Sylvenie Fleurimond
Nursing Student
University of The Bahamas
Nassau, The Bahamas Sylveniefleeurimond81@gmail.com
Other contributor:
Dr. Terry Campbell Lecture
November 18th 2020
Re: Does weight-related stigmatization and discrimination depend on educational attainment and
level income? A systematic review
The editor:
Dear editor am a fourth year nursing student at the University of The Bahamas, it is with gain
interest of the above caption article. I would to express that how the article made me
knowledgeable of how obesity within the Bahamian society where it is also a major concerned
like every elsewhere around the world and how its linked to so many health issues such as non
communicable diseases for example Hypertension and diabetes. Upon reading the article I was
able to understand the connection between the levels of education as it relate to obesity. The
article brought issues to light that persons with high level educational backgrounds always sees
that an obese person is from a low- income educational background and the stigma and
discrimination is always felt among them. Unfortunately society sees an obese person as lazy, in
has a low self-esteem and is of low income social background (Avena 2013). While it can be said
that persons who have a higher level of achievements do look down on...
Sylvenie Fleurimond
Nursing Student
University of The Bahamas
Nassau, The Bahamas Sylveniefleeurimond81@gmail.com
Other contributor:
Dr. Terry Campbell Lecture
November 18th 2020
Re: Does weight-related stigmatization and discrimination depend on educational attainment and
level income? A systematic review
The editor:
Dear editor am a fourth year nursing student at the University of The Bahamas, it is with gain
interest of the above caption article. I would to express that how the article made me
knowledgeable of how obesity within the Bahamian society where it is also a major concerned
like every elsewhere around the world and how its linked to so many health issues such as non
communicable diseases for example Hypertension and diabetes. Upon reading the article I was
able to understand the connection between the levels of education as it relate to obesity. The
article brought issues to light that persons with high level educational backgrounds always sees
that an obese person is from a low- income educational background and the stigma and
discrimination is always felt among them. Unfortunately society sees an obese person as lazy, in
has a low self-esteem and is of low income social background (Avena 2013). While it can be said
that persons who have a higher level of achievements do look down on persons that are obese
seeing these persons as less attractive. Not only over weight individuals faces the stigma during
the early years and also during adulthood when applying for jobs an obese individual is less to be
likely to get hired versus a person that is thin, big cooperation perceived an obese individual as
incompetent (Puhl &Brownell 2012). The research is timely due to the pressure of society that
being thin is better. As it relates to obesity over time the differences between income and
education level that exist further studies is needed to understand the reasons for the stigma and
discrimination with individuals that are obese. The importance to get a better view of the
negative effects on persons that obese and the expressions of stigma that is attached and the
ongoing efforts to change people’s attitude toward obese people. Overall I enjoyed reading the
article but I found it kind of difficult to understand the tables.
Conflict of interest:
None declared.
References:
Puhl, Rebecca, Brownell Kelly (September 2012) bias, discrimination and obesity.
Avena, Nicole (June 2013) psychology today, the negative social consequences of being obese.
Dear Editor,
This response is to the current approach to food platform that pays little heed to the increasing role of digital technology and the internet in everyday life and to the particularities of the digital world in influencing health and nutrition. Digital food environments encompass the digital components that may be part of food platform and influence health and nutrition.
Major activities enabled by social media include social interaction and social support, generating new or editing existing content, and engaging with content such as clicking a link, viewing, liking, and commenting on posts. One of the distinctive features of social media is the ability for anyone to create user-generated content and share it, compared to messages that have been traditionally delivered through a limited number of media gatekeepers: production studios, TV networks, and editorial staff. As mentioned in paragraph four (4) of the article, previous systematic reviews have examined how social media use impacts eating disorder outcomes, the digital marketing of unhealthy food and drink, and the use of social media interventions in weight management. Given the dynamic and large variety or social media platforms, there is a lack of standardized tools and methods to conduct social media research.
Mapping the works will serve to identify the available evidence on food and nutrition-related social media content, identify and analysed critical knowled...
Dear Editor,
This response is to the current approach to food platform that pays little heed to the increasing role of digital technology and the internet in everyday life and to the particularities of the digital world in influencing health and nutrition. Digital food environments encompass the digital components that may be part of food platform and influence health and nutrition.
Major activities enabled by social media include social interaction and social support, generating new or editing existing content, and engaging with content such as clicking a link, viewing, liking, and commenting on posts. One of the distinctive features of social media is the ability for anyone to create user-generated content and share it, compared to messages that have been traditionally delivered through a limited number of media gatekeepers: production studios, TV networks, and editorial staff. As mentioned in paragraph four (4) of the article, previous systematic reviews have examined how social media use impacts eating disorder outcomes, the digital marketing of unhealthy food and drink, and the use of social media interventions in weight management. Given the dynamic and large variety or social media platforms, there is a lack of standardized tools and methods to conduct social media research.
