0000000000932752
AUTHOR
Lilian Tzivian
Teachers' Survey on Emergency Remote Teaching Experience during Spring 2020 (COVID-19)
Latvian Council of Science State Research Program “Covid-19 mitigation” project “Life with COVID-19: Evaluation of overcoming the coronavirus crisis in Latvia and recommendations for societal resilience in the future” No. VPP-COVID-2020/1-0013 Emergency Remote Teaching Questionnaire for Latvian Teachers of Comprehensive Schools during Spring 2020 (COVID-19 "First wave"). Participated 1543 teachers from all regions of Latvia.
Associations of long-term exposure to air pollution and road traffic noise with cognitive function : an analysis of effect measure modification
Background: Adverse effects of traffic-related air pollution (AP) and noise on cognitive functions have been proposed, but little is known about their interactions and the combined effect of co-exposure. Methods: Cognitive assessment was completed by 4086 participants of the population-based Heinz Nixdorf Recall cohort study using five neuropsychological subtests and an additively calculated global cognitive score (GCS). We assessed long-term residential concentrations for size-fractioned particulate matter (PM) and nitrogen oxides with land use regression. Road traffic noise (weighted 24-h (LDEN) and night-time (LNIGHT) means) was assessed according to the EU directive 2002/49/EC. Linear r…
Does Family History of Cancer Influence Undergoing Screening and Gastrointestinal Investigations?
Background and Aims: Although a family history of cancer (FHC) can modify the lifestyle and attitudes towards participation in cancer screening programs, studies on this relationship show mixed results and vary across populations. The objectives of the study were to compare sociodemographic characteristics, history of gastrointestinal (GI) investigations and Helicobacter pylori eradication, and modifiable cancer risk factors between those with FHC and those with no FHC (NFHC), and to investigate the association between FHC and a history of GI investigations.
 Methods: A total of 3,455 questionnaires from the pilot study of the “Helicobacter pylori eradication and pepsinogen testing for…
Differences in Stress and Coping During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Families With and Without Children With Developmental Disorders or Chronic Conditions
Objectives: To compare COVID-19-induced stress and coping in families with and without children diagnosed with developmental disorders or chronic conditions.Methods: In this mixed-method design study, an online survey collected information on parental stress levels before and during COVID-19, sources of stress, and coping strategies using open-ended questions. Qualitative answers were categorized thematically. Multiple linear regression models were built for the association between changes in stress levels (during-before COVID-19) and sources of stress for parents of children of both groups.Results: Answers of 1,827 parents were analyzed; of these, 186 (9.75%) had children with diagnosed pr…
The role of depressive symptoms within the association of long-term exposure to indoor and outdoor traffic noise and cognitive function – Results from the Heinz Nixdorf Recall study
Abstract Objectives Traffic noise is negatively associated with cognitive function, and its perception can differ between depressed and non-depressed people. We studied the role of depressive symptoms in the association between traffic noise and cognitive function. We studied the role of depressive symptoms in the association between traffic noise and cognitive function. Methods During the first follow-up examination (2006–2008) of the German Heinz Nixdorf Recall study, cognitive function (five subtests and an additive global summary score, GCS) and depressive symptoms (CES-D score) were assessed in 2745 participants (aged 50–80, 49.8% women). Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) was diagnosed a…
Association between malocclusion and orofacial myofunctional disorders of pre‐school children in Latvia
Objects Abnormal use of muscles of tongue and lips is called orofacial myofunctional disorders (OMD). In this study, we aimed to investigate the interrelation between occlusal findings and OMD in primary and mixed dentition and to find out the reasons for malocclusions, and the effect modification of these associations by the number of sources that parents used to receive the information on child oral health issues (NSI). Setting and sample population Cross-sectional study was performed in one kindergarten in Latvia (cluster sampling). The study sample comprised 141 children-mothers' pairs of pre-school children aged 4-7 years. Materials and methods Children' myofunctional situation, occlus…
Sociodemographic, Lifestyle and Medical Factors Associated with Helicobacter Pylori Infection
Background and Aims: The prevalence of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection is higher in developing countries and is often linked to lower socioeconomic status. Few studies have investigated the association between H. pylori and individual level characteristics in Europe, where several countries have a high prevalence of H. pylori infection. The study aimed to identify risk factors for H. pylori infection among adults in a large clinical trial in Latvia.
 Methods: 1,855 participants (40-64 years) of the “Multicenter randomized study of H. pylori eradication and pepsinogen testing for prevention of gastric cancer mortality” (GISTAR study) in Latvia tested for H. pylori IgG antibodi…
Low Prevalence of Celiac Disease among Patients with Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders in Latvia.
Background and Aims: Studies suggest that the prevalence of celiac disease (CD) is increased in individuals with functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs), in particular, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS); however, the evidence is conflicting. We aimed to analyze the prevalence of CD in patients with FGIDs in Latvia.
