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Farhat H, Makhlouf A, Gangaram P, Aifa KE, Khenissi MC, Howland I, Abid C, Jones A, Howard I, Castle N, Al Shaikh L, Khadhraoui M, Gargouri I, Laughton J, Alinier G. Exploring factors influencing time from dispatch to unit availability according to the transport decision in the pre-hospital setting: an exploratory study. BMC Emerg Med 2024; 24:77. [PMID: 38684980 PMCID: PMC11057082 DOI: 10.1186/s12873-024-00992-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2024] [Accepted: 04/19/2024] [Indexed: 05/02/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Efficient resource distribution is important. Despite extensive research on response timings within ambulance services, nuances of time from unit dispatch to becoming available still need to be explored. This study aimed to identify the determinants of the duration between ambulance dispatch and readiness to respond to the next case according to the patients' transport decisions. METHODS Time from ambulance dispatch to availability (TDA) analysis according to the patients' transport decision (Transport versus Non-Transport) was conducted using R-Studio™ for a data set of 93,712 emergency calls managed by a Middle Eastern ambulance service from January to May 2023. Log-transformed Hazard Ratios (HR) were examined across diverse parameters. A Cox regression model was utilised to determine the influence of variables on TDA. Kaplan-Meier curves discerned potential variances in the time elapsed for both cohorts based on demographics and clinical indicators. A competing risk analysis assessed the probabilities of distinct outcomes occurring. RESULTS The median duration of elapsed TDA was 173 min for the transported patients and 73 min for those not transported. The HR unveiled Significant associations in various demographic variables. The Kaplan-Meier curves revealed variances in TDA across different nationalities and age categories. In the competing risk analysis, the 'Not Transported' group demonstrated a higher incidence of prolonged TDA than the 'Transported' group at specified time points. CONCLUSIONS Exploring TDA offers a novel perspective on ambulance services' efficiency. Though promising, the findings necessitate further exploration across diverse settings, ensuring broader applicability. Future research should consider a comprehensive range of variables to fully harness the utility of this period as a metric for healthcare excellence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hassan Farhat
- Ambulance Service, Hamad Medical Corporation, PO Box 3050, Doha, Qatar.
- Faculty of Sciences, University of Sfax, 3000, Sfax, Tunisia.
- Faculty of Medicine 'Ibn El Jazzar', University of Sousse, 4000, Sousse, Tunisia.
| | - Ahmed Makhlouf
- Ambulance Service, Hamad Medical Corporation, PO Box 3050, Doha, Qatar
- College of Engineering, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
| | - Padarath Gangaram
- Ambulance Service, Hamad Medical Corporation, PO Box 3050, Doha, Qatar
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Durban University of Technology, PO Box 1334, Durban, 4000, South Africa
| | - Kawther El Aifa
- Ambulance Service, Hamad Medical Corporation, PO Box 3050, Doha, Qatar
| | | | - Ian Howland
- Ambulance Service, Hamad Medical Corporation, PO Box 3050, Doha, Qatar
| | - Cyrine Abid
- Laboratory of Screening Cellular and Molecular Process, Centre of Biotechnology of Sfax, University of Sfax, Sfax, Tunisia
| | - Andre Jones
- Ambulance Service, Hamad Medical Corporation, PO Box 3050, Doha, Qatar
| | - Ian Howard
- Ambulance Service, Hamad Medical Corporation, PO Box 3050, Doha, Qatar
| | - Nicholas Castle
- Ambulance Service, Hamad Medical Corporation, PO Box 3050, Doha, Qatar
| | - Loua Al Shaikh
- Ambulance Service, Hamad Medical Corporation, PO Box 3050, Doha, Qatar
| | - Moncef Khadhraoui
- Higher Institute of Biotechnology, University of Sfax, Sfax, Tunisia
| | - Imed Gargouri
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Sfax, Sfax, Tunisia
| | - James Laughton
- Ambulance Service, Hamad Medical Corporation, PO Box 3050, Doha, Qatar
| | - Guillaume Alinier
- Ambulance Service, Hamad Medical Corporation, PO Box 3050, Doha, Qatar
- University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield, UK
- Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar, Doha, Qatar
- Northumbria University, Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK
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Castro CA, Monterrosa-Blanco A, Rodríguez LL, Castiblanco A, Bernal L, Ladino MJ, Pinilla D, Melo C, Baquero F. Knowledge and attitudes regarding contraceptive methods and sex education in students and parents of eight Colombian schools 2020-2021: a mixed methods study. LANCET REGIONAL HEALTH. AMERICAS 2024; 30:100678. [PMID: 38322782 PMCID: PMC10844851 DOI: 10.1016/j.lana.2024.100678] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2023] [Revised: 01/11/2024] [Accepted: 01/11/2024] [Indexed: 02/08/2024]
Abstract
Background In Colombia, the average age of first sexual intercourse is between 14 and 15, and it has one of the highest fertility rates among adolescents in Latin America, which reflects poor access to health services and a lack of knowledge about contraception. Some laws support comprehensive sex education as a learning process that families and schools should provide. The objective of this work was to assess the frequency of adequate knowledge and attitudes of acceptance towards contraception in students, their associated factors, sexual behaviours in sexually active students, and experiences with sex education. Methods Mixed methods study consisting of an analytical cross-sectional study and a qualitative hermeneutic phenomenological study. The former included students who completed a questionnaire with sociodemographic variables, surveys on knowledge and attitudes toward contraception, and questions about sexual behaviour. Focus groups were used in the qualitative study to evaluate students' and parents' sex education experiences. Findings 827 students were surveyed, of whom 52.3% had adequate knowledge about contraceptives and 80.1% had attitudes of acceptance. Talking with parents about sex education, receiving sex education, and being in the eleventh grade increased the likelihood of having adequate knowledge. Each year of age, being male, being a victim of forced displacement, and studying in a public school were associated with lower possibilities of attitudes of acceptance. Using condoms, compared to other contraceptives, was associated with less adequate knowledge and attitudes of acceptance (p < 0.05). Experiences with sex education, contraception, and sexual and reproductive rights were three emerging categories in the focus groups. Interpretation In a group of Colombian high school students, half of them had adequate knowledge, eight out of 10 had attitudes of acceptance about contraception, and both were associated with having received sex education. Nevertheless, different types of barriers to sexual education were identified at home and in schools. The results will allow the generation of educational policies that modify the educational model as well as new strategies by health professionals to raise awareness about responsible sexuality. Funding This project was financed by internal research of the Fundación Universitaria de Ciencias de la Salud-FUCS (DI-I-0392-20).
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Liliana Bernal
- Fundación Universitaria de Ciencias de la Salud - FUCS, Bogota, Colombia
| | - María José Ladino
- Nursing School, Fundación Universitaria de Ciencias de la Salud - FUCS, Bogota, Colombia
| | - Diana Pinilla
- School of Medicine, Fundación Universitaria de Ciencias de la Salud - FUCS, Bogota, Colombia
| | - Carlos Melo
- Fundación Universitaria de Ciencias de la Salud - FUCS, Bogota, Colombia
| | - Ferney Baquero
- Fundación Universitaria de Ciencias de la Salud - FUCS, Bogota, Colombia
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