Mapping the works will serve to identify the available evidence on food and nutrition-related social media content, identify and analysed critical knowledge gaps, and examine how social media research on food and nutrition is being conducted. (Granheim et al, 2020). Further research is necessary to characterize and assess the extent of the impact of digital food environments on health and nutrition in different contexts and different population groups, as well as their linkages with the broader food system and policy implications.
Nevertheless, there is a rise in consumption of unhealthy food because the cost of nutrient-dense foods, like fruit, vegetables, and animal foods, are often significantly elevated, more so, than those of calorie-dense foods, making cost a barrier to the poor. Promoting enhanced production and also the productivity of healthy and nutritious foods will be important if we are to lower prices and increase the accessibility of healthy and sustainable diets as unhealthy snacking is not only due to influencer digital food marketing as mentioned in the article.
In the current climate of the world regarding social media use, adolescents are a group that this phenomenon disproportionately effects. Upon reading, with great interest, the article authored by Scott, Biello, & Woods (2019), I found this study’s results and findings very interesting and provocative. This type of study is especially stimulating given the current social climate of the world, in which social media-use has become an integral part of everyday life. Before this study, there had been little empricial evidence to show that sleep is disrupted by social media use. Most previous studies focused on “screentime” use of adolescents as a opposed to singling out social media use for study. The authors point out the need for this due to the UK’s lack of evidence-based decision making. The problem statement of this study highlights that in paediatric nursing practice, there is a lack of solutions brought forth to address adolescents’ lack of sleep (Hamilton et al., 2020). Thé findings of this study can now be used to address the current issue of adolescents sleeping patterns in public health policy which is usually neglected according to the authors. The culturally based aspect of this problem delineates the need to target this amongst adolescents specifically as opposed to the general public. The data analyses help ensure that the results are valid since they give an accurate depiction of the probability of occurrence for sleep loss due to social media use. The analy...
In the current climate of the world regarding social media use, adolescents are a group that this phenomenon disproportionately effects. Upon reading, with great interest, the article authored by Scott, Biello, & Woods (2019), I found this study’s results and findings very interesting and provocative. This type of study is especially stimulating given the current social climate of the world, in which social media-use has become an integral part of everyday life. Before this study, there had been little empricial evidence to show that sleep is disrupted by social media use. Most previous studies focused on “screentime” use of adolescents as a opposed to singling out social media use for study. The authors point out the need for this due to the UK’s lack of evidence-based decision making. The problem statement of this study highlights that in paediatric nursing practice, there is a lack of solutions brought forth to address adolescents’ lack of sleep (Hamilton et al., 2020). Thé findings of this study can now be used to address the current issue of adolescents sleeping patterns in public health policy which is usually neglected according to the authors. The culturally based aspect of this problem delineates the need to target this amongst adolescents specifically as opposed to the general public. The data analyses help ensure that the results are valid since they give an accurate depiction of the probability of occurrence for sleep loss due to social media use. The analyses processes, using separate binomial logistic regression models, increases the precision of the results as opposed to a simple correlation test.
While I agree with the study’s findings and dissemination of results, I believe that it is necessary to continue to do further studies in other regions where social media is popular amongst adolescents. Some studies, show that there is concern for adolescents’ social media use, however, there should be a distinction between social media use and social media stress when investigating the effects on adolescents (Schuur, Baumgarter, & Sumter, 2019). However, there are similar studies which confirm that social media use is a direct factor in causing adolescents to lose more sleep and even find a link to depression based on their family’s status (Hamilton, et al., 2020). Further, previous studies confirm the aforementioned study, indicating that adolescents’ sleep is indeed disrupted by both social media use and psychological problems which include depression (Woods & Scott, 2016). These results all correlate with the negative effects which parents wish to avoid their children being made privy to in the current social climate of the world. Therefore, this study gave important awareness for research and understanding of a current issue which is being faced worldwide along with the significant effects which the world cannot ignore.
References
Hamilton, J. L., Chand, S., Reinhardt, L., Ladouceur, C. D., Silk, J. S., Moreno, M., . . . Bylsma, L. M. (2020, August). Social media use predicts later sleep timing and greater sleep variability: An ecological momentary assessment study of youth at high and low familial risk for depression. Journal of Adolescence, 83, 112-130. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.adolescence.2020.07.009
Schuur, W., Baumgarter, S. E., & Sumter, S. R. (2019). Social Media Use, Social Media Stress, and Sleep: Examining Cross-Sectional and. Health Communication, 34(5), 552-559. doi:https://doi.org/10.1080/10410236.2017.1422101
Scott, H., Biello, S. M., & Woods, H. C. (2019). Social media use and adolescent sleep. BMJ Open, 9, 1-9. doi: doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2019-031161
Woods, H. C., & Scott, H. (2016, August ). #Sleepyteens: Social media use in adolescence is associated with poor sleep quality, anxiety, depression and low self-esteem. Journal of Adolescence, 51, 41-49. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.adolescence.2016.05.008
Fumagalli et al. conducted a retrospective cohort study to develop a clinical risk score to predict the in-hospital mortality in COVID-19 patients ≥18 years [1]. Significant predictors of mortality were increasing age, number of chronic diseases, respiratory rate, decreasing PaO2/FiO2, serum creatinine and decreasing platelet count of mortality. I have come concerns about their study with special reference to thrombocytopenia in COVID-19 patients.
