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Michailovič I, Vaičiūnienė R, Justickaja S, Viršilas V. Challenges to an Individualized Approach Toward Batterers Intervention Programs in the Context of Coordinated Community Response to the Intimate Partner Violence in Lithuania. J Fam Violence 2022:1-14. [PMID: 36415312 PMCID: PMC9672577 DOI: 10.1007/s10896-022-00467-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/02/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Purpose Although batterers' intervention programs (BIPs) constitute an important part of the coordinated response to intimate partner violence (IPV) and contribute to increasing the perpetrators' accountability and keeping victims safe, the effectiveness of these programs is still debated. Only recently has the focus of these debates shifted away from researching outcomes by measuring overall program effectiveness toward specific qualities of interventions across program models that may be effective for the distinct client (Babcock et al., Clinical Psychology Review, 23(8), 1023-1053, 2004; Zarling et al., Psychology of Violence, 9(3), 257-266, 2019). The discussion on the practical implementation of BIPs was supplemented by various significant concepts emerging from new empirical findings, such as differential treatment, motivational interviewing, and effective facilitator-client alliances (Hamel et al., Partner Abuse, 11(4), 387-414, 2020; Holtrop et al., Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 32(8), 1267-1290, 2017). This paper aimed to address some of the abovementioned concepts by identifying challenges that arise during the implementation of BIPs in Lithuania. Methods Using qualitative data from semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions with BIPs facilitators, BIPs attendees, and various stakeholders, the paper discusses how to contribute to more effective BIPs outcomes. Results According to this study, the process of implementing BIPs in Lithuania should be systematized by incorporating existing instruments, such as motivational interviewing, risk-based assessment, and differential treatment, evidence-based programs focused on different theoretical approaches, and forms of implementation. Conclusion The study found that the consistency and integrity of the entire BIP implementation process should be prioritized, and institutional cooperation in Lithuania needs to be improved to achieve a successful coordinated response to intimate partner violence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ilona Michailovič
- Law Institute, Lithuanian Centre for Social Sciences, Ankštoji g. 1A, LT-01109 Vilnius, Lithuania
| | - Rūta Vaičiūnienė
- Law Institute, Lithuanian Centre for Social Sciences, Ankštoji g. 1A, LT-01109 Vilnius, Lithuania
| | - Svetlana Justickaja
- Law Institute, Lithuanian Centre for Social Sciences, Ankštoji g. 1A, LT-01109 Vilnius, Lithuania
| | - Vaidas Viršilas
- Law Institute, Lithuanian Centre for Social Sciences, Ankštoji g. 1A, LT-01109 Vilnius, Lithuania
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Sauserienė J, Liseckienė I, Neverauskė V, Šepetauskienė E, Serapinas D, Mačinskas Š, Šitkauskienė B, Bajoriūnienė I, Vaičiūnienė R, Valius L. Adverse Events and Immunogenicity of mRNA-Based COVID-19 Vaccine among Healthcare Workers: A Single-Centre Experience. Medicina (B Aires) 2022; 58:medicina58030441. [PMID: 35334616 PMCID: PMC8955166 DOI: 10.3390/medicina58030441] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2022] [Revised: 03/10/2022] [Accepted: 03/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Background and Objectives: The safety and effectiveness of vaccines are among the key priorities in COVID-19 pandemic management. Moreover, evidence-based data regarding vaccine safety and immunogenicity can play an important role in building the trust of the community regarding vaccination. The aim of this study was to investigate the safety and immunogenicity of Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine among healthcare workers in one hospital, 21 days after first dose. Materials and Methods: This study was conducted in the Hospital of the Lithuanian University of Health Sciences between February and March 2021. Hospital employees who arrived to receive the second dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine 21 days after the first one were invited to participate in the study: they were asked to complete an anonymous adverse events questionnaire and were offered a SARS-CoV-2 IgG/IgM rapid test. The study was performed at a single point, 21 days after the first dose of the vaccine. Results: Data of 4181 vaccine recipients were analysed. The first vaccine dose was associated with a 53.6% incidence of adverse events, mainly local reactions. Adverse events occurred more frequently in younger participants and women. Moderate adverse events were experienced by 1.4% of the vaccine recipients; 6.2% were incapacitated. Of the 3439 participants who performed a rapid IgG test, 94.5% were positive for IgG antibodies after the first vaccine dose. Seroconversion rates were lower in participants older than 47 years. Conclusions: Despite 1.4% moderate adverse events, no safety concerns or anaphylaxis were identified. The Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine induced an immune response in the overwhelming majority of recipients after a single dose. Younger participants experienced adverse events and were positive for IgG antibodies more frequently than older counterparts. It is important to mention that this study specifically considered short-term safety and reactions following vaccination and that long-term adverse effects were not investigated in the study. Thus, future research into both long-term adverse reactions and immune system programming is essential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jolanta Sauserienė
- Department of Family Medicine, Medical Academy, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, LT-44307 Kaunas, Lithuania; (I.L.); (V.N.); (D.S.); (Š.M.); (L.V.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Ida Liseckienė
- Department of Family Medicine, Medical Academy, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, LT-44307 Kaunas, Lithuania; (I.L.); (V.N.); (D.S.); (Š.M.); (L.V.)