 Methods: This retrospective study included patients with FGIDs, referred for a gastroenterologist consultation in a secondary gastroenterology practice unit. Patients were divided into three groups – patients only with IBS (IBS group), patients only with functional dyspepsia (FD) (FD group), patients with mixed symptoms IBS and FD (Mixed group). Patient levels of tissue …
Double validation of translated questionnaires in international studies
Background Study questionnaires developed in one country can be translated and used for similar studies in other countries. The main problem of this process is that people speaking different languages can understand the meaning of some questions differently due to disparate mentalities and backgrounds. To avoid a misunderstanding, to perform correct conclusions in accordance to the mentality of each country, and to permit the comparison of results in different countries, the intellectual validation of questionnaires is widely used. The main problem of such a validation is its qualitative nature that can be biased by the subjective approach of the investigator. Therefore, there is a necessit…
MEASURING TEACHERS-AS-LEARNERS’ DIGITAL SKILLS AND READINESS TO STUDY ONLINE FOR SUCCESSFUL E-LEARNING EXPERIENCE
INTRODUCTION
 We are living in the information society and digital competence is one of eight key competences for lifelong learning strategies (European Competence Framework); it is “both a requirement and right of citizens, if they are to be functional in today’s society” [1].
 The project “Competency based curriculum” is supported by the European Social Fund (ESF) and implemented by the National Centre for Education (NCE) of Latvia. E-learning course modules are to be developed and implemented for the professional development of all teachers in Latvia (pre-primary, primary, lower secondary and upper secondary school) [2]. These e-learning courses will be available as self-direc…
Teachers’ Readiness for Remote Teaching During COVID-19 Pandemic: The Case of Latvia
The state of emergency due to the COVID-19 pandemic influenced educational processes in schools all over the world. Teachers had a very short time to reform all their work and started to use new technologies, which increased their workload and level of stress. Information on factors affecting teachers’ readiness for remote teaching is insufficient, and we aimed to investigate it in this study. We performed a population-based cross-sectional study after the first experience of teachers working remotely during the Spring 2020 state of emergency in Latvia. We assessed the self-reported “overall readiness for remote teaching” using five sub-domains of a specific survey. We observed a reversed a…
Pepsinogen Test for the Evaluation of Precancerous Changes in Gastric Mucosa: a Population-Based Study
Aims: The aim of the study was to evaluate the rationale of blood pepsinogen (PG) testing in population based screening settings.Methods: Participants from a cross-sectional population-based study of cardiovascular risk factors in Latvia were invited to participate in the current study. Pepsinogen I and II were measured in blood samples taken during the initial study and at follow-up; upper gastrointestinal endoscopy was performed. There were three groups of patients: with moderately decreased (PG I< 70 ng/ml and PG I/PG II ratio < 3), with strongly decreased (PG I< 30 ng/ml and PG I/PG II ratio < 2), and with normal PG level. Biopsy with H. pylori detection was performed (updat…
Low Carbohydrate Diet (SCD/GAPS) for Children with Autistic Spectrum Disorder
Objective of the study was to investigate the potential of low carbohydrate diet (SCD/ and supplements in reducing some autistic spectrum disorder ASD symptoms in children.
Risk Factors Affect Long-Term Compliance to Coumadin Treatment (Self-Reporting)
Abstract Low compliance to a prescribed Coumadin treatment can result in negative health outcomes. In this study we aimed to evaluate risk factors affecting patient compliance to Coumadin. For this purpose, two study phases were performed: Phase 1: a retrospective eight-year follow-up of databases from health care services; and Phase 2: a cross-sectional study with telephone interviews. A Total Compliance Index was constructed using the number of Coumadin purchases (40%), international standardised ratio (INR) tests (40%), and average INR values (20%). Multiple models for the Total Compliance Index were constructed using socio-demographic, treatment-related, and health care utilisation vari…
Country-specific differences of age stereotypes towards older hospital staff and their association with self-efficacy, work ability and mental well-being.
To compare stereotypes towards older workers between hospital staff in Germany and Latvia and to analyse the relationship between those stereotypes and self-efficacy, subjective work ability and irritation.Cross-sectional study.In 2018, hospital staff, including nurses, physicians and other professions, of two German and three Latvian hospitals were asked to complete the standardized study questionnaire on subjective work ability, occupational self-efficacy, irritation and stereotypes towards older workers. In the latter scale older workers were defined as ≥45 years of age and the scale ranged from 27-135 whereby higher values reflect higher levels of positive stereotypes. To analyse the re…
Association between Anxiety, Quality of Life and Academic Performance of the Final-Year-Students in Latvia
The main objective of this study was to investigate the association between final-year students’ anxiety level and quality of life (QOL) with their academic achievements. A longitudinal study was performed in regular schools and in high-rated gymnasiums at the beginning and at the end of the school year. Multiple linear regression models were built for the association between level of anxiety/QOL with academic achievements. Type of school and gender—but not the level of anxiety—were the main predictors of academic achievements of 287 adolescents (e.g., for mathematics, the effect estimates were: β = −1.71 [95% confidence interval −2.21