There have been many meta-analyses of presenting severe health hazard of thrombocytopenia in COVID-19 patients. Three papers in British Journal of Haematology [2-4], two papers in European journal of Clinical Investigation [5,6], and one paper n Biomarker Research [7]. Although severe health hazards of thrombocytopenia in COVID-19 patients has been consistently reported by meta-analyses, a cohort study with minimum bias should also be conducted with special reference to comorbidity and aging.
References
1. Fumagalli C, Rozzini R, Vannini M, et al. Clinical risk score to predict in-hospital mortality in COVID-19 patients: a retrospective cohort study. BMJ Open. 2020 Sep 25;10(9):e040729.
2. Zhou M, Qi J, Li X, et al. The proportion of patients with thrombocytopenia in three human-susceptible coronavirus infections: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Br J Haematol. 2020 May;189(3):438-441.
3. Jiang SQ, Huang QF, Xie WM, et al. The association between severe COVID-19 and low platelet count: eviden...
Fumagalli et al. conducted a retrospective cohort study to develop a clinical risk score to predict the in-hospital mortality in COVID-19 patients ≥18 years [1]. Significant predictors of mortality were increasing age, number of chronic diseases, respiratory rate, decreasing PaO2/FiO2, serum creatinine and decreasing platelet count of mortality. I have come concerns about their study with special reference to thrombocytopenia in COVID-19 patients.
There have been many meta-analyses of presenting severe health hazard of thrombocytopenia in COVID-19 patients. Three papers in British Journal of Haematology [2-4], two papers in European journal of Clinical Investigation [5,6], and one paper n Biomarker Research [7]. Although severe health hazards of thrombocytopenia in COVID-19 patients has been consistently reported by meta-analyses, a cohort study with minimum bias should also be conducted with special reference to comorbidity and aging.
References
1. Fumagalli C, Rozzini R, Vannini M, et al. Clinical risk score to predict in-hospital mortality in COVID-19 patients: a retrospective cohort study. BMJ Open. 2020 Sep 25;10(9):e040729.
2. Zhou M, Qi J, Li X, et al. The proportion of patients with thrombocytopenia in three human-susceptible coronavirus infections: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Br J Haematol. 2020 May;189(3):438-441.
3. Jiang SQ, Huang QF, Xie WM, et al. The association between severe COVID-19 and low platelet count: evidence from 31 observational studies involving 7613 participants. Br J Haematol. 2020 Jul;190(1):e29-e33.
4. Maquet J, Lafaurie M, Sommet A, et al. Thrombocytopenia is independently associated with poor outcome in patients hospitalized for COVID-19. Br J Haematol. 2020 Sep;190(5):e276-e279.
5. Figliozzi S, Masci PG, Ahmadi N, et al. Predictors of adverse prognosis in COVID-19: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Eur J Clin Invest. 2020 Oct;50(10):e13362.
6. Del Sole F, Farcomeni A, Loffredo L, et al. Features of severe COVID-19: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Eur J Clin Invest. 2020 Oct;50(10):e13378.
7. Danwang C, Endomba FT, Nkeck JR, et al. A meta-analysis of potential biomarkers associated with severity of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Biomark Res. 2020 Aug 31;8:37.
Dear Editor: This response is in reference to the article The influence of time pressure on adherence to guidelines in primary care: an experimental study, published on April 11th 2013. Health professionals' adherence to clinical guidelines has a direct impact on the quality of service delivery. I find the current research highly informative since it offers insights into an area that has limited research. Most of the studies on clinical guidelines and quality care focus on aspects such as training and employee morale. The authors argue that time pressure impacts the professionals' decisions, which can influence their adherence to clinical guidelines (Tsiga et al. 2013). I find the research findings practical in clinical settings; they will help alleviate some of the healthcare issues such as an increase in nosocomial infections. The hospital-acquired infections result mainly from professionals' non-adherence to clinical guidelines such as hand hygiene recommendations. I believe that the quality of findings depends significantly on the nature of the methodology that researchers employ. The experimental design in the study makes the conclusions highly reliable.
Experimental designs enhance the validity of findings since the researchers can control some variables while manipulating others. Moreover, the high control that the researchers have in experimental techniques allows them to obtain conclusive results. I believe that the experimental design in the...
Dear Editor: This response is in reference to the article The influence of time pressure on adherence to guidelines in primary care: an experimental study, published on April 11th 2013. Health professionals' adherence to clinical guidelines has a direct impact on the quality of service delivery. I find the current research highly informative since it offers insights into an area that has limited research. Most of the studies on clinical guidelines and quality care focus on aspects such as training and employee morale. The authors argue that time pressure impacts the professionals' decisions, which can influence their adherence to clinical guidelines (Tsiga et al. 2013). I find the research findings practical in clinical settings; they will help alleviate some of the healthcare issues such as an increase in nosocomial infections. The hospital-acquired infections result mainly from professionals' non-adherence to clinical guidelines such as hand hygiene recommendations. I believe that the quality of findings depends significantly on the nature of the methodology that researchers employ. The experimental design in the study makes the conclusions highly reliable.