| | - Vitalija Neverauskė
- Department of Family Medicine, Medical Academy, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, LT-44307 Kaunas, Lithuania; (I.L.); (V.N.); (D.S.); (Š.M.); (L.V.)
| | - Eglė Šepetauskienė
- Information Technology Centre, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, LT-44307 Kaunas, Lithuania;
| | - Danielius Serapinas
- Department of Family Medicine, Medical Academy, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, LT-44307 Kaunas, Lithuania; (I.L.); (V.N.); (D.S.); (Š.M.); (L.V.)
| | - Šarūnas Mačinskas
- Department of Family Medicine, Medical Academy, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, LT-44307 Kaunas, Lithuania; (I.L.); (V.N.); (D.S.); (Š.M.); (L.V.)
| | - Brigita Šitkauskienė
- Department of Immunology and Allergology, Medical Academy, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, LT-44307 Kaunas, Lithuania; (B.Š.); (I.B.)
| | - Ieva Bajoriūnienė
- Department of Immunology and Allergology, Medical Academy, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, LT-44307 Kaunas, Lithuania; (B.Š.); (I.B.)
| | - Rūta Vaičiūnienė
- Department of Nephrology, Medical Academy, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, LT-44307 Kaunas, Lithuania;
| | - Leonas Valius
- Department of Family Medicine, Medical Academy, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, LT-44307 Kaunas, Lithuania; (I.L.); (V.N.); (D.S.); (Š.M.); (L.V.)
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Limantė A, Vaičiūnienė R, Apolevič J. Child-Friendly Legal Aid and Individual Assessment of Children in Conflict with the Law: Building the Basis for Effective Participation. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2021; 19:17. [PMID: 35010277 PMCID: PMC8751008 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19010017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2021] [Revised: 12/09/2021] [Accepted: 12/15/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
This article focuses on the importance of the right to effective participation of children in conflict with the law in criminal (youth justice) proceedings. In particular, it explores two procedural aspects which are closely related to the right to child-friendly legal aid and the role of individual assessment. The authors claim that qualitatively identifying the needs of the child (through the instrument of individual assessment) and establishing a relationship of trust with a specifically trained legal aid lawyer is critical in raising the child's status to that of an active participant in the proceedings and ensuring that the best interests of the child are observed. The authors also suggest that such an initial encounter within the justice system forms an attitude (of either confidence or rejection) of the child towards public institutions and, accordingly, directly affects the effectiveness of further interventions. To support their position, the authors of the paper bring several examples from the comparative research carried out in two European projects, noting, regretfully, that the initial interventions often suffer from formal implementation and lack a systemic approach.
