risk classifications (high PA‐low sit; high PA‐high sit; low PA‐low sit; low PA‐high sit;) and socio‐demographic factors, and associations between low and high risk classifications and the prevalence of cardiovascular disease, Type 2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome. Results: These results characterise chronic disease risk based on both physical activity and sitting behaviour. Adults with the highest risk lifestyle behaviour pattern (low PA‐high sit) tended to be middle aged, male, at greater social disadvantage, smoke, report fair health, be abdominally obese and employed in administrative and driver occupations. These individuals had a substantially greater risk of cardiovascular disease and metabolic syndrome (OR=1.41, 95% CI 1.13, 1.75; OR= 2.37, 95% CI 1.63, 3.45, respectively). Conclusions: The findings highlight the importance of both sufficient physical activity and low sitting time for cardio‐metabolic health. Implications for public health: Primary prevention focus should consider physical activity and reduced sitting time as well as provision of relevant advice for cardio‐metabolic health.

Copyright of Galician Journal of Economics / Revista Galega de Economía is the property of Universidad de Santiago de Compostela, Servicio de Publicaciones and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)