Experimental designs enhance the validity of findings since the researchers can control some variables while manipulating others. Moreover, the high control that the researchers have in experimental techniques allows them to obtain conclusive results. I believe that the experimental design in the current research enhanced the accuracy of findings. However, I agree with the researchers on the use of simulated patients; the technique would have created the results' ecological validity. Although the study is highly informative, I have noted the need for further research. The aspect of time pressure as a determinant of adherence to clinical guidelines has not been adequately researched; thus, there is expansive room for further studies. I believe that the application of Hersey and Blanchard's level of readiness theory would be essential in formulating solutions for the current research problem.
Reference
Tsiga, E., Panagopoulou, E., Sevdalis, N., Montgomery, A., & Benos, A. (2013). The influence of time pressure on adherence to guidelines in primary care: an experimental study. BMJ open, 3(4).
Dear Editor: This response is in reference to the article Duration of gargling and rinsing among frequent mouthwash users: a cross-sectional study, published on September 29 2020. This study is awakening and shows how vital education, awareness and research is. This study not only presents new evidence but also creates a new pathway for health care professionals to promote oral hygiene. As mentioned in the discussion there is a need for education on this topic especially with those at risk. If more persons were aware that mouthwash, if used correctly can reduce the detection of N. gonorrhoeae and prevent spreading then maybe they would use the mouthwash for the recommended time. Incidence of gonorrhoeae can then be potentially reduced at a population level with the increase in use of mouthwash which then can reduce the potential for resistant strains to develop (Chow et al., 2019). It's interesting to know a common STI can be removed from the tonsils and throat with just a few minutes of gargling and rinsing with mouthwash.
It would be interesting to see how persons who are at a higher risk for contracting gonorrhea use this information if it is provided to them. A suggestion for future studies could be for participants to be tested longer to identify if the bacteria came back or to find out how long it goes undetected. Being that the participants only consisted of those who use mouthwash four or more times per week in the future a comparison can be done with p...
Dear Editor: This response is in reference to the article Duration of gargling and rinsing among frequent mouthwash users: a cross-sectional study, published on September 29 2020. This study is awakening and shows how vital education, awareness and research is. This study not only presents new evidence but also creates a new pathway for health care professionals to promote oral hygiene. As mentioned in the discussion there is a need for education on this topic especially with those at risk. If more persons were aware that mouthwash, if used correctly can reduce the detection of N. gonorrhoeae and prevent spreading then maybe they would use the mouthwash for the recommended time. Incidence of gonorrhoeae can then be potentially reduced at a population level with the increase in use of mouthwash which then can reduce the potential for resistant strains to develop (Chow et al., 2019). It's interesting to know a common STI can be removed from the tonsils and throat with just a few minutes of gargling and rinsing with mouthwash.
It would be interesting to see how persons who are at a higher risk for contracting gonorrhea use this information if it is provided to them. A suggestion for future studies could be for participants to be tested longer to identify if the bacteria came back or to find out how long it goes undetected. Being that the participants only consisted of those who use mouthwash four or more times per week in the future a comparison can be done with persons who use mouth wash less than four times a week. This will enable us to know if there is a different effect between common and non-common mouthwash users.
Reference
Chow, E. P. F., Maddaford, K., Trumpour, S., & Fairley, C. K. (2019). Translating mouthwash use for gonorrhoea prevention into a public health campaign: identifying current knowledge and research gaps. Sexual Health (14485028), 16(5), 433–441. https://doi-org.cob.idm.oclc.org/10.1071/SH18237
Dear Sir,
Special Constables (SC) are not given a fair opportunity in order to have sufficient confidence with responsibility to first aid. First aid is defined as medical assistance provided to a person who has suffered a medical emergency (Webster, 2020). These SC are not medically trained to meet the needs of providing such a challenging task. Most first responders undergo rigorous hands on and theoretical training over a course of six to eighteen months. Your article states that this team of constables are volunteers who hold the prestige of local police officers. With respect to this, they are only trained for a mere 23 days before partaking a probationary period until they are deemed competent. In order to become confident in something, one must continuously be placed into the environment. Only then, will he gain the proficiency to answer even the most challenging emergency as a law enforcement officer. Another point to consider is the job prepares you for the performance but almost often the psychological health of each official and scenario will be diverse. As law enforcement officers, these men also have a duty to uphold in regards to protecting the individual. So in light of this, they may often consider which role plays greatest significance; first aid response or police officer? Based on these findings, I do not feel that they are adequately prepared to meet their first aid responsibilities.
