Browsing by Author "Xu, X."

Now showing 1 - 8 of 8

Can social capital play a role in contracting services of family doctors in China? Refections based on an integrative review
(BMC Family Practice, 2021) Xu, X.; Antwi, H.A.; Zhou, L.; Mustafa, T.; Boafo‑Arthur, A.
Background: The family doctors’ contract service problem is not about government management alone, but an interaction of a complex social environment. Consequently, the efect of contracted services of family doctors not only depends on policy incentives but also needs to win the participation, acknowledgement, and confdence of community residents. The purpose of this integrative review is to examine whether there is any signifcant evidence that social capital in the form of social networking groups and other forms of social groups have any positive impact on the acceptance and the efectiveness of family doctors’ contractual services. Method: Research on qualitative, quantitative and hybrid methods published in peer-reviewed journals on the social capital role in the process of contract service of family doctors were eligible for inclusion. In view of the increasing attention paid to the contract service efect of family doctors during this period, a 10-year time scale was selected to ensure full coverage of relevant literature in the same period. In total, 809 articles were determined in the database retrieval results which were downloaded and transferred to the Mendeley reference application software. Results: Twelve articles met the inclusion criteria for this integrative review and the quality of the included studies were assessed using the published criteria for the critical appraisal of quantitative and qualitative research methods. Majority of the articles assessed reported that there was evidence of a positive link between social support, especially a sense of belonging and the presence of regular family doctors. The infuencing factors of patients’ contract behavior of studies conducted in China were social interaction of social capital, acceptance of the frst contact in the commu‑ nity, year of investigation, and exposure to the public. Conclusion: The study afrms previous studies that suggest that social resources have the propensity to improve relationship between patients and clients and between doctors and peers for the beneft of the patients and the stability of the overall healthcare system. Through the integration of various social resources family doctor systems accelerate the development of community construction. These social capital (social network groups) can guide resi‑ dents to use family doctor services to maintain health. Social capital can also help residents have a regular and reliable family doctor.
Can social capital play a role in contracting services of family doctors in China? Refections based on an integrative review
(BMC Fam Pract, 2021) Xu, X.; Antwi, H.A.; Boafo‑Arthur, A.; et al.
Background: The family doctors’ contract service problem is not about government management alone, but an interaction of a complex social environment. Consequently, the efect of contracted services of family doctors not only depends on policy incentives but also needs to win the participation, acknowledgement, and confdence of community residents. The purpose of this integrative review is to examine whether there is any signifcant evidence that social capital in the form of social networking groups and other forms of social groups have any positive impact on the acceptance and the efectiveness of family doctors’ contractual services. Method: Research on qualitative, quantitative and hybrid methods published in peer-reviewed journals on the social capital role in the process of contract service of family doctors were eligible for inclusion. In view of the increasing attention paid to the contract service efect of family doctors during this period, a 10-year time scale was selected to ensure full coverage of relevant literature in the same period. In total, 809 articles were determined in the database retrieval results which were downloaded and transferred to the Mendeley reference application software. Results: Twelve articles met the inclusion criteria for this integrative review and the quality of the included studies were assessed using the published criteria for the critical appraisal of quantitative and qualitative research methods. Majority of the articles assessed reported that there was evidence of a positive link between social support, especially a sense of belonging and the presence of regular family doctors. The infuencing factors of patients’ contract behavior of studies conducted in China were social interaction of social capital, acceptance of the frst contact in the commu‑ nity, year of investigation, and exposure to the public. Conclusion: The study afrms previous studies that suggest that social resources have the propensity to improve relationship between patients and clients and between doctors and peers for the beneft of the patients and the stability of the overall healthcare system. Through the integration of various social resources family doctor systems accelerate the development of community construction. These social capital (social network groups) can guide resi‑ dents to use family doctor services to maintain health. Social capital can also help residents have a regular and reliable family doctor.
Can social capital play a role in contracting services of family doctors in China? Refections based on an integrative review
(BMC Family Practice, 2021) Xu, X.; Antwi, H.A.; Zhou, L.; Mustafa, T.; Boafo‑Arthur, A.
