Dataset Information

Needs of Young African Neurosurgeons and Residents: A Cross-Sectional Study.

ABSTRACT: Introduction: Africa has many untreated neurosurgical cases due to limited access to safe, affordable, and timely care. In this study, we surveyed young African neurosurgeons and trainees to identify challenges to training and practice. Methods: African trainees and residents were surveyed online by the Young Neurosurgeons Forum from April 25th to November 30th, 2018. The survey link was distributed via social media platforms and through professional society mailing lists. Univariate and bivariate data analyses were run and a P-value < 0.05 was considered to be statistically significant. Results: 112 respondents from 20 countries participated in this study. 98 (87.5%) were male, 63 (56.3%) were from sub-Saharan Africa, and 52 (46.4%) were residents. 39 (34.8%) had regular journal club sessions at their hospital, 100 (89.3%) did not have access to cadaver dissection labs, and 62 (55.4%) had never attended a WFNS-endorsed conference. 67.0% of respondents reported limited research opportunities and 58.9% reported limited education opportunities. Lack of mentorship (P = 0.023, Phi = 0.26), lack of access to journals (P = 0.002, Phi = 0.332), and limited access to conferences (P = 0.019, Phi = 0.369) were associated with the country income category. Conclusion: This survey identified barriers to education, research, and practice among African trainees and young neurosurgeons. The findings of this study should inform future initiatives aimed at reducing the barriers faced by this group.

SUBMITTER: Kanmounye US

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8193351 | biostudies-literature | 2021

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Needs of Young African Neurosurgeons and Residents: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Kanmounye Ulrick S US Robertson Faith C FC Thango Nqobile S NS Doe Alvin Nah AN Bankole Nourou Dine Adeniran NDA Ginette Pape Aicha PA Ondoma Solomon S Balogun James A JA Opoku Isabella I Jokonya Luxwell L Mbaye Thioub T Shabhay Zarina A ZA Ashour Ahmed M AM Ashour Ahmed M AM Silva Ana Cristina Veiga ACV Cheserem Beverly B Karekezi Claire C Hassani Fahd Derkaoui FD Mentri Nesrine N Laeke Tsegazeab T Aklilu Abenezer Tirsit AT Sanoussi Samuila S Musara Aaron A Ntalaja Jeff J Ssenyonga Peter P Bakhti Souad S El Abbadi Najia N Mahmud Muhammad Raji MR El-Ghandour Nasser M F NMF Al-Habib Amro A Kolias Angelos G AG Servadei Franco F Fieggen Graham G Qureshi Mahmood M Esene Ignatius I

Frontiers in surgery 20210528

<b>Introduction:</b> Africa has many untreated neurosurgical cases due to limited access to safe, affordable, and timely care. In this study, we surveyed young African neurosurgeons and trainees to identify challenges to training and practice. <b>Methods:</b> African trainees and residents were surveyed online by the Young Neurosurgeons Forum from April 25th to November 30th, 2018. The survey link was distributed via social media platforms and through professional society mailing lists. Univaria ...[more]

PMID: 34124134

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Project description:BackgroundHuman biomonitoring is crucial for regulatory toxicology, yet data on biomarker concentrations in the UAE are lacking. This study addresses this gap by analyzing urinary concentrations of 16 metals in UAE young adults, assessing correlations with personal characteristics, dietary patterns, and lifestyle habits.MethodsA cross-sectional pilot study was conducted among 144 randomly selected young adults (71 males and 73 females) from Sharjah, UAE, between January and March 2023. Participants provided urine samples, which were analyzed for 16 heavy metals using ICP-OES, and completed detailed questionnaires covering sociodemographic factors, lifestyle, and dietary habits. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize participant characteristics, and linear regression analysis was applied to explore associations between metal concentrations and factors such as gender, dietary habits, and exposure to environmental risks. Non-parametric tests, including the Mann-Whitney test, were used to assess differences by gender. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. Ethical approval was obtained, and informed consent was secured before participation.ResultsSignificant findings include dietary influences on metal exposure, with rice consumption linked to higher metal concentrations. Sex differences were significant, with females showing elevated levels of arsenic, lead, and cadmium. Lifestyle factors, such as smoking and incense use, were correlated with increased barium and boron levels.ConclusionThis study highlights the significant role of dietary habits, especially the consumption of rice, in metal exposure among young adults in Sharjah. The findings highlight the urgent need for comprehensive human biomonitoring to understand environmental exposures and reform public health policies. The gender-specific differences in metal distribution suggest the necessity for targeted public health strategies. The study, however, is limited by its cross-sectional nature and the focus on a specific geographic area, warranting further research for broader generalizability. Future investigations, particularly on the impact of incense exposure on metal levels, are essential for developing comprehensive health interventions and preventive strategies in the UAE.

Project description:OBJECTIVES:Chinese neurosurgery has made great progress during the past decades; yet, little is known about the working status of neurosurgeons. This study aimed to evaluate the difference between academic and non-academic neurosurgeons, focusing on their professional burnout, job satisfaction and work engagement. DESIGN:Cross-sectional nationwide survey. STUDY SETTING:The survey was conducted in China between 2017 and 2018. PARTICIPANTS:A total number of 823 academic neurosurgeons and 379 non-academic neurosurgeons participated in this study. OUTCOME MEASURES:Professional burnout, job satisfaction and work engagement were assessed using the Maslach Burnout Inventory, the Job Descriptive Index and the Utrecht Work Engagement Scale, respectively. RESULTS:The majority of respondents were male (92.93%), less than 45 years old (85.27%) and married (79.53%). Chinese neurosurgeons worked 63.91±11.04 hours per week, and approximately 45% experienced burnout. Compared with non-academic respondents, academic neurosurgeons had longer working hours (p<0.01), higher income (p<0.01) and were less willing to get married (p<0.01). In addition, they showed a lower degree of burnout (p<0.01), a higher level of job satisfaction (p<0.01) and were more enthusiastic at work (p=0.015). Multivariate regression analyses indicated that divorced (OR 7.02, 95% CI 2.37 to 15.08) and workplace violence (OR 1.52, 95% CI 1.18 to 2.24) were associated with burnout for both academic and non-academic respondents. Long working hours (≥71 hours per week) and low annual income (<1 00 000 RMB) were risk factors for burnout among academic neurosurgeons. For non-academic neurosurgical surgeons (age 36-45 years), working as attending doctors, serving in public hospitals and having the first house-living child were all closely related to the incidence of burnout. CONCLUSION:Chinese neurosurgeons are under significant stress particularly for the non-academic neurosurgeons. Offering better opportunities for training, promotion, higher income and safer working environments could be solutions to relieve burnout and improve career satisfaction and engagement. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER:ChiCTR1800014762. This article is not linked to a clinical trial.

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Dataset Information

Needs of Young African Neurosurgeons and Residents: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Publications

Needs of Young African Neurosurgeons and Residents: A Cross-Sectional Study.

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