Assessment of the knowledge, attitudes and practices toward respiratory tract infections among the Trinidadian population

Respiratory Tract Infections (RTIs) are currently at the forefront of discussions as the world battles the COVID-19 pandemic. It is important that more awareness is raised on RTIs, their causes, the different types, how they are contracted and spread and complications of and risk factors for RTIs. Prevention measures towards RTIs should also be assessed and encouraged, such as proper hand washing, mask wearing, sneezing and coughing etiquette as well as vaccination. Therefore, this investigation was undertaken to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and practices towards Respiratory Tract Infections (RTIs) among Trinidadian population.

A cross-sectional study of dentine sensitivity in periodontitis patients in Trinidad and Tobago.

OBJECTIVE: This cross-sectional study aimed to determine the prevalence, distribution and associated factors of dentine sensitivity (DS) among periodontitis patients in Trinidad. METHODS: Sequential patients meeting the periodontitis criteria (BPE 4/4*) were included and completed a questionnaire on DS prior to a full periodontal examination. Clinically elicited symptoms of DS and presence of cervical tooth wear were recorded. RESULTS: DS prevalence was 73.1% (n = 130; mean age 50 years). Mean number of sensitive teeth increased with increased severity of gingival recession. Most common initiating factors of DS were cold stimuli (70.5%), brushing (25.3%) and sour food (11.6%). Correlations were obtained for DS and race, toothbrush texture hardness, cervical tooth wear and gingival recession severity (P < 0.05; binary logistic regression). Cervical tooth wear was recorded in 46.3% of DS patients. Full-mouth plaque scores (FMPS) and full-mouth bleeding scores (FMBS) were statistically significantly (P < 0.05; Mann-Whitney U) test lower for DS versus non-DS patients. Patients reported a low usage (27.4%) and satisfaction (53.8%) rating for desensitizing agents. CONCLUSIONS: The high prevalence of DS was comparable to other studies on periodontitis patients. Progressive periodontal disease and toothbrush abrasion were possible aetiological factors for DS in this study. Knowledge of local dietary practices and the role of acidic (sour) foods in eliciting DS may aid in management. The high prevalence of cervical tooth wear and the lower FMPS and FMBS among DS patients may reflect more aggressive tooth brushing. DS does not seem to be a limitation to plaque control in DS versus non-DS patients in this study.

Pulmonary hypertension predicts mortality in infants with omphalocele.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to identify predictors of mortality in infants with omphalocele. METHODS: Medical records of infants with omphalocele born between January 1992 and June 2012, with follow-up toDecember 2012, were retrospectively reviewed. Survivors and non-survivors were compared. Evidence for pulmonary hypertension was sought between the second and seventh day after birth. All included infants had increased right ventricular pressures (RVP >40 mmhg) on echocardiogram on the second day of life with increased oxygen requirements, therefore, the finding of increased pressure was not considered a result of the transitional circulation. Logistic regression was used to evaluate the importance and independence of various factors. RESULTS: Of 51 infants whose records were reviewed, 13 died (25%) and 38 survived (75%). The median time to death was 34 days (range: 4 -408 days). The median follow-up time for those who died was 1.5 years (range: 0.01-15 years) and for survivors was 2.6 years (range: 0.08-15 years). Logistic regression revealed that respiratory insufficiency at birth (OR: 14.8; 95% CI: 2.5-85.0) and pulmonary hypertension (OR: 6.4; 95% CI: 1.1-39.0) were independently associated with mortality. CONCLUSION: Respiratory insufficiency after birth and pulmonary hypertension are independent predictors of mortality in infants with omphalocele.

A comparison of two forms of teaching instruction: video vs. live lecture for education in clinical periodontology.

INTRODUCTION: This crossover controlled study aimed to compare the knowledge and skill attained by third-year dental students in three clinical exercises in the discipline of periodontology through video and live lecture instruction. METHODS: Students (n = 35) segregated into two group either viewed a video or attended a live lecture repeated over three clinical teaching sessions. Pre-test and post-test written assessments were completed and comparisons between video and live lecture done (analysis of variance, P < 0.05). Students were assessed on clinic by a simple checklist. A questionnaire was administered after all three sessions to determine preferences and opinions on video and live lecture. RESULTS: For the combined three sessions, both video (n = 48) and live lecture (n = 47) groups attained similar mean pre-test scores. The mean post-test score was statistically significantly greater (P = 0.049) for the live lecture (74.9%, SD 14.9) compared to the video group (68.6%, SD 16.3). All students attained clinical proficiency via the simple checklist. In adding to their clinical skill, more students favoured video (97%) vs. live lecture (78.8%). Most students (97%) favoured a future combination of video and lecture. DISCUSSION: While students were deemed clinically competent via a simple checklist, the live lecture group performed better than the video group via the in-depth post-test assessment. Students had a preference for video and would like it integrated in the lecture rather than act as a substitute for the lecture. CONCLUSION: The use of video alone in clinical periodontology training may have limitations unless supplemented by appropriate learning activities.

Childhood obesity increases left-ventricular mass irrespective of blood pressure status.

Adults with a left-ventricular mass index (LVMI) in grams normalized to height in meters(2.7) (LVMI g/m(2.7)) >51 g/m(2.7) are more prone to cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events. We delineated the odds for cardiac structural sequelae amongst apparently normal white and African-American (AA) children with varying body mass indices (BMI) and office blood pressures. A total of 2,071 children with normal echocardiograms were categorized into risk groups based on BMI and systolic blood pressures (SBPs). Predictors of cardiac sequelae examined were age, sex, race, and z-scores (z) for BMI, SBP, and diastolic blood pressure. Cardiac sequelae measures included (LVMI g/m(2.7)) >51 g/m(2.7), (LVMI) (g/m(2.7)) z, left atrial size (LA(ht)) (mm) z, and relative wall thickness z. Mean age was 14 ± 2 years with 56 % being male and 13 % being AA. Children were divided into "controls" (n = 1,059) and risk groups based on BMI and SBP. Odds ratio for LVMI (g/m(2.7)) > 51.0 g/m(2.7), varied from 5.3 up to 8.5 in children with increased BMI. Both increased BMI and SBP z were associated with increased LVMI (g/m(2.7)) z; however, BMI z had a stronger association. Increased BMI z and AA race were associated with greater LA(ht) (mm) z. AA controls had a nonsignificantly increased LVMI z and a significantly increased LA(ht) (mm) and RWT z. Being overweight or obese is associated with cardiac sequelae in children to the extent known to be associated with adverse outcomes in adults. Healthy AA children have unique cardiac structural differences.