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Karpavičiūtė J, Skarupskienė I, Balčiuvienė V, Vaičiūnienė R, Žiginskienė E, Bumblytė IA. Assessment of Fluid Status by Bioimpedance Analysis and Central Venous Pressure Measurement and Their Association with the Outcomes of Severe Acute Kidney Injury. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2021; 57:medicina57060518. [PMID: 34067299 PMCID: PMC8224573 DOI: 10.3390/medicina57060518] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2021] [Revised: 05/12/2021] [Accepted: 05/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Fluid disbalance is associated with adverse outcomes in critically ill patients with acute kidney injury (AKI). In this study, we intended to assess fluid status using bioimpedance analysis (BIA) and central venous pressure (CVP) measurement and to evaluate the association between hyperhydration and hypervolemia with the outcomes of severe AKI. Materials and Methods: A prospective study was conducted in the Hospital of the Lithuanian University of Health Sciences Kauno Klinikos. Forty-seven patients treated at the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) with severe AKI and a need for renal replacement therapy (RRT) were examined. The hydration level was evaluated according to the ratio of extracellular water to total body water (ECW/TBW) of bioimpedance analysis and volemia was measured according to CVP. All of the patients were tested before the first hemodialysis (HD) procedure. Hyperhydration was defined as ECW/TBW > 0.39 and hypervolemia as CVP > 12 cm H2O. Results: According to bioimpedance analysis, 72.3% (n = 34) of patients were hyperhydrated. According to CVP, only 51.1% (n = 24) of the patients were hypervolemic. Interestingly, 69.6% of hypovolemic/normovolemic patients were also hyperhydrated. Of all study patients, 57.4% (n = 27) died, in 29.8% (n = 14) the kidney function improved, and in 12.8% (n = 6) the demand for RRT remained after in-patient treatment. A tendency of higher mortality in hyperhydrated patients was observed, but no association between hypervolemia and outcomes of severe AKI was established. Conclusions: Three-fourths of the patients with severe AKI were hyperhydrated based on bioimpedance analysis. However, according to CVP, only half of these patients were hypervolemic. A tendency of higher mortality in hyperhydrated patients was observed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justina Karpavičiūtė
- Department of Nephrology, Medical Academy, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Eivenių 2, LT-50161 Kaunas, Lithuania; (I.S.); (R.V.); (E.Ž.); (I.A.B.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Inga Skarupskienė
- Department of Nephrology, Medical Academy, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Eivenių 2, LT-50161 Kaunas, Lithuania; (I.S.); (R.V.); (E.Ž.); (I.A.B.)
- Hospital of Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Eivenių 2, LT-50161 Kaunas, Lithuania;
| | - Vilma Balčiuvienė
- Hospital of Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Eivenių 2, LT-50161 Kaunas, Lithuania;
| | - Rūta Vaičiūnienė
- Department of Nephrology, Medical Academy, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Eivenių 2, LT-50161 Kaunas, Lithuania; (I.S.); (R.V.); (E.Ž.); (I.A.B.)
- Hospital of Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Eivenių 2, LT-50161 Kaunas, Lithuania;
| | - Edita Žiginskienė
- Department of Nephrology, Medical Academy, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Eivenių 2, LT-50161 Kaunas, Lithuania; (I.S.); (R.V.); (E.Ž.); (I.A.B.)
- Hospital of Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Eivenių 2, LT-50161 Kaunas, Lithuania;
| | - Inga Arūnė Bumblytė
- Department of Nephrology, Medical Academy, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Eivenių 2, LT-50161 Kaunas, Lithuania; (I.S.); (R.V.); (E.Ž.); (I.A.B.)
- Hospital of Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Eivenių 2, LT-50161 Kaunas, Lithuania;
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Slade G, Vaičiūnienė R. In comparative perspective: The effects of incarceration abroad on penal subjectivity among prisoners in Lithuania. Eur J Criminol 2018; 15:217-234. [PMID: 29568238 PMCID: PMC5843021 DOI: 10.1177/1477370817726716] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
This article looks at how global flows of people and policies affect penal subjectivity among prisoners in Lithuania. Those who had previously been incarcerated abroad perceive their punishment in Lithuania's reforming penal system in comparative terms. We find that international prison experience may either diminish or increase the sense of the severity of the current punishment. Respondents often felt more comfortable in a familiar culture of punishment in Lithuania that emphasizes autonomy and communality. Moreover, internationalized prisoners perceive prison reform emulating West European models as a threat to this culture and are able to articulate comparative critiques of this reform and contest its effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gavin Slade
- Gavin Slade, Central and East European Studies, University of Glasgow, 8–9 Lilybank Gardens, Glasgow, G12 8RZ, UK.