Background: The family doctors’ contract service problem is not about government management alone, but an interaction of a complex social environment. Consequently, the efect of contracted services of family doctors not only depends on policy incentives but also needs to win the participation, acknowledgement, and confdence of community residents. The purpose of this integrative review is to examine whether there is any signifcant evidence that social capital in the form of social networking groups and other forms of social groups have any positive impact on the acceptance and the efectiveness of family doctors’ contractual services. Method: Research on qualitative, quantitative and hybrid methods published in peer-reviewed journals on the social capital role in the process of contract service of family doctors were eligible for inclusion. In view of the increasing attention paid to the contract service efect of family doctors during this period, a 10-year time scale was selected to ensure full coverage of relevant literature in the same period. In total, 809 articles were determined in the database retrieval results which were downloaded and transferred to the Mendeley reference application software. Results: Twelve articles met the inclusion criteria for this integrative review and the quality of the included studies were assessed using the published criteria for the critical appraisal of quantitative and qualitative research methods. Majority of the articles assessed reported that there was evidence of a positive link between social support, especially a sense of belonging and the presence of regular family doctors. The infuencing factors of patients’ contract behavior of studies conducted in China were social interaction of social capital, acceptance of the frst contact in the commu‑ nity, year of investigation, and exposure to the public. Conclusion: The study afrms previous studies that suggest that social resources have the propensity to improve relationship between patients and clients and between doctors and peers for the beneft of the patients and the stability of the overall healthcare system. Through the integration of various social resources family doctor systems accelerate the development of community construction. These social capital (social network groups) can guide resi‑ dents to use family doctor services to maintain health. Social capital can also help residents have a regular and reliable family doctor.
International family planning fellowship program: Advanced training in family planning to reduce unsafe abortion
(International Perspectives on Sexual and Reproductive Health, 2013-03) Dalton, V.K.; Xu, X.; Mullan, P.; Danso, K.A.; Kwawukume, Y.; Gyan, K.; Johnson, T.R.B.
Maternal mortality remains a huge problem in the developing world, especially in Sub-Saharan Africa.1 According to the World Health Organization, efforts intended to decrease maternal deaths need to recognize and address unsafe abortions as a significant contributor to the high rates of maternal mortality found in developing countries.2,3 In Africa, where abortions are highly restricted, 680 women die per 100,000 abortions, compared with 0.2-1.2 women per 100,000 in developed countries, where most abortions are legal.4.
Measured body size and serum estrogen metabolism in postmenopausal women: the Ghana Breast Health Study
(Breast Cancer Research, 2022) Geczik, A.M.; Falk, R.T.; Xu, X.; Ansong, D.; Yarney, J.; Wiafe‑Addai, B.; Edusei, L.; Dedey, F.; Vanderpuye, V.; Titiloye, N.; Adjei, E.; Aitpillah, F.; Osei‑Bonsu, E.; Oppong, J.; Biritwum, R.; Nyarko, K.; Wiafe, S.; Awuah, B.; Clegg‑Lamptey, J-N.; Ahearn, T.U.; Figueroa, J.; Garcia‑Closas, M.; Brinton, L.A.; Trabert, B.
Background: Several anthropometric measures have been associated with hormone-related cancers, and it has been shown that estrogen metabolism in postmenopausal women plays an important role in these relationships. However, little is known about circulating estrogen levels in African women, and the relevance to breast cancer or breast cancer risk factors. To shed further light on the relationship of anthropometric factors and estrogen levels in African women, we examined whether measured body mass index (BMI), waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), height, and self-reported body size were associated with serum estrogens/estrogen metabolites in a cross-sectional analysis among postmenopausal population-based controls of the Ghana Breast Health Study. Methods: Fifteen estrogens/estrogen metabolites were quantified using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry in serum samples collected from postmenopausal female controls enrolled in the Ghana Breast Health Study, a population-based case–control study conducted in Accra and Kumasi. Geometric means (GMs) of estrogens/ estrogen metabolites were estimated using linear regression, adjusting for potential confounders. Results: Measured BMI (≥30 vs. 18.5–24.9 kg/m2) was positively associated with parent estrogens (multivariable adjusted GM for unconjugated estrone: 78.90 (66.57–93.53) vs. 50.89 (43.47–59.59), p-value previously noted among White women suggests that estrogens likely explain part of the BMI-postmenopausal breast cancer risk in both groups. These findings merit evaluation in Black women, including prospective studies.
Measured body size and serum estrogen metabolism in postmenopausal women: the Ghana Breast Health Study
(BMC, 2022) Geczik, A.M.; Falk, R.T.; Xu, X.; Ansong, D.; Yarney, J.; Wiafe‑Addai, B.; Edusei, L.; Dedey, F.; Vanderpuye, V.; Titiloye, N.; Adjei, E.; Aitpillah, F.; Osei‑Bonsu, E.; Oppong, J.; Biritwum, R.; Nyarko, K.; Wiafe, S.; Awuah, B.; Clegg‑Lamptey, J.; Ahearn, T.U.; Figueroa, J.; Garcia‑Closas, M.; Brinton, L.A.; Trabert, B.
