Anaemia during pregnancy: a cross-sectional study of antenatal attendants at the Madina Pentecost Hospital, La Nkwantanang Municipality, Ghana by Richard Vikpebah Duneeh, Wina Ivy Ofori Boadu, Lois Tekutey Narh, Joseph Frimpong, Abdul-Wahab Mawuko, John Gameli Deku, Kofi Mensah, Charles Nkansah, Samuel Kwasi Appiah, Felix Osei Boakye, Enoch Odame Anto, Lilian Antwi Boateng, Benedict Sackey, Otchere Addai-Mensah

“…This cross-sectional study conveniently recruited 300 Ghanaian pregnant women attending the Madina Pentecost Hospital for antenatal care. A structured questionnaire was administered to obtain data on sociodemographics (age, marital status, level of education, occupation and religion) and knowledge level of anaemia. …”
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Functional work disability from the perspectives of persons with systemic lupus erythematosus: a qualitative thematic analysis by Behdin Nowrouzi-Kia, Aaron S. Howe, Anson Li, Jeremy Tan, Natalia Saade-Cleves, Kevon Jules, Malak Sadek, Ali Bani-Fatemi, Antonio Avina-Zubieta, Mary T. Fox, William Shaw, Derek Haaland, Janet Pope, Paul R. Fortin, Kathleen S. Bingham, Christine Peschken, Jennifer Reynolds, Catherine Ivory, Dafna D. Gladman, Murray B. Urowitz, Jorge Sanchez-Guerrero, Lily S. H. Lim, Stephanie Keeling, Patti Katz, Mahta Kavkan, Dennisse Bonilla, Wils Nielsen, Zahi Touma

“…Methods With the objective of creating an SLE-related functional profile rooted in work disability (WD) prevention, 46 SLE patients were purposively recruited from Canadian medical centres. Through semi-structured interviews guided by a WD prevention framework, factors associated with WD and lived experiences of SLE-related WD were qualitatively explored. …”
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Effects of vaping on physical and mental health in at-risk populations (VAPE): mixed-methods study of motivations for and perspectives on vaping in patients with opioid use disorde... by Alessia D’Elia, Balpreet Panesar, Nitika Sanger, Laura O’Neill, Tea Rosic, Leonora Regenstreif, Kevin Park, Claire de Oliveira, David C. Marsh, Luciano Minuzzi, Lehana Thabane, Zainab Samaan

“…Method A convergent mixed-methods study design was used, and individual, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 41 individuals with OUD who were receiving medication for OUD and also vaped. …”
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Exploring the Challenges Faced by Small Insurance Brokers in Achieving Sustainable Growth: A Case Study in Botswana's Insurance Industry by Maalila Malambo

“…Design/methodology/approach: An online questionnaire was distributed to 50 small insurance brokers in Botswana, with a response rate of 70%. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 10 key stakeholders, including regulators and customers, to gain deeper insights. …”
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The role of offensive and creative priming videos in enhancing youth football players’ performance during small-sided games by Diogo Coutinho, Diogo Coutinho, Bruno Gonçalves, Bruno Gonçalves, Sara Santos, Sara Santos, Sigrid Olthof, Rafael Ballester Lengua, André Roca, Bruno Travassos, Bruno Travassos, Bruno Travassos

“…Coaches can leverage offensive priming to improve structured passing and positioning, while creative priming may inspire exploratory movements and innovative shooting attempts.…”
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Transition from child to adult health services for young people with cerebral palsy in Ireland; implications from a mixed-methods study [version 2; peer review: 2 approved] by Owen Hensey, Amanda Breen, Aisling Walsh, Mary Owens, Claire Kerr, Sebastian Koppe, Grace Lavelle, Meriel Norris, Michael Walsh, Jennifer M. Ryan, Thilo Kroll, Jennifer Fortune

“…Methods A convergent parallel mixed-methods study was conducted. Data were collected from people with cerebral palsy aged 16–22 years, parents, and health professionals using surveys and semi-structured interviews, which were both informed by a framework of nine key transition practices. …”
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Investigation of an extensive outbreak of HIV infection among children in Sindh, Pakistan: protocol for a matched case–control study by Victoria Simms, Rashida Ferrand, Baseer Achakzai, Iqbal Azam, Amna R Siddiqui, Apsara Ali Nathwani, Syed H Abidi, Syed Faisal Mahmood, Sobiya Sawani, Abdul M Kazi, Aneeta Hotwani, Sikander Ali Memon, Jamila Soomro, Saqib Ali Shaikh, Quaid Saeed, Palwasha Khan, Fatima Mir

“…Following written informed consent from the guardian, a structured questionnaire will be administered to collect data on sociodemographic indices and exposure to risk factors for parenteral, vertical and sexual (only among those aged above 10 years) HIV transmission. …”
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Optimising Paediatric Transition to Intensive Care for Adults (OPTICAL): study protocol for a mixed method study by Padmanabhan Ramnarayan, Louise Rose, Julie Taylor, Christina Pagel, Jo Wray, Sarah E Seaton, Kate Oulton, Sonya Crowe, Rum Thomas, Qi Huang, Paul R Mouncey, Katherine Malbon, Anjalika Mallick, Charmaine Kohn, Sue Ben Abraham, Clare Windsor

