Irish journal of medical science
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Hepatitis C virus (HCV) remains a major cause of morbidity and death worldwide, with prevalence highest among people who inject drugs (PWID), homeless populations and prisoners. The World Health Organization has published targets to be achieved by 2030 as part of its global health sector strategy to eliminate viral hepatitis. Recent innovations in testing and treatment of HCV mean such goals are achievable with effective infrastructure, political will and funding. 'HepCare Europe' was a 3-year, EU-funded project involving four member states. ⋯ In HepCheck, HepLink. HepEd and HepFriend, we demonstrate a series of interventions to improve Irish HCV outcomes. Our findings highlight the benefits of multilevel interventions in HCV care.
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Review
A brief literature review of the psychological benefits of volunteerism in watersports inclusion.
The 2009 National Guidelines on Physical Activity for Ireland assert that 'all people with disabilities should be active'. Events such as the Watersports Inclusion Games invite individuals across the full spectrum of abilities to take part in physical activity in the form of adaptive watersports. This literature review aims to assess the value of inclusive watersport events such as this in the context of what is currently published on the motivation and benefits for volunteers in watersports inclusion. ⋯ The outcomes of this review suggest that, while there are many papers published on the benefits for volunteers in general and in sport, there is a relative paucity of literature on volunteers in inclusive sport, and even less relating to inclusive watersports. This review identifies a powerful opportunity to provide evidence to support the benefits of inclusive watersport for both participants and volunteers. Further research is required on why volunteers become involved in inclusive watersports and the benefits they derive from their involvement.
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Crohn's disease (CD) primarily involves gastrointestinal tract; however, it can present with extraintestinal manifestations (EIMs), which leads to significant morbidity. Frequency of EIMs and associated risk factors vary due to genetic and environmental differences in studies. ⋯ Although the immunological and clinical associations between EIMs and CD cannot be fully elucidated, identifying specific relationships of immune-mediated diseases will help to better understand CD pathogenesis.
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Irish Health Research Regulations (HRRs) were introduced following the commencement of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) in 2018. The HRRs set out supplementary regulatory requirements for research. A legal analysis presented under the auspices of the Irish Academy of Medical Sciences (IAMS) on April 8 and November 25, 2019 at the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland welcomed the introduction of GDPR and the HRRs. The analysis found the GDPR "explicit consent" introduced by the HRRs is problematic. A call was made to regulate informed consent in line with the common law as an achievable alternative safeguard, bringing Ireland in line with other EU Member States. ⋯ Our results confirm the GDPR explicit consent requirement of the HRRs is having had a significantly negative and far-reaching impact on the conduct of health research in Ireland. Urgent review of the HRRs and meaningful engagement between the health research community and legislators in healthcare is required.
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The main barrier for an appropriate primary management of the reproductive health was lack of knowledge about the risk factors and prevention measures for infertility and the main recommendations was to involve primary care physicians in reproductive health. ⋯ These recommendations could set the basis for a public health action plan for primary management of reproductive health. The findings may be applicable to any country whose health services system provides primary healthcare.