Background: Several anthropometric measures have been associated with hormone-related cancers, and it has been shown that estrogen metabolism in postmenopausal women plays an important role in these relationships. However, little is known about circulating estrogen levels in African women, and the relevance to breast cancer or breast cancer risk factors. To shed further light on the relationship of anthropometric factors and estrogen levels in African women, we examined whether measured body mass index (BMI), waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), height, and selfreported body size were associated with serum estrogens/estrogen metabolites in a cross-sectional analysis among postmenopausal population-based controls of the Ghana Breast Health Study. Methods: Fifteen estrogens/estrogen metabolites were quantified using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry in serum samples collected from postmenopausal female controls enrolled in the Ghana Breast Health Study, a population-based case–control study conducted in Accra and Kumasi. Geometric means (GMs) of estrogens/ estrogen metabolites were estimated using linear regression, adjusting for potential confounders. Results: Measured BMI (≥ 30 vs. 18.5–24.9 kg/m2) was positively associated with parent estrogens (multivariable adjusted GM for unconjugated estrone: 78.90 (66.57–93.53) vs. 50.89 (43.47–59.59), p-value < 0.0001; and unconjugated estradiol: 27.83 (21.47–36.07) vs. 13.26 (10.37–16.95), p-value < 0.0001). Independent of unconjugated estradiol, measured BMI was associated with lower levels of 2-pathway metabolites and higher levels of 16-ketoestradriol. Similar patterns of association were found with WHR; however, the associations were not entirely independent of BMI. Height was not associated with postmenopausal estrogens/estrogen metabolite levels in African women. Conclusions: We observed strong associations between measured BMI and parent estrogens and estrogen metabolite patterns that largely mirrored relations that have previously been associated with higher breast cancer risk in postmenopausal White women. The consistency of the BMI-estrogen metabolism associations in our study with those previously noted among White women suggests that estrogens likely explain part of the BMI-postmenopausal breast cancer risk in both groups. These findings merit evaluation in Black women, including prospective studies.
Reconstructing family doctors’ psychological well-being and motivation for effective performance in China: the intervening role of psychological capital
(BMC Family Practice, 2020) Xu, X.; Zhou, L.; Boafo-Arthur, A.; et al.
Background: Family practice and family doctors are critical part of China’s primary healthcare delivery in a constantly evolving society. As the first point of contact with the medical system, family practices require physically and psychologically sound and a well-motivated family doctors at all times. This is because an error can lead to loss of lives as gatekeepers of the medical system. Our study explored the extent to which positive psychological capital promotes higher performance among family doctors. Methods: A questionnaire was used to collect data from family doctors in Shanghai, Nanjing, and Beijing. We applied a structural equation analysis to analyze the causal relationship among the variables. Results: We found out that psychological well-being and job involvement significantly influences the performance of family doctors in China. The study also noted that psychological capital moderates the relationship between psychological well-being attainment, job involvement, and performance. Conclusions: Studies have shown that these pressures affect their well-being considerably. For this reason, a healthcare professional who experiences positive emotions affects the total behavior which culminates into performance.
Severe dioxin-like compound (DLC) contamination in e-waste recycling areas: An under-recognized threat to local health
(Environment International, 2020-04-17) Fobil, J.; Dai, Q.; Xu, X.; Eskenazi, B.; Asante, K.A.; Chen, A.; Bergman, A.; Brennan, L.; Sly, P.D.; Nnorom, I.C.; Pascale, A.; Wang, Q.; Zeng, E.Y.; Zeng, Z.; Landrigan, P.J.; Drisse, M.N-B.; Huo, X.
Electrical and electronic waste (e-waste) burning and recycling activities have become one of the main emission sources of dioxin-like compounds (DLCs). Workers involved in e-waste recycling operations and residents living near e-waste recycling sites (EWRS) are exposed to high levels of DLCs. Epidemiological and experimental in vivo studies have reported a range of interconnected responses in multiple systems with DLC exposure. However, due to the compositional complexity of DLCs and difficulties in assessing mixture effects of the complex mixture of e-waste-related contaminants, there are few studies concerning human health outcomes related to DLC exposure at informal EWRS. In this paper, we have reviewed the environmental levels and body burdens of DLCs at EWRS and compared them with the levels reported to be associated with observable adverse effects to assess the health risks of DLC exposure at EWRS. In general, DLC concentrations at EWRS of many countries have been decreasing in recent years due to stricter regulations on e-waste recycling activities, but the contamination status is still severe. Comparison with available data from industrial sites and well-known highly DLC contaminated areas shows that high levels of DLCs derived from crude ewaste recycling processes lead to elevated body burdens. The DLC levels in human blood and breast milk at EWRS are higher than those reported in some epidemiological studies that are related to various health impacts. The estimated total daily intakes of DLCs for people in EWRS far exceed the WHO recommended total daily intake limit. It can be inferred that people living in EWRS with high DLC contamination have higher health risks. Therefore, more welldesigned epidemiological studies are urgently needed to focus on the health effects of DLC pollution in EWRS. Continuous monitoring of the temporal trends of DLC levels in EWRS after actions is of highest importance.