Sincerely, Ta-Keisha
Dear Editors:
This response is in relation to the captioned above article published in April 2015. Firstly, I would like to commend you guys on a job well done in this trial. Also, I would like to state that this was a very interesting, critical, and timely study of what’s going on in the world. As I begin to read this article, I immediately realized with no doubt the biasness of cloth masks in health care workers explained in this article. However, 2020 has been a year where a global pandemic has tragically affected many healthcare systems. Hence, causing shortages of PPE for healthcare workers. I must agree with some responses made that cloth mask should have been presented as less effective and not high risk in health care workers. Also, to the bias results of cloth mask, there should have been the identification on the types of materials which can be used and not used for the cloth mask.
It is quite evident that health care workers cannot work this pandemic without protection, however, if there is a shortage of surgical mask what is the next option provided. In the article you state, “compliance was significantly higher in the cloth mask….” (Macintyre et al., 2015) therefore this should be evidence that health care workers have no problem with wearing cloth masks. Conversely, a recommendation if healthcare workers are allowed to wear mask, there should be a place where they can find the filters used inside the surgical mask to be placed in a cloth mask. Th...
Dear Editors:
This response is in relation to the captioned above article published in April 2015. Firstly, I would like to commend you guys on a job well done in this trial. Also, I would like to state that this was a very interesting, critical, and timely study of what’s going on in the world. As I begin to read this article, I immediately realized with no doubt the biasness of cloth masks in health care workers explained in this article. However, 2020 has been a year where a global pandemic has tragically affected many healthcare systems. Hence, causing shortages of PPE for healthcare workers. I must agree with some responses made that cloth mask should have been presented as less effective and not high risk in health care workers. Also, to the bias results of cloth mask, there should have been the identification on the types of materials which can be used and not used for the cloth mask.
It is quite evident that health care workers cannot work this pandemic without protection, however, if there is a shortage of surgical mask what is the next option provided. In the article you state, “compliance was significantly higher in the cloth mask….” (Macintyre et al., 2015) therefore this should be evidence that health care workers have no problem with wearing cloth masks. Conversely, a recommendation if healthcare workers are allowed to wear mask, there should be a place where they can find the filters used inside the surgical mask to be placed in a cloth mask. This eradicates the strain of PPEs on the health care system and the shortage supply of surgical masks. Additionally, another recommendation for the use of cloth mask in health care workers are to find the most effective cloth that filters and it should be given to healthcare workers to do their own DIY mask. This will aid in the reduced demand for PPE’s in the health care system.
The wearing of a mask is now the “new normal” since the global pandemic, therefore allow healthcare workers to work in comfort whiles being protected. Davies et al. stated, “Thus any mask, no matter how efficient at filtration or how good the seal, will have minimal effect if it is not used in conjunction with other preventative measures, such as isolation of infected cases, immunization, good respiratory etiquette, and regular hand hygiene” (Davies et al., 2013,). Roughly, I am not saying mask should be the first choice for health care workers. However, a cloth mask can be used as the last alternative if the demand is not met for surgical masks for healthcare workers. A cloth mask can be used to help protect those at risk from close or frequent contact with symptomatic persons, especially our healthcare workers that are on the frontline fighting this deadly disease.
Dear Editor,
This response is concerning the captioned article above published on April 22, 2015. First of all, I would like to regard how the editorial is informative and insightful, as I've appreciated the study. I started to gain a precise understanding of the primary subject of concern when reading the article. Although assessing the productiveness of cloth masks when operating in high-risk hospital wards and whether they are especially useful compared to surgical masks in preventing the transmission of respiratory infections is something that we should most certainly think about but, it then raises the question, which one of these masks provides the best protection from COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2), given as it is now 2020 and we are currently in a worldwide pandemic?
In contrast to a medical mask, this study provided insight only on the detrimental consequences for the use of a cloth mask for healthcare workers, such as results showing that they have the highest incidence of all infection outcomes, but the use of face covers or masks should not be restricted as there is evidence from researchers that its use can help prevent the spread of infection. The majority of virus transmission occurs in bodily fluids from larger particles, either aerosol or droplets, which are directly generated by talking, chewing, coughing, and sneezing. Droplets and aerosols can be blocked by fabric, and layers of this cloth fabric add effectiveness. (Clase et al., 2020).
Re...
Dear Editor,
This response is concerning the captioned article above published on April 22, 2015. First of all, I would like to regard how the editorial is informative and insightful, as I've appreciated the study. I started to gain a precise understanding of the primary subject of concern when reading the article. Although assessing the productiveness of cloth masks when operating in high-risk hospital wards and whether they are especially useful compared to surgical masks in preventing the transmission of respiratory infections is something that we should most certainly think about but, it then raises the question, which one of these masks provides the best protection from COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2), given as it is now 2020 and we are currently in a worldwide pandemic?
In contrast to a medical mask, this study provided insight only on the detrimental consequences for the use of a cloth mask for healthcare workers, such as results showing that they have the highest incidence of all infection outcomes, but the use of face covers or masks should not be restricted as there is evidence from researchers that its use can help prevent the spread of infection. The majority of virus transmission occurs in bodily fluids from larger particles, either aerosol or droplets, which are directly generated by talking, chewing, coughing, and sneezing. Droplets and aerosols can be blocked by fabric, and layers of this cloth fabric add effectiveness. (Clase et al., 2020).