“…To do this, we will: (1) link and analyse UK national data (years 2017–2024) on paediatric and adult ICU admissions, hospital inpatient, outpatient and emergency care visits and survival status, to determine the clinical characteristics and healthcare resource utilisation from teenage years to early adulthood of people admitted to an ICU as a young person (admission aged 14 and 15), and how these relate to ICU admissions after age 16; (2) conduct semistructured interviews, online forums and surveys with TYA patients, carers and health professionals to understand their experience of transition in ICU services; and (3) synthesise these strands of evidence and use a structured process of stakeholder engagement to propose potential targeted improvements as appropriate.Ethics and dissemination This study was approved by the East of England - Cambridge South Research Ethics Committee on 1 August 2024 (research ethics committee number 24/EE/0108), and the Health Research Authority Confidentiality Advisory Group (CAG) on 7 October 2024 (CAG number 24/CAG/0068). …”
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Vulvovaginal candidiasis: knowledge, practices and occurrence among pregnant women receiving antenatal care in a teaching hospital, Ghana by Florence Shine Edziah, Florence Shine Edziah, Princess Ruhama Acheampong, Philip Apraku Tawiah, Cedric Dzidzor Amengor, Godsway Edem Kpene, Grace Otobea Amponsah, Priscilla Appiah Baffoe, Georgina Korankye, John Gameli Deku

“…This study assessed the knowledge, practices and occurrence of Vulvovaginal candidiasis among pregnant women accessing antenatal care at a teaching hospital in Ghana.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted among 336 pregnant women receiving antenatal care at the Ho Teaching Hospital. A structured questionnaire was used to assess their knowledge of the infection and practices on vaginal hygiene. …”
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The experience of immersive virtual reality in patients with heart failure during cardiac rehabilitation: a qualitative study by Valentina Micheluzzi, Valentina Micheluzzi, Gavino Casu, Gavino Casu, Francesco Burrai, Antonella Canu, Antonio Sircana, Pierluigi Merella, Pierluigi Merella, Angelo Laconi, Angelo Laconi, Andrea Chelo, Andrea Chelo, Piero Cozzula, Michela Piredda, Ercole Vellone, Ercole Vellone

“…The intervention group experienced iVR in natural settings, while the control group received standard care. Semi-structured individual interviews were conducted in person after the intervention group’s eighth rehabilitation session. …”
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Experiences and perceptions of Chinese patients enrolled in a clinical trial assessing tuina and manual therapies for knee osteoarthritis: a nested qualitative study by Luping Liu, Lingyun Zhang, Sina Li, Meiling Cai, Siyu Han, Zhiwen Weng, Qianji Chen, Yixuan Gao, Xiaoming Yang, Yang Zhang, Duoduo Li, Changxin Liu, Ya’nan Sun, Xiyou Wang, Changhe Yu

“…The interviews were conducted by two researchers who have extensive experience interviewing KOA patients, and data were gathered through face-to-face, semi-structured interviews to ensure a high level of information power. …”
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Effects of timely case conferencing between general practitioners and specialist palliative care services on symptom burden in patients with advanced chronic disease: results of th... by Tina Mallon, Josefine Schulze, Nadine Pohontsch, Thomas Asendorf, Jan Weber, Silke Böttcher, Uta Sekanina, Franziska Schade, Nils Schneider, Judith Dams, Michael Freitag, Christiane Müller, Friedemann Nauck, Tim Friede, Martin Scherer, Gabriella Marx

“…Methods The cluster-randomised controlled trial compared a structured palliative care nurse visit followed by an interprofessional case conference to usual care. …”
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Association between the use of herbal medicines during pregnancy and adverse fetal outcomes among mothers in eastern Ethiopia, 2023 by Tamirat Getachew, Abera Kenay Tura, Merga Dheresa, Shamble Niguse, Bikila Balis, Lemma Demissie Regassa, Addis Eyeberu

“…Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 882 randomly selected mothers from February 1, 2023 to November 1, 2023. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews using structured questionnaires adapted from previous literature. …”
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Redefining respite for family caregivers: lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic by Rebecca L. Utz, Hannah L. Mundinger, Amber Thompson, Gail L. Towsley, Gail L. Towsley, Kara B. Dassel, Kara B. Dassel, Alex Terrill, Alycia A. Bristol