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Vaičiūnienė R, Kuzminskis V, Ziginskienė E, Petrulienė K. Risk factors for cardiovascular hospitalization in hemodialysis patients. Medicina (Kaunas) 2010; 46:544-549. [PMID: 20966631] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
UNLABELLED The aim of this study was to evaluate the risk factors for cardiovascular hospitalization in hemodialysis patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS A cross-sectional cohort analysis of risk factors during one census month (November) and one-year follow-up for cardiovascular hospitalization rates during 5 consecutive years (2002-2006) in all end-stage renal disease patients hemodialyzed in Kaunas region was carried out. During the census month, we collected data on patient's age and sex, disability status, comorbidities, anemia control, malnutrition and inflammation, calcium-phosphorus metabolism, and patient's compliance with prescribed medications. We analyzed 559 patients during 1163 patient-years of observation. Patients were considered as new patients every year (1520 cases). Kaplan-Meier method and Cox regression analysis were used to evaluate time to first hospitalization. RESULTS The mean number of cardiovascular hospitalizations was 0.31 per patient-year at risk, the total days of cardiovascular hospitalizations per patient-year at risk were 3.93, and the mean length of one hospitalization was 13.2±12.9 days. Cardiovascular diseases were the most frequent cause of hospitalization (25% of all hospitalizations). The relative risk of cardiovascular hospitalization increased by 1.03 for every year of age, by 1.7 for worse disability status, by 1.4 for nonadherence to medications, by 1.1 for every additional medication prescribed to the patient. Cardiovascular hospitalization risk was decreased by 0.99 with a 1-g/L rise in hemoglobin level. CONCLUSIONS Older age, worse disability status, patient's noncompliance with medications, and higher number of medications used were associated with a higher risk for cardiovascular hospitalization. Higher hemoglobin level was associated with a lower risk for cardiovascular hospitalization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rūta Vaičiūnienė
- Department of Nephrology, Kaunas University of Medicine, Eivenių 2, 50028 Kaunas, Lithuania.
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Kušleikaitė N, Bumblytė IA, Kuzminskis V, Vaičiūnienė R. The association between health-related quality of life and mortality among hemodialysis patients. Medicina (Kaunas) 2010; 46:531-537. [PMID: 20966629] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Mortality rates for patients undergoing maintenance hemodialysis remain high. Published data regarding association between health-related quality of life (HRQOL) and mortality among hemodialysis patients are inconsistent. Very few data are published on the change in HRQOL over time as a predictor of mortality. The aim of this study was to assess whether HRQOL and change of it over time could be considered an independent predictor of mortality in hemodialysis patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS This prospective observational study enrolled 183 patients undergoing maintenance hemodialysis. HRQOL was measured annually 2004-2008 using a generic Short Form 36 questionnaire. Physical component summary (PSC) and mental component summary (MSC) scores were calculated. The change of the patient's HRQOL over time was calculated as a difference between SF-36 scores of the first and the last HRQOL measurements. RESULTS The median follow-up was 48 months (range, 1-72 months). Cutoff values for HRQOL predicting mortality for PSC score was ≥35 and for MSC score was ≥45. In the model adjusted for age, sex, dialysis months, creatinine, albumin and hemoglobin levels, mortality risk decreased by 0.96 (95% CI, 0.95-0.99) for 1-point increase in the baseline PSC score and decreased by 0.97 (95% CI, 0.95-0.98) for 1-point increase in the baseline MSC score. A 1-point decline in the PSC score (relative risk, 1.11; 95% CI, 1.008-1.221) and MSC score (relative risk, 1.07; 95% CI, 1.002-1.149) over the period of follow-up were associated with a significant additional increase in mortality. CONCLUSIONS Both baseline HRQOL and decline of HRQOL are independent predictors of mortality in hemodialysis patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neda Kušleikaitė
- Department of Nephrology, Kaunas University of Medicine, Eivenių 2, 50028 Kaunas, Lithuania.
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