Researchers continue to learn and discover more about the coronavirus, which causes COVID-19, for maintaining protection precautions before a vaccine is available is crucial. A cloth mask has some filtration effectiveness, and it can also help people inadvertently avoid touching their nose and face. If they are asymptomatic carriers, it would also enable them to prevent the infection from spreading extensively (Ramakrishnan, 2020).
This reply is in response to the above published article on July 21, 2017. The article was very captivating due to the focus on religious aspects associated with healthcare professionals’ personality. In reading this study, I understood that professional’s personal belief influences whether they are for or against euthanasia. Additionally, the predominant barrier that hinders the healthcare professionals from making end of life decisions.
The research eludes to the healthcare professional's fear of litigation; however, information about the patient’s diagnosis was withheld from the patient’s family. Although the healthcare professionals are aware of the numerous ethical principles, failure to inform the patient’s family is an issue. The research also speaks to how religion plays a factor in determining whether euthanasia is ethically right.
Consequently, in The Bahamas, euthanasia is against the law. This is due to The Bahamas being a predominantly Christian nation which views euthanasia as wrong in the eyes of God. As a result, there is a focus on palliative care for persons with terminal illness without the option of euthanasia.
As it relates to the point on religion within the study, Sharp (2019) had similar points which states that, religion greatly influence the decision of whether to withhold or withdraw life sustaining measures. Hence, this concludes to the attitudes of the Greek healthcare professionals mentioned in the study due to the predo...
This reply is in response to the above published article on July 21, 2017. The article was very captivating due to the focus on religious aspects associated with healthcare professionals’ personality. In reading this study, I understood that professional’s personal belief influences whether they are for or against euthanasia. Additionally, the predominant barrier that hinders the healthcare professionals from making end of life decisions.
The research eludes to the healthcare professional's fear of litigation; however, information about the patient’s diagnosis was withheld from the patient’s family. Although the healthcare professionals are aware of the numerous ethical principles, failure to inform the patient’s family is an issue. The research also speaks to how religion plays a factor in determining whether euthanasia is ethically right.
Consequently, in The Bahamas, euthanasia is against the law. This is due to The Bahamas being a predominantly Christian nation which views euthanasia as wrong in the eyes of God. As a result, there is a focus on palliative care for persons with terminal illness without the option of euthanasia.
As it relates to the point on religion within the study, Sharp (2019) had similar points which states that, religion greatly influence the decision of whether to withhold or withdraw life sustaining measures. Hence, this concludes to the attitudes of the Greek healthcare professionals mentioned in the study due to the predominant religion being orthodox Christians. Moreover, a study was done in Iran examining the attitudes of nurses on euthanasia. In Iran, the predominant religion is Islamism and most nurses had a negative attitude due to their belief system (Naseh et al., 2015). There was also mention about the pressure of societal correctness that influences a person’s belief on decision to forego life-sustaining treatments (Ryynänen et al., 2002, p. 327). Subsequently, societal correctness does not change the individual’s attitude but it prompts them to make a decision. Hence, in this instance, the healthcare professionals sought to not partake in euthanasia to avoid negative criticism from the society.
Accordingly, I would recommend further exploring cultural backgrounds. Since it is evident that religion and society are factors in the attitudes toward euthanasia. Additionally, the ethical values should be explored to further understand the justification of attitudes toward euthanasia.
References
Naseh, L., Rafiei, H., & Heidari, M. (2015). Nurses' attitudes towards euthanasia: A cross-sectional study in Iran. International Journal of Palliative Nursing, 21(1), 43-48. https://doi.org/10.12968/ijpn.2015.21.1.43
Ryynänen, O.-P., Myllykangas, M., Viren, M., & Heino, H. (2002). Attitudes towards euthanasia among physicians, nurses and the general public in Finland. Public Health (Nature), 116(6), 322.
Sharp, S. (2019). The bible and attitudes toward voluntary euthanasia. Death Studies, 43(4), 240–247. https://doi-org.cob.idm.oclc.org/10.1080/07481187.2018.1450793
Sylvenie Fleurimond
Show MoreNursing Student
University of The Bahamas
Nassau, The Bahamas
Sylveniefleeurimond81@gmail.com
Other contributor:
Dr. Terry Campbell Lecture
November 18th 2020
Re: Does weight-related stigmatization and discrimination depend on educational attainment and
level income? A systematic review
The editor:
Dear editor am a fourth year nursing student at the University of The Bahamas, it is with gain
interest of the above caption article. I would to express that how the article made me
knowledgeable of how obesity within the Bahamian society where it is also a major concerned
like every elsewhere around the world and how its linked to so many health issues such as non
communicable diseases for example Hypertension and diabetes. Upon reading the article I was
able to understand the connection between the levels of education as it relate to obesity. The
article brought issues to light that persons with high level educational backgrounds always sees
that an obese person is from a low- income educational background and the stigma and
discrimination is always felt among them. Unfortunately society sees an obese person as lazy, in
has a low self-esteem and is of low income social background (Avena 2013). While it can be said
that persons who have a higher level of achievements do look down on...