“…This study aimed to understand how caregivers accessed and achieved respite when respite services were not readily available, and how their experiences during and following the unprecedented global public health crisis have influenced and informed the way that caregivers achieve the needed and desired respite.MethodsThis study integrates several sources of qualitative and descriptive data collected via electronic surveys and semi-structured interviews with family caregivers and respite providers over the past several years (from 2019 to 2024).ResultsThe following themes were identified: (a) disruption and loss of formal respite services resulted in caregiver isolation, as well as acute and protracted stress, (b) personal networks and shared caregiving arrangements provide opportunities for informal respite, (c) respite is associated improved caregiver wellbeing, but caregivers often are hesitant to use respite (d) daily activities and routines can provide a form of respite for caregivers, (e) family caregivers showed resilience and adaptability in the face of COVID-19 challenges, revealing the potential benefit of taking “short breaks” throughout the day to achieve a feeling of respite.Discussion and conclusionsThese qualitative, descriptive insights provide a blueprint for a reimagined definition of caregiver respite, where respite is conceptualized as an outcome or benefit that caregivers seek and can create on their own, rather than only defining respite as a formal service provided to caregivers by outside organizations. …”
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A qualitative study on the experience of family members of patients with mild to moderate disturbance of consciousness in NICU undergoing physical restraint (NICU轻中度意识障碍患者实施身体约束时家属... by YIN Zhaomin (殷召敏), WANG Fang (王芳)

“…Methods Using the method of qualitative research, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 11 family members of patients with mild to moderate disturbance of consciousness in NICU during physical restraint. …”
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Socio-demographic factors, housing characteristics, and clinical symptoms associated with falciparum malaria in two rapidly urbanizing areas in the Ashanti region of Ghana by Stephen Opoku Afriyie, Kwasi Baako Antwi, Abdul-Hakim Mutala, Dawood Ackom Abbas, Kofi Agyapong Addo, Austine Tweneboah, Thomas Kwame Addison, Eric Osei, Cristian Koepfli, Kingsley Badu

“…Five µL of venous blood was obtained from suspected malaria patients and tested for malaria using rapid diagnostic test (RDT). Data on socio-demographic factors, clinical symptoms, and housing characteristics were collected using a structured questionnaire. …”
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Humanizing processes after harm part 1: patient safety incident investigations, litigation and the experiences of those affected by Lauren Ramsey, Laura Sheard, Justin Waring, Siobhan McHugh, Ruth Simms-Ellis, Ruth Simms-Ellis, Gemma Louch, Katherine Ludwin, Jane K. O’Hara

“…Nonetheless, there remains little UK-based evidence exploring how this relates to the experiences of those affected over time, including the factors influencing decisions to litigate.AimsWe aimed to explore the experiences of patients, families, staff and legal representatives affected by safety incidents over time, and the factors influencing decisions to litigate.MethodsParticipants were purposively recruited via (i) communication from four NHS hospital Trusts or an independent national investigator in England, (ii) relevant charitable organizations, (iii) social media, and (iv) word of mouth to take part in a qualitative semi-structured interview study. Data were analyzed using an inductive reflexive thematic approach.Findings42 people with personal or professional experience of safety incident investigations participated, comprising patients and families (n = 18), healthcare staff (n = 7), legal staff (n = 1), and investigators (n = 16). …”
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Frequency and factors associated with the utilization (curative and preventive) of oral health care services among pregnant women in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo by Patrick Marob-Ndjock Sekele, Erick Ntambwe Kamangu, Harry-César Ntumba Kayembe, Fatiha Chandad, Jacques Ileboso Bolenge, Stephanie Mikalo Mbambi, Jean-Paul Isouradi-Bourley Sekele, Em Kazadi Kalala, Fidele Bushabu Nyimi, Pierre Zalagile Akilimali

“…The study population comprised pregnant women aged at least 18 or over attending antenatal care (ANC), selected using a simple random sampling technique. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire. …”
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Shaping national rare diseases definition in Saudi Arabia: outcome from health ecosystem multisectoral workshop by Ghada Mohammed Abozaid, Ghada Mohammed Abozaid, Hussain Abdulrahman Al-Omar, Abdulaziz Alrabiah, Hiba Alomary, Amy Jayne McKnight

“…Using the Vevox® platform, participants engaged in structured activities comprising a demographic survey and 10 interactive voting sessions. …”
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Comparing physician associates and foundation year two doctors-in-training undertaking emergency medicine consultations in England: a mixed-methods study of processes and outcomes by Simon de Lusignan, Mary Halter, Carly Wheeler, Laura Nice, Sally Brearley, James Ennis, Jonathan Gabe, Heather Gage, Phil Begg, Chao Wang, Jim Parle, Vari Drennan

“…Objectives To compare the contribution of physician associates to the processes and outcomes of emergency medicine consultations with that of foundation year two doctors-in-training.Design Mixed-methods study: retrospective chart review using 4 months’ anonymised clinical record data of all patients seen by physician associates or foundation year two doctors-in-training in 2016; review of a subsample of 40 records for clinical adequacy; semi-structured interviews with staff and patients; observations of physician associates.Setting Three emergency departments in England.Participants The records of 8816 patients attended by 6 physician associates and 40 foundation year two doctors-in-training; of these n=3197 had the primary outcome recorded (n=1129 physician associates, n=2068 doctor); 14 clinicians and managers and 6 patients or relatives for interview; 5 physician associates for observation.Primary and secondary outcome measures The primary outcome was unplanned re-attendance at the same emergency department within 7 days. …”
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