Dear Editor,
Show MoreThis response is to the current approach to food platform that pays little heed to the increasing role of digital technology and the internet in everyday life and to the particularities of the digital world in influencing health and nutrition. Digital food environments encompass the digital components that may be part of food platform and influence health and nutrition.
Major activities enabled by social media include social interaction and social support, generating new or editing existing content, and engaging with content such as clicking a link, viewing, liking, and commenting on posts. One of the distinctive features of social media is the ability for anyone to create user-generated content and share it, compared to messages that have been traditionally delivered through a limited number of media gatekeepers: production studios, TV networks, and editorial staff. As mentioned in paragraph four (4) of the article, previous systematic reviews have examined how social media use impacts eating disorder outcomes, the digital marketing of unhealthy food and drink, and the use of social media interventions in weight management. Given the dynamic and large variety or social media platforms, there is a lack of standardized tools and methods to conduct social media research.
Mapping the works will serve to identify the available evidence on food and nutrition-related social media content, identify and analysed critical knowled...
In the current climate of the world regarding social media use, adolescents are a group that this phenomenon disproportionately effects. Upon reading, with great interest, the article authored by Scott, Biello, & Woods (2019), I found this study’s results and findings very interesting and provocative. This type of study is especially stimulating given the current social climate of the world, in which social media-use has become an integral part of everyday life. Before this study, there had been little empricial evidence to show that sleep is disrupted by social media use. Most previous studies focused on “screentime” use of adolescents as a opposed to singling out social media use for study. The authors point out the need for this due to the UK’s lack of evidence-based decision making. The problem statement of this study highlights that in paediatric nursing practice, there is a lack of solutions brought forth to address adolescents’ lack of sleep (Hamilton et al., 2020). Thé findings of this study can now be used to address the current issue of adolescents sleeping patterns in public health policy which is usually neglected according to the authors. The culturally based aspect of this problem delineates the need to target this amongst adolescents specifically as opposed to the general public. The data analyses help ensure that the results are valid since they give an accurate depiction of the probability of occurrence for sleep loss due to social media use. The analy...
Show MoreFumagalli et al. conducted a retrospective cohort study to develop a clinical risk score to predict the in-hospital mortality in COVID-19 patients ≥18 years [1]. Significant predictors of mortality were increasing age, number of chronic diseases, respiratory rate, decreasing PaO2/FiO2, serum creatinine and decreasing platelet count of mortality. I have come concerns about their study with special reference to thrombocytopenia in COVID-19 patients.
There have been many meta-analyses of presenting severe health hazard of thrombocytopenia in COVID-19 patients. Three papers in British Journal of Haematology [2-4], two papers in European journal of Clinical Investigation [5,6], and one paper n Biomarker Research [7]. Although severe health hazards of thrombocytopenia in COVID-19 patients has been consistently reported by meta-analyses, a cohort study with minimum bias should also be conducted with special reference to comorbidity and aging.
References
Show More1. Fumagalli C, Rozzini R, Vannini M, et al. Clinical risk score to predict in-hospital mortality in COVID-19 patients: a retrospective cohort study. BMJ Open. 2020 Sep 25;10(9):e040729.
2. Zhou M, Qi J, Li X, et al. The proportion of patients with thrombocytopenia in three human-susceptible coronavirus infections: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Br J Haematol. 2020 May;189(3):438-441.
3. Jiang SQ, Huang QF, Xie WM, et al. The association between severe COVID-19 and low platelet count: eviden...
Dear Editor: This response is in reference to the article The influence of time pressure on adherence to guidelines in primary care: an experimental study, published on April 11th 2013. Health professionals' adherence to clinical guidelines has a direct impact on the quality of service delivery. I find the current research highly informative since it offers insights into an area that has limited research. Most of the studies on clinical guidelines and quality care focus on aspects such as training and employee morale. The authors argue that time pressure impacts the professionals' decisions, which can influence their adherence to clinical guidelines (Tsiga et al. 2013). I find the research findings practical in clinical settings; they will help alleviate some of the healthcare issues such as an increase in nosocomial infections. The hospital-acquired infections result mainly from professionals' non-adherence to clinical guidelines such as hand hygiene recommendations. I believe that the quality of findings depends significantly on the nature of the methodology that researchers employ. The experimental design in the study makes the conclusions highly reliable.
Experimental designs enhance the validity of findings since the researchers can control some variables while manipulating others. Moreover, the high control that the researchers have in experimental techniques allows them to obtain conclusive results. I believe that the experimental design in the...
Show MoreDear Editor: This response is in reference to the article Duration of gargling and rinsing among frequent mouthwash users: a cross-sectional study, published on September 29 2020. This study is awakening and shows how vital education, awareness and research is. This study not only presents new evidence but also creates a new pathway for health care professionals to promote oral hygiene. As mentioned in the discussion there is a need for education on this topic especially with those at risk. If more persons were aware that mouthwash, if used correctly can reduce the detection of N. gonorrhoeae and prevent spreading then maybe they would use the mouthwash for the recommended time. Incidence of gonorrhoeae can then be potentially reduced at a population level with the increase in use of mouthwash which then can reduce the potential for resistant strains to develop (Chow et al., 2019). It's interesting to know a common STI can be removed from the tonsils and throat with just a few minutes of gargling and rinsing with mouthwash.
It would be interesting to see how persons who are at a higher risk for contracting gonorrhea use this information if it is provided to them. A suggestion for future studies could be for participants to be tested longer to identify if the bacteria came back or to find out how long it goes undetected. Being that the participants only consisted of those who use mouthwash four or more times per week in the future a comparison can be done with p...
Show MoreDear Sir,
Special Constables (SC) are not given a fair opportunity in order to have sufficient confidence with responsibility to first aid. First aid is defined as medical assistance provided to a person who has suffered a medical emergency (Webster, 2020). These SC are not medically trained to meet the needs of providing such a challenging task. Most first responders undergo rigorous hands on and theoretical training over a course of six to eighteen months. Your article states that this team of constables are volunteers who hold the prestige of local police officers. With respect to this, they are only trained for a mere 23 days before partaking a probationary period until they are deemed competent. In order to become confident in something, one must continuously be placed into the environment. Only then, will he gain the proficiency to answer even the most challenging emergency as a law enforcement officer. Another point to consider is the job prepares you for the performance but almost often the psychological health of each official and scenario will be diverse. As law enforcement officers, these men also have a duty to uphold in regards to protecting the individual. So in light of this, they may often consider which role plays greatest significance; first aid response or police officer? Based on these findings, I do not feel that they are adequately prepared to meet their first aid responsibilities.
Sincerely, Ta-Keisha
Dear Editors:
Show MoreThis response is in relation to the captioned above article published in April 2015. Firstly, I would like to commend you guys on a job well done in this trial. Also, I would like to state that this was a very interesting, critical, and timely study of what’s going on in the world. As I begin to read this article, I immediately realized with no doubt the biasness of cloth masks in health care workers explained in this article. However, 2020 has been a year where a global pandemic has tragically affected many healthcare systems. Hence, causing shortages of PPE for healthcare workers. I must agree with some responses made that cloth mask should have been presented as less effective and not high risk in health care workers. Also, to the bias results of cloth mask, there should have been the identification on the types of materials which can be used and not used for the cloth mask.
It is quite evident that health care workers cannot work this pandemic without protection, however, if there is a shortage of surgical mask what is the next option provided. In the article you state, “compliance was significantly higher in the cloth mask….” (Macintyre et al., 2015) therefore this should be evidence that health care workers have no problem with wearing cloth masks. Conversely, a recommendation if healthcare workers are allowed to wear mask, there should be a place where they can find the filters used inside the surgical mask to be placed in a cloth mask. Th...
Dear Editor,
Show MoreThis response is concerning the captioned article above published on April 22, 2015. First of all, I would like to regard how the editorial is informative and insightful, as I've appreciated the study. I started to gain a precise understanding of the primary subject of concern when reading the article. Although assessing the productiveness of cloth masks when operating in high-risk hospital wards and whether they are especially useful compared to surgical masks in preventing the transmission of respiratory infections is something that we should most certainly think about but, it then raises the question, which one of these masks provides the best protection from COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2), given as it is now 2020 and we are currently in a worldwide pandemic?
In contrast to a medical mask, this study provided insight only on the detrimental consequences for the use of a cloth mask for healthcare workers, such as results showing that they have the highest incidence of all infection outcomes, but the use of face covers or masks should not be restricted as there is evidence from researchers that its use can help prevent the spread of infection. The majority of virus transmission occurs in bodily fluids from larger particles, either aerosol or droplets, which are directly generated by talking, chewing, coughing, and sneezing. Droplets and aerosols can be blocked by fabric, and layers of this cloth fabric add effectiveness. (Clase et al., 2020).
Re...
This reply is in response to the above published article on July 21, 2017. The article was very captivating due to the focus on religious aspects associated with healthcare professionals’ personality. In reading this study, I understood that professional’s personal belief influences whether they are for or against euthanasia. Additionally, the predominant barrier that hinders the healthcare professionals from making end of life decisions.
Show MoreThe research eludes to the healthcare professional's fear of litigation; however, information about the patient’s diagnosis was withheld from the patient’s family. Although the healthcare professionals are aware of the numerous ethical principles, failure to inform the patient’s family is an issue. The research also speaks to how religion plays a factor in determining whether euthanasia is ethically right.
Consequently, in The Bahamas, euthanasia is against the law. This is due to The Bahamas being a predominantly Christian nation which views euthanasia as wrong in the eyes of God. As a result, there is a focus on palliative care for persons with terminal illness without the option of euthanasia.
As it relates to the point on religion within the study, Sharp (2019) had similar points which states that, religion greatly influence the decision of whether to withhold or withdraw life sustaining measures. Hence, this concludes to the attitudes of the Greek healthcare professionals mentioned in the study due to the predo...
Pages